This memoir traces one woman's the call to Catholic priesthood. A taste of her convent life begun at 14 is enhanced with teaching scenarios. After leaving the convent, she launches a start-stop career in church work in Detroit, Chicago and Minnesota. Though opposed to the ordination of priests, the actions of the American Catholic Bishops push her to seek it. The hundred plus women ordained Catholic priests each have a unique story. Marty's includes using "chicken shit" and a cigarette pack as sermon hooks, teaching contraceptives, making referrals to pet therapy, an independent study of sex, and rationale for Catholic Churches to pay property tax. The state of health care reform weaves through stories of the author's experiences as a VA and hospital chaplain. Written for everyone, the non-Catholic gains insight into why the Catholic Church is having problems. Sprinkled with hope for the future of the Catholic Church, hard issues are discussed including: abortion, suicide, contraceptives, end of life, PTSD and clergy abuse. The vision of the Second Vatican Council weaves through the memoir. Highlighted by Pope Francis, it's return to the forefront gives optimism for a relevant, dynamic, Catholic Church in the near future.
About the Author: Marty Meyer-Gad was ordained a Catholic priest in Chicago on 10 April 2010. She was one of the first lay parish worship coordinators. While working for the Archdiocese of Detroit she edited: Basics: A Liturgical Education Source Book and Lent a Time to Re-Member. She launched the Scripture series At Home with the Word and wrote the first three editions at the Archdiocese of Chicago. At both she taught the basics of worship, facilitated training lay ministers, and assisted groups with goal setting. Education: Certified by Institute for Pastoral Liturgical Ministries, Detroit. M.A. in liturgy from St. John's University, Collegeville, MN Certified as a chaplain in 2003 Marty is married to Bruno Gad. Currently they live in rural MN where they have raised chickens and sheep. They have one son who is married. While their son was young, she started a baby-sitting coop. She was active in the Parent and Childbirth Education Society in Oak Park teaching parenting classes and organizing pre-school activities. To support her church work Marty also worked as an accounts payable clerk, accounts receivable clerk, benefits coordinator, cashier, collections agent, credit security investigator, farmer, fast food supervisor, flower wrapper, injection mold worker, keypunch operator, office administrator, personnel administrator, piece parts cost analyst, post fire investigator, reporter, retail department manager, shipping assembler, teacher, trainer, typist, unloading supervisor. Her adventures in these fields are slated for her next memoir.