Amazing Catechists

Teaching and learning the faith together

Saint Padre Pio

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Several years ago I received my first prayer book on Padre Pio.  People in my parish love this guy.  I knew very little about him except that he was given the stigmata.  I struggled with this idea and as I prayed the prayers in the book, I kept thinking that if he lived during my time, I would ask to see his feet, hands, and side.  I know I sound like Thomas, but this isn’t Jesus we are talking about.  This is a Franciscan friar.

Why are we in competition?

One Sunday afternoon, I decided that I would watch the Padre Pio movie on the Formed channel.  But before getting settled with popcorn and PJs, I decided to call my sister.  We had a great conversation, as always.  Then she told me about an old friend that was seeking God.  My brother-in-law was raised in a Pentecostal church.  My sister, like me, was raised Catholic.  But also like me, she drifted.  About five years ago she decided to go back to church but instead of the Catholic Church, she decided to go to the Assembly of God church where her husband grew up.  She boasts about the fact that there are so many former Catholics that go to her church.  Even the pastor, who is my brother-in-law’s cousin, was a cradle Catholic, but then around age 12, his entire family switched to the Assembly of God church.  I listened as she complained about the rules of the Catholic Church and how she didn’t really understand what was going on in Mass. She is now convinced that if it is not in the bible, it is not truth, but doesn’t mention anything about which interpretation should be followed.  On and on she talked about how welcoming her church was to everyone and how she felt like she had an extended family.  Because of her strong feelings for her church, she invited her seeking friend to a church service.  Her friend is now so blown away by the love and openness of her newfound church community.

As I listened to my sister, I found myself getting very offended.  Yes, I too drifted and learned so much from my Protestant brothers and sisters, but there came a time when I realized something was missing.  It was the Eucharist.  When I shared this with my sister, she said that because her pastor was a former Catholic that he insists on Communion once a month.  But when I told her it wasn’t the same Communion, she was silent.  Is it possible that she has forgotten her Catholic school teaching?

Don’t be Afraid to Dig for Answers

When I returned to my Catholic faith, I didn’t understand much about the Mass, so I rolled up my sleeves and started researching about the Mass, about the sacraments, about the Blessed Mother, and all things Catholic.  I walked away early in adulthood, not to go to another church, but to be free.  I hated the rules of Mass every Sunday and holy days.  I hated the obligation.  But the Catholic Church doesn’t teach obligation.  We do that to ourselves.  The Church teaches relationships, with each other and most importantly with the Trinity.  I am now in a Catholic church that has the same loving family environment that my sister talks about.  But it is approached differently.  In my sister’s church, there are greeters at each door that acknowledge you as you enter the church.  At our church, we also have greeters.  Most importantly, the Catholic Church has a tabernacle where the presence of God resides in a very intimate way.  We go to church to worship God and our Mass is a sacrifice to God through Jesus.  From the moment we enter church, we are focused on our Lord.  We bless ourselves with holy water to remind us of our Baptism.  We genuflect or bow before entering the pew as recognition for who is present in the tabernacle.  We then kneel and pray to the One who is present.  Our connection with others in our church family happens outside the church before Mass or immediately after Mass.  A women’s retreat was posted in our bulletin shortly after I began attending my parish.  I signed up for the retreat and a bible study and several other programs.  It was during these events that connections with fellow Catholics were being made.

The Stigmata brings Controversy

What does all this have to do with Saint Padre Pio?  The movie on the Formed channel, shared Saint Pio’s story beginning with his childhood.  He was called by God as a child and experienced things that led him to the priesthood.  The stigmata was one of many things about Padre Pio that intrigued so many.  He had a huge following that concerned his superiors.  The movie also showed how people exploited him by selling prayer cards and statutes of him which he adamantly frowned upon.

Toward the end of his life, a monsignor was given the assignment to visit Padre Pio to get him to tell the truth about the stigmata.  It seems that Padre Pio was told by God not to show the stigmata to anyone and that the stigmata would be with him for 50 years.  Padre Pio’s stigmata was seen by a small inner circle including his physician; however, it was the belief of this monsignor that Padre Pio was a hoax and he was determined to get the Padre to confess.

Here we have two priests in the Catholic Church arguing about what God is doing.  This monsignor has a little more rank than a regular friar so it seems quite intimidating at times.  The monsignor states throughout the movie that God is not in Padre Pio’s charade and yet Padre Pio insists that there is no one else but God in control of his life.  As it turns out, the monsignor comes full circle as Padre Pio reveals to him an incident in his life known only to him.

We really are on the same team! 

Why do we argue with each other about Christianity?  I’m happy that my sister found a place to worship God.  She is closer to God now then she ever has been.  But I resent the inclination that her church is better than the Catholic Church because so many former Catholics now worship there.  I remember the movie in the early 1970’s titled, The Poseidon Adventure.  It wasn’t a true story, but I recall a moment in the movie after the ship encountered a tsunami and was capsized when a small group of characters were heading in one direction while the remaining survivors were convinced that they needed to go the opposite way.  Of course, the small group at the end of the movie was the only survivors.  I wonder if this will happen to us as we choose our church of preference.  We are all Christians and, therefore, God is in this.  Why try and prove ourselves?  The monsignor was so determined to prove Padre Pio’s masquerade while Padre Pio was speaking truth about his experience with God.  I believe our role is to encourage each other.  And I further believe that it is each of our responsibility to do our homework, to research, to seek God in all ways.  Choosing where we are to be should not be decided solely on feelings.  Truth sometimes does not feel good.

I’m grateful to know a little more about Saint Padre Pio.  My skepticism is somewhat calmed.  I find this to be no different than the Marian apparitions of St. Bernadette and the children at Fatima.  I believe that God will do whatever is necessary to get our attention.  I pray that I will cooperate with Him in all things.

 

Book Review – Brave Water

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Brave Water by Sarah Robsdottir

Review:

Brave Water is a moving tale about a single day in the life of a teenage girl from a remote African village. This book highlights many difficult topics that sadly are daily struggles for many people around the world. The unique story is told through multiple viewpoints, as well as numerous flashbacks, but mainly unfolds from Talitha’s point of view. During her long daily trek to the only fresh water source for her village, Talitha experiences a day that completely alters her life.

In this one story the author skillfully highlights the life-saving importance of clean drinking water, the horrors of human trafficking, the vital yet dangerous role of Christian missionaries, the brutality and corruption of wealthy mine owners, heart-breaking poverty, and the beautifully rich culture of an African village.

Living in an abundance of food, water, and medicine, it can be easy to forget that there are still places in this world that have none of that. The author has created an intriguing story that doesn’t shy away from these difficult topics but addresses them in a sensitive way at a teen level. Brave Water is a gripping story about redemption, forgiveness, love, and faith that will stay with you for a very long time.

 

Summary:

Girls are disappearing on their way to the spring…

Will fear stop Talitha, the sole water gatherer for her hut, from searching for her friend—even if it means scaling the walls of the mine owners’ compound, where locals are shot on sight?

And will terror block Moses’ path—or can this teenage hunter battle an underground human trafficking ring with ties to the cities on the other side of Great Mountain?

Join Talitha and Moses on their journey, one marked with violent drug lords, crippling jealousy, blinding anger, but also…tremendous beauty. And, the flutters of first love.

Meet other villagers and colorful characters along the way, all of whom are grappling with dire loss after a recent mine explosion. Become acquainted with multiple generations of a missionary family who sacrificed all, moving out to the African bush to fulfill a driving passion—one that most would call a crazy dream. Listen, as ageless questions are carried in on the hot winds of the Great Red Valley: Do you know what it means to truly be brave? And, what if you had to risk your life for a simple cup of water?

 

Faith Through Fiction – Doing God’s Will

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About the Faith Through Fiction Vlog Series.

CatholicTeenBooks.com was founded upon the desire to provide entertaining Catholic fiction that can build your faith. And with this goal in mind, authors T.M. Gaouette and Leslea Wahl have taken it a step further by creating the Faith Through Fiction video blogs. With these vlogs we will dive into issues that teens face and present fiction that addresses relevant themes.

This month’s Faith Through Fiction focuses on the struggle of Doing God’s Will. Let’s face it: growing in faith and keeping to the narrow path that leads to heaven isn’t easy. But God has answers for all our problems. He wants to heal all our wounds. And He has a path that will bring far greater joy than the one the world presents to us. Please join us as we delve into this topic.

Featured Author: Marie Keiser

Featured Books:

Heaven’s Hunter by Marie Keiser

Brothers by Corinna Turner

The Last Viking by Susan Peek

Where You Lead by Leslea Wahl

The Haunted Cathedral by Antony B. Kolenc

Standing Strong by Theresa Linden

Guarding Aaron by T.M. Gaouette

 

Doing God’s Will (CatholicTeenBooks.com)

Class Begins!

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In the best possible scenario, your whole class arrives at the same time, sits down, and you can begin the great lesson you have prepared. In reality, well, that’s not quite what happens. And we all know that the longer you wait to engage your group, the more difficult it is to get their attention when you are ready to begin.

What to do?

This is where some seatwork or something to watch or listen to is helpful. I’ve rounded up a few podcasts and YouTube video channels created for Catholic kids that can be a good start and place to focus.

Podcasts

Saint Stories for Kids: I don’t think new episodes are being added, but there are over 150 past episodes to choose from.

Catholic Sprouts Podcast: Each day a new episode drops with topics ranging from virtues to sacraments to prayers. They are short and focused!

YouTube

Spirit Juice Kids: Lego stories, praying together, saint stories, ABCs – something for everyone on this channel for sure.

Marcam!: Short videos that take kids on a tour of the sacristy, how a church is built, the Mass and more. It has moved to Formed, so you can access it there if you have a subscription. But if not, there are at least 20 videos here.

Engage Them

As soon as your students come in, engage them. If you prefer pencil and paper activities, take a look at these Sunday Gospel activities from Catholic Mom. You can print those out as a review of the past Sunday’s Mass.

Be prepared to start your time together on the right foot.

What do you like to do during that time before class officially begins?

 

Byzantine Catholics – An Interesting Discovery

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What does it mean to be in Full Communion with the Catholic Church?  The bonds of communion through faith, sacraments, and pastoral governance determine Full Communion with the Catholic Church.  Through these bonds, believers receive the life of grace within the Church.  However, the Catholic Church also recognizes Partial Communion with many Protestant denominations where elements of Christian faith are held in common.

Churches in Full Communion

As I continue to research for future writing projects, I discovered an interesting fact about the variety of churches in Full Communion with the Catholic Church.  These churches include the Coptic Catholic Church of the Alexandrian liturgical tradition.

The Maronite Church, the Syrian Catholic Church, and the Armenian Catholic Church are also in Full Communion with the Roman Catholic Church.  A quick google search identified several Byzantine Catholic Churches near my home.  The Byzantine Church is also in Full Communion with the Roman Catholic Church.  This was an interesting discovery that led me to visit Saint Anne Byzantine Catholic Church in New Port Richey, Florida.

A Special Visit

As I entered this beautiful church, I was reminded of the Russian Orthodox Church I visited in Alaska.  But this was not an Orthodox Church.  This was a Catholic Church in Full Communion with the Roman Catholic Church.  As I researched for a clearer understanding, I learned new facts about the history of Christianity.

Byzantine History

Around the year 600 AD, there were five major archbishops within the Catholic Church that led five large dioceses.  The cities where these patriarchs resided included Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, Constantinople, and Rome.

The Roman Empire in the year 300 AD was split into the Western and Eastern Empires.  The capitol of the Eastern Roman Empire was the city of Byzantium, which the emperor Constantine renamed Constantinople.  This city is presently known as Istanbul in Turkey.  The capitol of the Western Roman Empire was Rome.  The language of the Eastern Empire was Greek, while the language of the Western Empire was Latin.

The Muslim Arabs in 600 AD conquered large parts of the Middle East and North Africa thereby reducing the influence of the Patriarchs of Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem.  However, the two remaining Patriarchs in Rome and Constantinople thrived and spread Christianity far and wide.  The churches established by the Eastern Empire from its capitol, Byzantium, were referred to as “Byzantine” or “Greek” Catholic.  Byzantine Catholics in America are the spiritual descendants of Christians in Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East who trace their spiritual heritage to the Great Church of Constantinople, known as Hagia Sophia – The Church of Holy Wisdom.

Distinct Differences

Although in Full Communion with the Roman Catholic Church, the Byzantine rite retains distinctive features which are evident beginning with the onion-like dome on the outside of the church.  This history helped me to understand why I saw so many similar domes throughout my train trip through Austria.  I knew Austria was predominantly Catholic but couldn’t understand why so many churches had what I assumed were Greek Orthodox domes.  At the time, I didn’t know the rich history of the Byzantine rite and its connection to the Greek culture.

Upon entering the Byzantine church, the differences are even more distinct.  The sanctuary is separated from the congregation by a beautiful screen covered in icons.

Behind this beautiful screen of icons is the altar and tabernacle.

Saint John Chrysostom

As I looked through the books and pamphlets located at my pew, I noticed a prayer book titled, “The Divine Liturgy of Our Holy Father John Chrysostom.”  After further research, I learned that Saint John Chrysostom was an important early Church Father who served as archbishop of Constantinople.  After his death, he earned the title, “Golden Mouth” because of his eloquent preaching and public speaking.

Other Differences

One of the women I met when first entering this church was raised Roman Catholic from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  She loves coming to the Byzantine Church but said it took her a while to get used to the differences.  In addition to the iconic screen separating the altar from the congregation, I also read that Communion is received under both species (Body and Blood in the form of bread and wine) and administered by the priest from a spoon.

The church was filling up quickly when I learned that a baptism would take place during the service.  In the Roman Catholic Church, we call the service the “Mass.”  In the Eastern Rite, the Mass is known as the “Liturgy.”  Infant baptism is part of the Eastern Rite; however, baptism in the Eastern Rite includes Chrismation, which is another term for the sacrament of Confirmation.  Infant baptism in the Eastern Rite also includes the Eucharist.

The child to be baptized was an infant – perhaps no more than one month of age.  I was curious to see how they would administer the Eucharist to an infant.  Unfortunately, there were so many family members surrounding the child that it was difficult to see all that was occurring.  However, I had an opportunity after the Liturgy to speak with Father Oleksiy.

Father Oleksiy is a Catholic priest from Ukraine and the Administrator of Saint Anne Byzantine Catholic Church.   He came to the United States with his wife and three daughters six years ago.  When he mentioned his family, I was so focused on my other questions that I didn’t think to ask if Byzantine priests were allowed to be married.  As I was preparing this writing, I researched this further and found that Eastern Catholic churches allow married men to be ordained, however, they do not allow marriage after ordination.

The Sign of the Cross

One of my first questions for Father Oleksiy was the difference in making the sign of the cross.  Throughout the service, people in the congregation blessed themselves with the sign of the cross.  Most crossed themselves from right to left.  A few – like me – crossed themselves as do all Roman Catholics from left to right.  I asked Father Oleksiy, “Why the difference?”  He smiled and said that there are many different responses to this question.  Some say it has to do with the importance and significance of the “right hand.”  He shared the obvious that Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father.  He also shared a custom in the Byzantine rite when the bride and groom place their right hands on the Bible during the wedding ceremony.  But then, Father Oleksiy shrugged his shoulders with a smile and said that there are so many different answers to this question – like the reasons for driving on the right or left side of the road.  We both laughed and moved on to my next question.

Infant Baptism and the Eucharist

“So, how do you give an infant the Eucharist?”  Father Oleksiy explained that a very small drop of the Blood of Christ is placed on the lips of the infant during the baptism ceremony.

Communion is also different in the Eastern rite.  The bread is a cube soaked in the wine and given by the priest with a spoon.  I received Communion at this church and was amazed at the difference in presentation.

As I spoke with Father Oleksiy after the Liturgy service, we talked about the tabernacle behind the screen on the altar.  Father Oleksiy confirmed that Jesus in the form of the Eucharist is kept in the tabernacle on the altar.  However, he also shared a lengthy process that he must go through before placing the Eucharist in the tabernacle.  This is because the Eastern rite uses leavened bread rather than unleavened bread as is done in the Roman Catholic Church.

I truly enjoyed the Liturgy service.  It reminded me of a High Mass from the old Latin days.  Every part of the Liturgy service was chanted including the readings from the Old and New Testament.  I was particularly impressed with the following prayer recited by all in the congregation before processing to the front of the church to receive Holy Communion.

Special Prayer

Prayer Before Holy Communion

O Lord, I believe and profess that you are truly Christ, the Son of the Living God, who came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the first.

Accept me today as a partaker of your mystical supper, O Son of God, for I will not reveal your mystery to your enemies, nor will I give you a kiss as did Judas, but like the thief I profess you:

Remember me, O Lord, when you come in your kingdom.

Remember me, O Master, when you come in your kingdom.

Remember me, O Holy One, when you come in your kingdom.

May the partaking of your holy mysteries, O Lord, be not for my judgement or condemnation but for the healing of soul and body.

O Lord, I also believe and profess that this, which I am about to receive, is truly your most precious body and your life-giving blood, which I pray, make me worthy to receive for the remission of all my sins and for life everlasting.   Amen.

O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.

O God, cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me.

O Lord, forgive me for I have sinned without number.

A Special Challenge

This was such a beautiful experience that I challenge each of you to look for a Byzantine Catholic Church in your area.  I would love to know your thoughts on the Liturgy and the beauty of the icons.

Book Review – The Secret Tomb

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The Secret Tomb by Sophie de Mullenheim

Review:

This middle-grade book is part of the In the Shadows of Rome series published by Ignatius Press. I had not read any of the previous books before reading this novel and was easily able to understand the characters and the storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am now quite curious about the other books in the series.

Titus and Maximus are young teen boys living in ancient Rome. They’ve shared numerous adventures together, but nothing has prepared them for this latest quest. They live in a very precarious time—the Roman Emperor is governing with an iron fist, dissenters are not tolerated, and Christians are being hunted down and persecuted. As youngsters, life has been fairly easy for this pair of friends, but as they near adulthood, much is now expected of them.

Life suddenly changes drastically for Titus when his father decides that it is time for his son to become a man. After an elaborate ceremony to mark the life change, Titus must now wear the garments of a man and be expected to put his childhood games and friendships behind him. What he doesn’t expect is that his father has paired him up with a Roman police officer to help toughen him up. While this is the last thing that Titus wants, he knows he cannot disappoint his father and works hard, using his unique skills to impress his mentor.

Meanwhile, Maximus is facing his own problems. He is harboring a deadly secret that must remain hidden—he has become a follower of Christ. Danger grows as the secret Christian community is being targeted and persecuted. As scared as he is, Maximus cannot deny his newfound beliefs. When Maximus is tasked with a most precarious mission, he finds himself in even more danger. With his slave and friend, Aghiles, at his side, he embarks on a search of finding where Saint Peter has been buried to protect the great Apostle’s remains from being destroyed. Little does Maximus know that Titus has also been tasked with the same mission but for very different reasons.

This book was a great read, fast-paced and full of excitement. While I haven’t read the previous books, I do feel this would be a fantastic series for young teens. Set in ancient Rome, the reader will learn about the early church and what Roman society was like during that time through the adventures of these likable characters. This series is definitely one to check out!

Summary:

The Secret Tomb is the 5th volume of the gripping series titled In the Shadows of Rome (6 books total). Being a Christian in ancient Rome was very dangerous. To spread the faith and stay alive, you had to live in the shadows . . .

Titus’ father thinks his son is a coward and arranges a stay with the police to make a man out of him. Soon, Titus finds himself hunting down Christians and trying to discover where they’ve hidden the body of Peter, Apostle of Jesus, who died 250 years earlier. Meanwhile, his friend Maximus is given the mission to find Peter’s tomb before it’s destroyed. Will their friendship survive the test of their loyalties?

Follow their adventures as they forge priceless friendships—and discover the many secrets lurking in the shadows of the Rome.

 

 

Need help promoting your Rite of Christian Initiation program?

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Whom are you inviting to become Catholic?

When I was a religious education director, the joy of passing on the faith to adults was like nothing else. It was amazing to watch people choose Catholicism, embrace its truths, and step into the faith. Often the people who came forward were spouses or soon-to-be spouses, close friends with a Catholic who made a suggestion to join me at Mass, or those who were searching on their own and somehow stumbled upon the parish.

Those are great ways to lead people to the Church through relationships. But what about all those people who don’t have a relationship with a Catholic person? How do we reach them and invite them to join us?

We can market RCIA/OCIA to them

Yes, I said the “M” word, and that’s good. Please don’t go. I would not leave you with a thought and go. I have a suggestion for you.

Emily Ricci of Gloriam Marketing is hosting a free, as in no-cost,

“webinar for parishes on how to market RCIA well so we can welcome home some new Catholics this year. This is soul-saving work, and I want every parish possible to learn these strategies so more people come to learn how much Jesus loves them.”

Those are Emily’s words, not mine – soul-saving work. Learn how you can reach the people who are not in the pews.

Who is this webinar for? Emily says this:

If you’re only promoting RCIA in the bulletin; If you’re using the word “RCIA” in your promotion; If you’ve got a crushing-the-head-of-Satan powerful program but no one showing up… You need the tips I’m sharing in this webinar.

Be An Amazing Catechist

Register now for this webinar. 

 

 

Faith Through Fiction Vlog – Purity

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About the Faith Through Fiction Vlog Series.

CatholicTeenBooks.com was founded upon the desire to provide entertaining Catholic fiction that can build your faith. And with this goal in mind, authors T.M. Gaouette and Leslea Wahl have taken it a step further by creating the Faith Through Fiction video blogs. With these vlogs we will dive into issues that teens face and present fiction that addresses relevant themes.

This month we’re focusing on purity. Sadly, we live in a world that allows and accepts and more often encourages all forms of contamination, from sexual immorality to drug use, and so on. We’ve progressed so far as a people, that purity is now laughed at, chided, and scorned. So, how does one pursue and maintain purity with such negative peer-pressure and hostile pushback? Join us as we discuss this important topic.

Featured author: Carolyn Astfalk

Featured Books:

Rightfully Ours by Carolyn Astfalk

The Merchant’s Curse by Antony B. Kolenc

eXtreme Blindside by Leslea Wahl

Loving Gabriel by T.M. Gaouette

The King’s Prey: Saint Dymphna of Ireland by Susan Peek

Anyone But Him by Theresa Linden

Elfling by Corinna Turner

Purity (CatholicTeenBooks.com)

Celebrate Catechetical Sunday, September 17, 2023

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The start of a new school year can be hectic with the rush to put children in the appropriate class, handle late registrations, and maybe even find catechists. In all this activity, the Church reminds us how important catechesis is with Catechetical Sunday, which began in 1935. In the United States, the Bishops set the third Sunday of September as Catechetical Sunday. This year Catechetical Sunday is on September 17, 2023, with the theme of “Come to Me all you who labor and are burdened” (Matthew 11:28).

How to Celebrate

Since we are a people of prayer, begin your parish celebration at Mass. Let people know about the day with this poster. Choose one Mass and ask all the catechists to come to it. Don’t forget to include those who serve in youth ministry, RCIA/OCIA, and other adult programs. During Mass, the celebrant can bless and commission the catechists. After the blessing, if time permits, have children from the religious education program give a prayer card to each catechist. It is a great witness to the parish if the catechists come forward from wherever they are sitting and stand where they can be seen.

You may want to give a certificate of thanks already formatted for you from the USCCB.

After Mass, continue the celebration with a breakfast in their honor. This is your opportunity to let the catechists know how much you appreciate, need, and admire them. Does your parish have a Knights of Columbus or Council of Catholic Women’s group? Ask them to prepare and serve breakfast. If your parish is a potluck type of place, ask parents to bring food. Or keep it simple with bagels, donuts, juice, and coffee. Whatever you choose, have something to gather all the catechists and their families together to thank them.

Tokens of Appreciation

It is always nice to give something to the catechists that remind them of the parish’s gratitude. A notebook (for women or men) and a new pen are both practical and fun. Another gift idea is a scripture jar or bag. Pick verses that pertain to children, teaching, conversion, and perseverance. Attach a note from the pastor as the tag, and you are all set.

One year, I asked the parishioners to pray for a catechist. I put each catechist’s name, first name only, on a card and asked parishioners to take one as they left Mass on Catechetical Sunday. Don’t forget to add your name! You could also add each class or group to the cards. This reinforces the idea that everyone in the parish has a part in catechesis. And, you have covered your work in prayer.

No matter how you choose to celebrate and acknowledge those who serve as catechists, do so with joy as you witness to the Gospel.

Book Review – Charting the Course

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Today, I’ll be sharing about my latest faith-based teen adventure—Charting the Course.

Summary:

Hang on tight as the twists and turns of this high-seas adventure leave you bracing for the next wave of intrigue.

Ever since Liz’s parents divorced, she and her father have endured a strained relationship. So, she’s surprised when he invites her to spend part of the holidays with him on a Caribbean cruise. However, this is not just any cruise but his 30th high school reunion. While Liz dreamt of such a vacation, being stranded on a ship with her estranged father is not her idea of a merry holiday.

While an anonymous note, an onboard mystery, and a cute boy help turn the tide on the unwanted trip, Liz and her father drift even further apart. Then when Liz’s reckless actions create a tsunami of unintended consequences, she recognizes that she’s drowning in pent-up hurt and anger. As her carefully created façade begins to ebb away, she turns to her faith and sets off to chart a new course for her life.

Set amid the beauty of the Caribbean islands, Charting the Course delves into the topics of fractured families, generational high-school dramas, taking responsibility for your actions, and focusing on faith to keep us anchored.

 

Background Information:

Through this novel, I was able to bring together several elements that I’d wanted to write about for years—a mystery aboard a cruise ship, a parent’s high school drama, and a non-Catholic discovering the faith.

A cruise ship with its secluded setting always seemed like an ideal location for a mystery. Throughout the story I also include several real incidents that my family experienced on cruises, such as many family card games, shore excursions, a favorite piano player, and an onboard scavenger hunt.

One of the interesting aspects of the story is the class reunion that Liz’s father is attending while on the cruise. For years I’d thought it would be fun for a teen character to get a glimpse into the adolescence of a parent to see that many issues that teens deal with today are ones that their parents also struggled with. Liz and her father have a strained relationship due to divorce, so this was the perfect story for that element.

The main character Liz is the best friend of Josie, the main character in my novel, Into the Spotlight. Liz was a relatively small character in the first book, but over the years, I thought about her often and eventually decided it was time to explore her story. Liz is not Catholic but has attended Catholic church with Josie in the past. When Josie gives Liz a novena to pray while on her trip, Liz begins to learn more about the Church. I actually wrote more about Liz’s conversion in my short story, Finishing the Journey, which is part of the CatholicTeenBooks anthology, Ashes: Visible & Invisible.

All my teen novels include an underlying theme. For this book, that theme is the importance of forgiveness. I hope you journey along with Liz on this faith-filled adventure.

Amazon Link