Books
About the Book
Journey to Joy
From Spiritual Rigidity to Freedom
Start with a man motivated by fear, hemmed in by rules and regulations, knowing his obligations, but not aware of his feelings, with an eye strictly focused on an uncertain future of heavenly happiness. Where is this man really going and where will he end up? Only when he questioned the rules, rebelled, and set off on his own path did he begin to become free enough to grow and become more fully human. “Journey to Joy” takes you on a walk with him on his spiritual path to freedom and joy.
Excerpt # 1 (p. 12)
Leaving the active priesthood was not easy. It took me two to three years to agonize my way through to the decision. In some ways, I compared it to marriage and divorce. I had committed myself for life to a celibate priesthood with a promise to obey my superiors. Initially there was no problem. I was busy in South Korea and enjoyed the missionary life immensely. I felt I was doing what God wanted me to do. Then the Second Vatican Council changed everything. It caused me to reflect on and question my beliefs . . .
The reforms sought by the Second Vatican Council seemed to me to be so honest and right on target to promote God’s love and truth in the modern world. Implementing the reforms involved changing age-old rules and behavior and beliefs. Too many in Church leadership didn’t see it that way.
Excerpt #2 (pp.143-44)
I met my dinner partner, Louise Hartnett, a tall, strikingly beautiful blonde, as we were seated for the post-wedding meal. I asked her what she intended to do now that she had left her religious community. She told me that she would just continue doing what she had been doing. The only difference would be that she would not be wearing religious garb. What had she been doing? She was teaching nursing students at Boston College.
While in the presence of this tall, beautiful blonde, it never occurred to me that I had told myself I wasn’t interested in a relationship with a nurse, a teacher, or an ex-nun. I certainly never expected to meet someone who combined all three disqualifications. Nor was I thinking about any special relationship or even that she would be someone I would want to date. We were just having a conversation. . . .
I spent the rest of the day with Louise. She suggested that she show me around Boston. It happened to be an especially cold, windy day—typical of Boston in January. I couldn’t have cared less. It just felt so good walking alongside this woman.
Excerpt #3 (p. 166)
The girl’s arrival date was perfect—or so we thought . . .
Our best-laid plans had to change when we received word the girls would be arriving at Kennedy International Airport in New York on the evening of July 16, 1981. We drove our Volkswagen Rabbit to John Hallinan’s house in Queens. John, a former Maryknoller colleague in Korea and his beautiful Korean wife, Maria, took us out to Kennedy Airport to meet our two girls. Just like that, we became instant parents! I could hardly believe it, but also could not help but wonder what these two little girls must be feeling.
When they arrived, each was carrying a small backpack. They had no other belongings but the clothes on their backs. They were both very skinny and looked frightened. Everything was new to them, including these strange-looking people who were going to be their new parents.
The younger, Hei Ran (Lisa) was six and a half years old. She came willingly into my arms. Eleven-year-old Hyang Joon (Ann) took Louise’s hand. Maria talked to them in Korean and we set off to return to John and Maria’s home.
About the Book
Health Assessment of the Older Individual
Springer Series on Geriatric Nursing
This classic, provides practitioners with a concise, up-to-date reference text on health assessment of elderly clients. Additions include nursing home assessment; functional, nutritional, and mental health assessment and laboratory values.
About the Book
Journey to Joy
From Spiritual Rigidity to Freedom A Spiritual Autobiography 2nd Edition
Start with a man motivated by fear, hemmed in by rules and regulations, knowing his obligations, but not aware of his feelings, with an eye strictly focused on an uncertain future of heavenly happiness. Where is this man really going and where will he end up? Only when he questioned the rules, rebelled, and set off on his own path did he begin to become free enough to grow and become more fully human. “Journey to Joy” takes you on a walk with him on his spiritual path to freedom and joy.