Welcome to High School, Christopher Thomas is the first in a series of books filled with humor, action, and romance that explores the lives of teenagers growing up in the fifties. The story focuses on Christopher Thomas, a fourteen-year-old boy who is on the verge of greatness, but he doesn’t know it. As Chris prepares for his freshman year at Wilson High School, he worries continuously about being able to gain acceptance. If he can get a date to the Homecoming Dance he would win approval from his gang of friends and others at school and his reputation would be secure, or so he thinks. Unfortunately, it’s a turnaround dance which means the girls ask the guys—enter Elizabeth Allen, the prettiest girl at Wilson High. After showing off for Elizabeth at sports, storytelling, and joyriding in his uncle’s ’57 Chevy Corvette, Chris thinks securing a date with her to the big dance is a sure thing. Unfortunately, before Elizabeth makes her move, the first girl to ask him to the dance is the socially awkward Kimmie Fitzgerald, a very unpopular girl he has known all his life. What will he do?

Readers will be entertained by Chris’s humorous impressions of his teachers and his scary stories about “a killer on the loose” and “the Legend of Shoonuckha.” They will enjoy a daredevil stunt gone wrong, an exciting baseball game filled with action, and a memorable Homecoming Dance that reflects the true style and charisma of the fifties. Christopher Thomas is a young man of integrity not because he has all the answers, but because he strives to find them, and he knows where to look. Young readers will learn how he gains acceptance from his peers by following his heart instead of popular opinions.

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I would like to thank everyone who made this first edition of St. Patrick’s Magazine possible by volunteering their time and talent. Our hope is that people will enjoy this issue as it celebrates our wonderful parish and be inspired to find a unique way each one of us can contribute to our parish community. Our faith grows each week as we gather in church to hear the word of God and become one with Christ through Holy Communion. We Catholics have the unique opportunity of celebrating the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, which is the source and summit of our faith. This can only be accomplished through the efforts of countless people who strive to make every Mass at St. Patrick’s an authentic, welcoming, and engaging religious experience.

My family appreciates all that this strong Catholic community means in our lives. We also appreciate the fact that Father Edison focuses on the importance of giving our children a chance to participate in the Mass through the Children’s Liturgy and involving them in homilies and Baptisms. After all, they are the future of our church. Our children feel a sense of belonging as they grow in faith and understanding of what it means to be Catholic. We are fortunate to have so many families who have opened their hearts in an effort to make St. Patrick’s a unified, loving community. We encourage all of you to pray and consider some small way each of you can get involved in our parish. Please share the Good News of all the wonderful things happening here at St. Patrick’s. With your help we will continue to grow in faith, hope, and love. God Bless.

To view a complete copy of the St. Patrick's Magazine, click here.