THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Overnight, Solving the Parish Puzzle went to #1 in Amazon New Releases! You can see that reality in the screenshot taken last night at 8:57pm.

The difference was each of YOU and your support throughout the day, and I am both grateful and humbled by your outpouring of help to get word about the book out far and wide.

I also wanted to mention that if you did buy the book, then send me an email (christinasemmens@gmail.com) telling me you bought the book, and I will add you to the list for the upcoming Zoom Q&A session that will be happening in a couple of weeks.

Finally, let’s remember the REAL hero in all of this—Saint Anselm of Canterbury! He showed up in a BIG way, so let’s keep entrusting this book and its message to him.

Saint Anselm, pray for us!

Wanted to share the story behind my latest book, Solving the Parish Puzzle: One Person, One Disciple, One Leader at a Time.

Solving the Parish Puzzle: One Person, One Disciple, One Leader at a Time book launch begins in less than 15 minutes at 9amCST!

YOUR support during the first hour WILL make a difference, so please go grab a copy here

After you buy your copy, make sure to send me an email (christinasemmens@gmail.com) saying you bought one so I can add your name to the upcoming Q&A session where you can ask me anything about the book!

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Thanks for reading The Catholic Leadership Puzzle ! This post is public so feel free to share it.

St. Anselm of Canterbury Novena Day 9 Prayers

O my God, teach my heart where and how to seek You, where and how to find You. You are my God and You are my all and I have never seen You. You have made me and remade me, You have bestowed on me all the good things I possess, Still I do not know You. I have not yet done that for which I was made. Teach me to seek You. I cannot seek You unless You teach me or find You unless You show Yourself to me. Let me seek You in my desire, let me desire You in my seeking. Let me find You by loving You, let me love You when I find You. Amen.

St. Anselm of Canterbury, pray for us.

(Mention your requests here…)

Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…

Day 9 — “God of peace, grant me rest in trusting You.”

Historical note: Saint Anselm’s prayers often conclude in quiet confidence, trusting the Lord to respond.

Reflection :

The novena ends in trustful repose. Saint Anselm teaches that faith ultimately leads to peace. We are not meant to strain endlessly but to rest in God’s truth. After seeking, desiring, and loving, we are invited to trust. God completes the work He begins.Prayer/Resolution: God of peace, grant me rest in trusting You. Amen.

The Catholic Leadership Puzzle is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support this work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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St. Anselm of Canterbury Novena Day 8 Prayers

O my God, teach my heart where and how to seek You, where and how to find You. You are my God and You are my all and I have never seen You. You have made me and remade me, You have bestowed on me all the good things I possess, Still I do not know You. I have not yet done that for which I was made. Teach me to seek You. I cannot seek You unless You teach me or find You unless You show Yourself to me. Let me seek You in my desire, let me desire You in my seeking. Let me find You by loving You, let me love You when I find You. Amen.

St. Anselm of Canterbury, pray for us.

(Mention your requests here…)

Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…

Day 8 — “Jesus, renew and refashion my wounded heart.”

Historical note: Saint Anselm frequently described the soul as an image in need of restoration.

Reflection :

Saint Anselm acknowledges that the image of God within us is worn by sin. This prayer entrusts renewal wholly to Christ. For those discour­aged by slow change, Saint Anselm offers hope: God patiently reshapes what has been damaged. Sanctification unfolds gradually.Prayer/Resolution:Jesus, renew and refashion my wounded heart. Amen.

The Catholic Leadership Puzzle is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support this work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

St. Anselm of Canterbury Novena Day 7 Prayers

O my God, teach my heart where and how to seek You, where and how to find You. You are my God and You are my all and I have never seen You. You have made me and remade me, You have bestowed on me all the good things I possess, Still I do not know You. I have not yet done that for which I was made. Teach me to seek You. I cannot seek You unless You teach me or find You unless You show Yourself to me. Let me seek You in my desire, let me desire You in my seeking. Let me find You by loving You, let me love You when I find You. Amen.

St. Anselm of Canterbury, pray for us.

(Mention your requests here…)

Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…

Day 7 — “Strengthen my faith, Lord, and deepen my understanding in time.”

Historical note: Saint Anselm famously wrote: “I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe that I may understand.”

Reflection :

This classic insight by Saint Anselm appears explicitly in the closing prayers. Faith comes first; understanding follows. In a world that demands proof before belief, Saint Anselm invites trust first. For lay Christians, this means remaining faithful even when clarity is delayed. Understanding ripens over time through fidelity.Prayer/Resolution:Strengthen my faith, Lord, and deepen my understanding in time. Amen.

The Catholic Leadership Puzzle is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support this work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.