By Michele Jurich
Staff writer

When you move a bookstore, it is good to have friends. As the Daughters of St. Paul pack up and move Pauline Books & Media just around the corner from their previous location in Redwood City, they are grateful to organizations and parishes that came forward to help move boxes of books and bookshelves.

Reading suggestions from Daughters of St. Paul “The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life,” by James Martin, SJ. “Practical guidelines to living life to the fullest. It is both humorous and wise.” —Sister Kathleen Thomas “Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion,” by Gregory Boyle. “This book profoundly touched me. I haven’t stopped recommending it, and those who read it often come back for additional copies for friends and family.” —Sister Armanda Santos “Discernment: Acquiring the Heart of God,” by Marko Ivan Rupnik, SJ. “This is a book for the serious sojourner. Father Rupnik reminds us that ultimately, the art of discernment isn’t so much about making decisions as it is about growing in relationship and conformity with Christ.” —Sister Jamie Paula “Holding on to Hope: The Journey Beyond Darkness,” by Kathryn James Hermes, FSP. “This is an itinerary for a spiritual journey firmly rooted in Sacred Scripture, a real aid to spiritual growth. I recommend this book to any who have come through a difficult or dark time, those who have known depression, burn-out, financial ruin, the death of a dear one, emotional or mental anguish and are still “holding on.” It would certainly be a great Lenten companion this 2011.” —Sister Leonora Wilson “Home Tonight: Further Reflections on the Parable of the Prodigal Son,” by Henri J.M. Nouwen. “This book offers a raw and honest look at Nouwen’s own journey through darkness into the arms of the Father. Interspersed with thought-provoking quotes and questions for reflection, Nouwen’s vulnerability opens the door for each reader to explore more deeply their own journey toward understanding themselves as beloved sons and daughters. This remains a favorite — I wholeheartedly recommend it for this Lent 2011!” —Sister Jamie Paula

The store will reopen Feb. 22 in its new location at 935 Brewster Ave. in Redwood City.

Like the saint from whom they take their name and mission, they “go into the marketplace, where the people are,” said Sister Armanda Santos, manager of the store that is a big part of their ministry.

The Daughters of St. Paul are called to communicate Christ to the world using all the most modern means of communication. This mission is carried out in a variety of ways, from their publications for children and adults to their newest apps for the iPhone and iPod touch, to moving swiftly into the world of electronic publications.

The Redwood City book center, which has served the Bay Area for 30 years, is one of 13 Pauline Books & Media centers in the United States.

Sister Armanda, whose family emigrated from the Azores in 1967 and settled in San Leandro, grew up in the Diocese of Oakland, where her family joined St. Leander parish.

She is the author of “Facing Paul: The Apostle’s Image in Art,” which grew out of her master’s thesis at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley.

People open to the Word

The sisters often visit parishes around the area. “When we do outreach,” she said, “what we find in the Diocese of Oakland is that people are very open to the word of God.”

The sisters have two outreach days planned in the diocese, March 12-13 at Queen of All Saints Church in Concord and March 26-27 at St. John the Baptist Church in El Cerrito.

The community sees such outreach events as an integral part of their mission. “The priest has people one hour a week,” Sr. Armanda says, “We can help people keep growing their faith.”

In the bookstore, she sees the sisters as facilitators, recommending books for specific needs in life — such as for a gift, or at times of loss or a difficult diagnosis.

Three book clubs

In addition, the book center hosts three different book clubs meant to facilitate faith sharing and adult faith formation. The first book club in Redwood City was the Women’s Spirituality Book Club. The Catholic Fiction Book Club and the Saints Book Club are also available.

The Bible (and Scripture study resources) remains the store’s No. 1 best-seller, with the Catechism (and other Catholic faith formation resources) following close behind, says Sister Jamie Paula.

Other authors who are particularly popular at this time in terms of spiritual reading are James Martin, Ronald Rolheiser and Henri Nouwen, she said.

“Healing and Coping is also a particularly important section, with a book written by one of our Sisters topping those charts: ‘Surviving Depression: A Catholic Approach’ by Sister Kathryn James Hermes,” she said.

The book center also carries movies, music, rosaries, religious articles and gifts for Catholic occasions. But, the sisters emphasize, it is also a place to come and look around.

“People can have an encounter with Christ, through the sisters, through a book, through a movie,” said Sr. Armanda.

“Everything we do facilitates that encounter with Christ.”

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