New archbishop, also a best-selling author

	A Man of History A Shepherd of Hope A Catholic Herald special supplement Supplement home Aug. 22 issue home

MILWAUKEE -- In Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, Catholics of the Milwaukee Archdiocese will not only be gaining a spiritual leader, church historian and popular speaker, they will be gaining a best-selling author.

In fact, Dolan's "Priests for the Third Millennium," was listed eighth on the February 2002 Catholic Bestsellers List, according to the Catholic Book Publishers Association.

The book was published by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division in 2000. The book, Dolan's first, is a compilation of addresses that Dolan, as rector of the North American College in Rome, presented to his seminarians.

As he explains in the book's forward, "Again, like every rector, I send those conferences to my board of governors. It is at their initiative that what follows, the conferences I have given my seminarians in Rome in my first five years as rector, 1994 through 1999, are presented to you."

Although the book and the conferences were intended for seminarians, priests and people in leadership or service in the church, readership of the book has apparently stretched to laity as well.

Dolan's book has earned a four and a half star review rating on www.amazon.com, the large Web site book distributor, based on reviews submitted by readers.

One reviewer wrote that he is considering priesthood and recommends the book to anyone who "has the slightest thought of going into the priesthood."

Another reviewer, Jeremy J. Priest from Columbus, Ohio, wrote that the book is not just for priests or seminarians. Calling it an outstanding piece of literature, Priest wrote it shows how "we can live faithful Christian lives in the midst of a sinful world.... This book is one of the best I have read -- hard to put it down once you've picked it up. An excellent devotional."

Dolan's book is divided into two parts: "Living the Christian Life," and "Living the Priestly Life." Addressing topics such as faith, hope, obedience, Penance, celibacy and chastity, and Marian devotion, Dolan blends his teaching and advice with personal anecdotes and experiences.

For example, in a chapter on humility, Dolan wrote about a regular Communion call he made to an elderly prominent St. Louis woman during his first parish assignment.

The pastor had told him the woman was terminally ill with cancer. When Dolan called her to establish the times for his visits, the woman was very precise in saying he should not arrive before 11:30 a.m. on Friday.

"I found her looking remarkably well for a woman supposedly dying. Every Friday morning the same," he wrote.

"Well, one day, I was near her house, and decided to stop in unannounced. Her nurse opened the door, and, as I entered, I saw my Communion call gasp as she quickly tried to wheel herself out of my sight.... She was without any makeup, without any hair, yellowish in color, drawn and old, obviously dying.... It dawned on me that every Friday morning she had spent hours preparing herself to look presentable, and now I had surprised her and found her as she really was -- weak, ugly, bald, yellow, old and dying.

"She started to cry, 'Oh Father, I never wanted anyone to see me like this. I am so ashamed!'

"All I could do was embrace her and assure her that I couldn't care less what she looked like, that I loved her and cared for her soul." Dolan explained that it's no use impressing the Lord, as he sees everyone, warts and all.

Dolan's 334-page book is available in hardcover form.