Stephen A. Werner

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Stephen Werner
Born1956

Stephen A. Werner (born 1956) is a college instructor and writer from St Louis. [1]

Contents

Biography

Teaching

In the 1980's, Werner was a religion teacher and dean of academics at St. Louis Preparatory Seminary. [2]

For over thirty years, Werner has taught as an adjunct instructor of the humanities at several universities in the St. Louis area. [3] Along with courses on religion, theology, mythology, and history; he has taught courses on American culture covering such figures as Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. [4]

Writing

Werner holds a Ph.D. in historical theology [5] and his academic writing has focused on influential St. Louis Jesuits. In 1992, Werner published a biography of Joseph Husslein, S.J. (1873–1952), a key early 20th century figure in the development of American Catholic social thought; [6] A reviewer describes it "as a fine introduction to Husslein and his work." [7] [8] In 2021, Werner published The Restless Flame, Daniel Lord, S.J.: Thinking Big in a Parochial World!, a biography of this influential Jesuit. [9] [10] “And I am certain anyone who gives this book a read will become fascinated with the man and the works of Daniel A. Lord. This is an excellent biography, and worth the read. I give it top marks.” [11] Werner's documentary film Daniel Lord S.J., The Restless Flame appeared in the 2018 St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase. [12]

Werner has also written on Dismas Clark, S.J. (1901–1963), who set up in St. Louis the first halfway house for men coming out of prison, and was portrayed in the 1961 movie The Hoodlum Priest . [13] Two years after Clark died Frank Sinatra did a fundraiser for Dismas House with his famous Frank Sinatra Spectacular concert. [14] Knowledgeable about Catholic figures and Catholic historical sites in the area, [15] Werner has also written about Pretty Boy Floyd's arrest for a St. Louis crime, [16] and a St. Louis man named Stanley Kowalski who may or may not have influenced Tennessee Williams. [17]

Werner wrote The Handy Christianity Answer Book: [18] , which was described by Library Journal as "an ideal ready reference … will interest young adults, general readers, Christians curious to learn more, and those who are spiritual but not religious and would like to explore the basics and some of the mysteries of the religion". [19] However, Catholic Library Journal said the book was "oversimplified and lacks objectivity and selectivity" and "certainly not recommended for Catholic libraries." [20] [21]

Based on his years of teaching religion he wrote How to Study Religion: A Guide for the Curious, an introduction to religion for college students or for those who are curious about religion. [22]

He also wrote the fourth (2020) edition of The Handy History Answer Book. [23] The book received a positive review in Library Journal, "Anticipating basic questions, maintaining objectivity, and deploying an engaging style, Werner ably provides an introduction of Western history for general readers." [24]

Other writing

Werner's other writings include Life Hurts: An Exploration of the Pain and Suffering of Life [25] and a humorous satire: Elvis and Apocalypse: The Awful Disclosures of Maria, Matron of the Hotel Dew Beanery (Revised edition). [26] "‘Elvis and the Apocalypse’ is a very clever, funny and engrossing read. These combined with its imaginative premise differentiates it from most other fiction books about Elvis and provide a strong reason why it is a worthwhile addition to any fan’s Elvis library." [27] "'Elvis and the Apocalypse' is an unusual, enjoyable, satirical piece of fiction. Don't take it seriously, enjoy it, laugh with it." [28]

Theatrical writing

He has also written and produced several theatrical works such as The Back Road to Bethlehem, a children's Christmas musical; A Streetcar Named Ramona Junction; [29] The Rum Luck of the Irish, a light-hearted farce set in St. Louis during prohibition; [30] and Tobit’s Triumph a musical based on the biblical Book of Tobit. [31] He wrote and composed an opera, Damn, You Gilgamesh! based on the ancient story The Epic of Gilgamesh . [32] Werner is also a composer. His song “Irish Farewell” is the most popular and is often performed at funerals around the world. [33] [ citation needed ]

Academic articles

References

  1. “About the Author” The Handy History Answer Book (Visible Ink Press, 2021).
  2. "Series of Lectures Planned On Pastoral on the Economy". St. Louis Review. October 23, 1987. p. 3. JSTOR   community.35619144.
  3. Werner, Stephen (March 1, 2023). "Reflections of a College Adjunct After 31 Years". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  4. “About the Author.”
  5. “About the Author” The Handy Christianity Answer Book (Visible Ink Press, 2019).
  6. “The Life, Social Thought, and Work of Joseph Caspar Husslein,” Annual Publication of the College Theology Society 38 (1992), Religions of the Book.
  7. Lee, Kevin (April 2002). "A Prophet of the Christian Social Manifesto: Joseph Husslein, S.J., His Life, Work, and Social Thought". The Journal of Religion. 82 (2): 312–313. doi:10.1086/491080. ISSN   0022-4189. ProQuest   195620136.
  8. Mason, Nancy (January 2005). "Prophet of the Christian Social Manifesto: Joseph Husslein, S.J.: His Life, Work, & Social Thought". Catholic Historical Review. 91 (1): 187–188. ISSN   0008-8080. ProQuest   200030223.
  9. McEvoy, Steven R (June 24, 2022). "Book Reviews – July 2022". Homiletic & Pastoral Review. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  10. Hayes, Patrick (December 2023). "The Restless Flame: Daniel Lord, SJ: Thinking Big in a Parochial World!". Catholic Library World. 94 (2): 118. ISSN   0008-820X. ProQuest   2919455790.
  11. A Review by Roberty Rooney, Homiletic and Pastoral Review, July 2022.
  12. Lally, Caitlin (July 18, 2018). "St. Louis Jesuit Daniel Lord to see screen time during Filmmakers Showcase". STLPR. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  13. “The Real Man Behind ‘The Hoodlum Priest’” America (October 7, 2024).
  14. “Frank Sinatra and the Hoodlum Priest,” American Catholic Studies 129 (Winter 2016), 101-106.
  15. Fisher, James T (2001). "All Catholicism Is Local: Teaching American Catholic Studies". American Catholic Studies. 112 (1/4): 73–80. JSTOR   44195593.
  16. "Charles Arthur Floyd: The Pretty Boy in St. Louis," St. Louis Cultural History Project (Summer 2022).
  17. “In Search of Stanley Kowalski,” St. Louis Cultural History Project (Summer 2022).
  18. The Handy Christianity Answer Book (Detroit: Visible Ink Press, 2019).
  19. Welsh, Marcia G (May 31, 2019). "The Handy Christianity Answer Book". Library Journal. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  20. Rzepecki, Arnold (March 2020). "The Handy Christianity Answer Book". Catholic Library World. 90 (3): 219–220. ProQuest   2561533894.
  21. Schlichenmeyer, Terri (December 20, 2019). "Well, Books Can Be the Answer". Philadelphia Tribune. p. 2B. ISSN   0746-956X. ProQuest   2339846264.
  22. How to Study Religion: A Guide for the Curious (San Diego: Cognella Academic Publishing, 2019).
  23. The Handy History Answer Book, 4th ed., (Detroit: Visible Ink Press, 2020).
  24. Welsh, Marcia (May 31, 2019). "The Handy Christianity Answer Book". Library Journal . Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  25. Life Hurts: An Exploration of the Pain and Suffering in Life (Press, Press, Pull – St. Louis, 2020).
  26. Elvis and Apocalypse: The Awful Disclosures of Maria, Matron of the Hotel Dew Beanery, Revised edition (Press, Press, Pull – St. Louis, 2020).
  27. Nigel Patterson, President, Elvis Information Network, February 2002.
  28. David Neale, Elvis Expert
  29. Glen Sparks, “’Streetcar’ pulls into St. Margaret theater,” Southside Journal, October 28, 1998, 7A.
  30. Jim Rygelski, “Werner’s latest play blends humor, history” Southside Journal, August 10, 1994, 1A.
  31. Judith Newmark, St. Louis Post Dispatch, August 6, 2006. The Book of Tobit is found in the Catholic Old Testament but not in the Protestant Old Testament.
  32. Listen to Damn You, Gilgamesh.
  33. Listen to “Irish Farewell.”