Starting Again From Don Bosco

The Vatican Council reminded us that, Morning and Evening Prayer are the two hinges on which the Prayer of the Church turns. The reflection on life, alongside the words of scripture, has been a daily practice in the Church since earliest times. This book continues that tradition, offering a simple form of prayer for individual or communal use, at the start of the day. This book is presented as a partner volume to Prayers to Close My Day. It is offered as a way of prayer for busy people. It is also offered as a resource to Christian communities, who would like to start their day with a simple form of prayer. It can also serve as an occasional alternative to the full Office of the Church, for religious communities and parishes.

Do you attend Mass out of love rather than obligation? Are you closer to God now than you were a year ago? Are you able to keep a consistent prayer life? If you answered “no” to any of these questions, your spiritual life needs a jump-start. In Humdrum to Holy, popular priest and radio host, Fr. Ed Broom, will stir in you a holy reverence and spiritual joy that’ll point your soul to heaven. By following the wise counsel of this experienced spiritual advisor and confessor, you’ll first learn how to identify your “kryptonite” — those hidden sins in your life that keep God from working in your soul. Fr. Ed will walk you through the simple steps to creating a plan of life — your roadmap to the heights of holiness. In a clear, methodical, and practical way, you’ll learn how to cultivate virtues like patience and purity — virtues that are difficult to attain but essential for happiness in this life and getting into heaven in the next! You’ll discover some of the most potent Catholic traditions, such as lectio divina, that have made saints out of countless sinners. And he’ll show you how to transform pious practices such as Confession and Eucharistic adoration into a powerhouse of graces flooding into your soul. And finally, you’ll learn how to keep your spiritual life strong by forming a healthy conscience, and how the pains of suffering can be transformed into the tears of joy. Scripture tells us that where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more. Our world needs saints, and God is offering you the graces needed to become one. Leave behind the humdrum spiritual life and open the door to the road to sainthood. Fr. Broom is ready to show you the way.

“This is much more than a story of different religions, Jewish and Catholic, meeting on the cross-country course. I was drawn into the story by an even more eternal struggle: old vs new. Coach Bloom preaches the value of pain, hard work, suffering, and delayed gratification. His cross-country kids are, well, kids. They want to have fun, chase girls, and enjoy the loosey-goosey life. In Bloom’s inspiring tale, both coach and kids learn surprising lessons from each other.” —Amby Burfoot, executive editor, Runner’s World “God on the Starting Line is a classic, a tribute to all those who pursue excellence with talent, pride, courage, and the ability to endure. It’s the best sports book I’ve read in years and should be required reading.” —Bud Greenspan, Emmy Award-winning Olympic filmmaker _____________________ When Marc Bloom began coaching boys’ cross-country at a small Catholic high school, he almost quit in frustration. The boys rejected Bloom’s attempts at discipline, fooled around at practice and, one day, tossed a team member into the ocean. Bloom persisted, seeking to instill good values and help the boys achieve a sense of personal heroism through running. Fueled by the spiritual teachings of his Jewish faith to “repair the world,” Bloom began to make an impression on the boys, drawing out their courage and elements of their own faith. When Bloom combined ideas of hard work, passion, prayer, and suffering for a cause—a belief system necessary to sustain the rigors of cross-country running—the Running Roses ran their hearts out, making them state championship contenders and teaching the coach many lessons along the way. This is an important book for all runners, and for parents, coaches, and everyone who is touched by the joy and exaltation of young people who have much to teach the adult world about honor, decency, and the pursuit of excellence.