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I Like Being Catholic: Treasured Traditions, Rituals, and Stories [Paperback]

Michael Leach , Therese J. Borchard
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)

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Book Description

April 19, 2005
A celebration of the treasured traditions, rituals, and stories that run through the bloodstream of American Catholics

For Andrew Greeley, it is the reverence of Christmas night and the exultation of Easter morn. Martin Scorsese, like many others, remains grateful for the nuns who rapped his knuckles but built his self-esteem. Mary Gordon recalls the sense of lightness that follows confession; Vince Lombardi, the strength he derived from Mass; and Christopher Buckley, the role St. Thomas More plays in his writing.

I Like Being Catholic brings together the memories, thought, and hopes of famous Catholics and ordinary parishioners, lapsed and "good-enough" Catholics, and those who have devoted their lives to the faith. It captures their abiding ties to and deep affection for the Church and offers the wide-ranging, sometimes surprising views on the good things that come with being Catholic.

This is not a book of theology. It is about the beauty at the heart of Catholicism. It is about what Teilhard de Chardin called "the chosen part of things." It is about family and community, the value of Catholic education, the significance of sacraments and milestones, and the cultural impact of Catholicism—there are lists of the ten best Catholic novels, the ten best Catholic movies, ten Catholic heroes of the twentieth century, ten good reasons to raise your kids Catholic, fifty things Catholics like best about being Catholic, and much more ...

I Like Being Catholic is a book for all those who have ever called themselves Catholic. It is a book of warmth, affection, humor, and love.


From the Hardcover edition.

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

I Like Being Catholic is sure to rank among the top-10 first Communion gifts in coming years. It's a collection of personal essays, prayers, quotations, and other short writings by everyone from Cokie Roberts to Martin Scorsese to William F. Buckley about the pleasures of practicing Catholicism. As editors Michael Leach and Therese J. Borchard write in their introduction to the volume, the anthology's contributors "may not always agree with the Church's rules but they wouldn't think of being anything else. Catholicism is in their bones." I Like Being Catholic is not concerned with theology; it's out to show the ways that Catholicism enables faithful folk to see the true and beautiful. This approach occasionally lapses into kitsch ("Fifty Things Catholics Like Best About Being Catholic," compiled by Fr. William A. Burke from parishioners in Homewood, Illinois: e.g., "22. Ashes smudged on your forehead."). It also creates some occasions for readers to enjoy the divine presence in unexpected places (as suggested by Doris Kearns Goodwin's "The Brooklyn Dodgers and The Catholic Church"). --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

This book's resolute title and upbeat chapter headings promise a positive, apologetic approach to Roman Catholicism, and its essays do not disappoint. Longtime religion publisher Leach and Catholic author Borchard have edited a glowing collection of Catholic testimonial essays, fond remembrances of childhood church and parochial school days, loving prayers and descriptions of favorite Catholic rituals, traditions, prayers, saints and cultural influences. Bestselling novelist and priest Andrew Greeley sets the tone with his enthusiastic opening essay, "It's Fun to Be Catholic," which extols Catholicism as both a "religion of festivity and celebration" and a uniquely communal "religion for everyone." The ensuing chapters consist of a wide array of topically arranged contributions from clergy and laity of all ranks, walks of life and degrees of renown. Side by side are accounts from Saint Francis, Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa; from Yogi Berra, Gary Cooper, Mary Higgins Clark and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy; and from ordinary electricians, innkeepers, parents and children. Leach and Borchard provide structure, connecting insights and a few brief essays to coordinate this multifaceted, highly favorable presentation of Catholicism. These laudatory essays are generally inspiring and educational to read, but the collection's perfectly positive picture omits any significant awareness of undeniable contemporary church dilemmas, such as declining church membership and vocations, or disagreements regarding "relevant" worship styles versus traditional Mass. (Sept.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 176 pages
  • Publisher: Image (April 19, 2005)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0385508069
  • ISBN-13: 978-0385508063
  • Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.4 x 8.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #565,616 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

MICHAEL LEACH is publisher emeritus and editor-at-large of Orbis Books. A leader in Catholic publishing for more than 30 years, he has edited and published more than two thousand books. His authors include Nobel Prize winners, National Book Award winners, and hundreds of Catholic Book Award winners. He has served as president of the Catholic Book Publishers Association and the ecumenical Religion Publishers Group. Before joining Orbis as publisher in 1997 Michael was president of the Crossroad/Continuum Publishing Group in New York City. Dubbed "the dean of Catholic book publishing" by U.S. Catholic magazine, he has also authored or edited several books of his own, including the bestseller I Like Being Catholic, A Maryknoll Book of Prayer, The People's Catechism, and I Like Being Married. A popular speaker at Catholic conferences nationwide, Mike lives in Connecticut with his wife of forty-one years Vickie.

"Michael Leach, the highly respected publisher of religious books... represents a last breed in American Catholic culture." - The Catholic Review, June 11, 2002

"Chances are, if you're a reader of Catholic books, you've read a book that began its life with Michael Leach... the dean of Catholic book publishing." - U.S. Catholic, November 2000


Customer Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
(14)
4.1 out of 5 stars
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
39 of 43 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Treasured traditions rituals and stories October 15, 2000
By "yoco"
Format:Hardcover
If your a catholic looking for spirtuality this book is not it. While this book does contain some small bites of spirituality, it is mostly a collection of essays and stories from famous and not so famous catholics on why they like being catholic. In this book you will find insights and thoughts about being catholic, from liberal poloticians like Mario Cumo (Who supports abortion "rights" right up to "Partial birth") to the most consevative catholic officals such as the late John Cardinal O'conner most noted for his active prolife teachings.

Subjects covered under this broad umbrella topic include Favorite prayers, traditions and rituals, Saints, and catholic culture among others. In the chapter on catholic culture there is a list of the ten best cathoic movies which I most take issue with. How could anyone make a list of the ten best catholic movies and include in it "ET: The Extra Terrestial" and yet not include "The Sound of Music" is beyond me. Still all in all this is a good book for catholics and noncatholics alike to read on a lazy afternoon, nothing earth shaking just a fun interesting and on occasion enlighting read.

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26 of 29 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read and re-read October 28, 2000
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
This is going out to all of our Catholic friends at Christmas instead of fruit baskets!! Both my wife and I had to force ourselves to start at the beginning, because every page is exceptional.
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27 of 32 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Encouragement for New Catholics! May 30, 2001
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
As a recent Catholic convert, I thought my reasons for liking the Catholic faith were unique! What I found in this book that all my "unique" reasons are shared by many, many other Catholics. It re-confirmed my belief that I made the right choice to become Catholic...and increased my desire to remain Catholic always.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Some good insights but beware
The previous review by David Z is spot on. Some of the contributors (many of whom I don't recognize at all by name) are marginal Catholics at best. Read more
Published 1 month ago by S. Rocco
3.0 out of 5 stars A delightful book in many respects . . .
. . . the only problem being is that some of the contributors could best be described as "Catholic in Name Only".

This collection of thoughts, essays, lists, etc. Read more
Published on February 3, 2009 by David Zampino
5.0 out of 5 stars I Like Being A Catholic
Believe it or not, this is a replacement for one I used to own and lent to a friend. It brings my faith so much closer because of the way in which those quoted share their... Read more
Published on September 8, 2008 by Caroline Wade
5.0 out of 5 stars I like being Catholic
Wonderful book. It brought back many memories and made me think I am very fortunate to be Catholic. The stories were very inspirational and provided an uplift for me. Read more
Published on January 9, 2008 by Rosemary Hinz
5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Book About Day-to-Day Catholicism!
This collection of delightful recollections and insights from Catholics anchored by their faith in a world increasing without moorings or reference points at all. Read more
Published on July 14, 2007 by Patrick M. Bickers
1.0 out of 5 stars Lost in the Translation
The book should be seen as a last gasp of cultural but non-practicing Catholics. If you like your religion as bland a WASP, this form of catholocism is for you. Read more
Published on October 30, 2005 by Tommy Toquemada
5.0 out of 5 stars One of those books I reach for...
whenever I have doubts about my Roman Catholic upbringing and my ongoing commitment to the Faith. These testimonials, lists, vignettes and stories evoke everything that's vital,... Read more
Published on May 27, 2003 by Java Wench
5.0 out of 5 stars Sometimes I Want to Be Catholic -- Sometimes I Don't !
I wasn't raised Catholic, thank God, and I am very much Catholic in some ways, thank God. That organized religion is so intense for a world of men, women, hermit crabs, condoms,... Read more
Published on July 15, 2002 by Season Warhol
1.0 out of 5 stars Zero Stars for Modernism
The title of this book should be "I Like Being a NOMINAL Catholic." The subtitle is inaccurate too - there's very little on "tradition" or "ritual"... Read more
Published on January 17, 2002 by Kevin M Bryant
5.0 out of 5 stars A Feel-Good Book
I love this title (and not simply because one of my upcoming children's books is in it). The collection shows the generously open umbrella under which all sorts of Catholics can... Read more
Published on October 19, 2000 by Susan Heyboer O'Keefe...
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