I Like Being Catholic: Treasured Traditions, Rituals, and Stories

by Michael Leach, Therese J. Borchard

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.

Genres: Religion, Faith, Catholic, Spirituality

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Miss Clark · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars

This has astoundingly little to do with what it means to be Catholic. And even less of the people interviewed actually explaining why or indicating that they do like to be Catholic.

I was frankly disappointed by this collection and would not recommend it.

However, the few pieces I did like were the following:

The Brooklyn Dodgers and the Catholic Church by Doris K. Goodwin

"... I developed a lasting appreciation of the role that pageantry, ritual and symbolism play in tying together the past and the present..."

Outrageous Holiness by Rosemary Haughton

Ten Catholic Heroes of the Twentieth Century by Robert Ellsbery

The Best Catholic Music You'll Ever Hear by Thomas Day

Gregorian Chant + Requiem Aeternum
Solesmes Abbey in France and Chant by Santo Domingo de Silos

Renaissance polyphony by Josquin de Prez, Palestrina, William Byrd, etc. 1450 - 1625

Tallis Scholars, Chanticlear, Kings College Cambridge, RC Westminster Cathedral

Lord Nelson Mass by Hayden

Ave Verum Corpus + Coronation mass by Mozart

Mass in C Major by Beethoven

Requiem by G. Faure (esp. intro to Agnus Dei)

Quatre motets un temps de penitence and pour le temps de Noel by Frank Poulene

&

In essentials, unity; in doubtful matters, liberty; in all things, charity. Pope John XXIIII
Ad Petri Cathedram

[Mrs C · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book a lot; in fact, I read it in one sitting, but it relied too much on the people who are catholics and not so much on what the faith is about. It pointed out that Martin Scorsese was catholic, so was Madonna and other celebrities/authors. And the book mentioned "fun" a lot; fun is not exactly a criterion I'd associate with finding a religious belief in. I want something substantial and even though it did mention the value of rituals and traditions, I have since looked elsewhere for other books: The Catholic Way by Bishop Wuerl and Prayers and Devotions by Pope John Paul II.

[Jeanette · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a celebrity interest piece of mixed types of writing styles. It's not quite the yellow sheets of grocery store gossip and hype "news" but it is definitely a close cousin. This is not cored on Roman Catholic beliefs, articles of faith or even much crossover to or about the Roman Catholic religious guide for human daily life and practice. Not at all. It is about the celebrities' memories of what being Catholic means or meant to them. Usually that concerns ritual and style of remembered tradition and little else. And the quotes were not memorable ones on top of it- actually very strange some of them.

Don't judge Catholics themselves or the Catholic Church by this book or any of the value lessons displayed in it. They are just plain dodgy "off" any truth to Catholic practice in reality within USA. Or within practice of my European relatives either, come to think of it.

Most of these people/celebs (not all) live their lives within clear and visible opposition to the main tenets of the Catholic faith. And mock by behaviors AND words (BOTH) the base beliefs stated in the Nicene Creed. What a strange book! And what strange reader responses too. As if religion is a fashion or style, like a set of clothes you can just put on your outside and believe what you'd like on the inside. Being Roman Catholic is holding belief of a RELGION. It is not a style. And technically you are not a practicing Catholic if you do not make your yearly obligations of Eucharist either.

You would think that it would be about people who actually lived Roman Catholic practice. How weird!

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I re-read this book again after many years. many of the famous persons quoted grew up catholic but nolonger practice (Hollywood celebrities and some politicans) or were very "liberal" (Fr Andrew Greeley. I did appreciate the texts optimism and "big tent" mentality bit it was more an expose of catholic culture than the catholic faith.

[K. · Rating 2 out of 5]

A 2.5. This book presents a series of essays, stories, and quotations about being Catholic and why various people, as the title suggests, like being Catholic. Chapters are organized by topic and are filled with brief statements from a multitude of contributors from the famous to the unknown. None of the contributions are longer then a few pages, so the books moves along quickly. I recommended this book for Catholics who need a shot in the arm because it can remind a reader what he or she values most about being Catholic--that is why I read it.

[Marisa Gonzalez · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book tells the viewpoints of Catholics from all walks of life and what being Catholic means to them. Unfortunately, there was very little inspirational quotes and most of the stories were bland.

[Jakki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many well known people wrote about why they loved being Catholic - I enjoyed reading about them.

[Arlene Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catholicism from every perspective, showing once again there's room at the table for everyone, and even enough chairs for everyone too!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hit or miss, I will keep it as a reference book, for other media sources with positive Catholic messages.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An anthology of images of what it means to be Catholic.

[J · Rating 1 out of 5]

A collection of essays and short quotes by self-identified Catholics (including many writers and famous individuals) talking about Catholicism.

This book states repeatedly that it is "not about theology" and then proceeds to provide toxic and misleading theological ideas. The tone is clearly set by the opening essay, written by a controversial Catholic priest in open dissent with the Catholic Church.

It treats Catholicism as a cultural or political force, in which all ideas (even opposing ones) are equal valid and part of the Catholic experience. The editors of this book do not understand that we participate in the life of the Catholic Church so that it can change us - drawing us to greater holiness and connection with God - rather then participating in an attempt to change the Catholic Church. They also do not acknowledge that the Catholic Church has the moral authority and responsibility to teach doctrine as Truth, rather then just a suggested "official" teaching.

To be sure, there are some good authors writing theologically sound essays in this book. But they are mixed in with openly heretical ideas, insults and backhanded compliments from self-identified fellow Catholics. And all views are presented as equally valid. I can not in good conscience recommend this book to anyone. It has the capability to be profoundly misleading.

What I did like about this book: Discovering many famous people are/were Catholic and value things about the Catholic Church, even if they are currently not practicing and have serious complaints about church teaching. If you skim this book lightly, you can pull out a lot of positive and inspiring quotes from famous people about Catholicism.

This book is also helpful in providing insight into various self-identified Catholic writers and determining if it is worth reading one of their books.

[Rebecca Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a cool book of how Catholicism inspired different people, but I’m giving it a 2 because it wasn’t my style of book. It was hard for me to stay focused because the scripts were so short. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[JR Eftink · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading the different aspects about the Catholic Faith!!!

[Carlos Ramirez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is full of different catholic perspectives of catholicism and a few are theologically incorrect but the book gives a nice sense of togetherness which is cool but I believe due to some of the liberalism it is dangerous because it can be misleading. Being Catholic is pushing towards Truth, God being thee truth. Some of the incorrect ideas are said so matter of factly they are definitely misleading. From liberal theologians, monks, priests, and celebrities they are all susceptible to mistakes but this book makes no effort to point out incorrect theology which could confuse many people. I still liked the feeling of knowing catholicism has some sense of togetherness but the book really made me fear for others being led away from truth, God willing this book only inspires people and does not mislead anyone. Still a nice fun book above all Jesus Christ is Lord.