Books published by publisher Parachute Press

Writing to God – Kid’s’ Edition offers guidance to kids that parents can also appreciate: It invites them to speak to God creatively through their pens (or pencils, or crayons). In 35 days, kids are invited to pray to God using their senses, reflecting on their feelings, in light of Bible verses, looking at nature, to understand the ordinary events of life, to use new words and pictures for God, and as a way to say “thank you.” “Hackenberg’s book gives children permission to experience prayer as daily conversation with God. The freshness and honesty of her own prayers and her helpful prompts invite them to find and value their own words as offerings to a God who wants to be in relationship with them.” –Anabel Proffitt, Associate Professor of Educational Ministries, Lancaster Theological Seminary

The story of Margaret and her friend the Pope continues with Book 3 in The Pope’s Cat series. This latest adventure has Margaret experiencing the prayers, penitence, liturgy, and excitement of Holy Week in the Vatican and Rome—from the joy of Palm Sunday in St. Peter's Square, to foot-washing in a Roman prison, the solemnity of Good Friday, and the expectation of Easter. She learns about Jesus and the meaning of his Passion, visits important new places such as The Sistine Chapel, where she seems to pray beside the Pope, and the Roman Colosseum, where she learns that many early Christians were martyrs for their faith. Margaret's friends, the Swiss Guards, are watching over her, and she manages to eat (she still loves to eat!) some interesting foods, even though it's Holy Week. Oh yes, and she sleeps a lot.

In this fourth installment of "The Pope's Cat" series, Margaret and the Pope travel for the first time together away from the Vatican and out of Rome. They go by train to the Umbrian hill town of Assisi, a place of pilgrimage for Christians all over the world who want to remember the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Together they visit the great Basilica named for St. Francis, greet Franciscan friars at the monastery, attend a World Day of Prayer for Peace, meet religious leaders (each, it seems, with a very different hat!) from around the world, and see evidence of the spirit of St. Francis all over town.Most of all, the Pope shows his love and care for his vulnerable creature friend, as at the beginning of the book when someone from the Curia has frightened Margaret and she's hiding in a closet in the Pope's apartment. “Don’t worry, il mio amore.” (Il mio amore means “My love.”) “People can be so fussy, can’t they?” the Pope says, picking her up in his arms.

So you want to be a Dragon Slayer, do you? Well then, you have picked the right book.So begins Sir Wyvern Pugilist's new guide for preparing the young to engage the snarly and slimy monsters presently inhabiting our spiritual world. Lest you think, however, that this is a manual for anyone casually contemplating a match with a dragon, read on. Pugilist, an experienced Dragon Slayer, makes it clear that this is no small task, and he pulls no punches. He alternately yells and cajoles, pleads and flatters—whatever it takes to grow his students into bona fide Dragon Slayers. But be careful: This is only for those who are most serious about facing the malicious monsters (sin!) head-on! Sir Wyvern includes the essentials on armor and powerful prayers to ward off spiritual attacks from dragons."Would that all Dragon Slayers wrote like this! Wyvern Pugilist, where have you been all our lives?" The Boston Post and Intelligentsia"It was not until I read this guide that I discovered I have used all the wrong methods in fighting dragons." An Anonymous Dragon Slayer in California"There is no doubt that Sir Wyvern Pugilist's detailed guidebook will spring to the top of the bestseller lists in no time. I suggest you buy yours now, before the title sells out and you have to wait in line for more copies. Because wait-in-line you will!" Joanne de Arc, Director Emeritus, French Institute for the Slaying of the Dragons"Congratulations to Paraclete Press for successfully persuading Sir Wyvern to put pen to paper and for giving us this new manual on Dragon Slaying! It is long overdue! We enthusiastically recommend this guidebook for young and old alike, it's just that good." Slayers' Weekly

Edgar the Owl and Freddy the Fox show readers of all ages how saying goodbye to a beloved animal does not mean saying goodbye forever.A portion of proceeds will be donated to animal shelters around the country.----------When John's puppy Samuel died unexpectedly at just six months old it brought a profound sadness to their home and a sense that this was just not fair. For the first time John understood how a child must feel when they lose a pet of any age, asking themselves, "Why?" Hoping to turn his pain into something positive, John put pen to paper and wrote a story to help any child who has lost a pet.In "God Needed a Puppy" John guides children through the grieving process by using friendly animals from the forest to explain the reasons why a beloved pet sometimes has to leave us. He reassures them that this "goodbye" is not forever and offers hope that other furry friends will someday come into their lives.

Sharing God's Love, the children's companion to The Jesus Creed, can transform kids as they learn to love God and others with intentionality. Join Aksel and Finley as they discover how to live out the Jesus Creed throughout their day at home and school, remembering: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. Love your neighbor as yourself.”

"The grace of God, our savior, in these last days appeared in his servant Francis to all who are truly humble and truly friends of holy poverty." Bonaventure's Life of St. Francis Art historian Timothy Verdon tells the story of the life of St. Francis of Assisi in story and art. The 28 stunning thirteenth-century frescoes by Giotto that cover the walls of the famous Basilica in Assisi named for the saint are reproduced in full color, together with a schematic drawing showing their placement in the church. Through detailed descriptions and illuminating commentary on each of the famous frescoes, Verdon tells the story of Francis's extraordinary life, allowing today's reader the opportunity to "read" the art on those walls in the same way that a medieval Christian might have done.

All God's Creatures provides a complete Blessing of the Animals liturgy, as well as other prayers and rituals, for use in church or anywhere that animals are blessed! If you live with a dog, cat, or some other domestic animal, you already know that these treasured creatures are not just pets, but members of the family. Debra K. Farrington, who has lived with animals most of her life, explores the spiritual aspects of our relationships with these beloved friends--from everyday caring for their needs, to marking the extraordinary moments of birth, illness and death. Full of warmth and wisdom, this essential resource includes chapters on:Training and Compassion-and how to balance the twoCaring for the Sick--ethical concernsRest in Peace--rituals, blessings, and moreTell Me Your Name--discerning the personality of your companion“By viewing companion animals as a gift from God rather than objects that do the will of humans, Debra Farrington helps owners realize a greater sense of responsibility toward their own pets, and shows how the humane care and training of their animals leads to a more fulfilling experience for both.”- Barbara Demarest, canine and feline behavior consultant A percentage of the author’s profits on this book will be donated to PAWS of Central Pennsylvania, a no-kill animal rescue and spay/neuter group.

" We are very close to accepting God as the only source of meaning."So says seventeen-year-old Marjorie Corbman in this passionate search for God, love, and identity. Sharing her own experiences as well as those of many of her friends, Marjorie dismantles with transparency and grace the misconceptions surrounding today's teenagers. Along the way, she discusses intimacy, traditions, eternity, community, justice, and escape--and how each relates to what Marjorie calls the only thing necessary--faith.