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Monday, January 17, 2011

Msgr. Stephen J. Rossetti to Publish Study of Psychological and Spiritual Health of American Priests

[photo courtesy of Msgr. Stephen Rossetti. Rossetti (left) pictured with the late Cardinal Avery Dulles, S.J.] Ave Maria Press is pleased to announce the acquisition of Why Priests Are Happy: A Study of the Psychological and Spiritual Health of Priests by renowned psychologist Msgr. Stephen J. Rossetti. Now slated to release in October of 2011, this groundbreaking, peer-reviewed study undermines popular notions that Catholic priests are depressed and unhappy in their vocations. Rossetti examines many issues, comparing priests to the general male population with respect to human intimacy, sexual difficulties, burnout, psychological problems, physical health and self-care. He identifies the factors that contribute to happiness among priests as well as those that lead a priest to consider leaving the priesthood. He also looks closely at the contribution of spirituality to psychological health, examining thirteen elements of priestly spirituality. What surfaces is a very human portrait of some very human men who are imbued with a spirituality that has a direct and profound effect on their lives. Priests are clearly, and really not surprisingly, normal men. And contrary to the image portrayed in the media, 92% say they are happy in the ministry. Rossetti is a sought-after expert on Catholic clergy and religious and is frequently interviewed by the New York Times and NPR, particularly in connection with the sexual abuse crisis in America. He served as president and CEO of Saint Luke Institute in Silver Spring, Maryland from 1997 until October of 2009, and for three years prior to that as a staff member. A priest of the Diocese of Syracuse, he also served in two diocesan parishes. Rossetti currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor of Pastoral Studies at the Catholic University of America.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Foot Care Program at Downtown Chapel Brings Dignity and Relief for People Sleeping Outside

Ave Maria Press author Fr. Ronald Raab, C.S.C., is the pastor of the Downtown Chapel in Portland, Oregon. The parish's foot care clinic is featured in an article posted by Street Roots. Kasandra Coslen writes: "The custom of washing another’s feet was embedded in the cultures of ancient civilizations as an act of hospitality and necessary cleanliness. For obvious reasons, the health of one’s feet can judge the well-being of the body. For those who live outside, disease and fungus are a constant threat in the Northwest winter. Calluses erupt from always walking and wearing shoes. Sores develop and nails may become ingrown. In the Gospel of John, Jesus washes the feet of his disciples before the Last Supper, as an act of humility and gesture of service. Every Wednesday morning from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., volunteers emulate this act by caring for the feet of those in need in the basement of Portland’s Downtown Chapel." Fr. Raab, author of The Unsheltered Heart: An At-Home Advent Retreat commented, "In the midst of dirty water and bleached-white towels, the nurses and volunteers listen to the stories of strangers and friends and view their faces with care and understanding."

Thursday, December 09, 2010

Notre Dame Professor and Theologian Lawrence S. Cunningham to Appear as Guest on Sirius XM's Book Radio

Tune in Sunday, December 12th at 8 p.m. EST to Sirius XM's Pia Lindstrom Presents to hear theologian and beloved University of Notre Dame professor Lawrence S. Cunningham reflect on two decades of teaching theology and spirituality to students. For most of his professional life, University of Notre Dame professor Lawrence Cunningham has kept notebooks filled with memories, ideas, and reflections on the things that captured his attention in a given day. Now, for the first time, Cunningham has selected and compiled notes from his many volumes to create a book that Brian Doyle, editor of Portland Magazine, calls " as entertaining, and piercing, a spiritual book as I have read in years." Things Seen and Unseen is a window into the mind and heart of an exceptional theologian reveals insightful, spirited, and often wickedly funny commentary on the messy, comic, tragic, and ultimately beautiful realities of the diverse landscape of contemporary Catholicism.

Monday, December 06, 2010

Karey Circosta Promoted to Sales and Marketing Director for Ave Maria Press

Ave Maria Press is pleased to announce that Karey Circosta has been named Sales and Marketing Director, a promotion that involves responsibility for developing and implementing the sales and marketing strategies for all Ave Maria Press publications and for meeting the organization’s annual revenue goals. Karey joined AMP in August 2003 after spending five years as a marketing manager at the Elkhart Truth, a job she took after graduating from Saint Mary’s College with a degree in marketing. In her seven years at Ave, Karey has been instrumental in helping AMP become one of the leading Catholic high school religion textbook publishers in the country, with sales that have grown exponentially over the past six years. She has also helped guide our recent growth as a well-regarded publisher of pastoral ministry resources. Named Marketing Manager in 2006 (the same year she earned her MBA), Karey was promoted to Institutional Marketing Director two years ago. Her new promotion gives her responsibility for Ave Maria Press's trade publishing program as well. AMP Publisher Tom Grady stated, "This is a big job, and I know that Karey will bring the same skill, energy, and enthusiasm to it that she has brought to every position she has held at Ave. Please join me in congratulating her and wishing her every success."

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Kathleen Deignan, C.N.D., to Be Honored by GreenFaith

For many people, the environment is a daunting, or even depressing topic.For Sister Kathleen Deignan, it represents an opportunity for spiritually inspired creativity. Over a career as a theologian, author, editor, composer, and singer spanning more than 25 years, Sr. Kathleen has offered a unique religious-artistic witness for the earth. In recognition of her accomplishments, GreenFaith has announced that it will honor her at the Fifth Annual GreenFaith Awards Celebration on Saturday, October 23, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Temple B'nai Abraham in Livingston, New Jersey. The Awards Celebration will be a model "green" event, with: Locally grown organic food prepared by Chef Joe Palombo of Mirabella Café. A "green" Silent Auction, with items including an evening’s stay at Philadelphia's greenest hotel—the Hotel Palomar—and a gift certificate to Candle 79—a leading Manhattan vegetarian restaurant. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Ave Maria Press Releases New Book by Notre Dame Theology Professor

Notre Dame, IN—For most of his professional life, University of Notre Dame professor Lawrence Cunningham has kept notebooks filled with memories, ideas, verses, and reflections on the things that captured his attention on a given day. Now, for the first time, Cunningham has selected and compiled notes from his many volumes to comprise Things Seen and Unseen. This window into the mind and heart of an exceptional theologian reveals insightful, spirited, and often wickedly funny commentary on the messy, comic, tragic, and ultimately beautiful realities of the diverse landscape of contemporary Catholicism. Cunningham writes in the introduction, “Keeping this log has been one of the few disciplines I have maintained with some regularity over the years. Reading journals and diaries of other people has always been a pleasure to me, so it struck me that others might like a peek into the vagrant workings of one theologian’s mind.” Scholarly, popular, and personal in equal amounts, Things Seen and Unseen considers the legacy of such spiritual figures as Simone Weil, the interplay between religion and pop culture where Christmas and Easter are concerned, and the always difficult balance between family and work. Cunningham also addresses such thorny issues as the quality of Church leadership, the commercialization of spirituality, and the sad contrast between the ideal of Christian charity and the pettiness that can pervade everyday church life. In all things, Cunningham inspires readers with his deep love for and steadfast devotion to the Catholic Church. According to James Martin, S.J., author of The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything, “Lawrence Cunningham is that rare person: a renowned scholar who not only writes beautifully, but whose essays, reviews, and books are useful. Reading Cunningham is like listening to an exceedingly wise, articulate, provocative, funny and, above all, compassionate man who passionately wants you to meet the God he knows so well.”

Thursday, October 07, 2010

Robert Wicks Interviewed by St. Anthony Messenger Magazine Online

Dare, Hope, Pray: Dr. Robert Wicks—October 2010 Issue of St. Anthony Messenger Magazine Online

Friday, September 03, 2010

Notre Dame Prayer Book Offers Inspiring Prayers for All Occasions

Experience the vibrant Catholic spirituality of the University of Notre Dame and the sacred spaces of its beloved campus with this rich collection of traditional and contemporary prayers for every occasion. Arranged around twelve iconic places on campus—including the Grotto, the Basilica, the lakes, and the hallowed Notre Dame Stadium—this treasury will inspire and refresh the worldwide network of alumni, legendary “subway alumni,” and friends of the university for whom Notre Dame is a unique place of prayer. As eloquently stated in the foreword by Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., this sumptuous collection “reminds us of our many and always-beautiful opportunities for prayers at Notre Dame.” In this book, readers are provided with everyday prayers, ranging from the birth of a child to a sleepless night, as well as prayers focused on thanksgiving, intention, examination, contrition, and hope. Also included are many prayers from the Catholic tradition, including prayers of the saints. In addition, there are a number of prayers and reflections by some of the best loved members of the Notre Dame family, including Lou Holtz, Fr. “Monk” Malloy, Carol Ann Mooney, and Lawrence Cunningham. These reflections offer personal testimony to the power of prayer and demonstrate practical ways to use the prayer forms that are part of a respected Catholic heritage. In addition to prayers, The Notre Dame Book of Prayer contains striking photographs by Matt Cashore of the beautiful and prayerful spaces on campus, which provide reflective complements to the prayers themselves. With its wonderful variety of reflections, The Notre Dame Book of Prayer is the perfect gift for graduates, alumni, and everyone who appreciates the prayerful spirit of Notre Dame. Publication Date: September 2010