cover image The Seeker's Guide to Being Catholic

The Seeker's Guide to Being Catholic

Mitch Finley. Loyola Press, $11.95 (180pp) ISBN 978-0-8294-0934-5

Friendly enthusiasm characterizes this first volume in Loyola's Seeker series. ""Being Catholic is fun,"" says Mitch Finley, a layman, syndicated columnist and author of 20 religion books. Though here he primarily addresses ""seekers"" in early adulthood, his presentation could easily benefit readers of any age who wonder how the Catholic church has changed in recent years. With opening and closing chapters that deftly summarize Catholic beliefs, the book's main focus is on Catholic experience, including relationships, work, spirituality, ethics and parish life. More ironic than Kevin Orlin Johnson in his briskly selling Why Do Catholics Act That Way?, Finley avoids placing pinpointing a hi s position on liberal-conservative continuum. He approvingly quotes the official Catechism as well as progressive authors like Richard McBrien and Andrew Greeley. Do not despair that the church's reality falls short of its ideals, Finley advises: ""All the wrangling and fussing that goes on in the church is a sign of life."" (Apr.)