--- title: "Lawn Chair Catechism Session 3: We Don't Know What Normal Is" description: "Lawn Chair Catechism Session 3: We Don't Know What Normal Is" --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2013/06/12/lawn-chair-catechism-session-3-we-dont-know-what-normal-is#) # Lawn Chair Catechism Session 3: We Don't Know What Normal Is Jun 12, 2013 6:00:28 AM  |  by [Sarah Reinhard](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/sarah-reinhard) ![LawnChairCatechism](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/LawnChairCatechism-550x183-14.png?width=550&height=183&name=LawnChairCatechism-550x183-14.png) Welcome to the third session of Lawn Chair Catechism, using *[Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1612785905/catholicmom)*, by Sherry Weddell (Our Sunday Visitor, 2012). - ****[Our Sunday Visitor has extended the $10 + free shipping offer](https://catalog.osv.com/lp.aspx?code=F35BBD63) through July 31! - You'll be able to leave comments and/or leave your link at the end. - You do not have to read the book to participate. Check out [our discussion guide](http://catholicmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/lawnchaircatechism-formingintentionaldisciples-studyguide.pdf). There's plenty to get started with if that's all you use (one page a week). **This week, we'll be covering Chapter 2: We Don't Know What Normal Is.** ### Summary: In her extensive research, Sherry Weddell learned that most Catholics consider their relationship with God a forbidden topic – too private to discuss with others.  What we don’t hear about, we don’t know is possible: > One of our most surprising discoveries has been how many Catholics don’t even know that this personal, interior journey exists.  A high-level, cradle-Catholic leader on the West Coast acknowledged to me recently that the very idea of a personal relationship with God was still new to him.  The possibility had only dawned upon him for the first time a few years ago, when his parish started offering evangelizing retreats. Our idea of “normal” Christian life is skewed.  We consider an interest in the spiritual life to be an exception, and not the norm.   To combat this mistake, the first Catholic discipleship group Sherry belonged to wrote a series of resolutions as part of their mission statement (here are a few excerpts from their longer list): > . . . It is NORMAL for lay Catholics to be excited Christian activists. > > . . . It is NORMAL for lay Catholics to be knowledgeable of their faith, the Scriptures, the doctrinal and moral teachings of the Church, and the history of the Church. > > . . . It is NORMAL for lay Catholics to have fellowship of other committed lay Catholics available to them, to encourage, nurture, and discern as they attempt to follow Jesus. > > . . . It is NORMAL for the local parish to function consciously as a house for formation for lay Catholics . . .. ### For discussion: **In your own faith:** - Are you comfortable talking with others about your relationship with God? - Would you say that you’re a “normal” Catholic using the criteria outlined above? - Or are you a “typical” Catholic, fighting that feeling that interest in the faith is only for a few pious eccentrics? **In your parish:** - Do you personally have, within your parish, a group of Catholics you meet with regularly, to discuss the faith, study the faith, and encourage each other to greater virtue? - At this time, does your parish have in place a working system for actively mentoring those who want to grow in their relationship with God? ![03-LawnChairCatechismSquare](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/03-LawnChairCatechismSquare.jpg?width=300&height=300&name=03-LawnChairCatechismSquare.jpg) ### Join the discussion! We'll be "talking" in the combox, too, so please leave your thoughts there as well! '); // ]]> ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2013%2F06%2F12%2Flawn-chair-catechism-session-3-we-dont-know-what-normal-is%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2013%2F06%2F12%2Flawn-chair-catechism-session-3-we-dont-know-what-normal-is%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2013%2F06%2F12%2Flawn-chair-catechism-session-3-we-dont-know-what-normal-is%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Lawn%20Chair%20Catechism%20Session%203%3A%20We%20Don%27t%20Know%20What%20Normal%20Is) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2013%2F06%2F12%2Flawn-chair-catechism-session-3-we-dont-know-what-normal-is%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2013%2F06%2F12%2Flawn-chair-catechism-session-3-we-dont-know-what-normal-is%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Sarah Reinhard](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/Contriubutors/SARAH%20REINHARD.jpeg) ### [Sarah Reinhard](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/sarah-reinhard) When she’s not chasing kids, chugging coffee, or juggling work, Sarah Reinhard’s usually trying to stay up read just one … more … chapter. She writes and works in the midst of rural farm life with little ones underfoot. She is part of the team for the award-winning *Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion*, as well as the author of [a number of books](http://sarahreinhard.com/my-books/). ## Related Blog Articles [ Don't Forget: Tiny Blue Lines, Words of Pope Francis, & Catholic Men's & Women's Bibles Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/02/05/dont-forget-enter-to-win-tiny-blue-lines-words-of-pope-francis-catholic-mens-womens-bibles) [ Don't Miss Out on These Catholic Books! Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2015/03/02/dont-miss-our-giveaway-this-week-catholic-books-and-prayer-cards) [ Don't miss the Catholic Catalogue Book Club! Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/03/08/dont-miss-catholic-catalogue-book-club) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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