Eight gifts for life

What Makes us Catholic: Eight Gifts for Life by Thomas H.Groome. Harper Collins, and 2002, 314 pp.

When I first saw the title I thought: what a great question especially in the context of our turbulent times and allegiances. As I read the book I was equally fascinated by the awareness that the title could also be understood as a statement. In honest reflection, the book title was attractive in that I was looking for reassurante and support in my conviction that being a Catholic is a worthy goal and that my own story had meaning.

My initial hopes were well met and additionally, I am newly challenged to even further reflection and action. Thomas Groome has a wonderful ability to combine story telling and his Irish roots with his professional expertise and understanding of Catholic theology. Indeed, it is most fascinating to find everyday stories supporting scholarship. Because of this facility, the reader is immediately into bonus points.

Growing up in a Catholic home and being educated in Catholic schools can instill the message that being Catholic metaphorically places you on the winning team. Complacency then negates the necessity of both practice and participation. Groome challenges this with his Constant theme of "bringing life to faith and faith to life." (p.196) There is no substitute for walking the talk in his understanding of Catholic discipleship.

Those who thrive on the use of authority, who hide behind it or blame it will find themselves challenged by this book. Aquinas clarified that the church has three cooperative sources of teaching and learning: the research of scholars, the lived faith of ordinary people (sensus fidelium) and the official magisterium of the papacy cura episcopacy. "All three should work in concert, mutually supporting and correcting one another." (p.157). This is a powerful concept.

Groome gives a wonderful structure to his exploration of just what it is to be a Catholic. Each of his nine chapters explores a question in a manner that appeals to the curious, the student of the Bible or those simply wishing to be reaffirmed. His teacher talents and experience serve him very well. He is provocative, asks good questions and at all times grounds his teaching in Scripture and Church teaching. Groome takes great care to define terms and always directs the reader back to scripture and theological sources to substantiate his thinking.

What makes us Catholic could be read from cover to cover given your personal need and sense of inquiry, of it could be used as the basis for morning or evening prayer over an extended period of time. You may also wish to select one or two chapters to stimulate conversation at the family table, book clubs or parish reading circles. Whatever your motive, be assured that Thomas Groome will nurture, affirm, stretch and yes, correct your sense of what it is to be a Catholic.

Joseph Moher is a retired educator living in Oakville, Ont.

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