Guide Books

Printed on durable card stock with larger type, this confession aid includes the full order of service for individual confession from the new translation of the Order of Penance. Its easy-to-use, tri-folded-format is designed to help penitents participate more fully in individual reconciliation and know the appropriate prayers and responses. This confession aid also includes a Prayer of Preparation, an Examination of Conscience, and a Prayer of Thanksgiving.

This aid can be kept on hand in confessionals and reconciliation chapels or in church vestibules.

Each pack includes 50 cards.

The Vigil for the Deceased and the Rite of Committal Worship Aid by Danielle Noe

Vigil for the Deceased and the Rite of Committal prayer card will help those who take part in these rites of the Order of Christian Funerals. This easy-to-use worship aid guides the mourners through the liturgy and provides their responses, and it includes a few well-known hymns to encourage singing. Its simple, dignified design is suited to the solemnity of the rites it supports.

978-1-61671-440-6 | Prayercard | Language: English

The Pocket Guide to the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a beautiful, prayerful book by Fr. Mike Schmitz and Fr. Josh Johnson which helps Catholics enter in to the Sacrament of Reconciliation more deeply.

In this small but powerful book, Fr. Mike and Fr. Josh explain:

• How to make an excellent examination of conscience

• How to identify the root cause of sins you find yourself confessing over and over again

• What to do if you don't feel sorry for your sins

• What to do if you can't think of anything to say

• What do to if you are afraid to confess a particular sin

This book includes an examination of conscience and the text of the Act of Contrition.

Its small size, page-holding ribbon, and durable Alpha Cowhide cover make it perfect to bring with you every time you go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation!

Author: Fr. Mike Schmitz and Fr. Josh Johnson

ISBN: 9781950784554

By Timothy A. Johnston, Paul Turner, Paul Radkowski

The celebration of infant Baptism stirs joy within a community and reminds those who have gathered that God has called each of us to be missionary disciples. Celebrating Baptism well has the potential to evangelize and transform a parish community so that their faith will be stirred, deepened, and renewed. This second edition provides pastoral guidance for preparing joyful and communal celebrations of infant Baptism within or outside Mass according to the newly translated Order of Baptism of Children. It provides guidance for selecting Scripture readings, prayer texts, and music; arranging the environment; scheduling ministers; and preparing liturgies that engage and evangelize.

As part of the Preparing Parish Worship series, this book includes:

• Theological reflections on the meaning of Baptism
• Historical overview of the development of the baptismal rites for children
• A walk-through of the newly translated Order of Baptism of Children
• Answers to frequently asked questions with responses to difficult pastoral situations
• Assistance with best liturgical practices
• Inspirational and informative quotations from Scripture and Church documents

978-1-61671-564-9 | Paperback | 6 x 9 | 176 pages | Language: English | Copyright Year: 2020

Joined by the Church, Sealed by a Blessing does more than help parish leaders plan excellent wedding liturgies and prepare engaged couples well. It enables parish leaders to address the challenges of increased divorce, fewer Catholic weddings, empty pews on Sundays, and the increasing number of people who choose no faith. This is the one book that will give you a comprehensive plan to address these concerns with confidence, creativity, and clarity.

With over fifty years of combined hands-on experience in parish and diocesan liturgy preparation and catechumenate formation, Diana Macalintal and Nick Wagner give you more than just another marriage preparation resource. They give you a parish transformation tool.

Subtitle: Couples and Communities Called to Conversion Together
Author: Diana Macalintal and Nick Wagner

PRODUCT DETAILS
ISBN: 9780814637654
Details: 216 pgs , 6 x 9 
Publication Date: 09/22/2014

With a warm and friendly style, this booklet provides thoughtful, clear answers to the questions parents have about preparing their children to receive the sacraments of reconciliation and Communion for the first time. It includes recommendations for the involvement of godparents, reflections on the meaning of the sacraments, an overview of the rites, and guidance for how and when to receive the sacraments. It also stresses the importance of regularly confessing sins and going to Mass as a family. With questions for reflection, parents will be able to engage with their children about their developing faith and help them participate regularly in the sacramental life of the Church as they mature.

9781616717469 | Saddlestitched | 6 x 9 | 64 pages

With a warm and friendly style, this booklet provides thoughtful, clear answers to the questions parents have about preparing their children to receive the sacraments of reconciliation and Communion for the first time. It includes recommendations for the involvement of godparents, reflections on the meaning of the sacraments, an overview of the rites, and guidance for how and when to receive the sacraments. It also stresses the importance of regularly confessing sins and going to Mass as a family. With questions for reflection, parents will be able to engage with their children about their developing faith and help them participate regularly in the sacramental life of the Church as they mature.

9781616717483 | Saddlestitched | 6 x 9 | 64 pages

Help teens prepare to encounter the love and mercy of God through the sacrament of reconciliation with LTP's Preparing for Confession for Teens! Written specifically for middle- and high-school aged youth, this guide focuses on God's desire to bring healing, hope, and freedom through this beautiful sacrament. It includes:

• Short scriptural reflections inviting teens to look back on their lives in the light of God's abundant mercy;
• An age-appropriate examination of conscience asking teens to consider their relationship with God, with others, and with self;
• Step-by-step instructions for celebrating the sacrament individually or as a part of a communal reconciliation service;
• An invitation for teens to give thanks for the gift of God's mercy and how they can continue to live in the freedom God has given them in the sacrament.

Preparing for Confession for Teens is an excellent resource for youth ministers, directors of religious education, campus ministers, and pastors to have available whenever teens will be invited to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation.

9781616717759 | Saddlestitched | 4-1/4 x 5-1/2 | 32 pages

Sin wounds our relationship with God, with ourselves, and with others. In his great love, God calls us to reconcile with him, to experience a conversion of heart that moves us to feel contrition for the thoughts, behaviors, and the inaction that harm ourselves and our relationships with him and others. In the sacrament of reconciliation, we are invited to experience God's love and mercy.

Designed specifically for children who will celebrate the sacrament for the first time, Preparing for Confession for Children: Receiving God's Mercy will help young people get ready to confess their sins. Scripture passages will help children reflect on God's mercy. They will be guided to examine their conscience, to think about what to confess, and to pray before and after the sacrament. A downloadable pdf is also available to parents who want additional support and catechesis about the sacrament.

The booklet, appropriately sized for small hands, can be brought to confession and is ideal for children in Catholic schools and religious education programs.

9781616717759 | Saddlestitched | 4-1/4 x 5-1/2 | 24 pages

By Jo-Ann Metzdorff and Paul Turner

Guide for Celebrating First Communion presents a collaborative and liturgically appropriate approach for preparing Masses in which children are receiving Communion for the first time. Combining a theological and historical overview with practical advice, this guide may be used by pastors, liturgists, music directors, directors of religious education, catechists, and worship commissions to help foster the participation of children and bring them to full communion at the table of the Lord. This resource includes:

• A walk through the Mass detailing liturgical norms and acceptable practices
• Recommendations for readings and prayer texts
• Suggestions for selecting music and preparing the liturgical environment
• Ideas for scheduling liturgies, seating arrangements, processions, attire, and preparing liturgical ministers
• Strategies for dealing with difficult circumstances
• Ways the parish liturgy evangelizes
• Documentation from Church documents
• Answers to frequently asked questions
• Glossary of terms

978-1-61671-235-8 | Paperback | 6 x 9 | 128 pages | Language: English | Copyright Year: 2015

The fourth edition of the bestselling booklet Together at Baptism includes texts from the new English translation of The Order of Baptism of Children, which must be used by parishes in the United States beginning on April 12, 2020, but may be used as early as February 2, 2020. Author Robert M. Hamma helps parents understand the sacrament with brief commentaries that provide insight not only on the celebration of Baptism but also on handing on the Catholic faith to their children in the midst of everyday life.

Together at Baptism offers parish staff a practical, concise tool to help prepare parents and godparents for the Baptism of a child. It offers both spiritual support and important information about the sacrament. The booklet contains twenty-six brief commentaries by Robert M. Hamma on the essential elements and liturgical texts of The Order of Baptism of Children. Parents will learn about their role as first witnesses to the faith, the essential support of godparents, the distinctively Catholic understanding of the sacrament, and the joys and challenges of lifelong commitment to the faith.

The familiar and popular features of earlier editions of Together at Baptism remain in place, but have been updated to meet the realities of today"s Catholic families, including shifting family structures, the influences of digital distractions on family life, and the need for basic education about the faith. The words of the baptismal celebration and the three-fold immersion in or pouring on of holy water are the same, but many of the greetings, prayers, and instructions of the liturgy have subtle, important changes shifting the tone to the more formal language of the newest edition of the Roman Missal. These changes affect such elements as:

• the greeting for the Rite of Receiving the Child;
• text of the Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith by parents and godparents;
• the post-baptismal Explanatory Rites the Anointing after Baptism, Clothing with the White Garment, Handing on of a Lighted Candle, and the Ephphatha (be opened prayer); and
• the formulas for the Prayer of the Faithful.

The booklet also contains all the Lectionary readings assigned for the celebration of Baptism, the alternate prayer texts provided by The Order of Baptism of Children, and a selection sheet for parents invited to choose readings, prayers, and other texts for the liturgy.

En el momento de la muerte de un ser querido, es dificil realizar todos los tramites, planear el velorio y la misa de exequias. Este recurso pastoral ofrece a los feligreses todas las oraciones y lecturas del Rito de exequias en EE.UU. Con este libro se puede revisar y escoger las lecturas y oraciones de su elección y le dará la oportunidad de trabajar con el sacerdote que dará los servicios en la planeación del funeral.

Esta segunda edición de De la muerte a la vida contiene una nueva introducción que ofrece más detalles y explicaciones. Se diseño actualizado lo hace más fácil de usar. Se ajusta a la corriente Ritual de Exequias Cristianas tal como aprobado por la USCCB.

De la muerte a la vida es la edición de español del libro Through Death to Life. (Ave Maria Press publishes the English language edition.)

At the time of death of a loved one, it is difficult to plan the wake and the funeral Mass. This pastoral resource will help families and loved ones choose from the many prayers and Scripture readings found in the Spanish Funeral Rite. This preparation initiates the healing process and ensures the funeral will not only be a memorial, but also a moment of great peace.

This second edition of De la muerte a la vida contains a new introduction, which provides more details and explanation. Its updated design makes it easier to use. It conforms to the current Ritual de Exequias Cristianas as approved by the USCCB for the U.S.

Por Joseph Degrocco, Bruce T. Morrill, sj, H. Richard Rutherford

The process of preparing a Catholic funeral can be a healing and life-giving experience for all who are involved. This resource provides parish staffs with a thorough treatment of the various funeral rites from the first meeting with families after death through the burial. It offers pastoral guidance for collaborating with families, preparing the liturgical environment and music, selecting prayer texts, scheduling liturgical ministers, and ways for your parish to be a source of comfort, hope, and strength for mourners. As part of the Preparing Parish Worship series, this book includes:

• Theological reflections on the mystery of Christian death
• A historical overview of the development of the Catholic funeral rituals
• A walk-through the Order of Christian Funerals
• Answers to frequently asked questions and pastoral responses to difficult situations
• Assistance with best liturgical practices
• Inspirational and informative quotations from Scripture and Church documents

978-1-61671-562-5 | Paperback | 6 x 9 | 176 pages | Language: Spanish | Copyright Year: 2020

The period of the catechumenate is rich with opportunities for catechesis, and the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults presents four ways that catechesis occurs during that time for the unbaptized. A Guide to the Period of the Catechumenate breaks open each of those ways of catechizing by first exploring the approach of catechesis accommodated to the liturgical year, then by providing suggestions on how to introduce catechumens to the Christian way of life. In addition to this foundational material, this book also includes:

• An overview of six foundational principles of initiation ministry and how they are applied to the period of the catechumenate
• Practical advice for leading formational and catechetical sessions with the unbaptized
• Thirty-five seasonal outlines and twenty-four monthly outlines with liturgical suggestions for preparing Celebrations of the Word
• Thirty-four seasonal outlines and twenty-four monthly outlines with practical ways catechumens can serve their parish and local communities
• Twelve catechetical sessions on the lives of the saints

9781616718015 | 7 x 10 | 244 Pages | Paperback

A Guide to the Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate explores the distinctive vision and purpose of this foundational period of the initiation process. It provides initiation ministers with the practical tools needed to assess the parish’s current evangelizing ministry and to design an inquiry process aimed at helping seekers to hear and respond to the Good News, to undergo conversion, and to awaken and the desire to enter a relationship with God in Christ.

Inside this guide, initiation ministers will find everything needed for effective ministry in this period, including:

• An overview of the purpose and vision of the Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate
• Practical tips for improving the evangelizing outreach of your parish
• Ideas for attracting inquirers
• An outline for an initial conversation with prospective inquirers
• Questions for reflection with the initiation team and with inquirers
• Sample inquiry sessions based on paragraph 42 of the OCIA
• Discernment questions for assessing an inquirer’s readiness to celebrate the Rite for Entrance into the Catechumenate
• Guidance for preparing and celebrating the Rite for Entrance into the Catechumenate
• A mystagogical session to help catechumens reflect on the Rite for Entrance into the Catechumenate and its meaning at this moment in their journey

9781616718008 | 7 x 10 | 96 Pages | Paperback

After the excitement of the Easter Vigil, the period of mystagogy can often be overlooked by the initiation team and the neophytes. However, it is an essential part of the Christian initiation process because it helps the neophytes deepen their relationship with Christ and with the Church. Mystagogical reflection is an important part of the spiritual growth of all parishioners—from neophytes to lifelong Catholics—because it invites the faithful to reflect on their encounters with Christ in the sacraments and then consider the transformative effects those encounters have on their daily lives. A Guide to the Period of Mystagogy encourages members of the initiation team to make the most of this period and provides practical support to do so. It includes:

• An overview of six foundational principles of initiation ministry and how they are applied to the period of mystagogy
• Theological insights from the early Church’s practice of mystagogy
• Practical advice for implementing mystagogical reflection in your parish
• Nine mystagogical reflection sessions that can be used during Easter Time
• Fifteen mystagogical reflection sessions that can be used during the first year following initiation
• Encouragement to celebrate the first anniversary of baptism and to incorporate mystagogical reflection into the ongoing faith formation of the whole parish community

9781616717995 | 7 x 10 | 144 Pages | Paperback

The period of purification and enlightenment is one of intense spiritual preparation for the elect, who have been chosen by God to receive the Easter sacraments. This guide provides practical and liturgically sound ideas for celebrating the rites of this period and for integrating these rites as the primary source of the elect’s formation and preparation for initiation.

This resource includes:

• An overview of six foundational principles of initiation ministry and how they are applied to the period of the purification and enlightenment
• Background on the rites
• Suggestions for celebrating the rites
• Ideas for reflecting on the rites in a retreat-like way
• Guided meditations on the scrutiny Gospel accounts
• Seven fully prepared formation sessions on the Rite of Election, the three scrutinies, the handing on of the creed and the Lord’s Prayer, and the Rites of Immediate Preparation
• A newly composed hymn for use during formation sessions

9781616717919 | 7 x 10 | 128 Pages | Paperback

Do you question whether God really exists? Have you considered walking away from your faith because you’ve been hurt by someone in the Church or because you struggle with some of its teachings? Or maybe you’ve already left? Are you carrying around guilt for something you’ve done and don’t feel you are worthy of God’s love?

Rebuilt Faith, written by Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran—authors of the bestselling book Rebuilt—proposes five simple steps to learn (or relearn) more about your Catholic faith and deepen your relationship with God.

In Rebuilt Faith, you will learn that rebuilding and renewing your faith starts with a nagging feeling that you want something more—more connectedness, more community, and more purpose. That’s the spark that leads to a flame that burns brightly around Jesus, the foundation of living and growing in faith.

ISBN: 9781646802012

Paper back

A friend’s child dies; a parent gets a cancer diagnosis; your spouse loses their job. Sometimes life and God’s plan don’t make sense and we end up feeling hurt and angry.

In Seriously, God?, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran explore the denial, doubt, and betrayal we experience when we face hardship, pain, and grief, and they encourage us to lean into our feelings and to take each circumstance as a chance to learn more about God.

Topics related to Catholic social teaching emerge regularly in American political and civic discourse, often connected to discussions about religious freedom, abortion, immigrant rights, racism, capital punishment, and health care. This third edition of A Concise Guide to Catholic Social Teaching by Rev. Kevin E. McKenna incorporates the essential teachings of Pope Francis in Evangelium Gaudium, Laudato Si’, and Amoris Laetitia to offer a clear, beginner-level reference tool and study guide for Church leaders and other interested Catholics to help them navigate this vast body of teaching.

Building on core themes of human dignity, community, rights and responsibilities, option for the poor, dignity of work, solidarity, and care of creation, McKenna distills a vast amount of Catholic teaching into easily digestible summaries, each carefully referenced to its primary source and correlated to pressing issues making today’s headlines. 

This practical and thorough guide remains a perennial favorite for study and reference in Catholic parishes, universities, and ministry formation programs.

When a serious illness or a health crisis occurs, few people are prepared to deal with it, and when faced with big medical decisions, patients often are confused and overwhelmed, and they are sometimes too sick to make important decisions. Many times, decisions fall to family and loved ones who don’t always know the patient’s wishes. Intensive Caring: A Practical Handbook for Catholics about Serious Illness and End-of-Life Care is the perfect resource to help everyone involved navigate the complexities of healthcare during serious illness and end-of-life care.

In Intensive Caring, Dr. Natalie King, a palliative care physician, shares real-life patient stories and provides practical medical information to bring clarity and understanding to these complex healthcare decisions. In this easy-to-navigate guide, King helps you and your loved ones think through the issues at hand and align your decisions with your values and faith while safeguarding the sacred dignity of human life.

Losing a child is devastating. For Catholic parents who lose a child before or shortly after birth, this profound grief often comes with distinctive, sudden, and difficult questions about God, the Church, and who they are now as parents to the child they have lost. Why did God let this happen? Where is my baby? Can the Church help me make sense of this? What do we do now?

In A Catholic Guide to Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss, Abigail Jorgensen serves as a companion and guide through perinatal loss in light of Catholic teaching. She addresses difficult medical, theological, and practical questions asked by loss parents and the friends, family, pastors, ministers, and medical professionals who support them.

Jorgensen has first-hand experience, both as a mother who has lost children in miscarriage and as a Catholic bereavement doula—someone who walks with families through early child loss. Through her own experiences, she discovered how hard it can be to find adequate answers and spiritual help from within the Church, so she wrote the book that she and her clients have needed.

Embark on a transformative journey into the heart of Eucharistic worship with Behold, Believe, Become—where the ordinary becomes extraordinary and the Mass becomes a soul-saving, life-changing encounter with Christ, our Eucharistic Lord.

In Behold, Believe, Become, Timothy P. O’Malley, a distinguished leader in the Eucharistic Revival movement and bestselling author of Becoming Eucharistic People and Real Presence, shows you how to see differently—through newly formed habits of contemplation—fifteen ordinary, physical things that the Church uses at Mass to point us toward Christ. You will explore layers of meaning found in noble doors and stained-glass windows, sunlight and water, oil and fire, altars and church pews, and bread and wine become Body and Blood. O’Malley helps you see how each element tells us something about who Christ is and who we are to become as Christian people.

Inspired by the towering genius of the twentieth-century liturgical movement, Fr. Romano Guardini (1865–1968), O’Malley offers an unconventional walk through the Mass, highlighting that “matter matters.” This book doesn’t delve into the intricate history of Eucharistic Prayers or the doctrinal meaning of various words and actions. Instead, it provides a unique exploration of the material stuff of the Mass that we encounter from the time we enter the church until the time we depart at the end.

But how can God’s Word dwell in us if we haven’t memorized it? How can it comfort and guide us if it doesn’t live in our hearts?

In Memorize Scripture, Catholic speaker, podcaster, and worship leader Jackie Francois Angel invites you on a 12-month journey into the timeless beauty and transformative power of scripture memorization. With 120 carefully selected verses, each organized into 12 thematic chapters, Jackie equips you with practical tools to make memorization simple, meaningful, and accessible.

Drawing from her own experiences of falling in love with God’s Word, Jackie reveals hidden treasures within each verse—uncovering layers of wisdom that have illuminated her own faith journey. From the comforting embrace of Psalms to the profound teachings of the Gospels, Jackie shares firsthand how scripture can become a constant companion, echoing in your heart and guiding your every step.

Mission and ministry work can often be very demanding, so making time to hit the pause button for reflection before meetings and other important work has become a valued practice in many Catholic faith-based organizations. These pauses for spiritual reflection can enliven institutions, support the wide variety of individuals who work in Catholic organizations, and strengthen their important contributions to society. Designed for professionals in any organizational setting, Together Through Reflection serves as a helpful resource for mission formation and crafting fruitful reflection experiences for both personal and group use. Deegan-Krause offers theologically grounded content, prompts for thought and prayer, practical guidance, and other content to inspire a creative process.

Designed as a resource for faith-based, mission-driven leaders to use with their teams, this accessible guide offers practical direction for producing an effective and prayerful reflection experience. Professional ministers and chaplains, as well as lay leaders serving in Catholic organizations or institutional settings, and all engaged with shepherding Catholic identity into the future will find Together Through Reflection an essential resource for building community and living a reflective life.