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Paula in MN
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Today my mother gave my daughter a book titled "Wopsy, The Adventures of a Guardian Angel." She told me she was given this book for her 1st Reconciliation, and she wants my 7 year old to read it to help her prepare for her 1st Reonciliation this March.
I briefly looked over it, and I am just wondering if anyone else has read this or has used it. Apparently it was written in 1946 by Gerard F. Scriven, a member of the Society of Missionaries of Africa, called White Fathers because of the white habit they wore.
Thanks.
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 Paula
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MaryM
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THe Wupsy stories are included in the Catholic Children's Treasure Box books. My kids always enjoyed them. You can tell that they were written in a different time - I've always found them kind of interesting in that sense - the difference in language than we would use today.
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Mary M. in Denver
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jdostalik
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My four oldest children have all LOVED the Wupsy stories. They are such sweet, devout stories that really engage the kids--the illustrations (at least in the Catholic Treasure Boxes) have always captivated my little ones and they have been a great springboard to helping the little ones understand how special their relationship is with their own guardian angel--how hard he must constantly work to protect them!! 
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Jennifer in TX
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Lisbet
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We LOVE Wupsy!
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
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Paula in MN
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Thanks to all of you. We will start reading the book tomorrow!
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Paula
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MommyD
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I do not care for the Wupsy tales. We have the Treasure Box books. I don't want my children associating "black souls" with children who have dark colored skin. Love the saint stories but we don't read Wupsy.
Melissa
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Bridget
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My children have had no problem separating the story, a little adventure and fun, from the spiritual truths, we are all in need of baptism.
It's just a story set in a mission area. There is plenty of literature that show light skinned people in need of evangelization too.
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Bridget, happily married to Kevin, mom to 8 on earth and a small army in heaven
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Lisbet
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I've never made that connection and I doubt my children have either.
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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kjohnson
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MommyD wrote:
I do not care for the Wupsy tales. We have the Treasure Box books. I don't want my children associating "black souls" with children who have dark colored skin. Love the saint stories but we don't read Wupsy.
Melissa |
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I gave the first Treasure Box book to a dear friend who had this same reaction. I think it was an unfortunate connection that the author didn't intend. I think the point of the story was that a soul lacking sanctifying grace is in darkness and the gift of sanctifying grace at baptism illuminates the soul.
These books were written at a time when the general public wasn't instructed to use modern politically correct racial terminology. I don't think the African people in the story who received the gift of the Faith were meant to be demeaned in any way. Just think about the thriving faith in Africa today(Cardinal Arinze and the numerous vocations springing up in Africa) because the missionaries during this era brought the light of Christ to a people who had not yet heard the Gospel.
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Katherine
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Paula in MN
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kjohnson wrote:
| I think the point of the story was that a soul lacking sanctifying grace is in darkness and the gift of sanctifying grace at baptism illuminates the soul. |
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I read through the book last night - too much coffee during the day! - and did find it to be a great story. I agree with Katherine''s comment.
After going through everyones responses to this, I just want to make sure of one thing. The book I was given is called "Wopsy", but you have all referred to "Wupsy". Are we talking about the same book?
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Paula
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MaryM
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Yes, it is the same story - for some reason the name seems to have been altered in the Teasure Box book series.
This from the back of the Treasure Box book:
"The Story about an Angel was first told by Father Gerard F. Scriven, a White Father, who knew Sunny and his mother and father in Africa. The story is retold as The Story of Wupsy for Treasure Box."
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JennyMaine
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I love, love the Treasure Box books and we've had no problem with the Wupsy stories at all. In fact, I feel they have helped my kids to be open minded and loving of all races. When we had a Nigerian priest come and serve at our parish for 3 years, my kids loved and accepted him -- good thing, I was his secretary! LOL Other children did not accept him or greeted him with "My parents told me you'd be black!" (eek!) I think the portrayal of the African families in the Treasure Box books is wonderful - they are so reverant and full of faith!
I'm not sure what the reference to "black souls" is? Can you give me the Treasure box book number and page number so I can look it up?
Some of you have heard my tale of woe regarding the Treasure Box books. . .I own books 1 - 41. At the end of 41, on p. 1312, Sunny John is kidnapped, and we've never found out the end of the story! So, if you ever find out that there was a book 42 published and you know the end of the story. . .we'd love to hear it! LOL I wish they'd republish all the books!
Jen
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