Synopsis:Designed primarily for the layperson, The Catholic Imagination is a journey through the liturgical year by way of weekly reflections on the life of the church. Through reading, thinking, and discussion, the religious imagination is stimulated and structured so the reader can reflect and act upon the richness of our faith to enter into a relationship with God. Reflections on the lives of the saints, their writings, their meaning for our times, the importance and value of creation and the natural world, the significance of the sacraments, sacramental devotions, and the timelessness of the gospel message encourage the reader to coordinate their actions with the weekly topic. Ideas on the church's artistic environment and related Scripture enhance the written materials. Special supplements are provided for Advent and Christmas, Lent and Easter, due to their importance in the life of the church. Just as we repeat the themes of the liturgical year over and over again, simple little lessons and readings like this go a long way in the continuing education of the lay Catholic with their straightforward message and inspirational writing style that capture the faith.Author Biography:Skya Abbate is a sociologist, Doctor of Oriental Medicine, and graduate student in the Master of Pastoral Studies Program at Loyola University, New Orleans, where she majors in Christian Spirituality and Ecological Theology. She is actively involved in her parish, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she serves as a long-standing member in multiple ministries.