I have always enjoyed reading and have read many books. The first time I read a Fr. Finn story, though, I knew I was in for a treat. Even as a girl, I found the stories interesting and inspiring. Mostly Boys, contains a number of delightful short stories by Fr. Finn. The number of times I have reread “The Wager of Gerald O’Rourke” proves that it is one of my favorites. Lively Gerald O’Rourke makes a wager with his friend that he will be up early enough to awaken his friend for Midnight Mass on Christmas. Known for being a heavy sleeper, Gerald O’Rourke has a difficult road in front of him. As a deep sleeper myself I instantly connected with this story. Once out of bed though, we are not always quite awake and poor Gerald makes a terrible mistake when he rings the doorbell of the wrong house. I’ve done some crazy things first thing in the morning, too, so I know that sinking feeling you get when you are instantly jerked wide awake by the results of your sleepiness. Well, it happened to Gerald but the worst part is that the man who he wakes up when he rings the wrong doorbell is his father’s boss, who is deciding whether to fire his father and hire a non-Catholic to please his evil friends. Full of hilarious proceedings, this story also carries spiritual lessons for the whole family. This story gave me a devotion to the Holy Souls and the Holy Child. Gerald overcomes his troubles through the intercession of the Holy Souls and Gerald’s father’s boss is brought back to the faith through the power of his children’s persevering prayer to the Christ Child. Many Catholic traditions are taught through the stories such as asking the saints to intercede for us, making sacrifices for others, and accepting suffering.