I could use the help of a preist or Active Parishiner for somthing

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Hello. My name is Bryan and i’m an amatuer writer who essentially considers himself Agnostic. I have always had this idea for a book in my head, and it deeply involves knolege of the catholic faith as it takes place in the first person view , from the perspective of an old priest, who runs a run down parish in boston, who hears a facinating confession from another man who also appears to be a preist.

While not religious myself, i have always been facinated with that particular human emotion, how it inspires devotion to causes and ideals. The theme of the book, is essentailly that faith and compassion can take many forms, that men who are good can appear evil, and men who are evil can appear good and most of us generally fall somewhere in the gray. I don’t want to give away the plot to the world, in case i ever publish (you’ll hafta read it heh heh) but i certainly want to be faithful to how the catholic church works, and hear it from people directly invovled.

I am wondering if there are any preists or people close to the workings of a particular parish who would be willing to answer questions about the inner workings of the church at the lowest level possible as i write this.

It takes place in parish in Inner City Boston, ministering to a failing flock. Its psudo modern , taking place immediately after the scandal with cardinal law, and where many people are questioning their faith and devotion to the church. Its ministered by Father Jerimiah O’Brand, a native irishmen of Southie Boston, who left behind a life of sin and gluttony (he was a heavy drinker who found god and left it behind him) Another man comes to him in the late of night, and asks him to hear his confession, but this man is another priest. but something is wrong with him immediately … something that doesn’t fit a priestly charactiture. He hears the confession, which is essentially a facinating story about how he came to find God. He was confessing to Father O’brand for a lie, for the secret that he kept with him for a long time and finally broke him apart.

This project is in the formative stages, but i would like someone to help me get the inside perspective on catholic life, from the perspective of someone who deals with it daily (ideally from the perspective of a priest or like person)

Is there anyone here who would be willing to help me, or point me in the right direction for the answers i need? i want it to be geniune, so that if a preist ever picks up my book, it would seem real to him. I suppose i should also mention ( and one can’t be to careful in this divided country of ours between the secular and non-secular) That i don’t intend to slander the church in any way, the focus is on the people , not the institution.

Thank you.
 
I do not know the book business, but I too am interested in working on writing books.

I would be delighted to work with you on this, if we can find a way to make it work. Perhaps we can pool our talents and come up with something.

Personally, although I’m a cradle Catholic, I have had agnostic leanings for a long time and spent a period of time outside the Church – so I kind of have a feel for both sides.

Since I have recently been given some awesome gifts of insight (insight really isn’t the right word – more of an overwhelming awareness) into human mystery, I am more eager than ever to become very active. I play music at two churches, and have served parish council and other offices such as home and school – including with much frustration. I have known the “pleasure” (code word for pain 😛 ) of being paid to get training in stewardship, only to have those who paid for it smear it into mud. I have taught math to reluctant students, and I have worked as youth crisis counselor. In addition, I worked in the Third Synod of the diocesse of Wichita, when for the first time in history the Catholic Church actually asked for opinions of her people here – and got to do data entry of literally thousand of candid, anonymous comments into the database used for the bishop to discern and promulgate pastoral priorities.

These are just a few random comments to show you the range I’m claiming. If you are ready to get started, please send PM or email at alansiegman@yahoo.com

Alan
 
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BryanWinter:
Hello. My name is Bryan and i’m an amatuer writer who essentially considers himself Agnostic. I have always had this idea for a book in my head, and it deeply involves knolege of the catholic faith as it takes place in the first person view , from the perspective of an old priest, who runs a run down parish in boston, who hears a facinating confession from another man who also appears to be a preist.

While not religious myself, i have always been facinated with that particular human emotion, how it inspires devotion to causes and ideals. The theme of the book, is essentailly that faith and compassion can take many forms, that men who are good can appear evil, and men who are evil can appear good and most of us generally fall somewhere in the gray. I don’t want to give away the plot to the world, in case i ever publish (you’ll hafta read it heh heh) but i certainly want to be faithful to how the catholic church works, and hear it from people directly invovled.

I am wondering if there are any preists or people close to the workings of a particular parish who would be willing to answer questions about the inner workings of the church at the lowest level possible as i write this.

It takes place in parish in Inner City Boston, ministering to a failing flock. Its psudo modern , taking place immediately after the scandal with cardinal law, and where many people are questioning their faith and devotion to the church. Its ministered by Father Jerimiah O’Brand, a native irishmen of Southie Boston, who left behind a life of sin and gluttony (he was a heavy drinker who found god and left it behind him) Another man comes to him in the late of night, and asks him to hear his confession, but this man is another priest. but something is wrong with him immediately … something that doesn’t fit a priestly charactiture. He hears the confession, which is essentially a facinating story about how he came to find God. He was confessing to Father O’brand for a lie, for the secret that he kept with him for a long time and finally broke him apart.

This project is in the formative stages, but i would like someone to help me get the inside perspective on catholic life, from the perspective of someone who deals with it daily (ideally from the perspective of a priest or like person)

Is there anyone here who would be willing to help me, or point me in the right direction for the answers i need? i want it to be geniune, so that if a preist ever picks up my book, it would seem real to him. I suppose i should also mention ( and one can’t be to careful in this divided country of ours between the secular and non-secular) That i don’t intend to slander the church in any way, the focus is on the people , not the institution.

Thank you.
If you’re going to write a whole novel with a Catholic priest as the main character, I’d tell you to actually get to know a Catholic priest and ask him your questions as they arise. They’re usually found in those big buildings with crosses and statues of Mary outside. 😛
Of course, priests in your area might be a bit busy, so a copy of Catholicism for Dummies or a similar comprehensive introduction couldn’t hurt.
 
Finding a Priest is the least of your worries. Find the spell check.
 
Michael's Sword:
Finding a Priest is the least of your worries. Find the spell check.
Christ IS the spell check. He can take us out of our trances. In seeking a priest, both spell check and salvation might be found.

Alan

P.S. Michael’s Sword, I’d like to introduce myself – I’m Paul’s Thorn.
 
as a writer, I caution you about posting siginificant information about your plot and characters on a public forum until you have obtained copyright protection for your work.

I suggest you do your research in the conventional way.

I further suggest you follow conventional advice to new writers: write about what you know. Some of your questions, and some of the assumptions your precis is based upon, are naive and ill-informed. Your book will not be the best it can be until you do your research. Research is a lot more than asking questions of strangers.

a course in keyboarding skills will also be of immense benefit to you.
 
There have been a number of good pieces of advice offered here. I would also suggest the information library here at Catholic.com.

Thank you for all who have participated.

This thread is now closed.
 
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