Prodigal Shepherd by Father John Doe and Al Hirshberg

Prodigal Shepherd by Father John Doe and Al Hirshberg

This is a First Printing from 1958 with an Original Dust Jacket.

About this book:

Here is the inspiring story of a Catholic priest whose triumph over his own problem has enabled him to help other alcoholics.

It was not until a year after his ordination that Father Pfau took his first drink. Here was a boy who had been destined to be a priest from birth; a youth who struggled relentlessly with his conscience through his years at St. Meinrad Seminary; a young man who received his Sacred Orders though beset by doubts; a priest, lately arrived in New York, who accepted his first + "social" drink.

Father Pfau continued to perform his duties—at times devotedly, at times perfunctorily. He did have nervous breakdowns. He did spend time in sanitariums. He was twice relieved of his parish. But he never had a drink before noon, never passed out; he remained a "social" drinker.

It was only after Father Pfau learned of Alcoholics Anonymous that he was finally able to pin down his primary problem. Of course, at first he only went to meetings to see how they worked. But he was to become the first priest ever to join A.A. Since then, with the approval of his Archbishop, Father Pfau has devoted his life to working with alcoholics. He travels more than 50,000 miles a year to address meetings, conduct retreats and help individuals.

Father Pfau tells his story with remarkable candor. His life, which had been one of doubt and searching, has become one of dedicated fulfillment. It is a story of a priest and an alco-holic, but more than that, one of the most startlingly human documents of our time-a document of despair and inspiration.

The Authors

Father Ralph Pfau, priest of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, was ordained at St. Meinrad Seminary, and received his M.A. in Education at Fordham University.

He founded the Sons of Matt Talbot and is also founder of the National Clergy Conference.

Father Pfau is an Available Consultant to Alcoholics Anonymous. He has written many books and lectured throughout the United States and Canada.

Co-author of the popular Jim Piersall story, Fear Strikes Out, Al Hirshberg is a free lance writer with many books, magazine and newspaper features to his credit.

He is a graduate of Boston University, a World War Il veteran, and a former sports writer for the Boston Post. One of his last Post stories won the Dutton award for the best sports feature of 1953. He is a member of the Society of Magazine Writers,

Authors Guild and Baseball Writers Association of America, and is on the board of the National Foundation for Eye Research.

Mr. Hirshberg is married and has two children. He lives in Brookline, Massachusetts.

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This book is in excellent condition with minimal wear. There is no writing or markings inside the book.

Please view all of the photos for the conditions.