We have decided to wait till the Fall to pursue an in-person St. Joseph Book Club. Thank you for your support thus far and we look forward to a safer, more normal environment later this year. Until then, please keep checking our St. Joseph Book Club page on our website for great reads and suggestions.

Welcome to St. Joseph Virtual Book Club! 

March/April Book Selection:
Bishop Barron's Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith 

Purchase through Amazon here.

Amazon Book Review -
“I really enjoyed this book. I am a non- catholic and bought this book just to see why Catholicism is different from protestant. Huge eye opener for me. It is well written and concise. He makes his points clear and understandable for everyone. He explains why Catholicism has its traditions and sacraments and where they are tied to in the bible. I feel like Father Barron was speaking to me sometimes and I know this book has helped to fill some spiritual gaps in my life that I have felt while attending my local church.”

February Book Selection

Journey to Easter: Spiritual Reflections for the Lenten Season by Pope Benedict XVI

A collection of talks by then Cardinal Ratzinger, who dives into the meaning of this holy season in the Church, the importance of Jesus' life and death, especially in the lives of Christians around the world. It is a great read to prepare our hearts for Easter. 

Buy on Amazon here. 

January Book Selection
St. Joseph and His World by Mike Aquilina, forward by Scott Hahn

This book gives a glimpse into the world at the time of Joseph's birth, what it was like to be a carpenter in those days, to travel to Egypt and be a part of the Jewish settlements at the time of the Holy Family's flight to Egypt, and an in depth look into Nazareth. During this year of St. Joseph, enter into the life of one of the greatest saints whom little is known about! 

To purchase click here. 
 

December Book Choice 

The Advent of Christ: Scripture Reflections to Prepare for Christmas
By: Edward Sri

Dr. Edward Sri takes the modern day Christian back to the ancient Jewish world, bringing one through the Christmas narrative in the Scriptures in a new way. Receive a different and exciting new understanding of the meaning of Advent and Christmas.

Click here to purchase. 
 

November Book Selection 

Angels and Saints: A Biblical Guide to Friendship with God's Holy Ones by Scott Hahn 

October Book Selection

Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux
Click here for purchase option
Come and meet St. Therese in this spiritual masterpiece as she takes you on her "little way" of loving God and those around her. 

Reflection Guide/Questions 

Summer Reading Selection: 

Fr. Bogdan recommends as his COVID summer reading selection – “Strangers in a Strange Land”, by Archbishop Charles Chaput.
 
https://www.amazon.com/Strangers-Strange-Land-Catholic-Post-Christian/dp/1250159628/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=chaput&qid=1595172127&sr=8-2
 
Strangers in a Strange Land is a vivid critique of American life today, but also an empowering guide to how Christians―and particularly Catholics--can live their faith vigorously, with confidence and hope, in a post-Christian public square.

 
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., was named archbishop of Philadelphia in 2011 by Pope Benedict XVI, and the second Native American to be ordained a bishop in the United States and is the first Native American archbishop. This is his third book.
 

July Book of the Month-Rediscover Catholicism  

Rediscover Catholicism: A Spiritual Guide to Living with Passion and Purpose by Matthew Kelly
This book is available here or on Dynamic Catholic website here. 

Matthew Kelly's Complete Study and Discussion Guide for Rediscover Catholicism 

June Book of the Month- Laudato Si, Pope Francis 
 

Laudato Si Study Guide 

Laudato Si reflection Bishop Barron
 

May Book of the Month- Hail, Holy Queen! by Scott Hahn

NEW- Discussion Questions for Hail Holy Queen


April's Book of the Month: 

Seven Words of Jesus and Mary: Lessons on Cana and Calvary
By: Fulton J. Sheen 
 

This book can be found on Amazon here.

**NEW: Click here for Reflection Questions for Seven Last Words of Jesus and Mary.

Please check out the book studies below!

New Seeds of Contemplation is one of Thomas Merton's most widely read and best-loved books. In print for more than forty years, it has served as a guide to the contemplative life for lay people of all backgrounds. The word "contemplation is itself somewhat problematical, according to Merton: "It can become almost a magic word, or if not magic, then 'inspirational, ' which is almost as bad." In this modern Christian classic, Merton reveals contemplation to be nothing other than "life itself, fully awake, fully active, fully aware that it is alive", which he paraphrases from St. Irenaeus, - “"the glory of God is man fully alive”.

About the Author

Thomas Merton (1915-1968) entered the Cistercian Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky, following his conversion to Catholicism and was ordained in 1949. He was one of the most widely read spiritual authors of the late 20th century.

Seeds of Contemplation Reading and Study Guide

The Seven Storey Mountain: An Autobiography of Faith 
By: Thomas Merton 
Thomas Merton gives a vivid account of spiritual seeking. He offers wisdom on the role of suffering in our lives and the goal of spiritual perfection.