Michele Morris Update and Exciting News about Her One-Act Play "Teresita"

This is what the book's cover will look like.

Where Is She Now?

Michele Morris has returned to Richmond, Virginia.  After an adventure in following God’s will that led her clear across the country to Carmel, she has continued praying and discerning the question she began to ask God many years ago “What do You want of me?” 

Her devotion to Christ, being a person of prayer, and seeking His will in all things have remained.  It looks a little different than she’d expected, but that’s often been the case.  In recent months, she has been led by the Lord to seek publication for her original play about St. Teresa of Avila. 

“Teresita” ends with a message of needing to move forward to discover and finish discerning if the life of a Carmelite was indeed where St. Teresa was being called to spend the rest of her life.  Michele continues her own discernment having journeyed to Carmel and back. 

The parallels between Michele’s life and St. Teresa of Avila's are fascinating.  Now many others will get a taste of the highs and lows of vocational discernment in the life of one of the most popular Doctors of the Church through “Teresita.”

About the Play

Known as Teresita to her friends and family, nineteen-year-old Teresa de Cepeda y Ahumada asks for her father's permission to enter Carmel of the Incarnation.  He says no. In a passionate and decisive moment, Teresa leaves home in the middle of the night without her father’s knowledge.  Teresa reflects on her life's experiences that led her to this imminent decision.     

The Buzz about “Teresita”

"Michele has produced a drama that is born from a heart filled with love for St. Teresa of Avila. She captures the faith of the great Saint whose story is fitting in this age of a profound renewal of the church. She acts with a conviction inspired by Teresa."

~ Fr. James F. Kauffmann, S.T.B., S.T.L., M.A., S.S.L. 

“Ms. Morris in “Teresita” exceeded our expectations with the depth of the story, the poignancy of the message, and the sheer entertainment value. She puts a human face on this Saint whose lofty reputation can have a dehumanizing effect. I highly recommend her show for audiences of children and adults alike. For us, one performance was not enough.” 

                                      ~ Fr. Robert Novokowsky, FSSP

"Michele Morris has created a compelling and important script and performs it with dynamic sincerity.   Her one-woman play, "Teresita," reaches out to us and penetrates into the depths of what each of us define as "faith." I am so pleased to recommend that you experience this show!"

~ Larry Gard, Artistic Director, Carpenter Science Theatre Company 

                                                                         

"Teresita" is going to be published as a book by Leonine Publishers.  To see the upcoming book in the Leonine bookstore, click here and scroll to the bottom.    

Special thanks to my Glory Bee Friend!" 😁🐝     Love, Michele

Books Are One of My Primary Love Languages

I've read The 5 Love Languages book by Gary Chapman, but I'm utterly convinced that BOOKS ARE ONE OF MY PRIMARY LOVE LANGUAGES! The above graphic I created is made up of only a shelf or so full of the thousands of books I've read and really enjoyed. People who know me well know I am a voracious reader. If I love and care about you, then I recommend or give you good books to read. Those who know me well and love me recommend, lend, or give me good books to read.  

I no longer have copies of the vast majority of these books, because my habit when I absolutely love a book it so to give it to a family, friend, and/or even an acquaintance who has shared an interest in a topic that a particular book I have read treats with tremendous accuracy, hopefulness, and or candor. 

Since I rarely reread books unless they are so profound and life-changing I feel the need to soak up their wisdom through a second read-through, then the compelling desire to share the love by passing it on is greater than letting it collect dust when I already have a stack of great books I still want to read on my shelves. Are you like that, too?

How to Weep in Public: Feeble Offerings on Depression from Someone Who Knows by Jacqueline Novak

I was too offended by much of the rudeness and lewdness in How to Weep in Public: Feeble Offerings on Depression from Someone Who Knows.  I read up to page 101 before becoming so bothered I couldn’t bring myself to continue.  I had hoped to be entertained by Jacqueline Novak’s take on the misery of depression, but the vulgar language and excessive sexual references made me feel annoyed and irritated instead of amused. 

I get that she’s a popular mainstream, not-at-all-religious comedian and the shock factor is what gets to some people, but I wasn’t feeling it.  I’m sure that watching several of Christian comedian and musician Tim Hawkins’ hilarious Youtube videos this week also influenced my visceral dislike for Novak’s approach.     

I’ll admit a few of the items on her Top lists included made me smile, but I never found myself actually laughing (which to me is the mark of a book that is truly funny).  At least, she was brutally honest in the Introduction:

“What This Book Will Not Provide:

•        Useful exercises
•        Insights of lasting value
•        Relief from depression
•        Help of any kind” (p. 9)

I get that this is humor and a parody, but skimming quickly through the rest of the book only to discover that my favorite flavor of Ben and Jerry’s has been discontinued was more than I could handle.  One of the primary ways I’ve experienced significant relief from depression has been to make some rather drastic changes to my diet, so I rarely eat dairy products, chocolate, or lots of processed sugar these days, but knowing that I won’t get to so much as glance at my former ice cream fix on the frozen foods aisle seems cruel.

If I were knee-deep in self-help books and languishing in the lingo of depression but had never sat with someone who was feeling suicidal to keep them from ending their lives or considered the possibility of my own early demise, I might feel differently.  

I wouldn’t recommend this book for those who are suffering from severe depression or in the midst of caring for someone who does.  I personally have found books on the topic by Henri Nouwen, Kathryn J. Hermes, FSP, Joyce Rupp, and Nick Vujicic significantly more interesting, encouraging, practical, and enjoyable to read.  (Nouwen is a priest, the next two are consecrated women religious, and the last one is an upbeat, humorous gentleman author and speaker who was born without arms or legs).  Their faith-based approaches resonate with me and left me with three of the four anecdotes that Novak’s book lacked: "useful exercises, insights of lasting value, and help..."

I received a free copy of How To Weep in Public from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.  Got a blog?  Like reading and reviewing books, check out their program here. 

The Things Lily Knew; Things Unknown to Lily; A Little Like Lily (books 4-6 in a series) by Sherry Boas

The Things Lily Knew is the 4^th novel in the trilogy.  Wait, what?  How does that work?  Sherry Boas intended for her novels about the profound impact Lily, a female with Down syndrome, has on everyone around her to be a trilogy.  However, the author, who has an adopted daughter with Down syndrome, missed writing about Lily so much, she penned three more novels linking the lovable leading lady with family and friends.

The emphasis on the immeasurable value of each person is more important than ever these days when some studies have shown that when women are given a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome, as often as 90% of the time they abort the child.

I am awed by how fluidly and convincingly Boas tells the story of a precious life well worth living while simultaneously addressing the many questions and concerns parents often have when faced with what is commonly referred to as “a poor pregnancy diagnosis.”  The demands on patience, time, energy, and effort for parents of persons with disabilities are often heavy, but none of them outweigh the tremendous love that abounds.

  

Here are my reviews of the First Three in the Trilogy Turned Series of Six: Until Lily (1st book), Wherever Lily Goes (2nd book), Life Entwined with Lily's (3rd book). 

Things Unknown to Lily (5^th book in a series) has the depth, rich backstory, and character development I liked best about the Lily Trilogy.  Fewer characters developed at much greater length made this book more enjoyable and similar to the style and substance of the first three books. 

Dealing with the struggles of living with and/or suffering from depression are all-too-familiar for many people.  Studies show that approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experience mental illness in a given year.  That means the chances are better than average that you, a spouse, child, co-worker, and/or friend of yours is presently struggling with a potentially devastating invisible illness.

That aspect of things and the challenges it poses in a marriage are ones that we have experienced profoundly.  To read, one of my personal reflections on depression , check out Depression Is a Taste of the Agony in the Garden.

The book engages the reader through the characters’ common, though rarely said aloud questions (Will anyone ever really love me who gets to know me intimately?  What have I gotten myself into marrying someone who suffers from depression?  Will things ever get better?) They grapple with the questions that most people ask at some point in life about self-worth, relationships, intimacy, pain, suffering, vocations, and marriage.  The details, conversations, conflicts, and decisions illustrate that life is a complex journey with many ups and downs.  The struggles and suffering are real, but the triumphs and healing are, too. 

A Little Like Lily (the 6^th book by Sherry Boas in the series)

 

The innocent, honest, open style of Daisy’s thoughts, feelings, and actions create a moving portrait of what it might be like to be inside the mind of someone with Down syndrome.      

Within the structure of a personal memoir, there are several passages included from the viewpoint of other characters.  This gives us some additional perspective on what’s happening while providing the opportunity to read between the lines.  Oftentimes, we can deduce more about major aspects of the story, such as the severity of her father’s illness, from what others say and do than we can solely from Daisy’s thoughts. 

We are shown in a way that is real and respectful that persons with Down syndrome have the same emotions, challenges, and experiences with heartache that the rest of us do.  The dynamics of having a crush, being close friends with someone, feeling jealous when a loved one spends time with someone else instead of you are universal themes with which most of us can identify. 

I love the covers of these books!  They are quite beautiful, striking, and tie the books together well.  I’m very much into photography, art, and design as well as writing, proofreading, and editing, so that’s another thing I appreciated about the series.

I recommend the Lily series to anyone who thinks or would like to be convinced that each person’s life is precious and affects so many other lives well beyond our ability to imagine.  I received free copies of these three books in exchange for an honest review of each.

To read more about author Sherry Boas, click here.

To find out more about the Lily Series or to purchase your own copies of the books, click here.

The God I Believe in...

The American Catholic Almanac: A Daily Reader of Patriots, Saints, Rogues, and Ordinary People Who Changed the United States by Brian Burch & Emily Stimpson

The American Catholic Almanac is a fascinating look at the brave people, historical circumstances, and stalwart faith that shaped the Catholic Church in the United States.  

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about this motley crew of individuals recognized for their holiness as well as their boldness for Christ.  A masterful mix of well-known figures and lesser-known characters united to bring the faith to this country and keep it going. 

This is not a mere jog through the litany of saints.  Though a number of individuals written about in these pages have received this distinction from the Vatican, many of these men and women haven’t yet and may never make it into the latest edition of Saint of the Day.  

The variety of reasons a certain person or incident is chosen for each particular day of the year adds intrigue and diversity.  Not only birthdays, death dates, and saints’ feast days are mentioned and recorded in this daily reader, but also many other 24-hour periods significant to history in America.  Some other entries mark the anniversaries of when a battle was reenacted, prestigious Catholic colleges and universities began a conference, a personal letter was penned, Prohibition ended, a new order of religious women came into being, and the elevation of a cathedral to the status of basilica. 

It was fun not knowing what to expect for each day, priest or laity, patriot or rogue, commoner or coincidence.  As unexpected as much of America’s history, this tome illustrates the excitement and danger embodied in the Catholic quest for eternal salvation.      

I would recommend this book for history buffs, well-read Catholics, as well as those who are just getting to know the overarching attributes characteristic of the usual suspects for sainthood.

I received a free copy of The American Catholic Almanac from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for an honest review to share on their Blogging for Books site.  To purchase, The American Catholic Almanac, click here.  If you love free books, reading, and have a blog, you can sign up here.

Playing with a Few of My Favorite Things: Writing, Photography & Art

I'm almost always writing, taking photos, and creating art, but I don't always share what I'm working on or mix these things together.  I figured it would be fun to combine a few of my favorite things and see what happens.  

About the image: This photograph is one I took in Rochester, New York, of a sunset over Lake Ontario.  I was out on the pier accessible through Ontario Beach Park.

About the message: Lessons God has taught me that I've needed to be reminded of more than once.

The Walls Are Talking: Former Abortion Clinic Workers Tell Their Stories

This book by Planned Parenthood’s 2008 Employee of the Year is worth reading regardless of what “side” you’re on.  Who knows what actually happens in an abortion clinic?  Those women who have worked there themselves.

Abby Johnson is a post-abortive former clinic manager of a large Planned Parenthood in Texas.  Like many, she began her career set on helping women.  The longer she worked in the industry, the more she witnessed that weighed heavily on her. 

She’s been on both sides of the fence, and now she’s built a gate so others disillusioned by the lies they were told and deeds they have done can find an easier way out. 

In my experience, people who are suffering most often want someone to listen and be present to them.  The young, the old, the frightened, the bold, the greatest and the least would like someone to acknowledge their existence and remain with them in their time of need.

The many examples of hope and compassion inspired me the most about The Walls Are Talking.  This is not an easy book to read.  I knew that going in.  I thought I would be shocked by the stories in these pages.  Some of the details included are truthful in a way that is at times both gory and horrifying.  Over the past several years, I have read numerous articles and studies in print and online, including the book Unplanned , and I have watched several documentaries on the abortion industry.  Two of the most powerful documentaries I've seen are Changing Sides and Bloodmoney (narrated by Dr. Alveda King). I would have felt really blown away had I not read or viewed any insider information in advance.      

You are not alone if you have ever thought: I have to hide my pain.  I can never tell anyone what I’ve done. I don’t deserve to be forgiven. I have to pretend that everything is fine.  My heart and life are irreparably broken.  No one else understands or cares about what I’m going through. 

After doing some research that left her reeling, my mom became an active pro-life advocate.  Her passion for prayer and her dedication to helping women and children has always inspired me.  Over the past several years, I have watched her lead our local 40 Days for Life campaign and support a number of local organizations who help women faced with unplanned pregnancies get the support and information they need.  

Through those outreach ministries I became involved in with my mom, I came to know one of the couples in our community who was very close to post-abortive women.  Kay Marie and Joe Geiger headed up Rachel’s Vineyard post-abortion healing retreats in our area for many, many years.   

Have you ever talked with someone who made you feel as if you were the only person in the world who mattered at that moment?  Kay Marie Geiger had the ability to listen and be fully present to the person in front of her.  I haven’t met many people who are as loving, gentle, and compassionate as she was.    

It is my sincere hope and prayer that more people who have had an abortion or who have worked in the abortion industry would have the blessing of meeting people like Kay Marie and Joe Geiger.  We could use more people listening and whispering in the midst of the shouting and doubting.  Forgiveness and healing are possible.  It’s never too late.  Rachel’s Vineyard post-abortion healing retreats are still happening in our area and around the world.  Find one near you. 

Abby Johnson’s conversion is expanded upon in her best-selling book Unplanned.  This follow-up to her conversion story chronicles her own experiences working for Planned Parenthood as well as those of many other women who were employed in clinics across the country.  The book is well-written, clear, concise, and includes a variety of insights into the abortion industry.  For more information about The Walls Are Talking: Former Abortion Clinic Workers Tell Their Stories or to order your own copy, click here.  

To read more about the nonprofit organization Abby Johnson started to help abortion clinic workers, check out And Then There Were None (ATTWN).