--- title: "Book Notes: Joyful Witnesses to Today's World" description: Randy Hain's Book Joyful Witness shares stories of ordinary Catholics living extraordinary lives of faith, Rhonda Ortiz notes in her review. --- [![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/2016/07/26/book-notes-joyful-witnesses-todays-world#) # Book Notes: Joyful Witnesses to Today's World Jul 26, 2016 11:00:51 AM  |  by [Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/guest) ![Book-Notes-720-x-340-dark-gold-outline-and-medium-blue-pen-_-Notes-light-blue-702x336](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Book-Notes-720-x-340-dark-gold-outline-and-medium-blue-pen-_-Notes-light-blue-702x336-235.png?width=702&height=336&name=Book-Notes-720-x-340-dark-gold-outline-and-medium-blue-pen-_-Notes-light-blue-702x336-235.png) I always appreciate an inspiring saint story. The witness of the saints remind us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and to love Him and our neighbor with all our heart, mind, and will. Saint stories remind of us of our ultimate destiny: union with the Holy Trinity in heaven. **Yet sometimes I find myself wondering what a saint would do if he or she lived in today’s world with its unique problems and needs.** I wonder how the lessons we learn from their lives might inform the practical decisions we make in our families and apostolates. We not only need models of past holiness, but models of people striving after holiness today. Randy Hain’s book ***[Joyful Witness: How to Be an Extraordinary Catholic](http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00O59KRFU/catholicmom)*** provides just that. [Tweet "We not only need models of past holiness, but models of people striving after holiness today. @rhondaortiz_"] **In *[Joyful Witness](http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00O59KRFU/catholicmom)*****, Hain tells the stories of American Catholics who are living out their faith in a myriad of ways.** From young to old, from converts and reverts and lifelong faithful Catholics, from movers-and-shakers to those working behind the scenes, ***[Joyful Witness](http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00O59KRFU/catholicmom)*** provides us with examples of Christian life lived in the here and now. As an author, evangelist, and business leader who also happens to have his finger on the pulse of Cool Catholic Stuff happening nationwide, Hain has many opportunities to meet Catholics across the country, many of whom figure in *Joyful Witness*. Hain also includes stories of those close to him and his family, people who have impressed him with their abundant love and quiet service. **The variety of people depicted in *****[Joyful Witness](http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00O59KRFU/catholicmom)* reminds us that, no matter the size or flashiness of the work God has laid before us, we are all called to live out love and mercy, however that figures in each of our lives.** Each chapter includes the story of a person, practical takeaways, and questions for reflection or discussion. If you or someone you know is looking for encouragement and practical ways to be a Catholic today, look no further than ***[Joyful Witness](http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00O59KRFU/catholicmom)***. It's a good one for rekindling the life of faith! **Buy this book through our [Amazon link](http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00O59KRFU/catholicmom) and support CatholicMom.com with your purchase!** **Be sure to check out [our Book Notes archive](http://catholicmom.com/category/book-notes/).**   *Copyright 2016 Rhonda Ortiz* ### 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%2F2016%2F07%2F26%2Fbook-notes-joyful-witnesses-todays-world%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%2F2016%2F07%2F26%2Fbook-notes-joyful-witnesses-todays-world%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F07%2F26%2Fbook-notes-joyful-witnesses-todays-world%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Book%20Notes%3A%20Joyful%20Witnesses%20to%20Today%27s%20World) [![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%2F2016%2F07%2F26%2Fbook-notes-joyful-witnesses-todays-world%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F07%2F26%2Fbook-notes-joyful-witnesses-todays-world%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Profile%203.jpg) ### [Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/guest) We welcome guest contributors who graciously volunteer their writing for our readers. Please support our guest writers by visiting their sites, purchasing their work, and leaving comments to thank them for sharing their gifts here on CatholicMom.com. To inquire about serving as a guest contributor, contact editor@CatholicMom.com. ## Related Blog Articles [ Discover "Witness: Learning to Tell the Stories of Grace that Illumine Our Lives" Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2017/06/16/discover-witness-learning-tell-stories-grace-illumine-lives) [ When the Resurrection is Hard to Grasp Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2015/04/08/when-the-resurrection-is-hard-to-grasp) [ What We Talk About When We Talk About Sacraments Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/10/24/what-we-talk-about-when-we-talk-about-sacraments) ## 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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