Greg and Jennifer Willits of the radio show “The Catholics Next Door” have a book out called not-suprisingly The Catholics Next Door: Adventures in Imperfect Living
This book, much like their show, gives inner glimpses into a Catholic family living their faith. Sections in the various chapters are alternatively written by Greg and Jennifer and each section gives their view of the topic and chapter at hand. This is not a book written predominately to tell their conversion/reconversion stories or the history of their various apostolates, but to write about those daily conversion involved in marriage and family. As Greg mentions at one point you can’t learn parenthood from a book, and they don’t attempt to do it themselves — but provide their experience in growing in faithfulness and struggling on the path of holiness.
Considering the HHS mandate their chapter discussing contraception is quite timely. We constantly hear how contraception is never mentioned in homilies, yet it was a homily they heard on contraception from a Deacon that started them on the road to rejecting what is seen as wisdom by the culture of death. They managed to persevere in seeing contraception as a sin despite being told by a priest who gave them the standard Jiminy Cricket response. They were also very open in regards the struggles in accepting what the Church teaches as both their hearts and intellects came to the truth.
What I enjoyed most about the book is its good humor and honesty about living the faith. There are many fun and instructive stories along the way and I think the book is very good for both the audience of those who have come to accept Church teaching and for those also who are struggling in believing what the Church teaches. Their writing style invokes the conversational tone they have on the show and you do feel as reading the book to be involved in a form of conversation. Recommended.
6 comments
There show is one of the best on the SiriusXM Catholic Channel.
“Their”, not “There”!
Gotta admit, your review, Jeff, was one I was worried about! I take your reviews seriously, and knowing our book was going to get the Curt Jester treatment had me a wee bit nervous. So glad you enjoyed it, and I particularly appreciate the fact that you picked up on some of the subtleties that we weren’t sure people would get. Thanks so much for the kind words (and to Michael in ArchDen, as well!).
“We constantly hear how contraception is never mentioned in homilies.” We do? I hadn’t heard anyone else make that point until I made it myself in comments to your “Upon This Poll I Will Build My Church” post. Can you tell us about the other places where the point has been “constantly” made?
@Jimmy I have heard comments like that quite often from people who are in a growth-shurt in their faith. Its that time when they see/discover a good thing and wonder “why isn’t anyone (like Fr.) talking about this?” I also hear it from those in the trenches who realize the serious need for better catechesis.
Jimmy Doyle,
I have heard this multiple times on Catholic radio with people calling up with questions on contraception and then complaining they have never head a homily on it. This is of course antidotal, but considering how widespread it is that priests tell people to just follow their conscience it is no surprise that it is not mentioned much.