Friday, September 30, 2011

"I Will Hold It All Together"

Books, articles, photography, films, CDs, collaborations, and defending life: truly, with God all things are possible.

What a week it was here at Joseph Karl Publishing! We sometimes feel like master jugglers with so many different things going on all at once. Do you feel that way, too?

One day a few years back, I was driving toward my former parish for daily Mass after dropping my children off at their schools. Right there in the van, all of a sudden while on Hamlin Road, I felt the presence of God within me in a way I had never experienced before. Without a doubt I knew it was Him, and I also knew that if it was not for God's intervention holding me together, I would have exploded into millions of pieces. Imagine a human being containing almighty God, the Creator of the Universe!

And yet by His power, we are able to receive Him at every Holy Mass during Holy Communion.
God is so in love with us.

I wondered for one year what the significance of that event was. Then one afternoon, I was meeting with my friend and colleague Brian Dittmer at a coffee shop. We covered lots of ground during that meeting. After Brian left, I collected my things to leave, and all of a sudden I received an understanding of the significance of the experience I had in my van the year before. During that experience of God's presence within me so profoundly I thought I would explode, God had held me together. And there in the coffee shop, while working to accomplish all the things He asked through Joseph Karl Publishing, and often wondering how it could all be done, He made this vow: "I will hold it all together."

This is how we proceed with our heavenly assignments, fully confident that He will hold everything together. He does, through good times and in bad, in sickness and in health.

This week, I met with Roseann Nieman from Niemanart Graphics, head of graphic design at JKP. We are collaborating on Paul A. Ray's book cover for A New Voice for a Broken Soul, the brochure for True Love Leads To Life, the cover of God Moments III, and some other surprises we have in store for you.

I met with Mike Nykoruk of Highlights Studios to discuss Paul's book cover, a book in development for 2012, and an upcoming photo shoot. Mike recently completed the phenomenal cover image of Paul's book. Once the back cover text is edited, the text and Mike's images will go to Roseann Nieman who will integrate everything to complete the front and back covers. We just can't wait to present Paul's life-changing book to you.

A sneak-peek at a portion of Paul's book cover.


As soon as the cover is completely finished, we will notify our friends at Catholic TV, who filmed Paul at the Catholic Press Association Convention in Pittsburgh discussing his book, which will be released by JKP in December, 2012. We will share more information when it becomes available.

We also began pre-production of Apostolate Film's much anticipated documentary on the life and mission of a remarkable priest. We are overjoyed to be collaborating with Jason Salyers(http://www.youtube.com/user/SalyersJason), who directed the beautiful documentary film Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen: Servant of All. Publishing colleague and Marian Catechist Susan Schoenstein is our anchor. :>) Currently, we are collecting video, audio, personal testimonials, and photographs for the film's trailer.

Work continues on God Moments III: True Love Leads To Life which we hope to publish by the end of 2011. The pro-life stories are coming in, and we will be sharing them as we complete this life-changing and life-saving book. Look for those stories on True Love Leads To Life's blog: http://www.trueloveleadstolife.blogspot.com.

Also in development is the global new pro-life movement True Love Leads To Life. Currently the board of directors is collaborating to refine the mission statement and develop your personal pro-life summons. Your invitation will be coming soon! We are also developing the official brochure, which will also be designed by Roseann.

We continue with our point-and-shoot photography campaigns (God points and we shoot) and are expanding our pro-life image gallery as well as adding to and developing new series for JKP's gallery "God Is So In Love With Us." The newest series, one of my most favorite, is "Discover or Rediscover the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic, and Pro-Life Church."

Following our interview with actor and director Leonardo Defilippis, writers Nancy Carabio Belanger, Paul A. Ray, and I have been collaborating on a very special article about the life-changing work at Saint Luke Productions,which will be celebrating its 30th anniversary of in just a few weeks. We will provide a link to the article when it is published.

We are also working on a posting about the Catholic Revolver with Jerry Weber and will have information on Jerry's wonderful work up soon! And the phenomenal apostolate of Ellen Gable Hrkach at Full Quiver Publishing will be highlighted soon as well.
Award-winning author Gene X. Kortsha

And before the week comes to a close, we hope to deliver some books to award-winning author Gene X. Kortsha, who is scheduled to give four talks at three different locations in the upcoming weeks. Gene is a brilliant speaker and will discuss history and humanity and the experiences documented in his book, One Man's Journey to Freedom: Escape From Behind the Iron Curtain, which the Catholic Press Association described as "In a league by itself." We hope to record several of his talks and create a CD companion to Gene's phenomenal, life-changing book.

God Moments II: Recognizing the Fruits of the Holy Spirit, will be delivered very soon and we await word on delivery of the first print run of this life-changing compilation.

Additionally, we are creating a storyboard for Apostolate Film's first short film, which will be on one of our favorite subjects, the Eucharist.

God provides, and He continues to hold it all together, just like He promised.

Praise be to Jesus Christ, now and forever.

~Michele

If you are looking for life-changing material worthy of your great dignity,
you will find it here.

Working in collaboration with award-winning publishing partner
Nancy Carabio Belanger of Harvey House Publishing.


Thursday, September 29, 2011

Joseph Karl Publishing Endorses "Courageous"

We absolutely loved this life-changing movie, which opens on September 30, 2011.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SHERWOOD PICTURES’ COURAGEOUS REACHES MORE THAN $2 MILLION IN PRE-SALES

CONTACT:
Monique Sondag 214-536-4319
Monique@Lovell-Fairchild.com
Film Opens Nationwide September 30th

CULVER CITY, CA (Sept. 29, 2011) – TriStar Pictures and Sherwood Pictures are pleased to announce that COURAGEOUS, the latest installment from Sherwood Pictures, has reached more than $2 million in pre-sales ticketing in anticipation of Friday’s national release.

Pre-sales numbers for COURAGEOUS more than double that of Sherwood Pictures’ most recent film, Fireproof, which opened at $6.8 million and went on to gross more than $33.4 million at the box office.

COURAGEOUS is the fourth release from the movie making ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. The first release was Flywheel (2003), followed by Facing The Giants (2006) and Fireproof (2008). With each release, Sherwood Pictures continues to entertain moviegoers with films that affect lives through heartfelt stories of faith and hope.

“Such great advance momentum reaffirms that the topic of fathers is universal and that COURAGEOUS touches a nerve,” Sherwood Pictures Executive Producer Michael Catt said. “Present or absent, fathers shape lives and we’re excited to use drama, adventure, humor . . . to inspire men to the high adventure of full-on parenting.”

COURAGEOUS is the story of four police officers with one calling: to serve and protect. As law enforcement officers, the men are confident and focused. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood. With God’s help, they struggle to be able to find a way to serve and protect those that are most dear to them. COURAGEOUS is rated PG-13 (for some violence and drug content) and runs 129 minutes.

ABOUT SHERWOOD PICTURES

Sherwood Pictures is the movie-making ministry of Sherwood Church of Albany, Georgia, known for its authentic and faith-filled stories of everyday life. Executive producers are Michael Catt and Jim McBride; Alex Kendrick is director, and Stephen Kendrick producer. To date, Sherwood Pictures has produced Flywheel (2003), Facing the Giants (2006), Fireproof (2008), and now COURAGEOUS. www.SherwoodPictures.com

ABOUT TRISTAR PICTURES

TriStar Pictures is film label of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, a unit of Sony Pictures Entertainment. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; worldwide television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of entertainment in more than 142 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com.

###

Abundant Faith

Faith in Abundance
By Paul A. Ray
Author, Speaker, Joseph Karl Publishing Creative Director

http://tonguesasoffire.blogspot.com/2011/09/faith-in-abundance.html

God is so in love with you!

Monday, September 26, 2011

"A Heart For Freedom" Added to Fall's All-Star Lineup

Joseph Karl Publishing finds this life-changing book so infinitely valuable, and such a remarkable read, that we have added a review of it to our jam-packed fall schedule.


A Heart for Freedom: The Remarkable Journey of a Young Dissident, Her Daring Escape, and Her Ongoing Quest to Bring Justice to China

By Chai Ling - Tyndale House Publishers (2011) - Hardback - 288 pages - ISBN 1414362463

http://aheartforfreedom.com/index.php/the-book/

The dramatic and fascinating story of Chai Ling, commander-in-chief of the student protesters at Tiananmen Square and witness to the massacre of thousands of Chinese civilians. Risking imprisonment and possible death for her leadership role in the student democracy movement, she was on the run in China for ten months while being hunted by the authorities. She eventually escaped to the U.S., completed her education at Princeton and Harvard, found true love, and became a highly successful entrepreneur. But her desperate quest for freedom, purpose, and peace-which she had sought in turn through academic achievement, romantic love, political activism, and career success-was never satisfied until she had an unexpected encounter with a formerly forbidden faith. Her newfound passion for God led to her life's greatest mission: Fighting for the lives and rights of young girls in China.

Look for Joseph Karl Publishing's review of A Heart For Freedom this fall.  We can already tell you, without a doubt, that Chai Ling's story is worth knowing and sharing.    

God is at work in you, Chai Ling!

                                                 

Saturday, September 24, 2011

From Saint Luke Productions

Click on the link for more information about
Vianney Speaks

and to learn more about Saint Luke Productions'
wonderful work.
http://www.vianneyspeaks.com/

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

On Location For True Love Leads to Life

Joseph Karl Publishing adds to TLLL's stock photo collection during a visit to "God's Backyard."


Official brochure, your personal summons,
and more pro-life pictures coming soon!


____________
Photos taken at Meadow Brook Hall, Rochester, Michigan, U.S.A.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Educate An End To Abortion

Your personal pro-life summons is coming soon! Get ready; your love is needed!

To view more photos, visit:
http://trueloveleadstolife.blogspot.com/2011/09/lets-educate-end-to-abortion.html

Please share them if you like,
and pray for an immediate, global end
to abortion and euthanasia.

God is at work in you!








Sunday, September 18, 2011

Your Official Summons To Join The Pro-Life Movement Is Coming Soon!

Be ready. Your love is needed.


It is time to honor God's wishes
and peacefully and lovingly end
legalized abortion and euthanasia
everywhere.

True love leads to life!

http://www.trueloveleadstolife.blogspot.com

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Feast Of Our Lady Of Sorrows

God is so in love with us. So is Jesus. So is our Blessed Mother.

Live in imitation of Christ by living in imitation of Mary.

God is at work in you!

Photographing the Cover of A New Voice for a Broken Soul, by Paul A. Ray

We are overjoyed to be collaborating with premier photographer Mike Nykoruk on material currently in development to encourage, inspire, continue your faith formation, and lead souls to Christ.
Catholic author Paul A. Ray and publisher Michele Bondi Bottesi returned to Highlights Studios in Rochester Hills, Michigan to shoot the front cover of Paul's eagerly anticipated book, A New Voice for a Broken Soul.

Mike specifically designed and built the set in his studio to create the image for the front cover.


The striking image is based on a vision granted to Paul following his miraculous healing by Jesus Christ from an addiction to alcohol.
Mike and Paul at work on the set
Photographing the various sets, which involved water, alcohol, hope, healing, love, mercy, an altar, and a flower, began at 11:00 and was wrapped up for the day at 4:00. Mike is going to finish photographing the image sans his assistants after acquiring an empty, broken whiskey bottle.
Mike Nykoruk

Then, following many hours at his desk to create the final image from the many pictures that were taken, Mike will provide us the cover image. It will then be given to award-winning graphic designer Roseann Nieman of Niemanart Graphics, director of graphic design at Joseph Karl Publishing, who will complete the front and back covers.


Catholic author and altar boy Nick Bottesi visits the set.

It is anticipated that Paul's manuscript will be ready for professional copy editing by the end of September. This life-changing book is moving well through the many steps toward publication, and we just cannot wait to present it to you. Paul's account of God's miraculous and unfathomable love and mercy is a reminder to us all that we are loved and valued beyond measure.

Catholic author and speaker Paul A. Ray

"A New Voice for a Broken Soul" (Paul A. Ray; Joseph Karl Publishing) will be available December 2011.


If you are looking for award-winning,
life-changing reading, you will find it here.