Being Catholic Today: Your Personal Guide [Paperback]

Bert Ghezzi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1998

Bert Ghezzi describes "Being Catholic Today" as "a jump start for new Catholics and a fresh start for the rest of us". For personal or group use, the book shows Catholics how to put their faith into practice. The title opens with an explanation of what it means to be Catholic and then describes 15 key ways of practicing the Catholic faith.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 1994, the Catechism of the Catholic Church became a national bestseller. In the wake of this publishing phenomenon, many books explored what Catholics believe, but few offered insights into how Catholics practice their faith. Ghezzi, v-p and editorial director of Servant Books, offers what he calls a "primer on putting the Catholic faith into practice." The first section of the book explores "Being Catholic" and provides brief reflections on conversion, discipleship and faith. He also offers a brief overview of the history of the Catholic church. The second section, "Receiving Daily Graces," describes in some detail the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist as well as the structure of the Mass. Ghezzi's third section focuses on "Opening to God" and meditates on the spirituality of Mary and the saints, the work of the Holy Spirit and the importance of daily Bible reading and prayer. The final two sections explore ethical living in daily life and politics, as well as participation in Christian community and family life. Each chapter contains suggestions for further reading, ideas for individual or group study and questions for reflection and discussion. Ghezzi's humorous anecdotes and pastoral prose offer a useful introduction to Catholic practice.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Servant Publications (April 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569550107
• ISBN-13: 978-1569550106
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,942,644 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Bert Ghezzi, who holds a PhD in history from the University of Notre Dame, is a popular columnist, speaker, and author who has written 18 books, including Voices of the Saints, Mystics & Miracles, The Sign of the Cross, Keeping Your Kids Catholic, and Sacred Passages. He is currently an acquisitions editor for Our Sunday Visitor. He and his wife reside in Winter Park, Florida.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A jump start indeed, April 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Being Catholic Today: Your Personal Guide (Paperback)

Being Catholic Today is what we use during our Mystagogia sessions in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults). It's format is simply followed for our new Catholics to continue to appreciate what formation they've begun in the process and challenges them with practical ways to live their faith beyond the process. Reflection and Discussion Questions, Action Ideas, and Read Me! sections are very helpful to the catechists facilitating the gatherings.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read and inspirational, March 8, 2003

By 

"trinity622" (Rockville, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Being Catholic Today: Your Personal Guide (Paperback)

I found this book to be easy to read and understand, esp. for new catholics or "cradle catholics" who grew up going through the process without really understanding the purposes/intentions behind those practices (like me). I had been feeling somewhat disillusioned about the faith, but this book helped me to understand God's love and patience for mankind. I especially liked the conversational tone of the book, and the author's references between God's love and his own personal life, to make the concepts easier for us to grasp. For example, he compares God's love for us to his love (as a grandfather) for his 1 yr old grandson... He loves his grandson unconditionally and wants to spoil him with everything; however, his grandson does not understand this love & is easily distracted by other things around him. And that is how it is with us and God -- we're so easily distracted by everyday things that we "rarely give God more than a passing glance".

This book is definitely not a textbook or a study on Catholicism. It's a first step for new Catholics, or a quick inspirational review for existing Catholics.

5 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Too Simplistic and Brief, March 16, 1999

By 

Mary Cooper (LaGrange Park, Illinois USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Being Catholic Today: Your Personal Guide (Paperback)

This guide is too brief and simplistic regarding such a complex topic as Catholicism. It reads more like a catechism instead of a layperson's guide. In fact, the author hightly recommends reading the "Catechism of the Catholic Church" as well as a few of his own books which makes for limited recommended reading lists. In seeking guidance for practicing my faith, I was disappointed. I would not recommend this book.