Rediscovering Catholicism

[JRKH]

I certainly don’t wish to “single him out”, rather I’m interested in understanding what other agenda he might have beside exhorting his readers to “be-all-that-you can be”.

Why assume that he HAS some “other agenda”?

As to his “authority”, I have tried (in vain) to have his Foundation explain how or where he received his training.
I was told by some they had heard he attended Franciscan University but did not complete his work.

This would be a good and valid thing to do. But remember too that God calls who he will. Some of our greatest saints hadn little or no real formal training…

From the last several postings, apparently it was clearer to others that he is really espousing that the church rediscover it’s (true) Catholicism. Frankly, I was not really prepared for that, rather I thought that the book’s theme was each individual rediscovering what it means to be Catholic.

I think the thrust IS toward the individual, but individuals can include clergy as well. I don’t think that Mr. Kelly espouses anything more than an adherance to the valid magisterial teachings of the Church. where he might point to the church having lost her way, would be in those places that have wandered from or watered down those magisterial teachings.

BTW, I was 22 in 1965, so I did have some experience with pre Vatican II.

OK - yup - quite a bit more than me actually.

Whether “liberal” bishops have corrupted Catholicism, and “conservative” bishops are now in repair mode…I have no opinion, because I don’t feel qualified to judge those that were appointed by the Pope.

Agreed - I don’t want to come across as trying to place blame etc. The Church as a whole has come through a pretty tough time and is trying to clear up some mis-understandings etc. The new Catachism is truly a gift from God in this.
Many of the missteps I’m sure were taken in good faith, but now it’s time to look at the various fruits and “trim and prune, cultivate and nourish” to improve the yield.

So call me a “sheep” if you will, I believe that God calls me to obey his duly ordained ministers.

You are quite right and it is a delicate balance between obedience and questioning. One that we must all be careful about.

Peace
James

 

[manualman]

I think it is great and an enormous relief that there are still those in the pews who DON’T need to hear this fundamental message. Thank God for you.

But in my experience, the vast majority of mass attendees out there have a VERY misshapen understanding of the Church, of sin and of the offer of Grace and salvation. It comes as an amazing revelation to many of them that “sins” aren’t just actions on an arbitrary list of forbidden activities, but things that inherently damage the soul and reduce our ability to give and receive love. God isn’t waiting angrily to squash those who sin, but instead grieves as WE squash ourselves through our stubborn fatal attraction to sin and stands ready to rescue and heal us from our self destructive spiral.

Kelly speaks to those people. And I for one thank God that he does. Lord only knows that SOMEBODY needs to. Popular speakers get a bum rap, IMO. They have a major role to play. Nobody just turns off the TV one day and decides to read Aquinas. Something spurs their interest first. If it’s Kelly, then Glory be to God.

 

[CB_Catholic]

He is speaking at my parish one evening next month. We are trying to get people to come back to the Church and “re-discover” the beauties of our Catholic faith and to deepen their faith. No, he is not a brilliant theologian and what he has to say may be a bit elementary for some, but someone needs to light a fire and help ordinary people get back to the practice of their faith. And that is who he is speaking to and writing for. He is doing what needs to be done, and if it gets Catholics excited about their faith and deepens their relationship with God, and brings some back home, then he is doing the Lord’s work. If you have the gift of motivating people, then using it for the Lord is just the right thing to do.

I know the interest is high around here and his book is being read and studied, and passed around to those who have become inactive or complacent in our parish and other parishes in the Diocese. I’ve even seen his book being read at work. People are using it to evangelize others. It is very popular in the youth ministries also. And everything he has to say is in line with the Church. I really don’t see why anyone should have a problem with him. How many of us lay people are out there doing what he does? Yet we are at the grass roots of evangelization and renewal.

 

[phoage]

As a pre-Vatican II Catholic, who fell away from the Church and was lead back, I think this was a wonderful book. It reminded me of things I used to know but had forgotten. (Samuel Johnson said that we rairly need educating but frequently need reminding)

It is not the deepest book I read, nor the only one. It was however worth the time especially as I only had to pay shipping. I intend to use parts of it in the CRH program I am trying to get started in my parish.

As others have said, not for everyone, but what book is?

Patrick

 

[Ignatius]

Our parish is handing out the book “Resiscoving Catholicism” by Matthew Kelly.
wanted to know if anyone has read this book and what do you think??

Yes, I have read it and for Catholics it is very uplifting and encouraging. It is available from CatholicsComHome at catholicscomehome.org/.

 

[melchesidechpio]

Our parish is handing out the book “Resiscoving Catholicism” by Matthew Kelly.
wanted to know if anyone has read this book and what do you think??

I have read this book and this is a great book to read regarding the Catholic faith. They distributed this book at my Parish as well and in fact they are starting to study on it in the book club. My future Mother-in-law is planning to go through the study. I would like to but my work schedule doesn’t permit so.If you like this book Rythem of Life and Mustard Seeds are good books by him. I have read Rythm of Life