What There Is to Be Done: Chapters 1-4

by Dan Masterton

Most afternoons, around 3pm, my 4-year-old daughter, Lucy, and I usually sit down to read for a good while. My 1-year-old, Cecilia, has been down to nap for about an hour; Lucy and I have tended to a few household chores (Lucy is a great kitchen helper who helps set the cold brew pitcher, mix meat marinades, and prepare batters and doughs with me); then, when we have some quiet time to ourselves, she almost always wants to read.

There's an elite canon of books and stories I could probably read without looking. There's a few that require fresh attention each time, especially the Dr. Seuss ones with made-up words. Either way, the opportunity to read aloud is a special treat — and something I hadn't personally done much since I was in elementary school, that is until my kids were born.

So, sitting down to record a read-aloud of this story I wrote has been an unusual treat, another way to bring reading further forward in my life, and hopefully yours, too. It's definitely different to sit in an empty room and read aloud for recording after everyone has gone to bed, versus nestling into a sofa with my daughter in the afternoon. But the joy of reading aloud is distinct.

If you want to read What There Is to Be Done, you can order a paperback! Visit my LinkTree for the order form.

The first four chapters are also now out as audiobook podcast episodes.

In chapter 1, get acquainted with Theresa, or as the kids call her, Mrs. Acutis, as she begins a new year teaching at Mary, Mother of God High School and reckons with an intriguing faith formation session.

In chapter 2, walk with Theresa and her husband, John, as they work through a conversation around Theresa's discernment of perhaps pursuing a different role at her school.

In chapter 3, Theresa makes a visit to her spiritual director, Duke, and explores continuing to teach versus perhaps making a switch, and learns to look out for "screwtaping" herself.

And, in Chapter 4, the time is nearing for Theresa to decide if she wants to pursue a new role, and to figure out how to do it. Meanwhile, some affirmations come flying in but are overshadowed by others' teardowns.

You could also try a little taste of What There Is to Be Done by listening to the teasers, including this passage that was my favorite segment to write:

Check out Hear Here! on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Podcasts.