Photo Caption: Deacon Bruce Bradford holds a copy of “An Angel Named Herald” during a recent book signing at Lagron-Miller in Peoria.

PEKIN — Looking for a way to help children adopt the Good News of Luke’s Gospel for their own lives, Deacon Bruce Bradford created the story of Herald.

That little angel, who first took flight on Christmas Eve six years ago, is now the main character in a 32-page picture book for all to read. “An Angel Named Herald” was self-published by Deacon Bradford through AuthorHouse and may be ordered at anangelnamedherald.com.

The book is also available at Lagron-Miller in Peoria and Barnes&Noble.

“I created Herald to be used as someone we could emulate as a messenger for God’s message of love,” Deacon Bradford recently told readers of the Catholic Post Book Group online blog.

“Herald’s story is our story,” he said. “Jesus came to create a ‘new’ kingdom; a kingdom based on love and action. We, like Herald, have doubts that we are up to the task, but God, like he did with Herald, provides us with the tools to be his Herald.

“We, like Herald, are called to be God’s messengers,” according to Deacon Bradford, who serves St. Joseph’s in Hopedale and St. Mary’s in Delavan.

He also is a volunteer driver for the residents at Miller Senior Center and conducts a Bible study for the mentally and physically challenged at PARC (People Advocating for Respect and Consideration) in Peoria.

Born and raised in Maine, Deacon Bradford worked for Pan American Airways for 25 years and was ordained a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1985. He has been married to his wife, Terry, for 47 years, and they have four children and 10 grandchildren.

The book was originally intended for his grandchildren, he said.

“I wanted them to have something of their grandfather’s creation,” Deacon Bradford explained. “Then I decided to get additional copies for the children on Christmas Eve and my friends at PARC.”

There were also requests from friends and one thing led to another. “An Angel Named Herald” was published in July and he has had book signings in Peoria and Oak Park, where he lived for nearly 40 years.

Now people are asking if there will be a sequel.

“My answer to that is ‘Herald’ in our lives is a daily sequel,” Deacon Bradford said.

EDITOR’S NOTE: To view the full interview with Deacon Bradford, visit The Catholic Post Book Group by clicking the book icon at thecatholicpost.com.