Happy Catholic — Jesus in the Rearview Mirror

The publisher surrendered the copyright for my first book to me a few years ago. As I format it for self-publishing, I thought you guys might like seeing the pages now and then so am going to include some every week.

Here's part 3.

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Jesus in the Rearview Mirror

God: Bender, being God isn’t easy. If you do too much, people get dependent on you. And if you do nothing, they lose hope. You have to use a light touch, like a safecracker or a pickpocket.

Bender: Or a guy who burns down a bar for the insurance money.

God: Yes, if he makes it look like an electrical thing. If you do things right, people won’t be sure you’ve done anything at all.

Futurama

We are so often left like Moses who asked to see God but only saw His hindquarters (see Exodus 33:23). We see evidence of God only in hindsight. Even then it can be very difficult to tell definitively that there was divine intervention unless you are the person for whom the miracle was done. 

Anyone who has experienced a miracle will tell you that when God sends you a message you recognize it, even though others might not. Others are measuring by verifiable results. You are experiencing something that cannot be measured. Miracles are love letters.

The Lover and the Beloved understand. It is enough.

Happy Catholic - Flinching Before God

The publisher surrendered the copyright for my first book to me a few years ago. As I format it for self-publishing, I thought you guys might like seeing the pages now and then so am going to include some every week. 

Here's part 2.

• | • | • | • | • | • 

Flinching Before God

We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.

C. S. Lewis

Mother Teresa serving the poor in Calcutta. Pope John Paul II, twisted with pain, unable to speak in his illness and old age. God saying, “This is how I treat my friends, Teresa,” after St. Teresa of Avila was dumped into a large mud puddle. We are in full sympathy when she answers, “No wonder you have so few of them, Lord!” It isn’t just the world that is wary of what it means to really serve God. We, too, tend to lean back a little when we feel that God might be calling us forward for a special task.

Lately, however, I begin to feel that we have it all wrong. Those times that I have truly been closest to God, I have had no problem tackling things that normally would cause me grave apprehension. It is not a matter of what God “inflicts” so much as how aligned we are with Him, how much we are willing to give.

God knows us better than we know ourselves. He created us to be who we are and achieve perfectly the place we inhabit in life. So why would we not thrill to our task, find it fascinating and enthralling, be pulled back to it time and again? Yes, it may take us beyond what we plan or think we can do, push us out of the comfortable places where we live. Merely being willing to step into that potential discomfort is part of the growth we need to see God’s plan falling into place bit by slow bit.

Such are God’s ways and such is our own reluctant recognition of our own short-sightedness that makes us read C.S. Lewis and wryly laugh in acknowledgment. And then, hopefully, press on past the doubt.

Happy Catholic, Introduction

This is my first book and has been out of copyright for several years. Finding fewer and fewer at used bookstores when I wanted to give one to a friend, I decided to get it ready for a second edition. There won't be too many changes. I'm just doing the formatting now. I thought you guys might like seeing the pages now and then so am going to include some every week. This is the introduction.

Getting Here From There

I was sitting in my car yesterday morning praying. Living that joyous sorrow I’ve been given. “I’m sorry for it, for the hatred and contempt, the cross, the whip, the nails...” And Jesus says to me with great joy, “I’m not! I’m not sorry at all! I did it for you; you’re worth it. For I have made you so.” I do not look around and the world is made new; the world is the same as it ever was. But I am a new creation and I look around with new eyes. This is what my God has given me, this is what His church has given me...

New convert and commenter, Easter 2008,
Catholic and Enjoying It blog

Precisely.

The blinders have fallen from my eyes and I can hardly believe the depth and layers of meaning that are in evidence all around us.

Why did it take me so long to see the truth that floods through every day life? Every time I look back at where I began and where I am now, I am astounded.

My parents were what I think of as the good, old fashioned sort of atheist. Religion was silly superstition so why argue about it? We were taught to be good people and that as long as you didn’t break the law or hurt anyone, what you did was your own business.

This didn’t mean that I didn’t wonder if God existed. I just didn’t know how anyone could ever be sure that God was real. I grew up, married, and had children. The whole time I kept wondering.

Then, God used what I cared about most to get my attention.

Halfway through our oldest daughter’s kindergarten class irreconcilable differences between Hannah and her teacher required leaving public school. (Don’t ask. Just know that it wasn’t the 5-year-old’s fault.) She began attending the local Catholic school. One day the religion teacher told the children that anyone who wasn’t attending Sunday Mass needed to go home and tell their parents that they needed to attend. Hannah did not simply pass the message on. As only a kindergartner can, she dug in her heels and insisted on proper behavior. Pretty soon we were attending weekly Mass at St. Thomas.

Now I really couldn’t avoid the question of God’s existence. Most of the “proof” I ever heard seemed like simple coincidence to me. Weekly Mass gave me plenty of thinking time and finally I came up with a plan to force God’s hand.

We desperately needed a larger house but no one would even make an offer on ours. Kneeling at Mass I made God a deal. All He had to do was to get a me a new house as a sign. Then I’d know He was there. And I’d have a new house. Clever, eh?

Of course, nothing happened. Finally, after about a year had gone by, I realized that something inside me had changed. It wasn’t because of any dramatic feeling or discovery but I didn’t need that proof I had wanted. Kneeling at Mass once again, I told God that I’d just take His existence on faith. I told Him that He didn’t need to pay off. I was fine as I was.

The next day our new accountant found major tax errors that garnered a refund big enough for a new house. We found a perfect house that had been on the market for months with the price just lowered to what we could afford. Two weeks later our house was sold without ever going on the market. The buyer was was determined to have a house with exact specifications like ours, within a six block area that we were smack dab in the middle of. All the realtors said they had never seen anything like the smooth progress of the sale and our purchase.

I don’t believe in coincidence any more.

Five years later, I went through RCIA and became Catholic during the Easter Vigil of 2000. I love it. I love the traditions, I love the saints, I love the Eucharist … I love being Catholic.

One of the things that made my conversion so powerful to me in retrospect is that it was so personal. This was all just between God and me. I didn’t discuss it with my husband and I didn’t even read any books about religion. In fact, although I’d always been an avid reader, it never even occurred to me that they had books about religion.

After my confirmation, though, I was given a Catholic book and that began a reading frenzy. I began seeing a pattern of truth and beauty that I never knew existed. Soon, everywhere I looked, I recognized the pattern. Books I read, movies I watched, songs I heard were reflecting bits of the Truth that was God. I realized that this reality had been there all along. I just couldn’t see it before. It made everyday things glow. I couldn’t hold in my delight and began emailing friends with my discoveries. The emails turned into a blog, Happy Catholic, that reflected everything I loved about being Catholic every day.

This book continues that sharing.

We see echoes of Heaven all around us, sometimes without ever knowing what we are seeing. I have a passion for quotes that point toward those truths. That passion turned into short reflections on some of my favorite quotes. You’ll find everything here from movies to television to Scripture, from humor to seriousness to optimism and joy. In short, everything that draws back the veil and let us connect with God. I hope it delights you as much as it does me.

Julie Davis, written on the Feast of St. Martha

(my patient patron)

A Super Fantastic Review of Happy Catholic (the book)

"I am suddenly nostalgic for the good old days," Davis remarks, "when you could smoke a cigarette, have a burger, or sip a cocktail without fear of getting a dirty look." What's that got to do with Catholicism, you ask? Davis doesn't hammer her point home in this essay, or in any of the others. She sketches out the main points, and leaves it to the reader to fill in the blanks, to connect the dots. In this essay, she is commenting on British jockey and crime writer Dick Francis' observation that in America, people think that one can fend off death indefinitely by jogging or adopting other healthy habits.

Davis could have produced a thousand-word essay supporting her points with exacting details; she doesn't. Her comments are trenchant and brief, as if you were seated next to a very witty and provocative dinner companion. Americans worship health and equate death with guilt, she remarks. It's almost like we've turned healthy living into a secular religion. And then you realize, oh, that's right. I'm reading a book by a Catholic about being Catholic. You put two plus two together, and before you realize it, you are asking big questions and thinking profound thoughts. You didn't need the thousand-word essay. You just needed a few inspirational bon mots from this erudite, sophisticated, literate Catholic woman.

Danusha Goska, author of Save Send Delete, has a review of Happy Catholic that knocked my socks off! Didja see that? Bon mots. Erudite. She said it, folks, not me. Though it did make me very, very (very) happy.

Danusha's review is generous and kind and ... I'm going to go read it again another time or two (or three). If you are interested I urge you to do the same because what is given above is a mere taste.

Thank you Danusha!

Ironic Catholic's Review of Happy Catholic: "The God and Culture Thang"

So when I read Julie's book, full of meditations and reflections on snippets of books, TV shows, movies, etc., I rejoiced!, because...she cut through all the dreck for me! These are great little insights, all the more appealing because they popped up out of a swamp. It's like you can't keep God, and human longing for God, down. He always rises to the top, like cream.

Ironic Catholic brings up a question I hadn't considered ... can someone who has completely given up television enjoy reading Happy Catholic?

We know that Happy Catholic is chock-full of television references. So I was very pleased to find that Ironic Catholic appreciated the good stuff being skimmed off the top and presented without the need for using a tv screen.

It is a very generous review and I am most appreciative.

"After all, all he did was string together a lot of old, well-known quotations."

H.L. Mencken was joking about Shakespeare when he said that.

We all know that I have a predilection for quotes myself.  This blog puts up a quote a day and Happy Catholic (the book) shares a lot of quotes.

I have a guest post up at American Catholic Blog featuring some new quotes and sources I have found that would make me beg and plead for a few more pages to include them in the book. There are 10 good 'uns and I'm fairly sure you haven't seen them all here yet. So check it out!

American Catholic Blog is the St. Anthony Messenger Press's blog. They own Servant Books, which is my publisher. It has been a bonus for me that not only have I gotten to know the Servant Books folks, but now am getting to chat more with the St. Anthony Messenger Press people. What a nice bunch they are! I'm looking forward to getting to meet some of them at their exhibit at the UDMC Catholic Conference that will be here in Dallas this October.

What Do You Get When You Mix a Snoring Scholar and a Happy Catholic?

What do you find is the most compelling part of your story as more people read your book and you share your story with them?


If this doesn’t sound too presumptuous, it is that I get to see a little of how the Holy Spirit works. Honestly, I am very often humbled by what people say that God shows them when reading the book. Very little of what they have found is what I put in there, if that makes sense. They are getting messages that I didn’t specifically write. That is God at work.

[...]

The lovely, charming, sweet, and popular blogger, Sarah Reinhard (aka Snoring Scholar) interviewed me via email.

Click through on the link to read it and while you're there be sure to look around. For one thing, Sarah reads all sorts of books that I wouldn't think to try. Often I find myself adding to my list after visiting her place. And her sunny personality and love of her faith is everywhere.

Kate Wicker's review of Happy Catholic: " ... even pop culture can’t escape the wisdom of God."

... whether I’m reading something out of the mouth of a great theologian or an animated superhero from The Incredibles, I’m getting a glimpse of God and how He can be found everywhere – in humor, in sorrow, in the tabernacle, in a secular world, in the most quotidian particulars of life.

So much of our faith is found in living it, and it’s difficult to live our faith if we only feel God is nearby when we’re at church or when we’re participating in formal prayer. What I love about Julie’s approach to spirituality and religion is that there’s always an opportunity for growth and reflection no matter what you find yourself doing, seeing, reading, experiencing, or feeling.

That's not all Kate Wicker has to say in her really nice review of Happy Catholic (the book) ... including a special confession about the special place she goes to read it. I'm not tellin', I'm just sayin' you have to go read it for yourself.

While you're there, take a look around at Kate's blog. She's got her own new book out, Weightless, and you can see from her blog that she's another who sees God all around her. I especially liked "Why I Love My Grandma" (and no, it isn't as sappy as it sounds ... but you're used to that from being around here, right? Right!).

My interview on Christopher Closeup ...

... or how I discovered that it really is the interviewer who makes the interview good.

From my point of view anyway. I guess if you listen and don't like the interview, then we know who to blame ... and it ain't Tony Rossi.

I had exchanged emails with Tony for years but it was a real pleasure to get to talk to him in person. What a swell guy! He really is a fitting representative for a great group like The Christophers.

The podcast is now online at The Christophers.

If you like Catholic radio instead of podcasts, the show will air on:

• Sirius-XM’s The Catholic Channel (Channel 129) this Sunday July 24 at 7:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Eastern (6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Central).
• Relevant Radio the same day at 2:30 p.m. Eastern (1:30 p.m. Central).

Pat Gohn's Recommended Summer Reading: Happy Catholic

I got this ready and then discovered that it somehow went into drafts instead of posting! I'm just glad I discovered it there ...

Pat Gohn talked today with Brian Patrick on the Sonrise Morning Show about her summer reading suggestions. Imagine my surprise and delight when she gave me the heads-up that Happy Catholic is one of the books she discussed.

I was even more excited when I saw the distinguished company I was in, Edward Sri and ... wait for it ... Henri Nouwen. I never in my life imagined that anything I wrote would be mentioned in the same sentence with Henri Nouwen. Life is full of surprises, isn't it?

Thank you Pat!

Take a minute while you're at Pat's and look at her podcast, Among Women. Pat is a thoughtful and interesting podcaster and you're sure to learn something new. Don't believe me? Then just check out her column at Patheos. She's the real deal. Always inspiring, intelligent, and passionate about the faith.

An Appreciation of Happy Catholic (UPDATED)

From my good friend, Scott, comes this wonderful appreciation of Happy Catholic, the book.

If I had this book back when I was feeling conflicted, I’d have realized that I was not alone. When Robin says to Batman, “Self control is sure tough, Batman,” I would have known that I’m not the only one that thought “Isn’t that interesting… my priest said that in a homily last week. It’s not supposed to be easy.”

He shares some of his personal faith journey as a context for his appreciation ... which means a lot to me. Thank you, Scott.

UPDATE
Scott generously put his review on Amazon, Goodreads, and Library Thing. I was stunned to see that there are more Amazon reviews than the last time I looks ... and also very pleased to see that people liked the book enough to take the time to write something.

Thank you to all who have gone to the effort to review the book in a place where others might be interested. That is like receiving a lovely thank-you note.

I really, really appreciate it! :-)

Still in Florida, But Talking as Much as Ever ... Today With "The Catholics Next Door" at 11:20 Eastern Time

Gee, I think that headline says it all!

Here's where you can see more about The Catholic Channel on Sirius 129 XM ... and about Jennifer and Greg Willits, those Catholics next door.

Hope you get a chance to listen in!

Today I'm Talking with Wendy on Relevant Radio at 2:00 (Eastern time--because I'm in Florida right now)

Relevant Radio ... where they bridge the gap between faith and everyday life.

Sounds tailor-made for Happy Catholic, doesn't it?

We'll be talking about the book and who knows what else ... maybe zombies? For a full hour. So tune in.

And if you don't have Relevant Radio station in your area or can't listen at 2:00 (or 1:00 Central, etc.), then here is the archive where you can pick it up at your convenience (they think of everything, don't they?).

"My wife is quoting you at me." -- Mike Aquilina

The last couple of weeks have been very, very good for Happy Catholic (the book), so I thought that I'd pass along the love (yes, boring, but at least it is just every so often, right? right!). Links are in the subheads if you want to see more.
Mike Aquilina
Who was not only kind enough to write a blurb for the cover but was good enough to further review it on his blog ... and told me via email that "my wife is quoting you at me." It don't get much better than that, folks!

I read it in manuscript, but I like it even more now that it has a bright, sunny cover. I’d read it again if I could wrest it from my wife’s grip. I suppose I’ll have to buy a second copy. But that’s OK, because it’s an excellent book to keep on hand for passing out to inquirers or fallen-away or disaffected Catholics. Julie knows how to lead readers, at just the right pace, to see the Church’s human and divine aspects for what they are: human (long sigh) and divine (wow!). For me, she defines realism because her realism reminds me so much of my mom’s and my wife’s.

Terry Fenwick liked Mike's comments so much that he wound his own Amazon review around them. High praise on two levels, that!

Listmania: The Humorous Guide to Learning More About Your Faith
Jessica says of her list, "Because, let's be honest, being Catholic is awesome and we have a great sense of humor as Catholics. If you want to know more about the Catholic faith in an entertaining way (but also in a totally faithful way), pick up one or more of these books." And I am completely gratified to be on a list with all three of John Zmirak's "Bad Catholic" books (which I love). All of the books on there are good, to be honest, so that makes me even prouder! Thank you Jessica!


... engages both contemporary and time-honored culture - Joseph R.
I know Joseph's Zombie Parent's Guide blog and so it makes his review even better for me. He posted at both Amazon and Goodreads so, for variety, I put the Goodreads link.

What I really love about the book is how it engages both contemporary and time-honored culture. Quotes range from the recent Battlestar Galactica TV show and The Onion to St. Augustine and Lao-tzu. The uniting thread is the underlying truth found in all of these: how God touches our lives in the most remarkable and most mundane ways.

You want a friend around like this! - Tom N.
Tom N. pointed out that Barnes and Noble has some Happy Catholic reviews as well, one of which is his.

Read a page or two (It's set up much like a blog - only on paper) and think about it. This book helps keep your mind in the beauty of Catholicism with all the wonders and diversity. Happy Catholic is written by a Catholic who loves to practice her faith.

For those who had inquired, I discovered that there will not be a Nook version of the book available.

Thanks to these and others who have been so generous in reviewing Happy Catholic and making their views public! Keep 'em coming!

Happy Catholic and Real Life Radio 1380

I simply can't believe that I didn't post about being on Real Life Radio 1380 with Leo Brown until afterward!

Yes, that is just how busy I got at work. Dashed out the door and felt lucky to get home and get the dogs quieted down and catch my breath before they called.

Leo Brown is a wonderful interviewer and makes you feel right at home from the first moment. I had a good time, especially as Leo let me go on and on and on ...

I thought that I was told they are connected with a Catholic bookstore although I don't see that mentioned on their website. A friend tells me that the Catholic bookstores in Kentucky, where this show is based, are the best she's ever been to. Does that mean the Catholics in Kentucky read more than in other places? Or go to Catholic bookstores more? It sure makes me want to go to Kentucky!

Happy Catholic - Kindle version

I have had people asking about whether Happy Catholic would be available as an E-book. I am happy to announce that the publisher just told me that they have uploaded the files and it should be available in 24 hours.

WOOHOO!

Help yourself!

And ... if you have read the book and enjoyed it, would you consider writing a review on Amazon? Every little bit helps! Thank you!

The Bishop's Hour and Happy Catholic: Today in ... about five minutes!

Some listeners call Bob Dunning a “bleeding heart liberal” while others swear he’s a right-wing conservative. ...

Dunning believes the contradictory assessments of his opinions reflect people’s perceptions of Catholicism itself. “The church’s teachings spread across the political spectrum,” he said in a recent interview with The Herald. “Who decided that being pro-life was a conservative position?” “I’m also against the death penalty,” he added, “which seems to mark me as a liberal.”

The church teaches respect for human life and the dignity of the human person, Dunning observed, yet Catholics can be divided on specific applications church teaching. “To me, being against capital punishment and against abortion under any circumstances is a consistent ethical position, but not all Catholics agree,” he said.

From what I can tell, Bob Dunning is my kind of guy and very probably a happy Catholic.

I'll find out very soon! Sorry for the lack of notice but my days have been crazy, y'all.

Happy.

But crazy.

Here's more information.

Lino at Large and Happy Catholic: tonight at 7 p.m. (Eastern time)

Lino at Large is a 30 minute radio show which is one of the most popular Catholic podcasts in the country. This fast-paced program geared toward young adults is brought to you by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

I remember waaaaay back in 2007 getting to chat with Lino Rulli a few times and it was always fun.

I mean, you've got to love a guy who has a bobblehead in his store. Right?

And I hear he's got 7 Dumb Questions to ask me.

This is gonna be fun.

Or something. (But I'm counting on fun ...)

And we'll probably talk about books. Just a little. One book anyway.

Guess which one?

Yeah, I figured you'd guess.

The Curt Jester: "I simply loved this book."

Nothing could have made me happier!

Unless it was the rest of Jeff's review of Happy Catholic.

Now Julie is a self-confessed book skimmer in that she often will skim through a book and then come back later and re-read it. I am not as much of a book skimmer and certainly did not skim through this book for fear of overlooking a good nugget. It also did not hurt that Julie pulled her quotes from areas and sources I also love. To have a book quoting Alice Cooper (now an Evangelical), Futurama, Firefly, SF Movies, and a vast swath of culture not in the SF realm is certainly to my taste, but her reflections should benefit all.

I simply loved this book. ...

Jeff is a logical and analytical thinker who loves the Church and loves books. Plus I read his blog before I had one of my own. So to say his review gladdened my heart is a huge understatement.

He even included a quote by me that he liked. That put me over the moon!

There is much more so if you are considering buying the book, you may be interested in reading the whole thing. Certainly I will be doing so several more times.

Thank you Jeff!

"A scrappy little volume ... seasoned with Julie's own sauce."

The Anchoress highly recommends Happy Catholic and includes two essays with quotes near and dear to my heart.

... a book I am highly recommending to you, not because Julie is a friend, but because it’s a scrappy little volume that serves up morsels from some of the most surprising sources (Alice Cooper? Bender from Futuerama? Hank Hill and H. G. Wells?) and then seasons them with Julie’s own sauce.

When someone of The Anchoress' caliber is enthusiastic then I am both relieved and proud. (Yes, the eternal insecurities come out ... but it keeps me humble and grateful, people ... so it's perfect for Lent, right?)

Go grab a couple more excerpts by reading her review. Thank you Anchoress!