Frequently Asked Questions
Is this club for kids?
Yes and no. Since all of the content revolves around theology and Catholic teaching, it’s all perfectly safe for kids in terms of subject matter! However, I write with adult audiences in mind. Therefore, the reading level may be a bit advanced for kids on their own. I would suggest subscribing as a family and reading the contents of each letter together in order to help your young scholar get the most out of Uncle Frankie’s Pen Pals!
Can non-Catholics sign up?Of course! Non-Catholics and the Catholic-curious are welcome. Keep in mind, though, that all the content will be written with Catholics as the intended audience. Catholic terminology will be used, and the practice of devout Catholicism will be encouraged. But if you’re a non-Catholic who doesn’t mind Catholic content, join the party!
Do you ship everywhere? Subscriptions are only available to people living in the United States - continental 48 + Alaska & Hawaii.
What's the cancellation / refund policy?I do not offer cancellations or refunds. While I understand that subscribing to Uncle Frankie’s Pen Pals is a commitment, the time I spend crafting & packaging & shipping letters is as well! I recommend purchasing the single letter option first before signing up for the 6 or 12 month package if you’re unsure about your desire to stick with the club.
What happens if my letter gets lost in the mail? Are shipments tracked? Shipments won’t be tracked, as I’ll be sending letters the good old fashioned way with regular Forever stamps.
When I send out letters each month, I’ll send an email notification to all subscribers. If 10 business days have gone by since you receive the email notification and the letter still hasn’t arrived, email me at dimondwrites@gmail.com and I’ll send a replacement letter immediately!
When are sign-ups open each month? When are letters shipped out? You can sign up any day of the month! However, your sign up date will impact when you receive your first letter.
Letters will be packaged up for shipping starting on the 15th of each month. If you sign up between the 1st of the month and the 14th of the month, your first letter will be included in that month’s shipment. If you sign up between the 15th of the month and the last day of the month, your letter will be included in the next month’s shipment.
Why theology as a path to God?
There is an infinite treasure trove of wisdom contained in the writings of the great saints and thinkers who have come before us. It’s our inheritance as Catholics! Theology helps us look within and examine our own thought patterns and behaviors with the goal of making our lives ever more in conformity with the Lord’s demands for us. We could study Catholic theologians our entire lives and barely scratch the surface. So… let’s begin!
What happens if my address, name, or email changes? If any of your contact info changes, simply email me at dimondwrites@gmail.com and I’ll update your customer profile in the system!
How does the club work? What happens if I sign up for six months and then want to continue? The club is structured much like a correspondence course, in which a set program is followed in order from beginning to end. No matter when you sign up, you’ll start with Month 1 and work your way through to Month 12 of the Introduction to the Devout Life guided reading program. If you sign up for the 6 month package, you’ll receive Month 1 - Month 6. If you’d like to continue your learning, simply sign up for another 6 month package and you’ll receive Month 7 - Month 12.
Why this book? Will there be more guided reading programs after the first 12 months? The Introduction to the Devout Life is a famous, yet under-utilized, book of theology that’s been celebrated even by non-Catholics since it was written hundreds of years ago. It’s also the central work of St. Francis de Sales, who is one of just 38 Doctors of the Church.
Once you finish all 12 months of the Introduction to the Devout Life guided reading program, I hope you sign up for Year 2, which will be all about a different theological text… The Letters of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque!
Does my subscription come with a copy of the book? No, but I do strongly encourage you to get one! You’ll receive a printed selection from the book in each letter, but 12 samplings of the book is really just the beginning. It would be well worth your time and money to buy a copy and read the rest!
Why snail mail? I love sending and receiving snail mail for so many reasons! Firstly, many of us only get bills and junk in the mail nowadays. How delightful it is to have happy mail instead! Also, in a world increasingly reliant on technology and the evils of AI, it’s more important than ever for us to cling to and keep alive the “old school” ways of doing things. Thirdly, but certainly not lastly, I truly believe that holding physical pieces of writing is just good for the heart, mind, and soul!