ABOUT THE AUTHOR

As a teacher, catechist, and spiritual director, Sr. Mary Catherine Blanding, IHM, of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Wichita, has a gift for bringing the thought of the Church’s newest Doctor into everyday life. For more than fifteen years, she has introduced St. John Henry Newman to participants in her discussion group, Lovers of Newman, fostering a heart-to-heart encounter with his writings and spirituality.
Formed in philosophy and catechetics, Sr. Mary Catherine is a longtime student of Newman whose graduate work focused on his teaching on faith. She holds a master’s degree in Catechetical Theology from the Angelicum and a second master’s degree in Philosophy from The Catholic University of America.
She co-authored the first-edition teacher manuals for the Faith and Life Series (three volumes) and Image of God (two volumes). Her work has appeared in Homiletic and Pastoral Review, Catholic Exchange, and Soul Magazine, and forthcoming work will appear in Religious Life.
Through her writing, teaching, spiritual direction, retreat ministry, and parish formation work, she seeks to inspire Catholics and those drawn to the faith through the spiritual riches of St. John Henry Newman.