Constant Reminder: A memoir of priest abuse and recovery - Paperback

by V. Allan Merkel (Author), Miles Abernethy (Illustrator), Joseph M. Baca (Author)

Constant Reminder is the turbulent biography of Joseph Baca. It starts at the age of eight when the sense of an innocent child's world is crushed forever by Father Clement Hageman - priest, predator and pedophile. But this memoir is more than the recounting of memories and facts from his childhood. It shows, front and center, the bias for a Hispanic boy, growing up in the 1960's and 1970's Southwest. The times also reflect on an all-powerful, Roman Catholic Church, its subtle climate of fear, cloaked in secrecy and protective of its reputation. Tag along with Baca on his downward spiral of juvenile delinquency, alcoholism and drug addiction. Feeling powerless, he decided to embrace the grim reaper - twice - and survived. However, you'll cheer when - step by step - he endures and overcomes every adversity to lead a better life. This is a biography, yet the ending is overshadowed with the presence of an ominous evil which would rival many fictional novels.

Author Biography

Joseph Baca is a native of Winslow, Arizona and attended Catholic and public schools in the area. In his late teens, he moved to California and pursued the career of conductor with a major railroad transportation company. Baca is retired and resides in Maricopa, Arizona with his wife and grandchildren.