Raised Catholic (Can You Tell?)

by Ed Stivender

He was the only son of an Irish Catholic mother and a Protestant Navy man. His mother frequently prayed for him to become a priest. But his father warned him, Son, never get a job where you have to wear a dress to work.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Memoir, Religion

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 1992

Reviews

[Ted Hinkle]

RAISED CATHOLIC (Can You Tell?).....yes! Ed Stivender is 2 years, 6 days younger and one grade behind me (H.S. '63). I enjoyed and related to Stivender's tales of growing up in a Catholic school setting, pre Vatican II. He provides humorous tales of innocent times from first grade through high school, including Cub Scouts, learning latin as an Altar Server, education by Sisters of St. Joseph, all-male Catholic high school, next to the girls academy, and all the rules and regulations of GROWING UP CATHOLIC. Yes a more innocent , nostalgic, and enduring. time of fond remembrance.

[Mark]

Hilarious, enjoyable, pleasant, wholesome, convicting, nostalgic, interesting, fun. Probably have to be Catholic, especially brought up Catholic, to appreciate this. Found it at a second hand shop I never heard of but the title and cover was too interesting to not pick up. I'm looking forward to reading his next book.

[Shannon]

The book is a look back at his growing up years as a child in a Catholic school and family. They're reminiscent of a Catholic version of Leave It To Beaver, cute but not laugh out loud funny. It was a loving look at his childhood that I enjoyed being shown, but I have a feeling he's even more entertaining as an oral storyteller.

[Betty]

Anecdotal memoir of growing up in the early 1950s in Philadelphia. Lovely and light. The nuns are kind and not mean. The boys' mischief is playful. A pleasurable read of an innocent time. Not at all like his storytelling, at least not like the fractured fairy tales that I am so fond of. Am passing it along to a raised Catholic friend who will get more out of it than I, a former Lutheran.

[Andrew]

An interesting look at growing up in institutional Catholicism during a particular time (the 1950's), mining, from a pointedly different point of view, the same territory covered by comedian George Carlin. Fair warning: a little schmaltzy at times.

[Sherry (sethurner)]

I've heard Ed Steivender tell stories from this collection, and when I read it I laugh out loud once more. You don't need to be raised Catholic to appreciate these stories from Stivender's youth.

[Jennifer]

A humorous and nostalgic memoir of a catholic childhood.

[Cynthia]

The author is a professional storyteller and his stories about his youth in Catholic school, being an altar boy, etc. are well-told and very amusing.

[Jill]

Memoir of growing up Catholic in the 50s/60s.

[Helene]

An ok memoir of a young boy in Philadelphia - some reports of Catholic school-related activities but not enough to deserve the title. May have more interest to Philadelphians.