New books inspire faith and action from Advent to Easter

Two new books from Franciscan friars bear the good news of the upcoming liturgical year and of evangelism. 

Br. Kevin Mackin, OFM, is anticipating the major seasons of the upcoming liturgical year in his work. Br. Casey Cole, OFM, has written about how young people today are searching for meaning – and struggling to find it. 

“Four Seasons with Jesus: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter” 

“Four Seasons with Jesus: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter” dwells with the daily Bible readings of Jesus’s earthly mission. Br. Kevin gently motivates readers to begin again with Jesus and early Christians as they lived the core beliefs of incarnation and resurrection, and to ask how the Word of God and biblical acts apply to life today.  

“With guidance from daily scripture, a brief current reflection about those important thoughts, and then questioning faithful actions,” he explained, “adults and even young readers, say preteen and up, can make better sense of Jesus's journey and their own on our planet. The purposeful walks summed up in ‘Four Seasons’ inform the main course in our spiritual nourishment.” 

From birth to forgiveness to resurrection, Br. Kevin helps readers connect Bible readings to current news and their personal experiences. 

In addition to authoring numerous books, Br. Kevin has served as president and professor at Siena College near Albany, New York, Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, New York, and Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, New York, as well as in parish ministry at St. Raphael’s in St. Petersburg, Florida. He currently resides in Albany. 

Highlighting today’s need for Jesus’s prayer of simplicity (daily bread), forgiveness (as we forgive) and joy (goodness), he dedicated this new book to the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, New York, who “bring the Good News to God's people through their ministries in education, healthcare and works of social justice.” The congregation has served alongside the friars for over 160 years in the United States, Bolivia, Brazil, Jamaica and Mozambique. 

Br. Kevin’s new volume of brief daily reflections and questions is a helpful read especially through Advent/wintertime to spring, and a fulsome companion to his books of Sunday homilies. Published by WestBow Press, "Four Seasons with Jesus: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter" is available at Amazon.com and other booksellers. The cover artwork is by Br. Michael Reyes, OFM, a Franciscan artist based in St. Petersburg, Florida. 

“Sent: How to Evangelize Wherever You Are, Whoever You Are” 

Christians have held a lasting belief that young people will return to the church during hard times. But what if a generation grows up unfamiliar with it? 

In “Sent: How to Evangelize Wherever You Are, Whoever You Are,” Br. Casey investigates how a new generation seeks meaning without religious roots, providing 16 practical steps for living as a church evangelist. Drawing from Catholic culture and pastoral ministry, he underlines the importance of preparing the heart and forming relationships grounded in Christian faith. 

Br. Casey, host of the Breaking in the Habit podcast, found faith while he was in high school but was unsure how to share it with others. For them – for you – he wrote this book. “A lot of Catholics are in this same situation, and so I wrote this book as a guide for the average person to get started in the work of evangelization,” he said. 

Br. Casey said he will provide as many free copies to “any friar who would like to use this as a resource in their ministry.” 

How will the church fare with this latest flock? The answer remains with everyday Christians who live and share the Gospel in actions and words. This book can prepare you for the mission at hand. “Sent: How to Evangelize Wherever You Are, Whoever You Are,” is available at Amazon.com and other booksellers.