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We're On a Mission from God: The Generation X Guide to John Paul II, The Catholic Church and the Real Meaning of Life
The generation of Catholics who have come of age since Vatican II is different in many respects from Catholics of their parents' generation. These younger Catholics have grown up in a world - and a Church - which has changed tremendously in a very short period of time. They were raised in a society which encouraged them to question what their parents accepted on faith. They were formed by a system of religious education which was in many ways struggling to keep up with rapid social change. John Paul II is a pope for these times. He recognizes that today's young people have many questions. He sees emerging in them a deep and sincere faith struggling for definition and for support. In response, he has designated a special, bi-annual event - World Youth Day, where he comes to youth to bring the truth and the love of the Roman Catholic Church. In this book, Mary Beth Bonacci joins with John Paul II in bringing young Catholics a clearer understanding of the Church and their role in it. She takes his quotes from the five World Youth Day events and "unpacks" them, explaining the truths of the faith clearly and concisely. This book is perfect for the Catholics of "Generation X" - and for Catholic "youth" of any age who wish to understand and to deepen their faith.
215 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 24, 2024
A CONTEMPORARY PRESENTATION OF CATHOLICISM
Mary Beth Bonacei writes a syndicated column and has a Master's Degree in Theology; she has also written 'Real Love: Answers to Your Questions on Dating, Marriage and the Real Meaning of Sex.'
She wrote in the Introduction to this 1996 book, "We cheer wildly for him---screaming, crying, and chanting his name. He is John Paul II... head of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church... Why do we love him so much? He doesn't sing our music, and he doesn't play pro sports... And what's more, he tells us things that EVERYONE knows we don't want to hear... Man, this guy knows NOTHING about appealing to youth. Or maybe he does. Maybe he knows more than everyone else... We want love. He brings love. So what's so surprising? The thing is, John Paul II does more than just love us. He teaches us.... He teaches us the way to that abundant life... This book is about John Paul II and his message to us---to youth of all ages... It's about the things he said to us but we missed... This book is about the parts of the message that got lost in the excitement... [He brings] an everlasting gift of fulfillment and life. You can't find that in sex, drugs, OR rock and roll."
She notes, "Do you know who in America reports the very highest level of sexual satisfaction? Married people. And not just any married people, but highly religious married people who waited until they were married to have sex. So much for the stereotype that religious people think that sex is dirty. They're having more fun than anyone." (Pg. 65)
She asks, "Have you ever known someone who's REALLY intelligent and who questions everything? I have. I love people like that... they can be a real pain, especially when you're talking about religion. When you answer their questions with the pat little answers you half remember from CCD, they say, 'Yeah, but what about...' ... They make you think a lot deeper and clarify your own faith. And intelligent people who question, and who HONESTLY search for the answers, tend to become the most convinced, and the most convincing Christians." (Pg. 93)
She observes, "Anti-Catholicism still rears its ugly head in the abortion debate on a regular basis. (When was the last time you heard of a pro-life congressman identified as a 'Methodist' or 'Presbyterian'? But if he's Catholic, you'd better bet it'll be pointed out every time his name is mentioned." (Pg. 163)
She says, "a good friend of mine who is a national leader in the pro-life movement... told me that many people... believe that Dr. David Gunn was actually on the verge of quitting the abortion business when he was killed. He had already stopped doing late-term abortions because he knew the baby felt pain, and his conscience bothered him. Who knows where his conscience would have taken him next? Maybe, by this time, he would've been working with former abortionists like Bernard Nathanson, working to undo the damage he's done. We'll new know, will we?" (Pg. 165)
This book is much more than just a book aimed at "Generation X," and is a useful contemporary presentation of Catholicism to both Catholics and non-Catholics.of quitting the abortion business when he was killed. He had already stopped doing.
Mary Beth Bonacei writes a syndicated column and has a Master's Degree in Theology; she has also written 'Real Love: Answers to Your Questions on Dating, Marriage and the Real Meaning of Sex.'
She wrote in the Introduction to this 1996 book, "We cheer wildly for him---screaming, crying, and chanting his name. He is John Paul II... head of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church... Why do we love him so much? He doesn't sing our music, and he doesn't play pro sports... And what's more, he tells us things that EVERYONE knows we don't want to hear... Man, this guy knows NOTHING about appealing to youth. Or maybe he does. Maybe he knows more than everyone else... We want love. He brings love. So what's so surprising? The thing is, John Paul II does more than just love us. He teaches us.... He teaches us the way to that abundant life... This book is about John Paul II and his message to us---to youth of all ages... It's about the things he said to us but we missed... This book is about the parts of the message that got lost in the excitement... [He brings] an everlasting gift of fulfillment and life. You can't find that in sex, drugs, OR rock and roll."
She notes, "Do you know who in America reports the very highest level of sexual satisfaction? Married people. And not just any married people, but highly religious married people who waited until they were married to have sex. So much for the stereotype that religious people think that sex is dirty. They're having more fun than anyone." (Pg. 65)
She asks, "Have you ever known someone who's REALLY intelligent and who questions everything? I have. I love people like that... they can be a real pain, especially when you're talking about religion. When you answer their questions with the pat little answers you half remember from CCD, they say, 'Yeah, but what about...' ... They make you think a lot deeper and clarify your own faith. And intelligent people who question, and who HONESTLY search for the answers, tend to become the most convinced, and the most convincing Christians." (Pg. 93)
She observes, "Anti-Catholicism still rears its ugly head in the abortion debate on a regular basis. (When was the last time you heard of a pro-life congressman identified as a 'Methodist' or 'Presbyterian'? But if he's Catholic, you'd better bet it'll be pointed out every time his name is mentioned." (Pg. 163)
She says, "a good friend of mine who is a national leader in the pro-life movement... told me that many people... believe that Dr. David Gunn was actually on the verge of quitting the abortion business when he was killed. He had already stopped doing late-term abortions because he knew the baby felt pain, and his conscience bothered him. Who knows where his conscience would have taken him next? Maybe, by this time, he would've been working with former abortionists like Bernard Nathanson, working to undo the damage he's done. We'll new know, will we?" (Pg. 165)
This book is much more than just a book aimed at "Generation X," and is a useful contemporary presentation of Catholicism to both Catholics and non-Catholics.of quitting the abortion business when he was killed. He had already stopped doing.
September 14, 2020
This was a good book.
It connected Church teaching (even the unpopular ones) to Saint Pope John Paul II's speeches at World Youth Days.
The book is a little dated (having been published in 1996), but it isn't a problem because Catholic teaching is itself timeless.
It helped me to understand how amazing Saint John Paul II was, and is a great springboard for discussing the Church with young people. My favorite statement is in the epilogue: "For the life of me I can't figure out why anyone would would want to send people out into the adult with an eighth-grade understanding of our faith."
Amen! Go adult catechesis!
It connected Church teaching (even the unpopular ones) to Saint Pope John Paul II's speeches at World Youth Days.
The book is a little dated (having been published in 1996), but it isn't a problem because Catholic teaching is itself timeless.
It helped me to understand how amazing Saint John Paul II was, and is a great springboard for discussing the Church with young people. My favorite statement is in the epilogue: "For the life of me I can't figure out why anyone would would want to send people out into the adult with an eighth-grade understanding of our faith."
Amen! Go adult catechesis!
February 18, 2008
As a (young) Catholic, I really appreciated this book's straight-forward tone, and Mary Beth's ability to tell the truths of the Church in a way that makes sense to a "new" generation of believers.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews