MSI Press Blog

  Recently released: audiobook edition of Christmas at the Mission by Sula Parish Cat at Old Mission. And yes, we know the timing is a bit odd (Christmas in March, anyone?), but the book will be there when Christmas comes (sooner than one thinks), and we will remind you! Or, you can get a head start now. It is a charming book. Book Description Sula the Cat does it again! Sula, parish cat at Old Mission San Juan Bautista, is a cat with a special mission: to comfort people in need. Every morning, she spends time with St. Francis, patron saint of animals, and receives guidance for the day. During Masses, led by the Holy Spirit, she seeks out whomever God wants her to comfort, and they report that she brings comfort, indeed. In her spare time, she writes books. This time, she is writing about Christmas traditions and how she experiences them as a parish cat. Ever wonder where our various Christmas customs come from? Sula tells you about the history and the customs today, both mainstre...

Have cats? Here are some tips to keep them safe and your Christmas merry: Christmas Tree Safety      Secure the Tree : Make sure your Christmas tree is securely anchored to prevent it from tipping over if your cat decides to climb it.      Avoid Tinsel and Ribbon : Cats love to play with shiny objects, but tinsel and ribbon can be dangerous if ingested. Stick to safer decorations.      Use Cat-Safe Ornaments : Place fragile ornaments higher up where your cat can't reach them. Opt for unbreakable decorations on the lower branches. Toxic Plants      Poinsettias, Holly, and Mistletoe : These popular holiday plants are toxic to cats. Keep them out of reach or consider using artificial versions. Holiday Foods      Avoid Human Food : Many holiday foods, including chocolate, onions, garlic, and certain spices, are toxic to cats. Keep these foods out of reach and avoid feeding your cat table scraps. Cords and Lights ...

  The following guest post was buried in the Christmas mail, but it is still worth reading: ONE BIG BREATH “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” --Luke 1: 35   I just started participating in yoga classes. I wanted to breathe a little more life into my old, slow, stiff body. The instructor from India invites us to assume many seemingly unnatural positions with our bodies, which I think of as “pretzel poses.” We stretch like rubber bands, hoping not to snap. She asks us to hold those poses for several minutes and breathe slowly and deeply. She instructs us to be aware of our bodies and breathe into the physical sensations we experience. I experience mostly pain, which she tells me is “just discomfort.” She says, “Just follow your breath. It is your life energy,” which she assures us will bring relief. Each session ends with one big breath and the exchange of a solemn greeting, “Namaste” (Bow to you.). The classes h...

  LIGHT SHOW “ I am the light of the world. ” --Jesus of Nazareth   “ White Christmas, ” written by Irving Berlin in 1942 and sung by Bing Crosby, is the most popular Christmas song ever. That is surprising, since most of the world never experiences snow at the end of December. The southern hemisphere is bathed in summer warmth, while half of the land north of the equator only experiences a winter chill. LIGHT SHOW THEN Christmas, at its heart, is really a light show. History displays its meaning. We do not know precisely when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. It was not until the fourth century that December 25 th was established as its official date by the Church. That date was set to compete with the pagan feast of the “ Birth of the Invincible Sun. ” Christ was the rising “ Sun of Righteousness. ” December 25 th was four days after the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. The gradually increasing daylight signified light overcoming darkness. Today we cel...

Photo by Stacey Gentry   Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas this year with a photo of Sula, parish cat at Old Mission San Juan Bautista (and MSI Press author) from a past Christmas -- she passed away in 2022, but her spirit is still felt on the Mission grounds and in the Mission church. The creche is not the same without her. For more posts about and by Sula and her books, click HERE . Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .   Interested in publishing with MSI Press LLC? Check out information on  how to submit a proposal . Interested in receiving a free copy of this or any MSI Press LLC book  in exchange for  reviewing  a current or forthcoming MSI Press LLC book? Contact editor@msipress.com. Want an  author-signed copy  of this book? Purchase the book at 25% discount (use coupon code FF25) and concurrently send a written request to orders@msipress.com. Want to communicat...

photo by Stacey Gentry: Sula, parish cat at Old Mission/MSI Press "author" in the creche Shared by Dr. Dennis Ortman , author of a number of award-winning books -  CHRISTMAS STORY “ And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory. ” --John 1: 14   Even as a child, I knew that Christmas was about more than Santa Claus coming and getting gifts. The baby Jesus was born. In addition to the Christmas tree and outdoor lights, we set up a Nativity scene in our home. Our parents told us the story and introduced the characters. At school, we re-enacted the Christmas story. We all vied to play Mary or Joseph, but I ended up being a sheep. The nuns explained that the story was about the birth of Jesus, the Son of God, who came to save us from our sins. I wasn ’ t sure what that meant, but I knew it was a very happy occasion. We sang joyous Christmas carols at church and in the neighborhood. At home the family gathered to share a meal and exchange...