Catholic Women Speak: Bringing Our Gifts to the Table Paperback – September 29, 2015

In Catholic Women Speak faithful Catholic Women break open their hearts to share extremely personal and well informed essays on issues that Catholic feminists face. Many of these offerings are heartbreaking yet it is clear none of these women have lost heart in the church they love. Actually some of these women have converted to Catholicism as adults. The book deals with the tough issues of our day such as defining family, concerns about accepting LGBT Catholics as well as the acceptance of women in ministry. Human sexuality is very thoughtfully considered in several of these essays. It may seem odd to say but I found this book to be a real page turner. Really, I was enthralled by the level of commitment that each of these women are to making the Catholic Church a place for equality and justice. You will want to share this book with all the women and men in your life.

This powerful and important book presents the insights, experiences, and wisdom of Catholic women from around the world. They are all women who claim, profess, and practice their Catholic faith, but who often feel frustrated by the lack of agency they are afforded in the church they love.Although this book was prepared specifically to be available at the time of the 2015 Vatican Synod on the Family (at which women are not allowed to be delegates or to vote), the concerns the authors express are timeless. While there are some really deep ideas in this volume, it is very accessible to the general reader. While some of the authors are well known writers and scholars, others are "voices from the pews." ALL are worth listening to, and all have wisdom to share. To read these essays is to make new friends. I am grateful to them for opening themselves to us.

This is an up-to-date collection of Catholic women's views on religion and Church. The essays reflect a variety of opinions, hopes and dreams, but all are well worth reading and pondering. The volume would make a fine gift for any woman who claims her Catholic heritage and has studied and prayed about the 21st Century Church, especially under Pope Francis' leadership.

Slow to the table of the role of women in the Catholic Church I love this collection. Thought provoking and hopeful. Meeting some of the women who shared their perspectives in this book was life changing. "Our gifts" are waiting to be accepted.

a very important subject articulated beautifully by the women authors

This book clearly states compelling reasons why women should finally have a voice within the Catholic Church. Hope that the Pope, Cardinals and Bishops take the time to read this.

Real women from around the world discuss real issues about society and the Church. Lots of good points brought out front and center. I wish it had a Leader's Guide and/or discussion questions. The heck with official recognition, I would start my own discussion group.

This book is realistic and hopeful. We especially appreciate the brief chapters and the input from women around the world. I'm in a "book club" which studies theology and both men and women are enjoying it.

An inspiring look at Catholicism from a perspective that offers hope and direction!

It isn't easy to be a Catholic woman in today's Church. I sometimes feel that I suspend my intelligence at the church door. Nor do I find it easy to discuss my struggles, even with close women friends. There is a culture of silence, encouraged by thr last two popes. This book does what the title says: it engages me in conversation with a number of other women. I feel validated in my doubts, I feel supported by their on-the-ground lived theology. I only got part way through when I decided to buy copies for other women. The book offers diverse insights into the lives of Catholic women todsy. It should be prescribed reading for every priest, every seminarian, every bishop.

I find this book a message of hope for the Catholic church. the reflections of each of the authors strengthens the view that the church will not be the church that Jesus would have been happy with until women are allowed to participate in every ministry available in the church. the future of the church may rest with the contribution of women to the development of the church as the Body of Christ in the world today. the sooner that this contribution is honoured the more faithful will the church be.

I have finished reading this book. It was very easy to read; the language was accessible, the essays were short and hugely interesting. It was good to read such a variety of views and to hear from women of so many different backgrounds. I agreed entirely with some and less so with others but found great value in all. I now intend to go back and read more slowly and deeply as I think that it is the sort of book which will provide endless food for thought.

I bought this to give as gifts to my aunts but after reading some of the stories in them I was incensed by the women's stupidity...oops sorry I mean their piety.Honestly nowadays there is no need to have children constantly until you then deny your husband any sex, fail to get treatment for obvious depression and break up your marriage....-(and no, it is not against church rules or God's to use family planning!! )These stories give normal sensible catholic women a bad name.It is not any use of you are a sensible Catholic woman looking for stories of inspiration... Stories of imbeciles more like!!