Restless, bitter beyond hope, an unconscious pilgrim becomes conscious at forty that failing to find himself was the moment God awaited to give a sinner the gift of faith, transforming agonies of searching into a decision to marry, work, unfold a family life, and witness to the help of God. The Good Shepherd enables our communion with one another, so this book has grown immeasurably through the witness of others.
Paperback: $14.95 | Kindle: $9.99
Prologue: The Holy Family in the life of the Family; Scripture; and Pilgrimage
General Introduction
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Epilogue and a Final Poem: “Bruised or Well Used Words?”
Postscript: An Experience of an Evangelizing Fool for God
“Francis Etheredge, in his book The Family on Pilgrimage: God Leads Through Dead Ends explores the interesting premise that ‘just as the early life of Christ was generally hidden in the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, so the life of the Holy Family is generally hidden in the pilgrimage of the family.’ The revival of the pilgrimage for families is the passion of this book. He wants the reader to understand that pilgrimages are not merely for the saints, the sick, or those on World Youth days. To go on a pilgrimage, said Etheredge, is to pray with one’s feet on a long journey to God. As a full-time writer, Etheredge sees the vocation of writing as a pilgrimage of perseverance. This pilgrimage writing involves being a new colour in the crowd, a note on the air, putting forth new shoots on an aging stem. Is this book, said Etheredge, ‘a willful conglomeration of disparate pieces’ or a unified call to faith? At age forty, he turned from the pull of suicide to a new beginning of faith, ending in a marriage with eight children going with him on pilgrimages. I recommend this book for its poetic creativity and interesting look at family pilgrimage.” – Rev. Dr. Ed Hird, Anglican Priest, Author and Conference Speaker
“The author’s skills as a philosopher, poet, and father of 11 all converge in this timely, readable, and important book. Etheredge is a modern John Bunyan writing a new Pilgrim’s Progress for the modern family that needs encouragement in times of difficulty and fortitude when it seems to be running out of patience.” – Donald DeMarco, author of In Praise of Life and How to Flourish in a Fallen World
“Beginning with lessons from the Holy Family, Francis Etheredge’s The Family on Pilgrimage proceeds to provide a plethora of fascinating and holy insights of value to every person in every family who would seek to end their life-long pilgrimage within the gates of heaven, face-to-face with God.” — Kevin Vost, Psy.D., author of Memorize the Latin Mass!
“Life is a pilgrimage, a journey toward the Kingdom of Heaven; it is a journey toward Eden made new. Yet, along the way, this journey is often fraught with difficulties and anxieties, even with points of despair. And it is here, in the trenches of real life, that Francis Etheredge’s work comes as balm to the weary soul. Filled with stories and anecdotes and even poetry, this warm work runs the reader through the various changes and chances of life, revealing along the way their common theme: pilgrimage, specifically the family on pilgrimage. Yet, this common theme is not understood in a vacuum, but, rather, as part of a grand narrative: the historic, evangelical, concrete, tangible, touchable, universal call to faith. I encourage all, therefore, to join Etheredge on this pilgrimage ‘into the mystery of God and His Word’ as we journey together as the body of Christ from this life toward the life to come.” — Fr. Josh Genig, Associate Professor of Pastoral Studies, Holy Apostles, Cromwell, CT
“Francis Etheredge has written a truly inspirational book for so many of us who, in the prime of life, had somehow – very successfully – managed to hit a complete dead end in life. Now what? Be not afraid! This remarkable book tells the tale of an inspiring personal pilgrimage that can fill every heart with renewed hope that God will, if we let Him, lead us and turn our devastating dead ends into a joyful journey filled with God’s mercy and love. Dead ends are blessings in disguise!” – Elizabeth B. Rex, Ph.D., MBA, President, The Children First Foundation
Christine Sunderland, “Drawn through Time to Eternity,” in Christine Sunderland.com (June 15, 2022), click here.
“Lord: Do you mean me? A father-catechist!” in The Catholic Weekly (March 10, 2022), click here.
Aaron Martin, Homiletics and Pastoral Review (October 28, 2021)
Fintan Monahan, Bishop of Killaloe Diocese, Killaloe Diocese News, Review (June 5, 2020)
Kelly Jayne Lazell. “Goodreads.” (May 19, 2020)
Knight, Eileen Quinn. “Profiles in Catholicism.” (January, 2019)
Nary, Gordon. “Profiles in Catholicism.” (November, 2017)
Etheredge, Francis. “The Holy Land: A Resounding of Place and Person” This version was first published in a trilogy From Truth and truth: Volume-III: Faith is Married Reason, published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2016, pp. 223-227.
Etheredge, Francis. “Loaves and Fishes: An Experience of the World Meeting of Families” St. Bernadette’s Parish Newsletter (September 2, 2018)
Etheredge, Francis. “Being Open to New Life: Abstract Norm or Embodied Word?” Homiletics & Pastoral Review (January 23, 2018).
Mr. Francis Etheredge is married with eight children, plus three in heaven.
Francis is currently a freelance writer and speaker and his “Posts” on LinkedIn can be viewed here. Poetry; short articles; autobiographical blog; excerpts from books; and “Philosophize: A Ten Minute Write.”
For a list of all of Francis’ books published by En Route Books and Media, click here.
See Francis’ other books, too, entitled Scripture: A Unique Word, From Truth and truth: Volume I-Faithful Reason, From Truth and truth: Volume II: Faith and Reason in Dialogue, From Truth and truth: Volume III: Faith is Married Reason.
He has earned a BA Div (Hons), MA in Catholic Theology, PGC in Biblical Studies, PGC in Higher Education, and an MA in Marriage and Family (Distinction).
Enjoy these additional articles by Francis Etheredge:
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
Great news! To Whom The Heart Decided To Love won 2nd place as a Backlist Beauty in the 2021 Catholic Media Awards!
So Shine is the debut album by brothersister
10 new original Catholic Christian songs
Music & Lyrics by Fr. Lawrence Edward Tucker, SOLT
Probably the Best Testimonial we can provide for the value of this book has come from Pope Francis’s recent statement that the Catholic Church needs its entrepreneurs. This is what the book is about, for “[w]hat is lacking [in the Catholic world] is a free and far-sighted entrepreneurship, which ensures adequate production, and a solidarity approach, which ensures fair distribution.” For more on this, see Courtney Grogan’s November 7, 2018, article entitled “Pope says entrepreneurship needed in face of ‘scandalous poverty’” in Crux Magazine.
To Whom The Heart Decided To Love is a beautifully written story about someone who knows the price of everything, and can afford it all, but knows the value of nothing. Searching questions and surprising answers grip you at every turn of the page about wealth, corruption and the simple redeeming power of love. I read it on Easter Sunday with the Atlantic wind lashing the British Cornish Coast, far away from the usual hustle and bustle of life in London. Although I was thousands of miles from Manhattan or Mexico I was instantly and utterly transported. I couldn’t put the book down. When I finished the very last page and could finally put the book down, it made me question profoundly what is valued in our contemporary world, and made me value beyond question the richness of redemptive love which cannot be bought. – Annie Monaghan, Senior Policy Advisor (Retired), Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, London, UK
What happens when someone decides to ‘speak truth to power’ and the power that is being spoken to is Oneself? Find out through the journeying of Benjamin Lake! To Whom the Heart Decided to Love, by L.E.Tucker, is a journeying of the heart, an interior journey, that comes about through a journey from Manhattan to Mexico. Like most such journeys, it is filled with preconceived prejudices smashed, and both humorous and tense moments. Through the weaving of believable characters who challenge the beliefs of our narrator, Benjamin, a story unfolds of not just one person’s journey but our own as well… the journey we all need to undertake that leads from illusion and denial to a more true and abundant life. Tucker’s main character will not only force you to think about yourself but will have you thinking about and loving others. – Msgr. Richard M. Figliozzi, former director of the Office of New Evangelization, Diocese of Rockville Centre, Long Island, NY
Do you want to read a novel with a terrific plot that is also inspirational? Read To Whom the Heart Decided to Love by Larry Tucker. Interwoven in the fast-moving story of a billionaire whose whole life changes while in Mexico is a wonderful conversion and also a fresh look at social justice issues. The novel can be a tool for insight into overcoming some of the polarities in our world and in the Church. – Ronda Chervin, Catholic Writer, Professor, and Media Presenter
“Do not be too quick to condemn the man who no longer believes in God, for it is perhaps your own coldness and avarice, your mediocrity and materialism, and your sensuality and selfishness that have killed his faith.” (Thomas Merton: New Seeds of Contemplation, page 177) Do we even realize how often our words and actions impact the world around us? Do we care? To Whom The Heart Decided To Love challenges us to confront and critically analyze our own meaning of life. The author, in his powerful description of people and places within a splendid yet subtle philosophical and religious context, invites us to not only accompany the antihero/hero, Benjamin Lake, through his struggles from the valley of materialism to the mountain top of spirituality… but to compare our lives to his. This book can be read on many levels: an enjoyable piece of fiction which can’t be put down; an intriguing suggestion for a book club; or a companion piece for a retreat. Like Merton and others who have questioned the meaning of life, Tucker’s modern day“Everyman” eventually confronts his own weaknesses in his shallow life and through his generous philanthropy weaves love for his fellow man and love for God into a seamless garment of compassion and thus finds peace and joy. Can we accept Tucker’s challenge and transform our self into the better person? – Marynita Anderson, Ph.D. Professor of History, Nassau Community College/SUNY; Executive Vice President of The O’Keefe Foundation, Friends of Kasule (a philanthropy for the improvement of water supply, sanitation and education for the people of Fort Portal, Uganda)
Fr. Tucker was born on May 26th, 1955, in Manhattan, New York City. He is a bilingual missionary priest in The Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity and has served in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, England, Texas, and New York.
Fr. Tucker holds an A.A. in Liberal Arts from Nassau Community College, Garden City, NY; a B.A. in Human Relations from St. Joseph’s College, Patchogue, NY; and a Master of Divinity, as well as an M.A. in Theology, From Holy Apostles College and Seminary, Cromwell, CT.
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
Get your copy for free! Just pay shipping by clicking on the PayPal button below.
For orders of 10 or more, contact the publisher at contactus@enroutebooksandmedia.com for a 50% discount and free shipping.
An enjoyable and insightful read through the mind of a contemporary philosopher learning to embrace the fullness of her faith over the course of life’s trials. – Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, co-author with Dr. Ronda Chervin of Catholic Realism.
Ronda Chervin has a Ph.D. in philosophy from Fordham University and an M.A. in Religious Studies from Notre Dame Apostolic Institute. She is a convert to the Catholic faith from a Jewish but atheistic background. She has been a professor at Loyola Marymount University, St. John’s Seminary of the Los Angeles Archdiocese, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Our Lady of Corpus Christi, and presently teaches at Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Connecticut. More than fifty books of hers have been published by Catholic presses in the area of philosophy and spirituality. Dr. Ronda presents on EWTN and Catholic radio. Her many books include Quotable Saints, Seeking Christ in the Crosses & Joys of Aging, Catholic Realism and Voyage to Insight.
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
Get it now for free! Just pay shipping by clicking on the button below.
For orders of 10 or more, contact the publisher at contactus@enroutebooksandmedia.com for a 50% discount and free shipping.
What an excellent collection of vignettes into the lives of twenty women whose stories happen, like a quiltwork, come together in an inspiring whole. – Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, co-author with Dr. Ronda Chervin of Catholic Realism.
Ronda Chervin has a Ph.D. in philosophy from Fordham University and an M.A. in Religious Studies from Notre Dame Apostolic Institute. She is a convert to the Catholic faith from a Jewish but atheistic background. She has been a professor at Loyola Marymount University, St. John’s Seminary of the Los Angeles Archdiocese, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Our Lady of Corpus Christi, and presently teaches at Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Connecticut. More than fifty books of hers have been published by Catholic presses in the area of philosophy and spirituality. Dr. Ronda presents on EWTN and Catholic radio. Her many books include Becoming a Handmaid of the Lord, Seeking Christ in the Crosses & Joys of Aging, Catholic Realism and Voyage to Insight.
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
For orders of 10 or more, contact the publisher at contactus@enroutebooksandmedia.com for a 50% discount and free shipping.
An inspiring look forward from the perspective of age 60 and the new sources of joy such an age might bring. – Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, co-author with Dr. Ronda Chervin of Catholic Realism.
Ronda Chervin has a Ph.D. in philosophy from Fordham University and an M.A. in Religious Studies from Notre Dame Apostolic Institute. She is a convert to the Catholic faith from a Jewish but atheistic background. She has been a professor at Loyola Marymount University, St. John’s Seminary of the Los Angeles Archdiocese, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Our Lady of Corpus Christi, and presently teaches at Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Connecticut. More than fifty books of hers have been published by Catholic presses in the area of philosophy and spirituality. Dr. Ronda presents on EWTN and Catholic radio. Her many books include Quotable Saints, Becoming a Handmaid of the Lord, Catholic Realism and Voyage to Insight.The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.