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CathinCoffeland
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(I wasnt sure which forum-move at will)
Our neighbors over the fence use Sonlight and dd has been very interested in some of their books-the ones about kids in other parts of the world and especially the ones about missionaries. I like the idea of reading about other cultures after all we are the Univeral Church however I worry about the protestant evangelial nature of some of the stories.
They also have kids magazines with the same emphasis-missions around the world but i have the same concern.
Are there books/ magazines that any of you could think of that would have a Catholic pov but concern sharing the faith and world missions. Or am i worring to much about a silly thing 
If any of you use sonlight could you reccomend some of the titles?
Dd reads at a 1st grade level but of course we can read aloud older than that.
Thanks Maggie
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Bookswithtea
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What Sonlight books are you considering? I have seen/owned most of them at one time or another and can let you know more if I know the title names.
Many of them have a very annoying protestant bent. They also include strange miracle stories that sometimes don't sit right with me (Evangelicalism does not have a well developed theology of suffering and can fall into the "get saved and God will give you stuff" trap).
The bigger books in core 2 like Window on the World are pretty much universally rejected by the SL Catholic loop because they talk about evangelizing traditionally Catholic and Orthodox nations.
OTOH, it can be difficult to find similar books with a Catholic context. I feel your pain!
When we were using Sonlight, we made extensive use of a DK book called Children Just Like Me. We then prayed for those nations rather than using some of the books SL uses.
Hope this helps.
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Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and  due 9/10
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SuzanneT
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When we used Sonlight we did not use/read any of the 'conversion" books. I agree with Books,"Many of them have a very annoying protestant bent."
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Suzanne in Sunny S.Florida
dh('87),ds(90),dd(91),dd(95)
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Erin
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Maggie
I don't think you are silly at all to be worrying about such things.
Why not read about the missionary saints, St Francis Xavier comes immediately to mind. I can jot down more if you need?
For current information contact Catholic Mission or the like for what is happening worldwide today.
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Erin
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stacykay
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I don't have any titles I can recommend, but have a story to tell.
There is a couple in our metro area who own a 6,000 square ft. home. (6br, at least as many baths, beautiful pool, nice neighborhood- Bloomfield Hills.)
They attend a Catholic church, have children, and are selling their house to build a school? and health clinic in a town in Cameroon.
The article in the Free Pree, from this summer, said they had traveled there with a priest from their parish, saw how these people were living, took a look at the excesses of many American lifestyles, and said to themselves, "how much is enough?" They aren't affiliated with any specific group, just doing this on their own.
I am learning more about Catholic family missionaries. I really didn't know they existed  , unitl a few years ago. There are many priests/brothers/sisters who do missionary work, and we hear about a small few, but it seems most aren't recognized by "mainstream" America, and definitely not Catholic "family" missionaries.
Anything anyone has to share, or anything you find out, I would love to hear!
Thank you!
God Bless,
Stacy in MI
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CathinCoffeland
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wow! Stacy what a story...that is great. I agree i wish there was more info about family missions. I know of prople who have done it. That is the kind of thing dd is interested.
Erin- What is Catholic Mission, I havent heard of it. And yes please list a few of the Saint for me, i seem to have lots of info on virgin maryts dd loves the gorey stories- eyeballs on platters and what not
but i dont have much on saint in missions.
She really loves the wupsey stories in the catholic treasure boxes-are there any like this with Nuns instead of priests?
Books i will check out the dk books
Thanks everybody
Maggie
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Kelly
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I avoided the books that were about protestant missionaries working in Catholic countries (unless it was, say, a group working in the South American jungle with non-Christian tribes). Books like the one ones on Gladys Alwyard (sp?) who worked in China in the 30's were very good, I thought. But most of the books, do, alas, have that "annoying protestant bent".
The other day I was talking to someone who told me her brother and his wife spent seven years as missionaries in Spain. I said, "Missionaries in SPAIN? You mean luring people from the Catholic Church?" Ooh, it made me mad  '
Kelly in FL
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Erin
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CathinCoffeland wrote:
Erin- What is Catholic Mission, I havent heard of it. And yes please list a few of the Saint for me, i seem to have lots of info on virgin maryts dd loves the gorey stories- eyeballs on platters and what not
but i dont have much on saint in missions. |
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Cathy,
Catholic Missionis the official mission aid agency of the Catholic Church in Australia. I am sure you would have similar agencies in the States.
To list some of the missionary saints I'll start with books that are piblished by Ignatius Press, the Vision books as you should still be able to get these.
St Francis of the Seven Seas and his good mate
St Ignatius and the company of Jesus
Mother Seton and the Sisters of Charity These sisters did missionary work throughout America spreading the faith.
St Benedict Hero of the HillsSt Benedict's mons spread throughout Europe and converted the godless society of his era.
Saint Dominic and the Rosary St Dominic walked from town to town preaching the Word of God.
The Cross in the WestThe story of the faith being spread in the very early days of America by very brave priests
Another couple from this era are Father Marquette and the Great Rivers\ and Saint Isaac and the Indians.
Don't forget to tell your daughter that the Little Flower had a great devotion for the missionaries and always prayed for them. She desperately wanted to be a missionery herself. There are others but that should get you started. 
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Erin
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hereinantwerp
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Kelly wrote:
The other day I was talking to someone who told me her brother and his wife spent seven years as missionaries in Spain. I said, "Missionaries in SPAIN? You mean luring people from the Catholic Church?" Ooh, it made me mad '
Kelly in FL |
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I think most missionaries here are attempting to reach the majority, who do not actively practice any faith. Though there are many beautiful churches here, they are sadly empty, & attended mostly by the elderly. I also know of some examples in our city of Catholics and Protestants--a few--co-operating.
I've been participating on this forum more and feel like I need to come out and say--we are missionaries in a Catholic country . Because of being here, we do a lot of reading and looking into Catholicism, in order to understand--and both DH and I find MUCH that we admire and respect. My husband recently met a young man on an all night bus and had a long talk about spiritual matters. In the end the young man expressed a longing to return to the things he'd left behind, the Catholic church, and my husband encouraged him in this--the young man is meeting with a priest, and they are still emailing occasionally.
Perhaps that is an exception and not the rule, but I do know others here who would do the same. I did not grow up in any church--and at the time I was looking for God, it happened to be protestant friends who invited me to join them in a group. I have a hard time understanding some of the evangelical attitudes towards Catholics, though I know there are very deep roots historically. I feel like the very tragic thing is, it is about God himself--and most people in Europe are very much living their lives without any reference to Him.
I was wondering if, maybe with the son and the books, it could be an opportunity for discussion? Especially as the neighbors are so close, there will probably be ongoing questions as the children naturally relate and talk about things. I used the first 4 years of Sonlight, and a few of the books, Gladys Aylward & George Mueller especially, were very inspirational. (Gladys Aylward led a group of children out of danger during a Japanese invasion of China and suffered greatly, George Mueller began an orphanage in Bristol fueled literally by faith. Amy Carmichael is also a personal favorite of mine, she rescued children from temple prostitution in India). The year 5 program has a bio of Mother Theresa. There is also a Hudson Taylor biography that year that I would avoid b/c of the way it is written, I did not even like it. But most of the books can be read as "adventure stories," and help expand childrens' hearts for the needs of the world. Because they are written for young children they do not really get into theology, though the general approach to God between protestant and Catholic is pretty different. But that can be an occasion to talk with your children about things, and explain why your family does things the way it does.
just an idea.
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Angela Nelson
Mother to Simon (13), Calvin (9), and Lyddie Rose (3)
my blog: live and learn
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Kathryn UK
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Hello Angela, glad to have you here . The situation in the UK is much the same. Only a small minority - well under 10% - attend any church regularly. A positive aspect of this is that there is far more cooperation between Catholics and Protestants than there is in the US (from what I understand of the situation there). For example, I belong to a Christian homeschooling group where we are the only Catholics and most of the other families are Baptists. They would never dream of trying to "convert" us. Most areas have a Council of Churches where the different churches (Catholic and Protestant) work together. In our town they organise Bible story sessions in local schools, a united Procession of Witness on Good Friday and a united Christmas outdoor carol service among other things. I don't know of any missionaries here who attempt to convert Catholics, other than Mormons or Jehovah's Witnesses.
I agree about the biography of Gladys Aylward. We read it a few years ago when we were doing Sonlight. Her story is an extraordinary one and well worth reading.
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Kathryn
Dh Michael, Rachel(3/95) Hannah(8/98) Naomi(6/06)  (11/07)
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Diane
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hereinantwerp wrote:
| I think most missionaries here are attempting to reach the majority, who do not actively practice any faith. Though there are many beautiful churches here, they are sadly empty, & attended mostly by the elderly. |
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As a Catholic living in Belgium, I have to say that I completely agree with Angela (whom I am hoping to meet in person one of these days!). I belong to a Christian homeschool support group here, and as far as I know, I am the only Catholic. The majority of the members are Protestant missionaries. When I first realized this, I was taken aback and sort of had the same reaction as Kelly: what are they doing here in a Catholic country? But my attitude has changed completely as I've gotten to know them and the Belgian culture. These missionaries are faithful Christians who have dedicated their lives to spreading the Gospel. They work very hard and make great sacrifices in their families. They have to return to the US every so often to raise the funds they need to be here, begging from church to church, reminding me of St Francis. They are here not to persuade faithful Catholics to leave their Church, but to introduce Christ to those who don't know Him. And believe me, there are many here who don't know Him.
We had some Irish friends visit us recently, and they shared that the situation is sadly much the same in Ireland. Their family attends Mass each Sunday, but their kids go to youth groups and Bible studies led by Presbyterian missionaries. They feel that this is where their faith is being nurtured, and that the Catholic Church has little to offer them outside of the sacraments (which of course is most important but must be understood to be fully appreciated). The schools are Catholic, but in name only and do little to promote the Faith.
Instead of being angry that there are Protestant missionaries evangelizing in a "Catholic" country, I have to admire their dedication and ask: where are the Catholic missionaries? If we as a Church, both clergy and lay, were fulfilling our mission and sharing the riches of the Catholic Faith, there would be no gap for Protestant missionaries to fill. Once a life embraces Christ in His fullness, there is no desire to search elsewhere. The problem is that the majority here in Europe have not embraced Him at all.
As always, much prayer is needed, for our Church and for our world. I'm encouraged to hear the stories of Catholic families who are responding to Christ's call to spread the Faith. May we all be open to the way in which He calls each of us.
Thanks for sharing here, Angela. I do hope you feel welcome here.
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Peace,
Diane
Mom to five fair lasses and one bonny prince
The Journey of a Mother's Heart
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Bookswithtea
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I wanted to mention that Window on the World has, in their chapter on Spain, a story about a child who is participating in their village's patron saint celebrations and the "poor child" doesn't understand why they are even celebrating, so "oh well, she'll just pray a hail Mary and hope for the best." The way its written, its very condescending, and there is a suggestion that the act of celebrating the town's patron saint day is idolatrous. The prayers and stories talk about how these children need the contemporary worship and bible studies that the protestants have to offer if they are ever going to know Jesus. The chapter on Greece is similar.
I am a convert from Evangelicalism (5 yrs ago). I refused to use this book when I was protestant because even then, I feared that it would contribute to my child having an attitude toward European Catholics that would be patronizing.
I do understand what you mean about the problem, Angela. In all honesty, many many Catholics in the pews in our local churches here in the states could use some evangelization as well.  I didn't mean to knock missionaries. I just don't think that this particular book is helping the situation at all.
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Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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Sarah in SC
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Ooh, that Windows on the World book is just criminal! It really is very condescending, and is definitely anti-Catholic. I had to just pitch it.
Aren't there some Wyndeatt (I know that's not spelled correctly!) books that would work for this???
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Happy wife to Tom and mama to Mac, 12, Hannah, 8, Rosemary, 6, Luke, now 1! and the 9 little angels that Mary is rocking.....
"What good shall we then do with today?" --Benjamin Franklin
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Kelly
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Angela, you are good and kind and I very much appreciate your candor (and bravery!) in speaking out about the sad loss of Faith among Catholic Europeans. I really do appreciate your on-point comments...afterall I have a lovely but very liberal Dutch mother-in-law who supports abortion, euthanasia, gay-rights and just about every other anti-family movement you can think of...sigh...and she's "Catholic", but thinks we're fanatics, double sigh... So yes, I agree, sadly, with you, and Diane and Kathryn, from my family experience as well as from my own time going to school in Ireland and Spain. Ironically, after I pushed the send button, I actually thought of you and hoped then (and hope, still) not to offend. I really appreciate your generous perspective!
OTOH, I live in a Bible belt area where it is not at all uncommon to run into the Catholics-aren't-Christian mentality. Here, it is very common to be the target of Protestant evangelization with a view to saving ones soul from a Jack Chick-style Catholic hell, and people are very vocal about it. I don't generally get overly riled up about it...afterall, I was raised Protestant myself, right here in the same Bible belt I realize the motives are pure, but I do get very weary of talking to people, explaining our Faith, and absolutely NOT being listened to. The other day I sat in the dentist office with my children and listened to two women wax eloquent about how Mexicans are idol worshipers (and there were two Mexicans sitting next to me!!!). When I finally, kindly but firmly, intervened to explain the correct Catholic teaching on this topic, one of the women actually shouted that I had the devil on my back. The other woman, who had been a missionary in Mexico, was a little less aggressive, but not lots. The dentist actually sent a nurse to pull the more bellicose gal out of the waiting room. I was shaking.. Anyone who knows me personally(and there are a few on this loop who do) can vouch for the fact that I am a very easy going person, almost obsessive about good manners. So, yes, this situation shook me up quite a bit...and it's not the first time, alas. So, that's the context of my "vent" about the missionary-in-Spain comment! In Europe, there's a real war going on against agnosticism and atheism. But in the Bible Belt, we often find ourselves in an anti-Catholic war-zone, too.
My entire family is Protestant, and I love them very much. But even with them, I run into many un-generous comments about the Catholic faith. It doesn't feel good, and I know it's important to remember that before *I* say anything that is perceived as ungenerous! As I always tell my children, we have many more things in common with our Evangelical Christian brothers and sisters than not, even if we don't agree on everything. Certainly, a love of Jesus Christ is the starting point, the main point!
Thanks again for your perspective, Angela.
Kelly, contrite in FL
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hereinantwerp
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Thank you everyone for your graciousness!
That is one of the things that I really love about this forum.
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Angela Nelson
Mother to Simon (13), Calvin (9), and Lyddie Rose (3)
my blog: live and learn
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stacykay
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For information on lay missionaries, I found a bunch of sites when I entered "Catholic Lay missionaries" on yahoo. In looking at these sites, I thought that the activities of these missionaries can be done here at home, too.
Working in a soup kitchen, collecting items for crisis pregnancy centers, raking leaves or shoveling snow for an elderly neighbor, taking a dinner to someone who has been ill or had a baby, etc. Our parish youth group went to ?somewhere in Ohio? to do inner city work (I really didn't understand why they needed to travel since Detroit, in our backyard, needs lots of work!) When I was in college, the Newman center sponsored spring break in Appalachia. I can only guess that there is still a need there.
It's great that there are those who will travel to Africa, or other far-away places, but we don't have to go far to find needy in our country.
I think about how Mother Teresa said she never preached to the needy, just took care of their needs and would pray for them.
Maybe you could find opportunities around you and tell your dd she is acting as a missionary.
I also looked up the definition of missionary, and doing charitable work fits. If our neighbors/strangers/family see the fruit of our faith, and it affects them, then that could be a road for evangelization.
I hope all this makes sense, as I have really just been thinking "out loud" as I wrote .
Again, I don't have any reading suggestions for you. The ones above are great. On another thread, the book about Mother Teresa by Demi was recommended, and we found it at our local library. My boys really enjoyed it!
I really am glad that you brought this all up!
God Bless,
Stacy in MI
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TracyQ
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Stacy,
I have a story for you. Here is the link where you can read all about *St. Luke's Mission of Mercy*, here in Buffalo, NY, in the heart of the worst part of the city, where God's love and mercy is much needed. It's quite a story, and wonderful things are being done there!
St. Luke's Mission of Mercy
God bless!
Tracy Q.
__________________
Blessings and Peace,
Tracy Q.
wife of Marty for 20 years, mom of 3 wonderful children (1 homeschool graduate, 1 12th grader, and a 9th grader),
homeschooling in 15th year in Buffalo, NY
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stacykay
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Tracy,
That is beautiful! Thank you for sharing that!
Yesterday my 11 yo ds asked why there are poor/sick people, as in, why does God allow them to be hurt, etc. It was an interesting discussion about suffering and acts of charity.
God Bless,
Stacy in MI
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krygerzoo
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I agree that we don't need to go to far away places to be missionaries! We have so much to do in our own backyards! HOWEVER, it is truly up to God! He may call us in areas we never considered! Actually, we are currently waiting to find out if we are going to Cuzco, Peru as a missionary family.
There is a lovely Catholic mission there and we feel called to abandon ourselves to His holy call. If, indeed, we are to go.
If this door closes, we are totally content staying here (in lower west Michigan). We love it here!
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini is a wonderful missionary saint, too.
I can't bring myself to purchase anything from a company that produces blantant anti-Catholic materials.
Peace and Blessings, Katherine
wife to David '89
momma to Ramsey '05, Claire '01, Collin '99, Cassidy Grace '97, and missing my Kaden Michael in the arms of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1994-2005)
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Diane
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krygerzoo wrote:
it is truly up to God! He may call us in areas we never considered! Actually, we are currently waiting to find out if we are going to Cuzco, Peru as a missionary family.
There is a lovely Catholic mission there and we feel called to abandon ourselves to His holy call. If, indeed, we are to go. |
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Wow, Katherine, this is amazing. I will pray for your family. Please keep us posted.
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Peace,
Diane
Mom to five fair lasses and one bonny prince
The Journey of a Mother's Heart
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4Real Forums : Living Literature
Topic: question about "missionary" books
