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Men's Faith Sharing

The Men's Faith Sharing Group meets at 7 p.m. in the Activity Room.

Questions for "Rediscovering Catholicism" by Matthew Kelly

Download chapter questions in pdf format here:
Chapter 1-3,   Chapter 4-6,    Chapter 7-9,   Chapter 10-13,  

Here are some questions to ponder for each gathering.  These are intended to create discussion.  They are not intended to be the only questions for our gatherings.  Please come prepared to share these and other questions and observations you have from reading the text.  
Introductory Pages
  • 1.  How did you react to the story of the child who has the immunity to save the world?
  • 2.  Do you think Kelly's analysis of people lethargy towards the faith fits your observations of Catholics and Christians in general?
  • 3.  How do you see the "church being on loan to us from future generations"?
  • 4.  What is your reaction to the great achievements of the Catholic Church?
  • 5.  How do your react to Matthew Kelly's "striving" to become the best version of yourself?
    •  
Chapter 1
  • 6.  How has our society been numbed to sin? (p. 8)
  • 7.  How do you strive to be authentic in your life? (p. 9)
  • 8.  Who is an example of someone authentic in your life? 
  • 9.  How are Catholic part or not part of our cultural milieu? (p.9)
  • 10.  How are you overloaded by the social, political, and economic climate? (p. 10)
  • 11. How do you experience the new culture of "show me" instead of "tell me"? (pp. 10-13)
    •  
Chapter 2
  • 12.  Do you have a philosophy or rule of life?  What is it?  (p. 16)
  • 13.  How do you relate to the statement, "individualism is a cancerous growth"? (p. 17)
  • 14.  How do you define freedom? Where have you seen it authentically or falsely lived? (pp. 17-18)
  • 15.  Where do you see hedonism? (pp.18-19)
  • 16.  Where do you see minimalism at work/home/school/church? (p. 19-21)
    •  
Chapter 3
  • 17.  How would you describe the philosophy of Jesus?  How is it different than that of the world? (pp. 23-27
  • 18.  How are some of our "stolen moments of happiness just "shadows of something infinitely greater"? (p. 25)
  • 19.  How are you living/not living out the scripture "I have come that you may have life and have it to the fullest (John 10:10) (p.27)
  • 20.  Are you striving or just surviving?
  • 21.  How do you react to the statement, "Freedom without discipline is impossible"? (p. 28)
  • 22.  How are love and freedom connected? What is an example of that your life? (p. 29)
  • 23.  Why do some think that Jesus is irrelevant?
  • 24.  How do react to the statement, "[Jesus} was the single greatest agent of change in human history"? p. 33)
  • 25.  What is your reaction to the statement, "Our yearning for happiness is the ultimate and eternal  homing device"? (p. 32)
    •       
 Chapter 4
  • 1.  How can we "establish a vibrant identity for Catholicism in the modern world"? (p. 35)
  • 2.  What do you see as the mission of the Church? (pp. 35-36)
  • 3.  How have your relationships guided you to your path of salvation? Who might those people be? (p. 36)
  • 4.  What are your needs?  Wants? (p. 37)
  • 5.  How do you see your life as a Christian akin to that of an athlete? (p. 38)
  • 6.  What do you think is the biggest difference between the first Christians and Catholics today? (pp. 38-39)
  • 7. How do you react to the statement, "The essence of Catholicism is transformation." (p. 40-41)
  • 8.  What are some false stereotypes of Catholicism? (p. 41)
  • 9.  What are men's common stumbling blocks to becoming authentic Catholics? (p. 42)
    •       
Chapter 5
  • 10.  What are some of the problems in Catholicism? (p. 43-44)
  • 11.  At Mass, what are we celebrating?  With what part do you most connect? (p. 44-45)
  • 12.  How do you react to the statement, "We become what we celebrate"? (p. 44)
  • 13.  What are the issues that most concern you in the Church? (pp. 45-47)
  • 14.  What can each of us do to effect a positive change about that concern? 
  • 15.  What is your reaction to the claim that we are failing to reach out to others? What can we do to change that? (p. 46)
  • 16.  Why do people not come to Church?  St. Anthony's in particular?  What can each of us do to change that? (p. 46)
  • 17.  What do believe is your mission as a Catholic?  (p. 47)
  • 18.  How do you let your "life speak" (p. 47)
  • 19.  How do you define "personal holiness" in your life? (p. 47-48)
  • 20.  How is Catholicism a lifestyle for you? (p. 48)
  • 21.  What do you miss out on when you turn our back on the culture? (p. 48)
  • 22.  Who in your life has captivated your attention because of their witness or example of the faith? (p. 48)
  • 23.  Now, how do you see the "church being on loan to us from future generations"? (p. 49)
  • 24.  How do you react to the statement, "The spirit of Catholicism  is predominantly celebration"? (p. 49)
  • 25.  What does our culture celebrate? (p. 49)
  • 26.  When have you had to defend the faith? (p. 50)
  • 27.  What approaches to defending your faith have been the most/least effective? (p. 50)
  • 28.  What is your reaction to the statement, "Only one thing is necessary for Catholicism to flourish -- authentic lives"? (p. 56)
    •       
Chapter 6
  • 29. When in your life was there a change in questioning from "What's in it for me?" to "How may I serve?" (p. 57)
  • 30.  What does it mean for you to live an "authentic life"? (p. 58)
  • 31.  When did you "turn your will over to God"? (p. 58)
  • 32.  How does your work fulfill God's will?  (p. 59)
  • 33.  When has your work not fulfilled God's will? (p. 59)
  • 34.  What is your reaction to Matthew Kelly's statement about living an uncommon life in common circumstances? (p. 59)
  • 35.  How is your work a prayer?  What are obstacles to making this happen? (p. 59)
  • 36.  How does your work enable you to grow in virtue? (p. 60)
  • 37.  What is your reaction to the increased use of medications today? (p. 60)
  • 38.  How does you life mirror the modern pace of quiet desperation? What do you do to combat this? (p. 60-61)
  • 39.  What is your reaction to the statement, "The greatest tragedy of modern Catholicism is the dilution and destruction of the goal of the Christian life"? (p. 61)
  • 40.  How is life harder without your faith? (p. 64)
  • 41.  How is life easier with your faith? (p. 64)
  • 42.  Why do you think people don't know how to apply the Christian faith to their lives? (p. 64-65)
  • 43.  What is your reaction to the statement, "if you want to be holy, you are not allowed to enjoy life"? (p. 65)
  • 44.  What are the signs of a holy person? (p. 66)
  • 45.  How do you react to the statement, "There is nothing more attractive than holiness"? (p 67)
  • 46.  Who in your life demonstrates this attractive holiness? (p. 67)
  • 47.  How does your current life demonstrate the best version of yourself? What part of your life needs help in this area? (p. 67-68)
  • 48.  How do you react to the statement, "You don't work for eight dollars an hour, you work to transform your soul"? (p. 69)
  • 49.  The Vatican II documents call us all to holiness.  How is that a change from the past? (p. 69-71)
  • 50.  How do your react the statement, " When the practice and preaching of Christianity are not clearly focused on the "universal call to holiness," the activities pursued in the name of Christianity disintegrate into nothing but a collection of social welfare initiatives"? (p. 71)
  • 51.  How do you see the danger of underachievement? (p. 72)
  • 52.  How do your react to the statement, "those who have no central purpose in life fall easy prey to petty worries, fears, troubles, and self-pity" (p. 68)
  • 53.  What is the great "spiritual secret of life according to Matthew Kelly?
    •        
Chapter 7
  • 1. How would you describe “holiness?” (pp. 76-78)
  • 2. Does holiness attract you? How about when you were a youth? (pp. 76-78)
  • 3. Have you experienced a conversion in faith? What happened? (p. 77)
  • 4. How do you react to the statement: If you want to be a great Catholic Christian study great Catholic Christians. (pp. 77-79)
  • 5. What saint(s) have inspired you the most in your life? (pp. 77-78)
  • 6. Where have you learned from your successes? (p. 78)
  • 7. Where have you learned from your failures? (p. 78)
  • 8. Who are modern day saints in your life? (p. 78)
  • 9. According to Matthew Kelly, saints have become unpopular. Why do you think that is? (p. 79)
  • 10. How do you react to the statement: “It is true that from time to time, some people have placed too much emphasis on the role the saints play in Catholic spirituality.” (p. 79)
  • 11. How do you relate or not relate to some saints? (pp. 79-80)
  • 12. In what way has the Church been “infected by common secular philosophy?” (p. 81)
  • 13. How have you judged Mass by the measure of “How much I got out of it?”
  • 14. What other measures should be used with regard to the Mass. (p. 81)
  • 15. What is your reaction to the statement: “I go to Church on Sunday, and I always say grace before meals. Isn’t that enough?” (p. 81)
  • 16. What is your reaction to the statement: “What is the least you can do to be Catholic?”
  • 17. How have you seen the “Pedestal Syndrome” at work in your life? (p. 82-83)
  • 18. Does God have favorites? Do you feel that you are his favorite? (p.82)
  • 19. What is your reaction to the statement: “When veneration replaces imitations... our devotion to the saints becomes hollow and borders on superstition.” (p. 83)
  • 20. How do you struggle with discipline in your life? (p, 84-86)
  • 21. Where has discipline really helped you in your life? (p. 84-86)
  • 22. What is your reaction to the statement: “Without discipline, we are confined to soulless living and must content ourselves with work, food, momentary worldly pleasures, and anything that can help distract us from the misery of purposeless living” (p. 86)
  • 23. What is your reaction to the statement: “The goal of the Christian life is holiness.” (p. 86)
    •       
Chapter 8
  • 24. How often do your read your Bible? (p. 89)
  • 25. Who are some incredible teachers who have inspired you in your life? Why? (p. 90)
  • 26. What are some great books you’ve read? Why do you consider them great? (p. 91)
  • 27. Who in your life has been able to “put an old head on young shoulders?” (p. 91)
  • 28. What is your reaction to the statement: “Even a blind man knows when he is in the presence of a great light.” (p. 92)
  • 29. What is your reaction to the story of St. Francis? (pp. 92-96)
  • 30. What is your reaction to the story of Mother Theresa? (pp. 97-101)
  • 31. What is your reaction to the story of St. John Vianney? (pp. 101-107)
  • 32. What is your reaction to the story of St. Thomas More? (pp. 108-113)
  • 33. What is your reaction to the story of Pope John Paull II? (pp. 113-119)
    •       
Chapter 9
  • 34. How might you add to Matthew Kelly’s analysis of the difference between heroes, leaders, champions, and saints? ? (p.121)
  • 35. Who is an example of someone you know who has “singleness of purpose” (p. 122)
  • 36. Where have you demonstrated “singleness of purpose?” (pp. 122-124)
  • 37. What is a serious goal in your life? (p. 122)
  • 38. When was a time that you knew the will of God for you in your life? (p. 125)
  • 39. What do you think about Matthew Kelly’s assertion that whatever will help you to be come the-best-version-of-yourself is how can we discern God’s will? (p. 125)
  • 40. What are some caricatures of holiness that modern society has created and ridiculed? (p. 126)
  • 41. Where have you set your gaze on God and followed him no matter the cost? (p. 126)
  • 42. What is your reaction to the statement: “The challenge is in surrendering our prideful and selfish wills to the will of God.” (p. 127)
  • 43. Who do you know walks “humbly before God?” (p. 127-128)
  • 44. What do you think of the analogy offered about keeping a candle lit? (p. 128)
  • 45. What is your reaction to the statement: “Habits create character” (p. 129)
  • 46. What are some good habits of yours? (p. 129)
  • 47. What are some bad habits of yours? (p. 129)
  • 48. What habit would you like to be different a year from now? (p. 130)
  • 49. Create a list of your habits as described on p. 130. What does that list tell you about yourself? (p. 130)
    •       
Chapter 10
  • 1. Who are your true friends? What makes them true friends? (p. 133)
  • 2. What person brings the best out of you? What is it that is “your best”? (p. 134)
  • 3. When in your life did spending time with someone lessen your desire to be a better person? (p. 134)
  • 4. Who in your life expresses contagious goodness? (p. 134)
  • 5. What three people would you want to be stranded on an island with? Why?
  • 6. What is your reaction to this statement: “Don’t be afraid of your loneliness. Use it as an opportunity to befriend people who inspire you.” (p. 136)
  • 7. What is so attractive about holiness? (p. 138)
    •       
Chapter 11
  • 8. Who and what will the greatest influences in determining the future? (pp. 140-141)
  • 9. To whom does the future belong? (p. 140)
  • 10. When has story telling been important in your life? (p. 141)
  • 11. How can your respond to the anti-Catholic bias of our culture? (p. 143)
  • 12. React to this quote by St. Joan of Arc: “I know this now. Every man gives his life for what he believes. Every woman gives her life for what she believes. Sometimes people belive in little or nothing, and yet they give their lives to that little or nothing. One life is all we have, and we live it as we believe in living it and then it’s gone. But to surrender what you are and to live without belief is more terrible than dying -- even more terrible than dying young.” (p. 145)
  • 13. What great cause are you willing to support with the moments of your life? (p. 145)
  • 14. What does your time reveal you are giving your life to? (p. 145)
  • 15. When someone close to you has died, what does that do to your perception of what you are giving your life to? (p. 146)
  • 16. What is your reaction to this statement: “Catholicism is not a lifeless set of rules and regulations. Catholicism is a lifestyle. Catholicism is a way of life designed by God to help you become all you can be.” (p.148)
  • 17. What recent event transformed something in you? (p. 149)
  • 18. What is your reaction to this statement: “You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.” (p.150)
  • 19. If you could change anything in this world, what would you change? (p. 150)
  • 20. What is your reaction to this statement: “Only one thing is necessary for Catholicism to flourish -- authentic lives.” (p. 151)
    •       
Chapter 12
  • 21. What is your reaction to this statement: “...as Catholics in this modern climate, we tend not to take our spirituality seriously.” (p. 155)
  • 22. How do you react to the dedication that Michael Jordan demonstrated? (p. 158)
  • 23. How does Michael Jordan and Tiger Wood’s lives speak to our faith? (pp. 158-159)
  • 24. Who do you know who taken a weakness and turned it into a strength? 
  • 25. When have you taken a weakness and turned it into a strength?
  • 26. Matthew Kelly claims that a classic sign of mediocracy is the tendency not to look at one’s weaknesses. What do you think of that? (pp. 159-160)
  • 27. What is your reaction to this statement: “Every journey toward something is a journey away from something. If we need to turn back to God at this moment in our lives, we also need to turn away from whatever has lead us away from God.” (p. 161)
  • 28. What is your reaction to this statement: “I am a sinner. That is what makes me eligible for membership in the Catholic Church.” (p. 162)
  • 29. What is your reaction to this paraphrase: Catholicism means so little to so many because they have forgotten or, in some way, never been introduced to the goal of Christian life. (p.163)
  • 30. What has been your experience of the Sacrament of Reconciliation? (pp. 163-165)
  • 31. Are you prepared to defend the Catholic practice of the Sacrament of Reconciliation? (pp.166-167)
  • 32. What is your reaction to Matthew Kelly’s critique of this statement: “Love means never having to say that you’re sorry.” (p. 168)
  • 33. Would it be healthy for a relationship if a husband and wife apologized only for mortal offenses? (p, 168)
  • 34. When was the last time you celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation?  
  • 35. What are some fears surrounding the sacrament?
  • 36. What is your reaction to this paraphrase: When we bring our darkness to the light, the darkness no longer has power over us. (p. 170)
  • 37. What is your reaction to this statement: “Who we become is infinitely more important than what we do or what we have.” (p. 171)
  • 38. What is your reaction to the analogy of cleaning a new car on page 172?
  • 39. If you don’t go to confession frequently, then why?
  • 40. What is your reaction to this statement: “Whatever you do, don’t dialogue with the tempter.” (p. 174)
    •       
Chapter 13
  • 41. What do you think about/contemplate most in your day? (p. 179)
  • 42. How much silence is present in your life? (pp. 181-182)
  • 43. Could you spend 10 minutes a day in the “classroom of silence?” (pp. 184-185)
  • 44. What is your reaction to this paraphrase: The difference between happy and sad people is their sense of mission. (p. 186)
  • 45. What is your reaction to this statement: “Action without prayer is the curse of most modern humanitarian organizations.” (p. 187)
  • 46. What is the geography of your prayer? (pp. 188-189)
    •       
Chapter 14-19 Questions were never formed.

Chapter 20
  • 1) Who do you consider to be a leader in politics?
  • 2) Who do you consider to be a leader for the Catholic Church?
  • 3) Does authority come from a person or a position? Or both?
  • 4) What is our society afraid of?
  • 5) What are you afraid of?
  • 6) What courageous things have you done?
  • 7) What courageous things have you done to live a Christian life?
  • 8) How do prayer and the sacraments nourish your life and give you courage?
  • 9) How can you show leadership by giving service to others?
    •       
Chapter 21
  • 1) Do you practice the seven virtues--faith, hope, love, prudence, justice, temperance, fortitude--in your daily life?
  • 2) Are the seven vices--pride, lust, gluttony, sloth, greed, envy, wrath--part of your life (even in non-deadly amounts)?
  • 3) How do you react to the poem "If"?
  • 4) What qualities does a "real" man have?
  • 5) Do you accept the Church's offer to be virtuous and live a life of service?
  • 6) Is it easy to be virtuous life out in the real world?
  • 7) Why are you Catholic? What do you love about being Catholic?
  • 8) How do faith, hope and love keep you going in difficult times?
  • 9) How does the Catholic Church and your faith community help you be a virtuous man?
    •       




Helpful websites for men and fathers:
St. Joseph Covenant Keepers
The National Center for Fathering
National Fatherhood Initivative
Center for Successful Fathering
National Resource Center for Catholic Men