Monthly Archives: October 2011

The CWG Prayer Chain Post is a weekly post for members to include their special intentions by adding a comment.   

Psalm 33:20-22
We are waiting for Yahweh; he is our help and our shield, for in him our heart rejoices, in his holy name we trust. Yahweh, let your faithful love rest on us, as our hope has rested in you.

October Intention Prayer

Phillipians 4:6-9 

Never worry about anything; but tell God all your desires of every kind in prayer and petition shot through with gratitude, and the peace of God which is beyond our understanding will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.  

Finally, brothers, let your minds be filled with everything that is true, everything that is honourable, everything that is upright and pure, everything that we love and admire — with whatever is good and praiseworthy. Keep doing everything you learnt from me and were told by me and have heard or seen me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Please leave a comment with your intention. If you have problems adding an intention, email it to Mike Hays at coachhays@gmail.com and I will add it.  God bless.

“It is not merely true that a creed unites men. Nay, a difference of creed unites men – so long as it is a clear difference. A boundary unites. Many a magnanimous Moslem and chivalrous Crusader must have been nearer to each other, because they were both dogmatists, than any two agnostics. “I say God is One,” and “I say God is One but also Three,” that is the beginning of a good quarrelsome, manly friendship.”
-GK Chesterton, What’s Wrong with the World

We hear that opposites attract. It’s true when dealing with magnets, and sometimes true with relationships. But it’s always true that literary characters attract readers when there’s a polar opposite of each major character in a story.

Batman, a dark, surly, virtuous and protective hero, found his opposite in the flamboyant, colorful and murderously capricious Joker. In The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsbyis a tender, rags-to-riches figure motivated by misplaced pure love. And he is contrasted with the hulking, shallow Tom Buchanan, born to power from wealth and flaunts it at every opportunity with the unthinking cruelty of a human earthquake.

The most interesting characters in literature often have an opposite, a kind of foil to bring distinctive characteristics of the hero into greater light. Batman’s no-nonsense approach might turn us off after a while, if we weren’t even more annoyed by the Joker’s penchant for gassing innocent people to death and giggling about it hysterically. When Tom cheats on his wife and breaks his mistress’s nose with no effort or remorse, Gatsby’s gentle attempts to coax Daisy back to his (now) wealthy side generate an even greater degree of sympathy from the reader.

Character opposites don’t need to be on the good guy/bad guy side to engage the reader. Mr. Spock and Dr. McCoy are on opposite ends of a constant logic-versus-emotion debate. But their mutual affection and loyalty to one another, their captain and the Federation superceded their differences, allowing their arguments to become an enjoyable meme rather than genuine conflict. In the first Star Wars film, Luke Skywalker was inexperienced, cautious and prone to whining, while Han Solo smirked at danger, never complaining about the odds or the dangerous bounty hunters after his hide. In my own novels, I try to show this via the young, naïve, Catholic convert Gilbert Chesterton’s best friend, the worldly-wise, atheistic teenager H.G. Wells. It falls to Herb to teach Gil about the world’s subtleties and dangers, and Gil challenges Herb about his cynicism and dogmatic humanism.

In all three cases, mutual loyalties allow characters with opposing worldviews to bond and respect one another. Without that commonality, antipathy naturally arises. Tom Buchanan duels with Gatsby for Daisy’s love, albeit symbolically over mint juleps. Obi-Wan and Darth Vader duel, not just to settle a personal grudge, but to decide who will be Luke’s true mentor. And, I was happy to find, in my own work, The Tripods Attack, one astute critic [in my own relatively humble and fairly unbiased opinion] noted the arguments between Father Brown and the Doctor are not the verbal sparrings of comrades, but smaller skirmishes in the greater conflicts of Catholic versus Secular Humanistic worldviews.

Another point worth noting: all the above mentioned characters have opposing viewpoints, yet are at roughly the same levels of power and status. It would not likely do, for example, to make a lowly WWII private have Adolph Hitler be his opposite, for example.

However noble or despicable you decide to make your characters, having at least one relative opposite of each main player can bring out characteristics you want your readers to see.
Plus, let’s be honest: writing about the bad guys can be great fun.

Especially when they lose.

JDM
——————————————–

John McNichol is the author of the Young Chesterton Chronicles, a Catholic adventure series that stars a teenaged GK Chesterton.

Book 2 of the series, The Emperor of North America, is available here from Bezalel Books.
Book 1 of the series, The Tripods Attack, is available here from Sophia Press.

Follow up on Your Word is My Delight: A Catholic Writers Retreat

I’m still coming down from a spiritual high from our retreat in Michigan. It was so amazing, I am having difficulty finding the words to describe it (tough, for a writer). Ten people attended from many parts of the country, some from as far as Massachusetts, Arizona, and Florida. The majority, of course, were from Michigan. I have to admit I was concerned, at first, at the small group we had. But, as it turned out, that simply made it more intimate and focused.

Here’s the whole retreat gang from left to right: Margaret Realy, Dr. Jean Lee, Patrice Davignon, Gerard Webster, Ann Lewis, Pat Gohn, Michael Diebold, Kathy Schiffer, Helen Hart, Erin McCole-Cupp, Kathleen McGuire, Lillah Olson, Father Charles Irivin, Julie Herridge and Father Tucker Cordani.

CWG Member Pat Gohn was our key presenter who gave us some thoughtful reflections on Psalm 119, the documents of the Church, and our vocations as writers.

Margaret’s good friend David Krajewski also did a great talk on the Joyful Mysteries and “vocation” (I will be posting this soon in our forums for people to read.) The other speakers were fabulous, too. Kathy Schiffer and I conducted critique sessions that were small, inspiring, and effective.

It was a time to pray, write, and reflect in an absolutely gorgeous natural environment. The gardens that Margaret planned and coordinated on the grounds were breathtaking. Here are some photos.

Margaret gave us a tour of her lovely gardens the first day. This is she walking us through one of the several memorial gardens on the property.

This is a shot of the Calvary Garden through the autumn-colored trees:

And this is the bell tower of the monastary that the monks would ring throughout the day, now enhanced by Margaret’s green thumb:

One night, Margaret pointed out a cute little green tree frog to me, and later I could hear one singing outside my window. Tree frogs! I didn’t know they had tree frogs in Michigan, and I grew up there!

By the end of the five days, all of us were great friends, praying, inspiring, supporting, crying, hugging, and singing songs by the campfire.

Because this retreat was so successful, we plan to have another in late April of 2013 – information, costs and exact dates to come. We will only offer retreats every other year so folks can save up to be able to attend both the retreat and our August conference in the same year.

Pray and work, folks. Ora et labora!

A SAINT PER WEEK FOR CATHOLIC MOMS


Just in time for All Saint’s Day, Lisa Hendey, CWG member and founder of CatholicMom.com, offers her newest publication, A Book of Saint’s For Catholic Moms (Ave Maria Press, 2011). The fifty-two saints are offered as weekly companions for mothers to help them with the joys and trials of motherhood. Hendey nurtures hearts, minds, bodies and souls through the communion of saints, linking personal stories, scripture, prayer and simple soul-strengthening exercises for Catholic women. 


The saints chosen by Hendey reflect men and women who “led ordinary lives and yet accomplished  extraordinary things.” She applies their wisdom to a mother’s role, particularly choosing saints that have influenced her personal perspective on motherhood.


Each weekly chapter gives a short biography on a saint, with a reflection of guidance, traditions and family activities, daily scripture passages, and a family prayer all inspired by that week’s saint. Included among the fifty-two saints are well-known figures like St. Francis of Assisi, Teresa of Avila, and Mother Teresa, as well as lesser known intercessors like Josephine Bakhita and Mother Theodore’ Guerin. Each chapter also ends with a discussion prompt or journaling question for the week.


James Martin, S.J., author of My Life With the Saints, writes, “Every time a Catholic mother asks what author she should read, I have a ready answer: Lisa Hendey. Her latest book on the saints provides a rich  pattern of learning, reflection, prayer and practical Catholic-living suggestions, based on the lives of fifty-two great heroes and heroines of our faith.”


“I am so grateful for Lisa Hendey’s new book,” writes Teresa Tomeo, host of Catholic Connection. “Whether you’re a spiritual mom like me or a mom with children who keep you on the move, A Book of Catholic Saints will provide much joy, guidance, and companionship on your journey.”


Hendey is the bestselling author of The Handbook for Catholic Moms, a columnist for Faith and Family, Catholic News Agency, and Catholic Exchange, as well as writing articles for National Catholic Register and Our Sunday Visitor. Besides founder and editor of CatholicMom.com, Hendey hosts the Catholic Moments podcast and the Catholic Mom television show. She is a technology contributor for EWTN’s SonRise Morning Show and a regular guest on Relevant Radio’s On Call afternoon show.


You can buy A Book of Saint’s for Catholic Moms online at avemariapress.com, Amazon, BN.com, or at your local bookstore. See the book trailer on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpictZzjL9Q&feature=player_embedded.


Follow Hendey’s book tour online through AveMariaPress. 
Next week  she’ll be with:
October 31, 2011: Random Acts of Momness by Ginny Moyer;


November 1: There Will Be Bread, Parish Blog of St. Edward the Confessor, and Parish Blog of the Church of the Immaculate Conception by Fran Rossi Szpylczyn; 

SUNDAY NIGHT CHAT
Don’t forget CWG’s Sunday Night Live Chat at the CWG website from 9-11 p.m. EST. You can reach the chat room on the catholicwritersguild.com website or click here.

The CWG Prayer Chain Post is a weekly post for members to include their special intentions by adding a comment.   

October Intention Prayer

Phillipians 4:6-9 

Never worry about anything; but tell God all your desires of every kind in prayer and petition shot through with gratitude, and the peace of God which is beyond our understanding will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.  

Finally, brothers, let your minds be filled with everything that is true, everything that is honourable, everything that is upright and pure, everything that we love and admire — with whatever is good and praiseworthy. Keep doing everything you learnt from me and were told by me and have heard or seen me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Please leave a comment with your intention. If you have problems adding an intention, email it to Mike Hays at coachhays@gmail.com and I will add it.  God bless.

GOD MOMENTS II RELEASE

CWG member Michele Elena Bondi welcomes the release of her sixth book, God Moments II: Recognizing the Fruits of the Holy Spirit (Joseph Karl Publishing, 2011). God Moments II  was released exactly one year after God Moments: Stories That Inspire, Moments to Remember. Bondi is currently writing and compiling the third book, God Moments III: True Love Leads to Life.


In the sequel to God Moments, Catholics once again share their encounters with the Divine. Their stories are meant to encourage you to recognize the Holy Spirit working within you and through you. 


Bondi brings together a symposium of personal  experiences recognizing the Holy Spirit from home educators, a Marian Catechist, authors, bloggers, and publishers to a radio show host, pro-life advocates, and other professional speakers. God Moments II: Recognizing the Fruits of the Holy Spirit is meant to create a greater awareness of God’s unfathomable love for you and for every person. Through the stories, God Moments II also increases your understand of the meaning and purpose of your life and inspires you to greater virtue and a deeper surrender to God.


Included among the contributers to God Moments II are Nancy Carabio Belanger, Belinda Bondi, Andre J. Bottesi, Rejeanne Buckley, Chris Capolino, Sharon Cecil, Maribeth Criscenti, Ellen Gable Hrkach, Gene X. Kortsha, Janet MacKinnon, Tom Mulcahy, Sean McVeigh, Paul A. Ray, Susan Schoenstein, and Jerry Weber.


Michele Bondi Bottesi is a mother of three, an award-winning Catholic author, psychologist, pro-life advocate, publisher at Joseph Karl Publishing, and a producer at Apostolate Films. Michele is a member of the Catholic Press Association, Catholic Writers Guild and American Author’s Association.


Joseph Karl Publishing and its film division, Apostolate Films, were founded in 2009 to encourage, inspire, continue Catholic faith formation, and lead souls to Christ. In the past two years, JKP has been honored with 24 national and international awards for its work, which adheres to Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church. “If you are looking for exceptional quality, award-winning material worthy of your great dignity, you will find it here.”  


God Moments II is available through Amazon. You can also ask for it at your favorite store or library. God Moments: Stories That Inspire, Moments to Remember is also available through Amazon.


JOIN THE CATHOLIC WRITERS GUILD


Are you a Catholic writer loyal to the Magisterium and looking for a group of like-minded writers determined to assist each other in our publishing goals?

SUNDAY NIGHT CHAT


Join Guild members every Sunday night from 9-11 p.m. EST for a live chat. Nonmembers welcome! Click here to go to the site.

Just a little reminder going to the blogshpere…

Tonight, we are meeting in the CWG chat room to discuss CWG Chats!

What would you like to discuss at CWG guest chats? Got guest ideas? Got questions? Bring them to the CWG chat–What to do with our chat–TONIGHT (Tuesday) a 9 pm Eastern. We want to hear from YOU! http://www.catholicwritersguild.com/index.php?name=Content_2&pid=1