McVeigh Ministries Inc. 

Guest Speaking Testimonies

Three years ago Sean McVeigh was introduced to me by my parish priest and catechist for eleventh graders, Fr. Joseph Nale, who worked with Sean in State College. Sean conducted an excellent retreat for our ninth grade candidates preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation!  (Our candidates in the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese receive the Sacrament of Confirmation during their eleventh grade of high school.)  His way of speaking the message of Jesus to the teenagers inspired one girl who had been very cruel to a classmate during the grade school years to call and ask the classmate for forgiveness.  The mother of the child who had been treated cruelly related the story to me.  She was very thankful and impressed with Sean's ability to inspire others to repent.  I gave her a book that Sean wrote, Will You Spread My Word for Me? (The mother is a catechist for our parish children.) Sean’s way of spreading the message of contrition and forgiveness reminds me of how our Lord helped others when He walked on the earth. 

Our parish's Confirmation candidates for the past three years have been blessed with Sean’s words of wisdom.  Recently during the eleventh grade Christian Story retreat, he gave the eleventh graders practical skills to implement in their daily lives so that they can keep away from people, places, and things that can lead them to sin.

With Sean’s knowledge of the Catholic faith, teenagers and adults of all ages will benefit from hearing him speak. We have a modern day St. Paul who is willing to travel to spread the Word of God.  There is hope for God’s commandments to be known and obeyed as long as men like Sean continue to speak.

Sincerely,

Karen Fink

Religion Teacher Cathedral Catholic Academy

DRE Our Mother of Sorrows

A little over five years ago, I was fortunate to have read a book entitled: "I've Got to Change".  It was written by Sean McVeigh.  The first thing that caught my attention, was that Sean was, at one time, a resident of Central Pennsylvania, an area I was born and raised.  I read his story and was amazed and impressed by the clarity and honesty of what he had to say concerning his relationship with God and the Church.  It made such an impact on me that I asked Sean to come to Saint Patrick Parish, in Newry, PA., where I am the Pastor, to give a Parish Mission.  Sean was kind enough to accept the invitation and it was a grace filled opportunity for everyone involved.  The central message of Sean's talks was relationship to Jesus, in the Holy Eucharist, the Sacrament of Penance, and the Church.  Still, there was an outreach to fellow Christians and people of other faith traditions.  Each presentation, for both young and old alike, was well received and appreciated.

Sean McVeigh can reach any gathering, or audience, because he is rooted in Faith, as well as Prayer, but, above all else, in his relationship with the Lord.

In Christ,

Rev. Msgr. Anthony B. Little

Pastor

Saint Patrick Catholic Church

Book Testimonies

(Will You Spread My Word For Me? and I've Got To Change) These types of books do not come along very often. Once I started reading them I found it too hard to put them down. Your books made me stop and look within my own self! How I had been living, and how I needed to change. It has made me want a deeper commitment with my own Catholic faith. You are a rare person with a wonderful writing talent that can only come from God. Please continue to use that GIFT! God Bless You. - Wayne
 

“Last night I read I’ve Got to Change from cover to cover.  While it is certainly geared towards youth, I am a 54 year old man who returned to the Church just 4 years ago after many years away.  What impressed me most is Sean’s openness and sincerity, and his ready admittance of his own struggles, even after beginning to change and follow our Lord Jesus Christ.  It also is truly penned in his own “voice”—I for one felt he was literally a guest here in my home excitedly telling me his story rather than simply reading about him!  I almost wanted to go make him a cup of coffee a few times so that he could continue!  Mr. McVeigh is very candid and willing to share not only about his victories but his defeats and that humanity gives the book immense appeal. In short, no matter what age, I think anyone you may know who is struggling with Faith should likely find a copy on their pillow one day! The most important thing a book can do is cause one to think, ponder, and be challenged to grow in God, and this one does all three.  Great read.” Richard

I read your book Will You Spread My Word For Me? and I must say it helped immeasurably with my understanding on just how important it is to receive the Eucharist. I have heard my whole life that it is the “Body of Christ”…but never really understood what it meant until I read your book. Additionally, you helped me understand for the first time why the Mass is structured the way it is and why it is important. Keep up the good work. God bless. - Mike Bevilacqua (Business owner)

(I've Got To Change) I planned to only read a few pages before I went to bed, but I couldn’t stop reading! I was up for hours, because I wanted to find out what happened next! I can’t believe you went through all of that! I never would have guessed by looking at you that you would have gone through something like that! I read to the end of Part Two in my first sitting. The next day I planned to read five or six pages of Part Three, but I couldn’t put it down again. I read all the way to the end! - Fr. Joseph (Priest)

(I've Got To Change) Your book is so personal, so intimate and human, it just touches my heart. I love it! It feels like you are sitting there talking to me. I feel like I can feel the Holy Spirit speaking to me through these pages. Once I start reading it, I have trouble putting it back down. - From Joyce (Office secretary)

(I've Got To Change) I started reading your book and couldn’t put it down. Your story is amazing! Thank you so much for sharing it! You are going to touch so many lives with it! It is so powerful! - From Jocelyn (College student)

(I've Got To Change) Your book is riveting! I was shocked and amazed! You definitely have a story to tell! - (From a Catholic Religious Education Director)

As a mother of four sons, ages 19-24, I found Sean McVeigh’s book, I’ve Got to Change, invaluable. Moms always want to help their kids, but as those “kids” grow older and begin to think that they know it all, it is much harder to reach them, much harder to influence their actions. This becomes the time when most Catholic moms buff their rosary beads more diligently, praying more fervently to Mary, God and guardian angels to watch over their could-be-rebellious children. Praying often takes the place of doing.

Most of what teenagers and young adults see is mass marketed to them through the Internet and video games. The average Joe does not watch EWTN. The average Joe listens to his peers. And we all know how scary that can be.

I first met Sean McVeigh at a Catholic marketing convention. Here was this young man with a mission: to see to it that others would learn from his mistakes and turn from their risky behavior, thus becoming closer to God. His spiel sold me; I bought his book. One day one of my sons’ world shattered. I knew he’d be fine, but he didn’t believe it. Why would he believe me, his mom? I couldn’t possibly know what he was going through. But I knew someone who did! I trotted out I’ve Got to Change and put it on the table next to him. He sat on the couch all day long reading Sean’s book. I let Sean do the talking. I was thankful that his words did what I couldn’t do at the moment. I’ve never been a guy! How do I know what guys feel? Sean used a tragedy in his life to begin his conversion, and felt passionate enough about his changes to want other young people to know that they, too, could choose the right path.

Buy I’ve Got to Change by Sean McVeigh, read it and “carelessly” leave the book under your child’s cell phone, next to the gaming system or on his or her bed. Praying is great, but doing is better. Do this for your son or daughter. It’s another tool in your mom arsenal. You’ll be glad you did. - Maureen Locher (Copy editor and columnist - www.MaureenLocher.com)

(I've Got To Change) I commend you for putting yourself out there like that, and sharing your successes and failures. That took a lot of courage! Your story has so many messages for us all. It will touch people of all ages. There is something in there for us all to relate to, and I think it is just what our world needs in this day and age! - Peter (College student)

(I've Got To Change) Sean McVeigh says that his purpose in writing this book was to help people.  The story of his accident and recovery would definitely make people think twice before making the mistakes that he made. Not only would people benefit by learning the dangers of certain behaviors, but they would also benefit spiritually, because Sean’s story shows the power of prayer and the mercy of God. - Vincent (Age 15)

(I've Got To Change) What I liked best about Sean’s story was how he kept persevering in his struggle to become more holy.  Many people in the same situation would have given up, but Sean stayed close to the sacraments and it made all the difference.  A lot of people will be inspired by this book!  - Rose (Age 17)

Copyright © 2009 McVeigh Ministries Inc.