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Raising Catholic Kids for Their Vocations
For many of us, the word vocation implies being called to the priesthood or religious life. However, every Christian is called to mature and grow in faith, hope, and love; in other words, holiness. In this unique book, John and Claire Grabowski draw on wisdom from Scripture and Church tradition, as well as their own experience, to help parents and grandparents develop a strong framework for raising children to embrace Gods call for them, whether to marriage or religious life.
168 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 4, 2022
The idea that you can kind of set up your children on the vocation pipeline is a little strange, but this book is so unmemorable that I don't even know if that was its thrust. Topics are meandering and lack focus, and seem to speak on very little at all. In one chapter they critique the idea of the superiority of the religious life to married life for the pursuit of holiness, only to add so heavily a qualification afterwards (to make the statements conform to Church teaching) that the prior statements became hollow. Added to it all is the strange switching between "we" and "John and Claire," with the writers at times saying "John decided to do this" and "Claire decided to do that" and it becomes even more peculiar and unnecessary.
It is very odd to write a book about your childrens' vocations when your own children are still living and young adults. They could all apostatize tomorrow and one would be left wondering about the worth of the book. Certain familial problems (overconsumption of alcohol and major depression on the father) are just glanced over and their resolutions not explained.
The style of writing also seemed too introspective. Archbishop Fulton Sheen would often reference stories concerning himself, but they were always focused on the other or the idea. This book perhaps focused a little too much on the writers and not the ideas, but then what were the ideas? That there's a formula for creating vocations? If there was, I certainly didn't see it. And the last chapter admits it's all out of your hands anyway.
The writers', of a charismatic background, tell the reader that the Church needs to engage couples outside Mass because they are so poorly formed. But is that a problem to be solved by classes and couples' groups or by a more reverent and more formative Liturgy? I would tend to think a couple steeped in the rich history and mores of the TLM would be on an surer footing than someone at a Mass where the preaching is as vacuous as the Liturgy. And that really comes down to the most basic issue, which should be the real thrust of the book.
We can set people up on certain paths, but we cannot compel them to remain. If Catholic couples want their children to have vocations, then they need to lead most by example, showing children the great truth and beauty present in the world. It is only natural that children love the things their parents love, for in sharing loves people grow closer.
Seeing as how vocations are callings from God to the individual, maybe Catholic parents have a much simpler task than that related in a 164-page book.
Love God, love your family, be sincere, and all other things shall follow.
It is very odd to write a book about your childrens' vocations when your own children are still living and young adults. They could all apostatize tomorrow and one would be left wondering about the worth of the book. Certain familial problems (overconsumption of alcohol and major depression on the father) are just glanced over and their resolutions not explained.
The style of writing also seemed too introspective. Archbishop Fulton Sheen would often reference stories concerning himself, but they were always focused on the other or the idea. This book perhaps focused a little too much on the writers and not the ideas, but then what were the ideas? That there's a formula for creating vocations? If there was, I certainly didn't see it. And the last chapter admits it's all out of your hands anyway.
The writers', of a charismatic background, tell the reader that the Church needs to engage couples outside Mass because they are so poorly formed. But is that a problem to be solved by classes and couples' groups or by a more reverent and more formative Liturgy? I would tend to think a couple steeped in the rich history and mores of the TLM would be on an surer footing than someone at a Mass where the preaching is as vacuous as the Liturgy. And that really comes down to the most basic issue, which should be the real thrust of the book.
We can set people up on certain paths, but we cannot compel them to remain. If Catholic couples want their children to have vocations, then they need to lead most by example, showing children the great truth and beauty present in the world. It is only natural that children love the things their parents love, for in sharing loves people grow closer.
Seeing as how vocations are callings from God to the individual, maybe Catholic parents have a much simpler task than that related in a 164-page book.
Love God, love your family, be sincere, and all other things shall follow.
October 18, 2021
Meh. Suited for its purpose. Those who like Matthew Kelly’s books would enjoy it. Nothing new for me. I found it uninspiring and boring. A little heavy on Pope Francis, but also had some good things by JP2 and BXVI.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews