Book signings held for diocesan authors

Writers Monica Kimutis, left, and Dr. Tricia Bruce, center, discuss their books during a book signing at the Paraclete store.

By Bill Brewer

Two Diocese of Knoxville parishioners who are active in the faith have recently published books that examine community within the Catholic Church.

The authors, Monica Kimutis and Dr. Tricia Bruce, and their books were on display Sept. 30 at the Paraclete Catholic Book and Gift Store at 417 Erin Drive in Knoxville on Sept. 30, where they discussed their projects and signed their books for customers.

Dr. Bruce, associate professor of sociology at Maryville College, has developed years of research about social diversification within the Church into her book, Parish and Place: Making Room for Diversity in the American Catholic Church.

Dr. Bruce’s book, published by Oxford University Press, is the third one she has had published or been involved in that takes an in-depth look at the Church. The others are Faithful Revolution: How Voice of the Faithful is Changing the Church (Oxford University Press, 2014) and, a book which she co-edited, Polarization in the U.S. Catholic Church: Naming the Wounds, Beginning to Heal (Liturgical Press, 2016).

Dr. Bruce recently has worked with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in researching Asian and Pacific Island Catholics. The USCCB asked Dr. Bruce and fellow researchers to give a presentation at a recent USCCB general assembly on that research.

Mrs. Kimutis, who is active in youth and young adult ministry with her husband, Jared Kimutis, decided to detail what she and her husband have learned in a book, Cultivating Your Catholic Community, that she hopes will serve as a guide in helping young couples and families find their place in a parish.

The Kimutises, who were active in the diocese’s Frasatti Fellowship for young adults, recently began a ministry for couples and young families called the Jesus Mary Joseph group.

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