READ ANY GOOD BOOKS LATELY?

Cathedral has started a book club to encourage book lovers to read and discuss books whose themes raise important religious and social concerns. The book club is informal and open to all adult parishioners. To join, simply read the recommended book, and then attend the scheduled book discussion. Please contact jlemaire@cathedralnashville.org or 327-2330 x309 to RSVP for book discussions and/or to borrow the book.

Cathedral Book Club:

CATHEDRAL BOOK CLUB, MONDAY, AUGUST 30, ROOM #303 ST. ALBERT HALL, ALL ARE WELCOME! RSVP jlemaire@cathedralnashville.org or 327-2330 x 309

Book selection: The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell.

The Sparrow (1996) is the first novel by science fiction author Mary Doria Russell. It won the Arthur C. Clarke Award, James Tiptree, Jr. Award, Kurd-Laßwitz-Preis and the British Science Fiction Association Award. It was followed by a sequel, Children of God, in 1998. The title refers to Matthew 10:29-31, which relates that not even a sparrow falls to the earth without God's knowing of it.

The Sparrow, an astonishing literary debut, takes you on a journey to a distant planet and to the center of the human soul. It is the story of a charismatic Jesuit priest and linguist, Emilio Sandoz, who leads a twenty-first-century scientific mission to a newly discovered extraterrestrial culture. Sandoz and his companions are prepared to endure isolation, hardship and death, but nothing can prepare them for the civilization they encounter, or for the tragic misunderstanding that brings the mission to a catastrophic end. Once considered a living saint, Sandoz returns alone to Earth physically and spiritually maimed, the mission's sole survivor--only to be accused of heinous crimes and blamed for the mission's failure.

In clean, effortless prose and with captivating flashes of wit, Russell creates memorable characters who navigate a world of exciting ideas and disturbing moral issues without ever losing their humanity or humor. Both heartbreaking and triumphant, and rich in literary pleasures great and small, The Sparrow is a powerful and haunting book. It is a magical novel, as literate as The Name of the Rose, as farsighted as The Handmaid's Tale and as readable as The Thorn Birds.

The following books have been read by the Book Club and are available in the parish library on the 3rd floor of St. Albert Hall.

• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder
• Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson
• The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
• The Saint and the Sultan by Paul Moses
• The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishigura
• American Gospel: God the Founding Fathers and the Making of a Nation by Jon Meacham
• How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill
  

What is Adult Formation?  The Future of Our Church!

In 1999 the United States Bishops developed an exciting new emphasis on the importance of adult faith formation for the future of the church and in response to the increasing spiritual hunger of our times.

The Bishops write in the their Pastoral Plan "Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us":

Let us strengthen our commitment and intensify our efforts to help the adults in our communities be touched and transformed by the life-giving message of Jesus, to explore its meaning, experience its power, and live in its light as faithful adult disciples today. Let us do our part with creativity and vigor our hearts aflame with love to empower adults to know and live the message of Jesus. This is the Lord's work. In the power of the Spirit it will not fail but will bear lasting fruit for the life of the world. (OHWB, no. 183)

Adult Faith Formation is the process by which people consciously grow in the life of Christ through experience, reflection, prayer and study. (OHWB no. 5)

Adult formation includes education, spiritual formation and social action.

Come Away and Rest for Awhile: Retreat Centers We Have Known

"Be Still and Know that I am God."

Looking for a place for peace and solitude? Want to work on your prayer life? Need some time alone to nourish your spiritual and emotional life? Below is a list of retreat centers within driving distance from Nashville. Some have been experienced by Cathedral Staff and friends who have been there have recommended others. These centers offer a variety of experiences from guided retreats, directed retreats, or days of solitude and silence. Just give them a call to find the right place for your needs.

After you have attended one of the retreat centers, write to jlemaire@cathedralnashville.org. and tell us about your experience and we may post it on this site.
 

Ministry for New MOMS

Attention Mothers! Cathedral is forming a new ministry called MOMS: Ministry of Mothers Sharing. MOMS is a small group setting for Moms (with children aged birth to 10) to develop greater awareness of the spirituality of motherhood.

MOMS is a nationwide program designed to bring the companionship of other women into your busy life as a mother. Enjoy this opportunity to develop your self-esteem and enhance your relationship skills in the company of other mothers. Take a few hours each week to develop a greater awareness of your own spirituality as a mother, and to appreciate the ministry of your motherhood.

MOMS is a 7 week commitment. For more information about joining the next MOMS Group at Cathedral, or for a registration form, contact Lynn Chaffin at lynn_chaffin@yahoo.com.

Happenings Around Town to Nourish Your Body, Mind and Spirit

If you know of spiritual or religious related educational events around town, let us hear from you and we will post on this site. Note: It is regrettable that we may not be able to list all events. Call Parish Office at 327-2330 with information.