World Of Maggie Ward Books

Father Laurence O'Toole McAuliffe, the pastor of Saint Finian's parish in Forest Springs, is weary and worn out, his priesthood and faith in tatters. Once literally a bomb-throwing radical and then a Vatican Council liberal, Lar McAuliffe has grown old and cynical. To make matters worse, he's smart enough to know what is happening to him. God, the cardinal, or some combination of the two plays a dirty trick on Lar by sending him Father James Stephen Michael Finbar Keenan, the "new priest." Lar expects a classic confrontation between young and old, between sardonic maturity and enthusiastic inexperience. But the new priest does not fit the stereotype and the two become friends. Together they face the conflicts and joys, the hopes and pains of the contemporary Catholic parish―the old-fashioned school principal; the broken family; the reactionary finance committee; frustrated young lovers; and the chancery office and a timid Cardinal, who interferes with the priests' work on every possible occasion. Alternately sad and uproariously funny, The Cardinal Virtues is about the meaning of religion, the meaning of faith, and the meaning of life.

Playing the role of "devil's advocate" for the Church, Father Laurence McAuliffe investigates allegations that John Cardinal McGlynn--a candidate for canonization--led a less-than-saintly life. Reprint.

Maggie's ethereal, haunting beauty captivates combat-weary Navy flier Jerry as no one else has ever done. They begin a warm and loving romance, but just when Jerry realizes how much he needs Maggie, she mysteriously disappears. In search of his destiny and his soul, Jerry sets out to move heaven and earth to find the woman he loves. "A classic love story. . . ".--Kirkus.