Was it something he said?

July 7, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

How often do we hold a grudge without even realizing it? A co-worker is in a bad mood and takes something out on you. It seems crazy and totally out of the blue–you were simply an innocent bystander. Someone makes a snide remark in a passive aggressive kind of way. Your husband is short with you. Or, he seems ungrateful for the countless things you do for him. Your mother-in-law just does not understand your mothering style–and she has voiced her opinion about that—on more than one occasion. Sound familiar? And the list goes on and on–little pin pricks actually hurt a lot. Little splinters from the Cross?

Love hurts too. Mother Teresa often said that to love authentically should cost us. Real love hurts, she explained. Is it possible to take the high road when attacked? Let love and prayer deflect that arrow to the heart? Jesus said, “Love your enemies. And pray for those who persecute” (Matthew 5:44).

Have you felt hurt at a deep level? Do you wonder why you can’t sleep well or feel any peace after an argument or misunderstanding? Are you angry? Did you forgive and let it go? Can you? Are you hanging onto the pain and hurt for dear life because—well, because only God knows why! It’s stupid when you think about it. You are letting the slight pin prick or even deeper affliction fester and even get infected–with pride and anger, and even rebellion. Yes, rebellion, because you are refusing to forgive and let go of it. What is that doing to your heart and soul? Do you want to let the evil one rob you of peace and all of the amazing life-sustaining graces that await you when you forgive and let go? Jesus said, “Forgive and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37).

Saint Faustina said, “He who knows how to forgive prepares for himself many graces from God. As often as I look upon the cross, so often will I forgive with all my heart.”

Let’s do just that. Let’s meditate on the Passion of Christ—like St. Faustina, gaze upon the Crucifix and pray for the graces to forgive. God’s love through us can miraculously heal hearts and soothe the savage beast. Think about it. It’s not a coincidence that we are in the situations we find ourselves in. We need to grow in holiness. God gives us plenty of opportunities. Why not do something countercultural and choose not to react negatively when wronged by another? Why not instead, take it immediately to prayer? Go a step further and smile at that person—yes, smile.

Christ’s abiding peace and amazing graces are waiting.

God’s love pushes through comfort zones

July 5, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

I often share personal experiences in my books and talks in an effort to inspire others to a deeper faith, hope, and love. I believe that hearing stories of faith can inspire folks to do their part to push a bit beyond their comfort zones in an effort to help others. With “Susan’s” permission, I share this story…

Recently, a woman got in touch with me by email asking if I could possibly help her friend. She was extremely concerned for her friend and had high hopes that I could possibly do something to help her–somehow.

The woman said that not too long ago she had attended an event in Connecticut where she had heard me speak. She had read my memoir The Kiss of Jesus. She went on to explain the need for her email. She said:

My reason for getting in touch with you, is that I have a dear friend named “Susan” [I have changed the name] who lives in Connecticut… A year and two days ago, “Susan’s” husband left her, with 3 young children. It is a very long story. After having read your book, I should have sent one to “Susan” but to date have not. I had asked her to contact you, however, she is on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and I told her I would email you, in hopes you could be of some comfort to her…I am thanking you dear Donna-Marie in advance for any words you might offer to me and/or “Susan.”

Wow. Learning that this woman was on the verge of a nervous breakdown weighed heavily on me. I immediately prayed for her and her children and then put fingers to keys to respond to the email. I thought I should also reach out to “Susan” right away through another email. It was very clear that I needed to act immediately. The woman who contacted me had given me the email address. I emailed right away. Soon after, I heard back from “Susan.”

“Susan” opened up to me in emails. She trusted that she could be honest with me. She said, ” I am exhausted and depressed beyond what I ever thought I could be…” She explained the intense problems with her abusive ex-husband. There were many. She continued:

I am a mess, I am tired and overworked. I breakdown at least 5 times a day. I am so sad all the time and cannot imagine ever feeling happy again…I am a religious person and do not believe in divorce and feel very alone and stigmatized. I will never love or trust again…the pain is unbearable.I have lost my will to live. I would never hurt myself because my children need me but I sure wish God would just take me. Please help in any way possible…

My heart profoundly ached reading her words. That poor woman, I thought. I wanted to help her in any way that I could. We continued to email back and forth over a week’s time. Each time I wrote, I prayed that my simple yet earnest words could reach her heart. I wanted her to know that I cared. I reminded her that God loved her very much and would get her through this.

Then, I didn’t hear from her for awhile. My life was so busy with numerous tight writing deadlines and tending to family matters, but one day, I knew I had to send “Susan” another email to check on her and let her know that I was thinking of her and praying for her.

I’m so glad that I acted on that inspiration to get in touch with her, because she wrote back to say that she was not doing well at all. I suggested that we meet some place. Would she want to do that?

She said, “yes!” We set a time and place. I needed to put my work aside and carve out some time. She seemed to be in such a dark place. I had absolutely no idea what I could possibly say that could help her. I did know that God would figure it out for me. He needed my desiring heart and He would do the rest. I thought that I should bring blessed Miraculous Medals and St. Benedict medals (which bear a full exorcism blessing) for her and her three children, as well as a copy of my memoir.

I headed out the door with my memoir and blessed medals in hand. I prayed the rosary on the way to my destination. All the while, it still was not clear about what I would say to “Susan.” What could I say or do that could help to undo or untangle the messy events and pain in this woman’s life? I had absolutely no clue as I drove to meet her. But I didn’t worry about it. I knew that I would simply rely on God’s Divine graces to intervene. I was to show up with a loving heart and God would do the work. I trusted in His Divine love, mercy, and grace.

Daisies, daisies, everywhere!

I arrived at the library and waited outside checking out each vehicle that pulled up to try to discern if it could be “Susan” and her children coming to meet me. After about ten minutes time a woman came out of the library and asked if I was “Donna O’Boyle.” After I confirmed that I was, she told me that “Susan” had called and said she was caught up in traffic and would be a bit late.

When “Susan” and her children arrived, one of the first things she told me was that she had bought a bouquet of daisies for me but didn’t have time to stop back at her home to get them after her appointments due to heavy traffic that morning.

Daisies? Really? Aww.

It turns out she had read my daisy blog post and felt inspired to gift daisies to me.

What a sweet gesture on her part, I thought! It didn’t matter that she didn’t bring them. Her heartfelt gesture was enough. We chatted away at the library while her three small children played at our feet. We paused our conversation time and time again to reach for a new book or DVD to show the kids at each query and “interruption.” Still, we covered an awful lot of territory in that two and a half hours together. Before leaving the library, I gave “Susan” the blessed medals and the autographed copy of my memoir.

We parted with tight hugs outside the library alongside “Susan’s” vehicle. I told her that I loved her. She immediately expressed the same to me. God is so good to arrange this kind of meeting that might seem totally serendipitous, but truth be told–He had it planned all along. I am constantly in awe of God’s amazing work–always mindful of even the tiniest of details. “Susan” said she’d meet me at my church’s Sunday Mass in a few days. Meanwhile, we would stay in touch by email or texting because we had just exchanged phone numbers.

The next morning I found a beautiful email from “Susan.” In it she told me that our conversation had helped her in ways that she couldn’t express adequately. She said she was helped more than I would ever know. She said she felt dramatically changed because of it! She thanked me profusely. “Susan” was miraculously happy again! She had not felt happiness in over a year–something so hard to imagine.

In another email she said:

I have been thinking of you tonight. All day your kind words and smile went through my head. You have given me so much…I had been in such a dark place for a year that I could not give like I wanted. You do not know how much you have helped me by allowing me to let go so I could be myself again. I feel like I had a rebirth…

Wow! I immediately gave thanks to God. I felt so humbled and blessed that He used His tiny little servant to help this woman. God was showing me once again that He wants us all to push beyond our comfort zones to help others, and to trust Him that He will always come through to do the work–He will give us the words.

“Susan” shared something else that immensely touched my heart.

I cannot begin to tell you how much you helped me. I woke up today happy for the first time in a year. I was outside with my children today and we have daisies all over my hill. I just did not notice the flowers as I was so sad. And daisies!! What a sign. Now I get to bring you two bunches of flowers!

She was happy! It was the first time in a year! Can you imagine–daisies? God is certainly all about the details of e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. My heart was singing!

On Sunday evening, just a few days after we had met at the library, I looked forward to seeing “Susan” and her children at Mass at my parish. But, when my husband and I arrived at Mass that evening, my heart immediately sank. The parking lot was barricaded off due to new pavement. It was supposed to be finished by then and I hadn’t warned “Susan” about it when I gave her directions to the church. How would “Susan” know how to get in? I wondered. We drove to the back entrance and were able to get in that way. I prayed that she would find the way in and not be discouraged or turned away by the barricades. I trusted that God would lead the way.

Imagine my delight when after the final blessing and hymn at Mass, I turned and walked down the aisle and spotted “Susan” and her three sweet children coming out of a pew–two of them holding DAISIES! My heart skipped a beat! “Susan’s” little daughter held the bouquet of daisies that “Susan” had planned to bring to me when we first met. A small round vase filled with daisies that were picked from “Susan’s” back yard was held proudly by one of “Susan’s” sons. Lots of hugs were going all around and the children gifted the daisies to me.

Holding his gift carefully with both hands, “Susan’s” little son looked straight up into my eyes and said, “I picked these all by myself and put them in this vase!” And then he handed them to me, reminding me once again that they were picked and arranged all by himself.

Tears came to my eyes as I peered down at that glowing smiling face and those sweet daisies all arranged as only a little boy could. God’s abiding love deeply permeated my heart and soul as sweet children gifted me daisies and hugs. God seems to never tire of always making sure that His love going all around is multiplied. Our hearts are profoundly touched by His love in so many ways when we seek to reach out to help His children.

Please say a prayer for continued strength for “Susan” and her children, as well as for all of the other hurting and wounded people out there who are craving Christ’s love.

Is God asking you to push beyond your comfort zone to bring love and peace to others? Mother Teresa (with whom I shared a friendship and who modeled herself after St. Therese), was all about doing small things with great love. Christ’s love through us–even in small things–never fails to work miracles in human hearts.

“Our Lord’s love shines out just as much through a little soul who yields completely to His Grace as it does through the greatest . . . Just as the sun shines equally on the cedar and the little flower, so the Divine Sun shines equally on everyone, great and small. Everything is ordered for their good, just as in nature the seasons are so ordered that the smallest daisy comes to bloom at its appointed time.”
— St. Therese of Lisieux, Story of a Soul, p. 4-5

“The Domestic Church” will inspire, energize, and change your perspective on the mundanity of domestic tasks.

July 5, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

The Domestic Church: Room By Room: A Mother's Study Guide

Study your Faith-Room By Room! Designed for group study $18.95

For all of the Moms in the trenches out there…this just found on Amazon:

Exhausted? Discouraged? Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s book, The Domestic Church, will inspire, energize, and change your perspective on the mundanity of domestic tasks.

It’s so easy for stay-at-home mothers of young children to get disheartened. Day after day, we have an endless stream of wearisome tasks. Our work is seemingly invisible and goes largely unnoticed. However, Donna-Marie helps us to see that it is precisely these quiet, unnoticed tasks that put us on the path to Heaven. True, it would be easier to sweep the aisles of your church or volunteer for a charity than it would be to sweep your own dirty kitchen floor or serve your own children. But, God’s call to holiness for mothers is in the home, as Blessed Mother Teresa said, “Charity begins in the home.”

It is my prayer that mothers everywhere will be uplifted and find solace in Donna-Marie’s works. Let the truths explicated by her writings seep into your spirit and serve as the hug, the reward, and the recognition that every mother deserves but might not receive this side of Heaven. Let her words motivate you to transform your home from an ordinary house to a domestic church, a place of prayer where the virtues necessary for holiness are practiced. Sweeping floors and scrubbing toilets never became so holy! God bless you, Donna-Marie! 5 stars!!!

Are you facing a “domestic church dilemma”? Do you need a good shot in the arm with regard to your mothering? Could you benefit by gathering together either cyberly or in the flesh with like-minded Catholic mothers to nurture and share your faith? I suspect you can. 🙂

You can purchase your autographed copy here. You can inquire about study group discounts by emailing me: DMCOBoyle@aol.com. I hope to hear from you!

God bless you!

Donna-Marie

Don’t let your prayer life go on vacation!

July 2, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Just the thought of summer fast approaching might bring thoughts of rest and relaxation to mind. We may recall the lazy days of summer during our youth. Summer may also mean anticipated excitement and adventure—exploring new places or trying new things.

Some families plan escapes to beaches and paradise vacations, while others may stay home and plan day trips to fun spots, the local library, or parks and recreation centers. Anything out of the ordinary can be a very welcome change.

The realization that summer is just around the corner can cause Moms to feel a bit (or a lot!) nervous too. They might not want to let go of their semi-structured schedule for the more relaxed bedlam, craziness, and insane structure of summertime.

One thing we can count on—the schedule will usually change quite dramatically. But there’s no need to fear. Let’s take the stress out of summer right now by pausing to plan a strategy.

Summertime can certainly be a time of well-deserved rest and also a welcome change of scenery. While making plans for our families this summer, let’s not forget about prayer because a change in schedule once we hit summertime and an eagerness to “get away from it all” could cause us to lose touch with our spiritual needs. We don’t want to inadvertently let our prayer life go on vacation!

I am passing along this article I wrote for the Catholic World Report about keeping our prayer lives active in the summer time. It is right here. I hope that you enjoy it.

How can we show mercy to others?

June 17, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

I recently briefly discussed the Works of Mercy on my continuing series “Mother Teresa and Mercy” on the Son Rise Morning Show. Sometimes, I think that parents and grandparents believe they must carry out huge endeavors to accomplish a Work of Mercy. But I think not.

I do wholeheartedly admit that many times while the Work of Mercy we want to do might not be so “ginormous,” we often must put a lot (or maybe a HUGE amount) of effort into our Work of Mercy. That is because in a family we are dealing with delicate or very personal matters of the heart that can sometimes involve pain or heart ache. On a lesser level, the situations can involve the butting of heads, of egos, and even stubborn grudges.

Showing mercy, offering forgiveness, and bearing wrongs patiently can be really tough to do in the family, but they are essential to our true happiness and our growth in holiness.

Take a listen here when you have about 10 minutes. Slide the marker to the “17:50” mark to hear just my segment (at the end of the show) or listen to the whole thing. I hope that you will enjoy my discussion with the lovely Anna Mitchell!

Is God whispering to your soul?

June 16, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

I recently reflected on God’s great love when observing the intricate detail in a daisy. I took that a bit further to speak about some of the dangers of the culture and how we can protect the “garden” of our soul.

You can see that reflection over at Catholic Mom right here. I hope that you enjoy it.

Remember to take the time to pause even briefly and listen for God’s whispers to your soul!

Book Award

June 9, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Press Release:

Family, the Church, and the Real World, a book co-authored by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle took first place in the “Popular Presentation of the Catholic Faith” category at the Catholic Press Association’s awards presentation June 3 in St. Louis. It also won third place in the Family Life category. Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle contributed an essay to the book, published by Liguori Publications (2015).

Judges for the Best Popular Presentation category called the book, “An inspiring, practical, and insightful multi-author guide for family life, rooted in a God-love that binds, builds, and refreshes while moving outward to bolster Church and society.”

In the Family Life category, judged cited the book as “Easy and comfortable reading, nicely poetic, and scripture-based.”

“This would be a wonderful book for a group discussion of young married couples with children,” said the judges.

I’m very excited to announce my upcoming book: “Feeding Your Family’s Soul: Dinner Table Spirituality”!

June 3, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

It’s time to announce my upcoming book, Feeding Your Family’s Soul: Dinner Table Spirituality which will be released at the time of dear Mother Teresa’s canonization.

Are you ready for the cover?

That’s always an exciting part of the book writing process for me. It kind of puts a “face” on the book.

Well, here it is!

What do you think?

This book is comprised of 52 faith lessons for the family. It encourages parents and grandparents to step up to the plate as first and foremost educator and to seize the moment to teach the faith right at the dinner table.

Here’s the book description:

This book is uniquely suited to come to their rescue. Feeding Your Family’s Soul: Dinner Table Spirituality is a vital tool to enable parents to transform a regular dinner time into a prayerful faith lesson for their elementary school to high school aged children. It will indeed help to fulfill the Catholic Church’s vision for evangelization in the family and beyond.

Through 52 fun and creative faith lessons (one for each week of the year), this one-of-a-kind book will encourage parents and caregivers to seize the opportunity in teaching the Catholic faith to the children (the captive audience waiting to eat!) while gathered at the dinner table, and while reminding them of the value of coming together as a family to break bread and share hearts.

Here’s a special endorsement:

Review

Donna-Marie’s book is a real treasure. The family has been called the “domestic church” and it is there that we first learn about God, our prayers, and how to live our Christian life. Donna-Marie certainly offers a valuable tool, because when the family gets together for a meal, it is an appropriate time to share and teach the faith. We are reminded at a meal that we not only feed our body, but we need to feed our soul with God’s word and message.

—Fr. Andrew Apostoli, C.F.R., Founding member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and Host of EWTN’s Sunday Night Prime

This book bears a foreword by Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers and has received wonderful endorsements.

I’ll fill you in some more very soon.

Are you excited? I am!

God is in the details of EVERTHING.

May 31, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Have you looked at a daisy lately?

I have some daisies growing in my garden next to my front sidewalk. They didn’t come up last year. I suppose it is because of the fierce winter we had before that spring. With each snow storm, every time my husband shoveled the sidewalk, he piled up lots of snow right over that spot. My poor daisies! It was no great wonder that the daisies didn’t survive.

But, I have to say that I was rather jubilantly surprised to see that the daisies did come up this year and I have enjoyed watching them open their petals and bloom during the past couple of weeks.

“Our Lord’s love shines out just as much through a little soul who yields completely to His Grace as it does through the greatest . . . Just as the sun shines equally on the cedar and the little flower, so the Divine Sun shines equally on everyone, great and small. Everything is ordered for their good, just as in nature the seasons are so ordered that the smallest daisy comes to bloom at its appointed time.”
— St. Therese of Lisieux, Story of a Soul, p. 4-5

I just love the simplicity of daisies and I think of them as “happy” flowers! 🙂

The other day, my husband plucked one out of the garden and then turned to me and as he held it out, he said:

“This is for you!”

I took it from his hand and thanked him. But, I must confess that it was kind of half hearted because I was sort of “complaining” that he should have picked it with a longer stem! Geesh! I have a lot of nerve! I quickly caught myself and thanked him again (with much more sincerity!) for his little impromptu surprise gift.

I brought it inside and put it in a vase of water and placed it on the table.

The next morning we sat down to enjoy a simple breakfast together. We prayed our Grace Before Meals and a few quick morning prayers and then we talked about the day ahead while we ate our breakfast.

Before long, my husband rose from his seat and cleared his plate, eager to check out whether or not his favorite war movie would be playing on TV since it was Memorial Day! I asked if he could please sit down again–just for a few minutes. I pleaded, actually. I wanted him to read a morning Psalm while I finished my healthy breakfast smoothie (I am a slow eater and he is fast!). I hadn’t yet read the little reading and the Psalm, but I felt deeply inspired to have my husband read it. But, Dave was in a bit of a rush that morning.

To my delight though, my husband sat down again, and I slid my prayer book in front of him, pointing to the passage for him to read out loud. We blessed ourselves with the Sign of the Cross and then Dave began to read:

Lord God, you have made heaven and earth by your great might, with your outstretched arm, nothing is impossible to you (Jer 32: 17)

Our glory is to mirror back in loving praise to the God who made us the beauty we glimpse dimly in all that comes from his hand.

Praise the Lord from the earth,

sea creatures and all oceans,

fire and hail, snow and mist,

stormy winds that obey his word;

all mountains and hills,

all fruit trees and cedars,

beasts, wild and tame,

reptiles and birds on the wing;

all earth’s kings and peoples,

earth’s princes and rulers;

young men and maidens,

old men together with children.

Let them praise the name of the Lord

for he alone is exalted.

The splendor of his name

reaches beyond heaven and earth.

He exalts the strength of his people.

He is the praise of all saints,

of the sons of Israel,

of the people to whom he comes close. (Psalm 148)

As Dave was reading the Psalm, I was listening and praying, and then I found myself gazing at the short stemmed daisy in the little glass vase, which, by the way, happened to be right in front of my face.

Wow…such beauty…

As I leaned in a bit closer, I suddenly discovered something about the daisy, that to me, was unexpected. I stared at the modest little gift my husband gave me the previous day. I was truly amazed at the perfect and petite intricate pattern on that simple yellow and white flower. I don’t think I had ever looked that closely before. I’m not sure. But, my sweet daisy was “speaking” to me during the reading of the Psalm which was all about mirroring back “in loving praise to the God who made us the beauty we glimpse dimly in all that comes from his hand.”

God is certainly about all of the details of His creation. Since He is, I have no doubt that He takes care of every detail of our lives.

If God can create such incredible and intricate beauty in one simple daisy, just think of the beauty He wants to make of our hearts and souls!

We finished our prayer together, blessing ourselves with the Sign of the Cross and Dave headed to the other room. Before I dove into some preparations for our upcoming barbecue, I decided to step outside to pause a moment beside the daisies in my garden where I could give thanks and praise to God.

There had been a gentle rain that morning and some rain drops were clinging to the daisy petals which was another reminder to me of how God takes care of the details. My thoughts immediately turned to one of my very favorite Bible passages:

Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”(Matthew 6:26-34)

God is waiting for us in all the details of our lives. Will we meet Him there? Will we take time to pause, reflect, and see the beauty of His creation and strive to understand His loving messages to us?

Let’s live in ALL of the present moments of our days. Amazing graces are in store for us. Who is there in that moment who needs our help in some way?

We need to allow God to make a beautiful creation of our hearts and souls–RIGHT now! We can start by striving to become more attentive to His whispers to our souls and respond with love to His many graces.

“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

Do you need “bite-sized gems” in your mothering?

May 27, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

I think we can all need “bite-sized gems” in our daily lives. But this is true, especially for busy mothers whose lives are really not their own. They are on call 24/7 to care for their family. They can use a nourishing morsel of inspiration to kick-start their day!

A kind reader recently posted a review on Amazon about my book Catholic Mom’s Cafe: 5-Minute Retreats For Every Day of the Year.

She said:

Short and Sweet…and Life-Changing! Absolutely genius way of maximizing the little time that moms have into a daily ritual of quality time with the Lord that is power-packed. Thank you, Donna-Marie, for helping to make prayer time easier for mothers everywhere!
As a busy homeschooling mother of five (and expecting again), I have often lamented not having a structure to my prayer time. Structure equals efficiency, and efficiency equals doable. Prayer is absolutely necessary to feed my soul, but I have to fit it in before the next baby’s cry or cup of milk is spilled.

Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s Catholic Mom’s Café: 5-Minute Retreats For Every Day Of The Year offered me the perfect solution. A short five minute structure to my prayer time which inspired and charged me for the day. She neatly organizes each day’s retreat into ponder, offer, pray and savor. Bite-sized gems that I can actually remember and use as I go about my hectic day. My daily “go-to” along with coffee 🙂
God bless you! 5 stars!!!

Here is the link to see my book on Amazon.

Speaking of mothering, I was recently looking over my book A Catholic Woman’s Book of Prayers because a publishing company just requested permission to translate my book into Portuguese. This book is actually for women of every walk of life, not only for mothers.

I’ll share one of the reflections that popped out at me when looking through my book:

My Distinct Mission

Within all of the innumerable things I do as a woman,

right down at the core of it all

lies the call to my distinct mission from God.

I pray that I may fulfill it lovingly throughout each day

while praying actively, through my hands, in service,

and contemplatively, on my knees,

to please God

and help my neighbor find his way to heaven.

***

Speaks to ALL Catholic women: single, married, mothers, and consecrated Religious, $7.95

What “bite-sized morsel” are you hanging onto today? Please feel free to share in the comment box!

Stay tuned for exciting news! I’ll be sharing soon about upcoming projects which includes a new book for families!

May God bless you and keep you!

God often surprises us!

May 18, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

I never tire of God’s amazing surprises. How could I possibly? I often preach that one should not worry if you can’t get out of your house to evangelize due to your duties with small children, elderly parents, or sickness, or other important reasons. I always say that God will BRING the evangelizing opportunities to YOU!

Recently, when I was home working on my writing, way back in the woods here in rural Connecticut, I heard the sound of a horn blowing out in my driveway.

Who could that be and why is that person blowing the horn? I wondered.

I got up from my computer and away from my percolating thoughts about my writing to check it out. I went outside my front door to see a man sitting in his truck with the window rolled down.

“Can I help you with something?” I called out. I felt a tad annoyed that he had honked his horn which had “disturbed” me, calling me outside to see what was up.

“Yes,” he said.

So, I ventured towards his truck, still feeling a bit put out. He got out of his truck and showed me his credentials. It turned out that he had come to my home representing the electric company who wanted to trim some trees in my property that could be interfering with the electrical wires. I had no problem with that and agreed that I would sign the release to give my permission.

But, what unfolded in our conversation was fascinating. I would not have imagined it earlier on but God has an amazing way of keeping life interesting. It began with me commenting on the beauty of the day. The man–his name is Hector, lamented that he couldn’t be at his home on the deck with “a couple of cold ones” to thoroughly enjoy the beautiful weather. He was instead busy with his work.

Well, I went into talking about the importance of our work (always having my dear friend Fr. John A. Hardon’s sentiments ringing in my ear: “There’s work to be done!”) and the fact that I work constantly. I didn’t go so far as to say, “There’s no rest for the weary!” though, as I am known to say. But, the conversation unfolded about faith and prayer because I ended up telling him that I was an author and worked all day on my writing from my home most times and then if I am not writing, I travel all around the world to speak.

I was NOT planning to say any of this. It’s just how it happened.

He wanted to know more. He asked what kind of author I was and I told him I was a Catholic author and that I love to inspire faith in others. Very gently–so I wouldn’t hurt his feelings or seem judgmental–I went on to say that I believe that what is more important than sitting and relaxing and “having a couple of cold ones” is the great importance of getting across to others that life is short and we need to be ready–we need to help get others ready to meet God! I felt so passionate about sharing this with this complete stranger!

Hector’s face lit up.

“You didn’t think you would have this kind of conversation today, did you?” I asked him.

“No! But it is refreshing! I mostly hear from disgruntled people using the ‘F-word’ complaining to me about their trees!”

Hector suddenly seemed deep in thought. Then he told me that he just lost a friend and co-worker on Easter week end. He said he was directing traffic at a job site and was killed when hit by a car. He seemed very troubled about losing that man on that particular holy week end and said it was so hard.

“We never know what tomorrow might bring. It’s important to get our lives straightened out today,” I told him.

Hector then shared a very personal story about someone he knew who got into trouble in the past and now after prison, tries very hard to help others. I’m sure that neither one of us expected to have such a conversation that day. It was seemingly out of the blue. God is so good to us to provide these types of amazing opportunities for His grace to work in our hearts.

I believe that it all starts with our prayer of the Morning Offering, asking God to use all of our prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of the day and asking Him to sanctify them and use them for His glory.

He does!

posted with his permission

My new friend walked away that day with a very hearty hand shake, a promise of prayers for him and his family, as well as a signed copy of my memoir The Kiss of Jesus. And, let’s not forget, the four blessed Miraculous Medals–one for him, his wife, and his two children.

Your Angel Questions

May 9, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Fr. Andrew Apostoli and I recently did our second Angel show together for EWTN’s Sunday Night Prime. I now have the link to the show in case you’d like to watch it. I find that the world of Angels is utterly fascinating. I hope you enjoy the show!

In case you missed it, you can see our first Angel show here…
VISIT TO “SUNDAY NIGHT PRIME” discussing the holy Angels with Fr. Andrew Apostoli:

NEW! For a mother and daughter or grandmother and granddaughter!

May 7, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

[Every bracelet purchased benefits an unwed or struggling mother because I donate copies of my mothering books, as well as monetary donations to a wonderful pregnancy center]

I am happy to report that I have created BRAND new NOVENA bracelets. These very special bracelets are actually a SET that is suitable for a Mother and Daughter or a Grandmother and Granddaughter. It is also quite fitting for a Godmother and Goddaughter. The adult bracelet measures approximately 7 and a half to three quarters inches in size and the other bracelet measures about 7 inches. You can learn more about these special bracelets here. Scroll down the page to see these and to have a purchasing opportunity.

A Tribute to Mothers!

May 6, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Here is an article I wrote for the Our Sunday Visitor Newsweekly in honor of mothers everywhere. It’s titled, “Following Mary’s steps in hope, faith, and love.” Enjoy!

What changes do we need to make to show mercy?

May 6, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

How do we show mercy to others?

Mother Teresa said:

“When our sisters were in Ceylon, a minister of state once told me something very surprising. He said, “You know Mother, I love Christ but I hate Christians.” So I asked him how could that be because it is such a contradiction, since Christ and Christians are one. Then he answered me, “Because Christians do not give us Christ, they do not live their Christian lives to the full.”

In continuing our series “Mother Teresa and Mercy” I spoke with Anna Mitchell this morning on the Son Rise Morning Show about how to show God’s mercy in the Year of Mercy.

You can hear our short radio chat here.

I shared a simple but hopefully helpful 4-Step plan to a more merciful YOU! I’ll briefly share it here, but try to take a listen to the show for the entire plan.

1) Be prayerful! We need a strong foundation of prayer to become a more merciful person. The mercy we offer to others will quickly become depleted if we don’t have prayer to back it up! We need a strong prayer life! Mother Teresa had preached that she could not have done the work that she did without a strong foundation of prayer. She said she needed to receive Jesus in the broken BREAD of the EUCHARIST every morning at holy Mass in order to go out and care for the broken bodies of the poor.

2) Admit that you are not always right. This is an important first step to becoming a merciful person. It might be very hard for some to admit. Pray for humility. It is essential to possess humility in order to offer mercy to others. It is such an important virtue to practice. This requires that we die to ourselves–that we look outside ourselves and become more ready to give Christ’s love to others.

3) Be prayerfully attentive. The Blessed Mother at Cana was prayerfully attentive. She realized that a couple was without wine at their wedding feast. She asked her Son Jesus to do something about it. Then, she told the wine stewards, “Do whatever He tells

you.” What does He tell us? He says, “Whatever you do to the least of my brothers, you do to Me.” We need to show His love and mercy to others. This might require that we step beyond our comfort zones to do so.

4) Get to know your Guardian Angel! Our Guardian Angel will show us opportunities to become more merciful. By the way, I did a couple of shows on the holy Angels with Fr. Andrew Apostoli on EWTN’s Sunday Night Prime TV show. You can see them on my TV page of my website. Our Guardian Angels will assist us in being merciful to others! They will show us many opportunities. Let’s not forget to ask for their assistance!

Again, you can listen to this morning’s radio visit right here.

Novena Bracelet as First Holy Communion or Confirmation Gift

May 6, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Created by Donna-Marie–this is the first of the Prayerfully Hoping and Expecting Novena Bracelets (featuring a Guardian Angel medal) and created for First Holy Communion and Confirmation girls!

You might have heard about my Prayerfully Hoping & Expecting NOVENA bracelets. You can learn more here.

[Every bracelet purchased benefits an unwed or struggling mother because I donate copies of my mothering books, as well as monetary donations to a wonderful pregnancy center]

See more about the bracelets here. Scroll down the page to find this one.

Stay tuned for Novena Mother/Daughter bracelets!

“Mother Teresa and Mercy”: Offering forgiveness and showing mercy even when it’s difficult

May 3, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

I recently spoke with Anna Mitchell on Son Rise Morning Show. We continued our series on “Mother Teresa and Mercy” during this Year of Mercy. We talked about offering forgiveness and mercy at home and why it is important to do so. Take a listen to the interview here.

The military women are close to my heart!

April 26, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

I just spent some precious time with some of my very favorite people. I had the honor and blessing of speaking to the military women, AKA the MCCW, which is the Military Council of Catholic Women. They invited me to key note at their Worldwide conference held in Washington, DC. I was there from Thursday until Monday. It was a beautiful and intensely grace-filled time hanging with and ministering to about 260 Catholic military women.

I’ll write more about the experience when I get the chance. Meanwhile, take a look at this page of Novena bracelets I made for the military.

Donna-Marie at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas last summer wearing her pin as an honorary member of the MCCW.

Chatting about Mother Teresa on EWTN’s News Nightly

April 25, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

I recently visited with Brian Patrick on EWTN’s News Nightly chatting about Blessed Mother Teresa’s upcoming canonization and my memoir The Kiss of Jesus.

You can see the interview below at the 19.22 mark. Enjoy!

The heroic role of the mother

April 5, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

“You lifted my spirits, pointing out how motherhood is a ‘sublime calling,'” she told me.

A very beautiful part of my ministry to mothers, families, and women is that I often feel blessed when hearing from someone who expresses her heartfelt thanks for my work. It causes me to stop right then to give glory to God, thanking Him for using His little servant and working in that person’s heart.

I recently received a beautiful email from a young expectant homeschooling mother of five children. I asked her permission to share part of it.

Here it is:

I must tell you how much your books and talks have affected my life. I am not even sure how I discovered you. I think it was an Amazon search years ago for Catholic motherhood. The first book that I’ve read by you was Embracing Motherhood, which made me feel elevated in my status as a mom. You lifted my spirits, pointing out how motherhood is a “sublime” calling. For years, I just wanted my mom and mother-in-law to come beside me and lift me up and praise the work I was doing, but the reality is that they grew-up in a very feminist generation and seem to be blind to the validity of this work. So, your writings filled that need for validation for me.

Next, I started listening to Everyday Blessings For Catholic Moms on my Kindle as I went around cooking, cleaning and doing laundry. The kids always knew when I was folding clothes bc the theme music would blare out 🙂 Then, I read The Domestic Church, and one of my favorite passages in that book (which I double highlighted) was when you said that “Blessed (soon to be saint 🙂 Teresa’s advice was to not be ashamed of humble work which is a huge part of mothering: an extraordinary vocation in which little saints are raised inside the hidden confines of the homelife amid the nitty-gritty, humble work of the mother in the home.” That one statement helps to bring me back to a place of peace when I am tempted to grumble and get discouraged with the nitty-gritty of it all.

She continued…

I cannot express to you what a miracle it is that a girl like me (raised in a non-church going home with a mom who thinks I have lost my mind to be open to this many children…and consequently, she has not offered any support or help) is on the path that I am on. I owe it to the great influences of women like you! You have come into my home and spoken words of faith and encouragement. Your words have given me strength when I’ve been tempted to agree with my naysayers that I am nuts for doing this. Your work renews my sense of purpose and inspires me to go on when every bone in my exhausted body says, “Just quit; put them in public school; and, put your feet up with a latte.” ?

Next, my goals are to order the Miraculous Medal book, the Mother Teresa Friendship book and the Children’s book on Angels. I will read them all. Please don’t ever stop writing!!!!! Keep the nourishment coming! Your books are my spiritual direction. They are my friends.

My dear Reader, I want you to know that your loving words and actions mean more than you might ever know. The culture does not make it easy for the heroic mothers who are trying their best to raise Christian children. They are constantly bombarded by the crazy mixed messages of the culture and are not often encouraged in their beautiful sacrificial role of serving their family. Protecting their family from the influences of the evil in society and working hard to teach, care, and most of all, love their children can be tiring.

That mother you see who seems to have it all together, might actually be deeply hurting inside because she craves some motherly affirmation–some kind of shot in the arm to keep her going. You can be the one to help her to know that she is so treasured by God and extremely important to her family in a sometimes thankless job, humbly working through the nitty gritty details of life in the family.

Please go out of your way, and perhaps even push a bit beyond your comfort zone to encourage the many mothers in the trenches raising their little saints to heaven. They need our kind and loving words of encouragement and affirmation. Please help that frazzled or worn out Mom in the grocery store or on the plane–wherever the encounter unfolds and the need arrises. Let her know that her work and sacrifice are SO very important. After all, God has entrusted her with the human being!

I am absolutely sure that you will find countless opportunities–even just in your daily life as you encounter mothers and grandmothers–to help uplift them in their sublime vocation of motherhood – that beautiful vocation of LOVE.