Husbands and wives. Fathers and Mothers. Breadwinners and Homemakers.
As men and women, we have many ways of approaching our roles in family life. But what if we could find even deeper meaning in our God-given vocations by viewing ourselves as the spiritual head or the spiritual heart of our family?
In Head & Heart: Becoming Spiritual Leaders for Your Family, author Katie Warner unveils seven characteristics of strong spiritual leaders and provides practical tools for leading and loving our families toward heaven.
Planning to use Head and Heart for a group study? Check out these supplemental resources from the author.
About the Author
Katie Peterson Warner is a spirited Catholic wife, stay-at-home mother, and evangelist who helps others take small steps toward more meaningful and spiritual lives. Katie is a correspondent for the National Catholic Register, a contributor to Integrated Catholic Life, a speaker, and the segment host of the EWTN series Catholics Come Home. Katie works for the apostolates Catholics Come Home and VirtueMedia as the Manager of Communication and Evangelization. She is also a presenter for the Augustine Institute’s acclaimed Symbolon and Opening the Word faith formation programs. Learn more at CatholicKatie.com
Endorsements
“Home and hearth mark the ordinary path that leads to heaven. It’s where we make progress—or we get lost. Katie Warner has drawn up a map we can read and follow, so that we all arrive at the goal, together with our families.”
—Dr. Scott Hahn, Founder and President of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, Bestselling author and speaker
“Katie Warner is right: our times call for strong spiritual leadership, especially within the home. When husbands and wives discover that they have a mission from God, with unique complementary roles, and that He provides the grace to fulfill those roles together, then the Church in our day will bear much fruit. May this book help many of our families go forward confidently and joyfully, taking up God’s plan for marriage.”
—Most Reverend Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix
“The family is a work of art; it will not create itself. Great artists sacrifice everything for their masterpiece—they fix every mistake and apply each brush stroke with love and care, creating a treasure for the ages. Should we treat our families any differently? Husbands and wives, dads and moms need skills and determined efforts for their families to thrive. Warner provides guidelines and encouragement to assist parents in taking up their leadership responsibilities to create and nurture a masterpiece for heaven. Read this book now and your children will thank you later.”
—Steve Ray, Author of St. John’s Gospel, Upon This Rock, and Crossing the Tiber
“In Head & Heart, Katie Warner gives this generation of Catholic parents a valuable tool—not just for parenting their children but also for leading them to holiness. What an important vision for every family to have, and this book gives practical examples of how to do it! I think Pope St. John Paul the Great captured the importance of this mission when he said, ‘As the family goes, so goes the nation, and so goes the whole world in which we live.’”
—Tom Monaghan, Founder of Ave Maria University & School of Law and Founder of Legatus
“We Catholics have the Bible, the sacraments, the Catechism, and the wisdom of the saints. So why do so many of us navigate through life like we don’t have a map? In Head & Heart, Katie Warner not only shows that strong leaders come from strong families, which are built upon strong marriages, she offers hope to those who grew up in dysfunctional family environments where the head and the heart have been separated. As an antidote, this fine book normalizes holiness for each family member and shows how within reach it is. The only one holding you back is you.”
—Patrick Coffin Host of Catholic Answers Live and author of Sex Au Naturel: What It Is and Why It’s Good For Your Marriage; Co-founder of Immaculata Pictures
“This is a most welcome guide for any parents who are serious about strengthening their families and growing with their children in the spiritual life. Parents are the first and most important teachers of their children. Katie Warner and those Catholic parents who have contributed to this book give indispensable and reassuring guidance to parents in their work of becoming spiritual leaders. At this time, when family life is threatened in so many ways, do your family a big favor and read this book.”
—Bishop Michael Sheridan, Bishop of Colorado Springs
“It is one thing to tell young people that they need to raise their family Catholic. It’s another thing to show them how. Katie has given us clear direction on how your home can become a school of love and the place where wisdom and holiness are learned. I would recommend Head & Heart to every engaged couple and suggest that those who have been married for a while pause and gain new insight.”
—Jeff Cavins, Creator of the Great Adventure Bible Timeline
“The wisdom in Head & Heart will certainly help others to form fine families in these challenging times. As a priest who has been involved with marriage prep for a quarter of a century, I intend to give this book as a wedding gift to the couples I prepare for their sacrament and vocation.”
—Fr. John Riley, Chaplain of the Augustine Institute, Denver
“I believe the very best books are born in a moment of urgent need. After an intense and illuminating conversation with her husband about being the Catholic leader of their home, Katie saw the need for a practical guide for creating authentic Catholic homes and stronger families. The result is this excellent book. Head & Heart is a true gift to everyone in the Church, regardless if you are single or married, a new couple, or great-grandparents. If you desire to build a stronger marriage and a Catholic home built on an excellent foundation, read Head & Heart. You will be glad you did!”
—Randy Hain, Author of Journey to Heaven: A Road Map for Catholic Men; Special Children, Blessed Fathers: Encouragement for Fathers of Children with Special Needs; The Integrated Catholic Life eMagazine
“Katie Warner brings to light some of the acute issues plaguing families in our modern society and offers practical insights on how to deal with them. We should never forget that the family is the foundation and soul of society. In this book, Katie demonstrates why and how we can continue with this indispensable task of strengthening our families.”
—Fr. Henry Atem, Pastor of St. George Catholic Church, Archdiocese of Atlanta
“Today, it’s not unusual for young Catholic parents to find themselves deficient in the knowledge of how to create a faith-filled atmosphere for their growing families. Katie Warner has combined her own experiences and insights with those of other Catholic parents to provide a complete book of instructions, inspiration, and lots of great ideas for immersing families in a Catholic culture. It’s practical, uplifting, and leaves no stone unturned.”
—Patti Maguire Armstrong, Author, speaker, and Catholic mother of ten
“What better way to encourage the spiritual leadership within families than to share the wisdom of those who are in the trenches and walking the talk? Head & Heart is a great tool to help families and individuals in their role as formatters of future disciples.”
—Bishop Sam Jacobs, Bishop Emeritus of Houma-Thibodaux
“This book is for anyone who wants the Catholic faith to play a stronger role in marriage and family life, but isn’t sure, practically, what to do. With a wide range of practical advice and stories from people of all ages and family sizes, Head & Heart will help you take small steps toward building a vibrant Catholic identity in your home.”
—Dr. Edward Sri, Author of Queen Mother: A Biblical Theology of Mary’s Queenship and Mystery of the Kingdom: On the Gospel of Matthew