Rating: 
Summary: Not too factual
Review: Although the author does touch on some areas that need to be addressed, I was disappointed on the organization and presentation of the material. There still are many rules of etiquette since Vatican II, not much was wiped out, just the American population has become so casual that the true etiquette isn't presented. We can see that truth in modern weddings. The "rules" are still out there, just so many people choose to ignore them or are ignorant. The author presents many of the issues, like "Children at Mass" not with a definitive, "do this", but more with a "if you feel inclined..."
Rating:
Summary: Not too factual
Review: Although the author does touch on some areas that need to be addressed, I was disappointed on the organization and presentation of the material. There still are many rules of etiquette since Vatican II, not much was wiped out, just the American population has become so casual that the true etiquette isn't presented. We can see that truth in modern weddings. The "rules" are still out there, just so many people choose to ignore them or are ignorant. The author presents many of the issues, like "Children at Mass" not with a definitive, "do this", but more with a "if you feel inclined..."
Rating: 
Summary: Good for "cradle" Catholics, too!
Review: As a lifelong or "cradle" Catholic, I mechanically followed the rituals of the Church - genuflecting, dipping my fingertips into the holy water, making the sign of the cross, etc... During Mass, I stood, sat, and kneeled on cue without hesitation, but also with little thought. This engaging book, while perhaps targeted at those recently converting (or considering) to Catholicism, in a few short chapters, enriched my understanding of my own faith. By exploring the historical origins of the many rituals and customs in a straightforward and easy-to-read manner, Ms. Isca has enhanced my Catholic education.
Rating:
Summary: Recommended for non-Catholics marrried to Catholics
Review: As a lifelong or "cradle" Catholic, I mechanically followed the rituals of the Church - genuflecting, dipping my fingertips into the holy water, making the sign of the cross, etc... During Mass, I stood, sat, and kneeled on cue without hesitation, but also with little thought. This engaging book, while perhaps targeted at those recently converting (or considering) to Catholicism, in a few short chapters, enriched my understanding of my own faith. By exploring the historical origins of the many rituals and customs in a straightforward and easy-to-read manner, Ms. Isca has enhanced my Catholic education.
Rating:
Summary: Good for "cradle" Catholics, too!
Review: As a lifelong or "cradle" Catholic, I mechanically followed the rituals of the Church - genuflecting, dipping my fingertips into the holy water, making the sign of the cross, etc... During Mass, I stood, sat, and kneeled on cue without hesitation, but also with little thought. This engaging book, while perhaps targeted at those recently converting (or considering) to Catholicism, in a few short chapters, enriched my understanding of my own faith. By exploring the historical origins of the many rituals and customs in a straightforward and easy-to-read manner, Ms. Isca has enhanced my Catholic education.
Rating:
Summary: Very Good!
Review: Excellent book. I would recommend this book to anyone that is new to the church, will be attending a catholic mass, wedding, funeral, etc and wants to know what to expect. What I really liked was that the author, while not going into great detail (the book was very simplistic) gave a large amount of information. She discusses changes since Vatican II, adds in church history, and fully explains each Rite. She never takes a tone that might offend some protestants (like other catholic books might)...she just presented clear and simple answers and explainations. This would make a great gift to someone going through RCIA, or for a friend that wants to learn about the church that is thinking about attending RCIA.
Rating:
Summary: Very Good!
Review: Excellent book. I would recommend this book to anyone that is new to the church, will be attending a catholic mass, wedding, funeral, etc and wants to know what to expect. What I really liked was that the author, while not going into great detail (the book was very simplistic) gave a large amount of information. She discusses changes since Vatican II, adds in church history, and fully explains each Rite. She never takes a tone that might offend some protestants (like other catholic books might)...she just presented clear and simple answers and explainations. This would make a great gift to someone going through RCIA, or for a friend that wants to learn about the church that is thinking about attending RCIA.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Much Why but Plenty of How To
Review: Kay Lynn Isca was raised a Protestant and is well aware that some Catholic practices and customs may be confusing to new Catholics and to some cradle Catholics as well. For Protestants with close Catholic friend's things can be particularly confusing if they are called on to attend Catholic weddings, funerals, or other events that are particular to the Catholic faith. This book is intended to relieve some of the anxieties of the confused and point out what is correct and what is not.
Mrs. Isca writes in a very pleasing way and often makes her point with personal experiences. There is no doctrine or dogma here, just simple etiquette for various situations that may be faced both by Catholics and their friends and relatives. We all wonder sometimes whether a gift is appropriate in a certain situation and if so what kind of gift it should be. Most people are also faced with honorariums for weddings and funerals and have no idea how much should be given. During my former life in the funeral industry I was asked many times, "How much should we pay the preacher?" Those are among the many questions and concerns that the author deals with in this book. I found her chapter on children at Mass to be very informative and would highly recommend that any new parent take the time to read this chapter. Of course I would also recommend this chapter to anybody else who has a tendency to grouch about noisy children in Church.
I did find one thing in this book that bothered me and it involves a practice that I and most of the Catholics I know are in the habit of. Mrs. Isca says this practice is wrong and she may well be right but she never explains why it is wrong. It would have helped the author's credibility a great deal had she explained her statement at least a little. This was the only thing in this book that I didn't find to be right on the mark and also very helpful. The author even deals with the proper response for a Catholic caught in several situations that might cause hard feelings if handled incorrectly. For example, if a Catholic attends a dinner party on a Friday during Lent and finds themselves being served a plate of beef should they eat it or leave it and risk offending their non-Catholic host?
This book will be helpful to all Catholics who read it but more so for new Catholics. It will be worth it's weight in gold to someone who is planning a mixed wedding or to any non-Catholic who has a close Catholic friend or family member. I know there are going to be times that my Baptist wife may have to rely heavily on this book. There is nothing deep or theological here, just some plain common sense advice on the etiquette of the Catholic Church.
Rating:
Summary: very good - especially for Catholic converts
Review: The author was a former Protestant, and so she explains a lot of the differences between the two religions, both philosophical differences and visible differences. I would recommend the book for non-Catholics who want to know why Catholics do the things they do, or those who might have occasion to attend a Catholic mass, funeral, baptism, confirmation, or other event, and want to know the proper things to do. It is also useful for recent converts to the Catholic religion because the author answers the questions she had herself. It's a very good book that I believe to be accurate, and is entertaining at the same time.
Rating:
Summary: Great book for new catholics
Review: This book was given to me by a friend while I was taking the "re-embering" class at church. I had a lot of basic questions that were a little to basic for the nun to answer. Bless her heart, she just knew too much and never got her answers basic enough for my questions. A friend in my class gave me the book because she understood what it was I was asking and knew the book had the answers. I really enjoyed reading this book. Like I said, it answered so many questions. I wanted to know what I was supposed to be doing at mass and not make all the mistakes other people make because they are just doing what they see other people do. I am now sponsoring a girl who is considering becoming a Catholic and I gave her the book for Christmas because I know she will find it helpful. This is a great book for non-catholics or new ones.
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