Ellen Gable's Blog, page 59

St. Maria Goretti, Pray For Us

Today is the feast day of St. Maria Goretti. During my teen years, I attended a church named for St. Maria Goretti and was married in that church. She is one of my favorite patron saints and a patron saint of, among others, rape victims and young girls. To find out more about St. Maria Goretti, check out this link here.

The movie based on her life is compelling and we watch it every year on her feast day. It’s available on Amazon or through Ignatius Press.

St. Maria Goretti, pray for us and especially pray for the 300 schoolgirls who were kidnapped by Boko Haram in Nigeria last year. We pray that they will be found and brought back to their families.

SQT – The Lion’s Heart and #SSM

Please join me and other bloggers at This Ain’t the Lyceum for Seven Quick Takes Friday.

Given the US Supreme Court’s decision last week on legalizing same sex marriage, I’m dedicating my entire SQT today to a book FQP published last year entitled, The Lion’s Heart by Dena Hunt, which I believe encompasses the Catholic teaching on same sex attraction.

1. Synopsis of The Lion’s Heart

Paul Meyer has never let anyone get too close. Until Max. The Lion’s Heart is a heart-rending story about love and sacrifice. The emotional struggle of Paul’s same-sex attraction, the guilt he feels, and his ambivalence toward his Catholic faith all come together in this look inside the heart of a tortured man.

2. Excerpt

It wasn’t the deception, unpleasant as it was, that troubled him. In fact, he simply couldn’t put his finger on it. All he knew that was truly different with Max was that he loved him. And it was that, that single stark truth, which made everything different. He never loved before… He put the empty wine glass on the balcony floor beside him and tried to find again that mysterious, interior quiet that city noise always brought him. But he felt instead a kind of disquiet that seemed urgent… Love was never wrong. He’d heard that so often from sincere people, good people… ‘Love is never wrong.’ More than a platitude, it became a mantra. No one could argue with it, not without being judgmental or bigoted. Paul himself always believed it, although he never thought much about it before—never had much reason to think about it. But then, he’d never really loved anyone before…

3. Review from Joseph Pearce

“Dena Hunt is a consummate storyteller who does not shirk or shy away from the difficult questions about life and love that her story raises. The Lion’s Heart contains not only the loves of lovers, spouses, parents, and children but also the demons and dragons that selfishness unleashes. The Lion’s Heart is not for the faint-hearted, nor is it for the hard-hearted. It pulsates with a passion that will bring true hearts to their knees.” Joseph Pearce, author of The Unmasking of Oscar Wilde, co-editor of the St. Austin

4. Review from A. K. Frailey

“It may be fiction but The Lion’s Heart reflects a truth that is as real as the sunrise. The moral conflicts and dilemmas are treated with dignity and there are no easy answers, though, thank God, there are answers. The style, beauty, and flow of Dena’s writing speaks for itself. I could not give this book a higher rating, for it is at the top of the charts. I thank Ms. Hunt for having the courage and the beauty of heart to see, feel, and love as she did – for this book is, above all, a work of love. May it be accepted as such.” A.K. Frailey, author The Deliverance Trilogy

5. Review from Fr. Paul Check

“Dena Hunt conveys some of the very real struggles of those persons who have same-sex attractions (SSA), especially the shame, confusion, and misery that can accompany such feelings. She shows how that suffering can affect family and friends. The path to understanding homosexuality requires abundant patience, prudence, and good will because the topic is not primarily a controversial cultural issue, but rather a complex personal reality. It is one for which there is not one simple or general explanation – or response. This novel gives us a glimpse into the lives and hearts of those touched by SSA who are striving to understand themselves, and so to love genuinely after the example of Jesus Christ and the teachings of His Church.” Rev. Paul Check, Executive Director, Courage

6. Review from Erin McCole Cupp

“Whatever side of controversy you call home, this book is a game-changer. With The Lion’s Heart, Dena Hunt gives us a compassionate story courageously told, depicting the truth in all its dimensions. Readers will never be the same, and with The Lion’s Heart, the landscape of faith-based fiction is changed forever.” Erin McCole Cupp, author, Don’t You Forget Me

7. Review from Christopher Blunt

“The Lion’s Heart is a rocketing page-turner that had me hooked from beginning to end. The characters’ very genuine experiences with same- sex attraction, and its consequences, led me to a much deeper understanding and empathy for all those who must bear this burden. Above all, this story powerfully brings to life the reality that love often means saying “no” to one’s own desires, and instead choosing what is truly good for the other.” Christopher Blunt, author of Passport

You can purchase The Lion’s Heart on Kindle at this link.

It’s also available in paperback at this link.

SQT Friday – Sale, Graduations Etc.

Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at This Ain’t the Lyceum for Seven Quick Takes Friday.

1. University Graduation #3 Son

#3 son’s graduation from Ottawa University (Image copyright Ellen Hrkach)

2. High School Graduation #4 Son

Yesterday, #4 son graduated from high school. He sang his own music composition “Growing Up” at the graduation ceremony (and got a standing ovation from his fellow classmates and the rest of the audience.) He also won the Brody Armstrong Music Award/Scholarship.

copyright Ellen Hrkach 2015

3. Big Sale!

A group of Indie authors are holding a huge summer sale. To find out more, click here. Stealing Jenny is on sale for .99! (US customers only!)

4. Catholic Writers Guild Blog

I’m also over at the Catholic Writers Guild blog today. Check out the post here.

5. Live the Fast

Have you discovered the joy and value of fasting yet? Whether you fast on a regular basis or not, check out this website to find out more information.

6. Reading Shelf

Victorious Exile by Echo Lewis

7. St. Anthony Cartoon

When my husband initially conceived this cartoon, he used #2 and #3 son’s images. Both of those boys are now men and both are graduates of university!

Image copyright James and Ellen Hrkach Please do not use without permission

SQT – Father’s Day Edition 2015

Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at This Ain’t the Lyceum for 7 Quick Takes Friday.

With Father’s Day coming up this weekend, this will be an all photo Quick Takes, devoted to the father figures in my life and to my husband:

My father and me, 1961, at a picnic. He died in 1978.
Copyright Ellen Hrkach

My stepfather (1933-2012) and my sister, 2011.
Copyright Ellen Hrkach

My husband and his father (1980), who passed away in 1995.
Copyright Ellen Hrkach

1987, with #1 son. My husband has always been a “hands on” type of father.
Copyright Ellen Hrkach

1990. With #2 son at a winter carnival.
Copyright Ellen Hrkach

1992. Rocking #3 son.
Copyright Ellen Hrkach

1997, swimming with #4 son. Copyright Ellen Hrkach

2000. On the beach with #5 son.
Copyright Ellen Hrkach

Did you count more than seven? There are actually eight photos (I couldn’t do this in less than eight!)

Happy, Happy Father’s Day to my father, stepfather and father-in-law in heaven. And a Happy Father’s Day to my husband!

Updated: Copyright 2015 Ellen Gable Hrkach

Major #Catholic ebook #Sale Next Week!

Major Catholic ebook sale next week!.

Seven Quick Takes Friday – Kindle Sale!

Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at This Ain’t the Lyceum for Seven Quick Takes Friday.

Emily’s Hope (Kindle Edition), my first book, is still on sale for .99! Click here to download.

1. Graduations!

June is the month of graduations! There will be two in our family: our third son, Tim, is graduating from Ottawa University on June 14th, and our fourth son, Adam, is graduating high school on June 25th. Let the celebrations begin!

2. Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Today is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus! There is a beautiful and powerful novena to the “Efficacious Sacred Heart of Jesus” that St. Padre Pio recited every day. I also pray this beautiful novena every day for all the intentions of my family.

3. O’Donovan Family Series

There’s a unique page for the O’Donovan Family Series on Amazon.com. Check it out here! Both

4. FQP Newsletter

If you’d like to receive news about upcoming books and sales from Full Quiver Publishing (my company), please sign up here.

5. Catholic Life Support

Stealing Jenny is mentioned in a list of Catholic books over at 365Catholic.

6. Reading-Review Shelf

True Radiance by Lisa Mladinich

7. Cartoon

Image copyright James and Ellen Hrkach. Please do not use without permission

Emily’s Hope: .99 Sale on Kindle!

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the publication of my first book, the Kindle edition of Emily’s Hope is on sale for a limited time only for .99!

Emily’s Hope is based on the true stories of myself and my great-grandmother. Here are a few of the reviews I’ve received since it was published ten years ago:

“Compelling…a real page turner.”

Damon Owens, Host of EWTN’s “NFP: Embracing the Marital Gift”

“Your book is a vehicle for the whole truth behind the Theology of the Body, presented so that people can see how the teachings of the Church are to be followed.”

Joan Hon, author, “A Trip to Medjugorje”

“There is so much to love about Emily’s Hope — the innocence of young love, the beautiful, miraculous, healing power of love and the beauty of sacrificial married love and its life-giving splendor. This story is not a fantasy, but is a tender and sensitive portrayal of what makes love real and lasting.”

Jean Heimann, Catholic Fire

“This book is a must read for anyone who has ever questioned whether living the NFP lifestyle is worth it or ever been resentful of the deprivations of NFP. I loved this book!”

Christopher Blunt, author, “Passport”

“I would encourage everyone to read this book, certainly young women. It is a book I can wholeheartedly recommend.”

David Beresford, Catholic Insight Magazine

“While this book is definitely about NFP, it is also about the love of husbands and wives, the love of parents for their children and the agonizing moral choices we sometimes face. It is also about real people…and about being witnesses to a culture of life in a world overshadowed by a culture of death.”

Kristie Wellman, One More Soul

The new updated book trailer for Emily’s Hope:

To read more reviews, click here: Emily’s Hope Kindle Edition.

Emily’s Hope Kindle Edition is only .99 for a Limited Time Only!

Seven Quick Takes Friday – Emily’s Hope Ten Years Old

Please join me and other Catholic bloggers at This Ain’t The Lyceum for SQT Friday.

1. Emily’s Hope Ten Years Old!!

It’s hard to believe, but my first book, Emily’s Hope, is now ten years old!

Over at my Facebook author page, as well as the Full Quiver Publishing Facebook page, there will be free giveaways all week!

2. Catholic Writers Conference Live 2015

We’re in the final stages of planning for the Catholic Writers Conference Live in Somerset, New Jersey. If you’re a writer and are thinking of attending, there’s more information here at this link. If you have already decided to attend, you can register at this link.

3. Entertaining and Powerful Post From Erin McCole Cupp

On Why I Stay Catholic With the Aid of the Internet. Entertaining and powerful. Check it out here.

4. Difficult Anniversaries, Decisions and Responsible Parenthood

I recently posted an updated article about the difficulties my husband and I faced in discerning whether or not we should have more children. Check it out here.

image copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach

5. Catholic Life Support

Thank you, Ann Frailey, for mentioning so many great Catholic books in your post a few days ago! (Stealing Jenny was included!)

6. Reading Shelf

Specter by John Desjarlais

7. Hotel Cartoon

We’re getting close to vacation time. This is one of our most popular cartoons!

image copyright James and Ellen Hrkach (please do not use without permission)

Copyright 2015 Ellen Gable Hrkach

Difficult Decisions and Responsible Parenthood

The end of June every year marks two very difficult anniversaries for me. On June 26th, 1986, during my first pregnancy, I was rushed into surgery to remove a tiny baby from my right fallopian tube. This, after already miscarrying a baby from my womb. I woke up in the hospital with the knowledge that I had conceived twins…and I would be leaving the hospital with neither in my arms.

Seven years later, in June in 1993, I found myself in an ambulance fighting for my life, bleeding internally as the result of ectopic pregnancy complications. It’s hard to believe it’s been 22 years.

Below is a reprint of an article that was published a few years ago. It describes the difficult decisions James and I faced when discerning whether we should limit our family to three boys after a life-threatening pregnancy in 1993.

Pope Paul VI in his papal encyclical Humanae Vitae states: “ Responsible parenthood… has one further essential aspect of paramount importance. It concerns the objective moral order which was established by God, and of which a right conscience is the true interpreter. In a word, the exercise of responsible parenthood requires that husband and wife, keeping a right order of priorities, recognize their own duties toward God, themselves, their families and human society.”

In the ambulance, as I drifted in and out of consciousness, I didn’t have much time for retrospective thoughts, except “Please God, I can’t die. I don’t want my little boys growing up without a mom.” I was bleeding internally, the complications of ectopic pregnancy surgery two weeks previous, and quickly becoming weaker and weaker. Waking up later in the recovery room, I was thankful to be alive.

“You should not be having any more children.” The words were harsh and at first, we took them as truth. I was capable of having more, but after two ectopic pregnancies and complications from one of the surgeries, we were told that we must limit our family to three boys. The doctors suggested that I be put on hormonal contraception. They later urged me to have my remaining fallopian tube tied. The physicians weren’t the only ones to give the ‘order’ to stop having children. Well-meaning relatives and friends felt it was their duty to tell us that we should not get pregnant again. “You don’t want to be irresponsible, do you?”

“It concerns the objective moral order which was established by God…”

It became evident, as we dialogued with both the physicians and the well-meaning relatives and friends, that they were concerned only about my physical health. Most of them cared little, if at all, for my/our spiritual well being. And, initially, in those first few weeks after my surgery, we felt that we ought to listen to the “doctor’s orders.”

However, as the months went by, I began to regain my strength. We continued using NFP in the most conservative way, often adding one or two days to the rules for extra security. A year later, with heaviness in my heart, I thought of the future and the fact that we would not have anymore children. I wondered whether God was calling us to actively seek another pregnancy. My husband and I discussed it, then brought our concern to our spiritual director, explaining to him that the doctor told us that we should not have any more children. “James and Ellie,” he said, “that is a decision to be made between the two of you and God.” He encouraged us to pray about it and he further recommended that we talk to a faithful Catholic doctor. We knew of a Catholic physician through a neighboring homeschooling community. Her response after reviewing my file was that we could try for more children, but that I would need to be monitored carefully in the first several weeks to confirm that it wasn’t another ectopic pregnancy.

… a right conscience is the true interpreter…”

For the next several months, we prayed together. We deeply desired another child, but we did not want to be careless or irresponsible. After much prayer and discernment, and weighing all the risks, we decided to actively seek another pregnancy.

“…the exercise of responsible parenthood requires that husband and wife, keeping a right order of priorities…”

Ten cycles later, we were still not pregnant. We felt at peace with our decision to seek another pregnancy and, although disappointed, we trusted that God knew what He was doing. Eventually, we stopped charting. Another eight cycles went by with no pregnancy and I began to sell off most of my baby furniture. A few weeks later, it dawned on me that I hadn’t had a period in six weeks. The next morning, I took my temperature and it was 98.9. After 18 months of saying no to us, God was saying yes and blessing us with another eternal soul. I was thrilled that another new life, the fruit of our love, had begun, and would be sheltered lovingly in my womb.

With the blessing, however, soon came suffering. I began having debilitating migraine headaches and some days I could not get out of bed. Worse than the physical pain, however, was the emotional suffering. Doctors, well-meaning friends and relatives told us that we were being “irresponsible” and “selfish,” and that if I was suffering, “I had asked for it.”

At 30 weeks gestation, our unborn baby was six pounds and I had already gained 50 pounds. That might not seem like much, but with my four feet nine inch frame, it meant that I could not drive (the seat had to be pushed back so far to allow for my large stomach that my feet couldn’t reach the pedals) and I could not walk without assistance the last four weeks of the pregnancy.

Our son, Adam, was born eight weeks later at nearly ten pounds. The pro-life Catholic doctor who delivered Adam by C-section told me that we could try for another baby someday, but that the pregnancy would again have to be monitored. Three years later, our youngest son, Paul was born.

“…recognize their own duties toward God, themselves, their families and human society.”

The words of Pope Paul VI in Humanae Vitae courageously proclaim the truth of responsible parenthood. The decision to have or avoid another child remains a decision between the couple and God. No one else ought to make such a life-changing and important choice because no one else will have to endure the consequences (and joys), nor will anyone else have to stand before God someday and explain their actions.

Although we could have used NFP to avoid pregnancy permanently to limit our family size to three sons, we chose to listen to our hearts, to answer God’s calling, and to seek more children. When I consider that our two youngest sons (pictured above) might possibly not be here today, my heart becomes heavy. Both are amazing human beings who have already given so much to our family and to society.

For a more comprehensive discussion of our discernment process, check out my recent video presentation for the CC4 Moms Conference on the topic of Responsible Parenthood (or How I Came to Have Five Kids When the Doctors Told Us to Stop At Three).

James and I are so grateful to God for each of our five sons because they are all unique, talented and irreplaceable human beings. We can’t imagine our family and our world without them.

Updated 2015, text and photos copyright Ellen Gable Hrkach

Catholic Writers to Speak at Catholic Writers Conference

Contact: Ann Lewis, Catholic Writers Guild, 317-755-2693

SOMERSET, N.J., June 1, 2015 /Christian Newswire/Several prominent Catholic writers will speak at the seventh annual Catholic Writers Conference LIVE taking place July 22-24 at the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset, NJ. Sponsored by the Catholic Writers Guild and the Catholic Marketing Network (CMN), and held in conjunction with CMN’s annual retailer trade show, the Catholic Writers Conference LIVE provides Catholic writers with a prime opportunity to meet and share their faith with editors, publishers, fellow writers, and bookstore owners from across the globe. The theme of this year’s conference is “Perseverance.”

Speakers include keynote speaker Pat Gohn (BLESSED, BEAUTIFUL AND BODACIOUS), authors Gary Zimak (FROM FEAR TO FAITH), Regina Doman (RAPUNZEL LET DOWN), Margaret Rose Realy (A CATHOLIC GARDENER’S SPIRITUAL ALMANAC), Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle (THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL: STORIES, PRAYERS AND DEVOTIONS), Ellen Gable Hrkach (STEALING JENNY) and many others.

The conference will give authors an opportunity to meet personally with publishing professionals and pitch their writing projects. Some participating publishers are Ignatius Press, Ave Maria Press, and Servant Books. In addition, attendees have the opportunity to sign up for a fiction critique workshop with award-wining short fiction writer Arthur Powers (A HERO FOR THE PEOPLE), a non-fiction critique group with Nancy Ward (joyalive.net) and attend writing workshops with novelists John Desjarlais (SPECTER) and Michelle Buckman (RACHEL’S CONTRITION). Information for these events can be found on the conference website.

The Catholic Writers Guild, a religious non-profit organization affiliated with the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, sponsors this conference in July, an online conference in March, and a writers’ retreat in October to further its mission of promoting Catholic literature. “With members all over the world, these events bring our diverse membership together for fellowship and networking to promote our mission of creating a rebirth of Catholic arts and letters,” says CWG President and award-winning novelist Ellen Gable Hrkach.

Registration costs $80 for CWG members, $85 for non-members and $40 for students. There’s also a discounted combined membership. To register or for more information, go to www.catholicwritersconference.com.