2020 International Book Awards, Winner: Religion--Christianity 2019 Best Book Awards: Finalist, Religion--Christianity 2019 Catholic Press Association, Second Place: Sacraments 2019 Independent Press Awards, Distinguished Favorite: Religion Non-Fiction 2019 Illumination Book Awards, God in Catholic Too many Catholics view the sacraments as isolated rites of passage disconnected from daily living, hoops to jump through, rather than as gateways to fulfilling lives centered on a spiritual relationship with God. Such a misunderstanding distances Catholics from the heart of their spiritual vitality and renders the Church less relevant to their experience. In his friendly, practical, and accessible style, best-selling author and master teacher Joe Paprocki opens up this critical aspect of Catholic life in Living the Sacraments. He presents the sacraments as a spiritual path. Their power and grace open our hearts to ongoing encounter with God. By inviting readers to delve into the mystery of God's self-revelation through the sacraments, by teaching the essence of each sacrament without being overbearing, and by inviting readers to reflect the divine image of God, Paprocki shows us that the sacraments allow us to experience God's presence in Church rites and through ordinary, tangible experiences. We can, and should, celebrate the sacraments--but we are transformed as we live them. PRAISE FROM READERS "The Living the Sacraments book was a great small group study. I liked how Joe Paprocki made our everyday lives "thin moments"--to learn anew how we are loved by God and are his disciples. It was enriching and renewing to recognize the truth of the title, here at the intersection of heaven and earth." -Lou Anne, St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, Birmingham, AL "The book, Living the Sacraments has given us a meaning that is practical and every day applicable to the sacraments of the Catholic Church. I wish I had had this knowledge of our sacraments earlier in our life. We did like the humor as well as the great insight that Joe gave us." -Sammy and Theresa, St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, Birmingham, AL