For Kerry Kennedy, who grew up in a devoutly Catholic household coping with great loss, her family’s faith was a constant source of streng... read full description
reviews
Sep 20, 2008
Lindsay
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This was one of the most thought-provoking books I've read in a while. I drove Craig crazy reading passages out loud to him over the course of two days.
Being Catholic Now is a compilation of essays from American Catholics reflecting on their practice (or rejection) of Catholicism. There were too many great ones to describe, but some of the terrific ones came from Andrew Sullivan and Anne Burke. I thought a couple of them fell short of the mark: Bill O'Reilly (not a surprise beca More...
Being Catholic Now is a compilation of essays from American Catholics reflecting on their practice (or rejection) of Catholicism. There were too many great ones to describe, but some of the terrific ones came from Andrew Sullivan and Anne Burke. I thought a couple of them fell short of the mark: Bill O'Reilly (not a surprise beca More...
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Dec 25, 2008
Ozma
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I was a little cynical staring this book. A book of essays compiled by a Kennedy progeny. . .what were the chances of this being a fluff contribution to the season's sales figures? But I was surprised. A lot of the essays are serious contributions to the challenges of being Catholic and are honest about the issues Catholics and the Church need to confront. Each essay, in closing, answers the question of: What if I were the Pope? It's interesting to see the different answers. And, as a Catholic s
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May 02, 2011
Terri
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Supposedly written to shed light on "what is wrong with the Catholic Church", this book reads to me more like people looking to excuse their own bad behavior.
Yeah, there are big problems in the church. It's run by human beings. They sin and they make mistakes. Thanks so much MS. Kennedy for pointing that out. You and your friends are probably the only people in the whole world, much less the church it's self, who have figured that out.
Actors, writers and activists w More...
Yeah, there are big problems in the church. It's run by human beings. They sin and they make mistakes. Thanks so much MS. Kennedy for pointing that out. You and your friends are probably the only people in the whole world, much less the church it's self, who have figured that out.
Actors, writers and activists w More...
Jan 28, 2009
Ellen
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This book includes contributions across the religious spectrum: non-believers, those who were raised Catholic and have left the Church, including a convert to Islam, and Catholics who still find deep meaning in their church. There are priests and nuns, writers and politicians, movie actors and a college student. So it makes for an interesting mix.
I read this book in hopes of learning more about what ordinary people think of their Catholic faith, because I was leaning toward conversio More...
I read this book in hopes of learning more about what ordinary people think of their Catholic faith, because I was leaning toward conversio More...
Feb 14, 2009
Su
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Kerry Kennedy, the daughter of Robert Kennedy, uses this book to describe her own feeling about the Church today,plus she asked 37 other Catholics, some lapsed and some practicing, to do the same. Some of these people were familiar names and some I had never heard of.I thought most of their essays were wonderful, reinforcing my own belief that it is the people that make up the Church,not the hierarchy. Just the knowledge that others feel this way was uplifting to me. A few of the essayists we
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Jan 31, 2009
Julie
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This is a collection of brief essays on what it means to be an
American Catholic today. Kerry Kennedy (daughter of Robert Kennedy)
asked the questions (e.g. what would you do if you were Pope,
describe your Catholic upbringing and education, etc.)
Some of the responses are very interesting, others not so much.
I enjoyed Cokie Roberts, Anna Quinlan, and James Carroll to name a few.
Bill O'Reilly's is an interesting contrast to most of the others.
It is a book y More...
American Catholic today. Kerry Kennedy (daughter of Robert Kennedy)
asked the questions (e.g. what would you do if you were Pope,
describe your Catholic upbringing and education, etc.)
Some of the responses are very interesting, others not so much.
I enjoyed Cokie Roberts, Anna Quinlan, and James Carroll to name a few.
Bill O'Reilly's is an interesting contrast to most of the others.
It is a book y More...
Mar 17, 2009
Michael
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At times, this book was good, at times disappointing. But I think it suffered a lot from its presentation. Kerry Kennedy apparently interviewed a number of famous American Catholics -- a term which, as used by the book, includes people who were raised Catholic but are not, now. But for some reason -- I struggle to think of why -- Kennedy's questions don't appear at all. Instead, you get what feels like a series of interviews with the questions lifted out and the answers spliced together to f
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Nov 12, 2008
Jessica
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I chose this book for several reasons including my own struggles with staying a member of a church when I can't whole-heartedly agree with some of its most central tennets. I was hoping for something to show me that the church is vital and necessary. Something to bolster my faith, if you will. Kennedy includes many essays from lapsed Catholics, as well as a vitriol filled page from Bill Maher. While these people certainly are entitled to their opinion, perhaps they are best suited for a follow-u
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Jun 28, 2010
Rebecca
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I thought this book was really interesting, and have found myself bringing it up in random conversations (always the sign of a good book, I think). The author conducted a series of interviews with a variety of Catholics and former Catholics. The range of Catholics/ex-Catholics interviewed for this book is fascinating -- Nancy Pelosi, Martin Sheen, Bill O'Reilly -- a variety of folks doing a variety of things from a variety of political perspectives. I thought some of the common themes the interv
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Dec 07, 2008
Nora
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A worthwhile read for those who identify with the RC Church in any way. I absolutely hated some of these essays, loved a couple and learned a lot from almost all of them. In particular: Andrew Sullivan is so complicated but I totally get him and love his style. Also, I loved EJ Dionne's essay, particularly his thoughts on the job of the Catholic Church w/r/t "Liberal Catholics" and "Conservative Catholics" -- well-put, comforting and true.
Jul 27, 2011
Christina
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Kerry Kennedy writes a very honest preface and introduction which both confirm that those Kennedys are hard core Catholic--yet Democrats! The essays from a wide variety of Catholics are quite good, not as much in their writing quality but in their views on and, for most of them, their struggles with Catholicism. The lesson learned is that most Catholics are "bad" Catholics who disagree with many of the Church's teachings. Many have been disappointed by the Church, and some have been hu
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Jul 06, 2009
Julie
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Although I thought many of the essays were thought provoking and well written, there were a couple in there that just ruined the whole thing. I understand that Kerry Kennedy was attempting to get points of views from all types of Catholics - liberal vs. conservative, converted vs. born into it, American vs. foreign, etc. BUT there was no reason for the fire and brimstone that some of the authors threw in there. There was also no reason for the shitty writing by some of the contributors (excep
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Dec 01, 2008
Beth
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I enjoyed this book,but didn't like the topic. I thought I would be interested, but it just reminded me about how annoying I find the whole Catholic faith. Thus, it was helpful in my own quest for meaning, in reminding myself of what I already know. I find no meaning in the catholic faith. I few pages of this was enough for me to be clear on that and I returned the book.
Feb 08, 2009
Mary
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Compelling but disappointing. I was anxious to hear Kerry Kennedy share how she reconciles her pro-choice views with the pro-life movement in the church. I'm very disappointed in her (lack of) ability to reframe this debate.
I found the letters from Catholics about the pedophelia in the church to leave me thinking "WHY?" ...Be Catholic Now.
I found the letters from Catholics about the pedophelia in the church to leave me thinking "WHY?" ...Be Catholic Now.
Sep 02, 2009
Not just for Roman Catholics -- Kennedy has assembled a diverse array of personal essays that tackle "catholic" issues of faith. Written by celebrities and non-celebrities: cradle Catholics, Catholics who've left the church, Catholics who've converted from other faiths, happy Catholics, angry Catholics, seeking Catholics
Dec 05, 2008
Julie
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Thought provoking. I wasn't crazy about the style it was written in (the author conducted interviews, but wrote it as if they were essays). If you're Catholic, it offers interesting perspectives with which to agree or disagree. If you're not Catholic, and you're curious why some of us are, it will either give you some insight, or offer some interesting questions that you can use as conversation starters with someone you know.
Mar 12, 2011
Mary-ellin
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Fascinating collection of essays covering a broad spectrum of Catholicism and the (American) Catholic experience. Includes essays by Steven Otellini (brother of the current CEO of Intel Corp.), Bill Maher, Bill O'Reilly, Susan Sarandon, Andrew Sullivan, Nancy Pelosi, Frank McCourt, and more.
Jan 30, 2011
Judy
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Saw it at library and picked it up. Want to learn more about how my religion works in todays world. Feeling a bit frustrated with the changes I see at church. The "church" seems to be going very conservatives.
Filled with essays from a variety of sources. Enjoyed reading what others had to say about their faith. It validated some of my own thoughts and feelings.
Filled with essays from a variety of sources. Enjoyed reading what others had to say about their faith. It validated some of my own thoughts and feelings.
Nov 22, 2008
Jen
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Really interesting book from practicing, nonpracticing and exCatholics that gives all different kinds of perspectives about the church, how it's helped or hurt them and what they would do to improve it. I liked it, and think anyone with any opinion about Catholicism would too.
Mar 03, 2010
إديث
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This collection of essays features a broad range of perspectives from laymen and clergy, young and old, Hollywood and politicians. I liked reading about people's reflections on what faith meant to them personally. It is heartening to see people introspect on this question of identity whether or not they are currently practicing the faith.
Jun 09, 2009
Mike
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Includes some very interesting profiles and I liked how Kennedy sought to frame the potential for the Church as a "big tent" institution in the face of a very fierce, fundamentalist movement. Some of the profiles were a little repetitive, but over all, I recommend it to others.
Mar 03, 2009
Linda
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This book is perfect for me and my sentiments. Since I was raised and am Catholic, I was very interested in people's thoughts and reasoning for either leaving or staying with the Church. Several of the people interviewed are no longer practicing Catholicism. The people included give diverse thoughts of what being Catholic means. Most of those who have lapsed from the church relate "once Catholic, always Catholic." Since I am mostly a liberal Catholic, I am encouraged by the number
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Nov 10, 2010
Tori
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I am currently taking the RCIA classes, and I got so much out of this book. I can see the editor trying to make the book more balanced by showing different sides, but some of the essays are a little scary. Many of them are very inspiring though, and I learned a lot.
Feb 22, 2009
Alison
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I loved this. It's a great, entertaining read and also personally interesting. Kennedy does short interviews with prominent people in our culture and in the church and profiles their responses about their faith, what they would do if they were Pope, etc.
Feb 02, 2009
I learned things I didn't know about the history of the Catholic faith. Since I wish I was more religious and regular about going to church, this helped me see that I am not alone in how I feel/act about my faith.
Apr 14, 2009
Michelle
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This book changed my life. If you are a conflicted Catholic, a confused Catholic, a Catholic in crisis, or someone who wonders what kind of person can be a Catholic, read this book. I am a cradle Catholic who felt like I didn't belong, even though I knew I was who I was because of the Catholic Church. Today I can say with confidence that I understand my faith, I understand myself, and I BELONG in the Catholic Church.
This book offers essays from all different perspectives on Cath More...
This book offers essays from all different perspectives on Cath More...
Nov 14, 2011
Trish
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I enjoyed this book. Nice to read others take on the Catholic Church. And how it must change. Cookie Roberts, Anna Quindlen, Bill O'Reilly, Frank McCourt, Nancy Pelosi, Susan Sarandon, Doris Kearns Goodwin
Jul 18, 2010
Jenbold
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I found the book to be very interesting and at times comforting. Glad to see that other American Catholics stuggle to with leading a good life and being a good Catholic.
Jan 26, 2009
Emily
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I'm slightly bias because I edited this book, but it's worth reading, I promise! Even if you're not religious. The stories told are beautiful and profoundly interesting.
