Stepping Up!: How Christ Turned My Pain & Suffering into Hope & Joy

by Caitie Crowley

WHERE IS GOD IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING?

Caitie Crowley was in a traumatic car accident on her way home from work and almost lost her life. She couldn’t walk for 10 months. She took that time to write about her experiences and how her faith in God carried her through her pain. This book takes the reader through Caitie’s physical struggle of learning to walk again and her interior struggle of learning to walk with God through the cross. Through Him, you can find hope when it appears hopeless.

Paperback: $14.99 | Kindle $9.99

CAITIE IN THE NEWS

Crowley, Caitie. “How a Catholic Millennial learned the value of redemptive suffering.” Catholicmom.com (April 19, 2022)

Ward, Nancy. Stepping up! Joy Alive in Our Hearts (March 17, 2022)

Crowley, Caitie. “STEPPING UP: How A Catholic Millennial Learned the Value of Redemptive Suffering” Catholic Books Blog (March 9, 2022)

Wiegand, Christina. “Review of Stepping Up!“ (February 24, 2022)

Laurie Schmitt, “Interview with Caitie Crowley” (February 17, 2022)

Crowley, Caitie. “STEPPING UP: How A Catholic Millennial Learned the Value of Redemptive Suffering” The Catholic Stand (February 9, 2022)

Crowley, Caitie. “How A Catholic Millennial Learned the Value of Redemptive Suffering” Spiritual Woman (February 8, 2022)

Soriano, Jocelyn. “Stepping Up!: How A Catholic Millennial Learned the Value of Redemptive Suffering” ITakeOffTheMask.Com (February 7, 2022)

Lindsay Weishar, “Engaging with Suffering: An Interview with Caitie Crowley” Young Catholic Woman (November 18, 2021)

Human Defense Initiative – Stepping Up: A Pro-life Story

How a Millennial Car Crash Survivor Turned Her Suffering Over to God – The Crash Support Network (Download the PDF version)

The Catholic Post ‘Stepping Up’: Caitie Crowley chronicles post-accident suffering, hope in Christ – The Catholic Post

TESTIMONIALS

“Caitie did an awesome job describing her physical and emotional pain, challenges and the experiences that most of us have never been through. Her strong foundation of faith in God was evident throughout. You don’t have to be the survivor of a horrific car accident to acquire strong takeaways from this story. God blessed Caitie and the rest of us by allowing her to share her story through this book. I urge you to get the book and share it with others when you’re done. It’s encouraging for me to see a young leader who is confident in her Christian faith and share that faith with us. Congratulations Caitie!” – Jim Ardis, Strategic Philanthropy Officer at OSF Healthcare & Former Mayor of Peoria, IL

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Caitie Crowley is a Catholic millennial. By God’s grace, she graduated Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA) with her Master of Science in Information Design and Strategy with a Content Strategy concentration from Northwestern University. She is an HR communications representative at a Fortune 100 company and has also done writing for FOCUS-SEEK21, Live Action, Human Life Action, and Human Defense Initiative. You can get in touch with Caitie on Twitter (@CaitieCrowley) or via email (caitiecrowley@gmail.com).

OTHER CATHOLIC MEMOIRS

Ennobling Encounters

by Dr. Richard Bishirjian

In this memoir, Dick Bishirjian tells of how his life has been enriched by the many noble persons he has met over the course of his professional life. That time coincides with the early years of the conservative “movement” in America. In such a world as ours, he argues, it is important to remember the great souls who ennoble us.

Paperback: $19.95 | Kindle $9.99

IN THE NEWS

Bishirjian, Richard. “Rush Limbaugh’s Favorite Political Thinker: Angelo Codevilla,” The Stream (Oct. 4, 2021). Click here to read the full article.

TESTIMONIALS

“Richard Bishirjian has been immersed in the conservative intellectual movement for decades and emerges in these pages as one of its most profound and interesting commentators. His story reminds us of the importance of remembering those thinkers who inspire us to lead better, bolder lives. He himself is one of those thinkers.” — Allen Mendenhall, Associate Dean and Grady Rosier Professor, Sorrell College of Business at Troy University

“Dick Bishirjian is one of the few individuals alive who can accurately chronicle the important rise and development of the modern conservative movement. Rising from the ashes of Barry Goldwater’s 1964 defeat, the American conservative movement galvanized a new majority of voters who elected President Ronald Reagan to two terms, as well as winning the improbable victory of President Donald J. Trump. Bishirjian’s candid and thoughtful analysis of giants like F. Clifton White, Arthur Finkelstein and Bill Buckley alone are well worth giving this important book a read. I highly recommend it to serious students of political history.” – Roger Stone, American Citizen

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Richard J. Bishirjian was Founding President and Professor of Government at Yorktown University from 2000-2016. He earned a B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh and a Ph.D. in Government and International Studies from the University of Notre Dame.

Dr. Bishirjian was Gerhart Niemeyer’s teaching assistant at Notre Dame. He was an assistant professor in the Department of Politics at the University of Dallas in Texas, chairman of the Political Science Department at the College of New Rochelle in New York and founder of Yorktown University where he served as President and Professor of government from 2000-2016.

He served as a political appointee in the Reagan Administration and in the Administration of George H. W.  Bush.

He is the editor of A Public Philosophy Reader and author of three books, The Development of Political Theory, The Conservative Rebellion and The Coming Death and Future Resurrection of American Higher Education. His most recent work, “Coda,” is a novel published by En Route Books. His most recent three scholarly studies are Ennobling Encounters, Rise and Fall of the American Empire, and Conscience and Power. Ennobling Encounters was published by En Route Books in September, 2021.

Dr. Bishirjian’s essays have been published in Forbes, The Political Science Reviewer, Modern Age, Review of Politics, Chronicles, the American Spectator and The Imaginative Conservative.

For the full story, see Dick’s website.

OTHER CATHOLIC MEMOIRS

A Heart Frozen in the Wilderness: The Reflections of a Siberian Missionary

by Mary Kloska

Click to See Mary’s Swag Shop!

Buy a pillow and email mahfood@wcatradio.com a photo of you holding it, and I’ll post your photo on this page with your message to Mary.

Interviews

The Heart of Fiat Crucified Love

TESTIMONIALS

“This writes about: The Heart of a Child, the Russian Heart, Jesus’ Patient Heart on the Cross, Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart … It is a catalyst for reflect YOUR part in the mystery of the HEART of CHRIST’S MYSTICAL BODY. Would others stay or change to be a heart frozen? Be a “star of the stormy sea” among frozen lakes, rivers, seas, even a merciless ocean. Be melting and warming as A HEART FROZEN. YOU be shine like stars in the world (see Philippians 2:15)!”- (Rev. Vincent A. Salamoni, Missionaries of the Holy Apostles (M.S.A.), author of The Mercy Ocean.- Rev. Vincent A. Salamoni, Missionaries of the Holy Apostles (M.S.A.), author of The Mercy Ocean

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Mary Kloska is from Elkhart, Indiana. She was raised in a huge Polish family (12 brothers and sisters) along with a lot of foster babies and other needy people in and out of the house. She presently has 70+ nieces and nephews.  She has lived a very unique life. Upon graduating from Notre Dame in 1999 she spent almost 20 years in the missions serving the poor (including orphanages) as well as praying as a consecrated hermit all over the world –Siberia, Nigeria, Tanzania, South Africa, Philippines, Mexico, the Holy Land and all over Europe as well. Although she spent a lot of time away in silence praying, ironically she loves children and is very fun and outgoing when it comes to serving young adults, as well as the little ones. She also spent her time in the missions giving retreats, doing simple catechesis, leading prayer groups, giving spiritual direction, helping in deliverance, changing diapers, feeding babies and cleaning floors. After spending intense time serving in a mission she would withdraw for periods of ‘retreat’ as a hermit (including three years as an official diocesan hermit with vows under a Bishop.) The last few years she has spent as a fulltime nanny to infant triplets, twins and several large families. She speaks many languages (poorly) and enjoys playing guitar, painting icons, baking, gardening, reading, writing and simply filling in where there is the greatest need in the Church. Her WCAT Radio program, “The Heart of Fiat Crucified Love,” may be found here.

OTHER CATHOLIC MEMOIRS

Survivor: A Memoir of Forgiveness

by Cynthia Toolin-Wilson

In this book, Cynthia Toolin-Wilson tells the story of how her mother’s attempt to chemically abort her impacted her life. She recounts her relationship with her parents until their deaths, and the beginning of her forgiveness of them, and of herself, when she converted to Catholicism. She reflects on how forgiveness freed her from the bondage of resentment, anger, and hatred, while not minimizing memories. It allowed her to see the people who hurt her as damaged and enabled her to be empathetic towards them rather than seek revenge.

Paperback: $14.95 | Kindle $9.99

TESTIMONIALS

“Cynthia Toolin-Wilson’s book Survivor, about her survival of abortion, is one of the most terrific memoirs I have ever read. At the same time, it is a tear-jerker and a factual chronicle. Here is a book to give any woman contemplating having an abortion, as well as an incentive for victims of abortion who have survived to find healing through forgiveness. Truly, any person struggling with forgiveness of parents will be inspired to open themselves to God’s healing.” – Dr. Ronda Chervin, Emerita Professor of Philosophy, author and media presenter

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cynthia Toolin-Wilson is a life-long New Englander. Born and bred in Rhode Island, she frequently returns to Bristol to enjoy fried seafood and Del’s frozen lemonade near the Bay. Having served for 28 years as Professor of Dogmatic Theology at Holy Apostles College & Seminary in Cromwell, CT, she now lives in Springfield, Vermont, and serves as Academic Dean of Theology at Pontifex University in Atlanta, GA.

Cynthia earned an M.F.A. in Writing (Creative Nonfiction: Memoir) from Albertus Magnus College in 2015. Her more than 60 nonfiction journal publications and conference presentations include several memoir pieces. Her book, The Story of Holy Apostles College and Seminary, co-authored with Prof. Robert Hubbard of Albertus Magnus College, was published in 2019.

OTHER CATHOLIC MEMOIRS

REVIEWS AND ARTICLES

Dermody, Tom. The Catholic Post. Peoria, Illinois. “Former Diocesan Communications Director Steve Mamanella Pens Book” (February 25, 2021)

Testimonials

“Beautifully remembered and soulfully recounted.” Mark Williams, Director of Ministry Formation, Ascension Florida

“God is always accompanying us on our journey toward him and allowing us to intersect with other people in seemingly simple but often profound ways. Those who read this book will find it both enjoyable and refreshingly insightful about their own journey to the Lord.” Monsignor Steven Rohlfs, S.T.D., Spiritual Director, Saint Paul Seminary

“I enjoyed Steve Mamanella’s very personal journey of discovery and renewal, and am thankful for the confirmation it provided that there are no coincidences. Every experience, as Steve came to know, is divine preparation that puts us directly on the path to serving our unique purpose. What a wonderful lesson to learn, indeed.” Charles K. Poole, author of the I Am My Own Cause book series

“Readable, relatable, and relevant…. Right now in particular, it serves us well to be attuned to God’s movement in our lives.” Kristi Ruggles, Writer, Editor, Communications Strategist

“We will have no idea of all the providential guidance taking place throughout our lives until we are with our Savior, but longtime communications professional Steve Mamanella is wisely starting to connect the dots in this account of his life. In the process, he takes us behind the scenes of some of the significant events and issues for the U.S. Catholic Church in the past few decades and behind the generational scenes of the formation of a family centered around Christ. This is a must-read for those of us needing assurance that our lives count, both in the eyes of our loved ones and our God.” Michael Miller, author of Sharing the Burden: The Samaritan Ministries Story and former religion editor of the Peoria Journal Star

“Providential is a compelling account of a day-by-day life lived as an instrument of worship of the Father, and experienced as guided by the Father. For believers, our hearts seek to lift up our Creator, and to do so in our daily living, where the meaningful stuff happens — at work and at home, in our thoughts and beliefs, and in the choices we make. Providential informs readers how we too can express our day-to-day moments — love, challenges, wins, births, deaths, vocation — to bring honor to Jesus and to widen His Kingdom.” Christopher Palombo, Career Nonprofit Health Care Executive

“[A] beautiful testament to how a life can take unexpected twists and turns, and yet always be on the right trajectory towards a greater connection with the Lord and His Providence.” Abbot Gregory Mohrman, O.S.B., Saint Louis Abbey

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Prior to serving as a trusted communicator in the fields of Catholic health care and education, Steve Mamanella led the communications departments of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the Diocese of Peoria. He now owns Owl Creek Communications (OwlCreekCommunications.com), a freelance strategic communications consultancy. A graduate of Bradley University, Steve is married and the father of two sons.

OTHER MEMOIRS

瀏覽所有東尼的書+免費項目，點此進入

Tony’s 50,000 Co-Incidence Miracles (Traditional Chinese) 東尼的50,000個 巧合神蹟

遠古時代是個大信德的年代，人神和諧。那時候，人人會天天分享生活所見奇蹟，並樂此不疲。

遺憾的是，當前的文明讓人對天主的存在感到麻木，人神遠離。人對天主所賜的奇蹟卻一無所知。

可惜的是，人們對奇蹟視若無睹。他們把奇蹟當作純屬意外的巧合，只是讓他們感到驚訝、瘋狂、震驚、怪異、有趣、極酷…

若我們願意與天主成為好友，奇蹟就會自動出現在我們日常生活裡（天主所在之處，奇蹟必相隨）。

聖經裡的人物，憑藉著奇蹟，使他們信從天主。如果一個人從未經歷奇蹟，他要如何信從天主？若望福音14章11節裡，耶穌提到：「你們至少該因那些事業（奇蹟）而相信。」

摘要，綜述和證據：東尼在24歲的時候，遇到了足以改變其人生的奇蹟。在過去50年以來，他平均每天經歷了3個奇蹟，換算下來已見證了至少50,000個奇蹟。受到耶穌的鼓舞，東尼寫了這本名為「東尼的50,000個巧合神蹟」的書。之後您會進一步了解到，就連這本書的名字都是耶穌所預選的。

本書使命：在過去50年當中，耶穌親自教導東尼許多的事。如今主賦予東尼一項重要任務，那就是運用他過去所學，去幫助更多的人了解到生命中唯有一件事乃至關重要。在路加（Luke）福音10章42節，耶穌告訴我們說：「…其實需要的惟有一件。瑪利亞選擇了更好的一分，是不能從她奪去的。」簡易而言，這唯一重要的事情是：日常生活中，天天與主耶穌密談，並按耶穌的啟示去行動。東尼把這稱為「先詢問，再行動」的原則。換言之，遇到問題時，人應保有隨時向天主請示的習慣，並且以小心謹慎、誠懇與坦然的心，按照天主的吩咐來行動。

只要您肯閱讀這本書，在45分鐘以內，就會相信您自己亦能夠每一天、隨時隨地與主交談。如果您不知道該怎麼做，只要閱讀本書的前半部（尤其是前兩章），即在開始閱讀的45分鐘以內，您就能掌握與主交談的步驟。您會發現到原來要和天主交談一點也不費力。有別於其他本書，本書所提供的方式相當簡易、並不複雜，也不會有其他的花費向您索取。

奇蹟之所以出現，乃是因為我們去按天主所吩咐的來行事。奇蹟是用來幫助我們確認，我們現在所言所行是否承行天主的旨意。請參閱馬爾谷（Mark）福音16章20節：他們出去，到處宣講，主與他們合作，並以奇蹟相隨，證實所傳的道理。阿們。

來自於梅杜高濟（Medjugorje）朝聖地的證實：（詳情請見書裡的附錄H）在2017年的8月2日，也就是我在2017年7月31日將這本書的完稿交給出版商的兩天以後，我看到了來自於前南斯拉夫的梅杜高濟（Međugorje）朝聖地的訊息，此訊息乃來自於聖母瑪麗亞的親口陳述。東尼把這則訊息轉貼在下方，並以底線註記，因為這則訊息乃證實了他被天主授予完成這本名為「東尼的50,000個巧合神蹟」一書的使命。為了幫助讀者瞭解，耶穌並要求東尼將原書所載的訊息另加幾個文字，請見以下括號裡的內容。

————————————————————————————

今天，2017年8月2日，我們的母親顯現給蜜欣娜．積偉（Mirjana Soldo），並且傳遞了以下的訊息：「親愛的孩子們，按天父的旨意，因為我是那位愛著你們的天主聖子的母親，我的臨在是為幫助你們去認識和跟隨我的聖子。我的聖子留下他的足蹟（奇蹟），讓你們更容易去跟隨他。所以你們不要害怕，不要懐疑。我和你們在一起。不要因為有人不祈禱、不懂得去愛、不認識我的聖子，而懼怕去為他們增加祈禱和克己。以兄弟之情去看待他們，可以幫助到他們的。

我摯愛的使徒！請認真聽出我在你們心底的說話，並體驗出我對你們的母愛。因此，你們要祈禱、並因主之名、以行動作為祈禱、以付出作為祈禱、以愛的行動作為祈禱、以工作作為祈禱、以思想作為祈禱。愛得越多、收成亦越多！由愛而產生出的愛，將會照亮世界。救恩便是愛、永無止境的愛。當我的聖子再次來到這世界時，祂便要在你們心中找到愛。孩子們，能找到的，都是我的聖子對你們的愛（所給你們的奇蹟）。我敎導你們去看出、去認出這份愛（奇蹟）；同時以愛還愛去答謝我聖子的愛（奇蹟），並不斷去寛恕近人。因為去愛我的聖子等同去寛恕得罪我們的人。若你們不能去寬恕近人，不能盡力去了解近人，且去判斷近人，便不能說是愛了我的聖子。孩子們，若你們不去愛，不去寬恕，祈禱為你們有什麼益處呢？謝謝你們。」

也請參考本書第168-169頁（第9章）裡的後記，那裡描述有關於耶穌針對本書所作的證實。該章的部分段落如下：

在東尼剛完成本書的時候，耶穌啟示他去取另外兩本名著來讀一讀。於是他抓了這兩本書，坐下來，隨機翻到某一頁，並留心注意天主要傳遞給他什麼特殊訊息。東尼寫道：

「我翻起一本名為《師主篇》（The Imitation of Christ，又譯遵主聖範、效法基督等）的書，是在1391年、也就是哥倫布發現美洲新大陸的100年前所出版的。我隨機翻到了書中第三部分（第一章），看到由一位作家、同時是位先知的托馬斯．肯皮斯所說的話（Thomas a’Kempis）：

「聽天主的密談，受天主神慰的靈魂是有福的。能領受天主默啟的密語，而不留意世俗言語的耳朵，真是有福的。」（東尼註：此與前述所提到的路加福音10章42節不謀而合，也就是東尼所說的「先詢問，再行動」原則）

接著，耶穌又慫恿我去找一本名叫《祂與我》He and I, Volume I）的書。我隨機翻開，看到某一頁裡有兩段有關於1948年的1月3日耶穌向一位名叫加俾厄爾・波西士（Gabrielle Bossis）的法國女士所說的話（而耶穌現在要把同樣的話轉達給我）：

「你瞧，我最痛苦的是我的愛被冷漠、忽視與延滯對待。許多人覺得我已死去。但我親愛的孩子，我是活生生的，而且我就在他們周圍、活在他們內、等待他們與我交談。我在等待他們的心歸向我。

我就只要求這麼多而已，任何一點良善都能使我愉悅。我唯一的請求就是被邀請進盛宴裡，並被妥善對待。」（東尼註：請注意，這裡耶穌特別提到，耶穌是活生生的主，生活在我們內，不斷地等著我們與他交談）。

是的，您或許已注意到，這本書的宗旨與目的正是希望人們能如前兩段耶穌所說的話去做。以上是整本書裡最後一個分享給讀者們的巧合奇蹟（附錄E裡會提到其他的）。

幾個在附錄E裡出現的例子： 附錄E的內容乃是耶穌要求東尼加入書裡的部分。換句話說，主耶穌經常以各種奇蹟向東尼證明是祂在寫這本書。每出現這種情況，耶穌就會鼓勵東尼在附錄E裡多加幾句話，把剛才發生的奇蹟寫進去，以幫助每位讀者清楚知道本書的真正作者是誰 ── 那就是主耶穌自己（參考馬爾谷福音16章20節）。本書能幫助讀者們聽到上主在他們靈魂內所發出的聲音（只要花不到45分鐘的時間讀本書即可）。好使我們知道，你我每個人都能夠以言語或寫作來為主作見證。以下列出幾個在附錄E裡提到的例子：

附錄E、天主對於本書出版的肯定與證實：

1. 2017年5月15日，東尼整日忙於本書的撰寫，耶穌要東尼開啟電視，並注意某些訊息。東尼打開電視後，看到紐約市的多蘭紅衣主教（Cardinal Dolan）出現在EWTN-TV的節目，訪談中他恰好提到：「每一個看似巧合的事件其實都是天主的作為 ── 『奇蹟』。」因為發生了如此美妙的巧合，讓東尼整晚的心雀躍不已。
2. 類似的事情在另一個晚上發生了，詳情如下：在2017年5月20日的凌晨1點，EWTN-TV播放著斯彼徹神父（Father Spitzer）談論有關於宇宙萬物的節目。他所談到的一段話正與當時候的我正在書寫的內容不謀而合：「當我們從生命當中很微小的、甚至是極其渺小的事情中經驗到天主的干預以及祂所彰顯的奇蹟，這有助於增長我們的信德以及對天主的信賴。我們也逐漸學會如何更快速且積極地以愛回應天主。因為我們也意識到，即便是生活中極其渺小與瑣碎的事，天主不但參與其中，並且願意考量我們的需要而施展奇蹟（對某些不太認識天主的人而言，這好像只是個巧合而已）。
3. 我在編寫本書的時候，經常會從正在聆聽的電視或廣播節目裡，聽到節目那一頭有人剛好一字不漏的說出了我在書裡正準備要使用或要取代的字句。類似的情況在平均一週內，至少發生了15次以上（而且是在同一秒的時間以內，與我打字的時間完全同步）。
4. 如果您在書裡有看到這則奇蹟故事（參考第4章），您會發現，東尼在寫完這則故事的同一天，耶穌讓他與該故事裡的主角、即一位公司客戶不期而遇（就在寫完這本書的半小時之後）。這個奇蹟非常的重要，因為該客戶糾正我剛才在故事裡寫錯的地方，告訴我說「她當時需要檢查70個箱子」（“seventy” boxes），而非我原先以為的「17個箱子」（“seventeen” boxes）。通常我平均每三個月才會碰到這位客戶一次。所以這樣的巧遇，的確是天主所給的奇蹟。因為是祂叫我出去散步，並且安排我巧遇這個人，好使我糾正書裡的錯誤（把70誤寫成17）。如此可見，是耶穌本人在寫這本書，而我唯一的任務是把祂的話鍵入書裡。
5. 可以請您去參考第五章有關於「我很棒的妻子，朱莉（結婚53年後去世）」的奇蹟故事，從中您也會發現另一個我在寫這本書的過程中所遇到的巧合。過程如下：我在書裡提到，我的太太是在某天凌晨4:44分安息主懷的，當天正好是「耶穌顯聖容」（The Transfiguration of Jesus）的瞻禮。就在我寫完這句話的一分鐘之後，耶穌啟發我去打開某一本舊雜誌並要我閱讀。我按照耶穌的引導，隨意翻到了雜誌裡的某一頁。該頁的文章介紹一位婦女，恰好也在某一日的4:44AM安息主懷。書裡提到更多與這兩個人過世所發生的巧合。如您所見：是耶穌本人在寫這本書，我只是負責打字。
6. 某一天在東尼把書送去給出版商之後，耶穌要他觀賞一部前幾天預錄的電影。耶穌透過這部電影要讓東尼知道，連書名「東尼的50,000個巧合神蹟」都是天主為這本書親自安排的。該部電影名為「拚出新世界」（Akeelah and the Bee）。耶穌要求東尼把這件奇蹟的來龍去脈寫進附錄E裡，好使讀者知道是耶穌親自在寫這本書，而東尼僅負責打字而已。
7. 以上僅簡短列舉幾例，書裡記載更多驚奇的巧合神蹟故事，供您慢慢品味、欣賞。希望能幫助您感受到，耶穌的確在您心中呼喚您來閱讀這本書（一本主基督親自寫的書），而東尼只是很榮幸的受主之邀，協助本書的打字工程並出版印刷。以基督之名，希望這本書能對您有所益處，並認識天主的驚奇。

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