The Institute Writer Showcase presents a selection of the best work from the Word on Fire Writing Community, the mission of which is to develop writing of the highest quality; to encourage writers to evangelize in a variety of modes, forms, and genres and for a variety of audiences; to help writers grow in their Christian faith; and to foster fellowship and community among writers.
Each piece selected for publication in the showcase has been workshopped within the Writing Community’s small Writing Groups, as indicated by each author’s byline. Each issue of the Writer Showcase is presented in such a way as to have the individual pieces easily shareable online or in print, and readers are welcome and encouraged to do so, as long as the author and original publication location is clearly indicated.
*Permission to share:
The Writer Showcase operates under Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-ND (you may copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator). Attribution should include the author’s name and the original publication.
Issue 5 | Spring 2026: Engaging with the Scriptures: A Creative Journey Through Acts, Letters, and Revelation
Welcome to the Spring 2026 issue of the Institute Writer Showcase, which explores the creative and spiritual richness of the New Testament, completing the project begun with Issue 3 (Spring 2025), on the theme of “Exploring the Gospels.”
In this issue, writers took their inspiration from particular passages of Scripture from the book of Acts, the letters, and the book of Revelation, a diverse and challenging selection of texts which are less well known than the Gospels, even to many Christian readers. Some authors chose to engage directly with religious themes, always in a way that is accessible and inviting to readers who are not Christians or who are not familiar with the Bible; others chose to be implicit and allusive, leaving it up to the reader to discover the threads of connection—or simply to allow the imaginative seed to grow in its own time.
We begin this issue with poetry in a range of forms and styles, followed by a selection of short stories that includes realistic contemporary fiction, historical fiction, and fantasy. Lastly, we close with a reflective coda offered by a selection of devotionals.
As always, each individual piece is linked in the table of contents below; the entire issue in PDF booklet form can be found at the end of the table of contents, by clicking “See Full Issue.” Readers are encouraged to share individual pieces and the full issue, electronically or in print; just make sure that the author and original publication (the Institute Writer Showcase) is clearly indicated.
Lastly, I am happy to emphasize that every one of these pieces has been workshopped within the Writing Community’s small Writing Groups, as indicated by each author’s byline, and abides by the Writing Community’s policy prohibiting the use of generative AI in any way, at any stage in the writing process, from idea generation to final editing (a policy that I follow myself as editor and as a writer and teacher). Every thought and word in these pieces is entirely human authored and has been workshopped and selected through human judgment. This choice to emphasize human creativity, human dignity, and the responsible use of environmental resources has not been limiting, but rather productive in the best sense: not mechanically and artificially so, but in a genuinely fruitful and rewarding way.
Happy reading!
—Dr. Holly Ordway, editor, Institute Writer Showcase
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POETRY
“Shopping Revelation” (Rev 3:20) – Andrea Rosenberg, St. Gertrude and St. Hildegard Writing Groups
“Father, Son, and Holy Ghost” (1 Cor 4:11) – Betty Glaz, St. Clare of Assisi and St. John Henry Newman Writing Groups
“Pilgrims and Strangers on Earth” (1 Pet 2:11) – Giovanna Garbelli, St. Francis de Sales Writing Group
“What Happened Inside Your Mind Transforming” (1 Cor 1:20–25) – Pamela L. Longo, St. Jerome Writing Group
“The Storm” (Acts 27:29) – Tim E. McGuire, St. Hildegard of Bingen Writing Group
“A Rush to Believe” (Acts 16:13–15) – Andre F. Lijoi, St. Catherine of Bologna Writing Group
FICTION
“Stone Cold” (Acts 7:54–60) – Elizabeth Dusold, St. Faustina and St. Venantius Writing Groups
“An Unlikely Candidate” (1 Cor 1: 26–28) – Jim Benjamin, St. Faustina Writing Group
“Strong Wine” (1 Cor 2:2–5) – Marsha Hauser, St. Faustina Writing Group
“We’ll Meet on the Other Shore” (Acts 9:36–42) – Jennifer Tan, St. Thomas More and St. Francis de Sales Writing Groups
“Bridget Fawcett’s Confession” (2 Cor 5:17–20) – Helena Turner, St. Gertrude the Great Writing Group
“The Face of Beauty” (Jas 2:1–5) – Erika M. Walker, St. Gregory the Great and St. Gertrude Writing Groups
“Where There Is Good” (1 Pet 3:15) – Maura Manktelow Sweeney, St. Anselm and St. Clare of Assisi Writing Groups
“All Things New” (Rev 21:5) – Michele Cohen, St. Thomas More Writing Group
“Hope of Gain” (Acts 16:16–19) – Katharine Tarvainen, St. Gregory the Great and St. Bede Writing Groups
DEVOTIONAL
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New Revised Standard Version: Catholic Edition (NRSV-CE).
“All We Need Is Love” (1 John 4:7–11) – Matt Ritzert, St. Jane de Chantal Writing Group
“Heart-to-Heart Conversations with God the Father” (Eph 1:17) – Lisa Machado, St. Hildegard of Bingen and St. Jane de Chantal Writing Groups
“Hope That Endures” (Rom 5:5) – Christine McParland Rossi, St. Thomas More Writing Group
“Keep Going, Love” (1 John 3:18–24) – MJ Meister, St. Jane de Chantal Writing Group
“Hope Amidst Fear” (Rev 20) – Jonathan M. Henry, St. John Henry Newman Writing Group
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Issue 4 | Fall 2025: The Wide World of Books
Welcome to the Fall 2025 issue of the Institute Writer Showcase, featuring the subtle art of the book review. Book reviews provide an excellent way to carry out our mission to proclaim Christ to the culture. Reviews can call readers’ attention to books that present truth, goodness, and beauty; highlight the “seeds of the word”; explain aspects of our faith in a nonthreatening and inviting way; model intellectual hospitality by offering criticism thoughtfully and charitably; and provide opportunities for evangelizing conversations.
For this issue, I invited members of the Writing Groups in our Writing Community to review books with the ad extra mission in mind. The reviewers chose books that non-Catholic or non-Christian readers would potentially find interesting and worthwhile and wrote the reviews with an implicit, rather than direct, Christian perspective. These reviews, and the books that they encourage us to read, are ideal for opening the door for discussion with someone—either in an individual conversation or as a book club or reading group choice—who might be unwilling to pick up a distinctively “Christian” book. You may find yourself adding some of these titles to your own to-read list as well: I certainly have!
—Dr. Holly Ordway, editor, Institute Writer Showcase
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FICTION & POETRY
Beauty in the Becoming: Review of The Awakening of Miss Prim by Natalia Sanmartin Fenollera – Christine McParland Rossi, St. Thomas More Writing Group
From Seeking to Certainty: Review of Light at the Torn Horizon by Paul Murray – Olwen Whiteside, St. Hildegard of Bingen Writing Group
Art That Is Larger than Life: Review of Anecdotes of Destiny by Isak Dinesen – Lisa Galalis, St. Gertrude the Great Writing Group
Ahab, Jonah, and the Whale: Review of Moby Dick by Herman Melville – Rob Abney, St. Francis de Sales Writing Group
Finding Meaning: Review of The Children of Men by P. D. James – Teresa Holten, St. Venantius Fortunatus Writing Group
A Collision of Mysteries: Review of A Murderous Relation by Deanna Raybourn – Raine Pyne, St. Jerome Writing Group (co-leader) and St. Thomas More Writing Group
Finding the Grace of God in All Circumstances: Review of Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger – Matt Ritzert, St. Jane de Chantal Writing Group
Deciphering Truth: Review of The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown – Cori Strathmeyer, St. Bede Writing Group and St. Jane de Chantal Writing Group (co-leader)
Rainbows and Shadows, Princes and Princesses: Review of The Golden Key and Other Fairy Tales by George MacDonald – Erika M. Walker, St. Gertrude Writing Group and St. Gregory the Great Writing Group (co-leader)
NONFICTION
Micro-Christendoms: Review of The Rise of Western Christendom by Peter Brown – Christine Gaeto, St. John Henry Newman Writing Group
The Hidden Revolution: Review of Dominion by Tom Holland – Katharine Tarvainen, St. Gregory the Great Writing Group (co-leader) and St. Bede Writing Group
A Man of Compassion: Review of Mission at Nuremberg: An American Army Chaplain and the Trial of the Nazis by Tim Townsend – Elizabeth DuSold, St. Venantius Fortunatus Writing Group (co-leader) and St. Faustina Writing Group
The Path of Healing: Review of Bruised and Wounded: Struggling to Understand Suicide by Ronald Rolheiser – Andre F. Lijoi, MD, St. Catherine of Bologna Writing Group
Timeless Tips for a Balanced, Successful Life: Review of Time Tactics of Very Successful People by B. Eugene Griessman – Jennifer Tan, St. Thomas More Writing Group (co-leader) and St. Francis de Sales Writing Group
A New Approach to Planning: Review of The PLAN: Manage Your Time Like a Lazy Genius by Kendra Adachi – Kate Taliaferro, St. Thomas More Writing Group (co-leader)
Desire Unmasked and Transformed: Review of Wanting by Luke Burgis – Peggy Haslar, St. Hildegard of Bingen Writing Group
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Issue 3 | Spring 2025: Engaging with the Gospels
The theme of this issue is “Engaging with the Gospels.” As Catholics, we hear the words of Scripture read at every Mass, reminding us that the Bible is part of our formation as members of the Church, the Body of Christ. The Scriptures also provide both an opportunity and a challenge for evangelization. Engaging with the Scriptures can be an opening to a profound encounter with God and an invitation to enter into deeper relationship with him and his Church, but for many people this is hindered by misunderstandings about the Bible, previous bad experiences with it, or lack of knowledge in how to approach it.
These pieces are aimed at helping readers to grow in their knowledge and love of God, inviting those who are outside the Church to take a step closer in a nonthreatening way, and encouraging those who are already Christians to deepen their life of faith by a fresh look at the Scriptures.
For this issue, I invited writers to approach their Gospel selection either in the form of a devotional (drawing the reader to reflect on the meaning of the Scriptural passage and to make personal connections and applications) or as a fiction piece that imaginatively engaged in some way with the Gospel passage. Enjoy!
—Dr. Holly Ordway, editor, Institute Writer Showcase
. . .
FICTION
“Traffic That Friday” (John 19:17-20:10) — David Pickering, St. John Henry Newman Writing Group
“To Share a Pew” (John 19:25-27) — Kate Taliaferro, St. Thomas More Writing Group
“Geology Theology” (Matt. 16:18) — Betty Glaz, St. Clare of Assisi Writing Group (co-leader), St. John Henry Newman Writing Group
“Enemy in Grey” (Luke 6:27) — Elizabeth DuSold, St. Faustina Writing Group, St. Venantius Fortunatus Writing Group (co-leader)
“I Want to See: The Story of Blind Bartimaeus” (Mark 10:46-52) — John Fairbanks, St. Gregory the Great Writing Group
“Jesus Wept” (John 11:35) — Kim Jacobson, St. Francis de Sales Writing Group
“It Happened in Bethany” (John 12:1-8) — Nancy Somerville, St. Gertrude the Great Writing Group (co-leader), St. Francis de Sales Writing Group
“The Mercy of Dawn” (John 8:1-11) — Katharine Tarvainen, St. Gregory the Great Writing Group (co-leader), St. Bede Writing Group
“Can You Hear Me Now?” (Matt. 12:1-9) — Tara S. McCaffrey, St. Francis de Sales Writing Group, St. Faustina Writing Group (co-leader)
DEVOTIONAL
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New Revised Standard Version: Catholic Edition (NRSVCE).
“Come and See” (John 1:35-39) — Matt Ritzert, St. Jane de Chantal Writing Group
“A Recipe for Daily Living” (Mark 12:28-30) — Carol Freire, St. Venantius Fortunatus Writing Group
“The Unbidden Gift” (John 5:2-9) — Christine McParland Rossi, St. Thomas More Writing Group
“Becoming the Apostle to the Apostles: Mary Magdalene, a Luminary of Hope” (John 20:11-18) — C.K. Yoo, St. Jane de Chantal Writing Group
“Neither Too Early Nor Too Late to Be First” (Matt. 20:1-16) — Jennifer Tan, St. Thomas More Writing Group (co-leader), St. Francis de Sales Writing Group
“Hope in the Hour of Suffering” (John 12:27) — Matthew Earle, St. Gertrude Writing Group
“Living Water” (John 7:37-39) — Patrick Johnson, St. Jane de Chantal Writing Group
“The Cup of Life” (John 7:37-39) — Sallie Forrester, St. Clare of Assisi Writing Group
“Help My Unbelief” (Mark 9:14-27) — Susan LW McLaughlin, St. Faustina Writing Group
“Taking Up Our Cross” (Luke 9:23) — Donna M. Lane, St. Gertrude the Great Writing Group
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Issue 2 | Fall 2024: Friends in Heaven: Getting to Know the Saints
The theme of this issue is “Friends in Heaven: Getting to Know the Saints.” As Catholics, we affirm belief in the “communion of saints” every Sunday at Mass, and veneration of the saints is an important part of Catholic life. The witness of the saints during their earthly lives and their prayers for us from heaven are important elements in our evangelization. However, as evangelists, we can’t give what we don’t have! Having a strong understanding and appreciation of the Communion of Saints helps us to be evangelizing disciples.
I invited the members of the Institute’s Writing Community to write short pieces reflecting on particular saints or blesseds with the aim of showing how this saint is a good friend, guide, or role model in the spiritual life. In their Writing Groups, members shared drafts of their pieces, offered feedback, and encouraged each other in the writing process. More than sixty Writing Community members submitted pieces for consideration for this issue. The fifteen excellent pieces that I have selected for publication in this issue present a wide range of saintly figures, from the Old Testament to the modern day, some well known and others unfamiliar, all presented in compelling ways by our Institute writers. Enjoy!
—Dr. Holly Ordway, editor, Institute Writer Showcase
. . .
1. St. Giuseppe Moscati: Physician, Intercessor, Mentor — Andre F. Lijoi, MD, St. Catherine of Bologna Writing Group
2. St. Hildegard of Bingen: Friend, Role Model, and Guide — Theresa Pihl, St. Hildegard of Bingen Writing Group
3. Blessed Karl of Austria: Can a Wartime Foe Be a Friend in Heaven? — Erik Curren, St. Robert Southwell Writing Group
4. Finding a Friend in St. Teresa of Avila — Jo Burr, St. Catherine of Bologna Writing Group
5. St. Teresa of Avila, Who Am I? — John Fairbanks, St. Gregory the Great Writing Group
6. St. Ignatius of Loyola: A Path To True Discipleship — Carolyn Thanel, St. Bede Writing Group (co-leader) and St. Clare of Assisi Writing Group
7. St. Lutgarde and the Heart of Jesus — Giovanna Garbelli, St. Francis de Sales Writing Group (co-leader) and St. Hildegard of Bingen Writing Group
8. Running with St. Dymphna — Erika Walker, St. Gregory the Great Writing Group (co-leader) and St. Gertrude Writing Group
9. John the Baptizer: A Paragon of Humility — Nick Pizzi, St. Hildegard of Bingen Writing Group
10. Seeing St. Martha for Who She Is — Wendy Gigliotti, St. John Henry Newman Writing Group
11. St. Margaret Clitherow: A Grain of Wheat Crushed for Love — Katharine Tarvainen, St. Gregory the Great Writing Group (co-leader) & St. Bede Writing Group
12. St. Teresa of Calcutta, My Kitchen Saint — Theresa Bareither, St. Gertrude Writing Group
13. St. Joseph, Guide and Father for Our Time — Jennifer Tan, St. Thomas More Writing Group (co-leader) and St. Francis de Sales Writing Group
14. The Little Way of St. Thérèse of Lisieux — Michele Cohen, St. Robert Southwell Writing Group (co-leader)
15. St. John the Apostle: Nearness to Christ — Radhika Sharda, St. Venantius Fortunatus Writing Group
. . .
Issue 1 | Spring 2024: The Evangelist’s Bookshelf
The theme of this inaugural issue of the Institute Writer Showcase is “The Evangelist’s Bookshelf”: considering what books will help Christians to share the good news of Christ in a culture that is all too often starved of goodness, truth, and beauty. The pieces chosen for this issue present recommendations for a variety of fascinating books that, in very different ways, support the mission of sharing the Gospel in our modern culture. Enjoy!
—Dr. Holly Ordway, editor, Institute Writer Showcase
. . .
“Quiet by Susan Cain: Who is an Evangelist?” by Rosemary Thomas, St. Bede Writing Group
“The Very Young Catholics Series by Emily Koczela: Sharing the Sheer Joy of Catholicism,” Andrea Rosenberg, St. Gertrude Writing Group
“The Church of Mercy: A Vision for the Church by Pope Francis: Easy Insight into the Beauty of the Catholic Life,” by Marsha Hauser, St. Faustina Writing Group
“Four Witnesses by Rod Bennett: A Faith-Affirming Introduction to the Early Church Fathers” by Peggy Haslar, St. Hildegard of Bingen Writing Group
“An Episode of Sparrows by Rumer Godden: Nourishment for the Evangelist,” by Tara S. McCaffrey, St. Faustina Writing Group
“Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom: How to Evangelize Without Seeming to Be Evangelizing,” by Quoc D. Le, St. Gertrude Writing Group
“Expressing the Unique and Unrepeatable You: A Catholic’s Guide to Personal Style,” by Jacqueline Grant, St. Robert Southwell Writing Group
“Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: Initiation Rituals as a Tool for Evangelization,” by Maura Manktelow Sweeney, St. Clare of Assisi Writing Group
“Chastity by Erik Varden: The Reconciliation of the Senses,” by M. Giovanna Garbelli, St. Francis of Sales Writing Group
“Theology of Home by Carrie Gress and Noelle Mering: Evangelization in the Age of HGTV,” by Hannah Walton, St. Jane de Chantal Writing Group
“Come Away My Beloved by Frances J. Roberts: Keeping Yourself in the Love of God,” by Carolyn Thanel, St. Clare of Assisi Writing Group
“Godric by Frederick Buechner: Authentic Evangelism and Spiritual Friendship,” by Mark A. E. Williams, St. John Henry Newman Writing Group
“The Catholic Church and Conversion by G. K. Chesterton: A Little Armory for Evangelizing,” by Bryce Mitchell, St. Thomas More Writing Group
“The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown: In Pursuit of Childlike Faith,” by Rick Majewski, St. John Henry Newman Writing Group
“I Believe in Love by Father Jean du Coeur de Jesús d’Elbée: A Book to Nourish the Spiritual Life of the Evangelist” by Lani Bogart, St. Gertrude Writing Group
“The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde: The Evangelist Finds A Child Guide,” by Tim McGuire, St. Hildegard of Bingen Writing Group
“In Soft Garments by Ronald A. Knox: Learning to Reflect God’s Truth with Confidence,” by Katharine Tarvainen, St. Bede Writing Group
ESPAÑOL: “Los Miserables, por Víctor Hugo: un viaje al Corazón del que busca a Dios,” por H. Juan Pablo Alarcon, LC, Grupo S. Juan de La Cruz.
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About the Writing Community
Dr. Holly Ordway leads this community of evangelizing writers in the Word on Fire Institute where members encourage each other in the shared vocation of serving Our Lord through writing. They develop and broaden their skills as writers, and they give and receive peer feedback through a structured method.
The Community is formed around three goals: 1) to help writers grow in their faith, particularly with regard to the virtues that are needed for the vocation of writing; 2) to help writers grow in their knowledge and skill as writers; and 3) to bring writers into fellowship with other writers, particularly with regard to providing feedback, assistance, and encouragement.
The Writing Community includes regular teaching and discussion from Dr. Ordway in the “Teaching and Discussion” space. Members are invited to join one of the Community’s small Writing Groups, which are each led by a pair of moderators and under the patronage of a particular saint who was a writer. Here, writers develop ongoing fellowship, have opportunities for discussion, and can share their work for peer feedback. Regular opportunities for writing activities are provided throughout the year as well.