Raised Catholic: (Can You Tell?)

By Ed Stivender

Book Overview

A professional storyteller, Stivender offers rich material here in anecdotes based on growing up Catholic in Philadelphia in the 1950s -Publishers Weekly

He was the only son of an Irish Catholic mother and a Protestant Navy man. His mother frequently prayed for him to become a priest. But his father warned him, Son, never get a job where you have to wear a dress to work. So Ed Stivender compromised.

After earning a bachelor's degree in theology, he taught religion in a Catholic high school, where he found his true calling as a jongleur (loosely-translated as "wandering minstrel-juggler"), telling stories, sometimes with music and often from the Bible. His many years as both a student and a teacher in the parochial school system form the basis for this cycle of stories about growing up Catholic in the 1950s, prior to the reforms of Vatican II. This Catholic collection will teach readers the importance of caring, fairness and respect.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0874833361
• ISBN13: 9780874833362
• Release Date: December 2005
• Publisher: August House Publishers
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7

Customer Reviews

Comedic anecdotal collection

This collection of Mr. Stivender's memories from his first year in Catholic school all the way up to his prom was very funny. I have never been to a parochial school myself, but from what my father has told me about his memories, these stories give a taste of what Catholic schools were like in the 1950's, but in a hilarious manner.

Catholic School students from the 1950's MUST READ!

As a graduate of "Holy Cross" where Stivender went to school, I could clearly relate to every word in this book. His story telling talents certainly entertained this reader (actually listener, I got the book on tape and listened on a recent car trip). Stivender certainly has a way with words and the events that he experienced and recollects can be clearly imagined and remembered by anyone who entered a Catholic grade school at that time. Unfortunately our own children of the next generation will not be able to share these experiences. I laughed for 2 hours and then laughed again as I listened to the book a second time with my 18 and 20 year olds! They too enjoyed every word. If by chance Stivender reads this review, I "was" Kathi Reiner and my feelings were hurt (only teasing) that you did not mention me in your trip down memory lane.