Catholic Social Teaching Gift Guide
by
Christopher Dodson
Executive Director, North Dakota Catholic Conference
December 2009
Still
looking for Christmas gifts? Consider something related to
Catholic social teaching.
Books All of
these books are available at most Catholic bookstores or
online booksellers.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Catholic
social doctrine is an integral part of the faith. Anyone
wondering what the Catholic Church teaches about a
social issue should start with the Catechism.
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the
Church,
Pontifical Council For Justice And Peace (USCCB
Publishing) This compendium commissioned by Pope John
Paul II is a must have for anyone who wants to
understand the church’s social doctrine.
In Solitary Witness,
Gordan Zahn (Templeton) This is the book that brought
the story of Franz Jägerstätter to the world.
Jägerstätter - now Blessed - was an Austrian peasant,
husband, and father martyred for his refusal to serve as
a soldier for Nazi regime. Blessed Franz’s letters
and life reveal that he was more than a conscientious
objector. He was a man of deep faith with a sincere
desire to live his entire life in accord with the
teachings of the Catholic Church.
Saint John Chrysostom on Wealth and
Poverty (St.
Vladimir's Seminary Press) A series of homilies given by
the fourth century saint with lessons on charity and
justice still relevant today.
Lord of the Rings
Trilogy,
J.R.R. Tolkien This Catholic infused book has layers and
layers of discoveries, many of them mirroring Catholic
themes of justice, the importance of community, and the
dignity of persons.
The Radical Tradition: Revolutionary Saints
in the Battle for Justice and Human
Rights,
edited by Gilbert Markus (Doubleday) This book tells the
stories of saints throughout the church’s history
who fought for charity and justice. It is an easy read
and an ideal gift for teenagers. Although it is
out-of-print, used and new copies are available through
online bookstores.
iPhone
and iPod Touch Apps
iPieta (iVerbum)
This app has almost everything a student of social
teaching needs - papal encyclicals, the documents of
Vatican II, St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa. Plus you
get the Douay-Rheims bible, numerous prayers, a Catholic
calendar, and spiritual works by the likes of St. John
of the Cross, St. Catherine of Siena, St. John Vianney,
and more. In addition, most of the works are searchable
and available in Latin. No internet connection is
needed. ($2.99 at the iTunes app store.)
Other apps worth mentioning: iBreviary ($.99)
and VerseWise Bible Revised Standard Version
Catholic Edition ($4.99).
Videos
Bella A
pro-life film in the truest sense of the word. Beyond
the story of redemption and pro-adoption message, the
movie’s treatment of ordinary people, community,
families, and even food reveal Catholic themes. Rated
PG-13.
Amazing Grace The
story of how William Wilberforce worked to abolish
slavery in the United Kingdom. An example of politics
conducted for the greater good. Rated PG.
Other videos worth mentioning: Entertaining Angels, a
biography of Catholic Worker founder Dorothy Day;
Romero,
about assassinated Archbishop Oscar Romero.
Miscellaneous
Saints Isidore and Marie Items
Looking
for a gift for a farmer or rancher family? Saint Isidore
is the patron saint of farmers. His wife, Marie, is also
a canonized saint. Prints, notecards, and prayer cards
of the saint husband and wife are available from the
National Catholic Rural Life Conference
(www.ncrlc.com)
($.20 to $4.00)
Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade
Items Help
eradicate poverty by supporting farmers and artisans
working toward sufficiency. Coffee, chocolate, jewelry,
and more are available from Catholic Relief Services and
its partner SERRV. (www.serrv.org and
crs.org)
ONE This
bi-monthly magazine is published by the Catholic Near
East Welfare Association (CNEWA.) CNEWA is an agency of
the Holy See supporting the churches of the east and
providing humanitarian aid to the Middle East, Northeast
Africa, India, and Eastern Europe. Each issue introduces
readers to the traditions, cultures, and social
challenges in these diverse regions. (cnewa.org) ($24
yearly subscription)
Music
For listeners of rock, U2’s No Line on the
Horizon.
Although previous albums like How
to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb may
directly tackle social issues, the lyrics in U2’s
latest work get to closer to the heart of what it means
to be a Christian in the world.
If you like contemporary sacred choral, try Arvo
Pärt’s Da Pacem Domine.
Actually, I would recommend anything composed by Arvo
Pärt, but if you want just a taste, download get
the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber
Choir performance
of this piece. Composed right after the Madrid train
bombings, the voices sing:
Give peace, O Lord, in our time
Because there is no one else
Who will fight for us
If not You, our God.
A fitting Christmas message, indeed.
