About the Author

REVEREND THOMAS F. LYNCH has been the pastor of St. James Parish in Stratford, CT for thirty years. Under his leadership this vital, engaged community of faith was named one of the top 100 Excellent Catholic Parishes in the U.S. Committed to issues of social justice and living the radical demands of the gospel, St. James has earned a reputation for bringing discipleship to life. At St. James Fr. Tom has walked compassionately with hundreds of parishioners, family members, and friends to the threshold between this world and the next. Fr. Tom has served as Family Life Representative for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and is currently serving as a Dean within the Diocese of Bridgeport. An experienced family and marriage counselor, he brings together a deep understanding of the spiritual and emotional components that empower the open, honest, and loving conversations loved ones need to have as they walk this path together.

BARBARA MARICONDA is the award-winning author of scores of books for adults, young adults, and children, including an Edgar nominated middle grade novel, a picture book that was a National Best Books and Children's Choice finalist and a Moonbeam Award Gold Medal winner. Co-founder of Empowering Writers, LLC, she has authored a multitude of professional books for teachers and has presented to thousands of educators across the U.S. and Canada. Her trilogy published by HarperCollins titled The Voyage of Lucy P. Simmons and her young adult novel Bird with the Heart of a Mountain (Skyscape Books) delve into themes of family, love, and death, exploring the edges and undercurrents of life that can be sensed and experienced, but never grasped - the stuff of mystery, magic, and spirituality. She is an accomplished singer and liturgical musician, having served as music director at St. James Parish for over fifteen years. She is a recipient of the St. Augustine Medal of Service Award for leading the St. James Community of Faith closer to God through song.