Author: Gloria O'Toole Ulterino
Located in: PITTSFORD
Submitted: August 02, 2022
Tell us a little about yourself. I am a retired Pastoral Associate in the Roman Catholic tradition. Throughout my ministry, I developed an abiding love and appreciation of the liturgical year, with each season's unique challenge and abundant mercy. Upon retiring from parish ministry, I formed a story-telling group of women, entitled "Women of the Well." As our name implies, we draw deeply from the living water of faith, with the hope of inspiring others to live abundantly. In the process of creating programs, I began to write books, focused on the stories of courageous women of hope. My third book was born this past March, through Wipf and Stock Publications.
What was your motivation behind this project? Women, as well as men, have lived with courage, devotion, faith and hope. And yet, most often the stories of men are best known, and therefore most capable of inspiring others. But everyone matters! Women as well as men, people of every human shade, and of every faith tradition. Because I am rooted in Jewish and Christian Scripture and in the Roman Catholic Tradition, I write out of that experience. My hope remains: that the stories of these women offer wisdom to us all.
What do you hope folks will gain from this project? It is my profound hope that all readers can identify in some way with the stories that are told, and thereby gain courage, strength, wisdom, and hope for their own day-in, day-out journeys.
How were you personally impacted by working on this project? I can honestly say this: I poured myself out into the writing of my latest book. It became a labor of love: of learning about the women presented, of drawing upon their strength and courage for my own life, and of always trying to choose the best words to convey their message. My deepest hope is that these women and their stories will become a source of strength for every reader.
Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists? Early in my theological training (upon which I embarked at mid-life), I spent one summertime week on an introduction to preaching. Sr. Joan Delaplaine was one of the preachers, and I will never forget her homily. How I longed to be able to preach just like her, with such purpose, creativity, and inspiration!
One of my Scripture professors, Fr. Sebastian Falcone, became a treasure for me: because of his vast knowledge of Scripture and his generous desire to pass it on to his students.
Among the authors who have nourished me well are the following: Elizabeth A. Johnson, Barbara E. Reid, and Sandra M. Schneiders.
Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know: I would be happy to connect with others through Zoom, or in-person gatherings, if possible.
