Speaking One’s Soul: Magnifying God’s Word in a Madly Godless World
by Patti Hershwitzky, Ed.S. and Mary Sobel Ott
Innumerous works through the ages have addressed the contradictions and conflicts between religion and government, particularly from the Catholic perspective over the past 2000 years, with emphasis on societies choosing either God’s soul work or deceptive soul destruction. What sets apart Speaking One’s Soul from those well researched and inspired forums, books, commentaries, and media is its focus on saving the spiritually endangered individual born into the post WWII era, often referenced as a Baby Boomer. Partly confessional, the authors, Catholic reverts, emphasize the need for unifying friendship and community, but foremost salvational truth. The text integrates the timeless power of Scripture, emphasized in a personalized Rosary; narratives illustrating the deadly impact of deceptive snares but also tales of virtuous heroism; extraordinary relatable conversion stories; and many resources to enable serene commitment, conviction, and courage when confronting evil while endeavoring to save souls.
Among the points of emphasis:
- Understanding the finite time God has permitted the Evil One and each of us.
- Examining one’s personal life from birth onward as St. Francis de Sales advised.
- Establishing prayer as an indispensable, daily foundational practice, optimally with Scripture, daily Mass attendance and frequent confession.
- Recatechizing oneself through Church history, the Church Fathers and Doctors, Scripture; the Catholic Catechism; numerous timeless, universal encyclicals; and exploring sound treatises on Church politics to successfully navigate the world.
- Cherishing the marvelous holy examples of the past and present.
- Recognizing igneous reactivity vs. responsible response.
- Distinguishing resignation to evil from surrender to Divine Mercy.
- Embracing all persons in the Light of God, Author of all Life.
- Cultivating healthy unity and community.
- Envisioning the defeat of the Evil One and embracing the joy of Heaven forever.
Paperback: $TBA | Kindle: $9.99
TESTIMONIALS
TBA
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Patricia (Patti) Hershwitzky, Ed.S., is the author of two books: The Third Millennium Woman, CMJ Catholic Books and West Las Vegas, Arcadia Publications; past magazine articles in Hearts Aflame Magazine, Canticle, Hearth, and Crisis; and numerous published communications.
Preceded by a childhood as an Army dependent who traveled the world and during some of its worst post World War II crises, the author of Teaching the City of God in the City of Man brings a varied and sometimes conflicting background that spans over fifty years in political science, journalism-writing, and education. Her journey has taken her from being a Young Democrat in San Francisco’s Moscone-Milk-Feinstein era to campaigning for conservative candidates in several states on both coasts. While her initial career was initiated by working for a tourist magazine and then as a public relations and advertising account executive, disillusionment with the world, turned her back to the one, holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church and an entry into education. Yet, even in the late 1980’s that field was already being contaminated by agnostic, at best, influences that nearly derailed her credential program.
It was also a period of realization that Catholic schools, while employing good hearted and capable teachers, were being misdirected and unduly affected by unChristian concepts. Following ten years in Catholic schools in California and Maryland, the author ventured into the public system for twelve years, candidly necessitated by economic factors but also in the hopes of being a Catholic presence albeit subtly. Even more startling realities about the state of education, overall awaited her. In twelve years, despite numerous endeavors and community interaction, some in leadership roles, the author concluded that American culture had so far deteriorated that nothing short of an almost miraculous intervention would alter the downward trajectory.
Afterwards, re-entering Catholic schooling as a principal, she experienced a deep fissure in attitude towards both the Faith and its role in education among parents and teachers. Within one generation, the situation had grown more perilous. Even some well intentioned, good hearted educators seemed more intent on accommodating parents— “consumer satisfaction” dilemma —and appearing democratic than contemplating students’ souls and the Kingdom of God.
It would be the culmination of a life that had went down a wrong path for well over a decade, followed by the rediscovery of Catholic identity, and then sorrow and stark dread of so many lost people that compelled the author to first envision better texts. Ultimately, an entirely different approach to preparing Catholic educators became the mission as so many, through no fault of their own, had been descendants of diluted teaching for several generations. Yet, it had to be an enterprise that had its footing in the world but its head directed by Heaven.
Thus ultimately arose Teaching the City of God in the City of Man.
Mary Sobel Ott currently offers professional genealogical research services through her business Before the Ink Fades in El Dorado, California. Her prior fields included thirty years in healthcare, law, and historic and topical research. Her special interests include gardening, photography, writing, and art. She is most passionate about her Catholic faith and being a joyful wife to her beloved Michael. A nurturing mother and doting grandmother, Mary also extends her affection to animals, especially the family cat.
OTHER CATHOLIC SPIRITUALITY BOOKS
Bible-Based Catholicism and Spiritual Inspirations by Robert J. Ferretti
Bible-Based Catholicism and Spiritual Inspirations by Robert J. Ferretti, M.D. This book outlines a Catholic perspective on faith, deeply rooted in biblical references and theological reasoning. Ferretti aims to deepen Catholics' understanding of their faith while...
La disciplina spirituale: Meditazioni sull’insegnamento di Frithjof Schuon por James S. Cutsinger
La disciplina spirituale: Meditazioni sull’insegnamento di Frithjof Schuon Scritto da James S. Cutsinger e tradotto da Marco Toto Si tratta di un'introduzione alla scuola perennialista della filosofia religiosa comparata e di una guida per il lettore generale che...
A Guide to the Liturgy of Holy Week by Rev. Nicholas L. Gregoris
A Guide to the Liturgy of Holy Week by Rev. Nicholas L. Gregoris, STD, EdD Rev. Nicholas L. Gregoris provides in this short volume four categories of reflection (anecdotal, historical, doctrinal, and devotional) on the Liturgy of Holy Week. Paperback: $12.95 | Kindle:...
Minding Mom: A Caregiver’s Devotional Story by Lisa Livezey
Minding Mom: A Caregiver’s Devotional Story by Lisa Livezey Devotional writer Lisa Livezey understands the challenges of full-time caregiving atop an already-full life. Following her father’s sudden death, Lisa was plunged headlong into caring for her mother who was...
My Restless Heart Finds Rest in You by Edward Schallert
My Restless Heart Finds Rest in You By Edward Schallert My Restless Heart Finds Rest in You describes my spiritual journey, guided by the Holy Spirit, by reading and contemplating St. Augustine recalling his spiritual journey in his Confessions. This book is a...
Seasons of the Soul: An Intimate God in Liturgical Time by Sr. Carla Mae Streeter, OP
Seasons of the Soul: An Intimate God in Liturgical Time By Sr. Carla Mae Streeter, OP The seasons of the soul are the seasons of the liturgical calendar. The liturgy is about a relationship, and Sr. Carla Mae's gorgeous images, poetry and prose describe how the...
Church of Love by Ronda Chervin
Church of Love By Ronda Chervin The first of Ronda Chervin's more than 80 Catholic books, Church of Love is still many readers' favorite. It is an extended metaphor of how romantic human love is a mirror of the love of Jesus for the Church. Paperback: $12.95 |...
Why Christians Can Wear Pants: Spiritual Lessons from Strange Stories in Papal History by Fr. Conrad Murphy
Why Christians Can Wear Pants: Spiritual Lessons from Strange Stories in Papal History by Fr. Conrad Murphy In the late 9th Century, Pope Nicholas I was asked if Christians were permitted to wear pants. His response was both amusing and wise, extolling the questioners...
Worshiping the Sacramental Christ by Fr. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R.
Worshiping the Sacramental Christ by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. The purpose of this book is to alert us to the multidimensional aspects of our Eucharistic worship and to help us see how this sacrament engages the whole person and the entire People of God. It seeks to open...
A Drawing Book Hermeneutics: Reading the Gospels as a Teenager by Eugen J. Pentiuc
A Drawing Book Hermeneutics: Seeing the Scriptures as a Teenager by Fr. Eugen J. Pentiuc A Drawing Book Hermeneutics: Seeing the Scriptures as a Teenager is the digitized version of a manuscript on which Fr. Eugen Pentiuc began to work in 1972, at the age of 16, while...
Revelationship: Transformative Intimacy with Christ by Cathy Garland and Dr. Randy Colver
Special thanks to Tamara Colver Dixon for designing the cover.Revelationship: Transformative Intimacy with Christ by Cathy Garland and Dr. Randy Colver Revelationship is how God reveals himself as he pursues us for relationship. In a world deconstructing, Christ...
Joseph of Nazareth: Icon of the Father’s Love by Fr. Dennis J. Billy, C.Ss.R.
Joseph of Nazareth: Icon of the Father's Love by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. This book is about a humble, courageous man named Joseph who played a pivotal role in the story of our redemption and about whom the Gospels say so very little. It is a series of meditations about...
Holy Exercises: St. Alphonsus de Liguori and the Spirituality of Practice by Fr. Dennis J. Billy, C.Ss.R.
Holy Exercises: St. Alphonsus de Liguori and the Spirituality of Practice by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. The purpose of Alphonsian spirituality is to preach the Gospel by our words and actions. The conversion of the world presupposes our own inner conversion of heart which,...
Expressing Spiritual Experiences through Images, Poems, and Prayers
Expressing Spiritual Experiences through Images, Poems, and Prayers Edited by Sr. Adaku Helen Ogbuji, CCVI, PhD As the novice director/formation director for the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Sr. Adaku Helen Ogbuji, CCVI, provides the...
Return to Me: Visits to the Tabernacle by Lynda Rozell
Return to Me: Visits to the Tabernacle by Lynda Rozell with a foreword by George Weigel Return to Me: Visits to the Tabernacle discusses tabernacle images with reflections on their symbolism, encouraging devotion to Jesus in the tabernacle and drawing readers to...
The Comic Catholic
The Comic Catholic By Ronda Chervin In this witty, literary stand-up routine, Ronda Chervin takes a bow to a key property of the human person as understood in our philosophical anthropology, namely, that of risibility. It is a trademark of our humanity that we were...
Imagine the Joy! Reveries on Divine Revelation
Imagine the Joy! Reveries on Divine Revelation by Freddie Stewart, Jr. Compelled by his rich evangelical experience of searching the Scriptures alongside Christian brethren seeking spiritual inspiration and practical wisdom, Freddie has sought to share his enthusiasm...
My Soul Shall Be Healed: A Study Guide on Ecclesia de Eucharistia by Terry Modica
My Soul Shall Be Healed: A Study Guide on Ecclesia de Eucharistia (The Church of the Eucharist) by Terry Modica This easy-to-understand study guide explains in ordinary language how to understand the very important Church document, Ecclesia de Eucharistia (The Church...
The Voices We Hear Daily
The Voices We Hear Daily by Fr. Eugene Azorji The Voices We Hear Daily is written as a simple narrative reflection on the four voices we hear every day--namely the voice of God, the voice of the world, the voice of self, and the voice of the Devil--our responses to...
Lord, do you mean me? A father-Catechist?
Lord, Do You Mean Me? A father-Catechist! by Francis Etheredge Reflecting on the reality of childhood, Francis Etheredge explores what is entailed in being a parent who wants to take up the vocation, as widely and as specifically as possible, of helping to found the...
The Divinized Person
The Divinized Person by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. Scripture tells us that man was created in the image and likeness of God (Gn 1:26). This book explores the meaning of this statement, describing each of us as a living, flesh-and-blood icon, a visible representation...
Incarnational Spirituality: Embodying the Love of the Incarnate Word
Incarnational Spirituality: Embodying the Love of the Incarnate Word Edited by Sr. Adaku Helen Ogbuji, CCVI, PhD In this book, two Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, one sister of the Holy Family, and one discalced Carmelite priest expound on these important...
Franciscanism: The Answer to Modernism
Franciscanism: The Answer to Modernism By Bob Sizemore In a culture of death, St. Francis restores us to life. This book invites the reader into Franciscanism as the answer to Modernism. Paperback $7.99 | Kindle $2.99 TESTIMONIALS "Imaginative, creative, inspiring...
His Spoken Words
His Spoken Words by Richard Ruesch This book includes a complete compilation of the spoken words of our Lord Jesus Christ, which are contained in the verses of the New Testament, chronologically arranged from the time when His parents found Him in the temple, sitting...
Walking Humbly with God: How Friendships Build Confidence, Support the Church, and are the Key to the New Evangelization
Walking Humbly with God: How Friendships Build Confidence, Support the Church, and are the Key to the New Evangelization by Deacon Gerard-Marie Anthony This book speaks to the importance of the virtue of friendship/relationship to carrying out the New Evangelization...
Awake with Christ: Living the Catholic Holy Hour in Your Home
Published on the Feast of St. Rose of Lima, a third order Dominican, and Patron of Gardeners. Image courtesy of Joni Seith, author of Cloud of Witnesses.Awake with Christ: Living the Catholic Holy Hour in Your Home by Annabelle Moseley We are about to undertake an...
Из Тьмы… Мэри Клоска
Out of the Darkness by Mary Kloska Данная работа - собрание сокровищ, с которыми Иисус поделился с сердцем Мэри Клоска. Представляя эту книгу для читателя, Мэри надеется засвидетельствовать о Великой Силе, которая находится в Кресте Иисуса. Её сердце застывает при...
Out of the Lips of Infants, Wisdom Comes: Retelling the Bible Stories
Out of the Lips of Infants, Wisdom Comes: Retelling the Bible Stories by Sr. Adaku Helen Ogbuji, CCVI, PhD This book is the fruit of Sr. Helen's years of learning how to reflect on the Word of God, both as a child and as an adult; and how each stage of learning,...
Into the Heart of St. Joseph
Into the Heart of Saint Joseph by Jason Schreder Into the Heart of Saint Joseph immerses the reader through prayerful reflection, Scripture, and art, into Saint Joseph's interior life as the Husband of Mary and Zealous Defender of Christ. Saint Joseph is known to be a...
The Eucharistic Revival Project – Missio Dei
The Eucharistic Revival Project Edited by Phillip Hadden & Jonathon Fessenden Foreword by Rev. Dennis J. Billy, C.Ss.R. The Eucharist Revival Project is Missio Dei’s response to Pope Francis’ call to rediscover "the real and loving presence of the Lord” in the...
“That They May Have Life” (John 10:10): 35 Meditations
"That They May Have Life" (John 10:10): 35 Meditations by Fr. Julius D. Leloczky, O.Cist. This collection of meditations is a rich anthology of writings very much in the spirit and vein of the documents of the Second Vatican Council, and of the ideas represented by...
Consumed by Love: A Missionary Handbook for Priestly and Lay Formation by Mary Kloska
Consumed by Love: A Missionary Handbook for Priestly and Lay Formation by Mary Elizabeth Anne Kloska, Fiat+ “Here I am, Lord, I have come to do your will.” (Hebrews 10:7,9) This should be the heartbeat of every missionary. One is never a missionary for himself or...
“My Darling Joe”: A Reflection on a Personal Relationship with Saint Joseph
"My Darling Joe": A Reflection on a Personal Relationship with Saint Joseph by Sr. Adaku Helen Ogbuji, CCVI, PhD Prayer to St. Joseph Hail Sweet and Darling Joe!Your love for your Son, Jesus and your spouse, Mary is so efficacious!Teach me to love them!Help me to...
77 Soundbytes of Love
The Interactive Blog is not yet in working order. Please email Ronda directly if you have any thoughts. chervinronda@gmail.com77 Soundbytes of Love: The Philosophical Spirituality of Ronda Chervin By Ronda Chervin This book is an anthology of soundbytes -- 77 to be...
Talkaholics: Fate or Work-in-Process?
Talkaholics: Fate or Work-in-Progress By Ronda Chervin Why would I ever think I talk too much? Here are some tiny stories to show you why: “Ronda,” asked my spiritual director, “what would it be like if you joined a table (at the seminary where I was teaching and took...
Charles Rich: Give Me Your Heart–Preparing for Eternal Life by Charles Rich
Charles Rich: Give Me Your Heart--Preparing for Eternal Life Ed. by Ronda Chervin How about a book for the elderly by a sage who was still making disciples in his nineties? Who was this Charles Rich, anyhow? One of the most fascinating Hebrew-Catholics of all times...
Purgatory in the Words of Jesus
Purgatory in the Words of Jesus by Roger Skrenes In this book, Roger Skrenes explains how the teaching that only two possible realms exist after death, that of Heaven and Hell, as argued by many non-Catholic Christians, is not correct. Christ actually spoke of a third...
The Sea Lord’s Bookshelf by Vincent Salamoni, M.S.A.
All profits go to the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles (M.S.A.) LORD, HAVE MERCY: The big ocean and our little boat.The Sea Lord's Bookshelf by Reverend Vincent A. Salamoni, M.S.A. This book is a catalyst, of a beginning voyage. Here it is a short one, yet a long...
For the Love of God: The Sacred Heart and the Divine Mercy
For the Love of God: The Sacred Heart and the Divine Mercy Kristina R. Olsen The purpose of this book is to invite you into the Sacred Heart of Jesus to experience his love, and to introduce you to the Divine Mercy devotion to encounter God's limitless forgiveness. We...
The Book of Love: Brief Meditations
Cover design by Sophia ClementsWhen given the chance to submit cover designs, four out of five of Richard Clements' children submitted drawings. The one selected is from among those four submissions. The other three submissions are featured here above.The Book of...
Les deux principales sources de la prière de Marie de l’Incarnation
Les deux principales sources de la prière de Marie de l'Incarnation par Père Michel Legault, MSA Le 28 octobre 1999, l'Église catholique a célébré le 400e anniversaire de la naissance de Marie Guyard, connue aujourd'hui sous le nom de Sainte Marie de l'Incarnation,...
Target Heaven: What You Didn’t Know about Father Benedict Groeschel
Originally published as Father Benedict Groeschel: A Conversational Biography, © Good Counsel Homes, 2014.Target Heaven: What You Didn't Know About Father Benedict Groeschel by Good Counsel, Inc. Mother Agnes Mary Donovan, SV, opens this book by proclaiming Fr....
Devociones Diarias de LIFE Runners
Devociones Diarias de LIFE Runners Editado por Dr. Patrick Castle and Bernadette Costello ¡DIOS primero, VIDA siempre, EQUIPO para siempre! Corredores de VIDA es el equipo Pro-Vida más grande del mundo, correr es opcional, se requiere camiseta y se necesita fe. Nos...
Nuggets of Wisdom
Nuggets of Wisdom By Bob Sizemore with Ronda Chervin In this handy volume, Bob Sizemore and Ronda Chervin engage in a dialogue intended to deliver nuggets of life's wisdom, offering both specific and general insights on navigating one's way through this world and into...
Rekindling Wonder: Touching Heaven in a Screen Saturated World
Rekindling Wonder: Touching Heaven in a Screen Saturated World by Fr. Chris Seith Our screens are not morally neutral. The devices that we are so attached to affect our perception of the world. Unless we use them in a way contrary to the way in which they are intended...
No Longer I: Sharing Christ’s Gospel Narrative
No Longer I: Sharing Christ's Gospel Narrative by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. Christ entered our world and gave himself completely to us to the point of dying for us, to become nourishment for us and a source of hope. In this book, Fr. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R., demonstrates...
The Blessings of the Beatitudes
The Blessings of the Beatitudes by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. This book is about the vision Jesus sets before his hearers of a world ruled by justice and love. The eight beatitudes provide hope to all who listen to and follow the call of the kingdom in their hearts....
Jesus Christ: A Man of Prayer by Fr. Paul Ezinando
Jesus Christ: A Man of Prayer by Fr. Paul Ezinando In this work, Fr. Paul Ezinando demonstrates that though we have knowledge of Jesus Christ from various perspectives, we cannot know Him enough. To help us come to a better knowledge of Jesus Christ, Fr Ezinando...
A Spiritual Plan for Families by Fr. Jacob Dankasa
A Spiritual Plan for Families: Preparing your Home for a Life of Faith following the Examples of Saints who Raised Families by Fr. Jacob Dankasa Considering the challenges that many Christian families face today in building faith-based homes, it’s essential that every...
Dear Mr Putin: An Epistolary Inquiry by Peter Breen
Dear Mr Putin: An Epistolary Inquiry | Уважаемый господин Путин! by Peter Breen An epistolary exhortation in monthly installments to Mr. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, that asks: "Are you sure about waging war and brandishing a cross against the woman who...