Meredith Gould - The Catholic Home: Celebrations and Traditions for Holidays, Feast Days, and Every Day

I N THE PAST , it felt like quite enough to thank God and then to simply list by name everyone who provided inspiration and support while I wrote. Somehow, that approach seems insufficient for this book. Of course, I thank God. And I believe the Almighty knows better than I the true depth of my gratitude. It's the humans who probably don't know the impact they've had on my work and my life relative to this project. Mindful that words cannot fully express my appreciation, I want to thank the following people.

First, of course, is Elizabeth Walter. Her ability to discern the subtext of Deliberate Acts of Kindness: Service as a Spiritual Practice is what led to my writing The Catholic Home. She cut through all my flopping around about what to write next with one deceptively simple question: How about something Catholic? As I get to know Liz better, I imagine that she knew all along that this book would call me deeper into my Catholic faith.

And how blessed am I? When Liz moved on to Paulist Press, I was embraced by Michelle Rapkin, whose expansive vision brought this book to its next level of completeness. Imagine hearing your new editor say, I think something's missing, when your manuscript is about to go into production. Well, that's what happened one Friday afternoon and blessings to Michelle for breathing through it with me. Michelle was determined to get me to think bigger. As I get to know her better, I imagine she knew that this book would call me deeper into my writing.

This publishing trinity is completedindeed unified by the ongoing presence of my agent, Katherine Boyle with Veritas Literary Agency. Since 1996, Katie has actively encouraged me to grow in faith and craft. May we forever continue to grow.

And then there's the rest of my life, all the people who play a daily role in my ongoing formation and, during the creation of this book, provided sustenance in myriad forms.

I have the great privilege of being a parishioner at The Catholic Community of Saint Charles Borromeo in Skill-man, New Jersey, where faith and inquiry are nurtured in equal parts. I do not believe I could have written this book without the spiritual support of so many in my parish family and especially members of our choir whose intrapractice discourse (aka yakking) has enhanced my understanding of Catholic culture and devotion.

Our pastor, Reverend Gregory E. S. Malovetz, through the example of his own teaching and writing, has had a significant influence on my spiritual development, as has the wisdom and wit of Father James Tunstead Burtchaell. I am grateful for the spiritual support of Monsignor Martin O'Brien and the Reverend Martha Blacklock.

I give special thanks to Tim and Meg Keyes, extraordinary artists (and fellow cat loonies) who not only braved, but also understood my whimpering about creativity in service to Spirit; to Julie Clark for her bold ideas, steady encouragement, and abiding good humor; and to Polly Seitz for not only walking and talking this book with me throughout the summer of 2002, but for providing some truly memorable meals.

I want to make special mention of writer friends who may not realize what an important role they play in keeping me on task: Liza Dunkel, Regina LaPoint, and Judith Norkin. They get the process and they get me, which means I can call any of them about anything having to do with moving thought to type and be understood, even if I'm histrionically threatening to go bag groceries for a so-called living. Nancy Megha Buttenheim's exuberant support of creativity and Spirit has been a blessing for over a decade.

If you don't already know, I'm a convert to Catholicism. For years, I absolutely refused to use the word convert, fearing that doing so would somehow fatally undermine my Jewish identity, despite the fact that it's an identity shared by Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ. So, imagine my surprise to find some of my greatest support coming from my mother, Gerry Gould. Her questions, concerns, quips, and steady love have allowed me to articulate what I believe, relative to who I truly am.

Finally, whenever it looked like there'd be a nasty collision at the intersection of identity and belief, I was safely guided through it by Bruce Reim, whose unique intelligence as a therapist and sensitivity to matters of Spirit as an observant Jew, has made it possible for me to become more holy whole while writing