I Like Being Catholic: Treasured Traditions, Rituals, and Stories

By Therese J. Borchard and Michael Leach

Book Overview

A celebration of the treasured traditions, rituals, and stories that run through the bloodstream of American Catholics

For Andrew Greeley, it is the reverence of Christmas night and the exultation of Easter morn. Martin Scorsese, like many others, remains grateful for the nuns who rapped his knuckles but built his self-esteem. Mary Gordon recalls the sense of lightness that follows confession; Vince Lombardi, the strength he derived from Mass; and Christopher Buckley, the role St. Thomas More plays in his writing.

I Like Being Catholic brings together the memories, thought, and hopes of famous Catholics and ordinary parishioners, lapsed and "good-enough" Catholics, and those who have devoted their lives to the faith. It captures their abiding ties to and deep affection for the Church and offers the wide-ranging, sometimes surprising views on the good things that come with being Catholic.

This is not a book of theology. It is about the beauty at the heart of Catholicism. It is about what Teilhard de Chardin called "the chosen part of things." It is about family and community, the value of Catholic education, the significance of sacraments and milestones, and the cultural impact of Catholicism--there are lists of the ten best Catholic novels, the ten best Catholic movies, ten Catholic heroes of the twentieth century, ten good reasons to raise your kids Catholic, fifty things Catholics like best about being Catholic, and much more ...

I Like Being Catholic is a book for all those who have ever called themselves Catholic. It is a book of warmth, affection, humor, and love.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385508069
• ISBN13: 9780385508063
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Prh Christian Publishing
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

One of those books I reach for...

whenever I have doubts about my Roman Catholic upbringing and my ongoing commitment to the Faith. These testimonials, lists, vignettes and stories evoke everything that's vital, life-affirming and just plain fun about being Roman Catholic. Yes, folks, Catholicism can be fun! This book reminds me of the ongoing presence of God's love in the vital and warm community, commitment to service and justice, and constant presence of the Divine in daily life that makes up the true Catholic experience. Don't believe the "anti-modernism" hype from some radical traditional reviewers of books like these..."I Like Being Catholic" reaffirms why the Catholic church, despite ongoing trials and tribulations common to all faiths, is still a vital and important presence in today's world. God's love and yes, his sense of humour, shine through in this work. Keep it close to you for those days when your faith might be challenged, when you need a smile, or just when you want to reaffirm, that yes, You like being Catholic! I would also recommend this to anyone who has a spouse, relative or friend who is considering becoming a Catholic or wants to know about the faith. It's also potentially a great book for anyone who has been hurt or alienated by the church and needs some help in coming back to the fold.

A Great Encouragement for New Catholics!

As a recent Catholic convert, I thought my reasons for liking the Catholic faith were unique! What I found in this book that all my "unique" reasons are shared by many, many other Catholics. It re-confirmed my belief that I made the right choice to become Catholic...and increased my desire to remain Catholic always.

A must read and re-read

This is going out to all of our Catholic friends at Christmas instead of fruit baskets!! Both my wife and I had to force ourselves to start at the beginning, because every page is exceptional.

A Feel-Good Book

I love this title (and not simply because one of my upcoming children's books is in it). The collection shows the generously open umbrella under which all sorts of Catholics can find shelter, with room enough for all our differences. The book reveals the everyday experience of lived Catholicism: the people, places, and things that make memories, jokes, and treasures to be prized for a lifetime. Just about every Catholic will love this book, and even non-Catholics will find it funny and warm-hearted.

I cried at every page

This book brings back all the wonderful things about this oldest of faiths. Even for people who've felt abandoned by the church - it reminds of the wonderment of belief.