By Eileen Connelly, OSU

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES DEANERY — Are you looking for a way to nourish both your body and soul? If so, a new book, Saints at the Dinner Table, by local author Amy Heyd, may be just what you need to provide that sustenance.

Heyd, the married mother of three and member of Guardian Angels Parish, brings her faith and love for cooking to the book, published by St. Anthony Messenger Press. A graduate of the University of Dayton, Heyd has been a finalist in many cooking contests, including the Pillsbury Bake-Off. She also enjoys cooking for her family and entertaining friends with conversation and delicious food.

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She was also motivated to pen Saints at the Dinner Table, said Heyd, as part of her own spiritual journey and role as a parent. "As the mother of three children and someone trying to teach them to make good choices and find their way, the idea of a book that would teach about the saints and the choices they made creating their path to God appealed to me." Heyd said. "I wanted to create meals that would celebrate that and give us the opportunity to have dinner together and learn about the saints as a family."

While many saints have inspired Heyd, she narrowed the list down to 12 whose lives have spoken to her in a special way for the book. In addition to St. Elizabeth, these include St. Joseph, St. Martha, and St. Clare of Assisi. Each chapter of the book features an introduction to a saint, a reflection, original recipes from main courses to desserts, a dinner prayer and questions for meaningful dinner discussions.

Her own children, Abby, Maggie and Charley, have reacted positively to such discussions, Heyd said. "The kids like hearing the stories. I try to present the saints and how they really lived. It seems like the more they know and understand about the saints, the better they are able to connect with them."

Heyd said the book is also geared toward adult faith formation and spiritual development. She recommends using Saints at the Dinner Table for gatherings of friends through which group members take turns "hosting a saint," preparing the meal and leading discussions about the chosen saint.

The book is available at Joseph-Beth Booksellers and Innervisions Catholic Bookstore.