Are flip-flops bad for your health?

Did you hear about the new study about flip-flops and your health and safety? There's a bit about it here.

Review of Catholic Saints Prayer Book

By Hugh J.McNichol

The Catholic Church's arsenal of saints is truly a resource that is sadly overlooked by contemporary Catholics. Donna's synopsis of the lives of popular saints is a welcome addition to my spiritual reading library. The heroic lifestyles of the holy men and women that are portrayed in such a clearly spiritual manner by the author are refreshing reminders that all of us as Catholics are called to the ultimate vocation of sainthood. A great book for catechesis and religious education for all levels of faithful Catholics and those interested in learning about the "pillars" of Catholicism. Well done, this book is inspiration to Catholics seeking to identify more closely with the spiritual "heavy-hitters" that have achieved the ultimate title...Saint! Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle has done a great job bringing the great Catholic saints into our unique 21st century perspective.


You can see this review here and there's a place to post a comment.

The Catholic Carnival!

Don't forget about the Catholic Carnival!

Encouragement for the Journey of Motherhood: A Review of "The Heart of Motherhood"

THE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD: FINDING HOLINESS IN THE CATHOLIC HOME
Encouragement for the Journey of Motherhood

By Sarah Reinhard

This book came in a brown paper package a few months ago, and I saved it to be my hospital book (though it nearly killed me to see it sitting there so patiently on my shelf, waiting for the baby right along with me). What a book to read during those first few days with my new baby! As I savored the excitement of my new daughter, feeling much the way I remember feeling on the Christmas mornings of my single-digit years, Donna's book reminded me about the hard work and the bright rewards of motherhood. She doesn't gloss over the difficulty, nor does she make light of the responsibility. In this book, she does what she does so well - she encourages all of us mothers.

In the past few months, I've gotten to know Donna a bit, through her blogs and some emails we've exchanged, and reading this book was just like talking with Donna. Each chapter ends with prayer, the kind that you'll want to copy into your prayer book or post on your bathroom mirror. I felt the same sort of comfort in reading this book that I feel when I'm having a cup of tea with a dear friend. So go and grab a copy of this book and a steaming cup of tea. Donna has some words of encouragement for you!

***

Thank you very much, Sarah, for sharing your thoughts on The Heart of Motherhood: Finding Holiness in the Catholic Home. I'm very happy that it brings encouragement, by God's good grace!

God bless!

Donna-Marie
aka "Mom Donna" to Sarah :)

The GIFT of Motherhood and "Daily Inspiration - a Review of "Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers"

This review for my book, Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers,was posted on Amazon.Com today:

A Daily Inpsiration, June 26, 2008
By Ann (Glenville, PA) -

This book was given to me by my sister/godmother at a time when I truly needed it. The insights and quotations strengthen my resolve every day to be more the wife and mother that I believe God would have me be. It is a resource that you can use every day, as I do, to remind you what a gift you have been granted through your motherhood.

***

Thank you very much, Ann! I am so happy that my book brings you daily strength and inspiration, by the grace of God!

God bless you!

Donna-Marie

My "Mom's Corner" segment with Teresa Tomeo

In case you didn't get a chance to tune in to my "Mom's Corner" segment yesterday morning with Teresa Tomeo about summertime prayer and proper summer attire for Mass, among other things, you can listen here.

Happy New Week and Happy Summer!

Happy Monday morning! My best GIRLFRIEND on the air, Teresa Tomeo and I just chatted live on Ave Maria Radio which is aired internationally through EWTN radio. We discussed summery issues: summer prayer, changes of schedule, strategies for keeping prayer in summer, and even modesty in dress for ourselves and our children, especially when attending Mass. I quoted a little bit from the Catholic Catechism about modesty in dress (#2521-2524).

I also referred to my summer prayer article which is here on my blog and at CatholicMom.Com.

You can hear the segment a little later on when I post the segment on my blogs after I receive the MP3 from their very kind and accommodating producer. He's the best!

This morning, I also hinted on the air at the end of our segment about my two new books for mothers coming out this fall! I will fill you in soon. :)

Enjoy your summer day. Start with prayer and offer it all to Him who gives us life!

God bless and hugs,
Donna

Mom's Corner on Monday morning with Teresa Tomeo!

We're on the air on Monday morning! I hope you can tune in! You can actually tune in from your computer by clicking here and then click "listen live." Teresa Tomeo and I will be doing our "Mom's Corner" segment at 9:15 AM Eastern Standard Time.

What are your thoughts right now about a mothering issue? What would you like to hear us discuss on Monday morning? Don't be shy! Send me a comment to this post or if you'd rather in an email, send it to DMCooperOBoyle(at) aol(dot)com.

Talk to you soon!

God bless and Hugs,
Donna-Marie

Canticle magazines's latest issue

The latest issue of Canticle is out and I hear it is an amazing one!

Canticle is "an excellent resource for women who are serious about growing in their faith, and who want to share their faith with others in their homes, their parishes, and their communities. Totally faithful to the Magisterium, dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, and under the protection of St. Joseph, this quarterly publication is produced by Women of Grace ® and Living His Life Abundantly®."

You can go to this link at Heidi's Hotline to read about the contributing authors. You can go to Canticle magazine's website and order a copy of Canticle magazine and/or subscribe! If you are not already reading Canticle, you are really missing out. I kid you not! :) Canticle is the voice of "Women of Grace" which is associated with EWTN. Visit the Canticle website here.

Oh, did I tell you that this is me with Teresa Tomeo (my favorite girlfriend on the air!) and Cardinal Rylko on the cover? Card. Rylko is the President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting him and in this photo I was giving my books to him.

I hope you enjoy the my article, "Women Thirsting for the Living Water: Mulieris Dignitatem and the International Women's Congress in Rome."

Pope Benedict says he hopes to visit Holy Land

Vatican City, Jun 19, 2008 / 10:04 am (CNA).- Members of the Aid Agency for the Oriental Churches were received in an audience by Pope Benedict this morning at the Vatican. At the audience, the Holy Father stressed the vital role of the Eastern Churches in working for peace and expressed his desire to visit the Holy Land.



Speaking to the group in Italian, English, German and French, the Pope said that the "everyday life and the special mission" of the Eastern Churches, "especially at the ecumenical and the inter-religious level, must be supported by the entire Catholic Church."


The Pope first spoke of the aid agency’s concern for religious communities in Armenia and Georgia "which were among the first to receive the light of Christ." These churches, he said, are able "by living humbly and fraternally with other Christian Churches, and by generously serving the poor … express in a very practical manner the communion of love proper to the universal Catholic Church."


Nonetheless, Pope Benedict said that he still worries about the difficult situation of Christians in Iraq, recalling the figure of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho of Mosul of the Chaldeans, who died in tragic circumstances after being kidnapped on February 29 this year... (Continued here)

Miracle birth of baby along with miraculous survival of mother

Uplifting article about the choice for LIFE:

Mexico City, Jun 16, 2008 / 05:20 pm (CNA).- The director of Pre-Natal Care at the La Raza National Medical Center in Mexico City, Polita del Rocio Cruz, said this week the open heart surgery and C-section carried out simultaneously on a pregnant woman who had considered aborting her child “was a miracle with the help of God.”

Identified as Elizabeth, the young woman became pregnant at the age of 21 despite her use of contraceptive devices. Her doctor warned her that the pregnancy would be risky and that she should consider abortion.

“They gave me three months to decide,” Elizabeth told the Excelsior news agency, adding that she was also worried “that the baby would be born with a birth defect or some other problem, as such things can develop in any pregnancy during the first three months.”

“I decided to wait. If a problem came up, I would get an abortion. If not, then she’s hanging on to life for some reason,” Elizabeth said. At three months she had an ultrasound and the baby was in good health, so she decided to proceed with the pregnancy. (article continued here at Catholic News Agency)

"The School of the Home"

Check out Genevieve Kineke's article at Catholic Exchange today:

"In the domestic church, children learn a variety of things. Sharing a bathroom with siblings can be frustrating but essential to the give-and-take necessary to communal living. Finding the box of a favourite cereal emptied and trashed is familiar terrain, providing an opportunity to make sacrifices and forgive. Living with the disappointment of a busy father missing a stellar game offers the means for a child to grow in understanding in this fallen world. In each case, a strong family should remind its members to apologise, make reparation, and retool its priorities when necessary. Sometimes families are schools of hard knocks while still managing to be a haven for unconditional love.

Children encounter a host of trials in the modern world that throw them off balance — challenging their abilities to receive love and love in return. Some, like divorce and abandonment, are so overwhelming that a variety of outside resources are needed to help them cope. Stacks of new books are aimed at holding their young hands and offering sage advice and a mental framework that will help them process these shocks. The divorce manuals, explanations about death, and sweet introductions to the “new families” are now supplemented by a new title, My Beautiful Mommy, by Dr. Michael Salzhauer.

This plastic surgeon has performed hundreds of “mommy makeovers” and knows how confusing the procedure can be for children. Kids normally associate doctors with illness and bandages with trauma-so seeing their mother hospitalized and incapacitated is frightening. No so! With this helpful illustrated tool, children will know that all is well.

Or will they?..." (Continued here.)

"Motherhood Interrupted"

I just found this website and book through Catholic Exchange called, "Motherhood Interrupted," which is a Catholic Ministry for post abortive healing.

"Motherhood Interrupted is a compilation of stories
by women who have experienced an abortion and its
painful after effects. The book chronicles their journeys
toward healing and redemption through
God's mercy and forgiveness." (quote from the website)

You may check it out here. It may be a place you can suggest to those in pro-life work or to someone you know who may be hurting inside because of having had an abortion.

EWTN's Religious Catalogue

My Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers (Our Sunday Visitor Pub. Co.) at EWTN's online store is here. All of my books will be sold in the very near future through EWTN since I was recently profiled on their "Book Mark" television show with Doug Keck. I will be sure to let you know when the episode will air.

"Joan's Rome" blog about President Bush and Pope Benedict

UPDATED LINK


Joan Lewis is EWTN's Rome Bureau Chief stationed right near the Vatican. You can see St. Peter's from her dining room window! What a beautiful view she has there! I had the distinct pleasure of spending much tme with Joan while I was in Rome, participating in the International congress for women for the 20th anniversary of Mulieris Dignitatem. Joan also interviewed me on Vatican Radio (which you can listen to from my blogs by looking in the right hand column to find it and then clicking on the link).

Joan also invited my two daughters that I brought with me to Rome, as well as Teresa Tomeo, (my best girlfriend on the air at Ave Maria Radio!) who is a dear friend of Joan's to a lovely dinner at Joan's home on our first evening in Rome. Teresa and Joan have been friends for quite some time and I am just so happy that Teresa has "shared" Joan with me! We were able to be together on many more occasions together while in Rome in February. I feel so very blessed and honored to know Joan.

Go on over to "Joan's Rome" to read her blog about President Bush's visit with Pope Benedict. You can read her post and see many photos here. Her coverage of the event is excellent! I love her title and commentary! "POPE BENEDICT OFFERS U.S. PRESIDENT BUSH UNPRECEDENTED WELCOME...Oval Office meets Round Office – so to speak."

Keeping Prayer in Summer: A Mother's Strategy

Keeping Prayer in Summer: A Mother’s Strategy
By Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle

Just the thought of summer fast-approaching could 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.

Summertime can 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 the prayer. 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.

Prayer Strategies

One strategy to be sure that we keep prayerful this summer is to begin each day with prayer. This simple suggestion may seem like a no-brainer to a praying individual; however the busyness of mornings and preparations for summer outings of even the well intentioned “pray-ers” can cause prayer time to become lost in the commotion.

Getting on our knees when we face each new day and giving it right over to the Lord will indeed start the day off with the proper disposition. Mothers should teach their children to do the same. A morning offering in our own words or a more formal version and prayer to our Guardian Angels at the breakfast table works very well with our captive hungry “audience!” We can offer our hearts to God throughout our days as well. Teaching our children to begin their day with prayer is an invaluable lesson that will remain with them as they grow older and navigate life on their own. Pope John Paul II emphasized the importance of family prayer... (Continued at CatholicMom.Com)

Church Bulletin Bloopers!

Church Bulletin Bloopers

Perhaps I am being irreverent to pass these funny bloopers along to you on Sunday. I hope not! They made me laugh. :) Out loud! Seriously. Maybe I am just over tired due to lack of sleep because of all of the thunderstorms last night, the high humidity, and lack of electricity. I hope you'll get a giggle out of a couple of these, at least!

And...to all of you writers out there, see what a few misplaced words can do?

So here we go...I am told," Thank God for church ladies with typewriters. These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services:"

1. Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa, will be speaking tonight
at Calvary Methodist. Come hear Bertha Belch all
the way from Africa.

2. Announcement in a church bulletin for a national PRAYER &
FASTING Conference: "The cost for attending the Fasting & Prayer
Conference
includes meals.

3. The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water." The
sermon
tonight: "Searching for Jesus."

4. Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 PM in
the recreation hall - Come out and watch us
kill Christ the King.

5. Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get
rid of
those things not worth keeping around the
house. Don't forget your husbands.

6. The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been cancelled due
to a conflict.

7. Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile
at someone who is hard to love. Say "Hell" to
someone who doesn't care much about you.

8. Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.

9. Miss Charlene Mason sang "I will not pass this way again,"
giving
obvious pleasure to the congregation.

10. For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a
nursery downstairs.

11. Next Thursday there will be try outs for the choir. They need all
the help they can get.

12. Barbara remains in the hospital and needs blood donors for more
transfusions. She is also having trouble sleeping and requests tapes of
Pastor Jack's sermons.

13. The Rector will preach his farewell message after which the choir
will sing: " Break Forth Into Joy."

14. Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the
church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.

15. A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall.
Music will follow.

16. At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What
Is
Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice.

17. Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of
several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.

18. Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be
recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.

19. Please place your donation in the envelope along with the
deceased person you want remembered.

20. Attend and you will hear an excellent speaker and heave a healthy
lunch.

21 The church will host an evening of fine dining, super
entertainment and gracious hostility.

22. Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to
follow.

23. The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind.
They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.

24. This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn sing in the park across
from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.

25. Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM All
ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.

26. The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation
would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next
Sunday.

27. Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please
use the back door.

28. The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in
the
Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this
tragedy.

29. Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian
Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.

30. The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new tithing campaign
slogan last Sunday: "I Upped My Pledge ! - Up Yours!"


******************************

I hope you have a JOYFUL day!

God bless!

Donna-Marie

Teens and substance abuse: Are teens listening to parental advice?

Susan Brinkmann, staff writer for Women of Grace recently said that teens DO LISTEN. She just wrote an informative article about teens and substance abuse. You can check it out here.

A life saved!

I recently heard from a woman who regularly prays outside of an abortion clinic and actively seeks helpers to come and pray and bear witness. This woman is a lovely prayerful soul who often shares beautiful stories about those who have changed their minds and decided not to have the abortions because of the loving presence of the sidewalk counselors and pray-ers outside the clinics. I am including an excerpt from her recent email:


"On Saturday I had the privilege of speaking with a young mother who had her 5 year old boy with her in front of PP. I began speaking to her offering her our assistance and literature when she assured me she was not coming for an abortion. She wanted me to meet her son who was almost aborted 5 years back when they did abortion at the xxxxxx street women's center location. She told me that those who were out there praying that day helped her from allowing them to kill her son who she loves more than anything. The boy was smiling and joyful. I watched in great thanksgiving to Our Lord and Our Blessed Mother as I watched the two of them walk away into the busy world. For a moment looking into that little boys eyes, time truly stood still. Never underestimate what your prayers and presence can do for these mothers and babies and especially for Our Lord to whom these children belong. Come out and pray with us, these mothers and babies need you.

May God bless you,

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"


GLORY TO YOU O LORD!!

Baby Macie Hope was "born" twice

Read this incredible article about little baby Macie Hope who was "born" twice! Doctors actually performed surgery on her outside of the womb about six months before her birth recently. The story is here.

Organ donation and my previous post

Please take a moment to read the previous post about organ donation and the comments that came in about it as well as my own in response to their comments.

Thanks and God bless!

Donna-Marie

This is why I am not an organ donor

As much as I love to help others, even with body parts, so far I have never ever felt inclined to offer my organs after my "death" for fear that my organs may be snatched before I am actually dead!

Please read this article that I found over at Catholic Exchange which is an article courtesy of LifeSiteNews.com.

"A Virginia family was shocked but relieved when their mother, Val Thomas, woke up after doctors said she was dead. 59 year-old Mrs. Thomas, while being kept breathing artificially, had no detectable brain waves for more than 17 hours. The family were discussing organ donation options for their mother when she suddenly woke up and started speaking to nurses. Ethicists have strongly criticised developments in organ donation criteria that would have made Mrs. Thomas a candidate for having her organs removed before she woke up.

At 1:30 am Saturday May 17, Mrs. Thomas’ heart had stopped beating and she had no pulse when the family called paramedics. She was without a heartbeat or oxygen for 15to 20 minutes before being put on a ventilator and transported to a Charleston, West Virginia hospital.

An attempt was made to lower her body temperature but her heart stopped three times causing doctors to estimate that her chance of survival was less than 10 per cent. The ventilator was kept running for nearly 18 hours and rigor mortis had set in while Mrs. Thomas’ family considered organ donation. The decision was taken to discontinue life support but ten minutes into the process, Mrs. Thomas moved her arm and began speaking to nurses...." (Continued here.)

Catholic Mom contest!

Go on over and see what Lisa Hendey is up to. I hear she's having a great contest! Check it out at now right here!

My trip to EWTN in Alabama

Last week I left for Chicago as I have posted earlier, to attend the RBTE (Religious Booksellers Trade Exhibit). Over 300 book store buyers come from all over the world to get copies of the displayed books at the HUGE event. It was a very nice experience and then I was whisked off to the next hotel to be closer to the airport since I had to catch a very early flight to Birmingham, Alabama to be taped on some EWTN television shows.

As many of you already are aware, I was one of 260 delegates from around the world to participate in an international women's congress in Rome earlier this year. I felt very honored and humbled to be able to be part of a group of women (and a few good men) to "go up to the mountain" to listen, study, reflect, and pray together on the Apostolic Letter, Mulieris Dignitatem/On The Dignity and Vocation of Women penned by our dear Pope John Paul II twenty years ago. The Pontifical Council for the Laity invited the delegates to come together from five continents and about 46 countries to listen to presenters, Biblical scholars, theologians and women from various parts of the world presenting the issues that they face as women in their countries. We heard some incredible stories and shared an amazing and intense three days together--a history-making event that I am sure will be etched in my memory. The profundity of the experience is still sinking in with me.


(In this photo, I am presenting my books to Cardinal Rylko, President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity as as "Catholic Connection" radio host and author, Teresa Tomeo looks on)

Because of this Vatican experience, EWTN arranged with TV host, Colleen Carroll Campbell to conduct a four part series of round table discussions about women and the culture on Colleen's show "Faith & Culture." I was honored to be among these women who comprised the series: Author, and host, the lovely and very accommodating Colleen Carroll Campbell, author, Genevieve Kineke, author, Dale O'Leary, Notre Dame University's Elizabeth Kirk, and "Catholic Connection" radio host and author, Teresa Tomeo. We hope that the shows will be enlightening, informative and may spark an interest in viewers to read and reflect upon the Apostolic Letter, Mulieris Dignitatem, the first letter written exclusively for women. It has been my experience that women have been brought to tears during my talks about women's God-given gifts and dignity while speaking about it and quoting from Pope John Paul II's beautiful affirming words.


(On the set of "Faith & Culture" with the American delegates who are in the four part series)

For more information about Colleen Carroll Campbell's show, "Faith & Culture" you may go to Colleen's website.



"Faith & Culture" is scheduled to air throughout August!(Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time and Wednesdays at 11 p.m. Eastern Time). If you don't have EWTN, you can also watch the shows on the Internet at those times. They will also eventually re-air on radio.

Here are the dates you can expect to see the shows on TV:

August 3 and 6: Women's Round table on Mulieris Dignitatem; episode one (Dale, Genevieve, Elizabeth)

August 10 and 13: Women's Round table on Mulieris Dignitatem; episode two (Dale, Genevieve, Teresa)

August 17 and 20: Women's Round table on Mulieris Dignitatem; episode three (Genevieve, Elizabeth, Donna)

August 24 and 27: Women's Round table on Mulieris Dignitatem; episode four (Teresa, Donna, Elizabeth)

After finishing up a full day of taping for the series, I had the treat of being in the studio audience of the "Life on the Rock" show in which Teresa Tomeo and Colleen Carroll Campbell were the guests. Fr. Mark and Doug Barry of RADIX (new to the show and a GREAT addition) did a wonderful job moderating and discussing our cultural climate today. I have to say that Teresa and Colleen did a brilliant job in expressing their concerns about the culture today; pointing out several areas to watch out for as well as some things we can do to help.




Some of us were able to spend some time together after the show and had a bite to eat. Teresa, Colleen, and I stayed up much too late that night because we embraced the time we had together, staying at the Madonna House at EWTN in Birmingham; catching up and discussing many issues. All the while knowing that morning would come quickly and both Teresa and Colleen had early flights out and I had a show to tape. I felt like the "Mother Hen" who every so often would say, "We'd better get to bed." But we didn't get to bed until it was the wee hours of the morning! So much to talk about and so little time!

The following morning, I had to be up bright eyed for my show with the very gracious, Doug Keck for an EWTN "Book Mark" series in which we discussed all of my books: Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine Month Novena for Mothers-To-Be, Catholic Prayer Book For Mothers, The Heart of Motherhood: Finding Holiness in the Catholic Home, and Catholic Saints Prayer Book, my newest book. This show will be aired sometime in the near future and when I know for sure, I will let you know.



God bless you!

Yesterday was a very sad day!

Yesterday was Becca's funeral. Rebecca Payne is the beautiful and vibrant twenty two year old friend of our family who was murdered recently in her off campus dorm in Boston.

It was an extremely tough day for Becca's friends and family. You can read an article from this morning's "News Times" by staff writer, Nanci G. Hutson, which begins:

"NEW MILFORD -- The sun was shining Monday as Virginia and Nicholas Payne bid farewell to their daughter, a Northeastern University senior killed in her off-campus apartment two weeks ago.

The summer skies seemed apropos to many of the about 300 people who attended Rebecca Charlotte Payne's funeral at St. John's Episcopal Church on the Green, because they recalled she had such a sunny, vibrant personality and embraced life with vigor.

'It seems cruel to have such a beautiful day and to have to use it for such a sad occasion, but the sunshine today is Becca's presence," Stephen Flanagan, one of her history teachers at New Milford High School, told mourners. 'You see the impact of her life today, as so many people are at her service. She really was full of hope and love and goodness.'

Later, during the processional to Center Cemetery, Flanagan said the church service, which opened with a saxophone-accompanied duet of "My Heart Goes On" from the movie "Titanic," was 'a beautiful service that captured her spirit.'"

You may read the article here. I am quoted in the story.

May God bless the Payne family, especially Becca's parents. Please dear Lord, give them hope and strength for each day. Amen.