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Date Posted: 13:40:25 08/13/07 Mon
Author: Neysa
Author Host/IP: user-38lcia2.dialup.mindspring.com / 209.86.73.66
Subject: Part 2- continued..............
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
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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Last part........... -- Neysa, 14:47:31 08/13/07 Mon [1] (user-2inik6j.dialup.mindspring.com/165.121.80.211)
I made a mistake in part one ....it was Pumpkin Press Publishing House.
My book is written for children 7 to 14 years old. It is divided into five sections about the life of Karol Joseph Wojtyla ( Pope John Paul II ) The five sections are: childhood,teenage years, young adult, priesthood and pope.
The book ends in 1997.
When I was finished I never felt such a peace. This was something I was meant to do.
I realized after thinking back, I was not being called to be a nun. But was being called to do this.
I sent the woman from Pumpkin Press my book, and about a year later she contacted me. It was 1998. She wanted to re publish it, do a book tour, etc.... I told her no, I was finished, didn't have the time now anyway.
The book I self published I just gave them away. I cannot remember how many I had published 250 or 500. I sent a lot to colleges and universities that had a lot of elementary education students. To a lot of catholic schools, colleges as well.
To publish a book on my own was very expensive. My cover is in black and white, that is because some of the photo's are black and white photos.
There was a self publishing company near me. He wanted over $3,000.00 dollars to publish it. For a fancy colored cover it was $7,000.00.
I found a company that was in Florida and used them.
Also very expensive to pay the publishing companies for the right to use an authors work. Just to paraphrase or use a quote. Looking at $ 150.00 and more that I had to pay them. It depends on what and how much you use. I think the most I paid was $ 380.00.
I had also thought about doing a book on Mother Teresa, for children. I did find a lot already written. I wrote to Mother Teresa, and asked if I could come to India, and meet her and work with her, so I could get a personal account from her about her life.
She agreed, but then Mother Teresa got sick, and I recieved a letter from her that she was ill. If I wanted to talk to her she was coming to New York and I could meet with her there. When I called New York to make the arrangements, the nun I spoke with said Mother was too weak to meet with anyone. A bit later Mother Teresa died.
I'v never had any desire to write anymore.
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Your story reads like a story....if you know what I mean, Neysa!............ -- Barb, 15:33:20 08/13/07 Mon [1] (clgrtnt9-port-56.dial.telus.net/161.184.54.56)
What a process. Have you any regrets? I am sorry you did not get to meet with Mother Teresa. The very fact that you were intentioned to, is something to hold on to for the rest of your life. I congratulate you for your efforts and I am sad for your disappointments.
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No, Barb, I have no regrets ! -- Neysa, 16:17:55 08/13/07 Mon [1] (user-2inik2n.dialup.mindspring.com/165.121.80.87)
I accept that meeting Mother Teresa was not meant to be, but my desire to meet Pope John Paul II, was alot greater.
The fact that it was soooo difficult to do so, made my meeting with His Holiness that much more memorable. Presenting the book I had written to him was a thrill. Barb, he just beamed. He took his right hand and caressed my left cheek.
Maybe, the only regret I had was that I presented the book to him upside down. As I went to turn it around, the Pope's, valet snatched it from my hand, and placed it on a table.
The greatest moment with the Pope, was about two years later when I was invited to attend a morning Mass, celebrated by John Paul II, in his private chapel located inside his apartment. My mom was with me.
I remember thinking to myself, my mother's mother (my grandmother) traveled to the USA in steerage to Ellis Island. I wonder if she is looking down from heaven in awe that her daughter and granddaughter are in the Vatican in the presence of the Pope again!
I am just a middle class American. When I was at the Mass, the majority were very wealthy people. Infact, there was a woman there from West Palm Beach, Florida. She was allowed to bring 14 or 15 guests with her. For years, she held parties that you paid a lot of money to attend. She donated all the money to the church.
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Barb,.............. -- Neysa, 21:12:49 08/14/07 Tue [1] (user-38lcibm.dialup.mindspring.com/209.86.73.118)
I just wanted to add a thank you, for your kind words. As you mentioned the fact that I was suppose to meet Mother Teresa, is something to hold on to for the rest of my life. I have the two letters she sent me. I will always cherish them.
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oops! Barb,I forgot you get a heart too !!! -- Neysa, 21:17:21 08/14/07 Tue [1] (user-38lcibm.dialup.mindspring.com/209.86.73.118)
Thanks again for your kind words!
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