"The Handbook
for Catholic Moms: Nurturing Your Heart,
Mind, Body and Soul"
by Lisa M. Hendey.
Ave Maria Press (Notre Dame, Ind.,
2010). 256 pp.
$15.95.
Lisa Hendey and Dawn Marie Roeder have
offered two very different books related
to motherhood. Hendey's is a general
guide for Catholic moms. Roeder's deals
with a more defined theme and focuses on
her struggles related to the death of
her young son. However, both are filled
-- really filled -- with anecdotes,
prayers, information and ideas that
should inspire readers. You don't have
to be a mother to pick up these two
books. Certainly, anyone who is trying
to raise a child will benefit from
reading them. Hendey's "Handbook for
Catholic Moms" really covers the whole
gamut of child-rearing and religion. She
offers great stories, a delightful sense
of humor and a very real message about
trying to raise a child in the faith in
today's world. For example, she writes
how she felt like a failure when she
found out her first-grade son had his
name put on the board for the fifth day
in a row. She said this made her realize
the importance of separating her own
identity from that of her children.
However, her book is not just another
parenting book. It has a unique Catholic
flavor. It includes sections on
selecting a parish, why going to Mass
matters, and creating a culture of
faith. Hendey even offers a sweet
insight into her experience of marrying
a non-Catholic. (He has since become
Catholic.) And she devotes space to such
topics as single parenting, blended
families, adoptive families and other
topics.
"It Doesn't
End Here: An Amazing Journey of Faith
and Forgiveness"
by Dawn Marie Roeder.
Lanciano Media (Chandler, Ariz., 2010).
207 pp.
$14.95.
This is a book that any Catholic mother
would treasure. Roeder's "It Doesn't End
Here" is, like Hendey's handbook,
written with an easy, narrative style.
However, it is a difficult book. The
author writes painfully and honestly
about how she drove off in her car with
her 2-year-old son, Nathaniel, and got
into an accident. The toddler was not in
a car seat. Roeder writes that she was
in a psychotic state because of a mix of
medicines she was taking. She especially
blamed a prescription she had been
taking for attention deficit disorder.
The book chronicles her legal battle
with the drug company. Of greater
interest to readers is the author's
struggle to forgive herself, embrace her
faith and go on with her life. It is
very clear that the Catholic faith
helped her during this very difficult
time. The deep faith of both women is
apparent and is sure to make a
connection with readers. Both books are
jammed with information, quotes, letters
and journal entries. It can be a bit
confusing to some readers. Others might
enjoy the variety and added facts. Both
books show the passion these women have
for motherhood and their faith.
- - -
Also worth
noting: "Heart of My Heart: 365
Reflections on the Magnitude and Meaning
of Motherhood" by Kristin Armstrong.
FaithWords (New York, 2010) 384 pp.,
$16.99.
- - -
Weber is a
reporter and television producer for
Catholic Communications for the Diocese
of Springfield, Mass.
END
04/23/2010 10:42 AM ET
Copyright (c) 2010 Catholic News
Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops
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