Faith in the Family handbook launched at an event with the young illustrators

Faith in the Family - A handbook for parents cover

Faith in the Family is a book of questions and answers which came out of a course run for parents at the Church of the Holy Ghost in Balham in London.

Last week, the book’s authors, Anne Burke-Gaffney and Fr Marcus Holden launched it, explaining its genesis and its possible uses. They said:

“In this Year of Faith, we hope this book will help parents communicate the riches of that faith to their children and perhaps find answers to questions they ask too.”

The real stars of the night however were the children of Holy Ghost primary school, whose fantastic drawings were used to illustrate the volume.

Faith-in-the-family-illustrators-with-copies-of-the-book

The general secretary of the CTS, Mr Fergal Martin presented a copy of the text to each of the children whose art features in it. He said:

“It was a challenge to pick just 11 pictures out of the many fantastic ones we received. We were so pleased when the idea of turning what was a successful course into a book was presented to us. We hope that it will be a great tool for people to know their faith.”

Read an extract from the booklet Faith in the Family – A handbook for parents, and order online from CTS for just £4.95.

Or follow Faith in the Family on Twitter, it has some great ideas for how to bring parents and children closer to Christ and his Church.

Of related interest:

Effective parenting Effective parenting -This text sets out the importance of the role parents have and shows how that role must be expressed through nurturing and encouraging one’s children along a path to responsible caring adulthood.
Making Sunday Special Making Sunday Special – The fast pace of modern life and a growing secularism seem to have made it impossible to accept God’s invitation to make every seventh day a day of rest and contemplation. Starting with the Sabbath in the Jewish tradition and exploring the Christian Sunday Sabbath on the day of Christ’s Resurrection, this booklet traces the importance of Sunday.
Work and the Christian Family Work and the Christian Family – In a time when life is becoming increasingly expensive and when long working hours are the norm, finding the right balance between the demands of work and of the family is a difficult task. This booklet identifies the most important elements of a work-life balance that allows time for children and space for a life of Faith.
Wednesday, 12 June 2013 11:34 0 Comments

Congratulations to CTS Author Joanna Bogle!

By Mac McLernon on Flickr

Yesterday, at St George’s Catholic Cathedral in London, CTS author Joanna Bogle received a special award for service to the Holy See and the Catholic Church, being named a Dame of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St Gregory the Great.

The Order of St. Gregory the Great, instituted in 1831 by Pope Gregory XVI, recognises those who have done extraordinary work for the Church and set an example in their community and country.

The writer and journalist Joanna Bogle has worked to support the Church over many years and via many organisations, from the Association of Catholic Women to Aid to the Church in Need.

She joins the likes of G.K Chesterton, comedian Bob Hope (a convert to Catholicism) and his wife Dolores, and Manchester United manager Matt Busby, among those awarded this special honour.

She has also done much to encourage the work of CTS, as well as writing a number of CTS booklets.

The General Secretary of the CTS, Fergal Martin said:

“My warmest thanks to Joanna on behalf of all the CTS for her help as a writer and editorial adviser. It was wonderful to be a part of the celebration. My heartfelt congratulations to her on her richly deserved award.”

CTS Titles by Dame Joana Bogle:

Saints and Patrons Saints and Patrons -At Baptism and Confirmation we take a new name. In this booklet, the well-known Catholic author and journalist, Joanna Bogle, provides an extensive list of names to choose from. She briefly introduces each saint, and reminds us that, by taking a saint’s name, we are not just selecting a name we like, or a person who inspires us, but adopting a patron who is already in heaven.
Lent and Easter Lent and Easter – Spanning the seasons of Lent, Easter and to Pentecost, this booklet describes the rich heritage of customs and traditions long practiced by Catholics down the ages, up to today.
Advent and Christmas Advent and Christmas – This handy booklet sets out the rich heritage of customs long practised by Catholics during the seasons of Advent and Christmas
Thursday, 30 May 2013 14:55 0 Comments

CTS Booklet welcomed by UK Ambassador to the Holy See

HE NIGEL BAKER BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO THE HOLY SEE, CTS, FIRST ADDRESSES OF POPE FRANCIS

Among the new titles from CTS for Summer 2013 comes a collection of the words of the Holy Father during his first days as bishop of Rome, in First Addresses of Pope Francis.

They include the first Urbi et Orbi given by Pope Francis from the central Loggia of St Peter’s Basilica; his Audience with the Media Representatives; First Angelus Address; homily during the Inaugural Mass on the Feast of St Joseph; Homily during Palm Sunday Mass, Good Friday: Way of the Cross at the Colosseum; Homily during the Easter Vigil on 30 March.

First Addresses of Pope Francis has an insightful 2,500 word Introduction by leading Catholic journalist, writer and broadcaster, Peter Jennings, Press Secretary to the Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, which captures the immediacy and excitement of the historic election of the first Pope from Latin America, the first Jesuit Pope, and the first to take the name Francis after St Francis of Assisi.

Archbishop Bernard Longley gave an enthusiastic welcome to the publication. He said:

“I congratulate the Catholic Truth Society on the imagination and understanding that it has shown in gathering together the First Addresses of Pope Francis delivered by the Holy Father during the first two months of his pontificate. They offer us the earliest indications of Pope Francis’ priorities and his sense of the Church’s mission. They also give us uplifting insights into the humanity and spirituality of our new Holy Father.

This little booklet will always be a memento of the early days of Pope Francis’ ministry and will encourage us to pray for the Holy Father as he serves the Church with such a generous heart.”

H E Nigel Baker, British Ambassador to the Holy See, also added his praise for the new booklet saying:

“Much, already, has been written about Pope Francis. We all think we know him. This booklet encourages us to step back from the commentary and return to what Pope Francis actually said in the first few weeks of his Pontificate. One of the things I have learned since taking up my appointment as Ambassador to the Holy See is that everyone has an opinion, but few take care to study the original source.”

Read an extract from the booklet First Addresses of Pope Francis, and order online from CTS for just £2.50.

Of related interest:

Pope Francis Biography Pope Francis Biography -Amidst the many media reports on the newly elected bishop of Rome and his possible effect on the Church, it is easy to lose sight of who he is and where he really came from. This booklet gives you the facts
Francis: Pope of a New World Francis: Pope of a New World – Who is Pope Francis, elected in one of the shortest conclaves in history? Who is the man chosen to be the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit pope?
Pope Francis Poster (A3) Pope Francis Poster (A3) – One large poster perfect for your home, parish or school. With a golden border and the new Holy Father’s coat of arms included on it. Printed on excellent quality paper, finished beautifully and specially packed in a tube, it is a great way to show your support and affection for our new Pope.
Tuesday, 21 May 2013 09:16 0 Comments

Archbishop of Westminster helps launch new World Youth Day booklet from CTS

World Youth Day - Inspiring Generations

At an event at the Centre for Youth Ministries in Oxford UK earlier this week, a new booklet for young people was presented by one of its authors James Kelliher.

With World Youth Day just around the corner, many young people around the United Kingdom are waiting in great anticipation to see Pope Francis at this year’s event which takes place in Rio. One of these young people, James Kelliher, happens to be currently living in Brazil and volunteering in the offices of the World Youth Day organisers.

Alongside all the internal and external offices communications, general office admin, and networking linked to World Youth Day, James has also been working on this new booklet containing stories and testimonies of pilgrim’s experiences at World Youth Day in Madrid in 2011. When asked how the idea came about in producing a Catholic Truth Society booklet about World Youth Day, James said:

“Madrid was such an amazing experience for myself and many other young people, I therefore wanted to share these stories with the greater Catholic community. It has been a long process in the making, yet I am really happy with the outcome and hope many will enjoy the read.”

James Kelliher

Archbishop Vincent Nichols who happened to write the forward of the booklet and to have endorsed it, was present at the Centre for Youth Ministry on Tuesday evening and congratulated James on his determination and act of faith in putting this resource together.

The 72 page booklet can be ordered directly from CTS, and will be a great resource for all pilgrims preparing for this year’s event as well as those who want to reminisce on what they experienced in Madrid.

Read an extract of, and order World Youth Day – Inspiring Generations, by James Kelliher, Paula Mendez and Jo-Anne Rowney from CTS priced £2.50.

Of related interest:

YP1 World Youth Day Bundle 2013 -Designed to be squeezed into the bags of pilgrims going to the World Youth Day in Rio in July, this pack is crammed with indispensable material. From a small biography of Pope Francis, to prayer books for the journey, all at a very special price.
Be Firm in your Faith Be Firm in your Faith – Pope Benedict’s homilies and addresses from World Youth Day 2011, Madrid.
YouCat Prayer Book YouCat Prayer Book – A special prayer book for young people from the same team who wrote the internationally bestselling Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church, YouCat.
Friday, 17 May 2013 09:17 0 Comments

Year of Faith: National conference marks potential ‘sea change’ in the reading of the Bible

Cover of Word of the Lord

A national Bible conference held at the historic venue of Ushaw College, near Durham, has been affirmed as beginning a potential ‘sea change’ in the Catholic Bible apostolate in England and Wales.

Bishop Peter Brignall (Wrexham) and member of the Bishops’ Conference Department for Evangelisation and Catechesis, attended the Word of the Lord conference, 24 – 26th April, along with more than 70 delegates from across England and Wales. He commented:

“This gathering is the first of its kind in a generation. The Word of God lies at the heart of Catholic life and initiatives such as this conference are pivotal to encouraging others to read, study and pray with the Scriptures. The conference is one of a series of bible-focused initiatives that have been generated by a new working group established by the Bishops’ Department for Evangelisation and Catechesis in partnership with Bible Society. It’s hoped that more and more people will receive the invitation to listen to and proclaim, through many different means, God’s Word, which is the Word of Life.”

Other contributors to the conference included Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP, former Master of the Dominican Order worldwide and Dom Henry Wansbrough of Ampleforth Abbey, one of the leading Catholic Scripture scholars in England and Wales.

Among many speakers was Group Chief Executive of Bible Society, James Catford, who was presented with an icon of Saint Mark in appreciation of the assistance provided by the Society to organise the conference. He said:

Conference Delegates presented with copies of the Word of the Lord

“This conference represents an exciting next step in our journey together with the Scriptures. The themes of the conference have challenged us to consider afresh how we pass on God’s word in the written scriptures, through the Arts and through the witness of our lives. It has been a timely invitation to ‘be the word’ for others.”

One of the highlights of the conference was the launch of a new study guide, entitled The Word of the Lord, produced by the Department and published by the Catholic Truth Society.

The guide is designed to assist reading of Pope Benedict’s Apostolic Exhortation Verbum Domini which was issued in response to the Synod of Bishops on the Bible held in Rome in 2008. Delegates also visited Durham Cathedral and prayed at the tomb of the Venerable Bede, doctor of the Church, and patron of Scripture scholarship in these lands.

Fr Adrian Graffy, who helped write the guide, said:

“The whole event was so energising. The delegates were so positive and the speakers excellent. In the Year of Faith it was an opportunity to deepen our appreciation of Scripture at the heart of the Church in this country and to make plans for the years ahead.”

Word of the Lord – Discovering ‘Verbum Domini’ is available from CTS priced £4.95

Of related interest:

Do860 The Gift of Scripture -The Bishops of England and Wales, and of Scotland, in their teaching document The Gift of Scripture, build on Dei Verbum and subsequent Church teaching.
Understanding the Story of the Bible Understanding the Story of the Bible – In order to recover our sense of the narrative as a whole, we need to understand Salvation History as the true history of the world, from creation and fall to salvation through the death and resurrection of Christ,leading to eternal happiness in God.
Desire & Delight Desire & Delight – This book examines the joys and pleasures of the Christian life through the Song of Songs and the Psalms. These two ancient books, contain some of the most poetic and gorgeous imagery of the whole bible, and are simply explained in this text..
Wednesday, 08 May 2013 15:24 0 Comments

Happy St George’s Day – Patron of England

In honour of the great saint, here is the prayer for the conversion of England, written by Nicholas Cardinal Wiseman.

“O blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our most gentle Queen and Mother, look down in mercy upon England thy ‘Dowry’ and upon us all who greatly hope and trust in thee. By thee it was that Jesus our Saviour and our hope was given unto the world; and He has given thee to us that we might hope still more.

Plead for us thy children, whom thou didst receive and accept at the foot of the Cross, O sorrowful Mother. Intercede for our separated brethren, that with us in the one true fold they may be united to the supreme Shepherd, the Vicar of thy Son.

Pray for us all, dear Mother, that by faith fruitful in good works we may all deserve to see and praise God, together with thee, in our heavenly home. Amen.”

Please, remember to pray for Pope Francis today as well. Before he became bishop of Rome he was called Jorge Mario Bergoglio, so today is also his sant’s day!

Tuesday, 23 April 2013 15:41 0 Comments
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