Book signing schedule announced for home football Saturdays

The Saint John’s University Bookstore will have author appearances before every home football game this fall in the campus bookstore, which is located in Sexton Commons. All book signings will take place from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on home football Saturdays.       

On Sept. 2, the Rev. Hilary Thimmesh, OSB, will be signing copies of Saint John’sat 150: A Portrait of this Place Called Collegeville. Thimmesh is a monk at Saint John’s Abbey and has been a member of the English department since 1963. He edited the book celebrating 150 years of Benedictine community life in Collegeville. The story of this spiritual community is told in captivating words and telling images. The book contains 200 historic and new photos of people and places. It also includes essays by Jon Hassler and Eugene McCarthy.              

On Sept. 9, the Rev. Arnold Weber, OSB, will be signing copies of his book Homilies for the Active Christian. Weber, originally from St. Martin, was a parish priest at Holy Name of Jesus in Wayzata for 23 years. His book is a collection of his homilies, which inspired and transformed the members of his parish community.           

On Sept. 30, for Homecoming, the Rev. Michael J. Kennedy, Renee Rongen, William McNamara and Thimmesh will be signing their books in the bookstore.

Kennedy wrote Musings from Michael: An Inside-Out Look at Gospels and Life and attended SJU. He left during his senior year for the St. Paul Seminary and was ordained a priest in 1967. Musings from Michael was compiled from articles Kennedy published in bulletins for the four parishes he served during his nearly 40 years of parish work including St. Olaf in downtown Minneapolis, St. Mary of the Lake in White Bear Lake and St. Patrick of Cedar Creek in Oak Grove.

Rongen will be signing copies of her book Grandy’s Quilt: A Gift for All Seasons. Rongen is a 1983 graduate of the College of Saint Benedict and is a professional motivational/inspirational speaker. Grandy’s Quilt is a wonderfully written and beautifully illustrated book about the transformation of a grandmother’s quilt into a legacy of life, love and giving.

McNamara wrote The Player’s Tale, a book about his memories of attending SJU and playing football for John Gagliardi and the Johnnies. McNamara is a 1973 graduate of SJU.

Thimmesh will be signing copies of Saint John’sat 150: A Portrait of this Place Called Collegeville.

On Oct. 14, for Family Weekend, the Rev. Jerome Tupa, OSB, the Rev. Michael Patella, OSB, the Rev. Kilian McDonnell, OSB, and Thimmesh will be signing their books.

Tupa wrote and illustrated The Road to Rome: A Modern Pilgrimage. The book is a series of more than 50 paintings and watercolors that retrace the steps of pilgrims on their way to Rome to pay tribute to the Apostles Peter and Paul. Tupa is a celebrated artist, ordained priest, French professor and chaplain at SJU.

Patella has authored two books: Lord of the Cosmos: Mithras, Paul, and the Gospel of Mark and The Gospel According to Luke (New Collegeville Bible Commentary).

McDonnell will be signing copies of his poetry books Swift, Lord, You Are Not and his new book Yahweh’s Other Shoe. McDonnell is the founder and president of the Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research at Saint John’s.

Thimmesh will be signing copies of Saint John’sat 150: A Portrait of this Place Called Collegeville.

On Oct. 21, John McCutcheon and the Rev. Don Talafous, OSB, will be signing their books.

McCutcheon will be signing copies of his new book Christmas in the Trenches. McCutcheon is a 1974 graduate of SJU and an award-winning songwriter, storyteller and folksinger. He will be a featured author at the 2006 Library of Congress National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. in September. Christmas in the Trenches is set in the trenches during World War I and is based on a true event known as the Christmas Truce. The illustrated book includes an audio CD with John performing the songs “Silent Night/Stille Nacht” and “Christmas in the Trenches,” and a reading of the story.

Talafous will be signing copies of his books Homilies for Weekdays, Year 1 and Homilies for Weekdays, Year 2. Talafous serves as alumni chaplain for SJU. His books contain creative suggestions of what a homilist might say about the daily readings for the two-year Lectionary cycle.

On Nov. 11, the Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault, Ph.D., McDonnell and McNamara will be in the SJU bookstore.

Bourgeault is the principal teacher and advisor to the Contemplative Society. She is also a retreat and conference leader, teacher of prayer, writer on the spiritual life, and Episcopal priest and has worked closely with Fr. Thomas Keating, Fr. Bruno Barnhart and other Christian contemplative masters. Bourgeault will be signing copies of her books Wisdom Way of Knowing, Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening, Mystical Hope: Trusting in the Mercy of God and her new book Chanting the Psalms: A Practical Guide with Instructional CD. 

McDonnell will be signing copies of his poetry books Swift, Lord, You Are Not and his new book Yahweh’s Other Shoe.

McNamara will be signing copies of his book The Player’s Tale.