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 family create a deliberate and carefully thought-out plan for its spiritual life.
This book examines and draws from the examples of ten family men and women who lived ordinary lives with courage and resilience and are today declared saints or are in the process of becoming saints. These men and women faced their own times of challenges, their own life crises, and their own joys and struggles as they raised their families, like many of us today.
In this book, Father Dankasa provides a guide into how everyday Christian parents, couples, intending couples or even singles can develop a spiritual plan for themselves and for their families in order to build faith-based homes regardless of their everyday challenges of family life.
The book is meant to strengthen family life and boost Christian families to see that in the ordinary activities of their everyday lives they can also live the lives of saints. It presents suggestions for Christian families to help them understand the importance of drawing a spiritual plan for their families in order to achieve the goal of holiness.
Paperback: $14.95 | Kindle: $9.99
TESTIMONIALS
In “A Spiritual Plan for Families”, Father Jacob Dankasa provides a much needed read for every Catholic husband and wife raising a family today! Through the lives of modern day saints, we too can recognize that with careful planning, and even through the peaks and valleys of married life, Father God wants each of us to taste heaven and holiness while we are walking on earth. Be inspired today!! — Lisa Jones, Catholic Life and Relationship Coach, LR Coaching.
Father Dankasa has channeled his priestly wisdom into a beautiful and inspiring book for married couples and families. Rooting his reflections in the lives and teachings of the saints, he offers many graced insights, both spiritual and practical, that will encourage husbands and wives to find solace and encouragement in their Catholic faith. I happily and heartily recommend this book to anyone seeking a renewed sense of joy as they discern the Lord’s invitation to holiness through married love! — Father Thomas Esposito, O.Cist., Assistant Professor of Theology, University of Dallas.
We are parents of adult children who are now developing their own families. We’ll gift this wonderful guidebook to each of them to help strengthen what they learned from us, and to enlighten them to develop an actual spiritual plan for their own growing families. It’s as though Father Dankasa has a looking glass into our lives and his book helps us reroute our lives to a direct path to richer Christian family lives. The models of the saints’ family lives are relevant to real-life issues today. These examples coupled together with the authors advice are practical and easy to apply to our own family lives. We believe the treasures found in this book are invaluable and will surely have a spiritual impact on our family. — Dolores Miranda, Mom
Catholics are facing ominous forces from various sectors of society. The family unit is being attacked by political policies, social liberalization, negative educational agendas, economic poor planning, and social media destruction of moral values. Families are overwhelmed and in need of guidance to combat and ameliorate the anxieties, fears, and wellbeing of the family. Finally, a book that lays out a road map to strengthen the security of families through a faithful Catholic paradigm. Father Dankasa’s book clearly presents a strategic blueprint to enhance all facets of family life. It builds inspiration through the model live of saints and the major components listed in his book. This is a rescue lifeline that has been long in coming to inspire, motivate, and encourage us to fight adversity. Bravo, Father Dankasa! — Leo Miranda, Dad
In a class with other young parents many years ago, we heard a Bible Study teacher ask, “How much time do you spend plotting and planning your children’s earthly careers? Alternatively, how much time do you devote to their eternal ‘careers’?” Indeed, it is tempting to dedicate more time than we may realize to finding the best piano teacher, soccer coach, or tutor. In the midst of the ever-present mundane, Fr. Dankasa’s book is an inspiring guide full of tips to help parents avoid sacrificing the spiritual growth of the family. It’s not just the sports tournament or the summer camps, for example, that fill the calendar, but activities planned together with the children that strengthen faith lived with joy and with mercy to our own family members. As Fr. Dankasa says, “Little acts of invoking the spiritual without denying fun moments will make the things of God feel more natural and acceptable to growing kids, especially in their teenage stage.” — Jackie and Bob Greenfield, Parents
Fr. Dankasa writes with honesty an essential guide for all families, giving concrete and practical advice on how to have a peaceful and prayerful household. — Matthew and Julia Wade, Young parents
Thoughtfully crafted through the sharing of his experience as a pastoral leader and the lives of the saints, Fr. Dankasa’s words extend beyond the pages to become tangible modalities of accompaniment for families navigating the beautiful mess and joy of family life. Fr. Dankasa’s Spiritual Plan for Families certainly is a wonderful resource for all Catholic families who yearn to be guided in the building and rebuilding of their domestic churches.” — Dr. Jody Hunt, Affiliate Assistant Professor of Ministry, University of Dallas.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Father Jacob Dankasa was ordained a Catholic priest in 2004 and presently serves as the Pastoral Administrator of Holy Family of Nazareth Catholic Church in Irving, Texas. He is a columnist and regular contributor to The Texas Catholic Newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas. In addition to bachelor’s degrees in Philosophy and theology, he has a master’s degree in Mass Communications and a doctorate in Information Science.
OTHER CATHOLIC SPIRITUALITY BOOKS
La Sainteté de la Féminité par Mary Kloska
Below is a spiritual talk that Mary gave to a group of Polish youth at a retreat center in Babliniec, Poland about the Love that God has for them. It was on September 3, 2005 and is translated by Hania Przybylo. You can listen to this both in my English and Hania's...
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...
A Word in your Heart: Youth, Mental Health, and the Word of God
A Word in your Heart: Youth, Mental Health, and the Word of God by Francis Etheredge Running away at 14. Attempting suicide. Pill prescriptions for almost every mental health condition: Marketing or medicine? The exponential rise of the medicalization of children....
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...
Cloud of Witnesses – 25th Anniversary Edition
Published on the Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin MaryWomen of Grace with Johnette Benkovic (September 11 & 12, 2023) - When God Offers Us the Cross: Steps to Mining the Treasure, Part 1 and Part 2Cloud of Witnesses by Joni J. Seith This 25th...
Flow Gently Days
Flow Gently Days by Rachel Heise The author endeavors in this book of poetry to demonstrate an alertness to the divine glorious moments in time that often pass by underappreciated. She encourages all readers to be on the lookout for a trail of lights that lead back to...
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...
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...
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 oceans are big; our boat is small.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 Fr. 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...
Rosary Consecration: Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary and Her Most Holy Rosary, authored by TJ Burdick
Rosary Consecration: Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary and Her Most Holy Rosary by T.J. Burdick What if you knew what God’s will was for your life right now? What if you had the ability to destroy vice, decrease sin, and cause good works and...
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...
His Divine Presence
His Divine Presence by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. Poetry of praise for the grace that God freely provides at every moment of our lives. Paperback: $9.99 | Kindle: $9.99 TESTIMONIALS "A dancer took off her makeup and costume and asked, "What more is there to life?" A woman...
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...
Such Common Stories by Lawrence Hopperton
Such Common Stories by Lawrence Hopperton There is one story only. It’s woven out of personal experiences and memories, the worlds that we have actually known and loved. The poems in Such Common Stories connect to our individual stories, so that the experiences they...
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...
House of Gold by Mary Elizabeth Anne Kloska, Fiat+
House of Gold by Mary Elizabeth Anne Kloska, Fiat+ Our Lady has spent my entire lifetime blessing me with Her friendship –and so I rejoice today to offer Her this little gift of a book, which I hope brings many more souls into Her humble, Motherly embrace. Paperback:...
Faith, Not Convenience: 17 Reflections for Spiritual Consistency
Faith, Not Convenience: 17 Reflections for Spiritual Consistency by Fr. Jacob Dankasa It’s difficult to remain a committed Christian in our today’s society where social, moral and political views are often in conflict with the standards of the teachings of Christ. The...
Living as Long as I Can as Well as I Can by James Pomeroy
Living as Long as I Can as Well as I Can by James Pomeroy This is a book that will be helpful to health care providers, including doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, chaplains, and their patients, because it offers a spiritual foundation for living well,...
A La Sombra de Nuestra Señora
Mary Kloska speaks to a 'Seven Sisters' Group about her book In Our Lady's Shadow (May 21, 2021)A La Sombra de Nuestra Señora: La Espiritualidad de la Oración por los Sacerdotes by Mary Kloska A la Sombra de Nuestra Señora: ‘La Espiritualidad de Rezar por los...
Voices from the Upper Room
Voices from the Upper Room by Father Dominic Lenk, O.S.B. Just who were those people gathered together in the Upper Room during those three days between the crucifixion and the resurrection? Imagine with the author all those people gathered in the Upper Room during...
The Holy Heart
The Holy Heart by Holly Garman “My Father will love you so deeply that We willcome to you and make you Our dwelling place.”~ Jesus (Jn. 14:32, TPT) The Scriptural truths of The Holy Heart help us to let God become fully at home in us, as we become fully at home in...
Raising ‘Children of the Cross’ (the Spiritual Formation of Children)
Raising 'Children of the Cross' (the Spiritual Formation of Children) by Mary Kloska Each human soul is knitted together in his or her mother's womb and given the breath of life for one single purpose: to be who God created him or her to be (the saint that God created...
Mornings with Mary (A Rosary Prayer Book)
Mornings with Mary (A Rosary Prayer Book) by Mary Kloska Sometimes gathering as few as a few hundred people, sometimes as many as 100,000 people a day, Mary Kloska has led spiritual warriors each morning on social media in prayer for myriads of intentions. Following...
The Mercy Ocean
All profits go to the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles (M.S.A.)LORD, HAVE MERCY. The oceans are big; our boat is small.The Mercy Ocean by Reverend Vincent A. Salamoni, M.S.A. Simply described as a collection of information, which perhaps will be USEFUL TO YOU AND/OR...
Shared Miracle Stories
Shared Miracle Stories of the Dominican Community of Mary Mother of Dominic and Friends of Cedaredge Ed. by Mrs. Helen R. Hawkins, OP This is a book that invites us to share our miracles with one another. Why does God use or allow miracles? First, a miracle is an...
The Fourteen Holy Helpers
The Fourteen Holy Helpers Authored by Allison Lunsford and Illustrated by Joan Bennett Saint Acacius, Saint Barbara, Saint Blaise, Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Saint Christopher, Saint Cyriacus, Saint Denis, Saint Erasmus, Saint Eustace, Saint George, Saint Giles,...
Led by the Spirit
Led by the Spirit: Into the Consciousness of Christ by Dennis J. Billy, C.Ss.R. Following Jesus means being open to and led by his Spirit. This book explores the meaning of this phrase by looking at the larger picture of why God entered our world and became one of us...
Manning Up! Lessons from St. Joseph and Jesus by Fr. Michael Nixon
Manning Up! Lessons from St. Joseph and Jesus by Fr. Michael Nixon Today's world is encountering a profound crisis of manhood with confusion being sown about what it means to be a man, about what it means to be masculine, and about what it means to live as a male....
Experiencing God: Thoughts and Testimonies
Experiencing God: Thoughts and Testimonies by Robin Arthur In this thoughtful reflection, Robin Arthur presents his perspectives on the God experience, addressing the conundrum of faith in Christ crucified, which St. Paul has told us is "a stumbling block to Jews and...
The Two Main Sources of Marie de l’Incarnation’s Prayer by Fr. Michel Legault, MSA
The Two Main Sources of Marie de l'Incarnation's Prayer by Fr. Michel Legault, MSA On October 28, 1999, the Catholic Church celebrated the 400th anniversary of the birth of Marie Guyard, known now as Saint Marie de l'Incarnation (canonized 3 April 2014 at the...
Within Reach of You: A Book of Prose and Prayers by Francis Etheredge
Within Reach of You: A Book of Prose and Prayers by Francis Etheredge Prayer is immediate because God is present; therefore, there is no nearer, quicker more “in touch” contact than prayer. Prayer is personal – because it arises out of each person’s life; and prayer...
Fuera de las Tinieblas… por Mary Kloska
Fuera de las Tinieblas por Mary Kloska Aquí, al principio de este libro, no quiero explicar mucho sobre mí (quien soy, o dónde vivo, o dónde estudié), en su lugar, me gustaría simplemente presentarlo como es: una colección de tesoros que Jesús ha compartido con mi...