Latino illustrator wins award for saintly art

The honor recognizes one Latino author and one Latino illustrator for work that "best portrays, affirms and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in children's books." David Diaz is responsible for artwork in the June 2012 release of "Martin de Porres: The Rose in the Desert." It's written by Gary D. Schmidt.

Books: ‘Lily’ trilogy author releases new novel about the mercy of God

The Holy Father has said that the New Evangelization “begins in the confessional.” It is in that setting that much of the story unfolds...

BOOKS: Behold the Mystery: A Deeper Understanding of the Catholic Mass

Mark Hart of Life Teen wastes no time getting to the heart of the matter in his new book, “Behold the Mystery: A Deeper Understanding of the Catholic Mass,” when he illustrates the lengths to which people will go to obtain something upon which they place great value — camping out for days for movie tickets, new products, lotteries, silly game shows, etc.

BOOKS: ‘Billowtail’ a delightful read for children and adults

When local author Sherry Boas decided to branch off into children’s books, she didn’t have to go too far for inspiration.

Books: ‘Embracing God’s Plan for Marriage: A Scripture Study for Couples’

Psychologists cite incompatibility as the number one cause for the rising divorce rates. Research, studies, and statistics prove it. Being “in love” is the...

BOOKS: The inspiring story of Fr. Augustine Tolton

A book by Sr. Caroline Hemesath, SSF, “From Slave to Priest,” tells the true story of a man born in bondage who escaped the South as a child, gained freedom under the Emancipation Proclamation, battled prejudice, and whose irrepressible faith led him to an unspeakable triumph — the priesthood.

Books: ‘Wing Tip’: Sure to be a Catholic classic

buy college essays It’s a good bet that people always want to know the future to bolster their sense of certainty, especially in an uncertain...

BOOKS: ‘Forming Intentional Disciples’: Deep personal encounter with Christ essential to building up Church

If we’ve been paying attention as Catholics, we’ve heard or read the figures: Catholicism is bleeding like a ripe tomato in a meat grinder;...

Top 10 parables of faith on screen

Since the advent of cinema in the late 1800s, faith has been treated on film in a wide variety of ways, from the respectful to the satiric. With the church's observance of the Year of Faith continuing, here in alphabetical order are capsule reviews of 10 films that engage with this often elusive topic in an accomplished and illuminating manner. Sometimes directly, in other cases only by subtle implication, these screen parables provide viewers with insights into the nature of faith — as well as its effects.

BOOKS: ‘Evangelical Catholicism’: Pathway back to vibrancy of early Church

I met George Weigel last year when he came to the Valley to speak about how the KGB tried to suborn John Paul II, if that were even possible. I told him that I read his book, “Against the Grain,” and it totally revolutionized my view of Just War Theory. He seemed surprised that someone had actually read, and, understood a book of his. I read another one that he released in 2013 (our review schedule is full, but I insisted anyway), “Evangelical Catholicism,” and decided that this one simply blew me away, as the old cliché goes.