Mary Ann Stinson

I was born in Pratt, Kansas, on July 18, 1925, when Dust Bowl winds blew my dad’s job away, the family (Mom, Dad, 2 girls and a boy) moved to Kirksville in Northeastern Missouri in 1933 and on to St. Joseph, MO., in 1940 when my sister and brother and family, still live.

I came to Arizona in 1971 to work on my master’s degree at ASU after having taught English or history in various public schools in towns in Missouri and Iowa. In Arizona, I taught English and was librarian in Prescott, Florence, Scottsdale, and Phoenix Public Schools and ended my full-time working career on the library staff at Scottsdale Community College.

After completing my Master’s degree at ASU, I also finished a Master of Arts in Religious Education through Kino Institute from the University of San Francisco.

I became a catholic in 1971 at Christ the King Community and have served the parish in various tasks since: Catechist, RCIA Team leader, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Emerging Laity Institute (Eli) and Ministry as Service teacher (MAS), with emphasis on Bible Study. I was on the first Parish Council and worked on its Team to construct the present church building. At present, I am a board member of Church Women United and volunteer at HOPE.

I am an avid reader – especially books on the Bible and historical narratives, among the most influential for me is Dr. Leon Kass’ The Beginning of Wisdom where he concludes, from the book of Genesis, that morality is the source of wisdom.

I have delighted in J.K. Rowling’s series of adventures of Harry Potter and applaud her humor, her descriptions of adolescence and of the triumph of good over evil. Her books join the English/American heritage of children’s literature in the fantasy/science fiction mold: Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz, the Chronicles of Narnia and the Fellowship of the Ring.

At the present, I am looking forward to a lively discussion of the Harry Potter Books at Christ the King’s Presentation Hall on October 27, from 7 to 9 pm.

Thank you