Customer Reviews

Growing Up Catholic

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If you're a baby-boomer who went to Catholic school, you'll love the humor and nostalgia in Growing up Catholic. I laughed until I cried and then yearned for the good old days when all you had to do to get through the day, the week, the schoolyear was obey the rules and listen for the sound of Sister's clicker. I first read this book a few years ago - a copy that I had borrowed from my sister. This year I ordered one for myself, and this Christmas, I'm giving a copy to several friends.

You really do have to be a Catholic to truly appreciate this wonderful book. As a Catholic schoolgirl entering her eleventh year in Catholic school (scary, isn't it?), I can fully relate to this. I honestly don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my entire life.

You know what the funniest thing about this book is? Everything in it is true...from the different kinds of nuns to Father What-a-Waste (sigh); from the description of mortal and venial sins to the purchasing of pagan babies. Well, they don't sell pagan babies anymore, but they did in my mother's day.

Even a staunch Catholic like my grandmother would have to crack a smile at the descriptive, colorful language and the abfab portrayal of the sometimes ridiculous traditions of the world's most scandalous, under-fire church. This book is a must-read for all Roman Catholics, practicing or no.

...because if you went to Catholic school, you can relate. I first read this book ten years ago when I was in Catholic school, and the nuns didn't take it away from me (amazing!). I laughed my a** off. For those of you who have read it and aren't Catholic, yes, we do practice for everything, yes, the nuns are that bad (but they don't have clickers anymore). This book is hilarious. Please, please get it and read it, cover to cover. You will laugh every time you read it.

I read this book about 10 or so years ago and laughed my head off! I went through six years of parochial school and had aunts and uncles who were nuns and priests (some still are!) The authors are around my age. I not only loved the book, I LIVED it!

I laughed all the way through this, which must be a sin! If you are a Catholic like me you will remember everything this book talks about. In fact, I had forgotten a lot of it. I'm a little surprised it did not go into Knights of Columbus Halls (a.k.a. - the Catholic bar) and Bingo (a.k.a. - Catholic gambling) a little more. But heck, they sure covered everything else. I have to go now, I have to finish crossing myself and say a few dozen hail Mary's.

This book is for all of those that went to catholic shool in the fifties and sixties when nuns still held all the power. The authors bring you back to the days of beanies (and I'm not talking about the babies) rosaries and communion wafers. A delightly light satire of your Catholic upbringing. i wholly suggest it.

In under 150 pages four enthusiastic products of Catholic upbringing
present a delightfully nostalgic--if irreverent--expose for the enlightenment and edification of the non-initiated. In humorously succinct fashion they offer readers this handy-dandy instruction book with explicit directions--a holy How To manual for promoting moral rectitude in a wayward world. Are you considering upgrading from some lesser faith? No matter if you are an Atheist, Protestant or Buddhist, this cleverly all-inclusive guide prepares future converts for all sacred events--from Baptism to Bingo. Even if you were not privileged to GROW UP CATHOLIC treat it as an abbreviated but highly palatable free pass on the Soul Train from Baltimore.

Written with deep fondness by four Catholic School survivors (two gals, two guys) this collection of vivid memories and neo-scandalous satire provides entertaining reading for anyone remotely curious about RC traditions--especially meaningful for those in danger of beatific backsliding. This wonderful book answers all those questions which outsiders never dared ask directly, boldly treating topics undreamed of by heathens. Boasting many modern literary aids the text is enlivened by b/w photos of real people, exacting diagrams, cartoon-friendly sketches and the ever-popular Match Up quiz format. If you think you know or remember so much, challenge yourself--to not laugh out loud!

Based on the book I find that my experience was not as unique as I had thought. The book captures the essence of growing up Catholic, the acceptance without thought of the teachings of the church, the Baltimore Catechism and the church cultures were beyond belief. My children who have not been the beneficiary of a Parochial education look at me with wonder as if to say "what were you thinking". It was a grand trip down memory lane and would recommend it to anyone who was a child of the 50s and 60s going through Parochial School.

I read through this book twice, and it is very, very funny. Many memories were brought back and it reminded me that even our religous practices can be made of fun of in the name of innocent humor.

But then I realized that something was missing. This book didn't just poke fun at the Catholic faith. It dismissed it. I was expecting the authors to end the book with a disclaimer -"even though we found great humor in certain aspects of our faith - It is a faith built on Jesus Christ. And we believe the Holy Spirit continues to lead the Church as was promised 2000 years ago". No disclaimer. No confirmation of their faith in Christ's Church despite the "humorous" aspects.

Imagine reading an explanation of American life from a former American now living in Europe as a socialist or a former American now serving Al-Qaeda. You can't help but feel they left the "American Way" because they just didn't "get it". That's how I felt after the second reading of this book.

Thus read this book for some funny laughs and good memories. Just don't forget billions of Catholics love and follow Jesus thanks to their upbringing.

Corrgc

This book left me laughing out loud for pages and pages! Having gone through Catholic school, I can so relate to everything the author brings back. Those poor Nuns and we poor kids!! Too funny. I have recommended this book to several friends. What great memories!