Heartfelt words from a woman on the path to healing

November 6, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

A woman just reviewed The Kiss of Jesus and disclosed that because of the book and God’s Infinite Grace, she is now on a path to healing. Praise God!

“The inner most devastating details shared within this book spoke directly to my soul and have given me a real hope that God is with me…and also given me an understanding that this spiritual journey she presents (which is all too familiar) is purposeful and necessary in its purification of the soul perhaps or some other meaningful teaching that needs to be learned. I’m grateful for the courage Donna-Marie used to forge through revealing such painful experiences. I’m on a path to healing myself because of having read it and of course, more importantly thanks to God’s infinite grace.”

Let’s say a prayer for her and for all women experiencing difficulties and dark nights. May God bless them in great abundance!

My recent radio interview on Sacred Treasures

November 5, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Recently I visited with Kathie Duggan on Sacred Treasures on Radio Maria. You can listen here at your leisure. I hope that you enjoy it.

Keeping my promise to call a “stranger.”

November 4, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Two lovely women I know.

Guess who I called yesterday afternoon? Suzanne! She is the 88-year-old woman who called me by mistake a few weeks ago. We chatted for about an hour!

I’ll admit I was cleaning out a hall closet for part of the time as we spoke. But, I can multi-task. 🙂 And I paid full attention to her.

Finally, after an hour of chatting I needed to get off the phone and told Suzanne once again (I had tried a few times already) that I had better go. She then very enthusiastically told me that I had made her day by calling her! She thanked me over and over again. I told Suzanne that I was very happy to have chatted with her and I promised my prayers.

God is so good and I am thanking Him for the opportunity to reach out to this woman. Only He knows the reason that He arranged all of this. But I have no doubt that God has a plan. Mother Teresa would call this woman “Jesus in the distressing disguise.”

Here is a note about our first phone conversation when Suzanne called me by mistake when dialing a wrong number.

Currents TV interview

November 3, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Award-winning anchor and reporter Liz Faublas recently interviewed me about The Kiss of Jesus for Currents TV in Brooklyn. Here is our five minute interview:

Instilling Holiness in our homes

November 3, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

In a recent article in the National Catholic Register, Katie Warner quotes me (using my sentiments expressed to her in an earlier interview).

Katie writes:

“Ever since I was a little girl, I observed a bit of the ‘big Church’ inside little domestic churches,” author, EWTN host and new grandmother Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle reminisced. “My Polish grandmother’s home was adorned with sacred Catholic items. From pictures of the saints and images of her favorite — Polish Pope John Paul II — to rosary beads and crucifixes, my grandmother’s faith was easily perceived in her home. My mother followed in her mother’s footsteps, and I grew up with [the Catholic faith] inconspicuously woven into my life.”

O’Boyle continued to build upon the foundation that her grandmother and mother gave her in her own family, adorning her home with Catholic art and sacramentals, which for her serve as “holy reminders that help uplift one’s spirit and heart to God” in the midst of busy family life. “Placing visible signs of our faith throughout our Catholic homes will transform walls, brick and mortar into a beautiful domestic church,” she explained.

Furthermore, O’Boyle has noticed that the church of the home is a powerful place to evangelize others. “The sacred items and sacramentals that we are accustomed to in our home can spark a conversation about the faith with a visitor or even a complete stranger. A deliveryman ended up staying a short while because we became engrossed in a conversation about God. It all unfolded after he observed religious art in the foyer of my home. After that, he left with a big smile on his face and said, ‘Wow! This was really meant to be … I have never had this route before!’”

You can read the entire article here: http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/fostering-holiness/#ixzz3qRWHZF00

Warming the homeless with LOVE, scarves, and sacramentals.

November 2, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

My heart goes out to the needy and less fortunate–especially at this time of year. I always enjoy this beautiful season of Autumn. But, in my humble opinion, there is a problem with this glorious Fall season in my part of the world. It’s that winter and its freezing weather never fail to be not too far behind.

I am not particularly fond of the cold weather. But, more than that, I am concerned for the poor and homeless who are cold and needy.

The other day, I had a beautiful encounter with a couple of homeless men in which I offered a bit of monetary help and blessed sacramentals from our Church. I was very happy to see Andrew and his friend so that I could converse with Andrew again even briefly. I had met him a few weeks ago when I was passing through his town. That story is here. Perhaps you should take a look at that brief story first before continuing.

I had been hoping I’d see Andrew again when I would travel through that town. He had been in my thoughts and prayers. I wanted to see how he was doing and perhaps offer him a little something to eat, or a little money, or something to keep him warm.

In fact, with Andrew in mind, I dug around a bit in my hall closet and pulled out a scarf that my husband had not worn in years and I asked him if I could give it away to a homeless man. I thought I could bring it with me when we went back up to that area of Massachusetts. Well, Dave said he wanted to hang onto that particular scarf. So, I didn’t push the issue. But something was definitely brewing in my heart.

Recently, when passing through that area, I purposely strolled over to the area where I had met Andrew a few weeks ago. I was so delighted to see him again and I told him that I remembered that his name was Andrew.

He lit right up.

Then, he got right up from the sidewalk and reached into his pocket to pull out the blessed medals I had given him a few weeks ago. Wow. He said he always keeps them with him in his pocket. My heart was secretly soaring. And, I told him that I was happy that he still had the blessed medals. We chatted a few minutes and then I gave each of the homeless men a dollar bill. I handed the scruffy-looking man with the nose ring who was sitting next to Andrew, two of the same kinds of blessed medals that I had given to Andrew previously. He seemed very happy to receive them. I told him that they were powerful medals.

I pray that God blesses these men and all those who are living on the streets.

Sharing an Inspiration

I have an inspiration to do something to help keep our brothers and sisters warm. I would like to give warm scarves to the homeless that I will have attached blessed medals onto in advance. Of course, I’ll still be handing out the blessed medals to people I meet when I am inspired to do so. But, giving out the scarves is a way to help the needy to stay warmer, as well as have the protection of the blessed medals too.

Do you have a winter scarf hanging around? Maybe there are too many in your closet and it’s a good time to de-clutter. Would you like to donate a scarf to help keep someone warm?

Do you crochet or knit? Would you like to make a scarf for the homeless? Or perhaps you would like to buy a scarf for the homeless. If you’d like to help in some way, you can send your scarves to me at: PO Box 773, New Milford, CT 06776. I will add the blessed sacramentals (a Miraculous Medal and a St. Benedict medal that has the FULL exorcism blessing on it) to the scarves and give them to the homeless and will find ways to distribute them.

In addition, if you’d like to donate adult sized warm gloves or mittens, please feel free to send them along too.

ANOTHER WAY to join in this “Work of Mercy” is to get together in your own area with people who would like to crochet or knit scarves for the homeless. Imagine the beautiful fellowship that can unfold as you chat and pray, and knit or crochet away! I recommend that you start with a prayer when you gather together. Or, purchase or collect donations of scarves, gloves, and hats (or from your own closet) and attach blessed Miraculous Medals on them (and hopefully a blessed St. Benedict medal too). You can get them at my website or elsewhere. My medals have FULL blessings upon them. If you decide to do this, please let me know in the comments section, or you may email me: DMCOBoyle@aol.com.

God bless you for considering helping and also for praying for the homeless and less fortunate.

Remember that Jesus continually teaches us in the Gospel of Matthew: “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25: 40).

AFTER POSTING ABOUT THIS MINISTRY, Aleteia interviewed me for an article. Check it out here.

Heartfelt words about The Kiss of Jesus

November 1, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

A woman recently shared her heartfelt thoughts on Face Book about how The Kiss of Jesus has changed her life. I am deeply thankful to God.

She said:

As one of those who Donna-Marie has helped make sense of a troubled life through her new book I encourage all to not only read the book but go to her website and read the blog tour. Also I recommend everyone to listen to this interview and all others there. The more blogs I read and interviews I listen to the more graces I receive from this book!! Donna-Marie has helped me deal with memories and deep sorrows from a difficult childhood, many life events, and poor choices I have made in my 60 years of life. Most importantly she has helped me realize my many blessings in my suffering and offering it all to God. I know going forward my relationship with God will not only improve but maybe I can even bring some blessings to others. This book and my friendship with Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle indeed has changed my life!

Chatting with The Catholic Foodie about The Kiss of Jesus

October 31, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jeff Young AKA the Catholic Foodie.

He writes: “I have wanted to have Donna-Marie join me here on The Catholic Foodie Show for quite a while, and the recent release of her new book provided the perfect opportunity. The Kiss of Jesus is the name of the book, published by Ignatius Press. In The Kiss of Jesus, Donna-Marie tells her story, the good and the bad. She doesn’t shy away from the dark corners. She tells her story because she knows that so many of us are suffering. We are hurting and we are trying to make sense of it all. We are trying to find God in the midst of it. Donna-Marie understands the power of stories, and she shares hers knowing that doing so might just give hope to you and to me. Listen now to our conversation. Full show notes are available at CatholicFoodie.com.

Jeff has recently interviewed me on his radio show. You can listen to that here.

The Kiss of Jesus Blog Tour Day # 16!

October 31, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Today’s The Kiss of Jesus Blog Tour stop is over at The Snoring Scholar.

Sarah begins with an excerpt of my book and then gets into some personal stuff:

I had been writing Catholic articles whenever I could fit them into my schedule. After careful reflection and prayer, I decided to retire from my preschool program and to devote myself to full-time writing. Mother Teresa and Father Hardon had encouraged me to continue writing. Mother Teresa had said that she prayed my writing would “do much good” and that I should do it “for the glory of God and the good of the people.” Father Hardon had given me positive feedback and had reminded me that “many mothers are overwhelmed” and need encouragement and inspiration.

After many years of storing away my writings in cardboard boxes, I heard from a publisher who asked if I would be interested in writing a prayer book for Catholic mothers. They had seen some of my writing in the past, and I was thrilled to be invited to write for them. Before long, I signed my first book contract and got to work. Dave was very supportive of my writing work, and I thoroughly enjoyed the writing process, praying as I wrote that God would use my words for His glory and to help and encourage mothers of all ages. I drew from some ideas I had during my long bed rest while pregnant with Mary-Catherine.

I’ll never forget the day that the copies of my first book arrived…

[see the entire blog post here]

Visiting with Sheila Liaugminas on the airwaves.

October 28, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Sheila Liaugminas

I was blessed last night with the pleasure of speaking with Sheila Liaugminas on her great show “A Closer Look” on Relevant Radio. If you missed it, you can listen anytime here at your leisure.

It’s about a half hour show. Our segment starts at about the hallway point. So, feel free to slide the little marker down to the 25:41 time and start listening there. Or, listen to the whole thing knowing my interview is in the 2nd half.

Enjoy!

The Kiss of Jesus Blog Tour Day # 14!

October 28, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Today our The Kiss of Jesus blog tour stops at “Water Into Wine.”

Lisa writes:

“I love when a memoir provides both the shock of the unfamiliar and an intimate sense of shared humanity. Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s new memoir, The Kiss of Jesus: How Mother Teresa and the Saints Helped Me to Discover the Beauty of the Cross, does all of that and more.

With incredible courage, through the gripping story of her life, Donna-Marie reveals to her many fans that she is wounded, like they are. She has made mistakes, suffered from abuse and humiliating losses, lived in poverty, fought to protect her children and clear her name, and struggled alone as a single mom.

Walking in faith sometimes seems like walking in the dark. I seemed to grope blindly a lot throughout my life, but with a certainty, or at least a strong hope, that there would be light–somewhere. I needed to trust God fully with my life and I prayed to do so. When I found myself in darkness I continued to search for God there, and I strove to serve Him each day in the people He put around me, starting in my own family. (p. 116)

Life, she admits candidly, has not gone according to plan. But because she has persevered in handing it all over to God, step by step and day by day, it has all come right; and she has done more than just survive: she has triumphed by joining her own suffering to that of her crucified Lord:”

[See the entire review here]

The Kiss of Jesus Blog Tour Day # 12!

October 26, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Today our blog tour stops at Catholic Mom. Lisa Hendey writes:

“I’ve lovingly called Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle a mentor and friend for over a decade. Her work has inspired, edified and blessed me in countless ways over those years. And while I’ve known for some time that Donna-Marie faced personal challenges along her spiritual journey, nothing could have hinted at the level of hardship she retells in her new memoir The Kiss of Jesus.

Why was I so surprised when I read this book? The reason comes from the love and peace that Donna-Marie exudes. When reading of her hardships over the course of so many years, one might imagine that a “victim” mentality or a bitter worldview would be the result of such suffering. But the truth of the matter is that Donna-Marie has found a key to peace and joy in her life: her faith in and love for Jesus Christ. Her ability to convey this life-changing love is what’s at the heart of The Kiss of Jesus and it’s also what you feel when you meet this lovely author, speaker and television host in “real life”. This is also what takes this book from being simply a “tell all” story and turns it into a major gift for anyone who has faced challenges and hardships along life’s path…”

[See the entire blog post here]

The Kiss of Jesus Blog Tour Day # 11

October 25, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Today’s Blog tour stop is at the Military Council of Catholic Women (MCCW.org.) Elizabeth Tomlin, President of the MCCW writes:

“When I was asked to review Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s memoir and latest book published through Ignatius Press, The Kiss of Jesus: How Mother Teresa and the Saints Helped me to Discover the Beauty of the Cross, I felt honored and wanted to do my best. I approached this project like I did any other project – mathematically – it’s just the way God made me. I noted that the book has 181 pages and did the math. With ten days to complete the task, I set out to read 20 pages a night and reserved day 10 to write the review. Two evenings later, I was finished with the book.

I have spent the remaining eight days re-reading and considering how to distill a book with such profundity to a review of 900 words. BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) – Read this book. Pray for Donna-Marie’s ministry. Pray that God gives us all the grace to thirst for Jesus amidst whatever adversity we face.

If you have not met Donna-Marie in person, she is soft-spoken and gentle. She makes an impact in her gentleness, so much so, that my two-and a half year old son saw the book cover with Donna-Marie’s face several months after she visited my family, and remembered her, saying, “Dat’s Donna-Mawie! I want her to come back to me.” Her personality is imbued with a genuine care for others, so it’s not surprising that she states often, ‘I think I was born to be a mother.’”

[Continued here]

The Kiss of Jesus Blog Tour Day # 10!

October 24, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Today’s blog tour stops at the Patheos blog, Season’s of Grace with Kathy Schiffer.

In her post titled, Hope for the Suffering: Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle Inspires in Candid Memoir, Kathy writes:

I remember the first time I saw Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle on EWTN. She seemed so delicate, so mild-mannered, so firm in her Catholic faith. Later I met Donna-Marie at a meeting of the Catholic Writers Guild, and her image as a strong faith leader and an inspirational speaker was reinforced in my mind.

Her writing is truly inspirational–reading her books, one can’t help but resolve to be holier. When, in December 2012, I participated in the blog tour for Donna-Marie’s book Rooted in Love: Our Calling As Catholic Women, I wrote:

“Donna-Marie brings to her writing a softness, a peaceful witness born of time spent in prayer.”

Such grace-filled encouragement must, I thought, be born in a childhood of devotion, a youthful hunger for Christ, and a model family life.

That’s why I was shocked–really, SHOCKED!–to read the earthy revelations about her earlier life in Donna-Marie’s deeply moving memoir, The Kiss of Jesus.

[You can read the full review here.]

The Kiss of Jesus Blog Tour Day # 9!

October 23, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Today’s Blog tour stop is at Peace Garden Passage.

Rozane writes:

“I am finding it more and more difficult these days to carve out adequate time for indulging in my longtime passion of reading. But Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s memoir, “The Kiss of Jesus,” had me blissfully rediscovering the delights of sneaking a flashlight and book under the covers each night, and staying up to the wee hours, quietly turning pages while my husband snored nearby.

For when you have a jewel that shimmers in your hands, the thought of it collecting dust becomes quickly dismantled, and “where there’s a will there’s a way” makes room.

It doesn’t hurt that Donna-Marie is a personal friend, and that memoir happens to be my favorite genre. Through that friendship, I knew this book was percolating a while before it came to light. In fact, Donna-Marie and I met in person for the first time, after a years-long online friendship, at a conference where she was set about the task of setting her memoir in motion…”

Meeting up with Roxane at the Catholic Marketing Network

[See more here]

My reflection on praying the Hail Mary

October 23, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Sarah Reinhard has a new book out. It’s quite lovely–a perfect size to carry with us or set on our night table. Sarah has gathered some folks together to share reflections word by word on the Hail Mary prayer. From the publisher’s description on the back cover, we read:

Most Catholics can recite the Hail Mary from memory but haven’t actually reflected on the meaning of the prayer. Blogger and author Sarah Reinhard invited forty of the most popular Catholic voices–including Lisa M. Hendey, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, Lisa Mladinich, and Brandon Vogt–to write a brief reflection on each word of the Hail Mary…

Over at “Catholic Mom,” Sarah Reinhard writes:

“The book inspired by the blog series, Word by Word: Slowing Down with the Hail Mary, is now available and today, Donna-Marie graciously agreed to join me to talk about the Hail Mary, her word in the book, and her tips for us as we try to slooooooooow down in our prayer.”

And she asks me a few questions:

Donna-Marie, what’s your relationship with the Hail Mary as a prayer? How does it help you grow closer to Mary and, through her, Jesus?

I have always loved the Hail Mary prayer since I was a little girl. It was taught to me by my mother and often prayed in my presence by my mother and grandmother when they prayed the Rosary.

I believe that the Hail Mary prayer helps me to grow closer to Mary and, through her, to Jesus. It is a wonderful meditative prayer which reminds us of Mary’s role in our salvation and which asks Her to pray for us which will ultimately bring us closer to her Son Jesus.

Your reflection was on the word SINNERS. Tell us a bit about what this word means to you in the context of the Hail Mary.

We are all sinners. We are all in need of prayer to be able to reach Heaven one day. We must pray for our own souls and in the Hail Mary prayer, we also pray to Mother Mary asking Her to pray for us too. It really is an awesome privilege to receive and benefit from prayers from the Mother of God! It would be beneficial to pause and ponder that fact alone.

In the Hail Mary prayer, we ask the Blessed Mother to pray for us now for our daily needs within the nitty gritty details of our lives. As well, and equally as important, we pray to Mother Mary requesting that she pray for us at the hour of our death. We need Her to lead us to Heaven.

What’s your top tip for slowing down as you pray the Hail Mary…or any prayer, for that matter?

My top tip for slowing down to pray is to strive to put myself in the presence of God and offer Him my full heart in love and respect. I could easily race through my prayers, but where will that get me? Would I be truly praying? Is that being respectful to God?

I believe that we need to pause often to pray and also to carve out time for heartfelt prayers, no matter how busy we think we are so that we can be in continual conversation with our Creator. Some of our prayers might be very brief as we tend to the needs of those to whom we are responsible. But, we can certainly offer our hearts in those busy moments and strive to schedule other times to meet Our Lord in prayer.

***

Donna-Marie has a new book out herself, The Kiss of Jesus: How Mother Teresa and the Saints Helped Me to Discover the Beauty of the Cross, which is touring the blogosphere right now.

[BY THE WAY, MY REFLECTION WHICH APPEARS IN THIS BOOK IS DIFFERENT AND LONGER THAN WHAT APPEARS HERE IN THIS SHORT INTERVIEW]

[See more here at Catholic Mom]

Visiting with “Live Hour” on Archangel Radio

October 22, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

I recently spoke with the hosts on the “Live Hour” on Archangel Radio sharing about my life and my memoir The Kiss of Jesus. You can listen here at your leisure. I hope that you enjoy it.

Sharing about The Kiss of Jesus at Spirit Mornings

October 22, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

In case you didn’t get a chance to tune in to my visit on Spirit Mornings radio you can check it out here when you have about 20 minutes of time.

Chatting with John Harper on Morning Air!

October 22, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

I recently visited with John Harper on “Morning Air” on Relevant Radio. In case you didn’t have a chance to tune in initially you can listen here at your leisure. In my memoir The Kiss of Jesus I have revealed a lot of crazy stuff and I share things that I haven’t revealed before. This is the first time I tell of these things in this interview on Morning Air.

In the radio interview (and my memoir), I spoke about the many challenges, crosses, and deep joy in my life. I shared about the saints and dear Mother Teresa in my life. We also spoke about courtship, marriage, and family in this interview. I hope that you enjoy it.

The Kiss of Jesus Blog Tour Day # 8!

October 22, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Today’s blog tour is hosted by the Practicing Catholic who writes:

“I’ve scaled back on participating in book reviews and blog tours, primarily because I want to safeguard my holy leisure reading time for whatever the current book is for Well-Read Mom. But when I received the request to participate in the blog tour for The Kiss of Jesus by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, my intuition told me to give the book a good look before declining participation.
30 seconds into the book, on the first page of the preface I read,

… I had been a single mother to five children for many years …”

Now you may know Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle as I do, strictly from her public persona. She’s that lovely woman with the soothing voice who has two first names and two last names and is frequently heard and seen on Catholic media. You know, the woman who knew Blessed Mother Teresa personally and wrote about their relationship in the book Mother Teresa and Me: Ten Years of Friendship.

She was a single mother to five children?! I had no clue…”

[Read the full blog post here]