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

Lisa M. Hendey is the creator of www.CatholicMom.com and the host of the weekly Catholic Moments podcast and the "Catholic Mom" television show. Hendey writes regularly for Faith & Family, and her articles have appeared in National Catholic Register and Our Sunday Visitor. She also gives workshops on faith, family, and Catholic new media topics. Hendey lives in the Fresno area with her husband of twenty-three years and their two teenage sons.

Drawing from the deep tradition of the Catholic faith, Lisa Hendey coaches Catholic moms how to care for themselves-heart, mind, body, and soul-so that they can better love and care for their families, their neighbors, and their Church.

With warmth and wisdom, Hendey creates an environment where Catholic moms can reflect peacefully upon often-competitive topics like parenting style, types of schooling, and working outside the home. By sharing her own story, Hendey inspires readers to better balance their own needs with the demands of family life and faith commitment.

Endorsements:
"Lisa Hendey's passion for Catholic motherhood is born of many influences and I am proud to know that her experience as a Notre Dame student ranks among the most significant. This book is overflowing with Lisa's generous spirit, deep compassion, and infectious enthusiasm for her family, her Church, and the vocation of Catholic motherhood. She makes a wonderful and most welcome contribution to our faith community."
Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C.
President Emeritus
University of Notre Dame

"Lisa Hendey is the sister friend of Catholic motherhood! We know her so well through her work for families, her website, and her engaging podcasts. Lisa now brings us her book in which she openly discusses the essential elements of a Catholic mom's life in an exceptionally delightful, engaging, dynamic, and practical manner. You'll be turning pages and feeling as if Lisa is there by your side lovingly offering her insight and warm encouragement. You're going to love this book!"
Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
Host of EWTN's Everyday Blessings For Catholic Moms

"Lisa Hendeyis the kind of friend whose advice you always treasure. Warm, wise, funny, compassionate, faith-filled, and, above all experienced in the joys and struggles of family life, her new book will be a lifesaver to Catholic women who try, hope, and pray to be good moms."
James Martin, S.J.
Author of My Life with the Saints

"Lisa Hendey's CatholicMom.com website has long been a treasured Internet gathering spot. The Handbook for Catholic Moms is a welcome extension of Lisa's wisdom and energy, enriched by the experiences of the community of women who have found community, support, and strength through CatholicMom.com."
Amy Welborn
Author of A Catholic Woman's Book Of Days

"There is a saying: A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. For years, Lisa has been the candle that lights so many others. This book is wonderful for Catholic moms (and others) to experience the Light burning inside as well as around Lisa Hendey. She is a gift to people of faith and journey."
Deacon Tom Fox
Columnist and Podcaster at deacontomonline.com

"Kudos to fellow blogger Lisa Hendey for such a comprehensive, holistic companion for women who can use their faith as a tool to empower themselves as mothers, as wives, and as individuals on the pilgrimage of life."
Therese Borchard
Author of Beyond Blue

"Every mom needs a few good tools in her belt, to help her handle life's challenges and The Handbook for Catholic Moms belongs on your short list of indispensable resources. Does your marriage need a tune-up? Does your friendship garden need cultivating? Could your parenting skills use a little remedial attention? This book offers sound advice to help you meet these and other challenges with confidence and grace."
Heidi Hess Saxton
Author of My Big Book of Catholic Bible Stories

Publishers Weekly

As a Catholic mother, Hendey, the creator of CatholicMom.com, has had to find a new parish, learn how to navigate the Internet, and make new friends in a strange place, all while holding herself and her family together mentally, physically, and spiritually. In this practical, easy-to-read guide to all things maternal and Catholic, she shares her advice and that of some of her online colleagues. Knowing busy moms have fleeting attention spans, Hendey wisely has broken each chapter into short takes that include a story from her life, personal reflections of other moms, pithy quotes from church figures and texts, "Mom's Homework" to-dos and Web resources. She covers matters of heart, mind, body and soul in chapters on relationships, creativity, fitness and prayer, all infused with a uniquely Catholic outlook that emphasizes the importance of such things as frequent reception of the sacraments, befriending the saints, and getting the most out of worship during Mass. Catholic moms will welcome this informative, upbeat guide as a resource that nicely blends the sacred with the secular.

Preface vii

Part I Heart 1

Chapter 1 A Match Made in Heaven 2

Chapter 2 Somebody's Mom 14

Chapter 3 Soul Sisters 30

Chapter 4 Faith Family 38

Chapter 5 Special Circumstances 48

Chapter 6 You're Never Alone 60

Part II Mind 73

Chapter 7 School's Never Out 74

Chapter 8 Working Things Out 84

Chapter 9 Bearing the Clock 94

Chapfer 10 The Family Banker 104

Chapfer 11 Weaving Your Way through the Web 114

Chapter 12 Cultivating Creativity 124

Part III Body 135

Chapter 13 Fitness Focus 136

Chapter 14 Fuel for the Journey 148

Chapter 15 "And Protect Us from All Anxiety" 158

Chapfer 16 Doctor's Orders 168

Part IV Soul

Chapter 17 Prioritizing Prayer 178

Chapter 18 Mass Matters 188

Chapter 19 A Mother's Mother 198

Chapter 20 Saintly Solutions 210

Chapter 21 The Beauty of the Bible 222

Chapter 22 Culture of Faith 232

Acknowledgments 243