The Catholic Writers Conference Online is Coming Soon

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

CWCOiconIt’s almost here! CWCO – the biennial online conference for writers – is set for March 4-6. 2016.  This faith-focused authors conference offers presentations covering all aspects of writing from finding your calling as a writer to publishing and marketing your books.  There will also be online pitch sessions with noted Catholic publishers and secular publishers.

Attendees must register by Feb 27 at on the CWCO website or this direct link. However, if we get 200 attendees, we will close registration early. Don’t delay!

This year, the conference will be held using webinar software, making the experience more personal and immediate.

“We’ve had people asking for webinar formats in the past, but this is the first year we felt comfortable with the technology and the ability of our attendees to stream live presentations,” said organizer Karina Fabian. Fabian said the workshops offer terrific opportunities to ask in-depth questions and get feedback from knowledgeable instructors.

This year’s sessions include an emphasis on the faith aspects of writing no matter what the genre. Speakers like Gary Zimak, author of Faith, Hope and Clarity; Joe Wetterling, President of the Catholic Writer’s Guild, horror author Jonathan Ryan and others will speak on writing as a calling, a literary revolution, and an evangelization. In addition, there are practical workshops including legal issues, techniques for characterization and plotting, how to journal, and time management.

Pitch sessions give authors with finished books a chance to personally interest a publisher.  Pitch sessions include well known Catholic publishers like Servant Books and Ligouri, smaller presses like Liberty Island and Dragon Moon Press, and ebook publishers like eTreasures. (Find the still-growing list here.)

“Every year, we hear back from an author who finished a book, started a project, or got a publishing contract thanks to the Catholic Writers’ Conference Online.  Plus people make contacts and good friends.  It’s a terrific opportunity, especially for those who can’t afford to attend a live conference,” Fabian said.

This year’s conference is $40; $25 for members of the Catholic Writers’ Guild. To register or for more information, go to http://www.catholicwritersconference.com.

Onward & Forward into 2016—‘Laughing Still Allowed’

/5 Comments/in , , , /by

by Larry Peterson

I had written sporadically over the years but I really started my ”prolific,” overzealous writing career in earnest about seven or eight years ago. I had taken C.S. Lewis’ advice and grabbed onto his quote, “You are never too OLD to set a new GOAL or to dream a new DREAM.” So I pulled out the old work I had squirreled away and before I could sharpen a pencil my expanding internal dictionary of adjectives was stopped in its tracks. I had to be operated on for prostate cancer.

The recovery process was a bit tough (part of that included having 30 staples plucked out of my forbidden zone, which was not pleasant, nor was catheter removal) but, no problem—the cancer was gone and still is seven years later. God obviously was not ready for me. So, I headed back to the keyboard and mouse. I thanked Him then and I have thanked Him every day since.

Then Martha was diagnosed with Lymphoma. Onward into the world of chemotherapy cycles which included her losing her hair, not once but twice. The second time she asked me to just shave her head and get it over with. I did and we laughed as she turned into cue ball redux. Then her memory began to produce  strange and forgetful behavior. I thought it was “chemo-brain” but it wasn’t. During that time I managed to have a children’s book published, followed by my novel.  (That publisher went out of business—another story for another time).

Ratcheting up my caregiver duties, I still completed another novel called “Destination Homeless.” That was about two years ago and all I have “left to do” is a final edit. I also have my latest novel almost done; it has a publisher and is already out on Amazon in volume form. Plus, over the years, I have written over 600 blogs. I had written more than I thought, which surprised me because it seemed like I was never getting anything done.

Anyway, a year ago I wrote an article for the CWG blog titled, “Celebrating Our First Christmas with Alzheimer’s Disease: Laughter Allowed.” Martha’s cognitive problems had started about a year and a half prior to that time so, as we march onward into 2016, we are about two and a half years down the Alzheimer road. Things are not the same as they were even a year ago. (Alzheimer’s Disease is one illness that cannot be cured, stopped, or even slowed).

Last year’s blog had in its title the words, “Laughter Allowed.” Well, for the past three (maybe four or five) months my writing has seemingly run into a major obstacle. There was a large brick wall in front of me and I was unable to type past it. The blogs became fewer and the novel was stuck in neutral. I was actually getting a bit freaked out about it and beginning to worry that I was turning into sludge. I was probably being a bit hard on myself because when you take care of an Alzheimer’s patient and do the shopping, the cooking, the daily distribution of various meds 4X a day, deal with all the doctors  (scheduling, visits, weekly blood draws, port flushes etc.), do the bill paying, home maintenance, etc., and then try to find “quiet” time to fit writing into the equation, that is when you can suddenly go blank. I did. Then came Thanksgiving.

The family all got together at Larry Jr’s. My three kids were there and my seven grandkids and we all had a grand time eating all the traditional Thanksgiving foods, watching football and hanging out together. On the way home Marty said to me, “What are we having for dinner?”

Actually, for a moment, I thought she was making a joke. But she wasn’t you see. She did not remember. I said, “Are you kidding me? We just had turkey and all the fixings for Thanksgiving. Don’t you remember? We just left Larry’s house five minutes ago.” Then the reality of the moment hit… Damn, I do hate Alzheimer’s Disease. Anyway, she looked at me and I at her and we both began to laugh. As ridiculous as it sounds it was a great moment for both of us.  Then I remembered—“Laughter allowed.”

Christmas is now over and I am writing this and I am extra thankful for Thanksgiving 2015. That day helped me snap back to the words in the title of last year’s blog. Laughing freed me up and I have actually spent some time on the final chapter of the Demons of Abadon. As for my dear wife, Martha, she is somewhat content in her own convoluted world. She does not remember Christmas Day. However, strange as it may seem, everything is okay. That is because on Thanksgiving Night, 2015, our unexpected and improbable friend, Laughter, returned. (I like to think it was a Christmas angel sent from above to help us out).

Once again I have relearned something I already knew and let slip by—no matter what is happening, when you have faith—laughing is allowed. It is God’s pressure relief valve and He installed one of these valves in each of us. More people need to let it go off once in a while. That’s it for 2015. Happy New Year, happy writing and God’s blessings to you all.

©Larry Peterson 2016

Word Rambling towards Christmas

/2 Comments/in /by

I do not mean to “word ramble” here but I just realized that  the first Tuesday of the month is a few days away. That is also my CWG blog post date. Bottom line–this Catholic writer has nothing to offer here, nothing except rambling meanderings. Yeah, I know, Tuesday is still a few days away but I  have to get this to Barb to edit and post. However, I’m out of here at noon today, tomorrow is shot and I cannot, in good conscience, send her something Monday–so, here you go.

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I love the season and the meaning and the Baby Jesus, the awe in the faces of so many children and the extra smiles that come from the wonder; I love the cookies and candy and cake and even some of the anxiety and pressure and insanity that mixes in as we move forward. I even love eggnog.

More than anything, I love thinking about our Blessed Mother, a young girl, almost full-term in her pregnancy, having to travel on the back of a donkey for over 80 miles to fulfill the census law. I marvel at  her husband who must have just loved her so much that he was willing to accept this Child as his own. He protected them with his life and made sure that the Savior of all mankind lived to complete His mission. This was, after all, a very different time culturally. Mary’s alternative could have been death by stoning. Thank you, St. Joseph. Thank you, Mother Mary. Thank you, Jesus.

I began this day at 5 AM, preparing my wife’s medications for the week. There are fourteen different pills she takes at different times during the day for varied reasons and I do this every week. So, I pour a cup of coffee and spread the pill bottles in a row in front of my still-squinty eyes. I have a pill box with four rows of sevens so I can prepare meds for the entire week. The morning row gets five pills in each box, the noon row gets four, etc. When I am finished there are 112 pills sorted out for the week. I am proud of my system…most of the time.

I finish placing the the last pills in place and reach over to get the coffee. Ah yes, life is always an adventure. You know I knocked over the coffee, right? As I did, I leaned onto the pill box and it flipped, ever so gracefully, end over end into the air spraying its newly received contents everywhere. Okay–you get the picture. Pills on the floor, pills on the table floating in coffee (too bad they were not donuts) and me staring, mouth hung open, in disbelief. However, God has blessed me with a sense of humor. I took a breath and began to laugh. Then I created some dialogue for the moment. I raised my hands, looked out across my random pill and coffee display, and said, “You are an idiot!” Then I laughed some more and began Round Two of the weekly pill dissemination. That time I succeeded.

I will finish this up by telling you I made it to eight o’clock Mass with the wife at my side. What better way to start a day, right? I have no idea how the rest of this day will play out. No matter what, it will be OK. The Season of Advent is upon us. In closing, I would like to wish you all a beautiful, blessed,  healthy and joy-filled Christmas.

“Celebrate the feast of Christmas every day, even every moment in the interior temple of your spirit, remaining like a baby in the bosom of the heavenly Father, where you will be reborn each moment in the Divine Word, Jesus Christ.”
St. Paul of the Cross   (Catholicquotes.org)

©LarryPeterson 2015

From the President’s Desk – Success, Faithfulness and Farewell

/6 Comments/in , , , /by
At the 2015 Catholic Writers Retreat in Michigan!

At the 2015 Catholic Writers Retreat in Michigan!

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone had a wonderful feast yesterday.

Catholic Writers Retreat: I’d like to thank all the attendees, presenters and organizers of the Catholic Writers Retreat. We all had a wonderful time writing, praying and socializing! Special thanks to Margaret Realy for organizing this wonderful event.

Blessed Mother Teresa once said, “We are not called to be successful. We are called to be faithful.”

In about four days, I will no longer be president of the Catholic Writers Guild so this will be my last “From the President’s Desk” post.

When I first discovered the Catholic Writers Online group, and later, the Catholic Writers Guild, I truly felt like I had come home. I was so happy to be a part of a group of faithful Catholic writers.  I hadn’t really thought much about “success.” I just wanted to write. And I just wanted to be faithful to my Catholic faith. At the time, there were only about 40 members of the Guild. In the eight years since I’ve been a active member, our membership has grown to over 500 members.

When I was asked to run as vice president in 2010, I readily agreed. Later, when I was asked to run for president, after a short discernment process, I readily agreed. Of course, I had no idea what was in store for me. Being president of this non-profit, mostly volunteer organization has had its share of challenges, but I’ve learned so much and I’ve gained many lifelong friendships.

I owe a tremendous gratitude to everyone in the Guild. Thanks especially to Ann Margaret Lewis (founding member and past president), who was always available to listen when I needed to chat, Karina Fabian (original president of the Guild), and the current members of the board: Dave Shaw (secretary), Karl Erickson (treasurer), Nancy Ward (committee coordinator), and Arthur Powers (VP and founding member).

Although I joined the Guild to be with like-minded faithful Catholic writers, I was surprised to find that much of what I’ve learned from Guild members over the past eight years has contributed to whatever “success” I’ve been fortunate to have. In the early years, I attended online conferences and chats. Later, I attended and helped to organize the live conferences. The success I’ve had as a writer has been the direct result of my involvement with the Guild. My books have been collectively downloaded over 625,000 times on Kindle. All of my novels have spent time on various Amazon Kindle bestsellers’ lists (In 2012, my novel, Stealing Jenny, was either #1 or #2 in several categories for 40 weeks of that year). I’ve been on EWTN’s Bookmark three different times and other TV and radio shows. And I’m actually making a modest supplemental income from my novels.

That success aside, my time as the president of the Guild, has been spent being faithful not only to the magisterium of the Catholic Church, but also to the values of our wonderful organization.

I won’t be leaving the Guild, however! I intend to remain on two very busy committees: the Seal of Approval and the Live Conference committees. I have a new job as the marketing director for a wonderful Catholic apostolate that promotes the regular practice of fasting. I write for the Live the Fast blog and newsletter; I write press releases and, best of all, from my regular practice of fasting, I’ve grown stronger in my faith (and even lost 10 pounds!).

Fellow CWG member and New Jersey native, Joe Wetterling, will be your new president. I’ve worked with Joe on three different committees. Besides being witty and knowledgeable about a variety of topics, Joe is level-headed and dependable. A little bit about Joe, in case you don’t know him:

Joe Wetterling is a professional educator and writer. During the day, his work includes performance improvement, technical training, and editing for the Temple University Health System. At home, Joe teaches the faith at his blog Ho Kai Paulos, comments on religious themes in fantasy and sci-fi at Baptized Imagination, and makes everything relate to Latin while helping homeschool his son. He’s a member of the Militia Immaculata. At the Catholic Writers Guild, Joe participates in blog editing, the Seal of Approval review process, and the CALA. Learn more about him at JoeWetterling.com.

Please take a moment over the next several weeks to welcome Joe to this challenging — yet fulfilling — position.

It has been my privilege and honor to serve as your president for three years and to serve on the Catholic Writers Guild board for five years. I look forward to continuing to be a part of this wonderful organization.

In Jesus and Mary,

 

Ellen Gable Hrkach

Meet “The Doorkeeper:” Solanus Casey, the Man without Ego

/4 Comments/in , , /by

By Larry Peterson

The 2016 election (more than a year away) has already worn me down. The pundits include the greatest thinkers of our time. I know this because virtually all of the TV and radio commentators, campaign officials, editorial writers, government officials, TV talk show hosts, comedians and, of course the candidates are always saying, “I THINK…this” or I THINK…that.” Those folks sure do a lot of thinking. And I know it must be important thinking because the ones doing all the thinking are doing it on TV, radio, in print or somewhere in cyber-land. It MUST be important, right? Wrong!

They are all experts in everything you can think of and, filled with their own sense of grandiosity, they vilify, name-call, and besmirch those with an opposing viewpoint or philosophy. They even attack their opponent’s families. Then you hear the great Machiavellian disclaimer of, “Hey, that’s politics.” You know what, I have my own phrase for all of it: rude, obnoxious, self-gratified egomania. I’m so over it.

I decided to begin a search for someone sans EGO. I was sure it would be almost next to impossible. But guess what? It was not. We Catholics celebrate the great feast of All Saint’s Day on November 1. The saints are members of the Catholic Hall of Fame (I call it that). They are the best of the best, the crème de le crème, the most selfless of the unselfish. These are the people who loved God unconditionally and, in some cases, failed many times before they got it right. But they all invariably emptied themselves for others before they died, many times giving their lives in doing so.

Solanus Casey

By Mahatma Gandhi (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Let me tell you about one of them who was a quiet, uncomplicated  man who never aspired to be anything more than a simple priest. His name was Bernard Francis Casey, and his family and friends called him Barney. There are many guys and gals like Barney in our Catholic Hall of Fame and they, like Barney, were ‘ego-less.’ This was not a birth defect. Their secret simply was knowing how to love God with all their mind, heart and soul. That led them to love others more than themselves. It was NEVER about them.

Barney was born in Oak Grove, Wisconsin, back in 1870. He was the sixth of 16 kids of Irish immigrant parents. When Barney was a boy he contracted diptheria, and it left him with a permanently raspy-sounding voice. (Barney would never have qualified for American Idol). Barney felt the call to the priesthood but, at the age of 16, he hit a detour. He had to go to work to help the family and worked at jobs in Minnesota and Wisconsin as a lumberjack, a prison guard, a streetcar operator and a hospital orderly.

Barney Casey always did whatever job he had to the best of his ability, wanting to serve his God in all things. Five years later he was able to enter St. Francis High School Seminary in Milwaukee. He spent five years there before being able to move on and join the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. Upon his acceptance he took the name of Solanus after St. Francis Solanus, a 17th century missionary.

Solanus Casey was finally ordained a priest at the age of 33. He had to study extremely hard to reach that goal, and when he was finally ordained he was given the title “Sacerdos Simplex,” which means “simple priest.” This meant he was not permitted to preach or to hear confessions. He never complained; he took joy in just being a “simple priest.”

Father Solanus Casey lived in Detroit, and his main job at the monastery was that of “doorkeeper.” Father Casey, wanting to the absolute best at whatever God chose for him, became the finest doorkeeper that ever lived. He did this for well over 20 years and also became known for his service to the sick and the advice and consultations he would have with visitors. People began attributing cures and other blessings to his interaction with them or others.

Father Solanus Casey: a man who opened and closed doors for people. A man who had no ego and was happy to serve God in the simplest of ways. A man who, because miracles have been attributed to his intercession, was declared “Venerable” by Pope John Paul II in 1995. This is the first step toward canonization as a saint. Father Solanus Casey died in 1957.

Father Casey is the first man born in the USA to be on the road to full sainthood. And all he did was humbly and happily open doors for people and talk to them if they wanted. A Catholic Hall of Famer for sure, and quite the contrast to the gaggle of egotists that bombard us daily with their “I think” wisdom. Solanus (Barney) Casey has recharged me. It might be nice if all of today’s bloviating pundits could hear or read his story.

©Larry Peterson 2015. All Rights Reserved.

From the President’s Desk – World Meeting Recap

/0 Comments/in , /by

CatholicWritersRetreatLogo2011iiiiI’m currently preparing to leave for the Catholic Writers Retreat (Your Word is My Delight) in Dewitt, Michigan. It begins on Sunday. If you’re attending, I look forward to seeing you there!

World Meeting of Families
My husband and I had a wonderful time last month at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. We attended as exhibitors (manning the Catholic Writers Guild booth.) Special thanks to Erin McCole Cupp for helping set up the booth!

We spoke to many people, answered questions and gave out hundreds of Guild brochures and business cards. A few CWG members stopped by the booth to visit. We were there as exhibitors, but we also attended the keynote presentations and daily Masses.

CWG Booth, photo E. Hrkach

CWG Booth, photo E. Hrkach

Sacramental Life
Attending Mass daily with 17,500 other people was a unique experience. The Convention Center hall where Mass and the keynote presentations took place is an enormous indoor auditorium capable of seating 20,000 or more. There were Jumbotrons (big screens) that allowed us to see the altar up close. There was a bit of a Disneyland atmosphere and rarely could people remain quiet before Mass (despite the multi-language messages asking for prayerful reverence), but it was understandable given the numbers of people and the once-in-a-lifetime experience of the World Meeting of Families. There were also ample opportunities for adoration and confession.

Multicultural Experience
Each Mass was trilingual: English, Spanish and Vietnamese. The reading was proclaimed in one of the three languages and the Gospel in another language. The parts of the Mass varied in language, but our little Mass booklet always included the English translation. The homilies were in English and were given by the celebrant (usually a cardinal or bishop). Some of the break out sessions and keynote presentations were in different languages or translated for attendees.

On various occasions, while sitting in the lobby trying to access the internet, or in the washrooms, or in the narrow hallways, different languages could be heard by attendees. The Nigerian attendees dressed colorfully and identically, with a different vibrant outfit for each day, and on the first day, they could be heard chanting an exuberant African song in the halls of the Convention Center. A Vietnamese choir sang a beautiful hymn at one of the Masses and a large group of Spanish attendees enthusiastically chanted after one of the Masses.

With two members of the Nigerian group!

With two members of the Nigerian group!

Exhibits
The exhibit hall contained over 500 exhibitors from all over the world. EWTN, Knights of Columbus, many religious orders, publishers, Catholic stores and tee shirt companies sold items that one would normally have to purchase online and pay shipping. Some offered special deals. Unfortunately, because of “security concerns” with the Pope’s impending arrival, the World Meeting of Families organizers closed down the exhibit hall one day early, so many attendees didn’t have a chance to peruse the exhibits.

At the booth in the huge exhibit hall. We were right across from Ave Maria Press. Photo by L. Power

At the booth in the huge exhibit hall. We were right across from Ave Maria Press. Photo by L. Power

World Meeting of Families Mural
Attendees also had the unique opportunity to paint a small section of the World Meeting of Families mural, which will be permanently displayed on the side of St. Malachy’s School in Philadelphia when it is completed. The mural will be listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the “Mural with the highest number of contributors!”

My husband, James, painting a small section of the WMOF Mural. Photo by E. Hrkach

My husband, James, painting a small section of the WMOF Mural. Photo by E. Hrkach

Festival of Families and Papal Mass
It was edifying to see hundreds of thousands of Catholics and non-Catholics enthusiastically welcoming the Holy Father. Security was tight at both public transportation stations and security checkpoints to the ticketed area where both the Festival of Families and the Papal Mass were held. Digital devices were turned on to make sure they were actual devices. No one was exempt from the security, including all religious sisters and priests. Apples, oranges and hard fruits were taken away (because, we were told, they could be used as weapons). The confiscated fruit was donated to the local food bank and homeless shelter.

Because we arrived at the Ben Franklin Parkway early on Sunday morning, we managed to find a spot that had an excellent view of the altar. After walking 30 blocks (3.5 miles) our feet ached, but our hearts were full with anticipation as we waited for the Holy Father to arrive. A group of Spanish pilgrims chanted “Papa Francesco!” When Pope Francis finally passed by during the motorcade, I was too short to see him (although I was able to see the top of his white-capped head going by). Fortunately, my husband managed to take this excellent close up photograph of Pope Francis.

Photo courtesy James Hrkach

Photo courtesy James Hrkach

All in all, we were happy to have attended and promoted the Catholic Writers Guild. However, we were equally happy to be home as it was an exhausting trip!

CWG Elections!!
Elections are coming soon! Watch for an email that you’ll be receiving with information about voting!

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please don’t hesitate to ask! president(at)catholicwritersguild(dot)org.

In Jesus and Mary,

Ellen Gable Hrkach
President, CWG

Euthanasia–Celebrating the Destruction of God’s Greatest Gift—Life

/0 Comments/in , , /by

IT MAKES SENSE TO ME

Milou de Moor, dead at 19

Euthanasia (aka assisted suicide), is a pathetic concept promoted under the guise of compassion, mercy and kindness. It is no such thing. Euthanasia is not compassionate. It is not merciful. And it is not kind. It is an abomination because it celebrates  the destruction of the greatest gift each and everyone of us has been given by God: the gift of life.

Enter the glorification of this process via legalization. The “muckety-mucks” and sophisticates who know what is best for everyone have succeeded in having this practice legalized in Belgium, the Netherlands, the states of Oregon, Washington, and Vermont, and one county in New Mexico. In the state of Montana they have what we would call “de facto” euthanasia. There is no law on the books. They “just do it”–no problem. The twisted logic in this narrative called euthanasia or assisted suicide is nothing more than egotism and meism stretched to its secular limits. The fact is this: every human life is sacred unto itself. It is a gift from our Creator and we are each responsible for how we treat this gift. It is NOT up to governments and people to decide who should live or die.

Look at the photo above of a young woman named Milou de Moor. Milou was stricken with lupus when she was 12. The course of the illness caused her not only pain but also mood swings, blackouts, and depression. By the time she was 16 she requested to be euthanized. Life had become too hard and painful to bear any longer. And her own mother and father and sister encouraged her to do it.

It makes sense to me that if a teenager is afflicted with an autoimmune disease and is severely depressed and requests to end her life, all she might need is the encouragement of her parents and sibling(s) to push her to finalize that request. If her doctors are telling her how painless her non-life will be and how easy it is to arrive in non-life, how easy does it become to go there? People who encourage another who is weak and vulnerable to begin with, to take his or her own life and help them to do it,  have entered into a dark celebration of nothingness. They have joined forces with others who rejoice in choosing death over life. How utterly sad that is.

There is such a thing as palliative care which  includes end of life care rather than the option of ending life. There are medications, and counselors and treatments for all types of illnesses and disabilities. Drugs for depression and severe pain are available. But what is always most important is the great intangible that you cannot see or swallow or touch. This I can attest to from experience: that  the love and support of family and friends combined with an abiding faith in the Creator of life is the true power that transcends any celebration of nothingness.

There is a strange irony in the tragic saga of Milou de Moor. Apparently her date to be euthanzied had been set. Then at the last minute her general practitioner decided that he could not go along with her dying. When Milou heard this, she ran off to her family’s apple orchard and hanged herself. The parents are outraged at the doctor and are suing him for NOT killing their daughter. Think of the long-term ramifications of such a thing. Will doctors now be told that they MUST take lives to spare their own careers and futures?

California is next up to bat. That state’s euthanasia law has been passed and it awaits Governor Brown’s signature. Whatever have we wrought?

©2015 Larry Peterson. All  Rights Reserved.
Image credit: Bioedge.org.

From the President’s Desk: A Shared Faith

/0 Comments/in , /by

Image from Fotolia

Image from Fotolia

“You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the play and the opera, and grace before the concert and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing; And grace before I dip the pen in the ink.”
G.K. Chesterton

When I was a new writer many years ago, I sought out a local secular writers group. While I learned a few writing skills, I always felt like an outsider, like I wasn’t quite “one of the crowd.” It didn’t help when I stood up and introduced myself as the mother of five children. There were gasps, as if I said I had 20 children. It also didn’t help when I mentioned I was writing a religious fiction novel.

After only about six months, I left that group and discovered the Catholic Writers Online Yahoo group, which eventually transitioned into the Catholic Writers Guild. There, during chats or in online discussions, I felt like “one of the crowd.” Even though it would be a few years before we would meet, I felt like I had “come home.”

The beauty of this group is that we are all each other’s cheerleaders. We help each other with writing skills, yes, but we also genuinely care about each other because of our shared faith. Since 2010, when I joined the CWG Board as vice president, our membership has grown from just under 200 to 500 members.

As my time as president winds down, I truly look forward to watching another member take the helm and lead the Guild for the next few years.

World Meeting of Families
If you are attending the World Meeting of Families this week in Philadelphia, the Guild is here with a booth (Booth #747). Please stop by and say hello!

Catholic Writers RetreatCatholicWritersRetreatLogo2011iiii Have you thought about attending the upcoming Catholic Writers Retreat? If you haven’t, please consider doing so. I’m looking forward to a time of spiritual renewal and an opportunity to write. Here’s the information:
Catholic Writers Retreat: Your Word is my Delight. October 25-29, 2015. St. Francis Retreat Center, 703 E. Main Street, DeWitt, Michigan 48820. Register online at this link, click on ‘Other Offerings,’ or call 866-669-8321. $490 for five days.

If you have any other comments, concerns or questions, please feel free to email me: president(at)catholicwritersguild(dot)(com)

In Jesus and Mary,

Ellen

The Bible Has the Best Writing Prompts

/2 Comments/in , , /by

by Larry Peterson

As a cradle Catholic who went to twelve years of Catholic school “waaaaay” back in the ’50s and ’60s, I can say without hesitation that my education in the Bible and about the Bible and of the Bible was almost non-existent. The Catechism with its nays & yays and right & wrong dominated the conversation. However, over the past ten years or so I have come to honor and respect the Bible. It took me all those decades to realize how profound and so magnificently in our faces with truths this book, written so long ago, is. The seven Wisdom books alone are worth more than all the jewels on Pharaoh’s crown.

Back to the ‘truths’ I mentioned. The other day, August 26, the gospel reading was from Matthew 23: 27-32. I believe this gospel actually references today’s world and the egotistical and self-centered mindset that so many people have embraced. Countless people have stomped on the goodness within God’s creation by choosing to grasp onto  the secular banner of “meism.” The Bible has their number–literally. It had it then and it has it now.

It follows that, as writers, the Bible also has the best writing prompts…especially if you are having trouble getting the words to flow from your brain to the screen or paper. The Gospel reading from August 26 did it for me. It was from Matthew 23: 27-32. (I’m just using 27 -28.) Here it is:

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth. Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.”

There are actually seven “Woe to you” paragraphs in Chapter 23. I quoted number six  because it was part of the Gospel reading for the day. Anyway, the first thing that came to mind was Planned Parenthood. Think about it: “beautiful on the outside but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth. Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.” I immediately thought of the people destroying the lives of babies and joking about it. I thought of all those defending  this organization and insist that those vilifying it are taking away women’s health protections. There are many in high places that certainly appear beautiful on the outside and, since I do not get to look inside, I can only imagine. I do know this: abortion is the Holocaust of the last four decades.

In America, marriage between a man and a woman is being denigrated by the beautiful, sophisticated, upscale and highly civilized secular community. Same-sex “marriage” is hailed as a right and the enhancement of freedom. Rejecting one’s God-given sex and deciding to change to the opposite sex is hailed as heroic and courageous. Legalizing euthanasia has taken root in Europe and in America. In Belgium they now permit childhood euthanasia. I could go on and on but you all know what has and is happening. And many of those who proclaim Catholicism as their faith  approve of these practices.

I am amazed that it has taken me so long to realize the magnificence and  page-to-page wisdom the Bible holds. So much of Scripture defines the present. It describes us and our world. It tells us how and where are journey began, where it has taken us, and where we are going. It is a great gift and I shall never ignore it again. It is also the one and only book I will reference when seeking out writing prompts. The Bible has it all.

©2015 Larry Peterson-All RightsReserved

From the President’s Desk – August 28

/8 Comments/in , /by

“There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

Lots to share this beautiful warm day in August!

Catholic Writers Conference Live
First, if you attended the Catholic Writers Live Conference last month, it was great to meet you! It was a wonderful time of edification, networking and fellowship as well as spiritual renewal.

CWGLive attendees gather to say goodbye at the CMN Trade Show with Paper Pope Francis

CWGLive attendees gather to say goodbye at the CMN Trade Show with Paper Pope Francis


Speaking to the bookstore owners on Tuesday at CMN

Speaking to the bookstore owners on Tuesday at CMN


Before the first talk! #cmnselfie2015 (with the help of Pat Gohn)

Before the first talk! #cmnselfie2015 (with the help of Pat Gohn)

World Meeting of Families
If you are attending the World Meeting of Families next month in Philadelphia, the Guild will be there with a booth (Booth 747). I will be manning the booth, along with a few other helpers. Please stop by and say hello!

Catholic Writers RetreatCatholicWritersRetreatLogo2011iiii Have you thought about attending the upcoming Catholic Writers Retreat? If you haven’t, please consider doing so. I’m looking forward to a time of spiritual renewal and an opportunity to write. Here’s the information:
Catholic Writers Retreat: Your Word is my Delight. October 25-29, 2015. St. Francis Retreat Center, 703 E. Main Street, DeWitt, Michigan 48820. Register online at this link, click on ‘Other Offerings,’ or call 866-669-8321. $490 for five days.

Stepping Down as President
Last but certainly not least, I wanted to let you all know that I will not be running again for president in November. Besides writing, publishing, editing and book coaching, I am now also working for a Catholic non-profit organization called Live the Fast (based in Waltham, Massachusetts). Although I will be stepping down as president, I am certainly not leaving the Guild. I plan to be involved with the live conference as well as some of the committees. I will also remain on the Board as “past president.”

Please pray for me in my new endeavors and I will continue to pray for all of you.

As always, if you have any comments, questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me president(at)catholicwritersguild (dot) (com)

In Jesus and Mary,

Ellen Gable Hrkach

Stay in the Know

Join Our Newsletter

Members and supporters can get the latest on CWG news and events by signing up for our newsletter.

Catholic Writers Guild
P.O. Box 77
Eaton, IN 47338

About
Membership
Connect
Showcase

Blog
Contact
Terms of Use
FAQs

Pray with Us

Click Here