Local Priest Publishes Book Exploring Paths to Conversion

Story by Shelley Wolf

In his book 23 1/2 Degrees Away From GOD: Returning to the Light, Father James M. Sullivan traces his family’s history back to the town in Ireland where his father was born. He’s on a mission to discover whether the seemingly tall tales his father told about traveling to church on Sunday were really true.

That’s the charming start to Father Sullivan’s book, which sold all 1,500 copies of its first printing in 2024. Now in its second printing, the book is expected to be available again in time for the Easter season.

The book is sprinkled with fond recollections and lessons learned from his parents, siblings and time spent as a building contractor. However, Father Sullivan, now rector of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Waterbury, insists the book is not a memoir.

“I didn’t want it to be a memoir,” he says in an interview with Catholic Transcript Online. “I just tied it to the small things in real life. God is big on the little.” The book’s purpose, he says, is to explore the many paths to conversion in adults of all ages.

Published by Highbury Press in Waterbury, the book features a cover photo of Waterbury’s Holy Land USA at sunrise, which was taken by Father Sullivan’s brother, John Sullivan. The second printing includes a forward written by Archbishop Leonard P. Blair.

Written in accessible language, the paperback book discusses human nature and conversion through the eyes of a priest, drawing inspiration from personal anecdotes and various perspectives on conversion.

A first-time author, Father Sullivan took three years to complete the manuscript, writing on his days off and while on retreat. Before he became a priest, he always wanted to write a book on human nature, he says, but never did.

“And then, as a priest, you see conversions all the time, people coming back to church and their reasons why, and what touched them and how their life was affected,” he says. “So, I decided to write a book on conversion because every person ultimately desires it, to become closer to the source of all love and life.

“I have a special calling for those who are somewhat lost,” Father Sullivan adds. “Maybe because I was in the building profession for so many years and in the working world, I feel like I really know the heart of the average person. Many have good hearts but don’t know God. I want to show them who Christ is.”

And everyone needs ongoing conversion, the priest says, to avoid “spiritual stagnancy.”

In the pages, Father Sullivan also shares a priest’s thoughts on the importance of Christian marriage, Catholic confessions, Mass attendance and vocations to the priesthood and religious life. And he doesn’t forget to share the joy of the priesthood. “I believe a lot of vocations are out there. They just need to be encouraged and touched,” he says.

The book urges all readers to find their calling and to pray for guidance. It prompts readers to pray and to listen in prayer, with special emphasis on listening.

All proceeds from the book go to Immaculate Conception Parish. The second printing will be available sometime after Easter. To order a copy, keep checking the publisher’s website at highburypress.com and highburypress.com/fatherjimbook.