Part 2 -- Catholic Friends Forum

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Date Posted: 12:31:20 08/13/07 Mon
Author: Neysa
Author Host/IP: user-2inik79.dialup.mindspring.com / 165.121.80.233
Subject: Part 2
In reply to: Catie 's message, "Neysa the fact that you had a visit with the Pope" on 10:26:46 08/13/07 Mon

When I finished it I bought a Writers Digest Children's Books. I began sending my manuscript out to children's book publishers. I would get back that they liked it, but not what they're looking for at this time. I remember the date exactly,it was Tuesday, October 3, 1995. I received a call from Pumpkin House Publishing Co. in California (No longer in business) the woman I don't remember her name. She said she wanted to publish my book. (She owned the Co,) They only published children's books. She was a very strange woman. She told me that she took my manuscript that I sent her, to church with her that morning while she attended morning Mass. Then, she sat there for over an hour praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament. While she was there, she gave my manuscript to the monsignor who was the pastor, for him to read. He blessed the manuscript.

My dad was very ill already. When I got off the phone, I ran into the room where he was and told him the good news. My dad smiled and tears began rolling down his cheeks. I remember this part so well, because my dad died nine day later.

( I'm sorry I have to stop here for a bit, I can't stop crying). I'll be back to continue in a bit.

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[> Part 2- continued.............. -- Neysa, 13:40:25 08/13/07 Mon [1] (user-38lcia2.dialup.mindspring.com/209.86.73.66)

Sorry, for having to stop. Even after all these years I get choked up and start to cry when I talk about my dad.

Then, I received the letter stating that Pumpkin Press. would publish my book. I would get a one time payment,for the manuscript that is all. Its been so long ago that I cannot remember. I remember it wasn't very much money. Then, again I wasn't doing it for the money.

Then the owner said that she needed a letter from the Vatican giving me permission to write about John Paul II. I wrote to the Vatican, I received a reply as if I wrote a fan letter. Not even answering my question.

I wrote to Mother Angelica of EWTN, who had been to the Vatican and met the Pope dozens of times. She wrote and told me that you don't need permission to write a book about the Pope.

Then, the owner of Pumpkin Press, said ( I can't think of what it is called) she wanted the Pope to write, is it a forward ? Letter to children to be published in the book,and she still wanted a letter saying the Vatican approves the book, so she could put that in the book as well. Now, her requests were getting crazy. The only way the Pope does something like that is if he asks you to write a book, or you are a good personal friend of his.

As the months went by she would send me chages she made or things she wanted me to add. When she edited parts of my manuscript, it was as if a part of me was being torn away. It really hurt. It got to the point, that I said this is no longer my work, it is turning into hers!

It was dragging on, the Pope looked really bad. So many of my friends would say she better hurry up and publish that book before the Pope dies. I felt pressured that time was indeed running out, that the pope would indeed die soon.

In order to add some of the information she wanted and to get photos. In July of 1996, I traveled to Poland to do more research and get photos.

Two months earlier, a college friend called me and said she told a priest about my book. This priest was a friend from high school. He had studied in Rome and was ordained there. He had met the Pope. I called this priest. I thought boy, I really would like to present my book to the Pope.

Now, I start trying to figure out how one meets the Pope. You cannot just ask a priest. The majority will never get a chance to meet a pope. Here they are dedicating their life to the service of God, in a way the Pope is their big boss. I have a better chance.

It is if it is a big secret. No one will tell you how to meet the Pope. I even called the Vatican, and spoke to the operator, and she wouldn't tell me.

Neither would dear sweet Mother Angelica. So I wrote to the nuncio in Washington D.C., and asked if I could meet the Pope.

I received a very rude letter back. In capital letters it stated NO YOU CANNOT MEET THE POPE. I was stunned and very angry. This lit a fire within me that no matter how long it would take I would not give up, but I would meet the Pope.

These bishops who tell you no or will not help you. They get to meet the Pope every 5 years. Cardinals all the time.

To my surprise even my mom told me to give up trying.

I cannot remember what month it was but I wrote to an American Archbishop who has worked at the vatican for years. I received a letter from his secretary telling me who to get in touch with at the Vatican. I did, and this person called me from the Vatican and said he would need a copy of my book by a certain date for approval, and then it would be decided if I would be allowed to present it to the Pope.

The owner of Pumpkin Press, said that there was no way she could have a book ready by the date the Vatican wanted it. So, I pulled away. Really I didn't mind because I didn't like the changes she was making.

I took the original manuscript just as I had written it and paid myself to have it published. It was ready in April of 1997, just in time. I sent it off to the Vatican. I received a letter in May. I was told to come to Rome, and that I would present my book to Pope John Paul II, on Wednesday, July 2, 1997.

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