Three books have been suggested as resources that may interest newsletter readers. The following are inspiring and hopeful reflections in preparation for the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Franciscan Voices on 9/11 (St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2011) is a compilation of essays by seven Franciscans — including Daniel Horan, OFM, and Joseph Nangle, OFM — available exclusively for Kindle, Amazon’s wireless reading device. Each essay offers a way that the teachings of St. Francis can be applied to the tragic events of 9/11 and their aftermath. Dan explores the response of the Millennials — those born from 1978 to 2000, according to an article on the Center for American Progress’s website. Joe reflects on the life and death of Mychal Judge, OFM, as well as the 10 years of war that followed the attack. Also included are four articles from St. Anthony Messenger magazine and three well-known prayers of St. Francis of Assisi.
Life Is Too Short: Stories of Transformation and Renewal after 9/11 by Wendy Stark Healy (iUniverse, 2011) is a collection of narratives of people, from all walks of life, whose lives were changed for the better in the wake of Sept. 11. Healy, a frequent contributor to HNP Today, interviewed 12 individuals, including Kelly Ann Lynch and Shannon Hickey, co-founders of Mychal’s Message, the non-profit organization established in Mychal’s memory. Michael Daly, of the New York Daily News, wrote: “(Ms. Healy) has written a fine book that reminds us of the good that rose in the face of absolute evil on 9/11 and the stunned days that followed. We now too often forget that good, but Ms. Healy’s book is here to remind us with quiet words of truth. Once reminded, we feel it again, and it is all the more welcome to those of us who still grieve those who are lost.”
The Tent of Abraham: Stories of Hope and Peace for Jews, Christians, and Muslims by Joan Chittister, OSB, Murshid Saadi Shakur Chishti, and Rabbi Arthur Waskow (Beacon Press, 2006) was the August selection of the Castle Island Book Club at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston. The three authors — each representing one of the three main world religions — offer an interpretation of the story of Abraham, emphasizing the similarities among the three religions. The book also provides a section of “practical resources” on how to use lessons learned from Abraham’s story to create peace in the Middle East. Bob Edgar, general secretary of the National Council of Churches, wrote: “The stories of our common ancestors told in this book with such creative imagination inspire all of us to build community across the walls that normally divide us.”
HNP Today occasionally provides recommendations of publications that are relevant to friars as well as to their partners-in-ministry. The Communications Office welcomes emails from readers who would like to suggest a book or periodical. It requests that a short description of the material be provided.
Themes of these recommendations are — in addition to spirituality and news of the Catholic Church — topics affiliated with Holy Name Province committees and directorates: evangelization, justice and peace, African-American and Hispanic ministries, communications and wellness.
— Compiled by Vicky Wolak