I cannot help being deeply saddened as I read the current reporting unraveling details of sex scandals involving some members of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church and numerous corruptions surrounding those events. For those of us who have lived through previous scandals, there is a sickening sort of PTSD swirling about.
Yet I believe in the power of prayer and sacrifice for our own sakes and the sakes of others. So, we’re increasing our intentional prayer here at the Gohn home, especially in August, dedicated to the Immaculate Heart.
By way of sacrifice, I’m offering 30 free copies of ALL IN from my personal inventory, one per person, to anyone who may be feeling depressed, angry, or saddened by what we are now going through as a church. (See below how to get a free book.) It helps to recall this: No matter how low your opinion of the Church might be right now, the opinion of Jesus Christ matters most.
Update 8/17/2018: the first 30 books were gone in the first 24 hours. BUT, given the demand, I’m holding this open till Sunday night 8/19, 11:59pm or until the next case of books is gone, whichever comes first.
Update 8/23/2018: This offer is not closed. All books have been shipped and recipients notified. Thanks to the many people who wrote in!
From the introduction of ALL IN:
The idea for this book, began to grow several years back when I struggled with disillusionment within the Catholic Church. I worked on staff at a parish when the sex-abuse scandals broke out in the local news implicating many priests in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston.
For months on end, heartbreak and hysteria swirled like harsh clouds over our heads as disappointment and disgust churned in our minds and hearts. And while I never left the Church, I 
needed to dig deeper to find reasons to stay faithful.
Over time, for me, the good — the great truths and beauty of the Catholic Church — continued to outshine the bad news in our midst.
The Catholic Church, despite warts and flaws that are seen by many, continues to make a positive impact on my life. That is a hope I am willing to share.
Becoming a confident Catholic in the face of negativity, whatever the source, takes time.
…
I’m often in awe of the saints of the Church; they’ve seen it all — the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of life and the Church through the ages. Their faith never ceases to amaze me. To be a saint is to be all in.
Want to read more? I’ve put the entirety of Chapter Two in an earlier post. Read it here.
HOW TO GET A FREE COPY of ALL IN:
- Scroll to the bottom of this page, and click on the “CONTACT ME” link.
- Fill out all the information asked for. In the Subject line, please write: “Free book.” Please double-check your mailing address, as I will be shipping the book via the U.S. Mail.
- Don’t forget to click the SUBMIT button.
- Important caveat: This offer is for U.S. residents only. (Sorry, that’s all I can afford.) International readers are invited to purchase the book via Amazon, or Ave Maria Press.
After that, I’ll be in touch with you when the book ships by mail.
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A word to survivors of sexual abuse, and their friends…
Over the years I’ve been producing the Among Women Podcast, I’ve recorded some conversations about this important subject that may be some support and help.
They are:
AW 79: Overcoming the Trauma of Sexual Abuse
AW 140: Saintly Perspectives on Healing Sexual Wounds
AW 47: From Victim to Survivor to Striver to Thriver
:::
Image credits:
rain: Gabriele Diwali on unsplash
book: Ave Maria Press
8 comments on “Church scandals getting you down? I’m giving away 30 free copies of ALL IN — the book I wrote on why I’m still a confident Catholic.”
Comments are closed.
I just ordered your book, Pat. It will arrive tomorrow. Just wanted to tell you I have been, and continue to be blessed by your writings and podcasts. We also are praying for victims, the Church and all who have been negatively impacted by this ongoing scandal. May God bless you and yours.
Hi Terry,
That’s kind of you. Prayer is powerful. The Church needs it more than ever. But I believe healing is possible for those who look to Christ.
Thank you and God Bless you
Happy to serve. Thank you for writing.
I am in a formation house and I am afraid of sexual scandal and about leaving the formation house Please what advice do you have for me.
Dear reader, this is such a challenging time. Of course it is hard for me to comment about such an important decision without knowing you well and your circumstances. I will say this — if you are contemplating leaving because you are afraid of a vocational choice toward priesthood or religious life, you may need more time to decide that, with Christ’s help, and God-willing, with the help of a spiritual director. If you truly have a vocation, ask the Lord to protect it and provide for your next steps. A leave of absence in formation is not unheard of.
One more thing, if you are fearful because have been victimized in any way before or during your formation experience, I beg you to report it, and seek help and healing for yourself. You are not alone. I will pray that God will lead you to do the right thing as you seek his will.
I think I’ve gone through 40 years of being Catholic in the past ten.
I hope you mean that in a good way! Sometime when we are a little older and wiser we can progress in the faith more quickly than when we were young. If you mean that in a negative sense — I pray that you will ask the Lord for deeper grace to carry the crosses. Annette, thank you for writing here. Let us pray for the church and one another.