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…”
This is not Suzanne. It’s a photo of two women I know and I think it’s a sweet photo. 🙂
I am very thankful that God keeps my life so interesting. Recently, a week or so ago I received a most interesting phone call. As I headed towards the ringing phone, the answering machine came on and I heard a woman’s shaky voice leaving a message. I quickly picked up the call and learned from the woman that it was a “wrong number.” So, I tried to explain how she might find the right number after she told me who she was trying to reach. I also told her that I would pray for her because she also disclosed the reason she needed to reach her son at his work.
She asked me my name and I asked for hers. Her name is Suzanne and she is 88-years-old. She was sincerely interested in sharing her life with me–a complete stranger who she called by “accident.” In that moment I decided to pause from what I was doing to take the time to listen to this serendipitous caller. Suzanne zig-zagged me way back to her family’s ancestry and then lead me back to her life now. She chattered on. I could tell that she had so much more to tell me and I didn’t know where I could possibly insert a suggestion that I thought might help us both because she was thoroughly enjoying talking with me.
Since it was obvious that Suzanne was very interested in continuing a conversation with me, I decided to ask her if she’d like me to call her back to talk some more sometime. So, when she paused briefly from her artful sharing, I ventured to quickly ask her my question. She was so delighted about the idea. A half hour later (yes, a half hour!) we parted company on the phone with my promise to pray for her and her situation and I also promised that I’d give her a call soon.
I’ll tell ya–that woman has lived an extraordinary life. I learned a lot about it in that half hour. I told her that I am confident that God gave us a gift of our chat this morning. With my promise of an upcoming phone call, she said, “I’ll be right here, Honey.”
Perhaps it wasn’t a wrong number after all. Maybe–just maybe–it was a phone call arranged by God to bring two complete strangers together. Just maybe I was meant to take that time to be kind to a stranger, to offer my gift of time even though I was quite busy that day and could have let the answering machine answer the phone or could have been brief with the caller.
How many shut-ins and lonely people are forever waiting for a phone call or for a visit from someone–even a short one? They hope that maybe they’ll hear from a loved one today. Or, possibly even a stranger.
Opportunities for grace unfold when we pause, ponder, and listen to God’s gentle whispers to our soul. We can become such a beautiful spark of joy in someone’s life if we would only take the time to reach out to connect with them, visit with them, or give them some of our time when they reach out to us. Our simple loving gestures can make all of the difference in the world!
Who can you reach out to today or some time very soon? I know who I am going to call–Suzanne!
Teresa Tomeo has said in her endorsement for my memoir The Kiss of Jesus:
“In this amazing true story of faith Donna-Marie shares painful details of her past struggles as well as a very honest discussion concerning life’s many challenges. This is not so her readers will feel sorry for her but instead to show all of us that even in the most challenging of circumstances God is with us. He turns the greatest tragedies into triumphs and in Donna-Marie’s case the Lord turned her misery into a powerful ministry.”
I enjoyed being with dear friend and radio host Teresa Tomeo on EWTN’s “Catholic Connection” this morning chatting about my memoir The Kiss of Jesus. In case you weren’t able to tune in, I have the entire interview right here for you to listen when it’s convenient for you.
I was honored to visit with Al Kresta of “Kresta in the Afternoon” the other day. Here is what Al Kresta had said for his endorsement after he had read my memoir The Kiss of Jesus:
“The things we carry with us, the stories that make us who we are usually remain hidden from the watching world. Until now, that has been true of Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle who, for years, I’ve known as a writer of rare luminous simplicity and maternal sensitivity whose spirituality bears the mark of her encounters with Mother Teresa. But I was unprepared for the shocking assaults, penetrating injuries, wounds of betrayal, shame of poverty and neglect that alternately enraged and grieved me as I read her memoir. These dark episodes form a devilish veil that can only be pierced by the sword of Christ’s severe mercy. This is no mere conversion story. The power of His grace far exceeds God’s momentary acceptance of a sinner. Here grace is an active, personal force molding, shaping, nurturing, and transforming her. Transformed for love and service. She is led into moving evangelistic encounters with family, strangers and neighbors. So please, don’t deprive yourself of the tough, relentless grace that fills this book. Take up and read. Share in the dispensation of grace Donna-Marie has received and you will learn love and peace in the midst of tribulation.”~ Al Kresta, President, CEO Ave Maria Communications, Host, Kresta in the Afternoon
On his radio show the other day, Al asked me about my life and what I have detailed in my newly released memoir The Kiss of Jesus: How Mother Teresa and the Saints Helped Me to Discover the Beauty of the Cross.
If you didn’t get a chance to tune in yet, you may listen in here at your leisure. I hope that you will enjoy our visit.
Yesterday morning I had the great pleasure of visiting with Brian Patrick and the wonderful crew on the new EWTN Morning Glory radio show. We talked about the Rosary, Mother Mary, persevering in times of trouble, my life, and my memoir The Kiss of Jesus!
Today is the official launch day for my memoir, The Kiss of Jesus. I think it’s very nice that it “happens” to land on the feast of the ArchAngels!
One woman shared her thoughts after reading The Kiss of Jesus:
I read the whole book after returning at 10:00 PM from choir practice and finished it in TEARS at 3:00 AM. God bless you for such a true descrption of your life, I still cannot envision the hardships and trials that you have endured and survived with such a positive, loving attitude.There are so many lives you have touched and changed for the better.
Here is the official press release for The Kiss of Jesus:
Suffering as The Kiss of Jesus?
Accomplished author recounts how years of sorrow led to redemption and mercy
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 29, 2015 – Few people who follow Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, popular author, radio and TV host and inspirational speaker, would have guessed that her life had been rife with so much suffering. While her story sometimes reads like a heart-pounding novel, it is, nonetheless, a true story, which Cooper O’Boyle tells in a beautiful, selfless fashion in her latest book, THE KISS OF JESUS.
Cooper O’Boyle has had an eventful life. The seventh of eight children, she enjoyed a relatively normal youth. However, all that would change, as she would come to endure horrors few could imagine.
In the years that would follow, Cooper O’Boyle had her freedom taken away by a troubled man who held her hostage, lost three babies to miscarriage and dealt with a husband’s drinking problem. She also suffered abuse, divorce and single-motherhood.
As trying as her life was, Cooper O’Boyle did experience unexpected joys along the way. She was blessed to raise five children, and claimed a memorable 10-year friendship with Blessed Mother Teresa, who served not only as a close friend, but also as a spiritual mother.
Throughout it all, Cooper O’Boyle’s faith buoyed her spirit. Not only has she survived, but she has thrived and discovered the beauty of the Cross.
“This extraordinary story will bring hope to all who are suffering,” Dan Burke, executive director of the National Catholic Register, says of THE KISS OF JESUS.
I recently visited the Fort Bliss military base in El Paso, Texas to present talks and a retreat to the military women there. I was honored to speak to such gracious and heroic women.
While in El Paso, I met a man named Bernard. I had observed him standing on the side of a busy street as I was being driven back to my hotel after giving a retreat on Saturday.
Bernard was holding a message on a tattered piece of cardboard. I asked my driver Karen (a woman from the military group at Fort Bliss) if I could possibly hand something to the man. She rolled down her window and I yelled out to him. He hurried over to the driver’s window.
I was able to give him my new water bottle, as well as a blessed Miraculous Medal, which I kissed before placing it in his outstretched hand. I told him that I hope and pray that he will receive many graces from the Blessed Mother through Her blessed medal. I also asked if I could hold his hand for a quick moment. Time stood still as his hand was intertwined with mine and Karen’s hand too, through the open window. His entire demeanor exuded his happiness to connect with us.
I asked him his name and he told me that it was “Bernard.”
“God bless you, Bernard!,” I said. “God loves you! I will pray for you. Please pray for me too.”
And then our beautiful moment had to end there because we needed to drive on since the traffic light had changed. We quickly bid our good byes.
As we pulled away, I turned around to watch our new friend. He was doing something that really touched my heart. I can still see him now in my mind as I write this to you. Bernard was kissing his blessed Miraculous Medal over and over again. My heart was soaring and I was feeling extremely thankful to God for gifting me with that blessed encounter with someone that Mother Teresa would call, “Jesus in the distressing disguise of the poorest of the poor.”
Bernard will remain in my heart and prayers. Please say a prayer for Bernard, and of course, for all the unfortunate, the poor, sick, suffering, dying and troubled.
A Time to Ponder and Pray
The Gospel message in Matthew which Mother Teresa lived wholeheartedly rings in my heart, “Whatever you do to the least of my brothers, you do to me.”
Am I attentive to the needs around me? Can I stop even for a moment from my busy schedule to reach out to someone in need? Do I realize that simple loving interactions can make a huge difference in someone’s life?
Can I pray for the graces to reach out beyond my comfort zone and share God’s love with others?
Not all “needy” people are homeless or beggars. Many look like they are all put together upon meeting them when we are out and about in the community or at the workplace.
Some might even be within our own families and are silently craving our love. Let’s take a moment to ponder and pray who it is that Our Lord is calling us to love with His love.
Join me for #FamilyFaithChat on Wednesday, Sept. 9!
Next week, I’ll be a guest on Liguori Publications’ Twitter chat #FamilyFaithChat! I would love for you to follow along and join the conversation about what it means to be a Catholic family in today’s messy real world.
See the details on how to join and follow the conversation below! We’ll be chatting about building up your domestic church, a topic I wrote about in the newly released Family, the Church, and the Real World.
“Building Up Your Domestic Church” #FamilyFaithChat
FOLLOW: #FamilyFaithChat and @Liguori_Pub on Twitter
UP NEXT: Lisa Hendey at Wednesday, September 16, 11 a.m. CT
Three Ways to Follow the Twitter Chat
1. Follow Liguori Publications on Twitter: @Liguori_Pub. Liguori Publications will be tweeting chat questions, retweeting my answers, and retweeting discussion highlights. If you’d like to see a simplified overview of the discussion rather than every single #FamilyFaithChat tweet, then follow @Liguori_Pub.
2. Follow the #FamilyFaithChat hashtag on Twitter. Search for the hashtag on Twitter and see who’s tweeting with it! The “Top” view will only show the most popular tweets, so you’ll want to click the “Live” view for real-time updates. Refresh your page regularly to see the latest tweets. If you want to see every tweet in the discussion, follow the hashtag or do #3 below.
3. Use TweetChat.com.TweetChat.com is an easy tool you can use to follow and participate in Twitter chats. Just go to TweetChat.com and enter the hashtag #FamilyFaithChat, or go straight to this link: http://tweetchat.com/room/familyfaithchat It will open the conversation in a live chat setting and automatically add #FamilyFaithChat to the end of your tweets. This is an easy way to follow the Twitter chat without constantly refreshing.
TWO Ways to Participate in the Twitter Chat
1. Tweet a question you’d like to ask me!Ask me any question you want about Catholic family life and building up your domestic church. When you tweet your question, make sure to tag Liguori Publications (@Liguori_Pub) and use the hashtag#FamilyFaithChat. Liguori Publications will tweet questions from the audience for me to answer during the Twitter chat. If you have a question, tweet it to Liguori anytime in the next week or during the Twitter chat, and they’ll add it to the list! The sooner you send in your question, the more likely it’ll be featured in the discussion.
2. Share your thoughts in the conversation.During the Twitter chat, Liguori Publications will tweet numbered questions (Q1, Q2, etc.) and I’ll respond. Jump into the conversation and share your own thoughts on each topic! Make sure to use the hashtag #FamilyFaithChat.
One more thing! You can click here to have easy-peasy copy to put into your Tweet!
I hope that you will join us at our party, I mean Twitter Chat!
There’s a new cover for my memoir: The Kiss of Jesus. It’s pretty similar to the earlier cover except that the designer “turned up the contrast” on certain parts to make it more striking and tweaked some things. What do you think?
From Alcon Entertainment and Warner Bros., this upcoming movie (November 13th) THE 33 will stir your heart and make you weep. It is an exciting movie about the powerful true story of the 33 Chilean miners who spent 69 days and nights together trapped underground in a collapsed gold and copper mine. They rationed out the little food they had with them and turned to prayer for survival.
Antonio Banderas and Lou Diamond Phillips star in this film. In theaters Nov. 13th.
I’m happy to report that my Catholic Mom’s Cafe television series will re-air on EWTN television this month! Watch a promo here.
Here’s one woman’s comment from face book: “Absolutely enjoyed the show tonight. Please keep this show and more coming! Programming like this is exactly what Mom’s of today need!”
Set your DVR’s! Here are the dates and times (ALL EASTERN TIMES):
8/24/15
CATHOLIC MOM’S CAFÉ: PT. 1
3:00 AM
6:30 PM
“The Skinny on Catholic Fashion”
Lisa Mladinich is my guest.
8/25/15
CATHOLIC MOM’S CAFÉ: PT. 2
3:00 AM
6:30 PM
“Kids and the Culture”
Marge Fenelon is my guest.
8/26/15
CATHOLIC MOM’S CAFÉ: PT. 3
3:00 AM
6:30 PM
“Going it Alone” (single Moms and Moms who feel single)
Woodeene Koenig-Bricker is my guest.
8/27/15
CATHOLIC MOM’S CAFÉ: PT. 4
3:00 AM 6:30 PM
“Upholding Dignity Through Contradiction”
Lisa Hendey is my guest.
08/28/15
CATHOLIC MOM’S CAFÉ: PT. 5
3:00 AM
6:30 PM
“Dealing with Loss through Miscarriage”
Karen Edmisten is my guest.
A heartfelt thanks to Mark Shea for his endorsement of my upcoming memoir: THE KISS OF JESUS:
“Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s The Kiss of Jesus is no ordinary spiritual autobiography. It is a gripping account of spiritual adventure and an emotional roller coaster telling of God’s faithfulness in times of terror, abuse, and profound encounters with grace and holiness. The world is richer for her existence, her work, and her fidelity.” ~ Mark P. Shea, Author, By What Authority: An Evangelical Discovers Catholic Tradition.
Earlier this year in March, Mark Shea had me as a guest on his radio show “Catholic and Enjoying It.”
Family life is both messy and holy. I’m sure you’ll agree. I am happy to report that I have written a portion of a new book for families titled, Family, the Church, and the Real World due to be released on August 1st in time for the World Meeting of Families.
My contribution is about the “Domestic Church.”
A description from Liguori:
If you embrace only the holiness, or if you just get lost in the messiness, then you miss the fullness of the experience that is living as a family – both in the domestic church and the Institutional Church. Here you’ll find inspiration from Scripture and modern advice that does more than just tell you how family life is “supposed” to be. This book gives you real, practical wisdom on how to navigate the holy messiness of family life.
Insights have been gathered from experts in every area of family life, including: Dr. Sean Reynolds, Dr. Greg and Lisa Popcak, Lisa Hendey, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, Dr. Don Paglia, Christopher West, Fr. Andrew Wisdom, Dr. Tom Neal, and Greg and Jennifer Willits. You’ll discover that Catholic Church teaching on marriage and family is rooted in our ultimate calling – to love with all we can muster, even through those messy moments.
Here’s a link to the book’s description and other details at the publisher.
You can pre-order the book (which sells for $15.00) at my website here.
We have just completed our Lenten journey and are now celebrating our Easter JOY!
It might seem odd that I am already speaking about our next Lenten journey. But, I want you to know that I’ve got you covered! I have a brand new family Lenten book (fourth in my series) for you! Here is the book cover image.
I hope you like it. It will be available in early October! As always, for a ridiculously low price of under $3.00.
I loved visiting with Doug Keck On EWTN’s Bookmark show. He is such a gracious and very brilliant television host. I have been honored and blessed to have visited with him on several Bookmark shows.
I am striving to reach the kids with solid teaching on the Angels, their invisible companions (based on Scripture and St. John Paul II’s catechesis on the Angels) and also teaching them about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit for their Confirmation preparation and for LIFE!
We chatted about my books “Angels For Kids” and “My Confirmation Book.”
ating 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.
