Books by Mitch Finley

In a heartfelt invitation to lapsed or estranged Catholics, Mitch Finley takes a realistic look at the reasons people feel alienated, and proposes ways to overcome the anger, bitterness, and resentment so that they may return.Sixty million people in the United States claim a Catholic identity. The next largest group--approximately nine million--is made up of people who are "fallen away" Catholics. Mitch Finley addresses this audience, as well as parents struggling with the almost inevitable teenage rebellion against religion.Finley examines a wide variety of reasons Catholics choose to leave the Church, treating each one in a fair-minded way. He recounts dozens of true stories about people who left and returned, a few about those who have yet to return, and candidly acknowledges that many--perhaps most--active Catholics experience periods of estrangement. Asking forgiveness on behalf of the Church for the ways lapsed Catholics may have been hurt by the institution or its official representatives, he also reminds readers that forgiveness needs to go both ways.Encouraging Catholics to begin a new relationship with their religion, Finley suggests ways to become part of a parish once more. He also discusses the Church's obligations to those who have left, highlighting successful outreach programs. In guiding readers along the path from alienation to reconciliation, Finley shows that there are good reasons for "coming home again,"

What is Catholic spirituality for the contemporary man? A Man''s Guide to Being Catholic addresses this question with a direct yet open-minded viewpoint to the spiritual and sociological issues that face the sexes in our society, both in the world and in the church. With a no-nonsense approach, this book guides you on a journey of insight into what it means to be a Catholic man and how to maintain stability amid ongoing cultural evolution. You will discover that there are unchanging ways of finding God, and that there is still a place for maleness and a male point of view... and the model for such a point of view is Jesus Christ.Mitch Finley is the author of more than 30 books on themes of interest to Catholic readers, including: It''s Not the Same Without You: Coming Home to the Catholic Church, The Rosary Handbook, and Key Moments in Church History. He earned a B.A. in Religious Studies from Santa Clara University and an M.A. in Theology from Marquette University. To learn more visit www.mitchandkathyfinley.com.

Mitch Finley earned a B.A. in Religious Studies from Santa Clara University and an M.A. in Theology from Marquette University. He is the author of more than 30 books on Catholic topics. Mitch has been happily married to counselor, teacher, and author Kathy Finley since 1974. They live in Spokane, Washington, and together they have three grown sons. Visit their website: www.mitchandkathyfinley.com.

Who were the saints and what is it about them that causes people all over the world to remember them? What were their stories, motivations, passions--and shortcomings? This informative, delightful, inspiring book reveals the truth behind the misconceptions and the mystique in a survey of saints throughout the history of the Church. The stories included here emphasize that, although the saints were often flawed and quirky individuals, what made them saintly above all else was their dedication to faith. They had a ""passionate, extraordinary, pull-out-all-the-stops devotion,"" writes award-winning Catholic author Mitch Finley, and a desire for truth that is not unlike our own.""[The Seeker's Guide to Saints] is a book that Christians of all denominations can not only enjoy reading but can profit from spiritually.""--Fr. Joseph F. Girzone, author of The Joshua Series""There is nothing so helpful to a seeker as the companionship of fellow seekers. That is what Mitch Finley provides in this helpful and informative guide to the saints.""--Robert Ellsberg, author of All Saints: Daily Reflections on Saints, Prophets, and Witnesses for Our Time""Highly recommended for those who find the subject of saints intriguing or puzzling.""--Marlene Halpin, OP, educator and author of 189 Ways to Contact God and The Ball of Red StringMitch Finley is the author of more than 30 books on themes of interest to Catholic readers, including It's Not the Same Without You: Coming Home to the Catholic Church, The Rosary Handbook, and Key Moments in Church History. He earned a BA in Religious Studies from Santa Clara University and an MA in Theology from Marquette University. To learn more visit www.mitchandkathyfinley.com.

How can a Christian live authentically in a world that values appearances? What does Jesus say about living a life characterized by honesty and hope? Mitch Finley sheds light on the spiritual values of the New Testament and shows how they help us become what we really are: free. Here is a path to freedom and assurance for every Christian.Mitch Finley is the author of more than thirty books on themes of interest to Catholic readers, including It''s Not the Same Without You: Coming Home to the Catholic Church, The Rosary Handbook, and Key Moments in Church History. He earned a BA in Religious Studies from Santa Clara University and an MA in Theology from Marquette University. To learn more visit www.mitchandkathyfinley.com.

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT MARY, THIS IS THE PLACE TO START.Mary, the Mother of Jesus, occupies a unique place in all of history. God chose her to be the mother of the Word, His only Son. And over the centuries Catholics have come to honor her as the Mother of God and the Mother of the Church. In Your One-Stop Guide to Mary, Mitch Finley has given us a concise but complete picture of the Blessed Virgin Mary, tracing her story from Scripture through the centuries. He describes her titles, informs us about Marian doctrines, explains her place in the liturgy and tells us about her apparitions. If you want to know more about Mary and understand her role in the divine plan, this book is the place to start.""In this attractive work Mitch Finley looks at Catholic devotion to and veneration of Mary as it has lived and continues to live in many and varied ways in the mind and heart of God''s people. An excellent and significant tool for faith development.""William H. Shannon, Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies, Nazareth College, and author of Silent Lamp: The Thomas Merton StoryMitch Finley is the author of more than 30 books on themes of interest to Catholic readers, including It''s Not the Same Without You: Coming Home to the Catholic Church, The Rosary Handbook, and Key Moments in Church History. He earned a B.A. in Religious Studies from Santa Clara University and an M.A. in Theology from Marquette University. To learn more visit www.mitchandkathyfinley.com.

Mitch Finley's warmhearted recollection of growing up Catholic is more than nostalgia. It's a mixture of fond memories, gentle humor, and lasting gratitude for what he learned in Catholic schools--simple and profound lessons that gave him a solid foundation for living in times marked by turmoil and change. The lessons he writes about include:Life Is Worth Living;The World Deserves Our Attention;Life Needs Prayer Like a Tree Needs Water;Everybody Has a Vocation;The Universe Is Sacramental;God Loves Everybody the Same;Nobody's Perfect;Jesus Is with Us;And Everybody Has a Guardian Angel.One need not be Catholic to enjoy this gentle celebration of truths that last. Mitch Finley's journey is one that each of us has taken--and continues to take--in our own way. His joyful reminder is simply cause for more gratitude and plenty of delight.

When author Finley placed an ad in newspapers asking for true stories of people who had experienced the presence of a deceased loved one, responses flooded in from around the country and formed the basis of this book.

Living Scripture captures the essence of each week's Scripture readings in an easy-to-read, easy-to-use format.

Spanning from the birth of Christianity through the Crusades and the Protestant Reformation to John XXIII and the Second Vatican Council, this book is a guide to the origins and evolution of the Catholic Church. It not only helps readers understand the context and characters of the past, but also sheds light on the future Church.

This is a 'back door book' about faith. In his trademark accessible and thought-provoking style, Mitch Finley offers us a book that explores what faith is not, so that we can understand what faith is. Dispensing with common misconceptions of faith as a way around suffering, a source of secret knowledge, a security blanket, a crutch, a way to escape death, an answer to all questions, a solution to all problems, and an antidote to doubt, Finley helps us make the most of our finite human language in talking about our infinite God. Mixing wisdom from Scripture, tradition, and everyday life with humor and insight, Finley helps us understand faith as a gift that stretches our minds, helps us learn from suffering, motivates us to reach out to those in need, and leads us to more meaningful and joyful living.