A Saint and a Sinner: The Rise and Fall of a Beloved Catholic Priest

Ex-priest Stephen H. Donnelly's memoir, A Saint and a Sinner, is an immersive experience into the world of a Catholic priest and a brutally honest account of Stephen's journey of sinfulness; a cautionary tale of the struggle between good and evil that exists within all of us. At age 42, Stephen was ordained a Roman Catholic priest. As he stood before God, the bishop, and the congregation, he made promises he struggled to keep. Three years into his priesthood, he descended into a world of cocaine and alcohol abuse.
Fellow priests intervened, and after multiple stints in rehab, Stephen turned his life around and became well-known in Alcoholics Anonymous circles as the "Irish priest with a problem. During his seven years as Associate Pastor of St. Patrick's Church, Huntington, New York, he became known among parishioners as a "rock star." They were among the best years of his priesthood. He was Stephen: the man, the Catholic, and the priest at his absolute best. But in 2018, while assigned to a new parish, the unthinkable happened, and it threatened to destroy everything he held dear.

About the Author
Donnelly, Stephen H.: - Stephen Donnelly, after six years of arduous study, was ordained a Roman Catholic priest and spent two decades as a spiritual leader and beloved priest. In his memoir, A Saint and a Sinner, Stephen takes the reader behind the curtain of the mighty and mysterious Catholic Church as he recounts his relationships with God, the faithful, bishops, and the institution. Stephen was named 'Man of the Year in Religion, ' hosted the 'Fallen on Long Island' drug, was named Grand Marshall, and won 'The Peter Sweissgood Award.' He celebrated eighteen years sobriety and is active in Alcoholics Anonymous' Twelve Step Program inspiring others to live a sober life.Obryan, Diane: - "Diane O'Bryan is a professional photographer and co-author of A Saint and a Sinner. Stephen was her parish priest and friend - and she knew he had a fascinating and compelling story. When she's not writing she can be found at the beach or on a tennis court. She lives on Long Island, New York with her husband and stepson."