The Corporal Works of Mommy

by Gregory K. Popcak, Lisa Popcak

Practical suggestions, tips, and ideas for parents to practice the corporal works of mercy in the home, plus reflection questions and a prayer for God's guidance in our pursuit of the "little way" of the family.

Genres: Parenting

112 pages, Paperback

Published April 14, 2016

About the author

Dr. Gregory Popcak is the Executive Director of the Pastoral Solutions Institute, an organization dedicated to helping Catholics find faith-filled solutions to tough marriage, family, and personal problems. The author of over a dozen popular books integrating solid Catholic theology and counseling psychology (including; For Better…FOREVER!, Holy Sex!, Parenting with Grace, Beyond the Birds and the Bees), Dr. Popcak is an expert on the practical applications of the Theology of the Body. Through the Pastoral Solutions Institute, he directs a group pastoral tele-counseling practice that provides ongoing pastoral psychotherapy services to Catholic couples, individuals and families around the world. Since 2001, he and his wife and co-author, Lisa Popcak, have hosted several nationally-syndicated, call-in radio advice programs including Heart, Mind and Strength (Ave Maria Radio 2001-2010), Fully Alive! (Sirius/XM-The Catholic Channel 2007-2010), and most recently, More2Life (Ave Maria Radio–Airing M-F, Noon-1pm Eastern– 2010-Present). They have also hosted two for EWTN (For Better…FOREVER! & God Help Me!). Dr. Popcak’s articles appear regularly in Catholic periodicals such as Catholic Digest, Family Foundations, and others. Dr. Greg Popcak and Lisa Popcak are sought after public speakers and trainers and have been honored to address audiences across North America, Australia, and Hong Kong.

In addition to his ministry work, Dr. Popcak serves as adjunct faculty for the Franciscan University of Steubenville in both the sociology and graduate theology departments where he teaches Christianity & Society and Pastoral & Spiritual Direction respectively. He also serves on the faculty of the doctor of social work program for the Harold Abel School of Behavioral Health at Capella University.

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this short book about how to apply the corporal works of mercy in home life. I think we have a tendency to believe that charity is for people outside of the home, when really "charity begins at home." The authors did a great job of relating each work of mercy to practical aspects of parenting. For example, "visit the imprisoned" is how we discipline, and "shelter the homeless" is how we spend time with our children, referring to how Pope Francis told parents to be aware of the homeless hidden in plain sight, their children, meaning some children are living with a feeling of orphanhood because their parents are viewing them as a distraction and not spending quality time with them. I thought the book was very insightful and provided many meaningful examples. It is a short read, but packed with wisdom and I know I will go back to it many times.

[Melodie Pearse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quotes I want to remember:

“Giving drink to the thirsty while walking the little way of family life means knowing what what your family is thirsting for. Time? Attention? Affection? Peace? God? How are you meeting these needs?” (32)

“Let your child know how much she or he is worth by giving him or her a few extra minutes of your sleep time. When you do, think about how God, our Father, is always there for us whenever we need Him, day or night, and say a small prayer of thanks. If your child is having a hard time falling back to sleep, take a few extra minutes of cuddle time.” (34)

“Snack time: “pray together and thank God for the little successes of the day and the fact that He has brought you all safely back together… —it will remind your children of their worth in God’s eyes, and yours, by taking a few moments to reconnect with them and remind them that they are yours and you are theirs.” (39)

Rituals are the building blocks of a healthy thriving home. Research demonstrates emphatically that simple family rituals, like mealtimes, game nights, and family prayer, have real power to make families happier and more stable and make family members more emotionally, socially, and spiritually well-adjusted and physically healthier. Ideally, families will create both daily and weekly rituals of connection that enable them to carve out time to work, play, talk, and pray together.” (45)

“Creating rituals that place family life at the center of life is a spiritual exercise that allows your home to be a true shelter.” (46)

“Creating a beautiful home begins with the virtue of stewardship… Done with the proper attitude, housekeeping is a spiritual exercise enabling family members to reflect on all God has given, praise Him for His generosity, and express thanks by taking proper care of those blessings.” (55)

“Mastering our own characters as parents can seem like a full-time job. And yet, that is exactly what an effective and godly disciplinarian must do. Godly parents know that being merciful to a misbehaving child doesn’t mean letting that child off the hook, but rather being an example of self-control, thoughtfulness, kindness, and wisdom that the child can turn to as both a model and an inspiration.” (90)

[Rachel Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thoughtful

I really appreciate the perspective this book takes. It can feel like holiness is for people who aren't busy raising children, and as though so much advice on holiness puts us in the position of choosing our responsibilities or prayer. But there's a great opportunity for holiness at every moment of parenting and living in a family, and this book explores that well.

[Pecan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a quick read that points out many ways in which the mundane chores of daily life as a mother can be viewed as acts of God with far greater importance than perhaps previously thought.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read, but one to keep around for reference.