NEW YORK — This is the first in an occasional series about books, lectures and articles suggested by friars and partners-in-ministry. The subjects of the recommendations will be related to Franciscan theology, history and values as well as the themes of Province committees and directorates: evangelization, African-American and Hispanic ministries, communications, justice and peace, wellness, fraternal life, and more.
The Communications Office welcomes e-mails from readers who would like to suggest a book, DVD or periodical. All should include a short description of the material.
The first recommendations are:
Celebrating 800 years of the Franciscan Way of Life by Murray Bodo, OFM, of St. John the Baptist Province, recommended in the May 22 issue ofSJB News Notes.
Francis of Assisi (12 lectures, 30 minutes/lecture). (Course No. 615,
taught by William R. Cook, Ronald B. Herzman). Recommended by Jim and Phyllis Corrigan, who participated inSt. Bonaventure University’s 150th anniversary pilgrimage to Franciscan sites in Europe last year. “We picked up this course on CD from The Teaching Company and have enjoyed listening to it during our commuting time,” Jim said.
Reluctant Saint: The Life of St. Francis of Assisi by Donald Spoto. (Penguin Group USA Inc., New York, NY, 2002). Recommended by the HNP Franciscan Vocation Ministry. “An excellent introductory book on the life of St. Francis of Assisi, according to the Spring 2009 issue of Insight & Wisdom.
Speaking Faith: The Essential Handbook for Religion Communicators. (Religion Communicators Council, 2004). Information on a variety of business topics, including design, graphic identity, electronic communication tools, copyright, and crisis communication. Copies of this 154-page softcover book, with accompanying CD, are available through the RCC’s Web site.
— Jocelyn Thomas is the Province’s director of communications. She welcomes recommendations from HNPT readers through communications@hnp.org.