The Catholic Spirit
News from around the archdiocese
NOVEMBER 13,2008
News from around the archdiocese
NOVEMBER 13,2008
Mother, daughter write Advent book
By Dave Hrbacek
The Catholic Spirit
Sharon Altman and her daughter, Christine Winkelman, were looking for a good book to read to Christine’s two young boys. Unhappy with their search, they decided to write one themselves. And, the results could benefit people as far away as Guatemala.
Altman of Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul and Winkelman of St. Patrick in Hudson, Wis., recently published a book titled, “Destination: Bethlehem, A Family Advent Adventure.” It has 24 chapters, with the recommendation that parents read one chapter to their children each night beginning Dec. 1.
Along the way, the women decided to donate profits from the book to a mission in Guatemala in the village of Yalpemech. The village is home to St. Patrick’s sister parish.
Working together
The Catholic Spirit
Sharon Altman and her daughter, Christine Winkelman, were looking for a good book to read to Christine’s two young boys. Unhappy with their search, they decided to write one themselves. And, the results could benefit people as far away as Guatemala.
Altman of Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul and Winkelman of St. Patrick in Hudson, Wis., recently published a book titled, “Destination: Bethlehem, A Family Advent Adventure.” It has 24 chapters, with the recommendation that parents read one chapter to their children each night beginning Dec. 1.
Along the way, the women decided to donate profits from the book to a mission in Guatemala in the village of Yalpemech. The village is home to St. Patrick’s sister parish.
Working together
The project started with a simple phone conversation between Christine and her mother in January 2006. “I was looking for something for my boys for Advent,” said Winkelman, who has two boys with her husband, Ryan — Pierson, 6, and Ethan, 2. “I wanted something I could bring out year after year and do with them,” she said. “Someone suggested another Advent book and I liked the idea of it, so I decided to do something myself.” She called Altman to inform her of the decision to write the book. Then, she discovered that her mother had been thinking and praying about doing the exact same thing, and they began working together. “I was excited about collaborating with her,” Altman said. “Christine and I have always been close and enjoyed doing things together and so it was a natural extension of our relationship.
“I had been inspired by the writings of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich. I had been trying to find a way to incorporate her insights and vision into an Advent story children could understand.”
Blessed Catherine Anne Emmerich (1774-1824) was born in Germany and became an Augustinian sister in 1802 at the age of 28. She was reported to have received the stigmata and to have had numerous visions.
The story line of “Destination:Bethlehem” revolves around two young boys who live in Israel during the time of Christ’s birth — Isaac and Jediah. It talks about life in Palestine and the events surrounding the birth of Jesus from their perspective.
To cater to the interests of young boys, they have worked in a lot of action and a few episodes of
trouble for the boys. One of the first tests for the book was the response of Winkelman’s two boys. “They loved reading it,” she said.
Good for all ages
Though the book is well-suited for boys, the two co-authors are quick to point out that girls will like it, too. In fact, they had parents in Winkelman’s parish mothers’ group read it, and their daughters responded favorably. Not only that, but they believe adults also will find it interesting to read.
“We did extensive research and worked in a lot of historical facts in the story line,” Altman said. “Every chapter ends with a travel guide to the past to givemore historical background of the times, and details about what things were like.”
Already, the two are thinking ahead to Lent and possibly writing a book for that season as well.
“We’ve already started brainstorming ideas,” Altman said. “We’ve had so much fun.”
“I had been inspired by the writings of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich. I had been trying to find a way to incorporate her insights and vision into an Advent story children could understand.”
Blessed Catherine Anne Emmerich (1774-1824) was born in Germany and became an Augustinian sister in 1802 at the age of 28. She was reported to have received the stigmata and to have had numerous visions.
The story line of “Destination: Bethlehem” revolves around two young boys who live in Israel during the time of Christ’s birth — Isaac and Jediah. It talks about life in Palestine and the events surrounding the birth of Jesus from their perspective.
To cater to the interests of young boys, they have worked in a lot of action and a few episodes of
trouble for the boys. One of the first tests for the book was the response of Winkelman’s two boys. “They loved reading it,” she said.
Good for all ages
Though the book is well-suited for boys, the two co-authors are quick to point out that girls will like it, too. In fact, they had parents in Winkelman’s parish mothers’ group read it, and their daughters responded favorably. Not only that, but they believe adults also will find it interesting to read. “We did extensive research and worked in a many historical facts in the story line,” Altman said. “Every chapter ends with a travel guide to the past. You get even more historical
background of the times, you get more details about what things were like.”
Already, the two are thinking ahead to Lent and possibly writing a book for that season as well.
“We’ve already started brainstorming ideas,” Altman said. “We’ve had so much fun.”
“I had been inspired by the writings of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich. I had been trying to find a way to incorporate her insights and vision into an Advent story children could understand.”
Blessed Catherine Anne Emmerich (1774-1824) was born in Germany and became an Augustinian sister in 1802 at the age of 28. She was reported to have received the stigmata and to have had numerous visions.
The story line of “Destination:Bethlehem” revolves around two young boys who live in Israel during the time of Christ’s birth — Isaac and Jediah. It talks about life in Palestine and the events surrounding the birth of Jesus from their perspective.
To cater to the interests of young boys, they have worked in a lot of action and a few episodes of
trouble for the boys. One of the first tests for the book was the response of Winkelman’s two boys. “They loved reading it,” she said.
Good for all ages
Though the book is well-suited for boys, the two co-authors are quick to point out that girls will like it, too. In fact, they had parents in Winkelman’s parish mothers’ group read it, and their daughters responded favorably. Not only that, but they believe adults also will find it interesting to read.
“We did extensive research and worked in a lot of historical facts in the story line,” Altman said. “Every chapter ends with a travel guide to the past to givemore historical background of the times, and details about what things were like.”
Already, the two are thinking ahead to Lent and possibly writing a book for that season as well.
“We’ve already started brainstorming ideas,” Altman said. “We’ve had so much fun.”
“I had been inspired by the writings of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich. I had been trying to find a way to incorporate her insights and vision into an Advent story children could understand.”
Blessed Catherine Anne Emmerich (1774-1824) was born in Germany and became an Augustinian sister in 1802 at the age of 28. She was reported to have received the stigmata and to have had numerous visions.
The story line of “Destination: Bethlehem” revolves around two young boys who live in Israel during the time of Christ’s birth — Isaac and Jediah. It talks about life in Palestine and the events surrounding the birth of Jesus from their perspective.
To cater to the interests of young boys, they have worked in a lot of action and a few episodes of
trouble for the boys. One of the first tests for the book was the response of Winkelman’s two boys. “They loved reading it,” she said.
Good for all ages
Though the book is well-suited for boys, the two co-authors are quick to point out that girls will like it, too. In fact, they had parents in Winkelman’s parish mothers’ group read it, and their daughters responded favorably. Not only that, but they believe adults also will find it interesting to read. “We did extensive research and worked in a many historical facts in the story line,” Altman said. “Every chapter ends with a travel guide to the past. You get even more historical
background of the times, you get more details about what things were like.”
Already, the two are thinking ahead to Lent and possibly writing a book for that season as well.
“We’ve already started brainstorming ideas,” Altman said. “We’ve had so much fun.”
