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 (the Word on Fire Institute Writer Showcase).
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
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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
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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
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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.