Mitch Finley (born December 17, 1945) is an American author who writes on religious and Catholic subjects. Finley has written over 30 books and has won 11 Catholic Press Awards, along with an Excellence in Writing Award from the American Society of Journalists and Authors. Biography Finley was born in 1945 in La Grande, Oregon. In 1964, he graduated from DeSales Catholic High School in Walla Walla, Washington. After graduation, Finley enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He received an honorable discharge in 1968 as a petty officer second class. Finley says that he "put in four years in the Navy without serving even one day aboard ship; it was all shore duty." After the Navy, Finley entered the Brothers of the Holy Cross three-month candidacy program, then located at Saint. Francis High School in Mountain View, California, During this time, Finley also attended Santa Clara University as an English major. In January 1969, Flnley completed the Holy Cross Brothers' novitiate in Valatie, New York. The community then sent him to St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas, for one semester. Finley returned to the Brothers' community at St. Francis High School, where he re-enrolled at Santa Clara as a religious studies major. In November 1972, he left the Holy Cross Brothers. In May 1973, Finley graduated from Santa Clara, earning a Bachelor of Religious Studies degree On March 9, 1974. Finley and Kathleen Hickey were married. The wedding took place in the student chapel of Gonzaga University, Kathleen Hickey's alma mater. In 1976, he earned an Master of Theology degree from Marquette University . The couple has three sons. Books The Seeker's Guide to Being Catholic The Ten Commandments: Timeless Challenges for Today The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit The Joy of Being Catholic A Man's Guide to Being Catholic The Seeker's Guide to Saints Season of Promises Christian Families In the Real World: Reflections On a Spirituality for the Domestic Church, written with Kathy Finley Your One-Stop Guide to Mary Prayer for People Who Think Too Much: A Guide to Everyday, Anywhere Prayer from the World's Faith Traditions Saint Anthony and Saint Jude: True Stories of Heavenly Help The Joy of Being a Eucharistic Minister The Catholic Virtues: Seven Pillars of a Good Life The Corporal & Spiritual Works of Mercy: Living Christian Love and Compassion It's Not the Same Without You: Coming Home to the Catholic Church Everybody