Poor Souls

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Poor Souls is an account of American Catholic parish life, laced with subtle, yet probing satire, as told through the eyes of seminarian Martin Flanagan.

Set in the Diocese of Covert at the Parish of Our Lady of the Poor and Forgotten Souls in Purgatory, Catholics and non-Catholics alike will delight in Hyacinth, the ever-vigilant, long-time parish housekeeper; Pastor Emeritus, Father Boniface; the irascible and irreverent Father Jack Ash; and a host of other dysfunctional souls.

Beyond the sanctuary, Poor Souls reveals a great mix of sin and grace among broken believers. - the Publisher

Praise for POOR SOULS

"...The intention of this writer is to highlight the ordinary, and indeed the sinful, as being transformed by grace into something worthy of God. Poor Souls is a front-runner of the Catholic novel, though this is not immediately apparent because of its unpretentiousness.

"So why does it haunt me and why do I want to hail it as an outstanding Catholic novel? Because the writer is an unswervingly honest professional with something pertinent to say, and because he says it with quiet sobriety without ever resorting to 'pious-speak'." - Leo Madigan, Fatima-Ophel Books

"...There is a realism that made me double check the genre to make sure it wasn't nonfiction. You probably know the people in this novel...." - Amanda Killgore for Huntress Reviews

"...Being a priest isn't always the easy way in life. And the inhabitants of the Poor Souls parish aren't all as Catholic as Martin would wish. But God will help him, God and many, many prayers. If Poor Souls has taught me one thing, then it's that priests are human just as much as we are, but of course we knew that. It's a difficult decision to take and a bumpy road to follow, being a priest and staying one. McMullen makes you wonder and laugh at the same time...a no-nonsense book, just the way I like it." - Annick for Euro Reviews

"POOR SOULS gives the reader a rollicking tale of seminarians and priests in their service of the church. McMullen, writing as an insider, masterfully strikes insightful chords of humor without resorting to ridicule." - Clark Gabriel Field,

"An unexpected revelation of life in the seminary and parish, McMullen reveals the very human lives of Roman Catholic clergy knowingly yet lovingly. McMullen's novel is so real it will make you laugh and cry at the same time. Uproariously shrewd and marvelously told." - Doug Chambers,

"McMullen's tale of seminarian Martin Flanagan is a delightful read, especially in these times when many people are concerned about the future of the Catholic priesthood." - BJ Conner,

"Half of the Catholics who read POOR SOULS will love it; the other half will want to burn the author at the stake." - Bill Groves, Manager of Corporate Services, Ivy Tech Community College

John William McMullen is the author of several books: The Last Blackrobe of Indiana and the Potawatomi Trail of Death; Roman; Eugene & the Haunted Train Bridge; and The Miracle of Stalag 8A. He is a Philosophy Professor, Theologian, and Permanent Deacon and resides in Evansville, Indiana, with his wife and children.