Customer Reviews

Father, Forgive Me for I Am Frustrated: Growing in Your Faith Even When It Isn't Easy Being Catholic

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is a wonderful book for Catholics who want to be more active in their faith, but are frustrated by "the system" in their local parish (whether they find it too liberal, too conservative, too charismatic, not charismatic enough, etc.).

Fr. Mitch provides many practical strategies and case studies. He shows that we can take the initiative and grow on our own, even when support from the parish is lacking. Many of his suggestions involve ways to educate ourselves and evangelize others -- two very worthwhile and rewarding goals.

As usual Fr. Mitch uses his great communication skill to get across his message. Many of us who are craddle Catholics have a tendancy to get complacent if not down right bored with our faith. In his book Fr. Pacwa helps the reader to get in touch once again with that great treasure we call "Mother Church". It's like going up into the actic of a house and realizing there is some really cool stuff kept up here!!

The frustrated Catholics come in many shapes and forms. Those that are philosophically aligned with one movement or the other, those that have personality conflicts, those that dissent or don't understand the doctrines of the Church, etc.

Fr. Mitch's book is an introduction on how to deal with these frustrations. It isn't a book that will help you to quiet your conscience if it is flaring up. It isn't there to guide you into a "you are okay, I'm okay" analysis of your inner-child. What it does is helps those that have genuine frustrations who are within the Church. There are no quick-fixes or easy answers. That may turn some off, because they actually might have to study or work at changing themselves (the place where the frustrations lie).

Practical and hard advice peppers the book. It is a quick read and easy to read. If frustrated, you might give it a try.

I own a few books that I will probably keep the rest of my life, and this book is one of them. I take it out and reread parts of it every so often (I especially recommend Chapter 4, on prayer, which begins with the old saying "Whoever the devil cannot make bad, he makes busy."). The first time I saw this author was in the 1980s when he appeared on a television program debating Protestant televangelists. I was a Protestant at the time, but this author convinced me that the Catholic Church (the real Church, not the contrived set of misunderstandings I thought the Church to be) was well worth giving serious consideration. Over the next few years, I remembered Father Mitch's cogent arguments as well as the gentle but effective way he drove home the truth about Catholic teaching. After I converted to Roman Catholicism, I found this book to be an invaluable resource in maintaining my enthusiasm for the Church, because it is representative of the author's refreshing mixture of wisdom, humor, and pure old common sense.

Father Mitch Pacwa answers all the questions you have been experiencing or thinking about when Worshipping God.....take a look.....he'll bring you back....GUARENTEED !!!

My church has some serious problems at the moment. This book has truly helped me to see things more clearly. I not only realize my mistakes, but I also have learned how deal with these issues in a more Christ like manner!

Gives a very good overview with some practical advice. Not an "end all" but an excellent beginning with sound navigational advice.

Father Mitch offers some good practical solutions to realistic problems occurring in parish life. Easy to read book and good to have as reference.

I bought this book thinking it would help me with my frustrations with the Catholic Church. Now, I am still frustrated with the Church and with this book. It is very hard to grasp. I mean that this book is confusing, the words are not meant for an average person, they are meant for a priest or highly intellectual person who already understands everything about the church. In summary, this book is a bad buy if you are looking for something that will help you understand Catholiscm, not confuse you more.

Becoming frustrated is the starting point to seeking
solutions. Unfortunately, this book didn't offer many. When your own church turns into a scandal ridden organization, the last thing we need is more dogma piled on top of it. I'm still angry at my church and will work to reform it and i refuse to be ashamed of my frustration.