Dear Readers,

My name is Judy Lorenz and I became president of CITI Ministries, Inc. in October, 2011 succeeding our wonderful founder, Louise Haggett. I am delighted to give my heartfelt support to the anthology project that was the brainchild of Rev. Jim and Jackie Lovejoy.

There have been tens of thousands of men who left the clerical priesthood over the years, some leaving official ministry behind them forever and finding satisfaction in the secular world and workplaces. But for many, ministry was inbred and continued if not in a new profession designed for service, then surely in the example of Christian lives they led.

Still others found themselves back in ministry; in many cases much to their surprise! Yet somehow they were called back. They saw a need, an opportunity to serve again using the gifts given to them through ordination.

This anthology is a collection of their stories. The journeys of priesthood that began when they were young boys which took them on a wild ride with totally unexpected twists and turns. They are faith stories, love stories, life stories …. that tell how and why they are who they are today.

These stories are a gift to anyone who reads them, but especially to our Catholic brothers and sisters who will benefit from the knowledge of their history and their ministry going forward.