Caring for joy

By Mary Clark Moschella

Book Description

In a world where caregiving often feels burdensome and overwhelming, Mary Clark Moschella presents a transformative vision that reclaims joy as an essential element of compassionate service. Rather than viewing care work as a somber duty marked by endless crises and potential burnout, this thoughtful exploration reveals how genuine joy can flourish within the most challenging caregiving environments.

Moschella weaves together the inspiring stories of five remarkable individuals who have discovered joy within their service to others. Through their narratives, she demonstrates that authentic care requires both the depth to embrace human suffering and the expansiveness to welcome divine goodness and beauty. These real-world examples illuminate how joy emerges not despite the difficulties of caregiving, but through a profound understanding of compassion, connection, justice, and freedom.

The book constructs a practical theology that challenges conventional assumptions about care work. Instead of resignation or mere duty, Moschella advocates for approaches that are genuinely transformational, both for those who serve and those who receive care. Her work expands our understanding of what pastoral care can become when infused with authentic joy.

For anyone engaged in caregiving roles, whether professional or personal, this book offers a refreshing perspective on finding meaning, purpose, and genuine fulfillment in service to others and the broader world.