Diocesan priest writes books on Scripture to guide the faithful
Last Updated on Thursday, 16 August 2012 11:46 16 August 2012
'Seven Fountains of Grace' latest release
FOREST CITY — Not many Catholic teenaged boys get fired up to make a difference in the world by listening to a Protestant evangelist, but that's what happened to Father Herbert Burke when he was younger. As a teen, he listened to a Reverend Billy Graham Crusade and was impressed by Graham's knowledge of Scripture. And he was frustrated with the fact that many of his fellow Catholics didn't have as good an understanding of the Bible.
"I remember saying to myself, 'That's our Book and he knows it better that we do,'" Father Burke says.
He credits this experience with his desire to study Scripture in high school and eventually help other Catholics know their faith through his priestly ministry and his writings.
"I became determined to study the Bible, to know it just as well as they did, so I could show people that that is our Book as Catholics."
Over the course of many years, Father Burke has turned this passion for Scripture and the Catholic faith into a series of books explaining some of its most important tenets.
"The books that I write I write because I am not happy with what is on the market," Father Burke says. "I find some books inadequate ... so I insert Scripture and apologetics in my books to help people."
In 2005 he released "A Scriptural Catechism," and in 2006 "The Rosary is the Answer" through Queenship Publishing Co.
His latest book is entitled the "The Seven Fountains of Grace, A Scriptural Guide to the Sacraments."
"This book is for people to give them more details on the sacraments," he says. "It's good for RCIA, marriage preparation, faith formation and sacrament preparation."
This fall, three more of his books will be released: "A Scriptural Guide to Mary," "A Scriptural Guide to the Saints" and "A Scriptural Guide to the Priesthood."
"Catholics need to be comfortable with Scripture," Father Burke explains. "I hope that with this latest book people will have a deeper love and understanding of the seven sacraments and a better recognition and belief in them as something in the Scriptures that are designed and created by God to help us and for our salvation.
"Jesus is the Fountain of Grace and these sacraments are designed to flow from Him and be a source of grace for us."
— SueAnn Howell, staff writer
Get your copy
At www.queenship.org: More information and ordering details for Father Herbert Burke's books on Scripture.