I’m joining with Carolyn Astfalk at My Scribbler’s Heart Blog and Catholic Mom for An Open Book. Here’s what I’ve been reading:

CATHOLIC WISDOM FOR A MOTHER’S HEART by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle

Summary of Catholic Wisdom for a Mother’s Heart

Catholic Wisdom for a Mother’s Heart is a creative and practical guide for a wide range of domestic church situations. Catholic women can live out their familial vocation with seasoned, simple suggestions for answering Christ’s universal call to holiness. Lovely poems conclude each chapter on a note of warmth that will lift hearts beyond the kitchen and up the path toward heaven.

This resource is for Catholic mothers (and grandmothers who often fill the motherly role) who are in the trenches raising their children through thick and thin amid the bombardment of the culture. They need and crave the guidance, encouragement, and affirmation that this welcoming book will offer.

My Review of Catholic Wisdom for a Mother’s Heart

Donna-Marie passes along the blessings and lessons of love which she has learned in her life on her spiritual and maternal journey. She weaves with much wisdom and love, offering encouragement, praise, camaraderie, and guidance. In her usual gentle and gracious manner, Donna speaks to women heart–to-heart and captures their full attention by dishing up delicious recipes for the mother’s soul. She begins by inviting her readers to make themselves “a cozy cup of tea” and take a little time to refresh their souls.

From the moment I opened Catholic Wisdom for a Mother’s Heart (Paraclete Press, 2018) to the moment I closed it, I felt as if I felt as if I had been bathed in an abundance of graces which lifted up my heart and soul. Donna’s recipes are delectable and power-packed!

And, refresh them she does! From the moment I opened Catholic Wisdom for a Mother’s Heart (Paraclete Press, 2018) to the moment I closed it, I felt as if I felt as if I had been bathed in an abundance of graces which lifted up my heart and soul. Donna’s recipes are delectable and power-packed! Each chapter consists of various combinations of the following: enlightening excerpts from papal encyclicals on love and the family, brief passages from the Catechism of the Catholic Church as well as the Holy Bible, penetrating quotes from some of my favorite saints (St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Augustine, St. John of the Cross, and many more), personal anecdotes, practical tips, spiritual poems on motherhood, mother’s miracle stories, prayers and so much more. This was truly a work of love that will lift up mothers in their vocations, help them see what their true role is according to God’s will, and encourage them in the challenging role that they face in society today.

Some of the inspiring topics which Donna discusses in the book include: a mother’s call to holiness, self-donation, making time for prayer, the grace of the present moment, the blessings in this beautiful vocation of love, discovering grace within suffering, saintly inspirations, and evangelizing the household and the world.

Catholic Wisdom for a Mother’s Heart was primarily written for mothers and grandmothers, but I believe that it is appropriate reading material for all those who plan to be mothers one day. It would be a wonderful supplement for: pre-Cana classes, marriage encounter groups, adult education, NFP groups/classes, Christian/Catholic women’s groups, and book discussion groups. For anyone who is planning to be a mother – this is an excellent gift. I highly recommend Catholic Wisdom for a Mother’s Heart – it is a delectable dish that mothers will delight in and want to savor for years to come.

SAVED BY THE ALPHABET written by Maurice Prater and Illustrated by Jason Koltuniak

Summary of Saved by the Alphabet

Saved by the Alphabet (Divine Providence Press, 2018) is a scriptural alphabet book for children. Children learn their ABCs while learning about their Catholic Faith because each letter of the alphabet represents an actual person found in Sacred Scripture who plays a role in the history of salvation. It is written to be enjoyed by the entire family. Thus, Saved by the Alphabet is a perfect companion book to Counting on Faith, a Scriptural counting book.

My Review of Saved by the Alphabet

There are several things I enjoyed about this book. First, it is beautifully illustrated with the most holy and colorful images I have ever seen in a children’s book. Second, it contains thick, glossy pages that are easy to turn. Third, the description of the biblical character for each letter is concise and vivid. Fourth, the overall quality of this book is excellent. Fifth, Saved by the Alphabet is a wonderful source of learning not only the alphabet, but the Faith at the same time. Sixth, this book has been granted an Imprimatur, received the Seal of Approval from the Catholic Writers Guild, and has been endorsed by Dr. Ray Guarendi. Seventh, Saved by the Alphabet is endorsed by the co-foundress of a teaching order, Mother Mary Assumpta Long, OP, of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. Saved by the Alphabet is a wonderful resource for: Home-schooling families, Catholic pre-school programs, Catholic primary grades, Catholic school libraries, and parish libraries.

THE ANGRY CHRISTIAN: A BIBLE-BASED STRATEGRY TO CARE FOR AND DISCIPLINE A VALUABLE EMOTION by Bert Ghezzi

Summary of The Angry Christian: A Bible-based Strategy to Care for and Discipline a Valuable Emotion

This book shows how Christians can be good and be angry at the same time. That’s possible if we let the Holy Spirit strengthen us to get angry for the right reasons and to keep anger under control.

If we are seeking a secret that will simply eliminate anger, we’re pursuing a vain hope. Anger will surely be with us until we die. It may even go with us to heaven, where the Lord may allow us to share his anger at the evils that afflict his creation. But we can learn to increase good anger and to minimize the bad. That’s the Christian approach summed up by Paul when he admonished the Ephesians to “Be angry, but do not sin” (Eph 4:26). If used constructively, anger can even help us live a more Christian life.

This is not a psychology or self-help book. It presents a Bible-based strategy for caring for and disciplining a valuable emotion. It describes a method that helps us use anger successfully to overcome the obstacles strewn across the path of our Christian journey. The book contains questions for discussion, personal reflection and application which make it ideal for either individual or group use.

My Review of The Angry Christian: A Bible-based Strategy to Care for and Discipline a Valuable Emotion

Bert Ghezzi does something wonderful in this book. He clearly and concisely sums up his strategies for defusing anger: (1) Do not suppress anger, (2) express it righteously (3) settle things quickly. The Angry Christian was a quick, easy read that can help each one of us use it effectively and appropriately. Itis an interesting and valuable read for every Christian.

WHY HUMANAE VITAE IS STILL RIGHT by Janet E. Smith

Read my full review HERE.

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