Customer Reviews

The Handbook for Catholic Moms: Nurturing Your Heart, Mind, Body, and Soul

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Many know Lisa Hendey as the editor and founder of the popular [...] website, a Catholic speaker, host of the popular Catholic Moments podcast, and a writer with Faith and Family Live. Now, she can add "successful book author" to her list of credits. The beautifully written The Handbook for Catholic Moms: Nurturing Your Heart, Mind, Body, and Soul-focuses on mothering topics unique to Catholics as well as the issues faced irrespective of faith.

The Handbook offers many practical, helpful suggestions, infused with personal stories and quotes from some of our favorite Popes and Saints. By beginning every chapter with one of Lisa's own personal stories related to the chapter, Lisa hooks the reader. I found each story captivating and reassuring, filled with emotion that reminds each of us that we are facing the same issues together. Weaved throughout the personal tidbits of her own experiences, Lisa gives the reader support and helpful, practical information on the topics.

By opening herself up and sharing those personal stories contained in each chapter, Lisa really connects with the reader. So much of what she writes could be my story, or where I hope my story takes me in a few years. She identifies things so much of us struggle with as a Mom - interfaith marriage, taking little kids to mass, finding time (making time) for personal prayer, committing to healthy living, and managing our schedules among household chaos. In fact, as I read through the book, I felt as if it was written specifically for my life - a book just for me filled with wonderful examples, suggestions and personal stories to which I can easily relate.

Lisa's creative way of connecting her own passionate journey with your own means that her book truly becomes a Handbook to guide us in our own lives as Catholic Moms.

I first heard of Lisa Hendey after a friend recommended her website, [...]. There, I discovered Lisa's blog and podcast. Shorty after first listening to one of her podcasts and being calmed by her soothing voice and intrigued by her interesting and informative discussions, I found out she had written a book. I knew right away that something written by Lisa Hendey should be at the top of my reading list.

Her book did not disappoint. I browsed some of the other reviews, and I think it is worthy of noting that Lisa Hendey's writing style is very similar to that of her podcasts and blogs. This is an informal type of literature. One reviewer likened Lisa Hendey's style to that of "chatting with a friend over coffee," which I would agree with. It has a very warm and nurturing tone throughout.

There are many great things about this book, besides Lisa's friendly personality. First of all, this is a comprehensive guidebook that looks at the most important aspects of every human person: mind, body, and soul. It is a great starting place for organizing your life so that you can deepen your relationship with Christ. Also, I really enjoyed the different viewpoints she included in the guest segments/true life stories. Hands down for me, though, the best feature of this book is the number of resources she includes. Many of the resources are website links. Seeing all of the Catholic resources that are out there on the internet made me see the web in a different light. There is so much to explore online that can help us Catholic moms in our faith development. There are a plethura of free resources online including blogs, message boards, bible study guides, informative YouTube videos, and podcasts (I-Tunes has lots!)to explore. The Handbook for Catholic Moms is truly a wonderful and comprehensive guide and resource for every Catholic mom.

Hendey, a busy mom herself, breaks down a woman's life into the areas of heart, mind, body and soul. In her reflections in each of these areas, she encourages mothers to really take a look at how they are serving God and family in each of these areas, as well as inviting them to nurture themselves. In everything from relationships to finances, physical fitness to spiritual fitness, Hendey inspires mothers to examine these sometimes long dusty areas and breathe new life into them.

I particularly enjoyed the opening of each chapter--a personal reflection from Hendey's own experience. I really felt as though I was visiting with an older, wiser friend as she shared her life. Sprinkled throughout the chapters are guest contributions from writers such as Holly Pierlot, Rachel Balducci and Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle. Quotes from scripture, saints and the pope are thoughtfully chosen and appear throughout. These further enhance the ideas that Hendey develops through her writing. Each chapter ends with a homework assignment--practical action steps that mothers can take to deepen the reflection in their personal lives. Web resources are included as well for more research.

My favorite chapters were "Prioritizing Prayer", and "Mary: A Mother's Mother". I love the practical ideas Hendey shares for living the rich, beautiful heritage that is our Catholic faith--suggesting the Liturgy of the Hours, simple ways to pray with children and finding time for the Rosary.

This book is so engaging, I was tempted to rush through, but there is so much here to meditate on. So I took my time, and I know I will be returning to again and again to evaluate and refresh my spiritual life.

Lisa has done me a favor - she compiled many, many of my favorite Catholic resources and stories from Catholic moms into one book! I bought this book before Lent and decided that I would save it for Easter and offer up my anticipation as an extra sacrifice. I'm glad I waited - it was a relaxing, entertaining book on faith and family - a lovely way to spend Easter afternoon. Although she doesn't specifically mention it, the focus on moms' hearts, minds, bodies and souls is a great mini lesson in theology of the body. She is speaking to the whole person, the treasure that each woman is. I work in a parish and will definitely recommend this book to new moms. It's not an intimidating work of theology or a spiritual retreat but rather a great encouragement for moms just starting to study their faith and parent their children. Now it's true, I haven't traveled like Lisa has. I haven't experienced the kind of family life growing up that she has. I don't have the kind of home she does. No matter. We're mothers in the spirit and in the heart. Our Catholic faith makes us family. Our goals are the same - to bring our families to heaven someday. Thank you, Lisa, sister in Christ, for your efforts to build Catholic families. This is a valuable resource - one that I am pleased to recommend.

This is a lonely time to be a mother. Neighborhoods are empty during the day, playgrounds are occupied with babysitters, and the parking lot after church looks more like a traffic jam than an opportunity for fellowship. Where is a Catholic mom to get solid advice on things like; prayer, fitness, finances, time management, doctor visits, and creating a culture of faith in our homes? We Catholic Moms are confronted with a culture which considers us at best, quaint, and we long for acceptance and a sisterly arm about our shoulders. Lisa Hendey, the woman behind the popular internet gathering spot, Catholic Mom, has given us just that in her book "The Handbook for Catholic Moms". .
For more than ten years, [...] has provided Catholic women with a place for friendship and counsel, wit and wisdom. Now she has organized the insights of her talented cadre of seasoned Catholic writers into several important themes to form a book to reach the mom in the trenches of laundry, dishes, teens and potty training with the message that they are not alone. They are part of a blessed sisterhood.
Lisa does not see herself as a Mom-guru, giving advice from on high; she's far too humble for that. Her attitude throughout the book is "I found some great ideas on this subject from a friend, come and see", or "here's how I struggled with this problem". I enjoyed reading about her experiences as a young mother moving to a new parish with a husband working long hours, and the story of her stirring victory over breast cancer.
The Handbook has sound, balanced advice on matters practical as well as spiritual, and the topics are so diverse, that any mom is bound to find a personally relevant section. The two which stood out to me were the nutrition and fitness sections; these are two areas where my husband and doctor have been trying to motivate me. Lisa's upbeat, affirming words have helped me take another look at how I care for my body. She has helped convince me that my health is worth taking time out of my schedule, and that taking care of me is an act of love for my family. Encouragement is her particular gift and she uses it well throughout this book. .
Lisa is a natural cheerleader, and when it comes to sharing her faith, her enthusiasm is contagious, yet she doesn't get too theoretical. For example, in her section on prayer, she acknowledges the difficulty most mothers have maintaining an active prayer life and proposes practical solutions;
"The demands of our motherly vocation, couple with an ever-increasing societal "noise" level and the busyness of the schedules we keep, leave our spiritual reserves running on empty. In this chapter, we look at different types of prayer and how busy moms have succeeded in prioritizing prayer in their lives."
Hands-on strategies, heartfelt sharing of triumphs and tragedies, and authentically Catholic advice based on Scripture, the saints, and the Catechism are what make "The Handbook for Catholic Moms" an essential resource, you will consult frequently. As Lisa says, in her section on creativity, "When we take time to tap into our creative abilities, we acknowledge the God who placed them within us, and who crafted us, just so, knowing every aspect of us and loving every hair on our heads"."The Handbook for Catholic Moms" reflects both the creativity of its author and the love of the God who made us.

I very much enjoyed "The Handbook for Catholic Moms" by Lisa M. Hendey. I will admit I knew nothing about her website, as I really don't have much time to be one the computer anymore, this book was recommended to me by Amazon and I bought it as it looked interesting. As a Catholic stay at home mother of three very young children (4 and younger), with a husband who is working most of the time, and few Catholic friends, I am ALWAYS looking for books like this. A Catholic mother writing about her experiences and what worked for her and/or her friends. Not only do I want spiritual advice, but also practical wisdom and encouraging words. And that is just want I got. As with all of these style books, it is meant to give you ideas and take what you like and leave the rest. She never said what she wrote was the only or even the best way to do things, only that it worked for her.

The book is divided into four parts: Heart, Mind, Body and Soul. Each part has 6 chapters, with the exception of the Body, it only has four. Each chapter heading is followed by a Bible quote. Every chapter begins with "My Story" where Hendey gives the reader a glimpse into her life and how the chapter topic relates to her. For instance, under chapter 16 Doctor's Orders, she relates her battle with breast cancer. Following this, the reminder of the chapter is divided into headings. For chapter 18 Mass Matters, they are: "The Heart of Our Faith", "Preparing Ourselves for Mass", "Keeping Sunday Holy", and "Take the Word of God with You as You Go". Each chapter ends with the same two headings: Mom's Homework and Web Resources. Mom's Homework provides concrete actions for the reader to do to better themselves in the chapter's topic. In the Mom's Homework for chapter 7 "School's Never Out" some of the tips include: Join a book club in your community or online... This month, research and attend one faith formation event in your diocese...Investigate resources offered by your local library system...Assess your long- and short-term educational goals... And obviously the Web Resources are just that.

Throughout the book there are inspiring and informative quotes from the Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Saints, and Popes. Also throughout the book are short essays, topically a few paragraphs long, relating to the topic at hand. While there are a couple done by priests, most were written by other Catholic moms including: Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle, Mary Ellen Barett, Mary Ann Kuharski, Holly Pierlot, and Sue Stanton. Topics covered include: marriage, motherhood, friendships, parish and faith community, mothering adoptive, foster, or special needs children, parenting on your own, continuing education, career issues, productivity and time management, finances and stewardship, healthy and useful ways to use the Web, creativity, fitness, nutrition, anxiety, medical routines, prayer, mass, Mary, Saints, the Bible, and Catholic faith and identity in the home.

In the preface of the book Hendey writes,"...I am writing this book to try to support and encourage you in your role as a Catholic mom and encourage all of us to nurture ourselves as mothers, so that we have the energy, spirit, and peaceful souls to help take care of those who fill our homes and our lives." And I feel she has accomplished that goal. I have read many similar books, but I think that this is my favorite. It was very encouraging and provided a number of useful tips and excellent resources. Perhaps if I had the time to surf the web and her website, I wouldn't need the book to find these resources, but I don't, so this part of the book was extremely valuable. As with every one of these type of books, there is limited help if all you have are young children, but there are many ideas for when they are older and I have more time to myself. Still, I thought that this book was well worth the read and also very enjoyable. I highly recommend it to all Catholic mothers.

This book has several handy tips on how to manage Catholic family life, even if your not Catholic it has many resources any mom would find beneficial. However, I gave it an ok rating because my child is only 17 months old and the majority of the book seems to aim more for Mom's of older children. I will keep it and I am sure it will come in handy in a few years, and a few more little ones added to the family.

The Handbook for Catholic Moms is a wonderful read, full of practical advice, stories and examples meant to support mothering in the Catholic faith. It's very difficult in this world to raise children living a life of faith and following its tenants. I know I often felt like I was swimming against the tide and constantly being underminded. The influences of the world are very strong and despite best efforts, can sweep your children away from the faith. Being a practicing Catholic mother is tough stuff! Lisa offers much needed encouragement so that you can remain strong in the battle.

Thank you Lisa!

Wonderful book!!! Do yourself a favor and get your hands on a copy of this book - I found so many helpful tips and saw myself in this very real and down to earth book about being a mom and being Catholic. It was refreshing and honest - I share this book with everyone I know and they always say "wow! what a great book - thank you so much for sharing it with me"

Just received my copy and read it all the way through. Well balanced presentation of reflections and practical advice. Designed for moms (and maybe dads) who need to remember to focus on caring for themselves so they can care for their families. The format makes it easy to read and also serve as an ongoing resource. I highly recommend this book for parents, grandparents and for those who care about parents.