Nancy Jo Sullivan

Bio

Nancy Jo Sullivan is an established Catholic author. She began her writing career in 1996 writing for Guideposts, Reader's Digest and Focus on the Family. After achieving success as an author of short stories, she moved on to publishing books. To date, she has authored three inspirational books with Multnomah (now Multnomah-Random House) and two spirituality titles with Liguori Press. Nancy Jo has also worked as co-compiler of two nationally recognized story compilations: Stories for the Heart, published by Multnomah-Random House and Miracles, a multi-book series published by Guideposts Books. She is currently a columnist for two national websites: CatholicExchange.com and CatholicMom.com.

In addition to her writing achievements, Nancy Jo also speaks regularly on the local and national level.

A WORD FROM NANCY JO:
Twenty-five years ago, Sarah, our first baby, was born with Down syndrome. As a new mother, I wondered how I could parent a little girl with so many limitations. I had prayed for a healthy child. Now, as I held my newborn, I kept asking God: Why this baby? Why our family? What does the future hold?

But as the years of Sarah's life passed, it became clear that she was a gift from God. Though she lived only 23 years, and was mentally and physically challenged, Sarah brought untold spiritual transformation to my life and to the lives of all who knew her.

As a speaker, I am honored to share the spiritual lessons that Sarah imparted during her brief stay on earth. Through vignettes and spiritual applications, I will show how Sarah's simple perspectives on faith, hope and love drew me into a deeper relationship with Christ. Through this faith-story, I hope to inspire audiences to recognize the miraculous power of grace at work in their own lives.

Topics

THE BROKEN BALLERINA
A holiday presentation, this talk highlights the birth of Nancy Jo's Down syndrome daughter. Using the imagery of a Christmas ornament, Nancy Jo will share remembrances of Sarah's first days on earth while guiding her listeners to ponder the hope-filled message of the First Christmas. Her talk will include an uplifting devotion on Psalm 34:18; "God is close to the brokenhearted..." Note: This presentation includes an option for musical accompaniment.

THE PONDERING MOM
In this presentation, Nancy Jo will offer harried moms creative ways to weave prayerful moments into the fabric of their busy lives. While sharing humorous vignettes and passages that illuminate the lives of Mary and Elizabeth, Nancy Jo will show that "pondering" is possible, even in the most unmanageable moments of motherhood.

JOY COMES IN THE MOURNING
Through a series of personal vignettes and thought-provoking reflections, Nancy Jo will share the small risings she experienced while grieving the death of Sarah, her twenty-three-year-old daughter. This hopeful presentation will provide inspiration to anyone who has endured a life-altering loss. The talk will also encourage listeners to open to divine hope and joy, even in times of mourning.

LEARNING THE LORD'S PRAYER Š BY HEART
In this presentation, Nancy Jo will share recollections of how her Down syndrome daughter taught her to live, share and cherish the Lord's Prayer. Through personal stories and scripture passages taken from the sixth chapter of Matthew, Nancy Jo will provide her listeners with concrete ways to integrate the Lord's prayer into their daily lives.

Endorsments

"Graceful simplicity... Read and be moved."
Gary Sledge, Assistant Managing Editor, ReaderÕs Digest

"Nancy Jo Sullivan is one of my favorite authors. She has a gift for weaving beauty, wisdom and tenderness into every sentence she writes. Her words not only touch the heart, they linger long after the last page is turned."
Alice Gray, compiler of the bestselling series Stories for the Heart

"Nancy Jo is a master storyteller through the written word. She magically holds you captive to word upon word as you laugh, cry, think and reflect. Her writing crosses the chasm between a learned technique to a natural gift."
Lisa Stillwell, Senior Editor, Thomas Nelson Books and Gifts

"Working with Nancy Jo means your expectations will be met or exceeded in ways you wish you had thought of before."
David Morris, Senior Editor, Guideposts Books

"As former Vice President of Publishing at Augsburg Fortress Publishers I have worked with some of the best people in the Christian publishing business. Nancy Jo Sullivan would absolutely fit in that category. I have great confidence in her and would highly recommender her work."
Bill Huff, Principal, Huff Publishing Associates

"Will touch your heart and nurture your soul. Highly recommended!"
Paul Molitor, 1993 World Series Most Valuable Player, member of baseball's 3,000-hit club

"Nancy Jo writes from the heart with charm and vividness. She shows how touching everyday moments can be."
Rick Hamlin, Executive Editor, Guideposts Magazine

"Our readers have consistently loved and responded with great enthusiasm to Nancy Jo's work, which is always uplifting and inspirational."
Lisa Hendey, Founder of CatholicMom.com