Charles J. Chaput's Strangers in a Strange Land is a vivid critique of American life today, but also an empowering guide to how Christians--and particularly Catholics--can live their faith vigorously, with confidence and hope, in a post-Christian public square From the author of Living the Catholic Faith and Render Unto Caesar comes a fresh, urgent, and ultimately hopeful treatise on the state of Catholic life and Christian community in the United States. America today is different in kind, not just in degree, from the past. And this new reality is unlikely to be reversed. The reasons include, but aren't limited to, the decline of a sustaining sense of family and community, the impact of new technologies and economic changes that widen the gulf between rich and poor, diminished religious belief among young people, significant demographic shifts, profound new patterns in sexual behavior and identity, the growth of federal power and its disregard for religious rights, and the growing isolation and elitism of our leadership classes. But the author gives more than a penetrating diagnosis of the nation's problems. Archbishop Chaput offers a compelling reflection on the person of Jesus Christ, the nature of the Church, the urgency of radical faith, and the redemptive power of beauty - all in the spirit of Psalm 8 and the enduring words of Irenaeus: "The glory of God is man fully alive.

Pope John Paul II worked many miracles while still on earth... Ask a priest who was ordained during the pontificate of Pope John Paul II, "How did you come to know God was calling you?" Chances are, the answer will have something to do with John Paul himself. Living Miracles tells the true stories of some of these "spiritual sons" of John Paul. You'll meet a priest who underwent a "second conversion" after concelebrating Mass with the Pope. Another who had his first life-changing brush with spiritual greatness when Cardinal Karol Wojtyla went kayaking on a modest Michigan lake. And one who knew he was called to the Catholic priesthood when, through the confusion of a teeming crowd, a remarkably peaceful Pope John Paul met his gaze and held it. These stories are sure to excite and reassure every Catholic who prays for the "JP2 priests" in our midst - while praying for their example to inspire a new crop of great men to heroic lives of joyful sacrifice and service. The book includes reflections from Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Houston, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Denver, and Bishop Peter Jugis of Charlotte, North Carolina. Priests profiled include Fr. Ed Kelly (Archdiocese of Philadelphia, PA), Fr. Peter Mitchell (Diocese of Lincoln, NE), Fr. Gary Dailey (Diocese of Springfield, MA), Fr. David Toups (Associate Director, Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C), Fr. Leonard Reisz (Diocese of Owensboro, KY), Fr. Jay Toborowsky (Diocese of Metuchen, NJ), Fr. Alvaro Corcuera (General Director of the Legion of Christ, Rome, Italy), Fr. Stephen Savel (Diocese of London, Ontario, Canada), Fr. Richard Mullins (Director of Multicultural Ministries, Diocese of Arlington, VA), Fr. Mark White (Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.), Fr. John Higgins (Archdiocese of New York, NY), and Fr. Anthony Denton (Archdiocese of Melbourne, Australia).

What is a deacon?" "What does a deacon do?" These are two questions pastors, parishioners, and even deacons themselves often ask.

"In A New Friendship" Monsignor Edward Buelt answers these questions through an engaging conversation with the Scriptures, the eucharistic liturgy, and church teaching on the diaconate. Originally given as a retreat for deacon candidates, "A New Friendship "is now available to a larger audience of bishops, priests, deacons, deacons' wives, and candidates in formation.

Buelt's treatment of al the major themes of the diaconate? Ministry of word, altar, and charity, as well as communion, sacrifice, service, and suffering? Is inspiring and enriching. He highlights the meaning of the diaconate through insightful and moving reflections on the Scriptures and proposes practical lessons for a deacon's ministry at Mass. Buelt offers sound counsel for the spiritual life of deacons in the voice of an attentive pastor of souls and as one who cares about the diaconate.

"A New Friendship "is must reading for anyone interested in the diaconate and in diaconal ministry.

"Monsignor Edward Buelt was ordained to the priesthood in 1982. A noted liturgist and canon lawyer, he has exercised a variety of ministries in the Archdiocese of Denver and as an official of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. In 1998 he was appointed the founding pastor of Our Lady of Loreto Parish in suburban Denver, where he continues to serve.""

The Catholic "thing" - the concrete historical reality of Catholicism as a presence in human history - is the richest cultural tradition in the world. It values both faith and reason, and therefore has a great deal to say about politics and economics, war and peace, manners and morals, children and families, careers and vocations, and many other perennial and contemporary questions. In addition, it has inspired some of the greatest art, music, and architecture, while offering unparalleled human solidarity to tens of millions through hospitals, soup kitchens, schools, universities, and relief services.
This volume brings together some of the very best commentary on a wide range of recent events and controversies by some of the very best Catholic writers in the English language: Ralph McInerny, Michael Novak, Fr. James V. Schall, Hadley Arkes, Robert Royal, Anthony Esolen, Brad Miner, George Marlin, David Warren, Austin Ruse, Francis Beckwith, and many others.
Their contributions cover large Catholic subjects such as philosophy and theology, liturgy and Church dogma, postmodern culture, the Church and modern politics, literature, and music. But they also look into specific contemporary problems such as religious liberty, the role of Catholic officials in public life, growing moral hazards in bio-medical advances, and such like.
"The Catholic Thing" is a virtual encyclopedia of Catholic thought about modern life.