One year ago, I sent in the first manuscript I had ever written to Emmaus Road Publishing (now part of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology) on the Four Marian Dogmas of Blessed Virgin Mary. It has been a long time coming, but I am happy to announce that the book, part of the Faith Basics Series, is now published and in print, and on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The title is Understanding Catholic Teaching on the Blessed Virgin Mary.

For me this is an exciting day, but also a day filled with many emotions, since it was my Dad (passed away 4 months ago) who first really encouraged me to start writing. When I was in graduate school at Franciscan University of Steubenville for my Masters in Theology, Dad asked me a few times if he could read my papers. After reading some of them, he said (a biased opinion maybe) that he thought my writing was just as good as the books he read daily (historical and political). I will never forget it – he asked me if there was an avenue where I could distribute my writings. I said through developing a blog I could post my writings. So while living in Austin, Texas, on January 30, 2012, TomPerna.org was born.

This news ranks up there with the accomplishments that have paved the way to get to this point: acceptance into the St. Ignatius Institute at USF, graduating from college in 1997, and receiving my Masters in Theology from Franciscan in 2010.

First, I would like to give Praise and Thanksgiving to Jesus Christ, who has given me the ability to write and proclaim His Gospel message as part of the lay faithful in the Catholic Church. Also, I give thanksgiving to His Blessed Mother who I write about weekly, and the Saints of the Church, who are perpetual examples of human frailty mixed with Holiness. I ask for their help many times when I am writing.

I would also like to thank my family, Dad (who is watching from a different plain in eternity), my Mom, and my sister, for their constant support and encouragement.

A huge thank you goes out to Kevin Knight, Editor of New Advent, who first started posting my blog posts to that site.

A big thanks goes out to Greg Lamatrice, who brought attention to my “Mondays with Mary” series to the editors at Emmaus Road Publishing.

Another big thanks goes out to Chris Erikson at the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology for staying in contact with me and sending emails during the whole process.

Thank you to all my friends and followers on my blog and through the social media sites where my writing is published.

Thank you to my pastor, boss, and friend, Fr. Will Schmid, who allows me to work for him at the parish, but also work on this manuscript (and others I am working on now). Fr. Will – it’s time for the Cadillac Cigars.

To purchase my book, click on the title link above or here and you will be directed to the Emmaus Road Publishing website.