LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (OSV Information) — “Think about preparing for a celebration for 30 years after which questioning if anyone goes to indicate up,” Dan Gonzalez stated with a nervous snigger.
Gonzalez, an writer from Miami, is making ready to independently publish a e book he has been writing and designing since he was in faculty. It was an encounter in faculty that he stated spurred a deep dive into his religion and prompted the thought for “Mass Defined.”
The e book accommodates details in regards to the origins of phrases and phrases used all through the Mass in addition to perception into every a part of the Mass. On the finish of every of its 43 chapters, readers can discover a chapter overview, 15 evaluation questions, and three questions for reflection and group dialogue.
It’s for cradle Catholics, converts, parochial faculty college students and lecturers, homeschoolers, small parish teams and oldsters.
“Merely put, ‘Mass Defined’ is written for anybody who needs a deeper understanding of the Mass,” stated Gonzalez, who determined to self-publish his e book and is elevating funds by way of a Kickstarter marketing campaign on his web site, https://www.massexplained.com. He set a purpose of $8,000 for the one-month-long marketing campaign, which ends Feb. 28. Copies of the e book might be preordered for $48 every.
Gonzalez’s e book has ties to the Diocese of Little Rock.
“After I was going by way of the e book, I stated, ‘OK, I would like an image of a celebrant together with his arms stretched over the items.’ I might do a Google picture search and see these lovely photos from the Diocese of Little Rock,” he stated.
Gonzalez collaborated with Arkansas Catholic to make use of pictures from the diocesan publication’s archives.
He additionally labored with Arkansas Catholic freelance photographer Travis McAfee, based mostly in Springdale, to take pictures of various elements of the Mass.
“As Catholics, we all know the rationale we’ve constructed these large cathedrals and have this lovely stained glass and artwork … is to speak the reality of God, so if we are able to herald some lovely images to a e book in regards to the Mass, it looks as if that mixture of fact and wonder,” McAfee instructed Arkansas Catholic. “We have been in a position to get angles that intensify a extra artsy really feel. … Dan is an individual of prayer, and his backstory on why he was creating the e book … actually intrigued me … and received me excited in regards to the mission.”
The son of Cuban immigrants who fled from Fidel Castro’s Communist reign, Gonzalez grew up going to Mass together with his mom and brother. When he went to design faculty in Rhode Island, Gonzalez saved a promise to his mom to proceed attending Mass, however he would attend the nondenominational Bible research afterward.
“It was nice. I grew to become mates with the chief, and he was a 12 months forward of me in the identical main,” Gonzalez instructed Arkansas Catholic. “He was telling me about lecturers, the way to do assignments, the way to oil paint and make woodcuts, after which he was educating me in regards to the Bible on the similar time. He was like my mentor and my brother.”
Gonzalez started to grapple together with his Catholic religion as he joined his new pal at his nondenominational church. After six months, “I got here to search out out that I used to be lacking the Eucharist,” he stated. “They don’t have the Eucharist (at a nondenominational church). The pastor provides a sermon and that’s it, all people goes residence.”
When he went again to Mass, Gonzalez stated, “it felt like being residence once more — like being reunited with previous mates.”
In 1993, he determined to start researching the historical past of the Mass.
“I noticed I wanted to be taught as a lot as I may in regards to the Mass and write a e book about it, as a result of I don’t need different folks to expertise what I’ve skilled — this rupture, this religious disaster, this waywardness. … I feel that if Catholics knew in regards to the Mass and what they’ve, they wouldn’t go anyplace else.”
Again in Miami, Gonzalez enrolled at St. Thomas College to be taught extra about ecclesial historical past, sacraments, sacramental theology and liturgy. He took two years of instruction within the lay ministry program within the Archdiocese of Miami. He learn greater than 150 books in regards to the Mass.
“I made a decision (whereas writing) to start out firstly of the Mass after which work my manner all the best way to the top, explaining every a part of the Mass,” Gonzalez stated. “However since I graduated with a graphic design diploma, I used to be designing the e book on the similar time that I used to be writing it. I needed it to be very visible and visually engaging. I feel that individuals are extra prone to learn a e book that has numerous photos than a 400-page e book with numerous grey textual content on a web page.”
“Mass Defined” acquired a “nihil obstat” from Msgr. Dariusz J. Zielonka, chancellor for canonical affairs for the Archdiocese of Miami, which implies the e book is in step with Catholic doctrine. An imprimatur was granted by Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami, giving the e book official approval to be printed.
“This e book comes at a propitious time because the Church in the US is engaged in selling a Eucharistic Revival amongst our Catholic trustworthy,” stated Archbishop Wenski in his endorsement of the e book. “‘Mass Defined’ will help the reader into full, acutely aware and energetic participation within the sacred mysteries. I stay up for including this engaging catechetical software to the arsenal of sources accessible to these looking for to develop into an grownup religion.”
“(This e book) can open up an individual’s understanding in regards to the liturgy and the Mass and the Eucharist,” Gonzalez stated. “For me now, the Mass is the middle of my life. After I go to Mass is after I really feel most like the perfect father, the perfect husband — it seems like I’m doing my vocation and main my household.”
Katie Zakrzewski is affiliate editor of the Arkansas Catholic, newspaper of the Diocese of Little Rock.
