If given the opportunity to read a book by one of America’s most prominent catechists, you should take advantage of it! And that is precisely what we find with Pat Gohn’s new book All In: Why Belonging to the Catholic Church Matters (Ave Maria Press, 2017). This book is ideal for any Catholic who takes his or her faith seriously, and is a clarion call for Catholics to look for opportunities to both deepen their own faith and to lead others to the merciful love of Jesus Christ as celebrated within the Catholic Church.
Pat Gohn, as the editor for Catechist magazine, which is one of numerous ministerial capacities within which she has served the Church, has provided us with a gem of a book with All In. Gohn’s reflections, insights, and invitation for Catholics to better fathom the implications of their faith in order to better be prepared to share it with others, make this text an easy and quick – yet likewise profound – read. If you know someone who is struggling with accepting a teaching of the Catholic Church, someone who is considering leaving the Catholic Church, or even someone who is already on fire in his or her faith life, All In delivers a boost of spiritual confidence upon which we could all rely. After all, we must confidently recall the words of Christ to Simon Peter: “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:18-19).
You can buy a copy of All In: Why Belonging to the Catholic Church Matters at Ave Maria Press or on Amazon. You will greatly enjoy this book. Buy a few copies for either current Catholics or those considering joining the Catholic Church. You can also follow Pat Gohn on Twitter (@PatGohn).
A lifelong resident of the Archdiocese of Washington, Justin has taught theology and Spanish at his alma mater, Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville, Maryland, since 2006.
Justin has written widely on various aspects of the Catholic faith. His books include Called to Teach: Daily Inspiration for Catholic Educators, Called to Pray: Daily Prayers for Catholic Schools, The History of the Catholic Church (a textbook), and Alleluia to Amen: The Prayer Book for Catholic Parishes. Justin is active in pro-life ministries, and serves on the volunteer board of directors for the Forestville Pregnancy Center.
Justin holds an M.A. in Spanish Language and Culture from the Universidad de Salamanca (Spain), an M.A. in International History from Staffordshire University (England), and an M.A. in Theology and Christian Ministry from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. Justin has studied philosophy and theology at Seton Hall University, and Church history from the University of Notre Dame’s Satellite Theological Education Program, for whom he has likewise taught various online courses.
Justin, his wife Bernadette, and their children live in Bowie, Maryland, where they attend Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Justin is a lay member of the Order of Saint Dominic. You can follow him on Twitter (@JustinMcClainOP).
