Embracing Motherhood: Out with the old and in with the new!

Embracing Motherhood: Out with the old and in with the new!

View from the Domestic Church: Happy feast of the Holy Family!

View from the Domestic Church: Happy feast of the Holy Family!

View from the Domestic Church: Happy feast of the Holy Family!

View from the Domestic Church: Happy feast of the Holy Family!

What do Catholic Moms really want for Christmas?

Donna-Marie (in dress on right)
with her mother
and 4 of her 7 siblings

Moms are always thinking of others—not so much themselves. After all, that need to nurture and to give is pretty much innate. Once a woman becomes pregnant, she no longer thinks only for herself or for her husband. She now has a little life inside of her, which totally depends on her for survival. Or, the mom opening her heart to a child through adoption becomes totally focused on the care of another. And, of course, in time, the expectant mother gives birth and is compelled to immediately focus on her baby’s needs and later on her growing children.

         I have asked more than fifty Catholic moms what is at the very top of their Christmas wish list this year. You might be surprised to find out what they really want.

     Yes, it’s true that deep down we all want peace on earth and goodwill towards men. But, there are a few tangible things that would be nice for moms too. Yet, by and large, many Catholic moms are expressing that they would love to receive a gift of time.

     Here are some of the gifts that Catholic moms are wishing for (in no particular order). Keep in mind that I asked the moms to dream big!

A mother’s ring

A retreat (several hoped for this)

Gift cards for groceries (this mom is on maternity leave)

Peace in my home

Gift cards (many want this)

Catholic and Christian books

Gift cards to craft stores
That my children will always know how much I desired each and every one of them and how much I love them

Spa day or massage

A new pair of boots

Disneyland tickets

A shopping spree

The kitchen painted

Something to benefit the WHOLE family

New laptop

A maid

A massage (her shoulders hurt from caring for her baby)

A chef

New clothes

A day and night off from caring for the kids

Diaper bag

Catholic stationary

A nap (almost every mom wants this!)

Camera

Night away with my husband (many moms long for this)

Meals delivered

Gift card for make up

Weekend away with husband

Money (many wished for this for reasons to better their homeschooling environment or to keep their home safer or warmer)

Infinity scarf

Socks

Simple earrings

Money for homeschooling projects

Someone to watch the kids so I can take a nap or clean (many wish for this)

Date night with husband (very popular wish!)

Time to clean

A recording of Handel’s Messiah

A Mani Pedi

A prenatal massage

Winter boots

Time to pray at church

The whole world to remember the reason for the season

Good health

A bigger car

A tummy tuck (just kidding, but wishing!)

New cardigan sweater to stay warm when I nurse my baby

Kitchen aid mixer

Books

Piano

Healing

Medical bills paid

IPod touch

Bedroom set

Ipad

Diamond earrings

Robot floor cleaner

Dress boots

Food

Sleep (many moms wished for this!)

Kids that behave

Reconciliation in relationships in my family

Our Eucharistic Lord to reign in the hearts of all men

Peace and love of God in my family

New carpet

New windows

Warmer home

Cocktail ring

Soda stream

A home altar

A new outfit

A mom’s retreat (many wished for this)

To get my wedding ring fixed

To be grateful for whatever I receive

An indoor gym for the kids

A weekend alone to purge my house

Money or supplies to build a chapel/library

The laundry to be done

A clean house (almost every Mom wants this!)

A clean van

A kitchen Aid standing mixer

A day off

Hobby supplies

Meaningful time to spend with my family

     Many moms hope for the gift of time--time to be with their family, time to keep the house in order or to spend alone with their husband. Moms want a little respite. They are tired and usually more or less worn out trying to do all that is required of them.

     Most of us, more often than not feel pretty much out of time. We are typically rushing from one activity to another trying to get our “to-do” lists checked off and it might seem impossible to give away any of our time. But, perhaps time would be the most meaningful gift to “part with” this year. It might just well be a beautiful surprise to the recipient as well as a genuine blessing for us too when we give of ourselves.

     Consider how you might gift someone with your time. Perhaps you can write them a card (or even wrap a gift box) with a gift of time inside.   

     For instance:

     “I’d love to give you 3 hours of babysitting so you can go out and get a Mani Pedi” (and stick a gift certificate to a salon in the card).
     Or, “I’d love to give you 3 hours of babysitting so you can go out to the church and spend some alone time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament."
     Or, “I’d love to give you a home cooked meal so you can focus on watching a movie or playing a game with your family instead of cooking one night.” You can cook the meal at their home or cook it at your house and deliver it. This is a nice gift for a family with a little baby or one who might be dealing with some health challenges.
     Or, “I’d love to gift you with a night away with your husband (or a “night in” which won’t cost them anything) and I’ll watch the kids at my house.”

     Or, “I’d love to give you a gift of dinner out with your husband and I’ll watch the kids.” And, place a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant inside the card or gift box.
     Or, "I'd love to gift you with my help cleaning the house (or a room, or the refrigerator, the car, etc.) and watching the kids too so you can take a nap." This is a wonderful gift for a new mother.

     These are just simple ideas. But the sky is the limit. Take some time to think of creative gifts that will include your gift of time.

     Have fun pondering ideas and be blessed!

Advent blessings to you and yours,

Donna- Marie

Keeping the season of Advent holy in our domestic churches

It's that wonderful and holy time of year that our Church calls "Advent." We might be planning (or at least hoping) to observe this Advent season in a holier way than we have in the past but aren't quite sure how to accomplish it. After all, there's that crazy time factor to deal with - or shall I say, the "lack thereof"? Advent seems to speed by and we might end up lamenting later on that we missed out on what we had hoped to do.

Then there's the advertising frenzy we are forced to contend with, which blares at us at every turn. Even when we are careful, our impressionable kids are exposed to all the tricks and distractions from the secular media. We want to be careful not to allow them to get caught up in the hype or get distracted ourselves.

So, during Advent, I think we really need to make our home "another Nazareth" as Mother Teresa once told me. I'd like to share five tips with you which will hopefully help to keep Advent holy in our domestic churches. In order to carry out these tips we have to establish at least a little bit of structure into our days or that holiness we are talking about just might not happen.

Here are the five Advent tips. You can simply incorporate one of them into your family's life or try them all.

1) Create a holy home. Now, that's easy, right? Well, not exactly, but with using a few simple tangible items, our homes become more like a little church (a domestic church!) rather than just blending into everything else in society. I suggest using an Advent wreath and light the candles each night at dinner. Say a prayer or two after you say your Grace Before Meals. Some families use a Jesse Tree. Either of these two Advent traditions are wonderful (or both). Place sacred and holy images and art around the household. These holy reminders and sacramentals help the family to look to heavenly things rather than the secular world.

2) Dedicate time for prayer. If we don't pencil in our Creator to our "to-do" list, our conversation with Him might not happen. I recommend that we pray first thing in the morning. Get your day started off right. Say a simple prayer together as a family at the breakfast table. No matter how busy you are, make it happen.

Dear Lord, thank You for Your love for us. Please bring our family close to You today. Help us to see You in others and serve You in them. Amen." Or, whatever you'd like to say.

Later, at night, pray again while around the dinner table And, of course, all throughout the day you'll be lifting your hearts heavenward. You will be creating an essential prayer habit. Help your family to establish a very good prayer habit.

3) Choose a Saint. Get acquainted with a saint and read about their life at the dinner table. This need not be a complicated task. It's actually quite easy. Use a book you have in your family library or get some information from a good online Catholic source. Read even just a couple of lines or a paragraph to the family at dinner whenever you can. Offer them a question about the saint to ponder (and to see if they were listening!). And then, invoke the saint together as a family all throughout Advent. With this simple addition to your Advent tradition, your family will be learning about a saint as well, you will be helping them to focus on heavenly things instead of the advertising frenzy and the lack of good values of the secular culture (which we are trying to keep outside the doors of our domestic church).

4) Establish a "NO NOISE" time (and/or zone). Once or twice a week (or even everyday if possible) set a timer for ten minutes. Explain to the kids that they are to be very quiet during that short period of time. You can give the older ones a suggested line of Scripture or information about the saint you are learning about. They are to meditate for ten minutes on something holy (the line from Scripture, the saint, the season of Advent, an idea to do to help someone, etc., etc). There should be no grumbling or complaining about this. We can all spare ten minutes, can't we?

You will be assisting your family to carve out the essential time for silence in their lives. We all need quiet time to be able to listen to God. How can we possibly hear Him whispering to our hearts and souls when there is too much noise around us and if we are so preoccupied with everything else? Encouraging the family to listen for God will certainly prove to be very beneficial as they grow in holiness and are exposed to all kinds of experiences and distractions from the secular world. Carving out a quiet time is a simple habit to learn which can be carried throughout life.

5) Strive to live in the present moments of your life. Surrender your heart to God this Advent season. Accept what God gives you each day. You might try to take some extra time out to pray and suddenly the kids aren't cooperating or the neighbor is ringing the doorbell needing your help, or you're sick, or facing some sort of challenge, etc., etc. God might be asking you to put aside your preconceptions of what your prayer should be at that moment, and further, He might want you to allow Him to show you another way to pray--actively--giving your heart to those He puts in your midst (without complaining). Or, He might be asking you to offer your sickness and sufferings to Him with love, asking that He transform them into graces to help you and your family. So, whatever it is, try hard to accept Our Lord's Advent "gifts" for you and answer Him with a loving "Yes!"

Live in the moment this Advent and with God's grace and your faithfulness, your life will become a beautiful prayer to God!

Happy Advent!

God bless!

Donna-Marie

PS I will come back soon with a link for you to listen to the radio show I did today on Diocese Live with Jennifer and Leo in which I spoke about all of this. I'll also be doing a radio show with Dr. Matthew Bunson talking about my book, Catholic Mom's Cafe. It will air on January 25, 2014.

As well, you can view an EWTN Bookmark episode about Catholic Mom's Cafe here: http://www.donnacooperoboyle.com/tv/

Speaking of Catholic Mom's Cafe. I am giving out copies of it! Send me an email to DMCOBoyle@aol.com with "Catholic Mom's Cafe contest" in the subject line and tell me why you want to win this book. I'll be giving out five copies this week!

Here's a description of Catholic Mom's Cafe:

Motherhood is a miraculous vocation - sometimes the miracle is just making it through the day!

Let's face it: being a mom is not for the faint of heart. Too often we just hit the ground running without giving our faith a second thought. This collection of quick "mini-retreats for moms" can change all that.

Consider these your spiritual "daily vitamins" that will energize you and help you find the faith, hope, and love you'll need to be the mom God wants you to be - today and every day.

• Ponder quotes from the Bible and other spiritual readings
• Offer yourself to the Lord through an easy activity or idea
• Pray suggested prayers that match the daily theme
• Savor a little "sound bite" to carry throughout the day

Author, speaker, and EWTN host Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle knows what it's like to be a busy mother who has to carve time out of her day for the Lord or it just won't happen. With five kids of her own, she developed this book to fit into a mom's lifestyle.

Fr. Mitch Pacwa weighs in on "Catholic Mom's Cafe"

On the set of EWTN LIVE

So many people are so busy.
Moms find it difficult to structure a time for personal prayer, especially stay at home Moms. So many variables are beyond her control feeding and its concomitant processes in infants, illnesses, emergencies, etc. Finding time for prayer is a luxury in a world determined by the demands of others, particularly loved ones, particularly when they are little ones. This book is a handy tool to bring relief by setting aside a short time with profound and relevant meditations for Moms by a Mom. When a few quiet minutes appear, this is a great spiritual help with the cup of coffee and some time with our Lord.
Certain great saints are gourmands of the spiritual life. Doctors of the Church, such as St. Catherine of Sienna, O.P., St. Theresa of Avila, O.C.D., and many others were able to savor spiritual delights over many hours of deep and mystical prayer. The vocations opened these opportunities to them.
The vocation of motherhood opens eternal opportunities that most religious sisters miss sharing life's adventures with a man [her husband] whose love can open up a life of whole new adventures, some of whom enter the world crying, hungry, needing special consolations, including dry diapers and nursing through illnesses. 
The adventures of husbands and children generally place limits on the amount of time available for savoring spiritual nourishment. However, the quality of spiritual food need not be compromised just because the time for savoring is short. Of course, a person might snack on spiritual junk food that gives a sugary high, or a saccharine substitute for authentic spiritual sweetness, a fried potato or corn chip that fills the hunger with empty spiritual calories all of which can be found in New Age falsehoods or superficial Christianity.
On the other hand, an appetizer that tides one over until there is time for a meal can be truly healthy, delicious and full of spiritual nutrition. These short daily meditations in Catholic Mom s Café are a long table full of tasty, spiritually nutritious appetizers for the soul of a busy Mom. One can snack on them in a short period of time each day and savor the tastes in those moments that pop up between busyness. The quotes in the "Ponder" sections of this book are full of wisdom, and they have been chosen wisely. Each time one returns to those quotes, one can learn still more. The "Offer" reflections both draw out good ideas from the "Ponder" quotes and suggest things to do within family life. Enjoy, grow and find some refreshment in your busy schedule. --Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S. J.

Also, take a look at the video of my visit with Fr. Mitch on EWTN Live in the left column of this blog.

God bless you and yours!

Donna-Marie

Hearts are transformed!

Sometimes it's easy to get discouraged or to feel that nothing noteworthy (at all!) is going on in our domestic churches. Take a look...

https://www.osv.com/OSVNewsweekly/DailyTake/Article/TabId/736/ArtMID/13645/ArticleID/13450/Hearts-are-transformed-in-the-domestic-church.aspx

Happy feast of All Saints!

Happy feast of All Saints!

"Love," a mother's middle name!

Donna-Marie (wearing dress on right) with her mother and four of her siblings

"Mothers are indeed called to love. In fact, as soon as a woman becomes a mother at the conception of her child, "love" seems to become her middle name. She is no longer jut a woman or just a wife, but she is now a mother who is extraordinarily in love with her child. Everything about her is directed to the fact that she has a little person depending on her for safety, nourishment, and his or her very life. Motherhood is an awesome vocation."

From Catholic Mom's Cafe: 5-Minute Retreats for Every Day of the Year

October 23, 2013

Today's reflection in my Catholic Mom's Cafe book under the section: "Offer" says:

Nature thrills me. One time my friend Tina paid an unexpected visit. She handed me a vase of freshly cut flowers and said that, while gardening, she had thought of me. I was hosting a dinner party that night, and she knew I was feeling a little frazzled. Her gesture of love warmed my heart. A few days later, I was surprised to see that some of the clippings had formed roots, so I planted them. Recalling Tina's sweet gift, it seemed to me that the roots of the plants were like roots of love between friends and family. 

     How do you nurture deep roots of faith and love in your family?

Enter to win plus discount code!

Hey Everyone,

You can enter to win a copy of my book, Catholic Mom's Cafe. I recently chose a winner for the first drawing and I'm starting a new contest already to give out a total of ten books! You can also buy the book from Our Sunday Visitor for 25% off for a limited time. So hurry and use the coupon code below.

 Here's the code. You may purchase as many books as you want for a limited time (until November 13, 2013). https://catalog.osv.com/lp.aspx?code=F35BBA63 You can also share the code with friends and family.

You can check out my books at my website: www.donnacooperoboyle.com .

While you're there at the website, please feel free to subscribe to my email newsletter. It's easy to do. It's in the right-hand column of my website and also on my blogs.

God bless you and yours!

Donna-Marie

Win a "Catholic Mom's Cafe" book!

I have GREAT news! Well, I consider it to be great news. :)

I will be giving away TEN copies of "Catholic Mom's Cafe: 5-Minute Retreats for Every Day of the Year"! I am also offering a 25% off coupon to everyone who enters the contest! It's a "WIN-WIN" deal, don't you think? 

Enter to win my book!

So, here's the deal...each person who leaves a comment here on this blog post will receive a 25% off coupon to buy the book. AND, each person who leaves a comment will be entered into a drawing to WIN a copy of the book. Each week for TEN weeks, someone will WIN a copy of Catholic Mom's Cafe; 5-Minute Retreats for Every Day of the Year!

Please, one comment per person each week. You can enter each week for TEN weeks! You can use the 25% off for as many books as you'd like to purchase (for a LIMITED time though).

So, are you ready to leave a comment? I hope so. I'd like it to be a couple of sentences about why you or someone you know NEEDS this book! After leaving a comment, please email me at: DMCOBoyle[at]aol[dot]com and ask for the 25% off code if you'd like it. Please put "Sale code for book" in the subject line.

God bless you - I hope you win my book!

Donna-Marie

View from the Domestic Church: My daughter's happy day!

View from the Domestic Church: My daughter's happy day!

View from the Domestic Church: Everyday Blessings in the Domestic Church

View from the Domestic Church: Everyday Blessings in the Domestic Church

A guy's perspective

Check this out! http://gratefulconvert.com/catholic-moms-cafe/

View from the Domestic Church: EWTN's Family Celebration

View from the Domestic Church: EWTN's Family Celebration

How's Your Summer?

Hey Moms!

How's your summer going? Are you overwhelmed, overjoyed, going crazy, having fun? Leave a comment on this blog post and be entered into a contest to win Catholic Mom's Cafe: 5-Minute Retreats for Every Day of the Year.

I hope I hear from you! Hurry, because this contest won't last forever!

Blessings and hugs,

Donna-Marie

Wonderful endorsement from Fr. Mitch Pacwa S. J.

So many people are so busy.
Moms find it difficult to structure a time for personal prayer, especially stay at home Moms. So many variables are beyond her control feeding and its concomitant processes in infants, illnesses, emergencies, etc. Finding time for prayer is a luxury in a world determined by the demands of others, particularly loved ones, particularly when they are little ones. This book is a handy tool to bring relief by setting aside a short time with profound and relevant meditations for Moms by a Mom. When a few quiet minutes appear, this is a great spiritual help with the cup of coffee and some time with our Lord.
Certain great saints are gourmands of the spiritual life. Doctors of the Church, such as St. Catherine of Sienna, O.P., St. Theresa of Avila, O.C.D., and many others were able to savor spiritual delights over many hours of deep and mystical prayer. The vocations opened these opportunities to them.
The vocation of motherhood opens eternal opportunities that most religious sisters miss sharing life's adventures with a man [her husband] whose love can open up a life of whole new adventures, some of whom enter the world crying, hungry, needing special consolations, including dry diapers and nursing through illnesses. 
The adventures of husbands and children generally place limits on the amount of time available for savoring spiritual nourishment. However, the quality of spiritual food need not be compromised just because the time for savoring is short. Of course, a person might snack on spiritual junk food that gives a sugary high, or a saccharine substitute for authentic spiritual sweetness, a fried potato or corn chip that fills the hunger with empty spiritual calories all of which can be found in New Age falsehoods or superficial Christianity.
On the other hand, an appetizer that tides one over until there is time for a meal can be truly healthy, delicious and full of spiritual nutrition. These short daily meditations in Catholic Mom s Café are a long table full of tasty, spiritually nutritious appetizers for the soul of a busy Mom. One can snack on them in a short period of time each day and savor the tastes in those moments that pop up between busyness. The quotes in the "Ponder" sections of this book are full of wisdom, and they have been chosen wisely. Each time one returns to those quotes, one can learn still more. The "Offer" reflections both draw out good ideas from the "Ponder" quotes and suggest things to do within family life. Enjoy, grow and find some refreshment in your busy schedule. --Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S. J.
[as seen on Amazon.com]

Seriously - who enjoys doing the laundry?

In my Laundry Room

As I carefully fold my sheets,

Smoothing out the wrinkles,

                                                 Bringing corner to corner...Lovingly, 

I think of You, my Lord. 

The pile of laundry seemingly grows beside me,

As I strive to keep up

With this never-ending chore.

But, in my laundry room..

I thank You, my dear Lord

,For loving me and allowing me

To serve You in my family.

(Excerpted from my book: Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers, Our Sunday Visitor)

Yummy Patriotic dessert

Happy Fourth of July!

This is a fun, delicious, and festive dessert or parfait to serve on Patriotic holidays.

 It can be mostly healthy or "sinfully" decadent! [Did I just use that word on this blog?] Simply layer French Vanilla yogurt, vanilla ice cream or whipped cream with fresh blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries (to your liking) along with chunks of brownie, pound cake, Angel food cake and/or cheesecake in a large clear glass dessert container. I usually top the dessert with whipped cream and garnish with the berries and chunks of the cake. I  change up my recipe each time I make it. It's always a hit.

Enjoy!

Today's Reflection

From Catholic Mom's Cafe for June 25th:

PONDER:

True love causes pain. Jesus, in order to give us the proof of his love, died on the cross. A mother, in order to give birth to her baby, has to suffer. If you really love one another, you will not be able to avoid making sacrifices.~Blessed Mother Teresa

OFFER:

Again and again, Blessed Mother Teresa lets us in on that secret of love--the suffering part. Moms are well aware of the toil, tears, and sweat that go into their homemaking; but we must not forget to count the joys and satisfactions amid the difficulties. Ask God for the grace of his joy today.

PRAY:

Lord Jesus, grant me your graces. Mother Mary, open my heart to love. Act of Love, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

SAVOR:

Love and sacrifice intertwined brings solace and spiritual growth to my family.

Immediately encouraged and hopeful

Catholic Mom's Cafe, Five Minute Retreats for Every Day of the Year
by Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division, 269 pages
Nihil Obstat: Msgr. Michael Heintz, Ph.D. Rhoades
Review by Maria Rioux

When I read the title of this book, I was immediately encouraged and hopeful. Much has been written about developing one's prayer life, but so much of what has been written simply does not work for busy moms. We're forever feeling torn between the duties of our vocation, the needs of our husband and children, the demands of the day and our desire to grow closer to God. But we need not feel torn because there is no real problem here. If we seek to do whatever God wills for us in the present moment, that _is_ a prayer. Who would imagine that a Father who loves His children as much as God loves each of us would only make it possible to grow closer to Him by neglecting the very vocation He called us to?

Even so, God does give us time in the day to spend with Him directly as opposed to through serving others with love. This book will help you use that time well. It will help make whatever time God allows for prayer this day to be fruitful both spiritually and practically. When there is not much spare time in any given day, one has to make the best use of every minute and being prepared gives the greatest hope. This book is a terrific help.

How? First of all, it is simply organized: a mini-retreat every day of the year. By mini-retreat I mean something that can be considered profitably in a short time which will be referred to and reconsidered throughout the day. The focus of these retreats is the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity. Each month is dedicated to one of the three, allowing us to revisit and refocus on each, four times, before the year is complete. These virtues are pivotal, foundational...everything else flows from them and the cardinal virtues.

Each mini-retreat has four parts: ponder, offer, pray and savor.

The ponder portion is brief, just a quote of a few lines. These quotes are taken from a variety of sources: Scripture, Documents of the Church, authors, and famous and exemplary persons. Each point to something somehow connected to the particular virtue we hope to further develop. For example, "To love is to will the good of another." St. Thomas Aquinas. There's a lot to think on there. What determines what the good of another is? Many people would say it is what makes you happy, but unless they have their eye on eternal happiness and are working towards that, they could be working on becoming eternally miserable. Real love sometimes requires tough love.

The offer section is generally rooted in Donna-Marie's personal experience, but often enough recount a happening in the life of a saint or holy person worthy of imitation. This section, as is characteristic of each mini-retreat as a whole, is powerful but pithy, just a short paragraph or two. It's connected to the opening quote, and offered as an idea, a way to apply the particular virtue of faith, hope or charity to our lives in a concrete way.

I like the prayer section because, while it includes formal prayers like the Act of Faith, Hope and Love, the Hail Mary and the Our Father, it begins with a simple, personal prayer which you could adjust however you like to fit your own circumstances and temperament. To be authentic, our relationship with God must be a personal one, and getting into the habit of bringing our needs, hopes, and gratitude to Him in a conversational manner is a good thing. Formal prayers are also good, especially because they are more carefully thought out and so rich in meaning and theological connections. In case one is not familiar with various formal prayers, ones that are especially suited to mothers and family life, there is a section at the very beginning of the book listing them. Included is: the Morning Offering, Acts of Faith, Act of Hope, and Act of Love, as well as a short version of these by St. Therese, Memorare, Prayer to St. Michael, St. Therese's Prayer, Angel of God, St. Therese of Avila's Meditation, Prayer for Spiritual Communion, and Prayer to the Holy Family.

Lastly is the savor section, which is just a thought expressed in a line or two and intended to be reflected upon in the mind and heart, and used as a reminder...something to help us maintain our focus throughout the day.

This book is beautifully designed to allow busy mothers to grow closer to God in and through their vocation, and to do so by focusing the day on growing in faith, hope and love. These mini-retreats can fit anywhere in the day, though morning would be ideal because then one can reflect, savor and act on the promptings of the Holy Spirit throughout the day. It will help mothers do what Frances of Rome reminded us to do: "It is most laudable in a married woman to be devout, but she must never forget that she is a housewife. And sometimes she must leave God at the altar to find Him in her housekeeping." (Butler's Lives of the Saints).
[review as seen on Amazon]
________________________

Thank you very much, Maria Rioux. Your thoughtful words are deeply appreciated.

God bless you and yours!
Donna-Marie

Are we His eyes, hands and feet?

Recently, I presented talks, a workshop, and a Q & A at a Catholic women's retreat day. I reminded the women of some poignant and very essential words from Saint Teresa of Avila that we should wholeheartedly apply to our lives.

She said:

Christ has no body now, but yours. No hands, no feet on earth, but yours. Yours are the eyes through which Christ looks with compassion into the world. Yours are the feet with which Christ walks to do good. Yours are the hands with which Christ blesses the world.

God bless you and yours!
Donna-Marie

A Catholic guy's perspective!

Kevin Lowry of "A Grateful Convert" just blogged about my book. I think it's cool to get a Catholic guy's perspective. Here's what he said:

I admit it: I was a little reluctant about this book review. 

The problem is, I’m not a mom. What can I possibly say about a book that targets mothers? It’s not like I have any experience with the subject matter. I’m a guy. So my experience is 100% vicarious. Actual experience, 0%. 

When I received the review copy in the mail, I didn’t even open in for a couple days. It just felt daunting, like playing basketball wearing ice skates. But there was Donna-Marie’s smiling face on the cover. It’s impossible not to like her. Besides, she was so cool to me last year, when Faith at Work was released and I was just a newbie, know-nothing author. She sent me such encouraging notes, blogged about my book, and even mailed me a couple miraculous medals. So what’s a guy to do? 

I started reading the book, and everything changed. Immediately, I was absorbed. Yes, it’s a book from a mother’s perspective, and about motherhood. But there’s so much more to it! In short order, I realized that this book is just as applicable to men. 

Why? 

It’s a little hard to describe, but for you married guys, have you ever walked into the bedroom after your wife puts on your favorite perfume? It’s sort of similar – this book is distinctly feminine in a way that men will find alluring – and I suspect women will find encouraging. 

Of course, I love retreats. They’re a spectacular way to slow down and gain a little perspective when the pace of daily life gains too much momentum. At the same time, at least in my own case, I feel the need for more one retreat per year. That’s why this book makes so much sense – there’s encouragement for every single day. The practical approach of quotes, reflections and prayers are perfect for daily use. 

Have you ever read scripture and it just happens to be perfectly applicable to your current situation? I suspect you’ll often run into the same thing with this book. After all, we can never completely penetrate the depths of faith, hope and love, right?

If you’re not familiar with Donna-Marie, do yourself a favor and check out the blog dedicated to Catholic Mom’s Cafe (the book and the television series): http://catholicmomscafe.blogspot.com/ or follow its Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomsCafe?ref=hl Autographed copies of the book are available at www.donnacooperoboyle.com, Our Sunday Visitor, or the usual channels. Please consider purchasing a copy, you will be very glad you did! - See more at: http://gratefulconvert.com/catholic-moms-cafe/#sthash.B3ug7aZ1.dpuf

Check Kevin's post out here too: http://gratefulconvert.com/catholic-moms-cafe/

A new "vision"

I recently received an email from a woman who attended a key note speech I gave at Prince of Peace parish in Olathe, Kansas. With her permission I am sharing part of her message, along with a beautiful reflection she wrote.

Here's part of her email message to me:

Hello Donna-Marie!

  My name is Corey Grace and I recently met you in Kansas.:)  My husband, Ryan, and I were able to come to listen to your talk at Prince of Peace church in Olathe.  I just wanted to thank-you for coming and for sharing your wisdom and love of our Lord.  My husband and I both left feeling inspired, closer to God and to each other.  I am a stay-at-home mom of 5 children.  Noah-9, Ava-7, Hannah-5, Eleanor-3, and Henry-1.  Some days I forget what I gift I have been given by being chosen to be their mother.  You helped me remember that.  Thank-you.

Here's Corey's beautiful reflection: 

I washed our windows today.  They were LONG overdue and boy are they sparkling!  What a treat to look outside without smudges and handprints blocking my vision!:)  Right now, the house is quiet.  The children are reading and napping.  Ahhh... I know that I will get to enjoy my flawless windows for another hour...TOPS.:)  But, I am going to do just that!  Enjoy my new perspective until the children are up and about.  The grass looks greener.  The sky bluer.  It seems I can just reach out and touch the flowers blooming in our flower bed.  My sparkling clean windows have me thinking about my faith.  Sometimes, all it takes is a change of perspective to change our attitudes.  Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle spoke about this, too.  She told a story about driving in traffic.  As she was driving along in her car, a man whizzed by and gave her "the finger".  She said, "You know what that guy got from me?  He got a decade of the rosary!  Oh, yes!  I prayed for my brother in Christ."  What an awesome perspective!  It's a perspective of love and selflessness.  It's a perspective of humility and grace.  It's a bright and sparkly perspective, just like my windows.  Sometimes my perspective is the opposite of that.  If my perspective is "off", I will look out my clean and shiny windows and see the dust on the blinds that hang in front of them.  Or, I will see the weeds more clearly in our garden.  Today, keep a sparkly and self-less perspective.  Chose to see the beauty.  Chose to see those whom we struggle with the most as a brother or sister in Christ.  Pray for them.  Give them a decade of the rosary or a Hail Mary for their rudeness or inconsiderate behaviors.  After all, isn't that what God does for us.  He sees us with a perspective that is clear and beautiful.  He see us in our beauty.  There is no question about it, God's windows MUST be sparkly and smudge free!:)

Thank you for allowing me to share your lovely reflection, Corey. May we all strive to "clean our windows" for a new perspective as we pray to come closer to God while guiding our family all the way. 

God bless you and your beautiful family, Corey!

My recent interview on EWTN's Bookmark show

 Discussing two of my recent books: Catholic Mom's Cafe and Rooted in Love:Our Calling as Catholic Women.

 God bless!

Wonderful prayer support!

I don't usually share from my personal letters, but I thought I should share this time because it is about blessings that are meant for others - not just me...I'm sharing a part of a personal letter written to me by my dear friend Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke (Prefect, Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura) in which he said, "...Be assured that I have been remembering in my prayers the intention of the new television series entitled, 'Catholic Mom's Cafe,' which you began in April on EWTN..."

We are so blessed to have his prayers.

God bless you all!

Donna-Marie

Coming up this week end on EWTN's Bookmark show!

From the EWTN's "Wings" newsletter:                                 BOOKMARK

CATHOLIC MOM'S CAFE AND ROOTED IN LOVE: OUR CALLING AS CATHOLIC WOMEN "EWTN Bookmark" is double booked---literally! Host Doug Keck has his hands full with two of Author and Mother Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle's books. For the first course Mrs. Cooper O'Boyle serves up five-minute devotionals from "Catholic Mom's Café" to-go for busy moms on-the-run! Later, she speaks from her own life experience and how a sturdy foundation in the Catholic Faith kept her "Rooted in Love" during tough times.

http://www.ewtn.com/bookmark/index.asp

June 16, 2013, Sunday
Donna-Marie's EWTN’s Bookmark appearance with Doug Keck
9:30 AM & 11:30 PM EST

June 17, 2013, Monday
Donna-Marie's EWTN’s Bookmark appearance with Doug Keck
5:00 AM EST

June 17, 2013, Monday
Donna-Marie's EWTN’s Bookmark appearance with Doug Keck
5:30 PM EST

http://www.donnacooperoboyle.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/EPISODIC_BM_2013_06_16_Donna_Marie_Cooper_O_Boyle-1.mp3