Finley, K: Liturgy of Motherhood

Kathleen Finley is an award-winning author of eight books on practical spiritualityincluding The Liturgy of Motherhood: Moments of Grace and two books of hands-on prayers, Savoring God: Praying With All Our Senses and More Savoring God. She has degrees from Gonzaga University, and Fordham University. Kathy is also coauthor of two books with her husband Mitch. Kathy is an experienced spiritual director and therapist in private practice and has prepared couples for marriage for over thirty years. She enjoys helping people explore the intersection between their faith and their everyday lives.

The Liturgy of Motherhood: Moments of Grace is a unique invitation to mothers and parents to pause and reflect on the rhythms, cycles, symbols, and rituals that define who they are, both as caregivers and members of a larger community. Using the liturgical year as her framework, Kathleen Finley explores the spirituality of many kinds of mothers and the ways that various aspects of the Christian tradition-from the Advent wreath to the Beatitudes, the Paschal mystery of Christ's death and Resurrection to the daily celebration of the Sacraments-shed their light on the daily and unique holiness of motherhood. Both the actions of motherhood and the rituals of the liturgy reaffirm in our lives the communion, connection, and timeless presence in any relationship of love. In each chapter, Finley connects the themes and practices of the season to particular aspects of a mother's spirituality, a spirituality that is communal, incarnational, nurturing, patient, among other qualities. She offers to her readers the voices of real women recounting their own experiences of motherhood alongside classic and contemporary Christian models. Including passages from Scripture, questions for reflection, and suggestions for further resources, The Liturgy of Motherhood provides a way for mothers-and for all of us-to further develop the daily richness of our relationships as a 'domestic church' within the Christian tradition.

Part 1 Introduction: Motherhood and Liturgy: What's the Connection Chapter 2 Advent: Waiting in Hope Chapter 3 Christmas & Epiphany: A Child is Born to Us Chapter 4 Lent: The Disciplines of Motherhood Chapter 5 Holy Week and Easter: Dying and Rising Chapter 6 Pentecost: The Spirit at Work Chapter 7 Ordinary Time: Living Motherhood Day to Day Part 8 Resources Part 9 Afterword