Available for Pre-Order
After nearly three decades of serving in Catholic education, I remain deeply grateful for the educators, school leaders, pastors, families, and communities who have shaped my own journey. In this season of my life, it is an honor to offer something back.
The Four Pillars of JOY for Catholic Educators: A Pocket Retreat, inspired by the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola, was written with my simple hope to provide Catholic educators with a small space to pause, reflect, pray, and reconnect with the joy of their vocation.
A Pocket Retreat for Catholic Educators
Catholic educators give so much of themselves in service to others. Our days are full, our responsibilities are many, and the work is deeply personal because it is rooted in mission. Sometimes, we need permission to pause. Inspired by the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola, this pocket retreat is an invitation to do exactly that, to pause, reflect, pray, and become more attentive to God’s presence within the ordinary moments of our lives and our work. The Ignatian tradition reminds us that God can be found in all things, including the classrooms, conversations, challenges, relationships, and quiet acts of service that fill the days of a Catholic educator.
The book is organized around four pillars that have become increasingly meaningful to me through years of serving, leading, teaching, listening, and learning alongside Catholic educators: Forgiveness, Trust, Service, and Joy.
Together, these four pillars provide a simple framework for reflection and renewal. My hope is that readers can return to them again and again, whether during a quiet morning, at the end of a challenging school day, as part of a faculty retreat, or simply whenever they need a reminder of why this vocation matters.
Joy does not mean that the work is always easy. It means recognizing that God remains present within the work, within our relationships, and within the people we are called to serve. His grace is enough!
Grateful to Loyola Press
I am incredibly humbled to be part of the Loyola Press family. From the beginning, the Loyola Press team has been gracious, thoughtful, encouraging, and wonderful to collaborate with. Their commitment to faith formation and to supporting those who serve the Church makes it especially meaningful to have this little book find its home with them. I am grateful for their belief in this project and for the care they have brought to helping me share it with Catholic educators. The humor has been an added bonus over the last few years as we worked on this project.
Available for Pre-Order
The Four Pillars of JOY for Catholic Educators: A Pocket Retreat is available for pre-order now, with a December delivery…just in time for the holidays. It is a perfect gift for the Catholic teacher or Catechist in your life.
The book can be pre-ordered through Loyola Press and many major booksellers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ThriftBooks, and other retailers.
Loyola Press | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Thrift Books | Books-A-Million | BookShop
Whether you order a copy for yourself, share one with a colleague, or consider using the book with a faculty or leadership team, I hope it becomes a small companion for reflection, renewal, and JOY.
Join Me at Marymount University
For friends and colleagues in the Washington, D.C. region, I would love to have you join me for an in-person book talk at Marymount University.
When: January 21, 2027 at 6:00 PM
Where: Marymount University | Ballston Center
1000 N. Glebe Road
Arlington, VA 22201
During our time together, I will walk through the framework of the pocket retreat and explore each of the four pillars: forgiveness, trust, service, and joy.
More than a traditional book talk, I hope this gathering will provide an opportunity for Catholic educators and friends to pause together, reflect on our shared vocation, and consider how we can intentionally make room for JOY in the work we are called to do.
An Invitation to Choose JOY
My journey as a Catholic education teacher, principal, and archdiocesan leader have taught me that some seasons call us to lead, some call us to learn, some call us to serve quietly, and some invite us to share what we have learned along the way. I believe this season is asking me to do a little of all four.
Writing The Four Pillars of JOY for Catholic Educators has been an opportunity to reflect on the people, experiences, challenges, graces, and moments of joy that have shaped my vocation. My prayer is that somewhere within these pages, another Catholic educator finds exactly the encouragement, reflection, or moment with God that they need.
…and perhaps, in the middle of a very full day, this little pocket retreat will offer the important reminder, that there is always room to choose JOY!
May we continue to seek knowledge in all things,
Denise
Denise Ball, Ed.D.
Retired Catholic Education Leader | Author | Researcher | Consultant
Marymount University | Assistant Professor
