Publications

Recently released…

O Come, O Come Emmanuel: Daily Devotions for Advent

(Advent 2024) Inspiration for adults seeking quiet moments amid the busy weeks before Christmas. Enjoy the encouragement of Scripture paired with insights from the late Henri J.M. Nouwen. Includes reflections and prayers from seasoned author Steve Givens, from Creative Communications for the Parish.

Gethsemane to Golgotha: A Scriptural Stations of the Cross (Lent 2025) is a unique approach to the Stations of the Cross for Catholics. Based on those Scripture citations celebrated on Good Friday in 1991 by St. John Paul II, these 14 excerpts from the four Gospels focus on Jesus’ steps to the Cross. These Scripture selections invite a way of reflecting deeply on the accounts of Christ’s passion and death. Using imaginative prayer in the style of St. Ignatius of Loyola that invites readers to place themselves within the Gospel text as observers or participants, spiritual director Steve Givens offers both Scriptural and personal meditations on Jesus’ passion and death. Perfect for personal prayer or group use, from Creative Communications for the Parish.

Treasure in Jars of Clay: Family Devotions and Activities for Lent (with Sue Givens), Creative Communications for the Parish, spring 2020.

Journey to Bethlehem, a “stations of prayer” devotional for Advent. Liguori Publications, Fall 2019

Thy Perfect Light, daily devotions for each day of Advent, Creative Communications for the Parish, fall 2019.

Scripture Passages that Changed My Life. Ten of Living Faith magazine’s most well-known authors each explain how meditating on the Word of God has changed their lives. Twenty-Third Publications, 2018.

The Father’s Love:  Inspiration from Henri J.M. Nouwen. One of four writers. Excerpts of Nouwen’s writings, as well as Scripture passages and original reflections and prayers. Creative Communications for the Parish, 2018.

Choosing Well: Everyday Decisions for Teens. Updated reissue of 2000 publication. Liguori Publications, 2018.

Crossroads: Stations of the Cross for Times of Change, Creative Communications for the Parish. Devotional booklet for those facing changes and later life, 2018.

Pope Francis: In the Light of Hope, an advent devotional booklet. Creative Communications for the Parish Booklet released October 2017.

In Step with Christ: Devotions and Prayers for Fathers. Creative Communications for the Parish. Booklet released January 2017.

Gracious and Merciful: A Lenten Penance Service. 23rd Publications. Lent 2017.

Books

Embraced by God: Facing Chemotherapy with Faith, spiritual memoir published in March, 2010 by Twenty-Third Publications.

With Grateful Hearts: Spiritual Reflections for Everyday Living, contributor to collection published in 2010 by Twenty-Third Publications and including reflections by Joyce Rupp, Basil Pennington, Macrina Wiederkehr, Melannie Svoboda, Mitch Finley, Amy Welborn, Kenneth Grabner and Ruth Fox.

By Your Side: A Way of the Cross for Teens, published in 2010, is a re-issue of earlier publication as a booklet and musical/spoken word CD by ILP Music, produced by Vince Ambrosetti with music by Ruben Galabeas and Msgr. Michael Heras.

The Violin Lesson and the Cross Street Band, a 40-page picture book for young readers, illustrated by Janet Miller. (2004, New Canaan Publishing, New Canaan, Ct.)

Stony Point, the third book in the “Triangle Club Series.” (2001, New Canaan Publishing, New Canaan, Ct.)

Tornado Warning, the second book in the “Triangle Club Series.” (1997, New Canaan Publishing, New Canaan, Ct.)

Levi Dust, the first in a series of approximately 60-page historic fiction children’s books called “Stories from the Kerry Patch” set in mid-19th century middle America. (1997, New Canaan Publishing, New Canaan, Ct.)

Indian Gold, the first in a series of approximately 100-page middle-reader adventure books called the “Triangle Club Series.” (1996, New Canaan Publishing, New Canaan, Ct.)

Building Family Prayer & Traditions, an 80-page book written to help parents and their  children worship and pray together at home. (1996, Redemptorist Publications, Hampshire, UK)

Arch Celebration, a 96-page hardcover and softcover book celebrating the 25th anniversary of St. Louis’ Gateway Arch. Co-author with photographer Tom Ebenhoh. (1990, Spirit Graphics, St. Louis, Mo., U.S.A)

Pamphlets

Here I Am: Giving Time to Your Parish (with Sue Givens) a 16-page booklet for Catholic families. (2009, Creative Communications for the Parish, Fenton MO)

How to Teach Your Kids About Stewardship (with Sue Givens) a 24-page booklet for Roman Catholic parents. (2007, Liguori Publications, Liguori, MO)

Tell Me About Stewardship (with Jon Givens) a 24-page booklet for Roman Catholic pre-teens. (2007, Liguori Publications, Liguori, MO)

Celebrate Fathers: Prayers and Reflections on Fatherhood (with Jim Auer and Daniel Finucane) a 32-page deluxe pamphlet for Catholic fathers. (2007, Liguori Publications, Liguori, MO)

Meaningful Christmas Giving (with Sue Givens) a 24-page booklet for Roman Catholic parents. (2006, Liguori Publications, Liguori, MO)

What Can I Give for Christmas? (with Jon Givens) a 24-page booklet for Roman Catholic pre-teens. (2006, Liguori Publications, Liguori, MO)

What Does Fasting Mean for Me? (with Jon Givens) a 24-page booklet for Roman Catholic pre-teens. (2006, Liguori Publications, Liguori, MO)

Honoring Mom and Dad, (with Jon Givens) a 24-page booklet for Roman Catholic pre-teens. (2005, Liguori Publications, Liguori, MO)

Pope Benedict XVI: Devoted to the Eucharist (with Sue Givens) a 24-page booklet for Roman Catholic pre-teens. (2005, Liguori Publications, Liguori, MO)

Why Should I Pray? (with Jon Givens) a 24-page booklet for Roman Catholic pre-teens. (2005, Liguori Publications, Liguori, MO)

Sharing My Gifts (with Sue Givens) a 24-page booklet for Roman Catholic pre-teens. (2005, Liguori Publications, Liguori, MO)

Tell Me About Jesus (with Jon Givens) a 24-page booklet for Roman Catholic pre-teens. (2004, Liguori Publications, Liguori, MO)

Tell Me About The Bible (with Jon Givens) a 24-page booklet for Roman Catholic pre-teens. (2004, Liguori Publications, Liguori, MO)

The Beatitudes for Kids (with Sue Givens) a 24-page booklet for Roman Catholic families. (2004, Liguori Publications, Liguori, MO)

Family Prayer Traditions for Lent (with Sue Givens) a 24-page booklet for Roman Catholic families. (2003, Liguori Publications, Liguori, MO)

Taking Your Family to Mass and Liking It (with Sue Givens) a 24-page booklet for Roman Catholic families. (2003, Liguori Publications, Liguori, MO)

Getting Along with My Brothers and Sisters, (with Jon Givens) a 24-page booklet for Roman Catholic pre-teens. (2001, Liguori Publications, Liguori, MO)

Creative Ways to Pray with Your Children (with Sue Givens) a 24-page booklet for Roman Catholic families. (2003, Liguori Publications, Liguori, MO)

How Do I fit In? (with Sue Givens) a 24-page booklet for Roman Catholic pre-teens. (2002, Liguori Publications, Liguori, MO)

Families Change, (with Sue Givens) a 24-page booklet for Roman Catholic pre-teens. (2001, Liguori Publications, Liguori, MO, out of print.)

Making and Keeping Good Friends, (with Sue Givens) a 24-page booklet for Roman Catholic pre-teens. (2001, Liguori Publications, Liguori, MO). Translated into Spanish in 2007 as “Hacery Conservar Buenos Amigos.”

When the World Makes Me Scared, (with Sue Givens) a 24-page booklet for Roman Catholic pre-teens. (2001, Liguori Publications, Liguori, MO)

Choosing Well: Everyday Ethics for Young People, a 24-page booklet for Roman Catholic teens. (2000, Liguori Publications, Liguori, MO, out of print.)

Prayers for a New Father, a 24-page booklet for new fathers. (2000, Liguori Publications, Liguori, MO) Translated into Spanish in 2004 as “Oraciones para papás recientes.”