Documentary filmmaker and award-winning author Gerard Thomas Straub (When Did I See You Hungry? and The Sun and Moon Over Assisi) now writes a daily blog that not only features his writings but also includes an inspiring “Quote of the Day.” Check out Gerry’s blog at http://gerrystraub.wordpress.com. A quotes archive section has been added for those who would like to browse the inspiring, spiritually uplifting material anytime.

Susan Saint Sing, Ph. D., author of Spirituality of Sport: Balancing Body and Soul, was interviewed recently by the Columbia Missourian newspaper on the topic of spirituality of sport. Recognized as a leading authority on the subject, Susan explores the joy and impetus humans experience to play, dance and compete while focusing on the energy of a benevolent God, giving many personal anecdotes in her book and those of her fellow athletes and coaches. She also wrote Francis and the San Damiano Cross: Meditations on Spiritual Transformation.

Join author and Bible scholar Timothy Schehr for a “Day of Reflection on Healing Passages in the Bible” at the Transfiguration Center for Spiritual Renewal in Ludlow Falls, Ohio, on April 5 and again on April 12. The day will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will end around 2:00 p.m. For more information and event details, visit www.transfigurationcenter.com. 

     For more information on the Bible, check out Father Tim’s book, Finding Your Bible: A Catholic's Guide, in which he addresses many tough questions Catholics ask when dealing with the Bible, such as which Bible we should read and how are we to better understand its language, metaphors and allegories.

      He also introduces readers to the amazing literature of the Bible in The Bible Made Easy: A Book-by-Book Introduction, in which he highlights the main characters, central themes and the spiritual lessons of each book of the Bible in what can be called an “indispensable roadmap” for those setting out to discover God’s word.

Best-selling author Mark E. Thibodeaux, S.J. (Armchair Mystic: Easing Into Contemplative Prayer and God, I Have Issues: 50 Ways to Pray No Matter How You Feel), is booked for the following speaking engagements:
• April 9, Pineville, Louisiana at Maryhill Renewal Center: “From Deciding to Discerning: Turning Over Your Decisions to God.” For more info, call 318-640-1378.
• July 17-20, Lake Dallas, Texas at Montserrat Retreat House: “Ignatian Prayer and Contemplation.” More info here.
• December 6, Baton Rouge, Louisiana at St. Joseph Spirituality Center: “Prayer and Contemplation.” For more info, call 225-383-3349.

Author Ginny Kubitz Moyer’s new book, Mary and Me: Catholic Women Reflect on the Mother of God, has received much praise for offering a fresh, compelling look at the depth and breadth of Mary’s influence on women today. Read a full review online at BustedHalo. Also, visit the author’s Web site.

Joe Barrish, S.M., illustrator for Mary’s Flowers: Gardens, Legends, and Meditations and Healing Plants of the Bible both by Vincenzina Krymow, is part of a group of Marianists who exchange Scripture thoughts on a daily basis. As part of his daily meditation, he spends about an hour and a half creating a spiritual image. “They are kind of ‘works in progress,’” he says. “Some are in color and many are in black and white.” Check out some of his unique and inspiring work……….Be sure to refer to Mary’s Flowers for a complete look at his work, which depicts 30 beautiful full-color illustrations with the guided meditations they inspire.

George Dardess, author of Do We Worship the Same God? Comparing the Bible and the Qur’an, is co-authoring with his wife, Peggy Rosenthal, a book tentatively titled, Reclaiming Beauty for the Good of the World: The Moral Power of Muslim and Christian Creativity. George will expanding on this timely topic of interreligious dialog at the following speaking engagements:

• “Loving the Muslim,” a Lenten reflection on March 11, at Church of the Assumption, Fairport, New York, 7 to 9 p.m.

• “Sharing Holy Ground with Muslims,” a Lenten reflection on March 13, at Covenant United Methodist Church, Rochester, New York, 6 to 8:30 p.m.

• “Muslim-Christian Dialogue Today,” with Dr. Muhammad Shafiq, Imam of the Islamic Center of Rochester, New York, on Charlotte Clarke’s syndicated “Many Voices, Many Visions” TV show, to be aired Easter Sunday, March 23.

• Afternoon workshop with students at Corning Community College, Corning, New York, on March 27, and after-dinner presentation on “The Muslim Tradition of Social Justice” for local peace and justice and interfaith groups. Both events open to public. Contact Peter Ladley.

• “What Catholics Need to Know About Islam” at the First Friday Club of Youngstown, Ohio, April 3, noon to 1 p.m.

• “A Catholic Meets Islam” at Family Education Speakers Program, Clyde, New York, April 13, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Peggy Rosenthal, author of Praying the Gospels through Poetry: Lent to Easter and wife of George Dardess, will offer a day-long retreat on poetry and spirituality at Aquinas Center of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta on Saturday, March 8, 2008. To register, please contact Professor Dana Greene. 

Be sure to tune in for author Tammy Bundy’s radio broadcast every Wednesday at 6:40 a.m. on Sacred Heart Radio (740 AM) during the Son Rise Morning show. Tammy, author of The Book of Mom: What Parents Know by Heart and co-author of Lessons From the School of Suffering, covers family and faith topics during her five-minute time slot, often sharing stories from her books.
 Update: EWTN Global Catholic radio will begin carrying Tammy’s radio spots, sending them out across America to their affiliates throughout the United States. The spots will be pre-recorded, two-minute versions of the live spots. They will air during different times as fillers. Stay tuned for more details.

Congratulations to author Camille Lewis Brown, PH.D., who is honored as “Author of the Month” on the National Black Catholic Congress Web site! Her book, African Saints, African Stories: 40 Holy Men and Women, is featured as “Book of the Month.” Visit the NBCC Web site.

Dennis O'Connor, author of Bridges of Faith: Building a Relationship with a Sister Parish, took part in a booksigning hosted by Reality Tuesday Café in Park Hills, Ky., held Tuesday, Dec. 8.  Posing with Dennis in this picture (taken by The Catholic Telegraph photographer Tony Tribble) is Dr. Michael Gable, Director of the Missions Office of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, who wrote the foreword for the book.  Dennis said about 40 people attended and he sold 40 copies of the book.  He has another signing in Indianapolis soon.

Bridges of Faith author Dennis O'Connor was interviewed by Karen Vance for her "Religion and Faith" column in the December 29th issue of the Cincinnati Enquirer.  Read it here.

Sr. Patricia Proctor is collecting stories from 9/14/07 until 1/15/08 for a new book to be released in May, 2008, entitled 101 Inspirational Stories of the Power of Prayer. Stories should provide answers to the following questions:

• How did you pray? What kind of prayer? The rosary, Scripture or just a heart-to-heart conversation with God?
• How committed were you to praying? Maybe you didn't pray all that much...that's okay...tell us that...but if you prayed a lot—spell it out. Help us to really get into how much heart and soul went into your prayer.
• What effect did the answer to your prayer have on your future relationship to God and prayer?

Submit your story directly to Sr. Patricia. All submissions are eligible to be in Sr. Patricia's Inspirational Story Contest. Winners in each category will receive a $50.00 cash prize and a free one-year subscription to Saint Anthony Messenger. Categories include: Prayer in a Work Situation; Prayer in a Family Crisis; Prayer in an Addictive Situation; Prayer in a Conversion Experience; Prayer in a Health Situation; General Category of Prayer Experience.

Susan Saint Sing, Ph.D., author of Spirituality of Sport: Balancing Body and Soul (as well as Francis and the San Damiano Cross), will talk about her remarkable journey as an athlete and coach Wednesday, Nov. 14, at St. Bonaventure University. More details at the St. Bonaventure University web site.