Aids to help spiritual growth

From the Desk of Father David

Dear Friends in Christ

                Some aids to help you grow spiritually.  The autobiography or biography of the saints give insight into their struggles and offer us wisdom to guide us.  Authors to start with Ronald Rolheiser, Thomas Merton and Henri Nouwen are three great writers of our own times.  If you are looking for a short reflection for each day of the year, I would recommend: Do Something Beautiful for God: The essential Teachings of Mother Teresa published by Blue Sparrow, distributed by Dynamic Catholic; Bread for the Journey: A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith by Henri J. M. Nouwen; A Year with C. S. Lewis: Daily readings from His Classic Works edited by Patricia S. Klein.  C.S. Lewis was not Catholic; he saw his role in life was to show that Christianity is the true religion.  I have found his works very thought provoking.

In the area of Apps and websites:  Some of the following are both an app and website. Pray-as-you-Go has audio reflections for each day based on daily mass readings and also many different retreats ranging from mental health to walking meditations to Church Seasons.  This year’s Lenten Retreat called “Growing Back Better” is exceptional.  The www.SacredSpace.ie is a website and app using the St. Ignatius prayer method which helps you enter into the Scriptures and leads you to having a conversation with God.  The 3 Minute Retreat App is a short powerful daily reflection.  Centering Prayer App is design to help you slow down so you can better focus on Jesus and find inner peace.

May the Holy Spirit guide you as you grow closer to Jesus in this Lenten Season.  May the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph always be there to love you and guide you.

Lenten Joy,

Fr. David