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Weekend Readings
http://new.usccb.org/calendar/index.cfm?showLit=1&action=month

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Amazon.com gift cards: the perfect gift for any occasion.

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Spiritual Guidance
Need a companion for the spiritual journey? We have several wonderful people ready to help, using email and telephone conferences to bridge the miles.

- Now providing -

Consultations: this option is best for short-term guidance pertaining to a specific issue.

Spiritual Direction: ongoing relationship with a spiritual director to become more attuned to God's presence in all of life.

See http://shalomplace.com/direction/

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Shalom Place Discussion Board

A variety of topics are under discussion.

Christian Enlightenment: a possibility worth exploring - Christian Spirituality Issues forum.
Christianity and Postmodernism - Christian Morality and Theology forum.

- see http://shalomplace.org/eve/forums for these and hundreds of other discussions.

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Affliliate Web Sites
- please give them a visit

Kyrie Places of Pilgrimmage and Renewal.
Contemplative Rudder: "In the midst of Consecrated Silence' atmospherics ... a Rudder!
Temenos Catholic Worker: support for homeless youth in Polk Street neighborhood, San Francisco.
Institute for Women's Spiritual Dynamics: holistic, flexible, sensible Christian spirituality for women.
The Sanctuary Foundation for Prayer: resources for spiritual growth.
Serenity of the Mind: supporting those who served and who suffer from PTSD.
Hearts on Fire: a blog to spark inspiration, thought, wonder, laughter and prayer.
Stillpoint: Programs in spiritual direction, contemplative prayer.
Solitude and Streets: an emerging faith community.
Family Life Training and Counseling Center: an online Bible college/seminary
The Ark: Providing a variety of scripture and lectionary study resources.
Contemplative Ministries of the Pacific Northwest: Teaching and support on contemplative practice
Inner Explorations: a vast array of spirituality resources for the mature Christian.
SeeScapes. Picturing the deeper dimensions of our spirituality.
Heartland Center for Spirituality (sponsoring Internet workshops year-round).
Emanuella House of Prayer: a place for prayer and silence in British Columbia
   
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Theology Note of the Week
- http://www.carm.org/m

Featured Spiritual Growth Resources

Summer 2012: Renewal of Mind and Spirit
- http://heartlandspirituality.org/programs.html

Since you might need to plan ahead, check out the program offerings at Heartland Center for Spirituality for the Summer of 2012.
   A. Theology Institute with Carla Mae Streeter, June 15-19, 2012.
   B. Listening to God: A Contemplative Retreat, with Philip St. Romain, June 21-25, 2012.
You can attend one or the other: special rate for both.

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The 'Logic' of Happiness: Proverbs and Practical Wisdom for Daily Living, by Philip St. Romain
- Winner of "Angel Award" for excellence in media.

This book invites us to take a journey deep into the soul, where the mystery of self and the mystery of God are so intertwined as to seem one life. It is a treasure trove of versatile, uplifting, intuitive meditations, proverbs, exhortations, reflections and exploratory questions on such topics as Empty Lovingness, True Prayer, and Sanity. St. Romain urges us to "be here now in love" that we might know greater peace and joy in daily living.
- http://tinyurl.com/3uzynqg (paperback)
(Also available for Kindle, Nook, and on iBookstore)

- Thanks to Sr. Irene Hartman, O.P.  for this review.

Make the Christian Spirituality Bookstore your starting point for online shopping at Amazon.com.  You can buy books, cds, videotapes, software, appliances and many other products at discount prices.  As Amazon.com affiliate, we are paid a small fee for purchases originating from our web site.  Every little bit helps!
http://shalomplace.com/books/index.html

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Saint of the Week
http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1136

Cyprian (d. 258): September 16

Cyprian is important in the development of Christian thought and practice in the third century, especially in northern Africa.

Highly educated, a famous orator, he became a Christian as an adult. He distributed his goods to the poor, and amazed his fellow citizens by making a vow of chastity before his baptism. Within two years he had been ordained a priest and was chosen, against his will, as Bishop of Carthage (near modern Tunis).

Cyprian complained that the peace the Church had enjoyed had weakened the spirit of many Christians and had opened the door to converts who did not have the true spirit of faith. When the Decian persecution began, many Christians easily abandoned the Church. It was their reinstatement that caused the great controversies of the third century, and helped the Church progress in its understanding of the Sacrament of Penance.

Novatus, a priest who had opposed Cyprian's election, set himself up in Cyprian's absence (he had fled to a hiding place from which to direct the Church--bringing criticism on himself) and received back all apostates without imposing any canonical penance. Ultimately he was condemned. Cyprian held a middle course, holding that those who had actually sacrificed to idols could receive Communion only at death, whereas those who had only bought certificates saying they had sacrificed could be admitted after a more or less lengthy period of penance. Even this was relaxed during a new persecution.

During a plague in Carthage, he urged Christians to help everyone, including their enemies and persecutors.

A friend of Pope Cornelius, Cyprian opposed the following pope, Stephen. He and the other African bishops would not recognize the validity of baptism conferred by heretics and schismatics. This was not the universal view of the Church, but Cyprian was not intimidated even by Stephen's threat of excommunication.

He was exiled by the emperor and then recalled for trial. He refused to leave the city, insisting that his people should have the witness of his martyrdom.

Cyprian was a mixture of kindness and courage, vigor and steadiness. He was cheerful and serious, so that people did not know whether to love or respect him more. He waxed warm during the baptismal controversy; his feelings must have concerned him, for it was at this time that he wrote his treatise on patience. St. Augustine (August 28) remarks that Cyprian atoned for his anger by his glorious martyrdom.

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Joke of the Week