Maureen Pratt, Author and Speaker

I'll be giving a workshop on-line for NICIAW on Monday, September 8, 2008, from 6-7 p.m. Eastern/3-4 p.m. Pacific. My topic is "Stress-busters that Work!" The workshop will offer creative and humorous ways to alleviate stress and will include a Question and Answer time, too! For more details, go to: www.invisibleillness.com. I look forward to "seeing" you there!

On Thursday, September 18, at 7 p.m. Eastern/4 p.m. Pacific, I'll be leading a workshop/chat called, "Back to School: What Do We Learn from Our Illnesses?" that will focus on the positive, proactive and prayerful things that illness teaches us and that we can use to benefit our lives and others'. To log on, or for more information, go to www.shepherdofhope.org. See you there!

Along with Beliefnet.com, I recently started an on-line support and chat group for lupus patients called, "The Spirit of Lupus." In the group, we'll offer each other prayer, spirit, and faith-filled support. Membership is free, and you can get started by registering at www.beliefnet.com, then requesting to join "The Spirit of Lupus." I look forward to having you join us!

The transcript of my March 27 online chat on finding and keeping the joy of Easter for people who live with chronic pain and illness is now available at www.shepherdofhope.org.

I'm thrilled to announce that the second, all-new, revised edition of my book, "The First Year: Hypothyroidism" is out now! Included is information on the latest research, trends in treatment, and a more detailed look at the link between hypothyroidism and heart disease (very important). The book is available at bookstores and online retailers, such as Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com. As always, I look forward to your comments and hope that this book will help you and your loved ones live more healthfully.

You can view my appearance on Fr. Michael Manning's television program, "The Word in the World," on www.wordnet.tv 24/7. My topic is, "Living with Pain."

The television segment that I taped in September 2006 for The Hallmark Channel's program, "New Morning" aired February 5, 2007, and again on March 1, 2007. The segment is viewable on www.newmorningtv.tv. Click on "Past Shows," "February 2007," and "February 5, 2007."

For more than two years, my biweekly column, "Living Well," syndicated by Catholic News Service, has traveled far. Besides many diocesan publications in the United States, it has found its way to Australia and, most recently, Malaysia! The focus of the column is health and spirituality, and includes info about the latest health issues relevant to everyone, as well as ways to live a more Christian, balanced, and healthful life.

Onward!

o I wrote a news article in late July for Catholic News Service, and it can be read on their website: www.catholicnews.com. It's a remarkable story about a remarkable American nun who joined a Chinese order of nuns more than 50 years ago! And, there's a surprise twist that brings her story close to home for me.

o My article, "What Do You Say to a Friend Who Is Ill?" is in the April 2008 issue of "Journey" Magazine. Copies can be obtained from: www.lifeway.com/magazines

o "Ten Creative Ways to Energize Your Prayer Life," "Ten Spiritual Coping Tools for Living with Chronic Pain" and "Ten Simple Ways to Make Your Home Prayer-Friendly" are now posted on Beliefnet.com. The addresses are:

www.beliefnet.com/gallery/energizeyourprayerlife.html
www.beliefnet.com/gallery/chronicpaintools.html
www.beliefnet.com/gallery/makeyourhomeprayer-friendly.html

o Excerpts from Peace in the Storm continue to be posted on Beliefnet.com, too, and rotate often as the "Prayer of the Day"

NOTE: For more information about my workshop, "Pass It On: Teaching Youth about Faith & Health," see the article in The Tidings, August 29, 2008 at www.the-tidings.com

SEPTEMBER 20, 2008- San Fernando Regional Religious Education Congress. I'll be giving two workshops: "Pass It On: Teaching Youth about Faith & Health," and "Living Well: Bringing Faith into Health to Live Stronger Inside and Out." For registration information, call the San Fernando Region Office of Religious Education, 818-365-5123.

October 4, 2008 -- San Pedro Regional Religious Education Congress. I'll be giving the above two workshops at this Congress, also. For gegistration information, call 562-630-6272.

October 18, 2008 -- San Gabriel Regional Religious Education Congress. Details to come!

October 25, 2008 -- Our Lady of the Angels Regional Religious Education Congress. Details to come!