On a cold, windy Sunday morning a number of us gathered at St Thomas the Apostle Parish Hall for a book launch by the MSC Community.

It wasn’t the usual book launch; this gathering was to launch six books by three priests.

The lockdowns have proven fruitful for these talented men.

Brian Gallagher MSC has now retired from fifty years of ministry in spirituality and spiritual direction. He has written several books and in these last two years has produced two books which were launched on Sunday, 14 November: God’s Foolishness, a spirituality of heart and The Joy of Ageing, a spirituality for oldies. This later book piqued my interest, I am not at “that age” as yet but one could not pass this book by. The book reflects on the joys and the struggles, the memories and the dreams as we all grow older.  As Brian writes, the ageing process begins on day one, we age from the very beginning of our life, hour by hour, day by day, birthday by birthday.

Peter Malone wrote 101 letters to his favorite films in Dear Movies during 2020 and this year completed 10 Minutes, Gospel reflections for mind and heart.  In his latest book Fr Peter asks us to take 10 minutes and suggests for us to read a chapter in the book that will introduce a Bible story that will lead us to another 10 minutes of reflection, prayer and sharing.  The approach is described as ‘writing your own Gospel’ – inviting us to recall our own versions of the life and teachings of Jesus – those favourite passages that have shaped our personal (and group) identities as disciples within the community called the church. His next book will of course be titled 10 minutes more!

Khoi Doan Nguyen is a third year MSC priest and is currently a formator for the congregation.  Khoi has recently been diagnosed with macular dystrophy of the eye.  Macular dystrophy is a form of rare, genetic eye disorder that causes loss of vision, sadly Khoi is now visually impaired. Khoi has recently written two books – Towards Calvary, The Stations of the Cross in Everyday Life but a more personal book written from the heart has now been published detailing his story in Alive With Disability.  As Khoi reflects, we all live with some form of disability, since disability, limitation and imperfection are universal features of all human life.  Khoi’s disability is not only a condition but has become his companion and in this book, he teaches us how disability itself forces all of us to approach prayer, spirituality, our understanding of the mystery of God and life in new, deeper ways.

These books are available at Pauline Books and Media or directly from the publisher Coventry Press.

By Kate Baines