Theology Teacher Carrie Soukup Publishes Handbook on Prayer
Mrs. Carrie Soukup wrapped up her first year in the theology department teaching “A Catholic Exploration of the Bible” to sophomores. While understanding the Scriptures was the goal, Mrs. Soukup emphasized a personal approach: reading the Scriptures as prayer.
Prayer is what centers Mrs. Soukup, and she wants to share that opportunity with others. She just published her first book, Collection of Grace: A Flexible Handbook for Growing a Life of Prayer.
The 170-page resource book – available on Amazon, for the Kindle and soon in paperback – offers everything from a comprehensive list of traditional Catholic prayers and those for different times of the day to formats for meditations, litanies and reflection ideas.
Mrs. Soukup brings a spiritual background to her first book. One of her first jobs out of college was working with the National Evangelization Team, or NET Ministries, traveling to different Catholic dioceses hosting youth retreats. While a graduate student at Loyola University, she served as chaplain of a freshman dorm and worked in campus ministry.
Her last full-time job before she had her children, was teaching theology at Loyola Academy. More recently, as a stay at home mom, she wrote about religious life for Vianney Vocations Chronologically.
Now living in Arlington Heights, with her husband, John, and their four children – ages 16, 13, 11 and 7 – Mrs. Soukup also writes periodically for Catechist Magazine and CatholicMom.com, and she blogs at GraceFinders.com.
Q. You have lots of experience in Catholic ministry and education, but what prompted you to write a book?
A. It started out as a confirmation present for my daughter. I really wanted to give her something meaningful, that she could have to deepen her prayer life. So I started writing and poured my heart and soul into it for what seemed like days. When I finished it, I thought it might be something to share with family and friends.
Q. Did you grow up in a devout family?
A. My parents put God first. They told us that and lived it every day. My sister joined the Sisters of St. Cecilia, which is a Dominican order based in Nashville. She now teaches philosophy at Catholic University of America, but it wasn’t until we were adults that we developed a much richer prayer life.
Q. Who is the prospective audience for the book?
A. Anyone wanting a little help in deepening their prayer or faith life. That can be anyone from parents, grandparents and my students, to missionaries, catechists and the average Catholic in the pew.
Q. You seem to stress a structure to establishing a prayer life, of having different prayers for times throughout the day.
A. Once you start on a path of prayer, there’s a longing for consistency and a fiery intimacy with God. You establish this rhythm of prayer and it allows your heart to be open to God.
Q. Did you stress establishing a prayer life with your students?
A. I tried to model it and be open about my prayer life as a reference. I encouraged them to write prayers and I gave them the experience of memorizing prayers. So many of my students love God and are looking for ways to express it.
Q. Ultimately, what’s the takeaway from your book?
A. In everyone’s heart, there’s a longing for happiness and that’s a longing for God. When you have a taste of God and a taste of prayer, it leads to grace.
Saint Viator High School
Located in Arlington Heights, IL, Saint Viator High School is a private, co-ed, Catholic school for grades 9-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.