Contemplative Prayer: Book Review by Debra Classen

The Mute Swan is a 501c3

Your donation is tax deductible.
Many thanks to all those who make this ministry possible.

Administrative Ministerial Work:

Financial & Marketing Advisor and Contibutor-Lawrence G. Schweitzer-CA

Graphic Designer: Adriana Romero, VZ

Printer: Midwest Graphics, OH

Internet Marketing Administrator: Lynn Albro, CA

Non-profit Attorney-Steven Pigott @Cavitch,Familio, Durkin, Frutkin Law Office, OH

Spiritual Director-Father Robert McCreary, O.F.M., Cap., PA. & OH

Prayer Warriors:

Melissa Plotz-OH

Denise O'Neal-OH

Kathie Rogers-OH

Cheryl Warmuth-OH

Branden Melich-OH

Louise Heiss-KY

Katie Alfini-OH

(We are looking for more prayer warriors, with a commitment to pray daily for our prayer requests--other states and men)

Volunteers:

Gift BasketsCollections and Creation-Maryann Kellermann-OH

Prayer Card Distribution at Southpointe Hospital-Lorna Stevenson-OH

Holiday Gift Card Distribution at Sing Sing Prison-Father Ron Lemmert-NY

2010-Spanish Prayer Cards-James Pavlish-OH

2010-Gift Basket Distribution-Francesca DiFiorie-OH

Board Members:

Barbara Rooney-OH

Maryann Kellermann-OH

Father Michael Denk-OH

Dr. Roger F. Classen-OH

Guest Writers:

Father William Biebel-PA

Father Michael Denk-OH

Father James Behrens-GA

Beryl Bissell-MN

Joanne Bennardo-OH

Artists:

Calligrapher-Bobbie Trew-OH

Photographer-Tara Marcic-OH

Icon Artist-Marina Perena Moser-Carcaras, Venezuela

Prayer Medals-Father Michael Denk

"We would love people from all over the country, just drop us an email and let us know how you have discovered God's beauty in your life and how you might be able to share it with others through our ministry"-Debra Classen

We Need:

Retreat and Workshop Director

Contribution Campaign

Educational Dept

Office help

Financial Advisor
Recent Posts
1. Dear Guests,
  Sunday, August 14, 2011
2. God Alone Prayer by Debra Classen
  Sunday, August 14, 2011
3. Your capacity to care if God, it is your beauty. By John O'Donohue
  Sunday, August 14, 2011
4. Psalms 42 Poster, artwork by Debra Classen
  Tuesday, July 26, 2011
5. Thomas Merton Retreats by Debra Classen
  Tuesday, July 26, 2011
6. Dear Guests,
  Thursday, July 07, 2011
7. Adding things Up
  Thursday, July 07, 2011
8. Mindfulness by Megan Furman
  Thursday, July 07, 2011
9. Living at God's Speed, Healing in God's Time
  Thursday, July 07, 2011
10. Photo by Tara Marcic
  Thursday, July 07, 2011
Category Archives
Debra Classen

Debra has an M.A. in Theology from St. Mary Graduate School of Theology; an M.A. in Counseling from John Carroll University; and a B.A. in General Studies (Psychology and Fine Art, with a Certificate in Women's Studies) from Kent State University.
The Mute Swan

The Mute Swan Ministry is a non-profit, spiritual organization dedicated to discovering beauty in all its forms. Our goal is to educate and encourage others to live a contemplative life. We believe the radiance of God's beauty is to be discovered in nature, art, relationships, life, even within great suffering. Visit our site: www.themuteswan.org
Prayer Intentions

For your prayer intentions click here: http://muteswanministries.org/Prayer_Requests_Form.html/
OUR SINCERE THANKS to the Mute Swan Ministries Prayer Warriors-Kathie, Katie, Denise, Melissa, Jane, Cheryl, Bernard, Marty, Branden, Peter, Louise
Art Gallery
Check out the NEW GALLERY, affordable, original artwork by Debra Classen
Inspirational Books aStore
Visit Debra's favorite inspirational books:
Subscriptions

Blog Post
Syndicate
Custom Text 4

Custom Text 4
Blog Links

Contemplative Prayer: Book Review by Debra Classen

Book Review by Debra Classen

Rice, Anne. Called Out of Darkness: A Spiritual Confession (Anchor Books, 2008).
Anne Rice rose to fame as the author of the books on Vampires, beginning with Interview with the Vampire.This is her first nonfiction book, a book of her spiritual transformation after pain entered her life as she suffered the loss of her beloved daughter and her husband. Anne grew up devout Catholic in New Orleans and even considered entering the convent at one time. Although she left the faith of her childhood, her desire to find meaning in her life never left. Eventually returning to her childhood roots she rediscovers the faith of her childhood, but with a new depth. Her transformation leads to writing for God and her story is a compelling one that resonates with anyone seeking answers to the questions of life.

Cataldi, Libby. Stay Close : a mother's story of her son's addiction. (St. Martin's Press, 2009). Addiction is the toxican which can torment and even kill a family's love and communication, or so it seems as each member repositions themselves in the horrific fight against one person's demons. The story is told from the viewpoint of a mother who is drowning in desperation to save her son, to save her family. Through journal entries of both herself and her her addicted son's she recounts a riveting tale of manipulation, lies, and grief. She tells the tale honestly and it is raw and painful, but somehow she always hangs on to the golden thread of hope and weaves it through the story no matter how big the addiction gets.