You’re all fired up, Jennifer, but what are you planning to do about this?
I love to read Catholic stuff. It makes me happy and warm inside, the way some people get a kick out of greeting cards or football games or you-name-it. Recently I came home from a fantabulous Catholic conference, all glowing with the amazing things I saw and heard.
And my husband Jon put the question to me: So now what?
The now what, as it happens, involves a book.
Jon and I have a goal, and that goal is to evangelize our city’s parishes. We are blessed with a number of good faithful Catholic friends across the city, who are each taking action, bit by bit, to create a strong Catholic community built on a solid Christian discipleship. Our little group is ready for the next step. We’re ready to move from mentoring each other — which we do through several monthly small group get-togethers — to looking outward at where the need lies next.
A wise priest instructed us: You need to read Forming Intentional Disciples by Sherry Weddell.
I knew he was right, because I’ve read the book. I consider it the ultimate Evangelism 101. If you can only read one Catholic book this year, this is the one.
And if you haven’t got time even for that . . . you’re in for a treat:
This summer, CatholicMom.com is hosting a Lawn Chair Catechism book club for Forming Intentional Disciples.
Each Wednesday this summer, Sarah Reinhard will post discussion questions as we work through the book a chapter at a time. If you don’t have time to read, there will be an executive summary of that week’s chapter posted.
Participate in your community: You can get the whole compilation of discussion questions here (2-page format) or here (13-page discussion guide), so that you can share the summary with your very busy pastor who doesn’t have time to read the whole book, and with your local book club who is only going to meet once or twice, and wants the whole package right now. (And this study guide is free. FREE.)
Participate online: Each week, Sarah will be hosting a linkfest and combox discussion. You can reply to the week’s topic at your own blog or site, and leave a little post-it note link so others can find you. Or join in the discussion in the CatholicMom.com combox or Facebook page. The discussion questions are a jumping-off point, but feel free to share whatever inspires you. You do not have to read the book to participate. Sure, reading it helps. But the weekly summary will give you plenty of food for thought.
We have a handful of major Catholic blogs planning to join in the discussion, and the list is growing. So check each week for comments from some of your favorite St. Blogs pundits.
Get the book cheap: For a limited time, Our Sunday Visitor is offering the book at a huge discount — essentially the wholesale price — $10. Free shipping, no minimum order. The free shipping will continue through the summer, but after June 8, you’ll be better off to inquire at your local Catholic bookstore for coupons and promotions. (Which is how it should be: Support that local store!) May I point out that a copy of this book would make a lovely Father’s day gift for your favorite priest?
I hope you’ll join us for the discussion group. More importantly: I hope you’ll take this chance to invite your real-life Catholic friends to get together and start thinking seriously about your action plan for evangelization.
Copyright © 2013, Jennifer Fitz
Jennifer Fitz
Jennifer Fitz is the author of Classroom Management for Catechists from Liguori Publications. She writes about the Catholic faith at her Patheos blog, Sticking the Corners.
2 responses to “Time to Take Action: Lawn Chair Catechism Coming Your Way”
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Excellent book and made an impact on my ministry work. Can’t wait to start the discussion.
Deanna, I can’t wait to see your comments! Just this morning I’ve had two volunteers come forward from a parish near mine, to spearhead their parish book club. I’m so thrilled at the enthusiasm already.