{"id":202237,"date":"2017-10-13T18:11:11","date_gmt":"2017-10-13T18:11:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tomzappalamedia.com\/?page_id=202237"},"modified":"2024-04-18T13:06:37","modified_gmt":"2024-04-18T13:06:37","slug":"bless-me-sister","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/tomzappalamedia.com\/bless-me-sister\/","title":{"rendered":"Bless Me Sister"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”2022 Hero Section” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ background_image=”https:\/\/tomzappalamedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/BlessMeSister-Book.png” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” custom_padding=”100px||100px||true|false” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_css_main_element=”align-items: center;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Oswald||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”40″ text_line_height=”56px” header_font_size=”53px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”60%” max_width_tablet=”80%” max_width_phone=”100%” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”left” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”30″ text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_line_height_tablet=”40″ text_line_height_phone=”” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”40px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight:200!important;” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Bless Me Sister<\/h1>\n

A Slightly Irreverent Look at Attending Catholic Grammar School
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”By Tom Zappala” module_class=”et_pb_animation_left et-animated et-waypoint” _builder_version=”4.16″ header_font=”Oswald||||” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”right” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

by Tom Zappala<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tomzappalamedia.com\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/BlessMeSister.png” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ border_style=”solid” always_center_on_mobile=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”NEW Testimonials Section” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ background_color=”#ad974f” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title Text” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ text_font=”Oswald||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”53″ text_line_height=”56px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”60%” max_width_tablet=”80%” max_width_phone=”100%” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”left” text_font_size_tablet=”40″ text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_line_height_tablet=”40″ text_line_height_phone=”” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” header_font_size_last_edited=”off|tablet” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight:300!important;” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]What Critics Are Saying[\/et_pb_text][dipi_testimonial use_hide_img=”on” use_hide_rating=”on” use_hide_company=”on” use_hide_company_link=”on” review_length=”150″ review_type=”off|off|off|off” testimonial_categories=”49″ columns=”1″ loop=”on” autoplay=”on” pause_on_hover=”off” autoplay_speed=”8000″ navigation=”on” pagination=”on” use_navi_prev_icon=”on” navi_prev_icon=”4||divi||400″ use_navi_next_icon=”on” navi_next_icon=”5||divi||400″ navi_color=”#231F20″ pagi_color=”#FFFFFF” pagi_active_color=”#231F20″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” testimonial_name_font=”Georgia||||||||” testimonial_name_text_color=”#231F20″ testimonial_name_font_size=”20px” testimonial_text_font=”Georgia||on||||||” testimonial_text_text_color=”#231F20″ testimonial_text_font_size=”24px” testimonial_text_line_height=”1.5em” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/dipi_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Book Details Section” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ background_color=”#ffffff” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” transparent_background=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ column_padding_mobile=”on” disabled_on=”on|on|” admin_label=”Good Sisters Row – DESKTOP” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”128px|||” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider divider_weight=”8″ disabled_on=”off” admin_label=”Divider- DESKTOP” _builder_version=”4.16″ height=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Subtitle Text” module_class=”et_pb_animation_left et-animated et-waypoint” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ text_text_color=”#666666″ text_font_size=”18″ text_line_height=”1.6em” header_text_align=”left” header_line_height=”1.2em” header_2_text_align=”left” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”33px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The Good Sisters Were Always One Step Ahead Of Us<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”et_pb_animation_left et-animated et-waypoint” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ text_text_color=”#666666″ text_font_size=”18″ text_line_height=”1.6em” header_text_align=”left” header_2_text_align=”left” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”right” custom_margin=”33px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

“We cried on the first day of school because we were scared, and we cried on the last day of eighth grade because we were sad to leave.”<\/em><\/p>\n

This light-hearted trip down memory lane will take you from the late 1950s into the 1960s as seen through the eyes of an inner-city Italian American parochial school kid. You’ll follow his adventures from the first day of school to graduation.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tomzappalamedia.com\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/BlessMeSister-StackofBooks.png” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ animation_direction=”right” border_style=”solid” animation=”right” sticky=”on” always_center_on_mobile=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ column_padding_mobile=”on” disabled_on=”||on” admin_label=”Good Sisters Row – MOBILE” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”128px|||” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider divider_weight=”8″ disabled_on=”off” admin_label=”Divider- MOBILE” _builder_version=”4.16″ height=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Subtitle Text” module_class=”et_pb_animation_left et-animated et-waypoint” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_text_color=”#666666″ text_font_size=”18″ text_line_height=”1.6em” header_text_align=”left” header_line_height=”1.2em” header_2_text_align=”left” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”right” custom_margin=”33px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The Good Sisters Were Always One Step Ahead Of Us<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”et_pb_animation_left et-animated et-waypoint” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_text_color=”#666666″ text_font_size=”18″ text_line_height=”1.6em” header_text_align=”left” header_2_text_align=”left” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”right” custom_margin=”33px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

“We cried on the first day of school because we were scared, and we cried on the last day of eighth grade because we were sad to leave.”<\/em><\/p>\n

This light-hearted trip down memory lane will take you from the late 1950s into the 1960s as seen through the eyes of an inner-city Italian American parochial school kid. You’ll follow his adventures from the first day of school to graduation.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tomzappalamedia.com\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/BlessMeSister-StackofBooks.png” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ animation_direction=”right” border_style=”solid” animation=”right” sticky=”on” always_center_on_mobile=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ specialty=”on” disabled_on=”on|on|” admin_label=”Inside the Book Section – DESKTOP” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider divider_weight=”8″ disabled_on=”off” admin_label=”Divider- DESKTOP” _builder_version=”4.16″ height=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Inside The Book” module_class=”et_pb_animation_left et-animated et-waypoint” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ header_font=”Oswald||||” header_text_align=”left” header_2_text_align=”left” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”left” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

A Peek Inside The Book<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”et_pb_animation_left et-animated et-waypoint” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ text_text_color=”#666666″ text_font_size=”18″ text_line_height=”1.6em” header_text_align=”left” header_2_text_align=”left” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”right” custom_margin=”33px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The school was filled with kids who had good Italian values, great parents and a rich culture, but they were city kids who were always looking for an angle. The Irish nuns who taught them were usually on top of the situation and, more often than not, this leads to some humorous escapades. When the day was done, they learned, loved, and laughed, thanks to the good Sisters of Notre Dame.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ specialty_columns=”2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” disabled_on=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ height=”0px” hide_on_mobile=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner type=”1_2″ saved_specialty_column_type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tomzappalamedia.com\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/BlessMeSister-Boys-1.jpg” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ border_style=”solid” always_center_on_mobile=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column_inner][et_pb_column_inner type=”1_2″ saved_specialty_column_type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tomzappalamedia.com\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/BlessmeSister-Procession-1.jpg” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ border_style=”solid” always_center_on_mobile=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ specialty=”on” disabled_on=”||on” admin_label=”Inside the Book Section – MOBILE” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider divider_weight=”8″ disabled_on=”off” admin_label=”Divider- MOBILE” _builder_version=”4.16″ height=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Inside The Book” module_class=”et_pb_animation_left et-animated et-waypoint” _builder_version=”4.16″ header_font=”Oswald||||” header_text_align=”left” header_2_text_align=”left” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”right” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

A Peek Inside The Book<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”et_pb_animation_left et-animated et-waypoint” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_text_color=”#666666″ text_font_size=”18″ text_line_height=”1.6em” header_text_align=”left” header_2_text_align=”left” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”right” custom_margin=”33px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The school was filled with kids who had good Italian values, great parents and a rich culture, but they were city kids who were always looking for an angle. The Irish nuns who taught them were usually on top of the situation and, more often than not, this leads to some humorous escapades. When the day was done, they learned, loved, and laughed, thanks to the good Sisters of Notre Dame.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ specialty_columns=”2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” disabled_on=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ height=”0px” hide_on_mobile=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner type=”1_2″ saved_specialty_column_type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tomzappalamedia.com\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/BlessMeSister-Boys-1.jpg” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ border_style=”solid” always_center_on_mobile=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column_inner][et_pb_column_inner type=”1_2″ saved_specialty_column_type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tomzappalamedia.com\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/BlessmeSister-Procession-1.jpg” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ border_style=”solid” always_center_on_mobile=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”3 Images Section” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ background_color=”#ffffff” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row 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always_center_on_mobile=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tomzappalamedia.com\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/BlessMeSister-Airplane.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ border_style=”solid” always_center_on_mobile=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Authors CTA Section” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#AD974F” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_cta title=”Bless Me Sister” button_url=”\/authors\/” button_text=”Meet the Author” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#231F20″ header_font_size=”30px” use_background_color=”off” custom_button=”on” button_use_icon=”off” button_alignment=”center” button_custom_padding=”15px|25px|15px|25px|true|true” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”In The Press Section” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ffffff” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”In The Press Title Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Oswald||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”53″ text_line_height=”56px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” module_alignment=”left” custom_padding=”||0px|” text_font_size_tablet=”40″ text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_line_height_tablet=”40″ text_line_height_phone=”” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” header_font_size_last_edited=”off|tablet” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight:300!important;” border_style_all=”solid” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]In The Press
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Eagle Tribune Story Title Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Oswald||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”30″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” module_alignment=”left” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_line_height_tablet=”1.8em” text_line_height_phone=”” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_font_size_last_edited=”off|tablet” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight:200!important;” border_style_all=”solid” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Zappala Reminisces About Parochial Grammar School in ‘Bless Me Sister’<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Eagle Tribune Credit” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||on||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”18px” header_font_size=”56px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” module_alignment=”left” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” text_font_size_tablet=”40″ text_font_size_last_edited=”off|tablet” text_line_height_last_edited=”off|desktop” header_font_size_tablet=”40px” header_font_size_phone=”” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” border_style_all=”solid” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]Previously Featured in Lawrence The Eagle Tribune
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“It’s a nostalgic and often humorous look back to the late 1950s and 1960s in a six-block area rich in Italian-American culture, a time when recorded opera music drifted from open windows and mothers and fathers called out from stoops for their children to come inside from playing.<\/p>\n

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It was also time when the nuns who taught at the neighborhood parochial school had a steadfast place in students’ lives. To this day, Zappala can hear the wooden clickers that the sisters held in their hands, the number of clicks telling the children to stand, sit or quiet down.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Bless Me Sister<\/h2>\n

REGULAR PRICE $16.00
\nSALE PRICE $12.00
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Bless Me Sister A Slightly Irreverent Look at Attending Catholic Grammar School by Tom Zappala What Critics Are Saying

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\u201cTom Zappala has done it again. His latest, Bless Me Sister, is not just a look at growing up Catholic in New England; it captures the entire region\u2019s blue collar roots and tenacity in the industries that built this country. As a Catholic girl who didn\u2019t go to Catholic school, it made me wish I had gotten the ruler-rap across my hand at least once...I missed out.\u201d<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n -\u00a0Michele McPhee, Best-selling author of five true crime titles including\u00a0A Mob Story <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n \n
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\n \u2606<\/span>\u2606<\/span>\u2606<\/span>\u2606<\/span>\u2606<\/span> <\/div>\n \n
\n \u201cTom Zappala has done it again. His latest,\u00a0Bless Me Sister, is not just a look at growing up Catholic in New England; it captures the entire region\u2019s blue collar roots and tenacity in the industries that built this country. As a Catholic girl who didn\u2019t go to Catholic school, it made me wish I had gotten the ruler-rap across my hand at least once...I missed out.\u201d\u00a0 <\/div>\n \n
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\n \"Michele\n <\/div>\n
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\n -\u00a0Michele McPhee, Best-selling author of five true crime titles including\u00a0A Mob Story <\/div>\n \n
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