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

by John Bernard Ruane

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Download PDF book format. Geographic Area Code: n-us-il. Library of Congress Call Number: BX4705. Personal Name: Ruane, John Bernard, 1956-. Choose file format of this book to download: pdf chm txt rtf doc. Download this format book. Parish the thought : an inspirational memoir of growing up Catholic in the 1960s John Bernard Ruane. Book's title: Parish the thought : an inspirational memoir of growing up Catholic in the 1960s John Bernard Ruane. Library of Congress Control Number: 2008300314. Publication, Distribution, et. New York.

An Inspirational Memoir of Growing Up Catholic in the 1960s. By John Bernard Ruane. In a warm and affectionate narrative that "transports readers back to a time before cable television, cell phones, and the Internet" (Atlanta ), John Bernard Ruane paints a marvelous portrait of his Irish-Catholic boyhood on the southwest side of Chicago in the 1960s.

I think for all of us Catholics who do not go to church regularly, this book . I was one of those twice-a-year Catholics John Bernard Ruane writes about. It felt great being there with my family

I think for all of us Catholics who do not go to church regularly, this book will make you think about your faith. It made me think about it. I had a long talk with my wife about it. She goes to church every Sunday with our two kids. It felt great being there with my family. I am making a change in my life.

John Bernard Ruane is an author, journalist, and playwright. He was a feature writer for the Chicago Sun-Times for 10 years, before going on to contribute articles and columns to the Chicago Tribune and Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

John Bernard Ruane paints a marvelous portrait of his Irish-Catholic boyhood on the southwest side of Chicago in the 1960s

In a warm and affectionate narrative that "transports readers back to a time before cable television, cell phones, and the Internet" (Atlanta ), John Bernard Ruane paints a marvelous portrait of his Irish-Catholic boyhood on the southwest side of Chicago in the 1960s. Author(s): John Bernard Ruane.

"PARISH THE THOUGHT, An Inspirational Memoir of Growing up Catholic in the 1960s" provides an opportunity to take a nostalgic step back and relive those days in the navy blue and plaid uniforms at the Catholic grammar school or the Sunday's of our youth in front of, or on, God's altar.

In this memoir, John Bernard Ruane shares the evolution of his faith as he grows up in a blue-collar neighborhood, attending a Catholic grammar school and serving as an altar boy. He relates tales of the good and bad teachers, as well as priests and nuns who affected the lives of so many impressionable young Catholics.

This inspirational memoir is just one Catholic's account of his days growing up in a parish on the southwest side of Chicago, but that time period seems to be a universally shared experience for millions of Baby boomers across the country.

Risky Strong Dromedary

Despite the decades-later glance backward into his own experiences as school-kid and child church-goer, author Ruane's captures the mood and texture of a 60's youngster in a compelling book about growing up. It's about "Catholic," but it's not about "religious." It's like an autobiography but doesn't at all seem autobiographic. In fact, the book magically sends the reader into a unforgettable era of family and friends, teachers and pastors, making it an absorbing personal "docu-ography" right from page one. Reads like a novel, feels like reality.

As the author looks back, "Parish the Thought" is a gentle reverie, perhaps something out of a sketchy personal diary rather than the product of research on the period. There's no weighty pontification about the Catholic Church then or now...at most just a few innocent questions any 12-year old might have had about the way spiritual things had been done at the time. Complete with youthful confusion, humor, anxious moments, challenges and decisions, it's about being a kid with good times and bad in a Catholic home, school, and church. Along the way, we meet his friends, who seem like our own; his family and teachers who seem all too real...and we sit-in on some of Ruane's classroom hijinx and his activities as alter-boy and first-Communion and Confirmation candidate. We're let in, too, on his sometimes amusing first genuine 8th-grade crush.

It's witty. It's serious. It's heart-warming. It's sad. In a highly down-to-earth style, Ruane's captured the way it was for him "back then"...as well as for many boomers who might have had the same kinds of growing experiences. Too bad, though; he's almost entirely skipped his high school career, which also might have been interesting to read about. Then too, the author surprises us about his "Return to the Church" in a later chapter...but never really tells us when/how/why he left in the first place. An obvious and unfortunate omission!

Nevertheless, this is an uncomplicated, picturesque trek into a "Leave It to Beaver" past, written alive and believable as if it were about today. --A fine, very-easy read that describes an uncomplicated, safe, fuzzy era that will surely never return...except maybe in our own memories and in this outstanding book.

Onath

My husband and I grew up near the author's neighborhood close to the time when the author writes about. We loved reminiscing about Ford City, Catholic school culture, and the people of the Southwest side. I gifted copies to my siblings, mom, grandmother, aunts, and uncles. Everyone loved reading about the Southwest side!

Wnex

This is my first review and I just wanted to say how much fun it was to read about our neighborhood. I did not know the author but I grew up one block from him on the same street. I went to St. Bedes School just a couple of years before he did, and my brother was an alter boy. Half of the book was my story also. I could picture the streets of the neighborhood and the hallways of the school as I read. I haven't thought of "Bounce or fly" baseball since I was a kid especially the ball hitting and screen doors. I real nostalgic trip through the old neighborhood. And Vito and Nicks, I practically grew up there, Great book, pure fun.

Marg

Super story of faith overcoming many obstacles. As a SW Chicago person from the same area and time frame I can say that the author captured the sentiment of my growing up and kept me laughing along the way.

Rude

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I grew up in the same neighborhood at the same time but did not personally know the Ruane's very well. I was in the same year as Maureen though. This book was a solid and truly depicted life at St. Bede's. I needed a box of kleenex as I was reading it because so many things hit home. It also makes me wish I had been friends with them, although, I know we knew a lot of the same people. Great job John.

Anasius

Parish the Thought: An Inspirational Memoir of Growing Up Catholic in the 1960s
Wonderful memories of growing up on the South Side of CHicago, but mostly of a child's first encounters with the mysteries of the Catholic Church coupled with his admiration of his parents' faith.
A must-read for anyone who was raised Catholic, or even who was raised in a warm, loving family. Don't miss!

Larosa

Great trip down memory lane.

Loved this book. Took me back to my childhood in many ways! Growing up Catholic and attending Catholic Schools, I was totally able to relate to much of this story. Found it hard to put down.