MSI Press Blog

  MSI Press author, Sula, parish cat at Old Mission, had a special visitor this week -- Ves, a young artist who drew a picture of Sula. In case you have not seen Sula's recent Face Book page, Stacey, Sula's personal photographer, took a video of Sula observing (overseeing) the Mission grounds before Mass this weekend. Very cute video, worth watching if you like cats: https://www.facebook.com/sulathecat/posts/3688009197959780 (There are also some other charming videos of Sula there.) Read more posts about Sula and her books HERE .

  Sula for 15 years a beloved staff member, although a cat, at Old Mission San Juan Bautista, served parishioners faithfully until August 24, when she died with her "work boots on" after fighting cancer for ten years and succumbing only to the 6th bout. Her story has been told in many posts of this blog, all over the Internet, and in a memorial story on KSBW , a Central Coast California television station, that was carried by other stations, as well.  See more posts about Sula  HERE . Now, let us introduce Bubblegum, a young white rooster. Bubblegum showed up at the first Mass after Sula passed away, walking down the aisle like Sula did, and standing in front of the altar like Sula did. Bubblegum has since attended a funeral Mass and the full two-hour meeting of the Sula Committee making plans for Sula's funeral and memorial. Interestingly, Bubblegum (pictured here) is white with grey tail feathers like Sula was white with a gray tail.                                    S

  Well, this is not news. Sula has had a Face Book page for a few years new, long enough to gather nearly 800 followers. (You can be a follower, too.) What is on the page? Announcements about new books by Sula. She has published six. Sula's reactions to events at the Mission. Pictures of Sula with visitors. Photos and videos of Sula's adventures at the Mission. All lots of fun, endearing, charming, and heartwarming. Great pictures, great stories. Check out her FB page HERE .. Check out Sula's blog posts and pictures HERE .

  Yes, we have quite a collection of short videos of Sula, parish cat at Old Mission San Juan Bautista, thanks to Stacey Gentry, Sula's official photographer. For some Caturday/Saturday fun, just click HERE and select the videos you like -- or all of them! For more posts about Sula, her life well lived, and her books, click HERE , including Surviving Cancer, Healing People , which won a Literary Titan gold medal. And, with Easter coming up, don't forget about Sula's Easter book! Sula, the now-famous church cat, tackles a mysterious topic for her fifth book: What is Easter, what is its meaning, what are the beliefs behind Catholic behaviors associated with the Lenten season and Easter, why is it called the Paschal mystery? Sula answers these questions with history, dogma, humor, and charm. And, of course, with pictures, lots and lots of people-cat pictures. The sections of the book--Ash Wednesday, Lent, Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and East Mornin

Hello, My name is Sula, and I am the parish cat at Old Mission San Juan Bautista. My first book, Surviving Cancer, Healing People: One Cat's Story , came out a couple of years ago. I am very grateful for  everyone who read and reviewed my book. All five stars! That made me so happy. More recently I have written three more books, one after the other, on slightly different topics. Many people had written to me, especially om my Face Book page , and told me that they like my books, but no one has written reviews. Reviews really help to get the word out. So, if you would like to write a review in exchange for a free copy of one of my books, just contact my publisher: info@msipress.com . Here are the books that need to be reviewed: Christmas at the Mission: A Cat's View of Catholic Customs and Beliefs 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

  Gee whiz, after all the rain, Sula now has waterfront property! (For those who do not live in California, over the last couple of drought-killing months, we have not only filled our previously nearly empty reservoirs but have so much water to spare that many people like me have nature-made swimming pools in the backyard and a house, not designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, with a river running through it.) Not to be left out, Old Mission San Juan Bautista's famous parish cat (author of books, subject of online stories), who passed last August after 17 years of dedicated service to the parish and is buried in the Mission gardens near her beloved status of St. Francis, now also has a pond for reflection. For Sula's story on this blog, including posts about Sula and her books, click HERE . For Sula's story on the Internet, including the first publication about her in Guideposts Magazine , click HERE . For more Caturday posts, click HERE . Follow Sula's life, death, and afterl

  Sula, Parish Cat at Old Mission San Juan Bautista, cancer survivor x5, and prolific author of spiritual books, retired from her duties as full-time Mission cat when covid struck and moved in with her godparents. Since the Mission has reopened, they bring Sula in on Sundays. Some days she walks around the grounds and attends Mass like in the old days. Mostly, though, she "holds court" at the Mission gift shop and welcomes visitors. Last Sunday, one of her visitors brought her a belated Easter present. Everyone loves Sula! Unfortunately, Sula is struggling a bit now, as is probably evident in the picture. As she reaches the special age of 15, she is experiencing arthritis. Most unfortunately, however, the tumors on her leg have returned, and she has trouble walking. Her oncologist says that she is "very worried" about Sula. So, we are asking for prayers for the little cat that has been the answer to prayers for many people. Read posts about Sula and her books HERE .

  Sula is a very unusual cat. She is the parish cat for Old Mission San Juan Bautista and, beyond being beloved by the people of the parish who see her at Mass every day and have paid for three cancer surgeries through collections (a fourth surgery was provided gratis by the vet, Dr. Theresa Arteaga of the Animal Cancer Center of Monterey), she has garnered some national attention for her miraculous understanding of who needs comfort and joy -- and uncannily offering it to them at just the right time. Her story appeared in G uideposts Magazine in December 2015, and in All Creatures in Novermber-December 2017. She has also written 6 books, with the help of some of the parishioners at Old Mission SJB. The first book, which has garnered some fame, including totally selling out during the first hour of a Barnes & Noble book launch event, is called Surviving Cancer, Helping People: One Cat's Story. It is recommended by US Review of Books, and was selected as a Reviewers' Choic

  Photo by Kaleena Scargill Some of the people who form a big part of my mission [taking emotional/spiritual care of the parishioners at Old Mission San Juan Bautista] struggle with cancer. I do understand them—their fears, their pain, their sometimes-sadness. I feel those things, too, at least as much as a cat can feel. I know that God made humans to have even deeper feelings and a greater range of feelings, and I am glad that some of those feelings include loving animals because it is through that love that I can connect with them and bring them the message of God’s love. I have to tell you about one of my special friends, Loryn. She understands me because she had cancer, and I understand her because I had cancer—the same way Cody and I understand, support, and love each other. Maybe it is better if I am not the one to tell her story, though. Maybe she should tell her own story. I think you will find it more interesting that way. So, here is what she wrote for my book about her exper

  Sula is back on duty at the Mission Gift Shop at Old Mission San Juan Bautista on Sundays, but she is taking Valentine's Day off, but has sent greetings. Now in semi-retirement, in part because of health (she is fighting cancer for the fourth time), she spends Sundays ministering to people at the various Masses, helping out in the gift shop, and receiving pets, accolades, and gifts from those who love her.  On this Valentine's Day, relaxing at her godparents' house, where she is spending her retirement except for her Sunday duty days, Sula reiterates a tweet from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA): This Valentine's Day, help mend the broken hearts of unwanted and helpless animals who feel that they've been forgotten. Just $19 a month can help the ASPCA provide love and care for neglected animals across the country. Make an urgent gift TODAY. HERE is where to reach the ASPCA. You can read more posts by and about Sula and her boo

  MSI Press authors, Sula Parish Cat and Shenan (CB) Leaver, at Old Mission San Juan Bautista Gift Shop office Sula, Parish Cat at Old Mission, has written seven books, the most recent one, Sula and the Franciscan Sisters , released this month. Today, KSBW in Salinas, California featured Sula, her passing, and parishioner response -- along with quite a surprise at the first Mass after her passing. Listen to it HERE . For more posts about Sula and her books, click HERE For posts about Shenan and his book, click HERE .                                    Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter                           Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .

   Christmas at the Mission came after other Sula books were written, the first being Surviving Cancer, Healing People, which won a Literary Titan gold award. The first Sula story was told in Guideposts Magazine  (and repeated two years later as the lead Christmas story in All God's Creatures Magazine ) as the lead story in the Christmas 2015 issue. So, it seemed a natural that one of the books in what become a 7-book series should be a book about Christmas. Not only did Sula photogenically place herself in just the right Christmas spots (the local newspaper got some of those shots, too), but it became clear that not all parishioners were familiar with all the concepts associated with the Catholic observation of Christmas. Sula's books have always tried to strike a balance between informing and entertaining. For more posts about Sula and her books, click HERE . For more book back stories, click HERE . (And yes, we know the timing is a bit odd -- Christmas as four months ago an

  (Sula and Deacon Van) Sula is sick again; her tumor has come back. In honor of her heroic struggles and in honor of Caturday, we are posting an exceprt from one of her many books, the one about cancer. Here we have the preface, written by Deacon Van.  Preface Letter to Sula from Deacon Van Dear Sula, I love your book. It rings so true—your stories, your humility, most of all your love of God and of the people of God here at Old Mission San Juan Bautista. The people who love you (there are hundreds, I’m sure) will cherish this book and love you all the more for your plainspoken faith and your mission of service at the Mission. Tell your amanuensis that she did a wonderful job of capturing your voice and incorporating the moving stories of Loryn and Cody. Thanks to her efforts, the book is not only an excellent fund-raising vehicle, it’s an inspirational call to Catholic faith and worship. She served you well, just as you have served all of us so well. Love, Deacon Van Read

  Every year, Sula, parish cat at Old Mission San Juan Bautista, who takes care of the Mission, gift shop, and parishioners, dresses up for Halloween and has a great time greeting customers at the gift shop as well as at Mass. This year, Sula has done something special for Halloween. She has written a book, Dia de Muertos , about Day of the Dead that occurs at the same time, and she lists all the differences between the two holidays. See that except HERE . Enjoy Halloween, then curl up with Sula's book and get ready for Day of the Dead. For more posts from this blog and from the Internet about Sula, click HERE . For more posts about Day of the Dead, click HERE . For more posts about Sula's books, click HERE .

  It being Caturday and all, I thought I would share a cute drawing of Sula, parish cat at Old Mission, that I saw in the Mission Gift Shop when I visited today. Sula is beloved by parishioners and visitors alike. People draw pictures of her; they photograph her, and of course they hold and pet her. Sula is known for her appearance in two Guideposts Magazines and for the six books she has written to raise money for the Mission's retrofit (it is located in California, atop the intersection of three earthquake fault). To read more on the web about Sula, including her Guideposts stories, click HERE . To see posts about Sula and her books, click HERE .

About the Book As Sula walks through her Mission home, she meets more than a dozen saints, In Saints I Know , she shares them with anyone who has an interest.  Saints I Know depicts the lives of 21 saints in both their imperfection and perfection--chosen based on the relationship to a Franciscan Mission, Old iMission San Juan Bautista and, told through the eyes of the Mission's cat. The sections of the book include saints related to the founding of the Mission (St. Francis, St. John the Baptist, and St. Juniper Serra), the Holy parents (Mary and Joseph), saints whose statues are behind the altar in the Mission, patron saints of animals, patron saints of children, and the favorite saints of the parish priest. In a final section, she gives some thought, as well, to future saints. Book Endorsement Pending Review of the Book This is a brand-new book so Sula is still waiting for reviews. Want to write one in exchange for a free copy of the book? Send a note to editor@msipress

Sula, the parish cat at Old Mission San Juan Bautista, is quite a famous cat. Google her, and you will find lots of pictures and references. She has appeared as the lead article in Guideposts Magazine and in A ll Creatures Magazine -- and she has written six books of her own, including one in Spanish. The excerpt below is from one of her earlier books, a beloved one that was illustrated by the late Zhenya Yanovich, a Russian artist of growing esteem. The 12 Days of Christmas The twelve days of Christmas refer to the period extending from Christmas to Epiphany. The song you just read and maybe even sang in your head is well known both to Catholics and to those not in the Church. It is a secular tribute to something sacred, but many people do not know the sacred part. Do you know that there are three feasts during the 12 days of Christmas? They date from the fifth century and all focus on the incarnation of the Word of God (Christ) as the baby Jesus, human like us—well, like

   Continuing in the series of Sula (parish cat) Easter posts and especially on Caturday, here is another excerpt from Sula's Easter book; it comes from the section on the Easter vigil: Waiting before the Vigil The church is always dark on Easter Vigil. I am among the first there, waiting not just for the Resurrection that is to come but also for the people who will be coming to wait together—they with me and I with them. I like greeting the people as they come in. Often, I will know with whom I should be waiting. That, after all, is my mission.     The Mass The Easter Vigil Mass is unique. It is not like any other Mass during the year. The Vigil Mass is also complex—and rich. It goes from dark to light, from people who cannot see each other to people welcoming new members into the body of Christ. The Mass has four elements. These are (1) the Service of Light, (2) the Liturgy of the Word, (3) Baptism, and (4) the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Service of Light starts outside, around