Off The Shelf

The history of the Catholic Church is one word...FASCINATING. It''s a 2000 year history full of drama, intrigue, promise, love, hope, and heartache. The Church has been filled with fascinating heroes, devious villains, and a myriad of people in between. Steve Weidenkopf has written one of the most approachable books I have ever read on this history. Join us as we discuss the very real and exciting history of the Church and Steve's book Timeless: A History of the Catholic Church.  

Everyone at some point in their is searching. They are after the truth so as to obtain happiness. Some are still searching in frustration today as nothing they attempt to use to fill that emptiness is working. Steve Hemler and I discuss this and how one can find true happiness as described in his book Search No More: The Keys to Truth and Happiness. The answer is a personal relationship with God. Strugglling or no someone who is.....have a listen!

Leading a holy life doesn't have to be difficult. Simply put we just need to persevere. The market is filled with books on life hacks but what about our faith life? Patti Maguire Armstrong joins us to discuss her book Holy Hacks: Everyday Ways to Live Your Faith and Get to Heaven. We discuss simple hacks to build your prayer life, ward off the devil, and everything in between. Institute a few of the nearly 500 holy hacks in this book and you'll lead a more engaging faith life in no time! 

We are constantly inundated with what people THINK the Church teaches but do we really know what the Church ACTUALLY teaches? Jimmy Akin joins me this week to cut through the chaos and provide real answers as we discuss his book Teaching with Authority: How to Cut Through Doctrinal Confusion & Understand What the Church Really Says.

I recently stumbled upon an AWESOME four book series for men that has the potential to change men into true men of faith. This week on Off the Shelf my guest is author Mark McCann and we discuss the first in the series To the Ends of the Earth: Character. We walk through the book which is setup as a 10 week devotional. What will you learn? To be a man of Catholic character is to imitate Christ!

Conversion stories are a powerful witness to the fact that we have a loving God intent upon a one on one relationship with each of us...no matter where we are. Christine Watkins joins me on this week's show to discuss the lives of six men and how Mary played a significant role in their journey to the faith. These stories are so powerful they may just change yours!

Each Lent we are encouraged to give something up as a sacrifice during the penitential season. Most often we pick things we can put our fingers on like sweets or coffee. What if we tried something different. In his book Give up Worry for Lent Gary Zimak tells readers how we can give worry up and lead stringer faith filled lives. Listen in as we cover the book and discuss the pitfalls worry can have on our lives.

This week on Off the Shelf we have something a little different. David Williams is the developer behind the new game Saint Cards. Its a card game where the Saints and history are presented in fun and engaging games for ages 4-104. Cards are available in base sets and expansions that add to the challenge and fun. Listen in as David and I discuss how to play the game and what each of the multiple expansions contain. 

This week Rob Kenney and I discuss an incredible resource that Sophia Institute Press has breathed new life into. Around the Year with the Von Trapp family is back in print and sure to serve as a timeless classic to new generations of families looking to incorporate the Catholic faith into their daily lives. Written by the beloved Maria Von Trapp formatted as a coffee table type book this is one you will want to add to your home library. 

In the internet age we can find ourselves getting caught up in the quick reaction sound bites spread across social media like wildfire. Information is literally at our fingers within seconds of events happening and often people fire off their armchair evaluation within seconds giving little thought to who they may offend or harm. Join Shaun and I as we discuss a proper path forward when it comes to social media use as outlined in his book Social Media Magisterium: A No-Nonsense Guide to the Proper Use of Media.