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St. Bridget's of Sweden Catholic Church's former leader, Fr. Bill Whittier, has penned an autobiography "The Journey of a Priest," and a book release event is Sunday, June 13. Panola Gardens is hosting the book-signing from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Panola Gardens are a few miles south of Lindstrom, on Olinda Trail.

Father Bill was pastor at St. Bridget's from 1982 until 1994.

The book's cover features a photograph of the bridge in Jay Cook State Park. Fr. Bill writes on the inside cover page that the bridge art is "appropriate" both because it spans geologic formations that have formed, changed and renewed themselves over time, just like he has, and because bridges have symbolism in his life journey as "love over the troubled waters."

In the mid-beginning part of the book Father Bill writes of his time in Lindstrom. But, don't expect the whole book to be filled with familiar people and reflections, because the good priest travelled extensively in doing his works. There are chapters relating experiences he has had and friends he's made all over the world.

The Journey of a Priest is a quick read at under 200 pages. It's an inspiration to anyone who is on the far side of 50 and wondering what's next in life, as Whittier was 65 when he embarked on a "second career. The story is also assuring in the fact that contrary to the old saying-- you can go home again, if indeed home is anywhere you feel you belong.

See www.frbillwhittier.com for information on how to get the book.

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