A Beautiful Second Act: An Interview with Maria Morera Johnson

Ellen Mongan interviewed Catholic Mom media editor Maria Morera Johnson about her new book and the ministry of CatholicMom.com.

Moms have questions, and Catholic Mom has answers. Have you ever wondered what Catholic Mom is? How did Catholic Mom get started? Who is the founder of this ministry? These and many other questions are addressed in a recent episode of my Go Tell the World podcast, when I interviewed Maria Johnson, the media editor and author of the book, A Beautiful Second Act.

Catholic Mom is for women of all ages and stages of life. Numerous volunteer writers bring their gifts, talents, and personalities to contribute to this work of God. Lisa Hendey founded Catholic Mom in 2000. This ministry has evolved from a small group of contributors to more than 100 writers. One of the most popular items on Catholic Mom is the Daily Gospel Reflections. The articles on the website cover topics such as marriage, parenting, Scripture, faith, sacraments, and everyday life. Be sure to read the articles, then share them with a friend. Many have asked me how they can get to write for Catholic Mom. Let’s see what Maria has to say about that.

A Beautiful Second Act

Maria Johnson's Book, A Beautiful Second Act

In the second half of the podcast, Maria shares insights from her new book, A Beautiful Second Act, with her quick wit and abundant wisdom. In this book, Maria Johnson explores the adventure of life’s second half, drawing inspiration from twenty saints and “soul sisters” who faced these challenges with courage.

As advancements in health and medicine extend our lifespan, women of the sandwich generation — those balancing the needs of both children and parents — are experiencing a multitude of challenges as they transition out of the workforce and into the promise of retirement. A Beautiful Second Act: Saints and Soul Sisters Who Taught Me to Be a Badass Age with Grace contains encouragement and wisdom from saints and contemporary soul sisters who experienced similar challenges during their transition to midlife and beyond, and offers insight into the aging process.

Chapter after chapter, these inspiring saints and contemporary changemakers from all over the world will help you, too, embrace your second half and the changes it brings to our health, our personal relationships, our responsibilities, our work, and our faith.

The Benedictine mystic Hildegard of Bingen, whose knowledge of natural sciences led her to create “nerve cookies” to help you “open your heart and impaired senses, and make your mind cheerful.”

Religious sister and educator Marianne Cope, who at fifty pivoted as an educator of children of German immigrants in New York to tend to the patients of a Hawaiian leper colony.

Women of resilient faith like Elizabeth Leseur, whose faithfulness in marriage led to her husband’s conversion after her death.

Extraordinary artists like Anna Mary Robertson “Grandma” Moses, whose advanced arthritis drove her to use her creativity to overcome her age-related limitations.

Champions of social justice like Dorothy Day, whose conversion drove her to devote her life to a Christ-centered advocacy.

Second-act soul sisters like Josephine Bakhita, whose passion for freedom and spiritual insights raised a new generation of evangelists for her homeland.

Each chapter offers experiences of female saints and soul sisters as they illuminate different aspects of this season of aging: physical changes in the body, shifts in work and purpose, dealing with aging parents and end-of-life issues, the need for strong spiritual friendships, and the importance of mercy.

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Maria's Own Second Act

Drawing from a diverse range of occupations, races, times, and outcomes, Johnson writes about her own struggle to redefine her second act and what it means to trust God as our lives begin to wind down and our ultimate purpose comes into crystal-clear focus. Maria also shares how she came to be the media editor for Catholic Mom. The job is a perfect fit for her.

This book is not only for empty nesters! I always say, “You can learn something from everyone, and everyone can learn something from you.” Buy the book and you will see what I mean.

Listen to the podcast and prayerfully consider what your Beautiful Second Act will be. Who knows? Maybe you will find yourself a contributor to Catholic Mom or even an author!