Tardy shines personal light on faith, life

Reviewed by Kay Cozad

“A Light Will Rise in Darkness,” by Jo Anne Tardy, ACTA Publications, ISBN: 978-0-87946-316-8, $9.95

To experience the flavor of life as a young Black Catholic female in legendary New Orleans in the 1940s and 1950s, one need only pick up “A Light Will Rise in Darkness,” by Jo Anne Tardy. This insightful memoir, part of the American Catholic Experience series that offers personal stories of individual lay Catholics in the United States, recounts in living color the joys and challenges of the times.

The intelligent and beautifully descriptive voice Tardy uses to illustrate her experiences growing up in her grandparents’ home in a little town called Algiers, paints a picture one can almost touch. Family and Church are central to this young girl’s life as she grows into the faith- filled woman she becomes.

The detailed introduction of her grandfather, Manuel Placide Lombard, patriarch of the family, who had the gift of healing, brings this faithful gentleman to life. Though a man of few words, Manuel lived his Catholic faith to help make the world a better place and his example had a great impact on the young Tardy as she developed her own faith beliefs.

Vivid descriptions of her surroundings, from her “modest white double shotgun house” with its “royal maroon trimmed screened windows” to the “St. Joseph Lily that would perennially bloom without fail for Holy Thursday,” invite her readers to experience with her the life she led in New Orleans. But more, as her detailed descriptions of loved ones unfold, these characters offer a real sense of the diversity of race, color and creed that percolated in the South then.

Tardy tells charming tales of the Holy Family nuns with whom she worked from a very early age and how her own devout character developed by modeling her beloved saints. She reveals how she learned that her father, whom she would never meet, was an African prince, and how her mother, Margery, was a woman of wisdom and love. Extraordinary living is detailed in the ordinary lives of this time.

As Tardy’s story unfolds the reader is taken into the harsh but very real world of racism that had a powerful impact on the lives of the author and all people of color. Jo Anne Tardy was born into a family of mixed heritage and so describes the challenges she faced from both white and black races. “It certainly took courage for my family and friends and I to remain black Catholics when many other blacks around us called us names and were mean to us because of our Catholicism,” writes Tardy as she describes how stereotyping fueled the culture of the time.

Her recollection of some of the limited recreational opportunities for people of color, such as the segregated movie house, the whites-only swimming pool and the ice cream shops in which only whites could dine, brought to light the curious and painfully unjust experience of many young Blacks in the South.

However, through out Tardy’s testimony, she remains steadfast in her knowledge that she, as Catholic, dancer, teacher, singer, academic, wife and mother, had “a deep — though not overtly evident — independent streak” that empowered her to follow her dreams even in the challenging world in which she lived.

She recounts the joy of childhood friendships and close relationships with family members, and shows how that all-important camaraderie guided her along her life path to deeper faith, and personal and professional success.

Tardy’s book culminates in her account of meeting her soon-to-be husband and how during their married life she continued to find blessings even in the most difficult of professional times. Her innate sensitivity and inspiring faith shines forth in the pages of this little book and encourages all to “with grace, do better,” in this broken but beautiful world.

Jo Anne Tardy is retired, and resides in California with her husband Melvin. Together they have three children. Tardy’s middle child, Mel Tardy Jr., is currently a permanent deacon at St. Augustine Parish in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend.

As cooler weather arrives, the following books sent to Today’s Catholic may touch the fancy of any Catholic and non-Catholic fall readers. Each book is reviewed using publishing house press releases and includes publisher name and ISBN number for ease of purchase.

“Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps,” by Franciscan priest Richard Rohr is a smart book that connects the Word of God with the Twelve Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous to offer hope to those who struggle with addiction. Rohr identifies the Christian principles in the Twelve Step program and opens our spiritual imagination for making life manageable while dealing with dysfunction. This book may be used by groups or individuals. St. Anthony Messenger Press, ISBN: 978-1-61636-157-0

“Francis: The Journey and the Dream,” by award-winning author and Franciscan priest, Murray Bodo is a 40th anniversary edition of the book that has inspired readers for many years. It includes not only the timeless story of the world’s best known saint, but the author’s story of writing the book, a reader’s guide for book clubs and discussion groups and a list of his favorite Franciscan resources. Its lyrical prose is a must read. St. Anthony Messenger Press, ISBN: 978-1-61636-064-1

“Monk’s tale: Way Stations on the Journey,” by Holy Cross Father Edward A. Malloy is the second of a three-volume memoir and tells the story of this tenacious young priest’s professional life from when he joined the University of Notre Dame faculty in 1974 to his election as 16th president of Notre Dame. Follow Monk as he candidly takes you through his many commitments as teacher, scholar and pastor. University of Notre Dame Press, ISBN: 978-0-268-03522-8

“Marriage 911: How God Saved Our Marriage,” by Greg and Julie Alexander, founders of Alexander House, a nonprofit apostolate dedicated to the education and enrichment of marriage and family life, recounts their own personal story of marital discord and how their love for each other was restored after returning to the truths of the Catholic faith. Each chapter of the book includes several questions to reflect on “before you go on,” along with practical tips on getting a marriage back on track. Servant Books, ISBN: 978-0-86716-979-9

“Wholly Mary: Mother of God,” offers an engaging view of the Blessed Mother in this book by Chris Padgett. His passion and enthusiasm draws the reader in to this explanation of what the Bible says about Mary as well as what she has meant to the Church, apparitions and what the saints have told us about her. Padgett includes chapters on the rosary, how the Mass relates to Mary and four dogmas about Mary. Servant Books, ISBN: 978-1-61636-123-5

“Sinner: The Catholic Guy’s Funny, Feeble Attempts to be a Faithful Catholic,” by radio personality and three time Emmy winner Lino Rulli is an outrageously funny and honest collection of stories from Rulli’s own life that include his adventures in the confessional, why he’s still single and his take on suffering. Servant Books, ISBN: 978-1-61636-039-9

“Padre Pio’s Spiritual Direction for Every Day,” by Gianluigi Pasquale, translated by Marsha Daigle-Williamson, Ph.D., is a reflection book that takes the readers on a daily journey closer to God. Each day’s reflection was inspired by one of the many letters Padre Pio, who himself suffered humiliation through the stigmata, wrote to those who he encountered in life, including spiritual directors, spiritual sons and daughters and Pope Paul VI. The book offers “a precious supply of spiritual intuitions and suggestions … on how to live with and according to the heart of Jesus today. Servant Books, ISBN: 978-1-61636-005-4, $16.99

“Party of One: Living Single with Faith, Purpose and Passion,” by Beth M. Knobbe is a little book packed with insights from Scripture and ordinary people that help the author address the fears and questions singles face, and the assumptions others make about being single. Each concise chapter includes a interesting quote from a single, a “myth” to combat, stories and inspiration form those who live single, Scripture to remember and Questions for reflection. Each of the three sections concludes with purpose driven activities to try. St. Anthony Messenger press, ISBN: 978-1-61636-129-7, $19.99

“Homegrown Faith: Nurturing Your Catholic Family,” by award winning photographer and author Heidi Bratton brings a series of insightful and humorous weekly reflections on raising faith-filled Catholic families. Each of the four sections relates to the Church’s calendar year and offers short chapters on life’s familiar situations that can inspire sacramental riches. Each chapter concludes with reflection questions with suggested Scriptural readings and activities to try. A must read for busy moms and dads. Servant Books, ISBN: 978-1-61636-134-1, $15.99

“The Pope and the CEO,” by former Swiss guard and accomplished CEO and business leader Andreas Widmer is a guide for leaders in business who seek to integrate their faith and work. This behind-the-scenes look at how the influence of Blessed Pope John Paul II shaped this businessman’s moral and spiritual acumen will inspire moral leadership. Each chapter includes reflections and practical applications. Emmaus Road, ISBN: 978-1-931018-76-0. $12.95

“Compassion: Living in the Spirit of St. Francis,” by Franciscan scholar Ilia Delio takes the compassionate work of St. Francis and inspires her readers with insights into letting go of fear and loving others more deeply. Each chapter offers a unique meditation and questions for reflection. St. Anthony Messenger Press, ISBN: 978-61636-162-4, $14.99

“Weightless: Making Peace With Your Body,” by Kate Wicker offers a Catholic, faith-based approach to self healing the wounds of body image problems. The author shares her own story that will uplift her readers and point them to the true formula for health of body, mind and spirit. Each chapter includes a meditation and questions for reflection. Servant Books, ISBN: 978-0-86716-971-3, $12.99

“I See the Rhythm of Gospel,” by Toyomi Igus and Michele Wood is a creative and colorful  picture book bringing gospel music and Black history together for all to see. The rich prose empowers each vibrantly illustrated page that portrays a time line of historical events from the beginning of slavery in the 1500s to the inauguration of the first African-American president in 2008. This hardback includes a bonus CD. Zonderkidz, ISBN: 978-0-310-71819-2, $16.99