A Month of Sundays

About the Book

30 short stories of faith and hope including:

"Mike's Christmas in January"
A family full of problems finds the true meaning of Christmas when their son returns to school after Christmas vacation.

"Eleanor's Easter Eggs"
A young student with many problems finds her Easter egg in a most unusual place and learns about the wonders of spring and new life.

"An Easter Kindness"
An Easter was made very special for Kathy and her orphaned siblings because someone went out of his way to make sure they could really feel the Easter spirit.

"Of Shoes and Scriptures"
An embarrassing moment in church demonstrates a forgiving Christian community.

"The First Day of School"
The disasters and triumphs of Steve's first day as a teacher.

"Sally"
A motherless child finds direction when Steve shares his feelings at the loss of his grandmother.

"I Can Get Out of School At 1:30!"
Kathy's childhood awakening of faith began with a simple desire to have a few hours away from school.

"The Shed"
The disobedience of a teenager grows into a strong example of forgiveness.

"The Day After Thanksgiving"
A special love grows warm in the cold of a Chicago winter.

"God's Good Time"
A former student met in a mall while Christmas shopping reminds Steve of the beauty of Christmas.

"Lumber Jack Christmas"
Chopping down the family's Christmas tree can be quite an adventure.

"Tourtiere"
Steve's mother "passes on" an old Quebec family recipe to Kathy and in the process much is shared about family and the Christmas spirit.

"Jiminy Cricket Christmas"
An highly desired Christmas gift teaches an important lesson.

"Christmas Cookies for Easter"
Kathy's passion for baking delicious and beautiful Christmas cookies in great abundance has positive implications throughout the year..

About the Author

Steve MacDonald is a second grade teacher at Holy Ghost School in Dubuque, Iowa. He spent his childhood years in Maine. He has a B.S. in elementary education from DePaul University in Chicago and a M.A. in ministry from Regis University in Denver and has done further graduate work at Clarke College and Chapman University. He is an ordained deacon and frequent homilist at St. Joseph's Church in Dubuque. He serves on the Archdiocesan Committee in Partnership with Persons with Disabilities and is director of religious education at the Hills & Dales Child Development Center. Steve has received the Dubuque Teacher of the Year Award in 2003, the Gold Star Award for Outstanding Teaching, the Outstanding Educators Award from Northeast Iowa Community College, the Excellence Award from the Hills & Dales Child Development Center, the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Association of Retarded Citizens (ARC), and Certificates of Appreciation from: Holy Family Catholic Schools, St. Mary's/St. Patrick's School, and Up With Families. He was named to Who's Who Among America's Teachers in 2005. Steve is past president of the Dubuque Chapter of the International Reading Association of Dubuque. He serves on the following Holy Family Catholic Schools System committees: Religion and Mission, Curriculum, and Mission School & Outreach. He is a Special Olympics coach and former junior high basketball and track coach.