Home in the Church: Living an Embodied Catholic Faith - Catholic Home Decor & Religious Gifts for Prayer Rooms, Church Events & Faith-Based Home Decorating

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of my book in exchange for writing a review. The following review is my honest opinion regarding this product.Jessica Ptomey, co-host with her husband of The Catholic Reading Challenge podcast, recentlypublished a moving memoir detailing her experiences converting to Catholicism. There arefrequent comparisons between her previous experiences with the Protestant Church, as well asher and family's experiences with fellow Catholics. She notes while "protestant worshipexperiences can look vastly different across America", the Catholic church is typically aconstant, and the book goes into further detail into explaining just how. The book is split intoseven chapters (the mass, the sacraments, the domestic church, the liturgical year, the saints,private prayer, and the cross). I found particularly helpful that there are recommendations forfurther reading at the end of each chapter. The beginning part of the book centers on the massand the sacraments, where she references Scott Hahn's research on the Mass being Heaven onEarth, particularly detailing the importance of the Eucharist and how she continues thecelebration of the sacraments at home such as with doing something special following SundayMass, celebrating Baptism days or a special trip chosen by her child receiving first Confirmation.I liked her mention of how "there is a difference in growing up "Catholic"; and growing up in adomestic church". The Domestic Church is the expression of Christ in the family, and she offersvarious tips for cultivating this. The importance of praying at home and serving one another isemphasized, and it is our responsibility as parents to prepare our children for life in Christ. Shegives specific guidelines also for how to incorporate the liturgical year into our daily lives,particularly with Advent, Lent, and following Saint feast days in Ordinary Time. I think thechapter I probably derived the most benefit from is that of how to pray, as this has been at timesa struggle for me as a "cradle Catholic". A close second which I could relate to is her chapter onthe Cross, which notes some of her personal struggles with Crosses she has had in her life and how she's united them to that of Christ. I appreciated her mentioning in the conclusion that noteveryone has experienced Catholicism as their home. This is a sad but real truth. Pages 83-93 ofthe book, in particular, were a trigger for me, who has suffered both a stillbirth and a miscarriageof a twin, and so I would caution those who have lost children regarding this section of the book.In conclusion I could relate very much to this read and its relevance to us as Catholic momstrying to mother in a not-so-easy world. As noted in the introduction, the Church "disrupts mytendencies to be contented with the ends of this world"; and the author provides practical ways tocultivate what values should be first and foremost to us as true Catholics. I would recommendthis book as a valuable resource to add to your bookshelves, particularly for anyone who wantsto further both their and their family's relationships with Christ. Happy reading to all!