When it comes to adult faith formation at my parish, Christ the King in Chicago, I am often reminded that many folks go away for the summer. That doesn’t mean that we can’t plan adult faith formation opportunities during the summer months; it just means that we might need to adjust our expectations when it comes to attendance. Another option, however, is to find a way to “travel with” people as they scatter to the “four corners” of the world for vacation! A good way of doing this is to put together a summer reading list for parishioners and then to ask them to share brief reviews/reflections that can be published in the parish bulletin or posted on the parish’s social media sites.
Let’s work together to compile a good summer reading list for adult faith formation.
I’ll start by sharing some books that I recommend, beginning with some Loyola Press titles:
- Mercy in the City by Kerry Weber
- 7 Keys to Spiritual Wellness by Joe Paprocki
- A Friendship Like No Other by William Barry, SJ
- Blessed by Less by Susan Vogt
- Operating on Faith by Matt Weber
- The 15-Minute Prayer Solution by Gary Jansen
Other Publishers:
- The Holy Longing by Ronald Rolheiser, OMI
- Radical Optimism by Beatrice Bruteau
- The Strangest Way: Walking the Christian Path by Bishop Robert Barron
- The Cup of Our Life: A Guide to Spiritual Growth by Joyce Rupp
- Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life by Richard Rohr
- Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life by James Martin, SJ
What books do you recommend for summer reading? Keep it light and focus on spirituality. Think of books that folks would enjoy reading on the beach!
No Problem: Turning the Next Corner in your Spiritual Life by Robert Wicks
Conversation: The Sacred Art by Diane M. Millis
The Gift of Years by Joan Chittister
Between the Dark and the Daylight: Embracing the Contradictions of Life by Joan Chittister
Life of the Beloved by Henri J.M. Nouwen
Sacred Fire by Ronald Rolheiser, OMI
I would add “Awareness” by Anthony de Mello.
and “How Big is Your God” by Paul Continho
Here’s my list!
“A Prayer for Owen Meany” by John Irving
“Mercy: The Essence of the Gospel and the Key to Christian Life” by Cardinal Walter Kasper
“The Gospel of the Family” by Cardinal Walter Kasper
“The Church of Mercy” by Pope Francis
“Amoris Laetitia” by Pope Francis
“Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson
“Under the Influence of Jesus: The Transforming Experience of Encountering Christ” by Joe Paprocki
“Mystagogy of the Eucharist: A Resource for Faith Formation” by Gilbert Ostdiek, OFM
“Divine Renovation: Bringing Your Parish from Maintenance to Mission” by James Mallon
“Simple Church: Returning to God’s Process for Making Disciples” by Thom S. Rainer and Eric Geiger
“The Spiritual Meaning of the Liturgy” by Goffredo Boselli