It's My Church and I'll Stay If I Want to: Affirming Catholicism [Hardcover]

Lonni Collins Pratt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2003

In this articulate, honest story of her return to the faith of her forebears, Lonni Collins Pratt examines Catholic spirituality and its intrinsic value and gifts. Her personal. nontheological approach reaffirms what it is like to be Catholic and how Catholicism shape's ones life. Her candid insights are a welcome tonic and give hope to those shaken by the recent crisis in the Church. Distinguishing between being born Catholic and taking personal responsibility for living as a Catholic, the author presents a thoughtful consideration of the "big picture," which, for Lonni Collins Pratt, is that the Church "is something bigger than any of us and that would be a mighty big thing." --- from book's back cover

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Triumph Books (October 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764810960
• ISBN-13: 978-0764810961
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,623,663 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Where do I sign up?, October 12, 2003

By 

Jonathan Wes Smith (Franklin, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's My Church and I'll Stay If I Want to: Affirming Catholicism (Hardcover)

She's got me. I'm a good Baptist boy who thinks that any church that merits this kind of passion must have something going for it. Nothing is all black or white, nothing is perfect. Guess Catholics would appreciate and understand where the author is coming from better than I do but then again--none of them got to write the first review.Got to tell you what I liked most though. She is just a damned fine writer that is fun to read. You are sucked into her story on page one and wish it wouldn't end. Of course Catholics are going to be the ones buying this book most of the time. You don't have to be Catholic though to like the book. You will understand what makes Catholic Catholic to the people of that religion and you will understand why you are who you are too. I am frankly not sure which stays in my mind more, the sound of her writing voice or her message. Either way, she's a superb story-teller. I think this book will have a large audience because it is the kind of book people talk about.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars enchantment in the rc church, February 8, 2004

By 

neal oxenhandler (sarasota, florida United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's My Church and I'll Stay If I Want to: Affirming Catholicism (Hardcover)

I found this an enchanting book. shows the human dimension of catholicism. not only will it bring people back but it will make those of us who are still communicants happy with our religious commitment.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spiritual writing at its best, December 5, 2004

By 

Literary Bug (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's My Church and I'll Stay If I Want to: Affirming Catholicism (Hardcover)

Like the author, I grew up in a Catholic home and like the author, I left Catholicism as a young adult. This is the second book by this author (the other was actually co-authored with a monk) that I have read recently. I bought this one because I find the writing style compelling, mostly though she is honest about her doubts and about being a person who claims to have faith. Unlike the author, I have not returned to Catholicism and I can't say that this book has changed that. I don't think she's in denial or anything, I just don't agree that the institution as it stands today can or should be saved. Whether or not I agree with Ms. Collins Pratt, I very much like the book, her writing is memorable, poetic even. There is a lot in the book that gave me reason to pause, to think, to pray, to talk to others about what I was reading. This, I think, is what good spiritual writing should do rather than attempt to provide simple answers to difficult questions. One criticism, that doesn't reflect on the writer. I don't like the cover. The author does speak of being a little Catholic girl but the book is about more than that and the cover will probably keep some people from reading the book. Too bad.