The suffering woman, Blandina, emerges as an archetypal figure of the martyrs of Lyon. This slave-woman ultimately arises to engage in battle with the powers of the Roman Empire. Through the application of Bowen Family Systems Theory and the writings of Michel Foucault the book explains the function of anxiety, and the dynamics at work in the system that result in the failure of Roman authority to use power to quell the rise of Christianity. The reactions of those who might appear to be the most powerful are essential in gifting power to this lowly slave.

This book is for men who want to be better dads. It respects and honours a fathers importance to their childs well-being and is perfect for busy dads with children of all ages, and also useful for grandfathers and uncles! Fathers are invited and encouraged to be active dads; to build on what they already know and be their childs first life coach. First Coach provides them with the knowledge and skills they need to enable their child to become a confident, independent, responsible adult with good self-esteem and strong core values. It has been shown that effective fathering is a powerful, protective factor for children, improving their health, emotional well-being and educational achievement. It is never too late to learn and apply effective parenting skills.

The breadth and depth of the loss that the untimely death of a mother invokes can hardly be imagined. It is an event that changes the whole course of life. It is difficult to fully comprehend what it is like to be shaped by the experience of this kind of adversity in early life. When we witness the impact of early loss on those who are close to us, we can see the devastating blow it is and the indelible mark it leaves. The loss of a mother in early life remains a live issue in the hearts and minds of those who live their lives with perpetual loss and pervasive grief. This is the first book of its kind to give a voice to daughters bereaved of their mother in early life in Ireland. Written with insights gained through ground-breaking research, it contains powerful and compelling testimonies. It helps us to understand the meaning of early maternal loss through the direct experience of those who have suffered it. It also aims to provide all those who find it helpful, with hope for the future. This eye-opening book raises the profile of early bereavement in Ireland. It will be of interest to all those with a personal history of early loss, and to those who are interested in finding out more about the meaning of loss in the early life of a child.

This book is a collection of memories and glimpses of an extraordinarily down-to-earth and insightful woman, my Nana. It looks back and forward , piecing together words, images and experiences of growing up and spending Summer holidays with her in New York, where she sourced, and seeded hope, vitality and sage advice in me. Now in my sixties, I am passing on that wisdom. Everyone loves a grandparent, or wishes they had one to remember and be loved by , perhaps this collection of short stories, flashes of insight, moments that stayed and grew into knowledge and understanding, will give them a Nana to cherish, or add to the memories of their own wise ones, who have gone before them in faith. These memories are funny, truthful, probing, realistic; laced with grief, awe, and grace. She lived for eighty-six years; an immigrant, widowed young. I knew her and yet barely knew her as only a child knows, remembers, pieces together and then realises there are huge pieces missing. The book is short, but layered , a book to be savored, shared, and passed around.

This book brings comfort and inspiration to those who are coping with illness: the sufferers themselves, their family, friends, care-givers, and medical staff. Inspired by the Psalms, the prayers are simple, meaningful, and honest, becoming a companion through times of need. They were written to bring comfort, but also to permeate our approach to sickness with hope and confidence.

In 2002, Elaine Bannon took a working holiday in Kenya. There, her experience as a volunteer not only changed the lives of the semi-nomadic Maasai people with whom she worked, but changed her own life for good. Dedicating herself to volunteer work in eastern Africa, The Power of One charts the inspirational journey and work of one Dublin woman. This book also explores the question of Africa and global poverty, highlighting the inadequate responses of the West and the need for a greater sense of urgency towards the finding of a redemptive solution to the plight of so many millions. The story of Elaine Bannon reminds us that the work of just one person can make a world of change.

Faith Language, Thoughts for each day is a modern meditation on Catholic faith, consisting of a conversation in three faith-langauges: the theological language of the Catechism of the Catholic Church; the catechetical language of daily life; and the Word of God in Scripture. The traditional phrases of catechism and scripture illuminate Paddy Devitts thoughts about the everyday events so eloquently detailed in the book; events both mundane and extraordinary to which, no doubt, every reader can relate.God speaks to us through the bits and pieces of every day, and so the book is made up of these, and happenings of the past and present, to which the reader can readily dip into at any page, whether seeking comfort, counsel or simply enjoyment.

The sacrament of baptism welcomes a child into the family of God in a special way. In the course of its celebration those present will experience a rich tapestry of symbols, actions, gestures, prayers and the Word of God. This book is intended to explain such symbolism and the meanings behind the various parts of the baptism ceremony so that all may fully experience the deep meaning of baptism for the child, the family and the wider Christian community. Full of helpful reminders and practical tips, this book will be an invaluable aid to parents, godparents and the whole family as they prepare for this important day in the life of the new baby.

This book examines the development of Augustine of Hippo’s theology of the Jewish people and Judaism. Formulating a typological association between the biblical figure of Cain and the Jews, he crafts a highly intricate theology that justifies and even demands the continuing presence of Jews and their religious practices in a Christian society. Such a theology emerges out of his highly original interpretation of Genesis 4:1–15 and yet mirrors and theologically justifies the reality of Jews and Judaism in the late Roman Empire.

Origen’s construal of the Bible as a textual incarnation of the Word encourages an assimilationist interpretation of the Hebrew Scriptures as a proto-Christian gospel. Although in partial agreement with this thesis, this study suggests a non-assimilationist reading of Origen’s biblical exegesis.

More than a diary of day-to-day activities on stream and lake, Gone Fishing: Anecdotes of an Angler positions angling as a recreation into the context of Denis OCallaghans philosophy of life. Its pages describe the extraordinary characters met over many years, all sharing a passion for fishing and all qualified, in the words of Izaak Walton, as brothers of the angle. Redolent of life in and love of the countryside, this book tells stories of luck both good and bad, of glorious days and successful lands, all accounts that give Gone Fishing its memorable human touches.

Iraq has been a centre of Syriac Christianity for almost two thousand years. This volume of collected papers from the Christianity in Iraq I-V Seminar Days (2004-2008) explores the Christian heritage of Iraq, highlighting the churches’ innate ability to transcend barriers of language, culture, ethnicity and religion.

Were issues like economic and political oppression, holy wars, resistance literature, hate-speech, xenophobia and other 21st-century realities already present among the civilizations of the ancient Near East? Prophetic literature and specifically the Book of Nahum in the Old Testament provide a unique perspective on these issues. Through Nahum’s moving poetry and disturbing imagery, oppression is verbalised, deep emotion is uncovered and we are given a glimpse of liberation and new hope in times of darkness. This book will sensitize the reader to a better understanding of the identity and dynamics of oppressed groups, both ancient and modern.

Common Heritage, Divided Communion examines the various religious and secular events related to the Council of Chalcedon (451) and the so-called “Monophysite” schism. It includes a detailed overview and analysis of contemporary Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox ecumenical efforts to re-establish ecclesial communion.

This ground-breaking study offers a reassessment of Moses' book of the law from a narrative theory perspective. Concerned for the long-term viability of his people, Moses legislates a public reading of his document which is deposited next to the ark of the covenant as a national testament. Through the mechanics of narrative mediation, the narrator reveals to the reader of Deuteronomy the contents of Moses' enshrined publication. Deuteronomy's simulcast of Moses' book invites external readers to compare and evaluate their readings with story-world readers who access the same text within the Bible's Primary Narrative.

Can I Play Too? is a story about a dog who wants to be boss and who is intolerant of others. It raises issues of exclusion and inclusion. The gentle message that is reinforced is that playing together is fun!