alumni publications
“THE COLLAR: IN HIS IMAGE AND LIKENESS”
In his new novel, “The Collar”, author Dr. Frank Seitz (Class of 1964) chronicles today's priests and how they stagger under momentous burdens: Emotional isolation, depression, alcoholism, pedophilia -- the list goes on. Writhing in a crisis of intimacy, ministers struggle with love. They stumble, collared by how to relate to those closest to them -- their colleagues, their women, their God and themselves.
Father Christopher Joyce, a middle-aged pastor, looks for the Divine in a hall of distorted mirrors, making God into his own image and likeness. While growing up Catholic in Montana, Chris purges peccadilloes in the Confessional, vomits up his first Communion on the steps of St. Anthony's Church, mindlessly memorizes the Baltimore Catechism, and learns about passion in a steamed-over Ford, the locker room and sanitized classrooms where sex is a four-letter word.
Tapped to be bishop, Father Christopher wrestles with blending the minister with the man, loving two women at the same time -- Angela and Holy Mother the Church. “The Collar” showcases one man's plight to discover God in being human, using everyday relationships to launch him toward the divine.
Targeting Catholic and non-Catholic audiences alike who may appreciate a compassionate view of a passionate priest, this 161 page paperback underscores the compelling differences between religion and spirituality. It introduces you to Stan, an alcoholic, plain-talking, iconoclastic doctor with a sparkling soul, Sister Mary and her avenging angels, first love Roselyn, college buddy Dan, an Inner Sanctum of clergy with cloistered minds . . . and more!
As a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist for 36 years and former Catholic Seminarian, Dr. Seitz has written two dozen professional articles and three books about the challenges within the human psyche. Once featured on "60 Minutes", he has evaluated and counseled numerous clergy in their crises of intimacy. He currently is collaborating with Maestro Eric Funk in completing a musical based on “The Collar”. A piano CD and a vocal CD featuring Jeni Fleming and Eric Funk of “The Collar” are currently available in local music outlets.
GALEN'S KIDS
Galen's Kids is a coming of age, "fish out of water" story set at a small Montana private college in the mid 1970's. Two former students get reacquainted after nearly two decades andreminisce over a difficult sophomore year. The college, St. Barrows, specialized in health science majors; and the story's focus is on the academic pressures, the unique personalities of Montanan and out of state students and the setting of this tale in the topical 1970's. A background love story runs throughout the novel. Galen's Kids provides a different and modern perspective on college life and has appeal to anyone who pursued higher education and sough life's difficult answers.
Kevin Doyle is a first time novelist who grew up and was educated in the Midwest (attended Carroll College). His background has included work as a defense contractor, Nave active and reserve suty and experience in desktop publishing and printing industries. A husband and father of two, an occasional worldly traveler, he makes his home between Jacksonville and Tampa, FL. Hobbies include all too infrequent motorcycle rides along the coast, reading, writing and hanging out with wife, Elizabeth and children, Alison and Ian.