Parish the Thought: An Inspirational Memoir of Growing Up Catholic in the 1960s

by John Ruane

In a warm and affectionate narrative that "transports readers back to a time before cable television, cell phones, and the Internet" (Atlanta Journal-Constitution), John Bernard Ruane paints a marvelous portrait of his Irish-Catholic boyhood on the southwest side of Chicago in the 1960s. Capturing all the details that perfectly evoke those bygone days for Catholics and baby boomers everywhere, Ruane recounts his formative years donning the navy-and-plaid school uniform of St. Bede's: the priests and nuns; bullies, best friends, and first loves; and most memorable teachers -- including the miniskirted blonde who inspired lust among the fifth-grade boys but was fired for protesting the Vietnam War. Here are stories from the heart of his hardworking, blue-collar family: the good times and bad; sibling rivalries; summers by the lake; delivering newspapers in the frigid Chicago winter; the fire that destroyed the family home; and the loss of their beloved mother to cancer. And here are priceless accounts of Ruane's days as an altar boy: from an embarrassing bell-ringing mishap, to serving a strict pastor who built a magnificent church but couldn't inspire Christian spirit, to the Heaven-sent guitar-playing priest who turned worship around for a generation of youth.

288 pages, Paperback

First published June 4, 2007

About the author

John Ruane is an author, journalist and playwright. He has written for the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, and Atlanta-Journal Constitution. He is a critically-acclaimed author of six books, including "The Earl Campbell Story" (ECW Press, 1999) and "Parish the Thought" (Simon & Schuster, 2008). "A Dangerous Freedom" was his first thriller novel, published by Permuted Press, and the beginning of the Dylan Reilly series. "Russian Assault" is the sequel, published by Roswell Press.

Since leaving the Sun-Times, John has made his living in the public relations industry, creating and implementing several award-winning programs. He is a graduate of Chicago State University where he was an English major, wrote a column for the school newspaper, played center on two college hockey championship teams and pitched for the Cougars baseball team. Later, he volunteered his time to coaching fifty-two youth sports teams over a 17-year period.

John and his wife, Charlotte, are proud parents of four adult children and three grandchildren.

Reviews

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

a walk down memory lane for chicago catholics. found myself smiling & laughing as john recounts his 'growing up catholic' in the 60's in a south side parish of st. bede's. family tragedy is a surprise for such a devout family

[Dan Geiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed knowing others went through the same things in the 60's as a young Catholic. There are lots of parallels in my memoir, "Bless Me Father For I Have Sinned." I could relate to struggling with the Church and finally having to forgive myself and the Church.

[Gerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Chicago read…

[Thomas P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one seemed a little too detailed at times, but still a decent non-fiction read overall, about growing up Catholic on the southwest side of Chicago.

[Christine Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book for my mom and picked it up after she finished it. While it is not a great piece of literature, it does have a great story. I read it because the author was from St. Bede's parish on the southwest side of Chicago and this memoir focuses on his time there. This book reminded me so much of my own family and our experience growing up just about 2 miles away from St. Bede's in another Catholic parish community. At times I felt like my family could have easily stepped into the place of the Ruane family. Nice story overall.

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an entertaining Memoir about a Catholic boy who grew up in 1960's Chicago. My brother was an alter boy in the 1970's, so I could connect with some of what he talked about. The story is not without its happy and sad moments. I would recommend it as a nostalgic look at the past.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Again, I needed a 2.5 stars rating. This was interesting to me b/c it is the true story of growing up on the south side of Chicago. It just never got that interesting.