The original edition of Growing Up Catholic, along with its sequels, struck a heavenly chord with a generation of Catholics of all persuasions. Now, to commemorate the Great Catholic Jubilee of the Year 2000, the authors bless us with an updated and expanded version of this beloved national bestseller. Filled with a witty, poignant, and downright hilarious potpourri of essays, lists, games, drawings, photos, and quizzes, it includes the best of all three Growing Up Catholic books, along with many all-new features, such as: Jubilee 2000: Not Your Average Birthday Party Father Phil: Confessor to the Sopranos Who Will Be The Next Pope?: A Handicapper's Guide Ansubstantiationtray: Can't Anybody Here Speak Latin Anymore? www.holy.com For Catholics of all ages -- from those who lived through Vatican II to those who've never seen a nun's habit except in a movie -- Growing Up Catholic celebrates in a lighthearted way the funny and sublime side of day-to-day Catholic life.

A true story of a man who grew up Catholic and at thirty-eight, after a tragic event in his life discovered his faith could no longer support him spiritually. Realizing he had been going through the motions of religion he sought to find the reasons why there was emptiness where so much religion had been before.Guides you through the deep and complicated Catholic beliefs and forces you to ask the question, Am I who I thought I was? You'll step into the shoes of a married man who questioned his faith then faced the turmail and pressures that accompanies those doubts, only to discover answers that completely changed his life. He eventually left the Catholic Church and reveals the reasons why the Protestant faith completely altered his approach to life.

Born Catholic. Raised Catholic. Americans across generations have used these phrases to describe their formative days, but the experience of growing up Catholic in the United States has changed over the last several decades. While the creed and the sacraments remain the same, the context for learning the faith has transformed. As a result of demographic shifts and theological developments, children face a different set of circumstances today from what they encountered during the mid-twentieth-century. Through a close study of autobiographical and fictional texts that depict the experience, Ingrained Habits explores the intimate details of everyday life for children growing up Catholic during the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. These literary portrayals present upbringings characterized by an all-encompassing encounter with religion. The adult authors of such writings run the gamut from vowed priests to unwavering atheists and their depictions range from glowing nostalgia to deep-seated resentment; however, they curiously describe similar experiences from their childhood days in the Church.

This volume explores the experiences of African Americans in Catholic schools through historical and sociological analysis as well as personal memoirs and reflections of former students. It challenges the theory that they are marginalised, existing in constant opposition to the dominant culture.

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.

In 1985, the Newark Catholic High School football team finished with a perfect 14-0 record and won its fourth state playoff championship. The championship was also the second in the incredible string of four-in-a-row that occurred in the mid-1980's. The 1985 season was an amazing and unexpected feat when one considers that 20 starters from the 1984 championship team were lost to graduation. The year that brought the biggest rebuilding job ever turned out to be one of the greatest. Growing Up Green is a detailed journey of the 1985 football team from day one of summer conditioning to the post-season awards banquet. Each opposing team is discussed in detail. Play-by-play is provided for all games including the Division V semifinal thriller against Mogadore and the hard-hitting title game against Delphos Jefferson. Get a fascinating inside look at the legendary Newark Catholic football program. Experience the heartbreaks and celebrations of a group of average kids as they struggle through an incredible season and fulfill a dream. A truly inspiring story for any athlete! Reviews "There's high school football- then, there's REAL high schoolfootball. Newark Catholic embraces what high school football embodies.I've been a huge fan of the program for many years and Bill's book showswhat it takes to make a championship program and the dedication that'srequired to be #1." George Lehner Sports Director 610 WTVN Radio, Columbus, Ohio "Outstanding! I was captivated with each chapter and lost a lot of sleep reading late into the night." -Joe Bell New Albany, Oh "I've never read a book that was so graphic with it's descriptions of each football play. It should certainly bea help to those who may not understand the sport of football." -Frances Keck Newark, Oh "Inspirational. I felt like I was there watching the games and it made me want to stand up and cheer for the team." -Donna Fleig Leetsdale, PA "The book does an excellent job of capturing Coach Graham's language and tone. I couldn't put it down and was often up reading until 2 a.m." -Tim McKenna Newark, Ohio "Growing Up Green is a very pleasurable trip through Americana. The game to game replay is very detailed and the insights into the coaches and players is superb. It's football's answer to "Hoosiers!" -Robert Greismer Concord, Ohio "The book was fantastic! I was laughing uncontrollably and my wife was wondering what was wrong with me." -Albert Ghiloni Newark, Ohio "This is a must read for all fans of the old Licking County League. It brought back many great memories. Bill shows his great love for Newark Catholic and Newark Catholic football." -Wes Poth Assistant Varsity Football Coach, Newark Catholic High School

From wedding disasters and family dance recitals to fatherly lessons on homosexuality and timeshare scams, this book is a collection from the author's low-budget childhood.