Forming Catholic Communities

Forming Catholic Communities assesses the histories of Irish, English and Scots colleges established abroad in the early-modern period for Catholic students. The contributions provide a co-ordinated series of case studies which reflect the most up-to-date research on the colleges.

The early-modern British state relied on a range of educated clerical and lay elites for its maintenance and expansion, and provision for their development was a crucial state responsibility resulting in a proliferation of universities, colleges and schools. From the 1560s, the Protestant education monopoly made domestic provision for the education of Catholic clerical and lay elites impossible, forcing alternatives to be sought abroad. Dealing comparatively with the histories of the resulting Irish, English and Scots colleges, this book explores the disproportionately important role these institutions played in the lives of early British and Irish Catholics. Bringing together original research on the colleges and their networks written by established and emerging scholars, the collection provides important new perspectives on college networks and individual institutions drawing on pioneering research. In particular, the collection addresses three central features of the collegesâe(tm) histories, assessing their social and financial histories and examining their funding and how this influenced their development. It also looks at the cultural and intellectual contributions of the colleges to the development of Irish, English and Scots Catholicism, particularly through histories of early modern print culture. The book deliberately brings together work on the Irish, English and Scots Colleges in in a comparative and consciously interdisciplinary framework that draws on historical philosophical, literary and cultural perspectives. In so doing the volume not only provides an exciting collection of the most up-to-date work on the subject, but suggests further avenues of research on the Irish, English and Scots Colleges.

Using the top three online forums used by Polish Catholics as a case study, this book explores the formation of online communities. It then looks at the alternative authority structures that emerge online and how these lead to an individualised form of religious engagement that can develop independently of mainstream doctrine.

The Russian word Poustinia means 'desert¿, a place to meet Christ in silence, solitude and prayer. Catherine Doherty combines her insights into the great spiritual traditions of the Russian Church with her very personal experience of life with Christ.

The Catholic Church has been moving into a new phase, one where its congregation can choose to meet and practice elements of their own version of their faith on online forums. This new form of congregating allows for an individualised faith to manifest itself outside of the usual church authority structures. Online Catholic Communities provides insight into how religious and non-religious internet forum users interact and form groups during interactions; it also discusses the transformation of religious authority and its emanations in these digital contexts. Using the top three online forums used by Polish Catholics as a case study, this project explores the formation of these online communities. It then looks at the alternative authority structures that emerge online and how these lead to an individualised form of religious engagement that can develop independently of mainstream doctrine. Through highlighting how religious discourse in Poland is appropriated and creatively modified by users in fulfilling their own spiritual needs, this work reveals the constant interplay between online and offline religious contexts. This monograph includes cutting edge research on online expressions of religious community, authority and individualisation and as such will be of keen interest to scholars of religious studies and the sociology of religion, as well as communication studies.

This volume offers glimpses of how practicing faith, living a life of prayer, and finding a way in a new land come together in forming the American Catholic experience. From a 1792 manual on devotion to the Sacred Heart, through a 1910 passion play in the West, to a 1965 street re-enactment of the stations of the cross, the reader can see changing styles of prayer and a living tradition renewing itself.

Over 3 million copies sold! Essential reading for Catholics of all walks of life. Here it is - the first new Catechism of the Catholic Church in more than 400 years, a complete summary of what Catholics around the world commonly believe. The Catechism draws on the Bible, the Mass, the Sacraments, Church tradition and teaching, and the lives of saints. It comes with a complete index, footnotes and cross-references for a fuller understanding of every subject. The word catechism means "instruction" - this book will serve as the standard for all future catechisms. Using the tradition of explaining what the Church believes (the Creed), what she celebrates (the Sacraments), what she lives (the Commandments), and what she prays (the Lord's Prayer), the Catechism of the Catholic Church offers challenges for believers and answers for all those interested in learning about the mystery of the Catholic faith. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a positive, coherent and contemporary map for our spiritual journey toward transformation.

How can we transmit a living, personal Catholic faith to future generations? By coming to know Jesus Christ, and following him as his disciples. These are times of immense challenge and immense opportunity for the Catholic Church. Consider these statistics for the United States. Only 30 percent of Americans who were raised Catholic are still practicing. Fully 10 percent of all adults in America are ex-Catholics. The number of marriages celebrated in the Church decreased dramatically, by nearly 60 percent, between 1972 and 2010. Only 60 percent of Catholics believe in a personal God. If the Church is to reverse these trends, the evangelizers must first be evangelized-in other words, Catholics-in-the-pew must make a conscious choice to know and follow Jesus before they can draw others to him. This work of discipleship lies at the heart of Forming Intentional Disciples, a book designed to help Church leaders, parish staff and all Catholics transform parish life from within. Drawing upon her fifteen years of experience with the Catherine of Siena Institute, Sherry Weddell leads readers through steps that will help Catholics enter more deeply into a relationship with God and the river of apostolic creativity, charisms, and vocation that flow from that relationship for the sake of the Church and the world. Learn about the five thresholds of postmodern conversion, how to open a conversation about faith and belief, how to ask thought-provoking questions and establish an atmosphere of trust, when to tell the Great Story of Jesus, how to help someone respond to God's call to intentional discipleship, and much more. And be prepared for conversion because when life at the parish level changes, the life of the whole Church will change.