Faith Today Supplement, The Message, Catholic Diocese of Evansville, March 4, 1988 • 3
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Both Huck and Ms. Rendler
recommend subscribing to at least
one general interest Catholic
magazine to keep current on what
is happening in the church.
In encouraging people to build a
home library, Ms. Rendler, a musi-
cian, said she used to be afraid of
reading books and articles with a
theical bent. "If it's dry
theology, I'm at a loss," she said.
But what she has discovered is
that "there are many, many things"
to help people discover or
rediscover their faith "that are easy
and thorough and interesting." A
good way to find materials for a
home library is to follow leads
from people you respect, she
added.
Ms. Rendler noted that parish
libraries often can supplement the
home library -- especially when it
comes to the more expensive
reference books and encyclopedias.
(Ms. Bird is associate editor of
Faith Today.)
During Lent there is an emphasis on maturing in faith. Adults prepar-
ing for baptism on the eve of Easter are a reminder to the whole parish
of the potential to grow in faith. People find that participation in the
liturgy promotes this growth, as does joining with small groups or
working to promote justice and to serve people in need. Of course,
reading and studying about faith also aid growth. Books, newspapers,
tapes and, increasingly, videocassettes are resources, as are people
within the community.
oPeople often seek out published resources to help them make faith a
more active force at home or to help them prepare for their roles as
parish council members, catechists, etc. What libraries in your com-
munity include works on faith? Can books be borrowed from, or used
in, your parish? Neighboring parishes? Local colleges? A retreat house?
• Some public libraries include more works on Christian life than people
think, in the regular book stacks as well as in the reference sections
where encyclopedias, dictionaries of theology and collections on the
saints may be found. What works of this kind does your public library
include?
*What are some of the ways the people of a parish community -- the
pastors, other professional ministers, teachers, the people at large --
are a resource to each other when it comes to growing in the ways of
Christianity?
Second Helpings. For Christians interested in updating their
understanding of faith, The Liturgical Press offers a series of leaflets on
biblical and sacramental topics. The series inclues: An Overview of the Bi-
ble, by Benedictine Father Jerome Kodell. He points out that the Bible
doesn't have to be intimidating: "The more we know about the Bible, the
friendlier it becomes." Another leaflet, called How to Read the Bible Prayer-
fully, was written by Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Sandra Schneiders.
She says that reading and rereading the same biblical text can help even un-
t.rained readers to find "new and deeper meanings" in the Bible. In
Understanding Christian Marriage Today, Father Lawrence Mick says an un-
confirmed rumor has it that Adam and Eve felt that they were living in an
age of transition after being expelled from the Garden of Eden. He observes
that change is nothing new -- that every age is an age of transition and thus
every married couple must expect to experience changes and developments
in their life together over the course of years. (The leaflets are available in-
dividually at 10 to 25 cents each or in bulk orders of $15 per 100, plus handl-
ing charge. The Liturgical Press, St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, Minn. 56321.)
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