A large audience attended the launch on Friday last, December 6, of “Called to an Extraordinary Adventure in Faith“, a book of true stories about implementing healthcare and development over several decades in the face of unjust social structures and periods of war, written by Sister Isabelle Smyth, the current Writer in Residence at the Medical Missionaries of Mary.
The Book Launch, hosted by Monsignor Ciarán O’Carroll, PP of Donnybrook and Booterstown, was streamed live to a large audience reaching across eight time zones – from the Diocese of Wau in South Sudan to the remote Prelazia de São Felix do Araguaia in Brazil.
The keynote speaker was Professor Fáinche Ryan of the School of Religion, Theology and Peace Studies, at Trinity College Dublin. She is also the current Vice President of the European Society of Catholic Theology.
Sister Isabelle’s book was published in Washington DC by Pacem in Terris Press, the publishing service of Pax Romana which is devoted to books related to Catholic Social Teaching. She says:
“In the extraordinary adventure to which we are called there is a story per person per day. In the bustling cities and remote villages that inspired this collection, I had the joy of living and working among amazing people” Sister Isabelle said.
“During my 18-year assignment in filming and reporting from frontline missions in more than a dozen countries, I was touched by the genius, tenacity and hope of people at the margins of society. And I had the privilege of meeting in person great thinkers like Julius Nyerere, Paulo Freire, Gordon Foster, Thomas Berry and Kevin Hyland, among others, all of whom influenced my thinking about how the world could be.”
The book is available from amazon.com, or can be purchased at a special launch price of €25 from the Reception Desk of the MMM Motherhouse at Beechgrove, Hardman’s Gardens, A92 XKX0.
Alternatively a copy can be ordered by post at €31 from isabelle.mmm@gmail.com
