Holy Land Chronicle: A Journal of the ‘Fifth Gospel’ by Fr. Jeffrey “Skip” Thompson, MSA

REVIEWS

Fr. Thompson has developed an excellent photo-documentary that will serve as a helpful guide for anyone traveling on tour to the Holy Lands or remaining at home and living vicariously through the camera lens of one who has done so already. From the walls of Jericho to the tomb of Christ, Fr. Thompson’s eye captures it all, providing a rich narrative of explanation along the way. – Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, co-author with Dr. Ronda Chervin of Catholic Realism.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fr. Jeffrey “Skip” Thompson, MSA, is the Dean of Seminarians at Holy Apostles College & Seminary.

OTHER CATHOLIC MEMOIRS

The Story of Holy Apostles College and Seminary

by Dr. Cynthia Toolin-Wilson and Prof. Robert Hubbard

TESTIMONIALS

“I want to thank and to congratulate both Dr. Cynthia Toolin-Wilson and her co-author Robert Hubbard for this interesting publication. Most of all, I am thankful for their dedication and love of Holy Apostles College and Seminary. Beyond doubt, our fine and worthy academic and spiritual institution is more of a ‘family’ than most higher learning institutions. Our founder, Father Eusebe Menard, O.F.M., had a dream and a charism from the Holy Spirit, which is alive and vibrant since from before the Vatican Council II and into this millennium: ‘to promote, form and accompany youth and adults in their vocation to the priesthood and to other ministries in the Church.’ Certainly, Holy Apostles is a ‘hidden treasure’ in the Connecticut valley and has brought literally thousands of students and visitors, international and local, to discover the lovely and historical city of Cromwell. May the Lord continue to bless this vital apostolate with new dimensions and horizons of becoming ‘missionary disciples’.” — Very Rev. Edward J. Przygocki, M.S.A., Chancellor of Holy Apostles College and Seminary

“I find this book to be a captivating journey across the first sixty years of our history.” – Fr. Peter Kucer, MSA, STD, a 2001 graduate of Holy Apostles College and Seminary and currently President-Rector

“Holy Apostles College and Seminary is a miracle of the Divine Providence in its foundation as well as in its continued existence. This story by Dr. Cynthia Toolin-Wilson and Prof. Bob Hubbard accurately captures that miracle. I thank the Divine Lord with all my heart for giving me the grace to work there to the formation of priests, religious and committed lay people since 1998. Long life to HACS!” – Fr. Michel Legault, MSA, Professor of Philosophy, Holy Apostles College & Seminary

“Cheers for the beautiful history of Holy Apostles! What a tour de force! The delightful photographic illustrations make the meticulous research come alive. Bravo!”  – Dr. Ronda Chervin, Professor Emerita of Philosophy (retired), Holy Apostles College & Seminary

“Holy Apostles College and Seminary is a place where contemplation meets action and visa versa. This book captures the kind of joy within our community that makes possible that kind of creative engagement.” – Angelyn Arden, Ph.D., Professor of Humanities, Holy Apostles College & Seminary

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Cynthia Toolin-Wilson is a Professor of Dogmatic and Moral Theology at Holy Apostles College and Seminary. She holds a doctorate in sociology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and a licentiate in theology from Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. She teaches graduate courses on campus and through online learning. She is a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She divides her time between Connecticut and Vermont.

Robert Hubbard, a retired professor at Albertus Magnus College, is the author of seven books including The Last Survivors, Legendary Locals of Middletown, and Connecticut’s Deadliest Tornadoes. He is also the webmaster of biographical websites on St. Thomas More, and entertainers Nana Mouskouri and Phil Silvers. A lifelong Catholic, he was impressed by Holy Apostles College and Seminary’s goal of “forming moral and ethical leaders who know and love God,” and asked Cynthia Toolin-Wilson to collaborate on a book that would tell the Holy Apostles story.

OTHER CATHOLIC MEMOIRS

The Family on Pilgrimage: God Leads Through Dead Ends

by Francis Etheredge

CONTENTS

Prologue: The Holy Family in the life of the Family; Scripture; and Pilgrimage

• Alberto Guiterrez: An Experience of Evangelization

General Introduction

• Part I: An Unexpected Beginning; Part II: A Comment on the Structure as a Whole; Part III: A General Introduction to Each Chapter (III)
• Corinna Turner: A Pilgrimage to Walsingham and its Relationship to a New Religious Congregation and to Providence

Chapter One 

• An Unconscious Pilgrim Becomes Conscious: A Prose account of the Beads of Pilgrimage (Part I); The Family on Pilgrimage (Part II); and the Life-Cycle Poems (Part III: I-V)
• Alan Soares: Pilgrimage and a Dialogue with God Leading to the Vocation to Marriage
• Clare Hill: Pilgrimage throughout 81 Years of Life and The Teams of Our Lady

Chapter Two

• In Pilgrimage to the Coming of the Word: Part I: Three Poems: Our Mother of the Incarnation; Bread of Love, Wine of Glory; and Christmas; Part II: A Prose Account of the Enlightening Work of the Word of God; and Part III: The Gifts of Pilgrimage
• Dominic Quirke: An Experience of Pilgrimage and a Relationship to God Leading to a Vocation to the Priesthood

Chapter Three 

• The World Youth Day Pilgrimage to Cracow: Fundraising and Obstacles (I); General Impressions and a Particular Conversation in Europe (II); and the Gift of a Catechesis on Edith Stein in a Polish Carmelite Convent (III)
• Grace, Teresa and Peter Etheredge: World Youth Day Pilgrimage Experiences (Cracow, 2016)

Chapter Four

• Part I: A Pilgrimage to the Truth that Heals: On Coming to the Sacrament of Marriage; Part II: On the Woman Caught in Adultery and the Love Expressed in Christ the Word; Part III: “Be Open to Life”: “Abstract Norm” or “Embodied Word”?
• Alan Soares: Evangelization and the Help to the Family

Chapter Five

• Writing as a Pilgrimage of Work: Part I: “My Words Bled” and “A Day in the Life of a Student”; “Meals”; Part II: Success is Steering through the Setbacks; Part III: Writing a Way Forward
• Corinna Turner: An Experience of Pilgrimage and Thoughts on Martyrdom

Epilogue and a Final Poem: “Bruised or Well Used Words?”

Postscript: An Experience of an Evangelizing Fool for God

TESTIMONIALS

“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

REVIEWS

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)

INTERVIEW

Nary, Gordon. “Profiles in Catholicism.” (November, 2017)

ARTICLES

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).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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:

• Witness “begets” Witnesses
• Love is a Liturgical Act
• The Holy Family, Celibacy, and Marriage: A Reflection on the “Passage” from the Jewish Rite of Marriage to the Sacrament of Marriage
• “Do-it-Yourself” or Vocation: Coincidence or Providence

OTHER POPULAR SPIRITUALITY BOOKS

Becoming a Handmaid of the Lord

BOOK CLUBS

For orders of 10 or more, contact the publisher at contactus@enroutebooksandmedia.com for a 50% discount and free shipping.

TESTIMONIALS

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.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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.

OTHER POPULAR SPIRITUALITY BOOKS

The Fabric of Our Lives

Assembled and Edited by Dr. Ronda Chervin

BOOK CLUBS

For orders of 10 or more, contact the publisher at contactus@enroutebooksandmedia.com for a 50% discount and free shipping.

TESTIMONIALS

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.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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.

OTHER POPULAR SPIRITUALITY BOOKS

Adventures in the Father’s Joy: Mission Stories for The New Evangelization

by Fr. Lawrence Tucker, SOLT

Banish me, banish me!
Unto some realm remote…
Where life doth brew slowly,
And truth hath full sway.

Banish me, banish me!
To solitude send me …
Where dark bringeth brightness,
And night turneth day.

Banish me, banish me!
The holy place unknown…
Where breath runneth freely,
And rest cometh soundly.
Where seraphs there will be,
And good light to bound me!

— Fr. Lawrence Edward Tucker, SOLT

TESTIMONIALS

If you’re like me, you know how a good missionary brings to life the heart, mind, and soul of the Gospel. Well… we have such a good missionary in Father Larry Tucker. From his daily experiences as a missionary, he has woven stories that help us experience the Greatest Story ever told… the life and love of Jesus Christ for his people! Allow Father Tucker to take you along with him to encounter Jesus and his Church. – Msgr. Richard M. Figliozzi, Office of New Evangelization (former Director), Diocese of Rockville Centre, NY.

I love these inspiring mission adventure stories! They fill me with a great desire to serve and to participate in The New Evangelization. In an age saddened by materialism and indifference, college and university students will find hope in these stories because they show that, contrary to popular opinion, there is more joy in giving than in receiving!” – Michaela Henry, 21, Student- Molloy College, Long Island, NY

It is one thing to read, hear, and speak God’s Word. It is quite another to have a missionary such as Father Larry live Christ’s Word every moment of every day… a missionary that inspires and motivates us to weave the Spirit into our lives and let the Father’s joy flourish so abundantly that we want to share it with everyone! – Ruben R. Gonzalez, Knight of The Equestrian Order of The Holy Sepulchre, Yale University Alumnus, and General Partner- Trium, Ltd.

Father Larry Tucker’s accounts of his missionary journeys are not only very descriptive and inspiring… they are also hilarious at times! I shared one of his experiences described in the book; the discovery of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Robstown, TX. Reading his account of that event brought back many happy memories! You will be entertained by these adventurous stories… and motivated by them to enter into the joy of The New Evangelization! – Fr. Robert Shaldone, SOLT: National Spiritual Director of The Lay Missionaries of Charity (St. Mother Teresa’s congregation).

Maryellen and I are enjoying your Adventures in the Father’s Joy! Heart opening and hilarious! Very well written! Maryellen’s sister is going to recommend it to her Book Club. – personal email to Fr. Larry from William Lynch, Levittown, NY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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.

OTHER CATHOLIC MEMOIRS