Local author Daryl Grigsby will be discussing his latest book at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Grass Valley on Thursday, May 1 at 6 p.m. His latest release, “Catholics for the Common Good: An Eternal Offering,” was published by Paulist Press this year. The book features profiles of 36 contemporary Catholics who have worked for justice and human dignity. A highlight of the book is the rich diversity of those featured. Since Catholicism is a global faith, Grigsby included people from India, the Philippines, El Salvador, Mexico, Tanzania, France, Switzerland and other nations. In recognition of the rich but little-known history of African-American Catholics, Grigsby included profiles of Sister Thea Bowman, Dr. Lena Edwards, Fr. Augustus Tolton, and many others.
The book is divided into four sections, Religious Sisters, Laywomen and Laymen, Priests, and Bishops/Cardinals, highlighting the fact that everyone has a unique and important calling. Since women are often the foundation of many parishes and ministries, more than half of the 36 are Catholic women. Among those featured are theologian Monika Hellwig, border minister Sister Norma Pimentel, musician Mary Lou Williams and others.
Given the many ways religious faith, particularly in the United States, has been expressed in the political and social arena, “Catholics For the Common Good” is a reminder that there are Catholics and Christians who have worked diligently on behalf of those in need. They are at work in prisons, at the border, in war-torn nations, and other places of human suffering. Their religious convictions, and Catholic Social teaching, led them to work among victims of human trafficking, victims of war, and others who suffer from unjust systems. A premise of the book is the 36 featured are but a few of the millions of people whose faith informs their work for human dignity.
One of the book’s endorsers, Fr. Tom Bonacci of the Interfaith Peace Project, noted, “As you turn the pages, you will join that great procession of people who have lived their lives for others. Prepare to be blessed.”
Daryl’s other books include “In Their Footsteps: Inspirational Reflections on Black History for Every Day of the Year,” “Celebrating Ourselves: African-Americans and the Promise of Baseball,” and “For The People: Black Socialists in the United States, Africa and the Caribbean.”
He is also involved in several community activities, including serving on the Board of Directors of the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, Color Me Human Nevada County, and FutureChurch. He is also on the national Board of Leadership Foundations, a faith-based organization serving those in need in fifty cities around the world.
The event will include a brief discussion, Q & A, and books for sale.
Emmanuel Episcopal is located at 325 Church Street, and the event is free.
