Join our Casual Seasonal Book Club!
Dive into great reads with a community that loves literature as much as you do. We keep the conversation alive and engaging through our FACEBOOK group, where members can share their thoughts, insights, and questions while reading. This ongoing online discussion allows everyone to participate at their own pace, fostering a rich and interactive reading experience.
At the end of each book, we gather in person at the Parish Center for a lively group conversation. This final meeting is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow book lovers, delve deeper into the themes and characters, and enjoy the shared enthusiasm of finishing a great book together.
Whether you’re a voracious reader or someone who enjoys a good book now and then, our book club offers a welcoming and relaxed environment. Join us for a season of enriching reads and meaningful discussions!
Laidback Book Club: No Guilty Bystander
Join us in reading a book recommended by Fr. Rob: No Guilty Bystander, The Extraordinary Life of Bishop Thomas Gumbleton. The online book summary reads that Thomas Gumbleton, retired Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit, served as an outstanding voice and witness for peace and justice in the Catholic Church. From his early opposition to the Vietnam war, his work on the Bishops’ historic pastoral on nuclear weapons, to his peacemaking missions and solidarity with marginalized communities around the globe, and his promotion of reform and renewal in the church, he has offered a prophetic model of faithful discipleship.
He has visited as a speaker in the Midland area and recently passed away on April 4th of this year. His obituary stated that he was best remembered for touching lives through his homilies and pastoral care. He began as a parish priest, served as Assistant Chancellor and then Vice-Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Detroit, and, in 1968, became the youngest bishop in the United States at age 38. Tom travelled throughout the world responding to requests to accompany people in crisis, especially in situations calling for human rights advocacy, nonviolence, and justice.
Tom inspired those around him to recognize their own call to love one another as God has first loved us. He challenged each person to build a world where all will feel at home. The legacy he leaves are the countless hearts he touched and the minds he encouraged to think deeply about faith, justice, and love. Bishop Gumbleton lived a life that responded to the Gospel call: to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).
Royalties on sales of No Guilty Bystander will go to the Kay Lasante Health Clinic in Haiti.
Please purchase a paper or digital copy and join us on Facebook or read along with us and then join in for a community discussion on Thursday, November 7th at 7:00 in the parish library.
Contact Christy for more information about how to join the group.
