Lino Rulli is the real deal. Fans of his “The Catholic Guy” show are familiar with his self-deprecating humor and honest approach to sharing his faith. Both longtime listeners and those unfamiliar with his work will enjoy Sinner, an autobiography which doesn’t shrink from the ups and downs of living out one’s faith in today’s sometimes hostile culture.

This is a conversion story in the sense of the daily examination of conscience, the constant turning away from sin, and the often difficult decision to continue down the path of faith even when the way may be unclear. Which isn’t to say that it’s all penitence and weeping; in fact, Rulli’s trademark wit makes this an enjoyable, often lighthearted travelogue through his spiritual journey. Cradle Catholics will enjoy his recounting of his childhood experiences and may recognize themselves in stories like this one:

I received the sacrament of Confirmation in eighth grade – and then promptly left the Church.

I”ve got a group photo of my classmates and me following our confirmation by Bishop Robert Carlson…I’m on the edge of the shot looking to run away. He had confirmed me and in doing so gave me the freedom to leave the Church. Yay!

What our confirmation teacher said was: “You are confirmed in the Catholic faith. you are adults. This means the faith is your own and it’s up to you to live it out.”

What we heard was: “Your parents aren’t going to force you to come to church anymore.”

It’s refreshing to read an account of a spiritual life with ups and downs, rather than a straightforward trajectory of growing in holiness. Because Rulli is both honest in talking about his own failings and hopeful in emphasizing the power of grace and the importance of repentance, his story makes him – and the Catholic life – very authentic and approachable.

I think this would be a terrific book to share with a young adult who may have bolted out of Mass with the same enthusiasm Rulli describes in his post-Confirmation self. He talks about Confession frequently in the book without ever giving the reader a knowing look that says, “when’s the last time you darkened the door of a church, hmmm?” And he uses humor without being irreverent towards anyone but himself…and a few other characters who pop up throughout the book.

The book isn’t a strictly chronological autobiography, and at times the back and forth leaps in time can be a little confusing. (Or perhaps I just don’t read closely enough.) I would have liked to read more about his life in showbiz, too, but that’s probably beside the point of the narrative he’s presenting. I would recommend this for older teenagers and above, as there’s one story about, well, a lady of the evening, and a slight sprikling of salty language. Did I mention its authenticity? But it’s enjoyable, often poignant, and very relatable – highly recommend.

You can purchase this book here.

I wrote this review of Sinner for the free Catholic Book review program, created by Aquinas and More Catholic Goods, your source for Baptism Gifts and Catholic DVDs.

Tiber River is the first Catholic book review site, started in 2000 to help you make informed decisions about Catholic book purchases.

I receive free product samples as compensation for writing reviews for Tiber River.

I am very pleased to be joining in here at Amazing Catechists to give away a copy of three of my book titles:

Catholic Saints Prayer Book, A Catholic Woman’s Book of Prayers, and Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers, all from Our Sunday Visitor!

Lisa Mladinich has reviewed my book Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers. She graciously said: “Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s delightful pocket-sized volume, Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers, is like all her work in that it comes from the depths of her heart. But it is so much more. Yielding her days, moment by moment to God through the example of Our Lady, and guided by the extraordinary teachings of the Catholic Church, Donna-Marie has received along the way the luminous and enduring grace of a mother’s wisdom, which she shares with affection and humility.

I always light up under the influence of this wise and tender friend to women; one who has prayed, suffered and rejoiced with Our Lord through all of life’s varied moments in an attitude of trust. This little book makes me think of a garden, with its smaller beds of ferns and flowers, overflowing with life and beauty. In each chapter, you’ll discover small blossoms of scripture, quotes from popes, saints, and the Catechism, traditional and original prayers and poems, and personal thoughts for meditation.

This compilation is a wonderful gift for every mother or grandmother who needs a reminder that her hidden life of dedication to her children is “an integral part of the means to their salvation,” and that God’s grace is available to her in abundance for their every need. Like the author herself, the Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers is here ‘…to assist you in keeping your heart always lifted up toward Heaven, communicating with the Divine, even as your hands are occupied with household and motherly tasks.’ Highly recommended.”

Have a quick look at this brief book trailer for my upcoming book, Embracing Motherhood due to be released in early January and available at my website: www.donnacooperoboyle.com

http://viewdomesticchurch.blogspot.com/2011/12/embracing-motherhood-book-trailer.html

Have a beautiful Advent and a very holy and happy Christmas!

Donna-Marie

Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, noted as one of the top ten most fascinating Catholics in 2009 is a world-renowned author, and journalist, and EWTN-TV host of “Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms. She is also a Catholic wife and mother of five, a Catechist, and speaker.

She was blessed with a decade-long friendship with Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta and passionately encourages others to follow in the footsteps of her blessed friend—caring for the poorest of the poor. Mother Teresa constantly encouraged Donna-Marie to continue writing for mothers, women, and families.

Donna-Marie was invited by the Holy See in 2008 to participate in an International Congress for women at the Vatican to mark the twentieth anniversary of the Apostolic Letter, Mulieris Dignitatem. Her books and writings are centered on faith and family. She has nine books published thus far and several to be released in the near future.

She has received awards for her work and the prestigious honor of Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic blessings on her books and work.  She has also received Pope Benedict XVI’s Apostolic blessings, commendations from bishops, as well as letters of commendation from Catholic clergy.

Donna-Marie is a frequent guest on national and international Catholic radio including the “Vatican Insider” and has been profiled many television shows including Faith and Culture on EWTN, and on EWTN’s Bookmark with Doug Keck, “Crossroads Magazine” show.

Her writing can also be seen on the web in columns and websites and magazines and newspapers. She has written for the English edition of L’Osservatore Romano (Vatican newspaper), The National Catholic Register (national), Our Sunday Visitor (national) newspaper, The Catholic Transcript, The News Times, The New Milford Times, Hearth magazine, Canticle magazine, Lay Witness magazine, Faith & Family magazine, CarbLite magazine, on the Web—many areas, including Catholic Exchange, Catholic Online, her column at Catholic Mom.com, Catholic Lane, and a parenting column for Irish Family Press (print edition), a Catholic weekly newspaper published in Ireland and also its online version. Learn more at Donna-Marie’s website: www.donnacooperoboyle.com

 

Enter to win one of THREE copies of Alex Basile’s beautiful new book by leaving a comment!

Christmas is one of the great feasts of the year, and this book is itself a feast of Christmas faith. Alex Basile has gathered lore and history, songs and recipes, garlands and symbols, and shown them all to be emblems and heralds of the Great King who comes our way. He calls to witness voices as varied as J.R.R. Tolkien, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Charlie Brown, and St. Bernard of Clairvaux. Christmas season brings out the best in everyone, including authors. In this book by Alex Basile (an author I love), it has brought forth the best from the best.

– Mike Aquilina, author, editor and vice president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology based in Steubenville, Ohio.

I absolutely love “Welcome Baby Jesus: Advent and Christmas Reflections for Families,” from Liguori. It’s one of those rare resources for sharing with young children that does not talk down to them, but lifts them up with a dynamic and engaging style that is never dull or overly academic. But at the same time, it gives great substance -- in age-appropriate terms parents can easily use to draw their children more deeply into relationship with Jesus Christ.

It also has the quite substantial advantage of having been written by one of the most charming Catholic writers to come down the road for a long time.

Author Sarah A. Reinhard, well known for her blog at www.snoringscholar.com, is a delight as she takes us all the way through Advent, day by day, sharing scriptures, meditations, prayers, and daily opportunities for the whole family to live the Faith through acts of love and service. But then she takes it even further, covering the true season of Christmas, so often neglected, from the Nativity through the Feast of the Epiphany.

Priced very reasonably at $1.99, this colorful paperback booklet is worth its weight in gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Sarah has only recently joined our staff here at Amazing Catechists, so I also want to welcome her with great joy!

Enjoy this beautiful season of Advent  and Christmas with your children!

Order here.

From Ave Maria Press

Review by Lisa Mladinich

Lisa Hendey is a rare human being and a beautiful woman of faith. Beloved by her millions of readers at CatholicMom.com and those of us who devoured her best seller, “The Handbook for Catholic Moms,” she has a genuine gift for friendship.

Who better to bring us this gorgeous new resource, “A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms,” which introduces us to 52 of the Catholic Church’s canonized saints through brief, but compelling summaries of their lives, their teachings, the Church’s traditions, quotes, related scriptural passages and suggested activities for use with our children. So neglected in recent years, friendship with the saints is a great gift offered to us by God through the traditions of Mother Church.

As Lisa lovingly demonstrates, through friendship with these unique and deeply human role models, we draw closer to God in the singular and intimate way in which He speaks to (and through) each one of us. Each of the 52 chapters is structured for use during the course of one week, entertainingly engaging us and our families through an entire year of learning about and praying to these amazing and often charming heavenly companions, who watch over us and joyfully intercede for our needs.

What a gift to those we love! And what a delightful and intelligently constructed gem of a book!

Available at Amazon.com. Highly recommended.

Published by Paraclete Press

Review by Ellen Gable Hrkach

Generous Faith: Stories to Inspire Abundant Living by Sr. Bridget Haase is a wonderful book filled with touching stories, spiritual reflections and lessons in faith. This beautiful little book illustrates that our life is an abundant life, a gift from God. As Sr. Bridget says, “All we need to do is cultivate this awareness through three basic practices: Living in the Moment; Trusting in Divine Care and Experiencing God’s Presence.” Each section or practice includes stories and reflections pertinent each practice.

Sr. Bridget writes: “In these stories we have met men, women and children living across cultural borders and close to home. We have sat at the ocean with a dying shell seeker, held a Gypsy child in our arms, and laughed over bus tickets and letters. We have experienced the power of desert baked tears of compassion of a son’s undying love for his father.” We meet these unique images of God throughout the book: Bird, Wynn, Buster, Rita, Aisha and many others.

I enjoyed reading about Sr. Bridget’s family and the interesting people she has met through the years. The stories are engaging and kept my interest throughout the entire book. I especially appreciated the spiritual reflections and lessons in faith and have begun to implement them in my own life.

This is a beautifully written book and a delightful read filled with poignant stories and reflections. It is a book I won’t soon forget and one that I can wholeheartedly recommend.

Copyright 2011 Ellen Gable Hrkach

Review by Lisa Mladinich

Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s delightful pocket-sized volume, Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers, is like all her work in that it comes from the depths of her heart. But it is so much more. Yielding her days, moment by moment to God through the example of Our Lady, and guided by the extraordinary teachings of the Catholic Church, Donna-Marie has received along the way the luminous and enduring grace of a mother’s wisdom, which she shares with affection and humility.

I always light up under the influence of this wise and tender friend to women; one who has prayed, suffered and rejoiced with Our Lord through all of life’s varied moments in an attitude of trust. This little book makes me think of a garden, with its smaller beds of ferns and flowers, overflowing with life and beauty. In each chapter, you’ll discover small blossoms of scripture, quotes from popes, saints, and the Catechism, traditional and original prayers and poems, and personal thoughts for meditation.

This compilation is a wonderful gift for every mother or grandmother who needs a reminder that her hidden life of dedication to her children is “an integral part of the means to their salvation,” and that God’s grace is available to her in abundance for their every need. Like the author herself, the Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers is here “…to assist you in keeping your heart always lifted up toward Heaven, communicating with the Divine, even as your hands are occupied with household and motherly tasks.”

Highly recommended. Order here.