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

by John 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.

279 pages, Hardcover

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.