Meet the Author
Karen Lueck is a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration. She has spent much of her life recognizing the goodness in herself and others. As an educator, mental health counselor, spiritual director and leader in her congregation of Catholic Sisters, she acted as a cheerleader for the people with whom she ministered. In her first book, "Cheering for the Good: Leading When It Matters," Sister Karen's urges all of us to step up and be the change.
Her new book, "The Green Thread: Reclaiming Our Spiritual Authority," is part memoir, part research narrative about what happens when church and earthly powers form an unholy alliance to keep people, especially women, subservient. "The Green Thread" debuted in September 2025.
The Green Thread: Reclaiming Our Spiritual Authority
Sister Karen's new book, "The Green Thread: Reclaiming Our Spiritual Authority," is part memoir, part research narrative about what happens when church and earthly powers form an unholy alliance to keep people, especially women, subservient. Sister Karen uses her own family history as a template to lay bare the intergenerational trauma suffered by conquered peoples, and the resilience embraced by those who recognize their own spiritual authority to speak truth to power. To purchase, check your local bookseller or buy online.
Upcoming Author Events
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Cheering For The Good: Leading When It Matters
When asked about her favorite message from her first book, "Cheering for the Good," Sister Karen said, "I love a paragraph in the last chapter of the book, entitled Standing on Holy Ground: 'I am cheering for you to be the best leaders you can be. Remember, everyone is a leader, so you have plenty of partners in this mission. If any of you decide to sit this one out, to let someone else do it, to count on the experts to carry out our mission, we as a whole will be immensely poorer. And the earth and its creatures will suffer. We're counting on each other. Together we commit ourselves, a tiny band of pilgrims, united in love, on a journey of transformation, to bring life, love and presence to a world aching to be healed and transformed.'"
Sister Karen reads from "Cheering For The Good"
Loyola University Chicago: "Alumni Author Spotlight"
Podcast: What is Spirituality?
The Franciscan Spirituality Center featured Sister Karen on its podcast, "What is Spirituality?," hosted by FSC Spiritual Director Steve Spilde.
Invite Sister Karen to a Book Discussion
Sister Karen welcomes opportunities to discuss her books as a guest at book clubs or gatherings, either in-person or virtual.