Grace Cafe Review

available at:
www.donnacooperoboyle.com

"I'm so thankful for Donna-Marie and her wonderful books! She's is a bright light on the path for faithful Christian moms in our world today. There's something so familiar about her writing that speaks straight to my heart. It's as if I'm able to sit down for coffee with a trusted friend or around the dinner table with my mom, Grandma and aunts for treasured time who know both Jesus and our calling as mothers (whether physical or spiritual) well. Someone who seems to know my heart and can speak uplifting words of inspiration, confidence and encouragement. For example, how to maintain an active prayer life throughout the very busy and often chaotic days and nights of mothering, how to sanctify each day as we take steps each day to answer our universal call to holiness by our Baptism - for ourselves and for our family's salvation- and especially words of wisdom from years of experience how to serve in love and joy. To keep the fire of love and faith alive in our hearts and share it with others, with sincere joy. How to not miss the tremendously beautiful gifts that God has given us, and how to cooperate with His grace with our Yes. Especially in this "Year of Faith," and the 50th Anniversary of Vatican II when the council fathers said in closing that women living the Gospel could do much to "aid humanity in not falling," I believe this is an excellent book to help us on that path."

Thank you very much for the review, Julie.

God bless you and your family!

Thanksgiving around the corner!

What are your Thanksgiving plans? Tell us about them in the comment box. I've been so busy lately. My husband had major surgery, I just completed a book and I'm starting to write another! As well, I have one that is releasing any day now called, "Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women." You can check that out on my website: www.donnacooperoboyle.com.

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is only ONE week away? I can't. The days zip by--a reminder to us that we need to seize every moment to pray and be a wonderful witness of Christ's love to others. 

Did you ever pause to consider that God gives you an amazing opportunity to evangelize at your Thanksgiving dinner celebration? When you gather around your family table at the heart of your domestic church, you bow your heads to thank God when you pray your Grace Before Meals, followed by a Hail Mary or whatever you feel called to pray. You may have relatives who have joined you at the table who don't share your faith or who have left the faith. You might have grown children who have turned their backs on God. But, you're all there together breaking bread. Pray in advance that you can be a mighty light to all gathered, all by God's grace. And, whisper up a prayer while seated at your table that God will touch everyone deeply.

Hang on to your Thanksgiving traditions and continue to gather the family and other guests to your table to break bread, share stories and laughter. Who cares if the gravy burns or you forget the rolls in the oven! You'll laugh about that later, hopefully. For now, bask in the moments together, We really don't know what tomorrow will bring. All we have is now. Now is our time to pray and love.

For now, I'll leave you with a radio segment from a previous Thanksgiving regarding making Thanksgiving dinner and being together on the holiday, "Keeping it sane, simple, and holy" with Teresa Tomeo and me on our radio segment, "Mom's Corner."

Don't forget to leave your comments below, I'd love to hear from you. Share with us what you plan to do or perhaps a recipe.

God bless you and yours!

Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms

Serving God in the here and now

Here's an older video. may it bring you inspiration!

St. Therese novena day 9

Ninth Day

Dear Little St. Thérèse, by love and suffering while you were on earth, you won the power with God which you now enjoy in heaven. Since your life there began, you have showered down countless blessings on this poor world; you have been an instrument made use of by your divine Spouse to work countless miracles. I beg of you to remember all my wants. Sufferings must come to me also, may I use them to love God more, and follow my Jesus better. You are especially the little missionary of love. Make me love Jesus more, and all others for His sake. With all my heart I thank the most Holy Trinity for the wonderful blessings conferred on you, and upon the world through you.

Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen.

Thought for the day: The Mission of the Little Flower. I do not intend to remain inactive in Heaven. I want to work for the Church and for souls. I have asked this of God and I am certain that He will grant my request.
I will spend my Heaven doing good upon earth. This is not impossible, since the angels though always enjoying the beatific vision, watch over us. No, I cannot be at rest until the end of the world.
I beseech Thee, O Jesus, to cast Thy divine glance on a great number of little souls. I beg of Thee to choose in this world a legion of little victims, worthy of Thy Love.

Concluding Prayer

O Lord, You have said: Unless you become as little children you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven; grant us, we beg You, so to follow, in humility and simplicity of heart, the footsteps of the Virgin blessed Thérèse, that we may attain to an everlasting reward. Amen.

Little Flower Novena
Prayers to be said each day:
Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of the faithful, and kindle in them the fire of divine love.
V. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created.
R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray: O God, who have instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit; grant that by the gift of the same Spirit, we may be ever truly wise and rejoice in His consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love: O my God! I believe in Thee: strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in Thee: do Thou secure them. I love Thee: teach me to love Thee daily more and more.

The Act of Contrition: O my God! I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance , and to amend my life. Amen.

Concluding Prayer Prayed Each Day:
O Lord, You have said: Unless you become as little children you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven; grant us, we beg You, so to follow, in humility and simplicity of heart, the footsteps of the Virgin blessed Thérèse, that we may attain to an everlasting reward. Amen.

Excited to announce my upcoming book!

Releasing in March 2013 by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Company

More details to follow as we get closer to the release!

Finding Holiness at Home

On Inspiration Day (the anniversary of the day that Mother Teresa received the "call within the call" from Our Lord to take care of the poorest of the poor all over the world), talking about holiness in the home and Blessed Mother Teresa. 

Are we "light and salt" to the world?

Back to School!

It's that time of year--sometimes dreaded, sometimes welcomed depending upon your frame of mind! :) What are your plans? Do you have any or are you merely going along with the flow of things? Can you pause to strive to fit prayer into this busy time of preparing lessons for your children or when running around purchasing school supplies and back-to-school clothes?

I'll share a back-to-school radio segment from a previous year here for your listening pleasure. In this segment I discuss with Teresa Tomeo various prayerful strategies and practical tips in sending our kids to school or college as well as for homeschooling. Enjoy it. :) Just click here to listen.

Please feel free to share (in the comment box) what your strategies are to remain prayerful at this busy time. And, please share some of your practical everyday strategies or plans. I'd love to hear from you! :)

And stay tuned. Throughout the week, I'll be posting various pertinent helpful links to back-to-school topics and aids.

Is your prayer life lost in housework?

A Catholic Woman's Book of Prayers Review

Review from Karen Edmisten:

A Catholic Woman's Book of Prayers (just like Donna-Marie's Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers) is another great "take along" book. Substantial, prayerful, but slim and handy to keep in your purse. You can always count on Donna-Marie when you need a Mom-Boost


*******
Thank you very much, Karen! May God bless you and yours!


This book (as is all of my others) is available at my website: www.donnacooperoboyle.com

Embracing your motherhood!

Jennifer Send, a Catholic mother recently stated that she has been pondering something I said in my new book, Embracing Motherhood. 


She said she's been reading the book, 

"and one thing that really got me thinking and I wanted to share was: She asked: 

Where would you be now if you weren't mothering your child or children? What other choices might you have made if you weren't compelled to remain on the straight and narrow road to Heaven because of the children in your life? It's very possible that you could have veered off the path because of poor or selfish choices. Being a parent prods us to be selfless and focused on the welfare of our children. I believe that our hearts grow with each child. Each child teaches us to love more, if that could be possible. God has it all figured out![from Embracing Motherhood]


Further, Jennifer said, 

"This is something I think about frequently and wonder what my life would be without children. I know I would probably be more materialistic and not as strong in my faith. Going through different trials with the children or with a pregnancy has helped my husband and I grow in our faith and strengthen our bond in marriage. I often wonder why God chose us to have a large family, but I know He knows what's best and what will ultimately lead us to Eternal Life with Him. It's something the 'world' doesn't understand, but those with eyes of faith see the beauty of accepting children lovingly from God. We must surround ourselves with like-minded people, who will support us in our openness to life and help us on our journey to Heaven!"

So, dear reader, what are your thoughts about this? Do you ever wonder where you might be if you weren't mothering your children? Please share your thoughts in the comments. I hope I hear from you. :)


God bless!
Donna-Marie

Embracing Motherhood!

Amazon says my book Embracing Motherhood is in stock and ready for delivery!

Here's the link:
http://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Motherhood-Donna-Marie-Cooper-OBoyle/dp/086716994X/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_10

Soon to be released!

From the publisher's website:

"How many mothers actually embrace their vocation? I wonder. How many revel in it all and recognize their role as an actual vocation?"—from the introduction

Celebrating her great love for the family as a "domestic church," Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle leads the reader to a deeper appreciation of the role that motherhood plays in the sanctuary of vibrant family life. Her observations and advice are grounded in personal experience and informed by a profound understanding of the Church's teachings on the feminine genius and the importance of the Christian family in the modern world

Segment of my EWTN show: "Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms"

Coming in September!

NEW VIDEO. Have a look!

A Catholic Woman's Book of Prayers

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Tune in this morning to "Mom's Corner"!

I hope you can tune in to my chat with Teresa Tomeo this morning on Ave Maria Radio on "Catholic Connection." Just tune in at 9:15 AM Eastern Standard Time by clicking here at avemariaradio.net and then click "listen live."

It's the first day of Autumn! I'll be back later to post a link a little later on in case you can't tune in.

God bless!

Donna-Marie

Your prayers are appreciated

Hello Everyone,

I pray you all have a blessed day! Please say a prayer for me as I travel today to head down to give a retreat to a wonderful group of faithful Catholic women in PA.

Thank you in advance!

God bless and hugs!

Donna-Marie

I'm embracing my motherhood with all of my might.

I've been embracing my motherhood for over 32 years! That's hard for me to believe! Aren't I still 32 years old? :) But, I have been quiet on the blogging front with the exception of getting the Mother Teresa novena out there for everyone and the Obama stuff going on as well as a little of this and that.

I did run a week of back to school stuff recently over at my blog, View From the Domestic Church and I need to announce the winner of a beautiful Rosary soon. The winner can use it to pray many Rosaries for the college-bound or school-bound children or the children that they home-school. Or give it as a gift to their college-bound "child."

I have a lot coming up too that I'll tell you about soon. I'm preparing for a big retreat day in PA. I'll be flying down to EWTN to do do some taping of something really special coming up that I'll also be telling you about soon.

I've also been busy getting some articles completed, finishing touches on a book due out very soon and working hard on another one due out next year. I can't wait for you all to see my new book about Mother Teresa, "Mother Teresa and Me: Ten Years of Friendship." It should be out later this month.

In addition to the above, I have been tremendously busy of late with getting two of my "kids" ready and off to college. One has left :( and one will leave very soon. :( When I asked my daughter, Mary-Catherine what will I do without her, she responded, "I don't know...write a lot of books."

So, I'm sharing a snippet of how my life is lately. Bittersweet times (I talk about this in my book Grace Cafe) lately for me. Sending my "children" forth to spread their wings - so proud of them, and feeling a bit sad for me. :( But, truly, I know that it is a special part of their lives and I am living in this precious moment and embracing it with all of my might.