Announcing:
Saint Mary's Press winner for the week of May 29, 2009!
Congratulations to Regalada Costello!

Regalada Costello will receive a copy of the Coyote Meets Jesus: Treasures in Folktales and Scripture Audiobook, a $14.95 value.

Folktales are mythic stories that use elements from nature and human experience to convey the beliefs, fears, values, and hopes shared by people of every age and culture. Jesus also used elements from nature and human experience in his stories and teachings to convey God's plan for creation. Coyote Meets Jesus brings folktales and Scripture together so that teens see God's plan for their own life.

This book examines universal themes found in folktales and compares and contrasts those themes with Jesus' teachings in Scripture. These stories are not only to challenge young people to experience different cultures but also to see, think, and act differently.

This beautiful audiobook of stories is the perfect gift for reflection and meditation for young people, and provides a useful resource for those who minister to them.

Look Inside: You can listen to an online sampler of Coyote Meets Jesus on the SMP Web catalog. Search for "Coyote Meets Jesus," or use this link to go to the product description, http://www.smp.org/ItemDetail.cfm?ItemNum=6401. Then use the "look inside" button next to the cover image to listen to an excerpt from chapter 7, "Pulling the Lion's Whiskers."

Coyote Meets Jesus: Treasures in Folktales and Scripture Audiobook,
by Victoria Shepp, ISBN 978-1-59982-033-0, audio CD, 75 minutes, $14.95
http://www.smp.org/ItemDetail.cfm?ItemNum=6401

More Electronic Resources

From audiobooks to computer games, Saint Mary's Press is growing our electronic offerings to help you touch the hearts of the teens in your ministry. Check out all of these great electronic resources at http://www.smp.org/CategoryDetail.cfm?CatId=129.

AudioBooks
Coyote Meets Jesus: Treasures in Folktales and Scripture
audio CD, 74 minutes, $14.95

The Master's Companion: A Christian Midrash
2 audio CDs, 114 minutes, $14.95

Books and Bibles on CD-ROM
Breakthrough! The Bible for Young Catholics
(also includes Catholic Quick View)
CD-ROM, $19.95

The Catholic Youth Bible®, Revised
NAB and NRSV
(sold separately, each also includes Take Ten)
CD-ROM, $25.95 each

Saint Mary's Press® College Study Bible
(also includes Turn into the Wind)
CD-ROM, $27.95

The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth, Second Edition
(also includes Why Do Catholics . . . ?)
CD-ROM, $24.95

Youth Engaging Scripture:
Diving into the Sunday Gospels
CD-ROM, $16.95

Computer Games and Study Guides
The Catholic Youth Bible® Triple Challenge
A Digital Trivia Game
CD-ROM, $20.95

Saint Mary's Press® Old Testament Companion
CD-ROM, $19.95

Videos
Creation Chronicles on Stage:
Comedy, Drama, and Insight from the Old Testament
DVD, $24.95

Fish Eyes on Stage:
Comedy, Drama, and Insight from the New Testament
DVD, $24.95

Preparing for the Next School Year
by Javier Bravo

When the end of the school year arrives, summer plans are different from teacher to teacher. Many take time to vacation with friends or family. Some continue with other ministries at the parish and others get summer jobs.No matter what you are doing this summer, one of the things in your summer plans should be spiritual renewal.

Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of the Diocese of Tucson, AZ, shared at the 2009 NCEA convention that people long for witnesses of the Gospel. Conversion should be continual in our lives. The school year occupies so much of one's time that one may be unable to attend an Advent penance service or a Lenten mission at the parish. Summer is a time when we can make it a point to schedule a personal retreat. Look into retreat centers near you to see if any retreats are being offered that you may be able to attend. Many teachers live in areas near a convent or monastery and can look into the possibility of spending a day there to pray with the monks or sisters. It is extremely important to have an encounter with the living Christ be a part of our summer preparation for the next school year.

World Youth Day 2011
by Christine Navarro

It seems as if World Youth Day (or week) just finished up in Sydney Australia! Those of you who know young people who attended this event or attended it yourself can attest to the generosity of the Australian Catholic community and the friendliness of youth from all over the world.

On Palm Sunday 2009, thousands of youth from around the world participated in the Palm Sunday Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI. This was also the 24th "World Youth Day" on the diocesan level. After Mass, a group of young Australians handed the World Youth Day cross and icon to Spanish youth. Over 7,000 teens from Spain attended this Mass and ceremony since World Youth Day 2011 will be held in Madrid, Spain, from August 15-21 in 2011. The theme for the 2011 World Youth Day will be "Rooted and built in Christ, established in the faith" (Col. 2:7). After the ceremony and its use at a Good Friday process in Madrid, Spanish youth will pass the cross from diocese to diocese in Spain, returning to Madrid in the summer of 2011. (Vatican Information Service Summary, 04/06/2009, Nineteenth Year--Num. 66)

What with the expense and logistics, it is not too early to begin planning for World Youth Day 2011. Fundraising and discernment about who might attend from your parish or school would be appropriate next steps in the coming months. Traditionally World Youth Day has occurred every two years but the next will be held three years after the one in Sydney.

Gift Pick of the Week

Each week from now through June 26, we are picking a special item from the Saint Mary's Press Gift Boutique and offering a special discount on that item. There will be a new Gift Pick each week on Friday, so check the Weekly E-news each Friday!

This Week's Gift Pick

Reversible Faith/Cross Necklace
originally $36.95, now $27.95!
This offer ends Thursday, June 4, 2009. While supplies last!

Inspired by the enduring symbol of the cross on one side and the word "faith" on the other, this glistening sterling silver filigree necklace is the perfect Easter, graduation, and just because gift. The ideal jewelry for all seasons and clothing styles.