Wonderful Book by James Martin SJ "My Life with the Saints"

I first spotted this book while at the The Newman Center at Montclair State University. Fr. Jim Chern has brought a number of books for the center and that one caught my eye. I then saw the author on Comedy Central's Colbert and thought he stood his ground pretty well. Anyway, the book focuses on some canonized Saints such as Mary, St. Peter, St. Ignatius of Loyola, the Little Flower, St. Charles Lwanga as well as some others like Pope John XXIII, Dorothy Day, Thomas Merton. Fr. Martin's writing is easy to digest as he talks about these Saints as his friends that have helped him during different stages of his formation He intertwines the lives of these Saints and their struggles, chrism's and conversion with his own experiences. I highly recommend it. For myself it was nice to be reacquainted with Merton, Dorothy Day and St. Francis along with other Saints whom I knew very little about. He cuts though some of the popular 'myths' and stereotypes that have evolved over the years and focuses on when the person meets Christ and how that encounter changes the person forever. It's an easy read and each of the 17 chapters is 20-40 pages.

1st Prize "Jesus in the House" by the Catholic Press Association of USA and Canada

I was pleased to receive a letter from St Anthony Messenger Press on June 2, 2008 informing me that my book, Jesus in the House, was awarded 1st Prize in the Family Life Category for the 2008 book awards. I honestly didn't know I was in the running but it's nice be recognized for doing something I like to do. Hopefully it will be a benefit to families trying to live out the faith in the home.

The link to the CPA winners for 2008

http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:AUtkHZq7NoUJ:www.catholicweb.net/cpa/Books%2520Journalist%2520June%25202008.pdf+catholic+press+association+2008+allan+wright&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=us

Great seats with great guys for the wrong team!

Well, I finally sat in the best seats ever at a professional baseball game; front row behind the dugout.
Now my friend Henry and his 2 boys were generous enough to ask me to go and the 300 pictures that I took were pretty good if I say so myself and attest to the fact that it was a great game, 12-11 Yank win. My friend Fr. Chern, devoted Yankees fan mentioned that, "No way did I deserve THOSE seats to THAT game." I can't argue with him. However, with great company and great seats even the Yankees didn't seem so obnoxious that day.

»My review of Abraham's Curse for The Catholic Review Online

»The Catholic Review Online

Reaching Africa and the World at Assumption College for Sisters

Last Saturday, May 18, I went to the graduation of 14 Religious Sisters from various congregations at Assumption College for Sisters in Mendham, NJ. It was a beautiful ceremony with Bishop Donato offering a few words and closing with Benediction. But more importantly is the spirit and life witness of these women from Africa and Vietnam who grace ACS with their lives and faith in Jesus. At ACS they receive a two year degree before moving on to other colleges to complete their education in education and health care. Then, its back to their home countries to bring their knowledge to the people who so desperately need their care, service and love.
I've been fortunate to have been an Adjunct Professor at ACS and will be teaching their this Fall a course in the letters of St. Paul. What strikes me most is the stories that these women share about the situations and people they minister too in their homeland. Persecution in Vietnam and poverty, AIDS and hardship in Africa. Separated from family these women bring back hope to their communities and offer year of service to the people and that in the end is what it is all about...love.
ACS is run by the Sisters of Christian Charity who have opened their doors and hearts to these Sisters and are in fact touching the and impacting the world.
Visit their website http://www.acs350.org/ for more info and ways to support. All the funding for the Sisters education, about $8000 a year per Sister, is from fund raising.

Pope Benedict XVI at Youth Rally April 19th

Pope Benedict XVI at the Youth Rally on April 19, 2008. What a great opportunity for myself and 10 UC students to spend the day at Dunwoodie Seminary and get to see and hear the Holy Father speak to the Seminarians and Youth. I'm still letting the experience sink in to tell the truth. While it was a long day-7:15am-11pm-it was an historic day and there is nothing like being in the presence of the Vicar of Christ, the sucessor of St. Peter.

The Look of Love

While the look between my wife and her children is without a doubt the most beautiful look of love....this picture is a close second. After the profession of 5 women as Missionaries of Charity some on=f the older MC Sisters were passing around and holding our newest addition who was about 1 month old. This picture was sent to me right before Christmas by the mother of one of the Sisters making her profession and it truely was one of the best gifts received this year. I'd rather see a sermon than hear one and this picture says it all.

One of my favorite Drives...Plainfield to the Bronx with Sister Nirmala MC

I received a call on Saturday, November 17th, to drive Sr. Nirmala MC, the successor to Mother Teresa, from Plainfield to the Bronx. I felt it was an opportunity of a lifetime and a highlight of my ministry experiences...to be a chaufeur for this Missionary of Charity. My wife and 2 small children drove over to Plainfield, we took 2 cars so they could go home after meeting Sr. Nirmala, and were invited to join in the evening prayers with the sisters. Many who have seen Sr. Nirmala know that she is no more than 4' 10" at most and quiet unassuming. After prayers ended we stayed in the chapel to be with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament while the sisters in formation had the chance to say their goodbyes to the head of the MC's and to receive a little present from her. Not only was I driving Sr. Nirmala to their house in the Bronx but I also was driving Sr. Assumpta MC -Head of the Contemplative Branch, Sr. Mary Ann-in charge of the Contemplative house in the Bronx and also Sr. Jeylenya-Head of the Contemplative house in San Diego. I've had the chance to know these sisters through my teaching at their house of formation in Plainfield and it was PURE JOY to be able to be with them. As we started out drive Sister Nirmala suggessted that we pray the Rosary so off we went. Then the sisters were asking about myself and family and teaching and they asked me to tell a Biblical Story from my first book. YIKES, talk about being put on the spot and of all people to be telling a Scripture story too. Well, Sr. Mary Ann suggested the 4 friends of the paralytic so I'm pretty obediant and told it like I was there. I then asked Sr. Nirmala about her first meeting with Mother Teresa and it was beautiful-there we were on the NJ Turnpike about to enter the GW Bridge and she is recalling her first meeting with Mother Teresa. Well, we arrived safe and it was nice reconnecting with some of the sisters who I knew from Plainfield and after a brief stop at the chapel I was on my way.

Old timey Diners-a slice of Heaven...with Coffee

One of my favorite things to do is to visit old diners. A bit odd I confess, but there is just

something about walking up to the stainless steel facade and sitting at the counter and ordering a ham and cheese omelet and looking down the counter. I'm not sure what it is but I enjoy it. New Jersey has well over 500 diners to choose from. http://www.njdiners.com/cgi-bin/listing.cgi?ALL This morning I drove up to Warren county to visit the CROSSROADS Diner in Bridgeview, NJ while my wife and children are in Texas. I was not disappointed. Imagine the joy as I saw that the Fountain Cola was RC Cola-ahh-the simple pleasures. About half way through my omelet an old guy took out his harmonica and played, 'On Top of Ol Smokey', much to my delight. Then is was on to the Royal Diner in Washington Township for a look around and a coffee to go. So, it was a good morning overall and the occasional 'Old Timey' Diner trip helps me move forward.

Family Conference-Theology of the Body

I've been invited to a number of parishes lately to communicate the 'Theology of the Body' message to both parents and their teens. Whether it's in Bridegwater, Flemington or most recently at Immaculate Conception Parish in Annandale, NJ, I find it VERY refreshing to see these parishes taking the initiative and offering something for both parents and teens as they sit together. Offering these conferences communicates that the Theology of the Body information is important and that parents and their teens both hear the same message. It allows opportunities for dialogue and for them to receive the same teaching. If not from the parents in a faith filled environment, their Church, what message about human sexuality gets communicated to young people today? I strongly recommend Dave Hajduk's book, Gods' Plan for You, which I feature below if you scroll down. The Sisters of Jesus Our Hope have really laid a great foundation and I'd be more than happy to pass on their contact information.