Book Reviews and More: Ken Ogorek Author Profile and Interview

Ken Ogorek Author Profile and Interview

Ken has been involved with ministry at many levels. Giving talks around the country. At the parish level and now at the diocesan level. He has written books and collaborated on other projects. He is currently finishing up a three part series of Sunday reflections with Dr. Scott Hahn. He recently took some time to answer some questions for the readers here at Book Reviews and more. Here in his own words, Ken:

1. When did you know you wanted to be a writer? How are you nurturing that dream?

The summer between my junior and senior year of high school it dawned on me that among my few, meager, God-given talents, writing was the strongest and most unique. Because I wanted to use God’s blessings to be of some help to others (while keeping a roof over my head) I decided that writing would be a good focus for my next step in education i.e. college.

2. Who were some of the biggest supporters of your writing?

Several high school teachers and college professors affirmed and improved my writing. An early, post-college mentor helped tighten it up. In some ways you could say that the Holy Spirit at least sometimes supports my writing because I think it might be a charism He’s given me—maybe the only one!

3. What authors influenced your writing style and format?

Whoever (co-?)wrote the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church affirmed my sense that sometimes less is more. I.e. sometimes short, sweet pieces of writing that address basic questions re: doctrinal and moral teaching can be helpful to the average reader in efforts to reflect prayerfully on Sacred Tradition. The same is true about the writer(s) of YOUCAT.

4. What was the process of coauthoring a new series of Sunday Reading reflections with Scott Hahn?

Divide-and-conquer is essentially our approach to collaborating on this resource. Dr. Hahn contributes his excellent reflections on the Sunday Mass readings. I chime in with brief passages re: a couple points of basic doctrinal and moral teaching, related to the readings, for each week—including short quotes from the Catechism itself. Two reflection questions follow, capped off by a little prayer that draws each week’s pages to a nice close.

5. What was it like editing a volume with Mike Aquilina?

Mike is a lovely person. And our project was a labor of love—a blessing for both of us. We were both so blessed to know Fr. Ronald Lawler; this essay collection honored his memory. The list of contributors reads like a Who’s Who in Catholic writing and speaking at the time; for my part, it was cool interacting with all these folks.

6. What does your writing process look like? Takes us through the steps from idea to publishing?

For this project, I started by correlating the 3-year cycle of Sunday Gospel readings with a list of 300+ In-Brief items from the Catechism of the Catholic Church—items chosen by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops because, taken as a whole, they provide an objectively comprehensive overview of basic doctrinal and moral teaching. From there I just chipped away, sometimes writing only one reflection at a time after our (then) school-age children went to bed at night.

My more recent contribution to this 3-book series are the brief prayers that end each week’s reflections. The process for those was praying, reading lectionary selections, reflecting on Dr. Hahn’s excellent commentary for that week, revisiting my own Catechism-based reflections as well as each week’s two questions that help apply the content to daily life…then being attentive to what Person of the Trinity, what saint and so forth bubbled to the surface of my mind and to whom my heart was drawn. That person, then, became the focus of the written prayer—sometimes direct, sometimes intercessory—always addressing, one way or another, our need to grow in a personal, disciple relationship with Jesus, lived in full communion with His mystical Body and spotless Bride: our holy, Catholic Church.

7. Some of your earlier books are currently out of print, have you thought of rereleasing them as eBooks?

The simple answer is…no. 😊 Because my day job keeps me hopping, I’ve not (yet) ventured there. I.e. my duties with the Archdiocese expanded immensely almost two years ago, and that’s a blessing. But it’s changed the dynamic of my extracurriculars (side avocations) a bit. That’s okay, though. I believe the Lord has me where he wants me right now. I appreciate the suggestion, though!

8. Have you ever considered writing fiction? If so is it a project we might see in the near future?

I used to write some fiction. Lately, not so much. I do enjoy writing hymn lyrics to public domain hymn tunes. Am happy to customize a hymn for a special occasion e.g. parish anniversary, diocesan conference and so forth. I use the Catechism in addition to Sacred Scripture as a source for lyrics. My lyrics are always on target doctrinally i.e. no red flags…. 😊

9. What books are currently in progress for you? Writing, researching, planning or even just ideas that you would like to work on?

I write a lot—a lot!—for my job. 😊 I’ve considered drafting a book along the lines of Confessions of a Church Middle Manager: Behind the Scenes at Your Parish, School & Diocese. Rather than an expose, it’d essentially be an homage in that, despite the occasional bad move I’ve seen in Church leadership, the vast majority of Church leaders are doing really good work. I suppose I could throw in a bit of advice re: Church leadership given my years of service/experience and track record of being relatively effective by God’s grace and mercy. 😊

10. If you were asked for a list of 10 indispensable books for growing in the Catholic Faith, what would your list look like?

• A good translation of the Bible e.g. Approved Translations of the Bible | USCCB

• The Catechism, its Compendium, or YOUCAT

• A good translation of the documents of the 2nd ecumenical council of the Vatican aka Vatican II

• Love Unveiled: The Catholic Faith Explained (Ted Sri)

• Women, Sex and the Church: A Case for Catholic Teaching (Erika Bachiochi)

• A Crucial Key: Generational Perspectives and Catechetical Leadership (Rita & Tom Walters)

• From Christendom to Apostolic Mission: Pastoral Strategies for an Apostolic Age (Msgr. James Shea)

• The Religion of the Day (Msgr. James Shea)

(I’ll stop at 8 books…. 😊)

11. How do you stay disciplined when travelling and speaking around the country?

I haven’t been travelling as much lately, although I do still greatly enjoy leading retreat/renewal experiences including parish missions—as well as delivering the occasional one-and-done talk. My family has always been very supportive in helping me be disciplined by allowing me to disappear for an hour or two now and then to do some focused writing.

12. What fiction books or authors do you enjoy or recommend?

I don’t read a lot of fiction, although a wise Capuchin I once worked with advised me always to keep a novel or short story collection in my reading rotation. (I read several books simultaneously, mainly because I can have a short attention span at times; eventually each book does get read.) My go-to recently has been G.K. Chesterton’s Father Brown mysteries.

13. Some of your books are published as Ken Ogorek and some as Kenneth, what was the reasoning behind that?

No in-depth thought process there. In my recent collaboration, Dr. Hahn goes by Scott; so I figured I should be Ken. I will say that Kenneth means very handsome while Ken simply means handsome; even that’s a stretch for me!

14. Do you use a playlist when writing? Are certain books written while predominantly listing to the same music?

I prefer to write in a quiet setting. If I’m at McDonald’s or Panera using their free wifi, I tune out the soundtrack and stay mentally focused by God’s grace and mercy. Taco Bell’s harder because I find myself thinking about burritos.

15. What were some of your favorite authors in your teen years who helped shape you?

Two who come to mind are Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare.

16. Who are some of your favorite authors or books now?

If a pope issues a major document, I’m going to read it, for sure. Chesterton, already mentioned, is also a favorite of mine.

17. I once had a university professor state that the true goal of a university education should be to teach one to learn how to think. What would you state should be the goal of higher education and why?

Similarly, a college president from a while back said that the goal of a liberal arts education is the integration of personality, career and lifestyle. In the context of virtue, this is a worthy goal. Certainly a well-educated person thinks critically and analytically, articulating her or his thoughts effectively both in speaking and writing.

18. If you were stuck on a desert island and could only have 10 books to read again and again, what books would you want with you?

The Holy Bible, the Catechism, a breviary and a lectionary/sacramentary. (I’ll stop at 4 books this time.)

19. What advice would you give to young aspiring authors and artists?

Don’t expect commercial success. Seek it, within reason, but don’t expect it.

Thank you ken for taking the time. And I look forward to read more of your works. If you have not tried the Breaking the Bread: A Biblical Devotional for Catholics Year C, I encourage you to pick it up and give it a try. Both Year and B and C are excellent and I look forward to Year A releasing later this year.

Books by Ken Ogorek:

The Gospel Truth: A Lectionary-Based Catechism for Adults

The Great Life: Essays on Doctrine and Holiness In Honor of Father Ronald Lawler, O.F.M. Cap.

Catholic Parent Know-How, Faith-Filled Summer Activities

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Let's Talk Series:

Money, Virtues, "Out-Smarting" Your Parents, and More

Food, Fun, Fitness, and More

Friendship, Well-Being, and More

Resting, Forgiving, Being Free, and More

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With Scott Hahh: