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PUBLICATIONS OF OPTION PRESS
OPTION PRESS is a private, non-profit press. Several works have been published.
One publication is HANDS, an illustrated way of the cross.
A CATECHISM FOR CATHOLICS AND OTHER NON BELIEVERS is an attempt to express our most basic
Christian truths in a simple and poetic manner.
BIBLOBITS is a series of obituaries of Old Testament characters.
ECOFLECTIONS is a series of reflections on the physical environment in which we live.
FORCES OF HISTORY is a history of Immaculate Conception Church in Charenton, Louisiana.
I AM RISEN is a series of poems and reflections on death and resurrection.
KEEP ON TRUCKING EVEN IF YOU DON\'T HAVE A TRUCK is a combination diary and calendar for anyone
trying to deal with grief.
THE DISJOINTED SOCIETY is a novel based on extensive research done by the author. A summary of that
research is available on another page of this site.
HANDS
is an illustrated meditation on the way of the cross. It was written in 1964 by Rev. William Crumley C.S.C.
The work was inspired by his meditation on a way of the cross which pictured only the hands of Jesus.
The illustrations in Hands are reproductions of original etchings done by Gladys Pacholke, a friend of
Father Bill. In addition to the etchings, each meditation contains a quote from one of the Gospels. These
quotes place the station in its biblical context. Under the quote is a brief reflection of the author.
A CATECHISM FOR CATHOLICS AND OTHER NON BELIEVERS
is an original work of Rev. William Crumley C.S.C. It is an attempt to proclaim our most basic truths in as
simple a manner as possible. While composing this work, the author was unhappy because the chapter
about God was the shortest and contained only poetry.
Several years after the original composition the author went to a retreat. The retreat director stated at the
beginning that "We know God first of all through the poet." This remark inspired the author to change the
style and format of the book.
The book now begins with the chapter on God, now the longest of the chapters. It is a dialogue between
the reader and the poet. The reader first goes to the philosopher to find God. The philosopher is unable
to answer the reader\'s questions and sends him to the theologian. He also is unable to answer the
reader\'s questions and directs him to the poet. The poet takes the reader to the sea, then to the
mountain, and then to the city. This cycle corresponds with the Old Testament cycle. God is first depicted
at the water. Before the Hebrews were welded together as the people of God they were led by Moses
across the sea. When it became necessary to lay down some laws and guidelines, Moses went to the
mountain. Then the people were led into the city to live out the faith they had professed.
The same cycle of sea, then mountain, then city is reflected in our New Testament tradition. Jesus draws
his first followers from the sea. In the Gospel of Matthew he goes to the mountain to announce His
kingdom and at end of the Gospel sends his followers into the city to preach the Good News of the
Kingdom.
Some persons have objected to the title. It is not a catechism and we are not unbelievers. The author
contends none of us are truly believers. We are all struggling to become believers. Although its style is
not that of a traditional catechism, it does look at the most basic questions of our life. This is the primary
function of a catechism.
I AM RISEN
The preface to this book begins with a question. Who needed the most faith on the first Easter morning?
Magdalene? Peter? Thomas? Mary? John? What about Jesus?We often do not think that Jesus had or
needed faith. But, what if Jesus had not believed? If Jesus had not been able to say "I am risen" no one
else would have been able to experience his resurrection.
I Am Risen is a series of homilies and reflections of the author and of others on the meaning of life and
death. It attempts to look at our own attitude toward life, and toward death. If I cannot experience forms of
resurrection in my own life, it will be difficult for me to believe in the Resurrection of Jesus. If I cannot
look at my own life and say I AM RISEN, then belief in the resurrection of Jesus will not have a major
impact on my life.I Am Risen is a testimonial that faith is experiential.
We need to live it out in our own lives. With each defeat, each setback, each death of a loved one, we
experience our own death. With every new form of death, new life emerges. It attempts to express our
belief in the resurrection of Jesus simply because we have experienced and understood death and
resurrection in our own lives.
BIBLOBITS
You can read the title in one of two ways: little bits and pieces from the Bible or Biblical obituaries. The
book is both. It attempts to capture the life and spirit of about forty Old Testament characters. The
collection of Biblical characters includes important persons and persons who are just minor players in the
Bible\'s drama and history. It also includes a good balance of men and women.
It is actually a series of obituaries composed by the author. Most of the material in each obituary is factual
and is based on scriptural texts. A very small part of the book contains data that is the fancy of the author.
The author\'s fancy is used when little or no data appears in the Bible about the person.
Most obituaries end with an admonition to do something that expresses the spirit of the person. Most
end with this or a similar plea: The family requests that instead of sending flowers, you ... The thing to be
done instead of sending flowers expresses some truth about the person\'s life and his/her impact on us.
ECOFLECTIONS
Ecoflections is a series of original poems that reflect on ecology. They were written as the author
traveled the Natchez Trace Parkway. The poems reflect the history and the ecology of the area and its
people.
THE DISJOINTED SOCIETY
The Disjointed Society is a novel. Its subject matter flowed out of the research of the author. He tried to
determine who owned our electric utilities, then our banks, and eventually our casinos. With each search
he found a web of intrigue and often a similar cast of characters.
The novel brings together persons and events which seem to have little or no connection to one
another. It relates the murder of a president and the death of a pope suspected by some to have been a
homicide. The novel relates the work of an international bank that has existed for more than seventy
years. Directors of this bank control the major economies of the world. The bank supplies a major portion
of the economic data used by banks and governments throughout the world. Very few persons even
know this bank exists. Less than ten per cent of textbooks on banking even mention this bank. Even
those that mention the bank do so by way of footnote.In his introduction to the book, the author writes:
Most of the novel portrays information I have gleaned from research and/or persons I have met. The
novel connects some persons and some events it has not been easy to connect based on readily
available evidence. After nearly twelve years of research a few of the assumed connections still require
more evidence. But none of the assumed connections have actually proven to be false. Also see
RESEARCH
FORCES OF HISTORY
Forces of History is an attempt to capture a bit of the history of Immaculate Conception Church in
Charenton, Louisiana. The church celebrated 150 years of existence in 1994. The book looks at some of
the families who have been involved in that history over 150 years. It also looks at some of the pastors
who have served this parish.
The history is based on documents in the files of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, from our own records,
from oral history, and from oral and written history of the Chitimacha nation. Charenton is a small
community. Still, according to our sacramental records we have persons from at least 20 different nations
who have contributed to our history.
KEEP ON TRUCKING: EVEN IF YOU DON\'T HAVE A TRUCK
This is a calendar for those who are grieving. The calendar contains reflections, prayers, questions, and
many blank spots for a person to write his or her own thoughts or questions.
FOR A MORE DETAILED LISTING OF BOOKS PRESS BOOKS
TO CONTINUE
TO RETURN TO HOME PAGE
To contact bill crumley
CHARENTON HERITAGE MUSEUM
3041 CHITIMACHA TRAIL
CHARENTON LOUISIANA 70523
337-923-4281
OPTION PRESS is a private, non-profit press. Several works have been published.
One publication is HANDS, an illustrated way of the cross.
A CATECHISM FOR CATHOLICS AND OTHER NON BELIEVERS is an attempt to express our most basic
Christian truths in a simple and poetic manner.
BIBLOBITS is a series of obituaries of Old Testament characters.
ECOFLECTIONS is a series of reflections on the physical environment in which we live.
FORCES OF HISTORY is a history of Immaculate Conception Church in Charenton, Louisiana.
I AM RISEN is a series of poems and reflections on death and resurrection.
KEEP ON TRUCKING EVEN IF YOU DON\'T HAVE A TRUCK is a combination diary and calendar for anyone
trying to deal with grief.
THE DISJOINTED SOCIETY is a novel based on extensive research done by the author. A summary of that
research is available on another page of this site.
HANDS
is an illustrated meditation on the way of the cross. It was written in 1964 by Rev. William Crumley C.S.C.
The work was inspired by his meditation on a way of the cross which pictured only the hands of Jesus.
The illustrations in Hands are reproductions of original etchings done by Gladys Pacholke, a friend of
Father Bill. In addition to the etchings, each meditation contains a quote from one of the Gospels. These
quotes place the station in its biblical context. Under the quote is a brief reflection of the author.
A CATECHISM FOR CATHOLICS AND OTHER NON BELIEVERS
is an original work of Rev. William Crumley C.S.C. It is an attempt to proclaim our most basic truths in as
simple a manner as possible. While composing this work, the author was unhappy because the chapter
about God was the shortest and contained only poetry.
Several years after the original composition the author went to a retreat. The retreat director stated at the
beginning that "We know God first of all through the poet." This remark inspired the author to change the
style and format of the book.
The book now begins with the chapter on God, now the longest of the chapters. It is a dialogue between
the reader and the poet. The reader first goes to the philosopher to find God. The philosopher is unable
to answer the reader\'s questions and sends him to the theologian. He also is unable to answer the
reader\'s questions and directs him to the poet. The poet takes the reader to the sea, then to the
mountain, and then to the city. This cycle corresponds with the Old Testament cycle. God is first depicted
at the water. Before the Hebrews were welded together as the people of God they were led by Moses
across the sea. When it became necessary to lay down some laws and guidelines, Moses went to the
mountain. Then the people were led into the city to live out the faith they had professed.
The same cycle of sea, then mountain, then city is reflected in our New Testament tradition. Jesus draws
his first followers from the sea. In the Gospel of Matthew he goes to the mountain to announce His
kingdom and at end of the Gospel sends his followers into the city to preach the Good News of the
Kingdom.
Some persons have objected to the title. It is not a catechism and we are not unbelievers. The author
contends none of us are truly believers. We are all struggling to become believers. Although its style is
not that of a traditional catechism, it does look at the most basic questions of our life. This is the primary
function of a catechism.
I AM RISEN
The preface to this book begins with a question. Who needed the most faith on the first Easter morning?
Magdalene? Peter? Thomas? Mary? John? What about Jesus?We often do not think that Jesus had or
needed faith. But, what if Jesus had not believed? If Jesus had not been able to say "I am risen" no one
else would have been able to experience his resurrection.
I Am Risen is a series of homilies and reflections of the author and of others on the meaning of life and
death. It attempts to look at our own attitude toward life, and toward death. If I cannot experience forms of
resurrection in my own life, it will be difficult for me to believe in the Resurrection of Jesus. If I cannot
look at my own life and say I AM RISEN, then belief in the resurrection of Jesus will not have a major
impact on my life.I Am Risen is a testimonial that faith is experiential.
We need to live it out in our own lives. With each defeat, each setback, each death of a loved one, we
experience our own death. With every new form of death, new life emerges. It attempts to express our
belief in the resurrection of Jesus simply because we have experienced and understood death and
resurrection in our own lives.
BIBLOBITS
You can read the title in one of two ways: little bits and pieces from the Bible or Biblical obituaries. The
book is both. It attempts to capture the life and spirit of about forty Old Testament characters. The
collection of Biblical characters includes important persons and persons who are just minor players in the
Bible\'s drama and history. It also includes a good balance of men and women.
It is actually a series of obituaries composed by the author. Most of the material in each obituary is factual
and is based on scriptural texts. A very small part of the book contains data that is the fancy of the author.
The author\'s fancy is used when little or no data appears in the Bible about the person.
Most obituaries end with an admonition to do something that expresses the spirit of the person. Most
end with this or a similar plea: The family requests that instead of sending flowers, you ... The thing to be
done instead of sending flowers expresses some truth about the person\'s life and his/her impact on us.
ECOFLECTIONS
Ecoflections is a series of original poems that reflect on ecology. They were written as the author
traveled the Natchez Trace Parkway. The poems reflect the history and the ecology of the area and its
people.
THE DISJOINTED SOCIETY
The Disjointed Society is a novel. Its subject matter flowed out of the research of the author. He tried to
determine who owned our electric utilities, then our banks, and eventually our casinos. With each search
he found a web of intrigue and often a similar cast of characters.
The novel brings together persons and events which seem to have little or no connection to one
another. It relates the murder of a president and the death of a pope suspected by some to have been a
homicide. The novel relates the work of an international bank that has existed for more than seventy
years. Directors of this bank control the major economies of the world. The bank supplies a major portion
of the economic data used by banks and governments throughout the world. Very few persons even
know this bank exists. Less than ten per cent of textbooks on banking even mention this bank. Even
those that mention the bank do so by way of footnote.In his introduction to the book, the author writes:
Most of the novel portrays information I have gleaned from research and/or persons I have met. The
novel connects some persons and some events it has not been easy to connect based on readily
available evidence. After nearly twelve years of research a few of the assumed connections still require
more evidence. But none of the assumed connections have actually proven to be false. Also see
RESEARCH
FORCES OF HISTORY
Forces of History is an attempt to capture a bit of the history of Immaculate Conception Church in
Charenton, Louisiana. The church celebrated 150 years of existence in 1994. The book looks at some of
the families who have been involved in that history over 150 years. It also looks at some of the pastors
who have served this parish.
The history is based on documents in the files of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, from our own records,
from oral history, and from oral and written history of the Chitimacha nation. Charenton is a small
community. Still, according to our sacramental records we have persons from at least 20 different nations
who have contributed to our history.
KEEP ON TRUCKING: EVEN IF YOU DON\'T HAVE A TRUCK
This is a calendar for those who are grieving. The calendar contains reflections, prayers, questions, and
many blank spots for a person to write his or her own thoughts or questions.
FOR A MORE DETAILED LISTING OF BOOKS PRESS BOOKS
TO CONTINUE
TO RETURN TO HOME PAGE
To contact bill crumley
CHARENTON HERITAGE MUSEUM
3041 CHITIMACHA TRAIL
CHARENTON LOUISIANA 70523
337-923-4281
