Kirjahaku

The psalms are at the very heart of monastic prayer. Recited seven times a day in the liturgy and reflected upon in the mind through the day during work and lectio divina, they provide those who recite them regularly with a privileged way into continual mindfulness of God. allowing Christians to pray as Christ prayed, the psalms form Christians in Christ, and become a vital part of the formation process, both in monastic life and in Christian living.After teaching Scripture to women in monastic formation at Mount Saint Mary's Abbey in Wrentham, Massachusetts, for many years, Sister Maureen McCabe shares her insights into these biblical songs with those outside the cloister. In reflecting on the psalms in an integral and sapiential way, she strives to meet novices in a way that respects both the unifying elements of the life as well as the heart's search for a wisdom and meaning. Always in the background there is solid exegesis, but exegesis is at the service of persons who are discerning a commitment to alive wholly ordered to contemplation.

Please allow me to introduce the second edition of my Christmas picture book for girls Nicholas Nutcracker & Brittany Ballerina. It's about two lonely Christmas tree ornaments, Nicholas Nutcracker, a retired toy-soldier from a small village in Germany, and Brittany Ballerina, a world-renowned ornament ballet dancer. Nicholas & Brittany are both ready to find their true love before they go back into their boxes in the attic for another year. There's grandparents. There's an oh-so-cute dog, Bellamy, the basset hound. There's friends like Jolly Old St Nick, Kelly Tea Kettle, Rocky Rocking Horse, and Brittany's best friend, Irene Ice Skate. After Grandmother carefully hung all the ornaments on the tree, she announces "The tree and ornaments look perfect It's time to get the party started with "The Annual Meet and Mingle of the Ornaments." After Nicholas spots Brittany on the tree, he knows it's love at first sight. But, now he needs Grandmother to move him closer to Brittany. He gestures every way he can imagine: silent yelling, fanciful arm-waving, make-believe foot stomping. Finally though, Bellamy comes to the rescue when he accidentally bumps the tree. And the rest is history. D. Donovan with Midwest Book Review says "kids with good reading skills or read-aloud parent will find A Christmas Love Story a warm tale of ballet aspirations, romance, and overcoming obstacles set against a holiday backdrop that is beautifully rendered, nicely illustrated with colorful drawings by Anastasiia K. and just the ticket for an original holiday read. A simplified title and second edition comes out November 10, 2025 just in time for Christmas. It's sweet. It's old-fashioned. Good for night-time read It's all about the search for true love. And, it is a perfect Christmas book for girls ages 4 to 8.