Reviewed by Vicki Carver

In the past few years Jan Karon and Philip Gulley have written popular novels about churches in small communities. Many readers have enjoyed reading about the various personalities who are part of small town congregations and have probably identified with many of the situations which are described in these novels.

Katherine Valentine is a new author on the writer’s scene with a book titled A Miracle For St. Cecilia’s. This story takes place in the small community of Dorsetville, Connecticut and involves a Catholic church, St. Cecilia’s, which is going to be shut down due to lack of funds. The old church furnace needs constant attention by repairman George Berson. Many members have moved to other communities or died leaving the church with a shrinking budget.

Father James Flaherty is a likable priest in his mid-forties who carries the awesome responsibility of trying to save St. Cecilia’s. He works with an 82-year-old Irish priest, Father Keene, whose absent-mindedness is becoming more noticeable and adding to Father James’ woes.

Other characters are intermingled into the story. There is Lori Peterson, a waitress at the “County Kettle”, whose husband Bob has been diagnosed with leukemia and is waiting for a donor for a bone marrow transplant. Matthew Metcalf, a precious 16-year-old computer hack, decides to produce a hologram of the Virgin Mary to replace a stolen statute. His well-intentioned plan wrecks havoc and humor in St. Cecilia’s desperate attempt to raise money and remain open.

A Miracle For St. Cecilia’s is well-written and moves along at a steady pace. The characters are described in such a way that they seem both realistic and believable to the reader. As the story moves along the characters come together and inadvertently find a solution to St. Cecilia’s money problems and a humorous but also heart warming conclusion.

In the “Acknowledgments” at the end of the story, the author explains her reasons for embarking on writing a book. It is evident that Valentine’s personal experiences have influences her writing style. A Miracle For St. Cecilia’s is enjoyable reading and hopefully its success will encourage Valentine to continue her writing career.

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