eCatechist

The Florist's Daughter

Though Hampl's memoir seems to emphasize the ordinariness of Midwestern life, she at the same time highlights all that is extraordinary about growing up in the great "middle" her parents so devoutly strive for. Her book speaks to how profoundly so many small and seemingly simple things that happen throughout one's life have lasting and far-reaching effects. Perhaps Hampl feels she was overprotected in her certain "middle" life, but she proves to be just as astute an observer as she admires her mother to be--apples might not fall far from the trees on which they were grown, but they do tumble down their own paths.

Study Circles

A study circle is a small group of individuals who come together on a scheduled basis for learning. Reading groups, discussion groups and journal clubs are specific types of study circles. As an example a study circle could consist  of five to seven individuals who come together for four sessions which are  facilitated by a leader.  A topic may be organized theme, question, problem,  book, magazine. For example a study circle may meet together to discuss the major ideas from a monthly magazine such as the Catechist, Religion Teachers Journal or U.S. Catholic. For more information on study circles visit the Study Circles Resource Center.