Our Not-Quite-Holy Family
A Practical Guide for Catholic Parents
by Mark Hart, Melanie Hart
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Pub Date 5 Feb 2021 | Archive Date 20 May 2022
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Description
Many Catholics might recognize Mark Hart as the dynamic speaker and youth minister from Life Teen who has all the right answers about being and staying Catholic. But, flash forward eighteen years: Mark and his wife Melanie have four children and they realize that despite all the advice they’ve doled out over the years, there’s no single formula for having a happy, holy family. In Our Not-Quite-Holy Family, the Harts offer candid, sincere, and down-to-earth wisdom from the trenches of parenting.
Do you feel as if you’ve taken all the right steps to create God-loving individuals but still find your children are tuning you out? Are you trying to figure out how to have a family that is holy but still “normal” and human? If so, you’ll find comfort, encouragement, honesty, wit, and—most importantly—practical wisdom in Our Not-Quite-Holy Family.
Chock-full of amusing anecdotes about their journey raising four children, the Hart’s book reminds Catholics that being a good parent means taking time to get to know—and actually enjoy—your children. You’ll find thoughtful insights on a range of parenting topics, including:
· becoming a proactive, emotionally-present parent,
· healing personal wounds before they emerge in your parenting,
· parenting with your spouse as a team while maintaining intimacy in marriage,
· praying as a family without coercing your children,
· managing screen time, social media, and demanding schedules, and
· picking your battles and being a good listener.
Each chapter presents typical shortfalls and obstacles faced by Catholic parents, suggestions and ideas to think and pray about as a couple, and resources or activities to try as a couple or family.
A book for Catholics at every stage of the parenting journey—the Harts have a child in college, high school, middle school, and elementary school—Our Not-Quite-Holy Family leaves parents with a little less tension in their shoulders and a slap on the back for doing a good job—no matter what everyone else says “good Catholic parenting” should look like.
A Note From the Publisher
He is an award-winning producer of Bible study DVDs and the author of more than twenty books, including the bestselling and award-winning Blessed are the Bored in Spirit. Melanie spends her free time ministering to, counseling, and mentoring women of all ages. The Harts are coauthors of Embracing God’s Plan for Marriage: A Bible Study for Couples and Getting More Out of Marriage.
A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Mark is a blogger, podcaster, and international speaker. He is a research fellow at the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology.
Biblegeek.com
Facebook: @MarkHart99
Twitter: @LT_thebiblegeek
Instagram: @biblegeek
Advance Praise
“Mark and Melanie Hart are the breath of fresh air that modern Catholic parents need."
Jennifer Fulwiler
Author of Something Other Than God
“Is stepping on a LEGO redemptive suffering? Mark and Melanie Hart have written a treasure map for harried parents searching for honest,
faithful, fun parenting. This book is a godsend. It is honest, boots-on-the-ground living in a Spirit-filled family.”
Tom Wilson
Actor, writer, and comedian
“What I may like most about Mark and Melanie Hart is that they genuinely admit their faith, hope, and love in the midst of life's struggles. They don’t have it all together. But they’re together. So with God’s help, they’re on their way to becoming a holy family and are willing to help the rest of us along the way.”
Lino Rulli
Host of The Catholic Guy Show on SiriusXM Radio
“This book is terrific! While I may not be raising a family of my own, I definitely come into contact with so many couples and families who are trying their best to love each other well and get each other to Heaven. Mark and Melanie Hart’s book is not only a gift for those who find themselves trying and failing, but also for those who have hit their stride and are looking for people to run with. Full of practical counsel and humor, this book is a winner for Catholic parents (and the priests who want to help them)!”
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries
Diocese of Duluth
“This book is absolutely essential reading for couples trying to figure out how to thrive as man and wife while inhabiting their roles as mom and dad. With easy humor, beautiful vulnerability, joyful enthusiasm, and brutal honesty, the Harts have given us all a gift in this book.”
Katie Prejean McGrady
Host of the Ave Explores podcast and author of Follow
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781594719172 |
| PRICE | US$15.95 (USD) |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Maria G, Reviewer
Our Not-Quite-Holy Family by Mark and Melanie Hart is a true treasure. Part self-help book, part religious tome, this work is a refreshing take on how to raise children who love God and each other.
Honest to the core, the book offers some laugh-out-loud vignettes about life in a typical family struggling for holiness. It also provides timeless truths about marriage and family and the beautiful messiness that comes with learning to love together.
I was especially captivated by the Harts' recognition of the family dinner table as a kind of altar for the domestic church. The reference really transformed the way that I thought of such concepts as home and holiness.
With great humility and wisdom, the Harts offer us a playbook for parenting using a Christ-centered approach. As a result, the book is a great gift for pregnant mothers and expectant fathers.
Laura O, Reviewer
Any parent who is Catholic can benefit from this title.
The Harts share from their not-quite-holy family in a way that will resonate with many. Social media allows people to share just their best moments. This can lead to some of us thinking we are failing big time.
When you are done reading this title, you'll have been comforted that your failings are not abnormal. And given actionable ideas to improve what you are doing so that you, your spouse, and your kids may get to heaven.
Just be ready to be convicted by the Holy Spirit while reading!
This Catholic parent is thankful for their authentic sharing from their lives as well as short testimonials from other Catholic parents. I'm now using the conviction points from this book to consider how Lent in 2021 can be different. We've had more time together as a family, but not necessarily drawn closer to God in the process.
Elizabeth O, Reviewer
I've read several works by Mr. Hart and I'm a long-time listener (never caller) to The Catholic Guy Show. In all past efforts and especially on the show,I appreciate his insight, humor and clear commitment to Christ. He further displays those great qualities in this compendium of stories, advice, scripture references and practical to-dos. I was skeptical about the "not so holy" part of the title, but some of his stories made me feel slightly better about the holiness label. I hope to implement his advice soon!
Angie G, Reviewer
Having parented my kids in this "not-quite-holy family" style, I can relate to the Hart family. I loved the wit as the Harts describe their experiences! I stood in their shoes once. As a Catholic family, if you are feeling like a failure, read this and become enlightened that you are not alone and, that you are actually doing a great job. Well written, insightful, practical and funny anecdotes. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this for an honest review. 4 Stars
Rachel P, Reviewer
So often with faith-based literature one of two things happens: either the content is idealistic and lacking practicality or the text is hefty and unavoidably philosophical. But every once in a while a true unicorn comes along that is not only inspirational and wise, but also deeply practical, humble, and funny.
Mark and Melanie Hart just simply shine in their book, “Our Not-Quite-Holy Family.” From countless relatable parenting moments to endlessly quotable nuggets of wisdom, their parenting advice is everything I want because it’s everything I didn’t know I needed. From the heart of their storytelling, I am reassured that it is OK to be a mess... because love is messy. And, parenting sure is the messiest form of love.
I would absolutely recommend this book if your hope is to raise your kids in the Catholic faith and need a bit of practical encouragement on the journey. Mark and Melanie teach us that parenthood is hard, but so incredibly worth the struggle. And they share this message through “Our Not-Quite-Holy Family" in the most entertaining and loving way possible.
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