Local author to host launch party for first book’s release
The public is invited to a launch party for the release of Lara Patangan’s first book, Simple Mercies: How the Works of Mercy Bring Peace and Fulfillment. The celebration will take place on May 22nd at 7 p.m. at Assumption Catholic Church, the author’s home parish.
The evening will begin with a presentation by Patangan in the church. Book signing and reception will follow in Jordon Hall. Refreshments will be available.
Written with humor and insight, Simple Mercies, published by Our Sunday Visitor, is for those who have ever questioned their contribution to the world or struggled with finding God’s purpose for their lives.
In September 2013, Patangan turned 40. To mark this milestone birthday, she chose to celebrate not by having a big party, buying a shiny gift, or going on a fun trip. None of that appealed to her. She chose, instead, to spend a full year in service to others.
Patangan, a devout Catholic, performed biblically based works of mercy. She fed the hungry by volunteering at a Downtown soup kitchen, and she clothed the naked by putting in hours at Rethreaded. She visited the imprisoned, death row inmates at Florida State Prison in Raiford. She counseled the doubtful, a woman considering abortion at a local Women’s Center. She buried the dead by helping to plan the funerals of a Burmese refugee family killed in a car crash in Macclenny. “Being open to serve made me aware of so many opportunities,” Patangan said.
In her new book, Patangan shares some of those experiences. But the book has a bigger mission. It is to encourage others to realize how much their service helps others, whether it’s at home, at school, in the workplace, or with elderly parents. “I feel like many of us think that our service is too mundane too matter,” she said. The book is to broaden people’s idea of what service is and to show that what we do for others makes a difference.
Today, in addition to being a freelance writer, Patangan continues to volunteer, like at Meals on Wheels, at Animal Care & Protective Services, and at Assumption Church. She, her husband, and their two sons have picked up trash along the bank of the St. Johns River. “Asking ‘What can I do?’ is a very humbling question. By being open and willing, there are so many things that we can do for one another,” she said.
Patangan, a St. Nicholas resident, grew up in Jacksonville and graduated from Bishop Kenny High School before earning a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations degree from the University of Florida. She spent the early part of her career working for various non-profits doing fundraising and development locally for Hubbard House and in New Orleans for an AIDS service organization and a children’s hospital before moving back to Jacksonville and becoming a mom.
Though there is no cost to attend her book launch event on May 22, an RSVP would be appreciated. Call San Marco Book Store at (904) 396-7597 or register at bit.ly/larabooks. Book pre-orders are encouraged. To sign up for the author’s blog, visit www.LaraPatangan.com.
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading... 
