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Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Don’t Chew Jesus! A Collection of Memorable Nun Stories
Baby Boomer Catholics Pen Nostalgic, Lighthearted Book About Nuns
Contact: Maggie Hawkins, Maggie Hawkins PR, 281.373.1445, maghpr@swbell.net
Jennifer Thomason, BenBella Books, 214.750.3600, Jennifer@benbellabooks.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HOUSTON (Dec. 28, 2006) – Ask someone to describe a Catholic nun from yesteryear and varying descriptions emerge: praying, kneeling, singing, dancing, flying, and even ruler waving. But ask millions of Catholic baby boomers and they’ll tell you nuns were passionate, devoted women who inspired respect, love, fear, gratitude -- and lots of memories.
Hundreds of those memories are shared in the new book Don’t Chew Jesus! A Collection of Memorable Nun Stories (BenBella Books/November/hardcover $20). Authors Danielle Schaaf and Michael Prendergast, lifelong friends since Catholic grade school, take a look back at nuns and their influence. Told through nearly 400 firsthand anecdotes and recollections and gathered from Catholics and non-Catholics alike throughout the United States and abroad, the nostalgic and lighthearted book pays tribute to the sisters.
Funny and often touching tales of devout piety, religious training, tough love, and classroom antics fill the book. Stories run the gamut from poignant demonstrations of sisters’ powerful influence to hilarious “out-of-character” episodes like nuns hurdling gates, toting guns and pitching snowballs. The book includes shock-and-awe, ranging from catching a glimpse of Sister in a swimsuit (or not!) to watching her command attention with only “a look.”
“Nuns were more than stereotypical knuckle-crackers. They were fervent, clever, creative, and often single-minded in purpose. They’ve given millions of us uniquely colorful experiences that make for inspired storytelling. Don’t Chew Jesus! allows us to pass along those experiences to new generations,” said Prendergast.
Sisters’ influence during the first half of the 20th century was widespread – but waning. By 1965, nearly 180,000 sisters taught 5.5 million children – one in every 10 baby boomers! Today, there are fewer than 70,000 nuns with many older than 70 and facing uncertain retirements. According to the National Religious Retirement Office, Catholic religious orders today face an $8.7 billion shortfall in retirement funding and that is projected to grow to $20 billion by 2023.
“We were shocked to learn that so many of these remarkable women still living are facing such tough times,” Schaaf said. “To that end, we hope Don’t Chew Jesus! can help build awareness of their dilemma and raise funds.” A portion of proceeds from the book will be donated to S.O.A.R.! (Support Our Aging Religious), a national non-profit organization serving retired religious.
Don’t Chew Jesus! is available through bookstores and online, or through the publisher, www.benbellabooks.com. Plans are underway for a follow-up book of nun stories. For more information, or to contribute a story to the next book, contact the authors: www.nunstories.com; email author@nunstories.com or call toll-free 1.877. NUNBOOK.
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About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.
The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
Contact: Maggie Hawkins, Maggie Hawkins PR, 281.373.1445, maghpr@swbell.net
Jennifer Thomason, BenBella Books, 214.750.3600, Jennifer@benbellabooks.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HOUSTON (Dec. 28, 2006) – Ask someone to describe a Catholic nun from yesteryear and varying descriptions emerge: praying, kneeling, singing, dancing, flying, and even ruler waving. But ask millions of Catholic baby boomers and they’ll tell you nuns were passionate, devoted women who inspired respect, love, fear, gratitude -- and lots of memories.
Hundreds of those memories are shared in the new book Don’t Chew Jesus! A Collection of Memorable Nun Stories (BenBella Books/November/hardcover $20). Authors Danielle Schaaf and Michael Prendergast, lifelong friends since Catholic grade school, take a look back at nuns and their influence. Told through nearly 400 firsthand anecdotes and recollections and gathered from Catholics and non-Catholics alike throughout the United States and abroad, the nostalgic and lighthearted book pays tribute to the sisters.
Funny and often touching tales of devout piety, religious training, tough love, and classroom antics fill the book. Stories run the gamut from poignant demonstrations of sisters’ powerful influence to hilarious “out-of-character” episodes like nuns hurdling gates, toting guns and pitching snowballs. The book includes shock-and-awe, ranging from catching a glimpse of Sister in a swimsuit (or not!) to watching her command attention with only “a look.”
“Nuns were more than stereotypical knuckle-crackers. They were fervent, clever, creative, and often single-minded in purpose. They’ve given millions of us uniquely colorful experiences that make for inspired storytelling. Don’t Chew Jesus! allows us to pass along those experiences to new generations,” said Prendergast.
Sisters’ influence during the first half of the 20th century was widespread – but waning. By 1965, nearly 180,000 sisters taught 5.5 million children – one in every 10 baby boomers! Today, there are fewer than 70,000 nuns with many older than 70 and facing uncertain retirements. According to the National Religious Retirement Office, Catholic religious orders today face an $8.7 billion shortfall in retirement funding and that is projected to grow to $20 billion by 2023.
“We were shocked to learn that so many of these remarkable women still living are facing such tough times,” Schaaf said. “To that end, we hope Don’t Chew Jesus! can help build awareness of their dilemma and raise funds.” A portion of proceeds from the book will be donated to S.O.A.R.! (Support Our Aging Religious), a national non-profit organization serving retired religious.
Don’t Chew Jesus! is available through bookstores and online, or through the publisher, www.benbellabooks.com. Plans are underway for a follow-up book of nun stories. For more information, or to contribute a story to the next book, contact the authors: www.nunstories.com; email author@nunstories.com or call toll-free 1.877. NUNBOOK.
*****
About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.
The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
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About Religion Press Release ServicesReligion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others. The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
