Medjugorje the Message by Wayne Weible

On October 27, 1985, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, newspaper publisher and columnist, Wayne Weible, first learned of the phenomenon occurring in the little town with the unpronounceable name. Sensing that there might be material for his column, he decided ot pursue the story. Already he had a tie-in in mind that would be perfect for the season: "As we prepare to celebrate the miracle of christmas, a modern-day miracle may be taking place in an obscure village in Yugoslavia . ". The following evening, reviewing a videotape documentary of the events at Medjugorje, he realized that there was far more to it than one column. As it turned out, there were eight, and as requests poured in for reprints, to cut down on copying and postage costs he reproduced them in tabloid form. Now Wayne Weible has written a book about Medjugorje - the first from a Protestant perspective. It may be the most penetrating from any perspective.

Good News About Sex and Marriage: Answers to Your Honest Questions About Catholic Teaching by Christopher West

Based largely on Pope John Paul's "theology of the body," West's message is that sexual bonding is an aspect of Christ's connection to His Church on earth. Read with youthful enthusiasm by Paul Smith, the program discusses the Christian practice of cloaking sexual impulses in spiritual imagery and promoting strategies for managing such impulses. In West's confusing view of the Church's teachings about homosexuality, being gay is not a sin, but it is evil, a deviation from God's plan, and a sign of man's fallen nature! Still, the writing sounds less punitive than some religious approaches to sex and might help people who are desperate for some outside authority to manage this part of their lives.

Love and Responsibility by Pope John Paul II

Drawing from his own pastoral experience as a priest and bishop before he became Pope John Paul II, Karol Wojtyla has produced a remarkably eloquent and resourceful defense of Catholic tradition in the sphere of family life and sexual morality. He writes in the conviction that science--biology, psychology, sociology--can provide valuable information on particular aspects of relations between the sexes, but that a full understanding can be obtained only by study of the human person as a whole. Central to his argument is the contrast between the personalistic and the utilitarian views of marriage and of sexual relations. The former views marriage as an interpersonal relationship, in which the well-being and self-realization of each partner are of overriding importance to the other. It is only within this framework that the full purpose of marriage can be realized. The alternative, utilitarian view, according to which a sexual partner is an object for use, holds no possibility of fulfillment and happiness. Wojtyla argues that divorce, artificial methods of birth control, adultery (pre-marital sex), and sexual perversions are all in various ways incompatible with the personalistic view of the sexual self-realization of the human person.


Perhaps the most striking feature of the book is that Wojtyla appeals throughout to ordinary, human experience, logically examined. He draws support for his views on the proper gratification of sexual needs, on birth control, and on other matters, from the findings of physiologists and psychologists. His conclusions coincide with the traditional teachings of the Church, which invoke scriptural authority. His approach ensures that non-Christians also can consider his arguments on their own merits.

Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul by Saint Faustina

This bestselling book that birthed the Divine Mercy movement, one of the fastest growing movements in world today. This amazing narrrative will stir your heart and soul while it chronicles the experience of a simple Polish nun.

NAB Catholic Serendipity Bible by Lyman Coleman

Likely the best Catholic bible that I've owned and given out as gifts to friends. In included 200 general group studies and 60 course plans that address the needs of ten different groups of men, women, singles, youth, recovery, and more. It also cover topics including discipleship, to intimacy, to employment, to growing older, to abuse, grief, and loss.

A Concise History of the Catholic Church by Thomas Bokenkotter

This is an excellent book which summarizes the Catholic Church from its early foundations to the present day. I used this book in one of my undergraduate courses on Theology.

Prophecy For Today by Edward Connor

Another terrific book on Catholic Prophecy. Along with Yves Dupont's "Catholic Prophecy", this is one that I've found myself referring back to on many occasions.