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

by Lisa M. Hendey (Editor)

Drawing from the deep tradition of the Catholic faith, Lisa Hendey, the creator of the popular CatholicMom.com website, 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.

Genres: Catholic, Parenting, Christian, Religion

312 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Lisa M. Hendey is the founder of CatholicMom.com and the bestselling author of multiple books for adults and children, including I'm a Saint in the Making, Jesus Every Day, Jesus Every Way, The Grace of Yes: Eight Virtues for Generous Living, The Catholic Mom's Prayer Companion, and the "Chime Travelers" children's fiction series that dynamically combines time travel and the lives of the saints.

Lisa was diagnosed with stage III Invasive Lobular Carcinoma in early 2023. Determined to face cancer with hope, determination, and gratitude, Lisa shares her path to wholeness through her writing and speaking to encourage others to seek regular screening, adopt overall wellness strategies, and build a supportive community. For Lisa, cancer has been an open door to new opportunities, lifestyle changes, terrific friends, and unexpected blessings. Sharing with equal parts lighthearted humor and openhearted realism, Lisa desires to serve others and walk alongside them toward extraordinary grace and unexpected dreams.

Lisa has produced and hosted multiple television programs and podcasts. She currently serves as a Writer for the Chime Travelers television series and tours schools internationally, both in-person and virtually, speaking about literacy, storytelling, care for our natural world, and living with purpose. She has appeared on CNN, EWTN, CatholicTV, KNXT, and in the "Momnipotent" DVD series. She served for years as the technology contributor for EWTN's SonRise Morning Show and has served as a regular family correspondent on Relevant Radio. Lisa's writing has been published at a variety of online venues, and her articles have appeared in Catholic Digest, National Catholic Register, and Our Sunday Visitor.

Lisa travels internationally, giving workshops on living with gratitude, service, love, and hope. Selected as an Egan Journalism Fellow with Catholic Relief Services, Hendey has traveled, written, and spoken on behalf of non-profit organizations in Rwanda, the Philippines, India, Tanzania, Kenya, Australia, the Dominican Republic, and Colombia to support their humanitarian missions worldwide. Lisa's speaking schedule has included the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, Catholic Marketing Network, the University of Dallas Ministry Conference, the Midwest Family Conference, and the National Council of Catholic Women.

Lisa and her husband, Greg, reside in Los Angeles, California.

Lisa M. Hendey is available to speak to your group on faith, family, media, personal productivity, and healthy living topics. Lisa also conducts in-person and virtual author visits to schools to encourage children and to promote reading and writing.

Reviews

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading this book with the Mom's group at my church. We began another book, but abandoned it after about 3 chapters. None of us were really connecting with the other book. It felt very abstract and irrelevant to our lives.

That was not the case with Ms. Hendey's book. The author is the creator of the website CatholicMom.com and blogs regularly about the Catholic faith. She has two teenage sons. Her voice is that of a modern woman who is doing her best to combine faith, family and daily life.

Ms. Hendey divides her book into four sections: Heart (developing nurturing relationships), Mind (being a life-long learner, career/work issues, time management), Body (nutrition, fitness, sleep, stress reduction), Soul (ways to use the Church as a resource for ourselves and our families). Each of these sections was broken in chapters, so it was easy to read a chapter or two and then discuss it at our bi-weekly meetings.

The book held my interest, but it really shone as a conversation starter at our book club meetings. Some topics provided very lively discussions (like the time management chapter and the chapter devoted to finding time for fitness), others didn't resonate with us personally (like the chapter on adoption and special needs children) but were still well written.

I often joke that I'm the "worst Catholic in the room" at these meetings, but the book gave me plenty of things to think about and implement in my life. Despite my disagreement with the Church on some doctrine, I felt like Ms. Handey's book is a helpful, friendly guide that any Catholic (even a "Cafeteria one") can appreciate.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little too basic, but an excellent resource for all Catholic women. The author is down to earth and shares many insights that many of us could easily understand and agree with. The recommended "to do" at the end of each chapter are great as are the suggested resources.

[Mary D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good basic book about Catholic motherhood to read slowly. Each chapter discusses a different aspect of motherhood, and it concludes with the Church teaching, things to try or ponder, and a prayer. Great for first time moms or moms of littles.

[Lisa Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Emilia P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yo guys, did you know if you are a Catholic mom you can start an online community and give moms common sense advice and they will be very appreciative and eventually it will spiral out into a whole cottage industry until,1. it's basically the new evangelization and 2. you don't really know what part of it is exactly "Catholic" anymore. Bah! While this book in itself wasn't terrible (although it was pretty old, written on the really early end of the internet as community wave) it kind of made me reflect on the nature of the beast. Like ... why? I think for a lot of stay at home people (moms? IDK maybe dads too? doing the day to day all the time kind of makes you crave someone repeating the common sense to you over and over because it's hard to see beyond the end of the laundry basket sometimes) Baby steps. It's not an intellectual mindblower, but its kind of a good primer on what to expect when you're expecting to be a Churchy Mom running in churchy circles with your small ones. But maybbbbbe I should like...read literature? EVEN ... SPIRITUAL CLASSICS?! Ha.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently met Lisa at an event she was speaking for at my daughter's school and signed up for a book club to read and discuss this book. Lisa is wonderful - very kind, insightful, such a warm and friendly person - so I was really looking forward to reading this book. While I was reading the book, I could hear her voice telling me the stories in the book and offering up the advice that was in the book. There were a few things from the book that I walked away learning more about or having more insight into and a few things that made me think the book was geared more towards first time Catholic moms. I'm glad that I read the book and was able to discuss the information in the book with other moms. If you are a first time mom trying to juggle your faith while trying to figure out how to raise a human, this book would be great for you!

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book to read a chapter a day, but it was more of a general self help life book, but other than the section on the soul, not a lot of really Catholic stuff. Which is perfectly ok. It's probably good for people who don't read a lot or don't really have much a community, and maybe even younger people. But then again...any parenting or family book is going to either be your thing...or not. This was solidly in the middle. But passing it on, not going to be a permanent part of my collection.

[Michelle Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy to read book divided into topics allowing moms to read it cover to cover or rotated between topics according to their desire or need. Lots of good gems of advice and encouragement with "homework" ideas and ways of nurturing your heart, mind, body and soul from the author and several other contributors.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of Resources and Inspiration

I love all the resources listed in this book! Lots of inspiration to enhance your vocation as a Catholic mom!

[Melanie Fenstermacher Lorson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! Lots of great info for living out our daily lives as Catholics. Inspiring and great points!

[Christine Kallner]

Read for Moms group

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had found this book when my kids were younger. Sometimes it felt like I was “too late” for her suggestions. I think this book would be better read as a group than on your own.

[Leticia Velasquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Traci · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating this is hard. If the book cut out the 60% that is just total worthless filler, it would be a 4. Judging it on all the waste of space stuff, a 1. With the title, a Handbook for Catholic Moms, I expected the emphasis to be on the Catholic element. Instead there's a lot of just general mom stuff (particularly the second two sections). The heart and soul sections are good, the mind and body sections just silly. I don't need to know how to organize my time or a reminder to go to the doctor or a section on eating right and exercising--this is basic 'human operations manual 101' stuff. I would much rather read a skinny book full of great content than a fatter book with a lot of filler. This was the latter. When she actually gets down to the business of how to better include Catholicism in our daily lives, though, this is great with lots of inspiration and some very real take-away things to implement.

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I ended up not finishing this book and returning it to Audible. Here's the thing: I don't do well with preachy books on parenting, faith, or life. I was hoping for something relatable with cute stories, good tips, and some laughs. Instead I got a lecture about what exactly my life should look like if I am being a good Catholic.

It didn't work for me. Bummer, because I really enjoy Hendey's blog. This just wasn't a good fit. Less lecturing and sickeningly sweet advice and more stories about running Catholic homes.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a parenting-advice book but one on how moms can take care of themselves. Moms need to take care of their heart, mind, body and soul so that they can nurture their families and loved ones. Through personal stories from the author and others, moms learn that they are not alone and receive concrete suggestions on how to handle life's challenges. A wonderful, encouraging book for any mom.

[Atlantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good but a little late in getting to me. It would make an excellent gift for a new Catholic Mom looking for some ideas on building her life around her faith and family with step-by-step positive tips. There were also stories from other Catholic Moms tackling life's challenges of getting enough sleep, managing your time, building a network of friends, and many more. It had some great quotes from recent Popes and Saints as well that I enjoyed reading.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the "homework" at the end of each chapter. Even though I do pretty well with making time for prayer, getting to mass, and teaching my children about God the activities Lisa suggested stretched me. And that's what you want from this type of book, to be stretched.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is obviously for groups - like Women's Parish Groups, however, it is useful for individuals as well. I know there is a workbook to go with this, but I don't have it. I have been slowly reading a chapter and reflecting upon it, and it has taken some time for me to "get into" it.

[Star ☔️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as part of a summer book club with other Catholic moms. I really enjoyed it. It gave me some really good ideas that I am hoping will help make me a better Catholic mother. Recommending to Catholic moms or non-Catholic moms interested in the faith.

[Chantal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, easy-read. Liked it!

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWESOME! This book is a must-read for any Catholic mom. It is not the same run of the mill information. I learned a lot and also got motivated to make some changes!

[Mallory Mcshane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved every minute of this book!!! It is such a good read preparing to become a mother and so refreshing spiritually!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. I found myself taking so many notes as I read it!

[Emily Mathias · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this book