The following is a selective list of resources for adults who want to learn more about the Catholic faith and Catholic life. No effort has been made to insure that this is an exhaustive list. The resources listed here are representative of resources which are accessible and useful to the average Catholic adult. In some cases, resources of special value are included even if they are not currently in print. The ten- or thirteen-digit number following the date of publication is the International Standard Book Number (ISBN).
Disclaimer
We believe the resources listed below faithfully represent official Catholic teaching and the call of the Second Vatican Council to renewal, reform and reappropriation of the Catholic tradition. However, inclusion of unofficial publications on this list does not constitute agreement or endorsement of the content or author by the pastors or staff of the Waterloo parishes.
Directory
Click on the subject you are looking for
• Basic Catholic References
• Living With Faith
• Introduction to the Catholic Faith
• What It Means to Be Catholic
• The Mass
• Catholic Practice, Sacraments and Traditions
• Catholic Spirituality, Moral and Social Teaching
• Catholic Prayer and Devotions
• Catholics and Scripture
• Historical Development
• Catholic Seekers, Inactive and Recovering Catholics
• Divorce and Annulments
• Living With Illness, Aging and Loss
• Addiction and Recovery
• Gay and Lesbian Catholics
• Current Issues in the Catholic Church
• Catholic Book Clubs
Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd Edition). Doubleday, 2003. 0385508190. A basic and authoritative presentation of Catholic belief and teaching; the first general catechism published by the Catholic Church in 400 years.
United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, 2006. 1574554506. This adaptation of the general Catechism combines inspiring stories with doctrinal explanations.
The Catholic Bible Concordance for the Revised Standard Version. Compiled by C.W. Lyons with Thomas Deliduka. Emmaus Road Publishing, 2009. 2187pp. 9781931018494.
New Catholic Answer Bible (Revised NAB). Paul Thigpen, ed. Our Sunday Visitor, 2011. 9781592761869. Includes text and notes of the revised New American Bible plus questions and answers about Catholic teaching and practice.
The Catholic Study Bible. Oxford University Press, 1990. 0195282779. Includes text and notes of the New American Bible, plus a wealth of additional background information, maps, glossary and concordance.
The Collegeville Bible Commentary. Robert J. Karris. Liturgical Press, 1992. 0814622119. Book by book, line by line -- this is an excellent handbook for beginners who want to understand Scripture more clearly.
The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Jose Enrique Aguilar Chiu. Paulist Press. 2018. 978-0809106134. Unlike traditional commentaries, this one takes a narrative approach as it explains the meaning and purpose of the biblical accounts.
The HarperCollins Encyclopedia of Catholicism. Richard McBrien, ed. HarperSanFrancisco, 1995. 0060653388. A comprehensive, one-volume guide to Catholic doctrine, history, worship, art, spirituality, literature and theology.
Our Sunday Visitor's Catholic Encyclopedia and Catholic Dictionary (Revised).Russell Shaw and Peter M.J. Stravinskas, eds. Our Sunday Visitor, 1998. 0879736690. A comprehensive and authoritative guide to Catholic history, doctrine, and practice.
United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. 2006. 1574554506. An authoritative presentation of Catholic teaching written especially for American Catholics.
Vatican Council II: The Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents /Volume I(Revised). Austin Flannery, ed. Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1991. 0918344158. Official texts of the documents issues by Vatican Council II.
A Concise Guide to the Documents of Vatican II. Edward P. Hahnenberg. St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2007. 178pp. 9780867165524. Provides a clear and concise overview of the Council's sixteen documents, their background, language, context and significance in the life of the church.
A Short Guide to Understanding Papal Documents. Elizabeth Huddleston.
The following are recommended especially for those with little or no religious background, experience or tradition and for Catholic "Seekers" struggling with the role of faith in their lives.
Against An Infinite Horizon--The Finger of God in Our Everyday Lives. Ronald Rolheiser. Crossroad, 2002. 0824519655. According to Rolhesier, “To have faith is to see everything against an infinite horizon.” This book examines what difference faith makes in people’s everyday lives.
Beyond Naive Belief--The Bible and Adult Catholic Faith. Paul E. Dinter. Crossroad, 1994. 0824514211. Dinter explores how the church as a whole and individual believers grow from "naive" to mature faith by passing through a stage of critical thinking.
Broken Rainbows--Growing Faith in a Changing World. G. Michael McCrossin. Sheed & Ward, 1997. 1556129130. Expresses fundamental faith ideas in a way which resonates with contemporary experience; a good resource for those who never had much faith or those who have abandoned faith.
Christ Is Alive! Michael Quoist. Galilee Trade Books, 1972. 978-0385094849. Quoist believes that faith in Jesus Christ has as much to do with this life as it does with the next -- an almost revolutionary idea when this book was first published.
The Christian Vision--The Truth That Sets Us Free. John Powell. Thomas More Assn., 1995. 0883473291. A convincing explanation of how faith in Jesus provides us with a master vision, meaning and purpose in life--the truth that sets us free from personal tyrants.
Does Life Make Sense?--A Pastor’s Ten Best Guesses About God, Life and Love. Joseph Breighner. Twenty-Third Publications, 2002. 1585951927. This parish priest offers his “best guess” answers for readers who are trying to reconcile faith with everyday life.
Eyes That See, Ears That Hear--Perceiving Jesus in a Postmodern Context.James P. Danaher. Liguori, 2006. 0764814095. This book bridges the gap between blind faith and objective truth; it proposes faith based on “a more personal truth.”
Faith in Exile--Seeking Hope in Times of Doubt. Joseph T. Kelley. Paulist Press, 2003. 0809140888. Kelley addresses the yearning of spiritual seekers who feel exiled or displaced from institutional religion.
A Faith That Makes Sense. Robert J. Cormier. Crossroad, 1999. 0824518179. A series of short reflections which helps readers appreciate the difference faith makes in people’s lives.
God and the New Atheism--A Critical Response to Dawkins, Harris and Hitchens. John F. Haught. Westminster/John Knox. 2007. 156pp. 066423304X. Haught, an expert on science and theology, identifies the inconsistencies, misconceptions and generalizations of the "new atheism."
God--The Oldest Question. William J. O’Malley. Loyola Press, 2000. 0829415157. An honest, inspiring examination of why God and faith make a difference in the way we live.
God for Grownups. Virginia Smith. Thomas More/Ave Maria, 2002. 0883474832. A somewhat challenging introduction to the God revealed in Scripture written for ‘people who know how to think.’
The God Questions--What Forms and Shapes Us. Patrick Russell. Liguori Publications, 192pp. 9780764816291. A practical approach to the questions we need in life to see in order to discover that God is the answer.
Help My Unbelief. William J. O'Malley. Orbis Books. 160pp. 9781570758034. Addresses the issues raised by the "new atheists," and shows readers that there is a way of knowing that transcends uncertainty and provides assurance.
How to Explain Your Faith. John Pritchard. The Liturgical Press, 2007. 0814631789. A good primer for people who have lots of questions, like why bother? why believe? or why get involved?
How to Find God. James Martin SJ.ed. Liguori Publications, 224pp. 978764800900. Martin has collected a variety of contributions from individuals of many faith traditions, all of whom address the issue of how one can find God.
I Believe. Help My Unbelief!--Christian Beliefs for a Religiously Pluralistic and Secular World. Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen. Cascade Books. 2024. 450pp. 9781725276673. This innovative book introduces main Christian doctrines and beliefs for thoughtful Christians and seekers in a manner understandable and meaningful for people living in a religiously pluralistic, complex, and secular world.
The Incredible Need to Believe. Julia Kristeva. Columbia University Press. 2009. 978-0231147859. Kristeva explains how the human need to believe lies at the heart of the psyche and the history of society. She argues that reclaiming Christianity's openness to self-questioning and the search for knowledge can restore the integrity of the human community.
An Introduction to Christian Belief--A Contempoary Look at the Basics of Faith. Robert Sheard. Twenty-Third Publications, 1996. 0896227073. Sheard seeks to explain the role of faith and fundamental Christian doctrines in a world which has radically changed.
Is God Absent?--Faith, Atheism and Our Search for Meaning. Anselm Grun et.al. Paulist Press, 2018. Examines contemporary doubts and nonbelief; explains how the absence of God is the first step toward discovering God.
Jesus Today--A Spirituality of Radical Freedom. Albert Nolan. Orbis Books, 2006. 1570756724. At the heart of Nolan’s book is the conviction that faith in Jesus Christ is the answer to the complex personal and social problems of the 21st century.
Losing Your Religion, Finding Your Faith. Fr. Brett Hoover. Paulist Press, 1998. 160pp. 0809137828. Written for young adults, but applicable for any spiritual seeker who feels alienated from the church or confused about how one comes to an "adult" stage of belief.
Practicing Our Faith--A Way of Life for a Searching People 2nd ed.. Dorothy C. Bass ed. Jossey-Bass, 2010. 304pp. 978-0470484111. Explores how to make faith meaningful in everyday life by practicing hospitality, simplicity, community and other habits which enrich our lives and the lives of others.
The Pursuit of Happiness--Evolving a Soul. William J. O’Malley. Thomas More Assn., 1995. 088347333X. O’Malley invites readers to discover their personal uniqueness and integrate it into the wider story of the Christian community.
Seek And You Will Find--Questions on the Christian Faith. Taize Community. GIA Publications, 2006. 1579995926. Examines the kind of questions we all have about life, faith, God, Jesus, the Bible and prayer.
The Seven Storey Mountain. Thomas Merton. Harcourt, 1999. 0156010860. Merton outlines his journey of faith from early doubts through his conversion to Catholicism and the decision to become a Trappist monk. This a the classic guide for every seeker.
So Who Is God Anyway? G.S. Payne. Five Boroughs Media. 979-8989474905
The Sky Is Not Falling--An Astronomer's Faith. Aileen O'Donoghue. Orbis Books.
Stories of God--An Unauthorized Biography. John Shea. Thomas More Press, 1978. 0883470853. This book is out of print, but it’s worth finding a used copy if you’re looking for a book that explains faith in a way that is meaningful in today’s world.
Theology for Beginners (Revised). Francis Sheed. St. Anthony Messenger/Servant Books, 1982. Considered a classic modern introduction to the central doctrines of the Christian faith, and a good place to start if you don't know much about the Christian faith.
Tomorrow’s Catholic--Understanding God and Jesus in a New Millennium(Revised). Michael Morwood. Twenty-Third Publications, 1997. 0896227243. Connects faith to the postmodern cosmology; a good read for those who aren’t used to religion or church.
Tracing the Footsteps of God--Discovering What You Really Believe. C.S. Song. Fortress Press, 2007. 0800638921. Provides a process to help readers use their daily experience to answer the question, “What do I believe?”
Twelve Theological Dilemmas. Gregory C. Higgins. Paulist Press, 1991. 144pp. 080913232X. This is an excellent description of the issues involved in some major theological questions, such as the existence of God, the need for salvation, the nature of truth, the relationship between faith and science, the meaning of Christ, and the relationship between Christianity and other religions.
The Universal Christ--How a Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope For, and Believe. Richard Rohr. Convergent Books. 2019. 978-1524762094 Drawing on scripture, history, and spiritual practice, Rohr articulates a transformative view of Jesus Christ as a portrait of God’s constant, unfolding work in the world.
What Faith Is Not. Mitch Finley. Sheed & Ward, 2001. 1580511031. According to Finley, faith is more than an excuse for suffering, an antidote to doubt, a hedge against death, or a source of secret knowledge; it is the foundation of meaning and joy.
What Is the Point of Being a Christian? Timothy Radcliffe. Burns & Oates/Continuum, 2006. 0860123693. This apology for living with faith is based on the conviction that the lives of Christians should be marked by hope, freedom, happiness, courage and openness to the world.
Who Are You Really?--A Seeker’s Guide to Faith. Peter Cullinane. Twenty-Third Publications, 2005. 1585953792. Explores the role of faith and our relationship to God in terms of what it means to be fully human.
Wrestling With God--Finding Hope and Meaning in Our Daily Struggles to Be Human. Ronald Rolheiser. Image Books. 2019. 978-0804139472. Drawing from his own life experience, as well as literary, psychological, and theological insights, Rolheiser examines the fears and doubts that challenge us and helps find the meaning of faith in today's world.
You Know More Than You Think--Your Intuitive Knowledge of God in the Catholic Tradition. James Penrice. St. Pauls, 2003. 081890948X. Penrice’s premise is that we can all intuitively access the essentials of faith through our everyday experience.
The following are shorter, one-volume resources which provide an overview of what Catholics believe, what Catholics do and how Catholics pray.
An Invitation to Catholic Faith--Exploring the Basics. Joseph Stoutzenberger. Twenty-Third Publications, 2013. 978-1-58595-916-7. Here is a concise and clear introduction to what it means to be Catholic which explains Catholic approaches to Scripture and Tradition, the sacraments, and spiritual practices.
Catholic Answers to Fundamentalists' Questions (revised). Philip St. Romain. Liguori Publications, 2005. 96pp. 9780764813412. St. Romain offers a clear, accurate and understandable explanation of what distinguishes Catholic faith from more fundamentalist traditions.
Catholic Beliefs from A to Z--An Inspirational Dictionary. Alfred McBride. St. Anthony Messenger/Servant Books, 2001. 189pp. 156955174X.
The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth. Brian Singer-Towns. St. Mary's Press, 2004. 0884897672.
Catholic Quick View--Beliefs, Definitions, Prayers, Practices. Brian Singer-Towns. St. Mary's Press, 2005. 0884899020
The Catholic Sourcebook (fourth edition). Peter Klein. Harcourt Religion Publishers, 2006. 0159018838
Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2006. 1574557203.
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Understanding Catholicism. Bob O’Gorman and Mary Faulkner. Alpha, 2003. 448pp. 1592570852.
The Essential Catholic Handbook--A Summary of Beliefs, Practices and Prayers (Revised). Liguori Publications, 2004. 0764812890.
Essentials for Christian Living. United Stated Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2008. 127pp. 1601370204. This small book contains a selection of traditional Catholic prayers, a summary of Catholic beliefs, and space for personal reflection.
Faith for the Heart--A Catholic Spirituality. Thomas Groome. Paulist Press. 2019. 204pp. 978-0809154661. Draws on multiple resources to explore the spiritual resources of the Church's faith, practice, and traditions and to restore hope and draw back those who have left back into community.
Handbook for Today's Catholic (revised). Cardinal Francis George. Liguori Publications, 2004. 9780764813221.
How-To Series. Our Sunday Visitor. This series provides a helpful guide to "everything you need to know but no one ever taught you."
--How-to Book of the Bible. Karl A. Schultz. 9781592760954.
--How-to Book of Catholic Devotions. Mike Aquilina et.al. 9781592734195.
--How-to Book of the Mass. Michael Dubruiel. 9781592762699.
--How-to Book of Sacramentals. Ann Ball. 9781592760961.
Liguori's 101 Series. Liguori Publications. This series provides a good introduction to Catholic beliefs,
presented in a thorough but accessible format.
-- Church History--A Concise Overview. Christopher M. Bellitto.9780764816031.
-- Holy Spirit--Present Among Us. John L. Gresham. 9780764819859.
-- Jesus--God and Man. John L. Gresham. 9780764819315.
-- Liturgy--Sacraments and Sacramentals. Daniel G. Van Slyke.
9780764818455.
-- Mary--Tradition and Influence. Mary Ann Zimmer. 9780764818516.
-- Scripture--An Intro to Reading the Bible. William J. Parker CSsR.
9780764817007.
Theology for Today's Catholic--A Handbook. Stephen Rehrauer. Liguori Publications. 2005. 0764813080
Twelve Reasons to Be Glad You're Catholic. Daniel Connors. Twenty-Third Publications, 2012. 978-1585958948
What You Should Know About...(series). Charlene Altemose. Liguori Publications. These short, informative and interesting books provide a summary of basic information.
-- What You Should Know About Church History. 0764808184.
-- What You Should Know About Mary. 0764801627
-- What You Should Know About the Mass. 0892434627.
-- What You Should Know About the Sacraments. 0892436298.
-- What You Should Know About the Saints. 0764800477.
-- What You Should Know About the Word of God. 076480532.
Why Do Catholics Genuflect?—and Answers to Other Puzzling Questions About the Catholic Church. Al Kresta. Servant Books/Franciscan Media. 2001. 9781569552439. Here’s an excellent resource which provides clear, concise answers to the most common questions people ask about the Catholic faith.
The following provide a more detailed examination of what Catholics, how Catholics behave, and what makes Catholics different.
The American Catholic Experience (series). Acta Publications. Writers in this series are lay people who explore the unique ways in which faith comes alive in everyday life.
-- Finding My Way in a Grace-Filled World. William L. Droel.
087946285X.
-- Living in Ordinary Time. Maryellen O’Brien. 0879462868.
-- The Spiritual Apprenticeship of a Curious Catholic. Jerry Hurtubise.
0879462833.
Being Catholic--How We Believe, Practice and Think. Daniel Pilarczyk. St. Anthony Messenger, 2006. 246pp. 0867167084. Examines what is unique about Catholic belief, practice and thought.
Being Catholic Today--Your Personal Guide. Bert Ghezzi. Servant Books, 1998. 166pp. 1569550107. Explains what it means to be Catholic and 15 key ways of practicing the faith.
Bible Proofs for Catholic Truths. Dave Armstrong. Sophia Institute Press, 2009. 464pp. 978-1933184579. Catholic apologist and scripture scholar Dave Armstrong presents passages from scripture that point to and underline various Catholic teachings.
Catholic Beliefs and Traditions--Ancient and Ever New. John F. O’Grady. Paulist Press, 2002. 368pp. 0809140470. A good review of the nature of Catholic faith and practice, appropriate for anyone who is looking for a unified vision of Catholicism.
The Catholic Experience. By Lawrence Cunningham. Crossroad, 1986. 270pp. 0824507053. Examines the Catholic experience of human reality--time, space, life, community; convey what it “feels like” to be a Catholic/Christian.
The Catholic Faith--An Introduction. By Lawrence Cunningham. Paulist Press, 1986. 192pp. 0809128594. A good overview of what it means to be a Catholic which focuses more on religious experience than theological doctrines.
The Catholic Imagination. Andrew Greeley. University of California Press, 2001. 213pp. 0520232046. Examines Catholicism’s unique worldview and culture, shaped by the conviction that objects, events and persons of daily life are revelations of grace.
Catholicism (Revised/3rd Edition). Richard McBrien. HarperCollins, 1994. 0060654058. Comprehensive explanation of Catholic teaching which examines its historical development, the current official teaching, and contemporary interpretations.
Catholicism--Now I Get It! Claire Furia Smith. Our Sunday Visitor, 2007. 1592761526. Written especially for Catholics from the ‘lost generation’ who want to rediscover the richness of their faith.
Choosing to Be Catholic--For the First Time, or Once Again (Revised). William O’Malley. Ave Maria, 2001. 240pp. 9781594713439. An excellent book for readers who want to learn more about the Catholic faith and feel “at home” in the Catholic Church.
Distinctively Catholic--An Exploration of Catholic Identity. Daniel Donovan. Paulist Press, 1997. 210pp. 080913750X. Although somewhat academic, this is an excellent resource for readers who want to know what makes Catholic Christianity “different.”
Engaging Catholicism Series. Ave Maria Press, 2022ff. This series, written by staff members of the McGrath Institute for Church Life at Notre Dame University, examines various aspects of Catholic faith including the Eucharist, Real Presence, Prayer, Creation and the Faithful Departed.
A Faith That Frees--Catholic Matters for the 21st Century. Richard G. Malloy SJ. Orbis Books, 2007. 1570757341. For Catholics disappointed in the Church, Malloy offers a vision of a church engaged in transforming the world.
40 Catholic Customs and Their Biblical Roots. Scott Hahn. Doubleday, 2009. 288pp. 9780385519496. Illuminates the biblical roots of Catholic traditions such as the Sign of the Cross, the Mass, the Sacraments, praying with the saints, guardian angels, sacred images and relics, the celebration of Easter, Christmas and other holidays.
Full Christianity--A Catholic Response to Fundamental Questions. Richard Chilson. Paulist Press, 1985. 136pp. 0809126699. Uses questions-and-answer format to show the differences between the Catholic and fundamentalist visions of Christian faith.
The Good Enough Catholic--A Guide for the Perplexed. Paul Wilkes. Ballantine Books, 1997. 354pp. 0345409620. Wilkes sorts through the debate over who’s a good Catholic and who isn’t in order to find out who’s good enough.
The Great Mysteries--Experiencing Catholic Faith from the Inside Out. By Andrew M. Greeley. Sheed & Ward. 2003. 180pp. 1580511317. No one summarizes the basic ideas of Catholic faith better than Greeley, who writes passionately about the faith questions which arise out of everyday experience.
The Heart of Catholicism--Practicing the Everyday Habits That Shape Us. Bert Ghezzi. Ave Maria Press, 2014. 192pp. 978-1594714405
The Mystery of Faith--An Introduction to Catholicism. Michael Himes. St. Anthony Messenger, 2004. 120pp. 9780867165791. A short, well-written explanation of ten basic truths about the Catholic faith. Highly recommended introduction for new and life-long Catholics.
The Pillars of Faith Series. Fr. Peter J. Vaghi. Ave Maria Press. This series provides a concise, accessible and complete introduction to the four "pillars" of Catholic faith outlined in the Catechism.
-- The Faith We Profess. 9781594711770.
-- The Commandments We Keep. 9781594712616.
-- The Sacraments We Celebrate. 9781594712319.
-- The Prayer We Offer. 9781594712944.
The Privilege of Being Catholic. By Fr. Oscar Lukefahr. Liguori Publications, 1993. 208pp. 0892435631. Explains the distinguishing features of Catholicism in a way that helps readers appreciate what Catholics are as well as what they believe.
Rediscovering Catholicism--Journeying Toward Our Spiritual Northstar. Matthew Kelly. Beacon Publishing, 2002. 313pp. 9781929266081. Writing with passion and enthusiasm, Kelly explores the essence of authentic Catholic spirituality and addresses important questions we face today as both individuals and as a Church.
Roots of the Faith--From the Church Fathers to You. Mike Aquilina. Servant Books/St. Anthony Messenger Press. 9780867169386. This introduction to the roots of Catholic beliefs and practices illustrates how the Catholic Church as we know it today has grown and changed but is still in continuity with what has gone before.
Seeker’s Guide to Being Catholic. Mitch Finley. Loyola Press. 1997. 184pp. 0829409343. A good introduction which examines basic beliefs and how they apply to relationships, work, spirituality and church life.
Addiction and Recovery
The Beautiful Letdown--An Addict's Theology of Addiction. David Tremaine. Cascade Books. 2019. 9781532646157
Belonging--Bonds of Healing and Recovery. Dennis and Shiela Linn. Paulist Press. 1992. 978-0809133659
Loving Someone With An Addiction. Dr. Dominic Ciraulo. Paraclete Productions. 2013. ( DVD)
The Twelve Steps and the Sacraments. Scott Weeman. Ave Maria Press. 2017. 978-1594717253
The Twelve Steps Meet the Gospel. Trish Vanni and Dick Rice. Twenty-Third Publications. 2017. 978-1627852616What Pope Francis Says About Recovery. Pope Francis. Twenty-Third Publications. 2018 978-1627853460