Sacred Heart Radio Bookclub

“Come Creator Spirit” by Fr Cantalamessa aired 06/01/09

Come Creator Spirit aired 06-01-09   right click to download audio file

Written particularly for the Charismatic Renewal in the English-speaking world, Come, Creator Spirit is a helpful guide for a better understanding of the Holy Spirit. In this detailed commentary on the famous hymn Veni Creator, sung at the beginning of every new year, ecumenical council, and priestly ordination, Father Raniero Cantalamessa describes the Paraclete and gives praise to its glory. Progressing through the hymn line by line, he provides insights, reflections, hymnography of Christian traditions, and testimonies of the saints.

This book describes the Church’s experience of the Spirit of today, as well as the past. The biblical and theological base of the hymn opens the reader to the perspectives and inspirations in this book. Its vision of the Holy Spirit in the history of salvation emerges as the reader progresses through the reading. In the celebration of the ecumenical character of Veni Creator, this book draws from Orthodox, Protestant, and Catholic traditions for all those who wish to seek a better understanding of the Holy Spirit.

“Death of a Pope” by Piers Paul Read aired 05/15/09

Death of a Pope aired 05-15-09   right click download audio file

In The Death of a Pope, the versatile Piers Paul Read, who has distinguished himself in many genres, returns to what can be called the ecclesiastical thriller. If the mystery looks to the past to explain a crime already committed, the thriller aims to prevent something from happening. When that something is a terrorist act, planned for the Vatican, drama is assured, and Read, writing in the present tense but in multiple viewpoint, takes us from character to character, from city to city, from continent to continent, with everything converging on the Vatican during the conclave following the death of John Paul II. To say more would rob the reader of his pleasure. The Death of a Pope is a great Read - in every sense of the term.
- Ralph McInerny

“Abuse of Language - Abuse of Power” by Josef Pieper aired 05/04/09

Abuse of Language - Abuse of Power aired 05-04-09   right click here to download audio file

One of the great Catholic philosophers of our day reflects on the way language has been abused so that, instead of being a means of communicating the truth and entering more deeply into it, and of the acquisition of wisdom, it is being used to control people and manipulate them to achieve practical ends. Reality becomes intelligible through words. Man speaks so that through naming things, what is real may become intelligible. This mediating character of language, however, is being increasingly corrupted. Tyranny, propaganda, mass-media destroy and distort words. They offer us apparent realities whose fictive character threatens to become opaque. Josef Pieper shows with energetic zeal, but also with ascetical restraint, the path out of this dangerous situation. We are constrained to see things again as they are and from the truth thus grasped, to live and to work.

“My Name is Asher Lev” by Chaim Potok aired 04/06/09

My Name is Asher Lev aired 04-06-09   right click here to download audio file 

     Asher Lev introduces himself in the opening lines of his story. He is an observant Jew, he is the talk of the town following the exhibiting of his painting Brooklyn Crucifixion - not only do observant Jews not paint crucifixions, they do not paint at all - he is viewed as a traitor.
     The still very young Asher Lev then begins to recount his life that lead to this predicament. He starts from when he was about four years old, an ordinary Brooklyn lad the only son born to a scholarly Hasidic family. But it is soon evident that he has a remarkable talent fro drawing. The story follows the difficult realisation of the talent which leads him to great critical acclaim, but ostracism from is family and home.

“The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman aired 03/02/09

The Five Love Lanuages aired 03-02-09   right click here to download audio file

Are you and your spouse speaking the same language? While love is a many splendored thing, it is sometimes a very confusing thing, too. And as people come in all varieties, shapes, and sizes, so do their choices of personal expressions of love. But more often than not, the giver and the receiver express love in two different ways. This can lead to misunderstanding, quarrels, and even divorce. Quality Time Words of Affirmation Gifts Acts of Service Physical TouchDr. Gary Chapman identifies five basic languages of love and then guides couples towards a better understanding of their unique languages of love. Learn to speak and understand your mate’s love language, and in no time you will be able to effectively love and truly feel loved in return.Skillful communication is within your grasp!

“The Mass” by Dr. Tom Curran aired 02/02/09

This new book by Dr. Tom Curran examines the Mass not merely as a ritual, but as an event, a point of contact where Jesus Christ approaches you to change your life..Chapter by chapter Dr. Curran accompaThis new book by Dr. Tom Curran examines the Mass not merely as a ritual, but as an event, a point of contact where Jesus Christ approaches you to change your lifenies you from the time you pull into the parking lot for Mass, until you walk out the doors after the final blessing, using examples and stories from everyday life that will move you deeply and at times make you laugh. By the end you will see with new eyes what is so familiar to you, and hear with new ears what you’ve heard over and over at Mass, and your response will never be the same.

“Introduction to The Devout Life” by St Francis De Sales 01-23-09

Introduction to The Devout Life by St Francis De Sales  aired 01-23-09     right click to download audio

In Introduction to the Devout Life, 17th-century French clergyman Francis de Sales addresses himself to the mass of Christians who do not believe it possible that they could live a devout life while also struggling to make their way in the world. He contends that devotion is not a state necessarily relegated to monks in cloisters, but can be a quality of life to which everyone can aspire. Accordingly, the book is arranged as a self-help guide to lead the reader through the process of developing a life lived in accordance with God. Christians seeking a deeper connection with the divine will find this an inspiring read. French bishop and Roman Catholic saint FRANCIS DE SALES (1567-1622) is known for his work converting Protestants to Catholicism. He was a renowned preacher and writer; among his works is Treatise on the Love of God.

“A New Earth” by Eckhart Tolle aired 05/05/08

A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle aired 05-05-08     right click to download audio

***WARNING*** The Bookclub group explains why this popular New Age book is dangerous to you and your family members. In 2005 this book was the Oprah “Book of the Year” which made it a best seller, however, Heresies like this have been around for centuries.

“The Secret Cardinal” by Tom Grace aired 04/28/08

The Secret Cardinal by Tom Grace aired 04-28-08 right click here to download

Grace’s latest featuring series hero ex-navy SEAL Nolan Kilkenny spins a complicated fugue around papal succession. After the tragic loss of his beloved wife and unborn son, Kilkenny arrives at the Vatican and is soon called to the side of the dying pope Leo XIV. The pope discloses that more than 20 years earlier he made Yin Daoming—who has been a religious prisoner in China for longer than that—a secret cardinal. He asks Kilkenny to head up a team to go to China, free Yin and bring him back to the Vatican. Standing in Kilkenny’s way is intelligence agent Liu Shing-Li of the Chinese Ministry of State Security, a very serious fellow indeed. Interspersed with rescue mission chapters are detailed descriptions of the Vatican’s inner workings and the details of the process of pope selection, which thrills-only readers may find distracting. But Grace builds a suspenseful head of steam as Kilkenny and friends overcome twists and obstacles in a dangerous race against Liu’s forces.