The Effective Catechetical Leader series
Catechetical Leaders

Now Here: The Effective Catechetical Leader Series

Just about 20 years ago, I was minding my own business at the Office for Catechesis in the Archdiocese of Chicago when Loyola Press approached me and asked me to contribute to a new series they were working on in collaboration with NCCL called The Effective DRE Skills Development Series. Not only did the series go on to touch the lives of numerous catechetical leaders, the contact with Loyola Press eventually led to an invitation to […]

summer beach
Spiritual Growth

Summer Reading from Loyola Press

Summer is a wonderful time to renew your soul! With that in mind, Loyola Press is making available some excellent books for summer reading at a very special price of only $9 each. Take advantage of these savings and enjoy reading some wonderfully inspirational books while you relax on your porch or deck, in your backyard, at the park, or on the beach. Don’t forget to take a peek at some of the books I […]

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Books

A Summer Reading List

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 […]

Dear Pope Francis
Books

Bringing Pope Francis to Children

While you may not be able to bring Pope Francis to your faith formation session as a guest speaker, you can still bring him closer to the children you teach! By now, I’m sure you have heard of the amazing book, Dear Pope Francis. In this book (also available in Spanish), Pope Francis answers questions from children around the world. Some are fun. Some are serious. And some will quietly break your heart. But all […]

Dear Pope Francis
Books

What Would You Ask the Pope?

If you could ask Pope Francis one question, what would it be? What would the children you work with ask the Pope? In Dear Pope Francis, the Pope’s first book for children, he personally responds to 30 questions from children around the world. The book is published by Loyola Press, and we’re excited to share it with you. The Wall Street Journal shares the story behind the project and the book’s trailer here. Dear Pope […]

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Books

Coming Soon: A Church on the Move (My New Book!)

Welcome to the New Year, friends! I am excited to announce that in just a few short weeks, my newest book—A Church on the Move: 52 Ways to Get Mission and Mercy in Motion—will be available! If the New Evangelization is to have any hopes of success, our parishes must experience a radical revitalization. In order to accomplish this, however, we do not have to implode our parishes and rebuild them from scratch. In my new book, […]

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Books

Nice Book Review for Under the Influence of Jesus!

While on vacation, I caught wind of this very nice review of my book, Under the Influence of Jesus. The review was written for CatholicPhilly.com  by Eugene J. Fisher, a professor of theology at St. Leo University in Florida. Thanks, Dr. Fisher! Here’s a sample of the review: This book is a spiritual meditation on what it means to be a Christian in one’s daily life. Written on a popular level, it makes use of […]

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Miscellaneous

Loyola Press to publish English translation of Pope Francis book

I guess I’ll have to share the Loyola Press author spot light with some upstart author! 🙂 (Check out the story in the Chicago Tribune) Seriously, this is such exciting news! Loyola Press has beat out the nation’s top publishing houses for the rights to produce the North American English translation of the first collection of Pope Francis’ words since he became pope. Congrats to Joe Durepos, our Acquisitions Editor, for discovering this “new talent” […]

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Books

More Positive Reviews for Beyond the Catechist’s Toolbox!

I am grateful for 2 more very positive reviews of Beyond the Catechist’s Toolbox, from people I highly respect! First, here’s a review from Jonathan Sullivan, the Director of Catechetical Services for the Diocese of Springfield, IL. He is also the chair of the  National Conference for Catechetical Leadership‘s Technology Committee and  host of the Catechetical Leader podcast. Jonathan is one of the finest minds in the country with relation to the effective use of technology […]

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Books

More Positive Reviews for 7 Keys to Spiritual Wellness!

The positive reviews for my book, 7 Keys to Spiritual Wellness, continue to roll in! I was delighted to read the following 2 great reviews. The first is by Heidi Schlumpf (National Catholic Reporter, 7/20)… Antdote to Spiritual Sickness …and the second is from RTJ’s (Religion Teachers Journal) Creative Catechist. 7 Keys Review in Creative Catechist