Catholic Fire

Somerset, NJ--The Catholic Writers' Guild, in conjunction with the Catholic Marketing Network, will host its first-ever Catholic Writers' Conference LIVE! at the Doubletree Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, Somerset, NJ, from Aug 5-7, 2009. The conference will host publishers, editors and authors from all aspects of the Catholic writing world, including magazines, devotionals, novels and educational materials. The panel discussions, presentations and workshop swill cover all aspects of writing, including generating query letters, crafting a good story, world building, marketing finished works and more. In addition, editors from several Catholic publishers will be on-hand to share their wisdom and hear authors propose their works. The Catholic Marketing Network's International Trade Show will serve as the exhibition floor for the convention, giving writers a chance to browse the booths, investigate other publishing companies, and meet with the published authors at book s...

to get your inspirational story in for the new book. A Great Lenten Project Are you married? Are you Catholic? Do you have a devotion to the saints? Have you and your spouse or a family member experienced hope and healing as a result of prayer to a saint or saint(s)? This is your chance to evangelize and it makes for a wonderful Lenten project as well. I am looking for dramatic conversion stories as well as stories of trials and tribulations (for example, financial difficulties, addictions, the birth of a child with a medical problem) overcome or that you learned to cope with better through the intercession of a saint or saints and the grace of God to publish in a new book meant to inspire and encourage married couples. In order to be published: Your story must name a saint (or saints) who has (have) interceded for you. It must be at least 1800 words, but not more than 2000 words. Email your submission to me no later than March 15, 2009. jean.heimann@gmail.com

By Barbara Bartocci Clutter less Pray more Consume less Give more Want less Enjoy more And always, always, give thanks to God." Copyright@Barbara Bartocci This is from her new book, Grace on the Go: Powerful Prayers to Ease Money Worries

Thomas Merton (January 31, 1915 - December 10, 1968) was a 20th century Catholic writer -a Trappist monk of the Abbey of Gethsemani, in the U.S. state of Kentucky Via CNS blog : Today marks the 40th anniversary of the death of Trappist monk Thomas Merton, one of the 20th century’s most influential Catholics. His death through a freak accident in Bangkok, Thailand, came 27 years to the day he entered the Abbey at Getshemani in Trappist, Ky. A prolific author whose comtemplative writings were an inspiration for a generation of Catholics coming alive in the church in the era around the Second Vatican Council, Merton remains as popular as ever. New books based on his journals, letters and essays continue to be published today. What’s so attractive about Merton’s writings is his ability to speak to people seeking answers to life’s important questions. Like many of us, he wrestled with purpose and direction in life. His work remains a cornerstone for people striving to overcome the principa...

I can't tell you how excited I am to have my little story published in the July/August issue of Canticle. Canticle is a wonderful magazine which contains the work of some very gifted women writers. You probably already know most of them. Here are some of the great stories you'll find there. Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle has a cover story on the International Women's Congress in Rome. Johnnette Benkovic contributed "Our Lady of Mount Carmel: Her Scapular, Her School." Elena Maria Vidal presents "Modest, Not Frumpy: Beauty and the Blessed" Gretchen Garrity , with "Faith Lessons from a Garden." Theresa Caviccio has a piece on St. Pauline Visintainer, Patroness of Diabetics. Sarah Reinhard reflects on "Laundry on the Line." Jean Heimann (that's me) offers "A Working Miracle." Ann Abbott writes "Bitterness in a World of Sugar" about the slave trade in the Dominican Republic. Columnist Suzanne Baars writes a...