Father Donald Calloway, MIC, Launches New Website

Maybe you've read his books. Maybe you've heard him speak. Maybe you've watched the DVD of his conversion story.

If so, you know that Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, is a powerful speaker on the message of The Divine Mercy and devotion to Our Lady.

His Congregation, the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, are now pleased to launch a new website, fathercalloway.com.

The purpose of the website is to:

• share news of his upcoming speaking engagements;
• make it easier for event planners to contact him in order to invite him to speak;
• make it easier for people to purchase his books;
• promote vocations to the Marians; and
• promote his new book, No Turning Back: A Witness to Mercy, which is due out in January.

"A lot of people over the years have been asking me, 'How do we find out online where you're speaking, your schedule, and how do we buy your books directly from your community?'" says Fr. Donald, the Marians' vocation director. "I never had an answer for them. I would say, 'Well, maybe someday we'll have a website that can serve that purpose.'

"I was kind of resistant to it for awhile," he says, "but I realized that I really do need to do this because my speaking has become a big way for us, the Marians, to attract vocations and interest in our community.

"I'm super excited about the website," he says. "I can't wait to tell people about it."

The website shares a look with the jacket cover to his new book. It shows Father Donald on the beach wearing a cassock, with a surfboard at his feet and a Rosary in his hand.

"We think that the book, No Turning Back, when it comes out in January, is going to be a big hit," he says. "So we wanted the website to be somewhat associated with that book in the look and feel."

Why the surfboard?

"The thing is," says Fr. Donald, "surfing has been a part of my life since I was a little boy. There was a time during my formation as a Marian when I couldn't do it because I was landlocked in my studies for 10 years, and I didn't have the opportunity. But now, I travel so much, including to a lot of places that have world-class surfing. And I do try to take some time to get out there and surf, when I can.

The website includes a photo gallery (which has some good surfing shots!).

"The point is, I think it's important to highlight this because I don't want people to think that conversion means you are no longer allowed to have fun," Fr. Donald continues. "I want people to know that it's the opposite. When a man becomes a priest, he's not becoming a robot or an angel. He's still going to be a man, and he's still going to have things that he likes to do. And for me, that passion is surfing. It brings me closer to God. It allows me to stay in physical shape. It's something that I just love to do. I think people are going to be fascinated by that."

People will also undoubtedly be fascinated by his upcoming book, in which he describes his journey from runaway teen to Marian priest.

"I think it's going to give a lot of people hope," Fr. Donald says. "I think it's going to be a great book for the youth and young adults because it's in a popular language and style. It's definitely not boring, and definitely down to earth. I think it will inspire others - people who feel lost and unloved and confused - to reach out to God and become witnesses to hope."

Father Donald has written many academic articles and is the editor of two books: The Immaculate Conception in the Life of the Church (Marian Press, 2004) and The Virgin Mary and Theology of the Body (Marian Press, 2005). He also is the author of the book Purest of All Lilies: The Virgin Mary in the Spirituality of St. Faustina (Marian Press, 2008). Father Donald is the House Superior of the Marian House of Studies in Steubenville, Ohio.

We invite you to visit fathercalloway.com to learn more.
poal

You might also like...

Father Seraphim is not going to like this story.

Brother Tyler steps up to the plate and professes his perpetual vows as a Marian Father.

Committed to Christ and service to the Church, three young men professed their first vows as members of the Marian Fathers.