Books

'Prayers From The Heart: for the Feasts of the Year', Joanna Bogle

Reviewed by Mary-Jane Donnellan

Contents - May 2001 - Buy a copy now Editorial: A crucial appointment to Sydney - Michael Gilchrist Vatican signals continuation of reform process - AD2000 Report AD2000 Online - Michael Gilchrist 'Systematic instruction in the faith' program to be launched in July - Bishop Luc Matthys News: The Church Around the World The Church in Germany: John Paul II expresses serious concerns - Catholic World News New WA Catholic schools document stresses orthodoxy US professor defends papal teaching on universities - Charles E. Rice Why John Henry Newman converted to Catholicism - Michael Davies A Melbourne artist's labour of love - Michael Gilchrist Letters: Different Church (letter) - Frank Smith Letters: Vocation question (letter) - Msgr Richard Schuler PP Letters: Racism (letter) - Helen Daniel Letters: Sydney appointment (letter) - Frank Bellet Letters: Paul Collins (letter) - Arnold Jago (Dr) Letters: Vatican II ambiguities (1) (letter) - George F. Simpson Letters: Vatican II ambiguities (2) (letter) - Fr G.H. Duggan SM Letters: Eucharistic Congress (letter) - Basil Lane Letters: Elizabeth Anscombe (letter) - Edward Clarke Letters: 'Courage' (letter) - John Dodwell Letters: Objectionable cover (letter) - Fr Edward P. Evans Letters: Altar? (letter) - D.I. Davies Letters: Destruction (letter) - John D. Pratt Letters: Queensland Bishops (letter) - Dr Tim Coyle Letters: African reader (letter) - Fr Stephen B. Muchemwa Letters: Scripture truth (letter) - Mary Beaumont Letters: Enlightening book (letter) - Br Con Moloney CFC Books: 'Becoming Fire' by Fr Ken Barker mgl - Peter Westmore (reviewer) Books: 'Great Christian Prayers' by Stephen Redmond SJ - Peter Westmore (reviewer) Books: 'He's Risen' by Phelim McGowan SJ - Mary-Jane Donnellan (reviewer) Books: 'Prayers From The Heart: for the Feasts of the Year', Joanna Bogle - Mary-Jane Donnellan (reviewer) Books: 'A Vacation With The Lord' by Fr Thomas H. Green SJ - Catherine Sheehan (reviewer) Books: Stations Of The Cross (CD), Perth Catholic Productions - Colleen McGuiness-Howard (reviewer) Poetry: The Ballad of Antichrist - Andrew Huntley Reflection: 'Blessed are the poor in spirit' - Fr Ian Falconer SJ

Prayers From The Heart: for the Feasts of the Year selected by Joanna Bogle (Gracewing, 2000, 96pp, RRP $8.95. Available from AD Books (03) 9326 5757)

Prayers from the Heart evokes "The sound of a great rush of wind - the coming of Pentecost" as it invites the reader to be guided and strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit, to share in the waiting of Advent, anticipate the arrival of Christmas and celebrate the Solemnities of All Souls' and All Saints' days.

This is a light-hearted, easy-to-read book, written in old-style English verses, which prompts one to reflect on a wide range of the Church's Feast days.

As a family or alone, we are invited to enter into the traditional prayers of St Francis of Assisi, St Augustine, John Henry Newman, Wordsworth and others, and be drawn into a time of personal reflection.

The words of the various writers serve to penetrate into the busy- ness of life, calling on us to accept the challenge of the Christian journey. As we rest aside a while, we are better able to reflect on the wonders of God.

As we meditate on these passages, the truth of faith may bring us to a new and exciting discovery of what each new Feast day brings with it.

As Pope John Paul II said: "There is a need for heralds of the Gospel who are experts in humanity, who have a profound knowledge of the heart of present-day man, participating in his joys and hopes, anguish and sadness, and who are at the same time contemporaries in love with God."

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 14 No 4 (May 2001), p. 17