Portishead Parishioner’s Publication

31 January 2008

Seventy-seven year-old Mary Frances, a parishioner at St Joseph’s, Portishead, has just had her first book published - ‘Song of the Spinning Sun’. She launched the book at a reception in the community room of the flats where she lives, with about 25 guests including Father Gerry Walsh Portishead’s Parish Priest.

Mary Frances went from disbelief to belief in God in 30 seconds. This often funny, sometimes spectacular and always readable story comes to a triumphant conclusion in a Bosnian village.
 
Father Gerry Walsh said, “Mary writes in a captivating easy style about the rediscovery of her faith and the power of prayer. God calls each of us to help others on their journey of faith and I believe in writing and publishing the ‘Song of the Spinning Sun’ Mary will help many to continue their journey with renewed enthusiasm.  I wish Mary every success with this book and others which I feel sure will follow.”

Mary’s story is told with humour and immediacy, and describes all the steps along the way, including divorce at 60, careers in politics and art, a world cruise and, at 70-plus, a college course in journalism and a national award.

Through it all lies a strong thread of faith in the power and beauty of God, an absolute belief that, with trust, He answers our prayers with efficiency, promptitude - and love.
Mary Frances has been writing since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Now, at 77, she has time to focus on the varied range of completed manuscripts lining her bookshelf.

She was born Mary Frances Gorman, youngest of seven children in a half-Irish, Catholic family. Her large and dilapidated home in Nottingham and her warm, friendly family formed a secure background to daydreams which lasted through all her childhood and adolescence. School life, whether as boarder or daygirl, was merely a hated interruption.

Being talented in all artistic subjects (but no sporting ones) she finally opted for work in a public library where she could develop as an author. There she met her husband, had two sons and very little money, and set out on a career journey as colourful as it was varied.

To accommodate school timetables, she went from job to job, from temping to estate agency, to insurance brokers and telephone sales; from portrait artist to greeting card designer, from Bristol City councillor to receptionist. Finally, at 60, divorce struck and she moved to North Somerset.

At 70, despite two new hips, a broken elbow and four operations, she went back to college to study journalism, wrote freelance for the Clevedon Mercury and became national winner of the Senior Learner of the Year award 2002.

She has never stopped writing. 75 years ago her ambition was to be a published author. "This", she declares, "is only the beginning."

‘Song of the Spinning Sun’ (ISBN 978-1-4251-4120-2) is published by Trafford and costs £6.99.

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