Wednesday, July 30, 2008

SNEAK PEEK! Book Review: The Domestic Church, Room by Room


Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle at previous book signing event.

Book Review by Hugh McNichol: The Domestic Church, Room by Room by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle to be released in October
[now with fixed links]

Editor's note: This book is actually a study guide for Catholic mothers to be conducted within a group setting. It can also be done individually.

"I recently had the chance to read the finished galley copy of Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s latest book, The Domestic Church, Room by Room. This incredible text illustrates for all Catholics the need not only to practice the faith on Sunday mornings in our parish communities, but also in every aspect of our personal and domestic activities. Donna provides a tour of the Catholic home and associates particular scriptural, doctrinal and social significance with each room and asks the reader to prayerfully consider their own role as a parent, spouse, child or sibling in living the Catholic lifestyle in all aspects of their personal domestic lives.

The book is intended for mothers to share with other mothers the richness of tradition and spirituality that is associated with Catholic motherhood that also includes the great responsibility of promoting the family’s appreciation of faith on a daily basis. The fact that the author makes the book …interactive between prayer, reading and interrogatory dialogues is a magnificent indication and re-affirmation of the Catholic belief in parental responsibility in the religious education of their children. Donna’s inclusion of the Catechism of the Catholic Church further solidifies the theological responsibility that the Church entrusts to Catholic mothers (and fathers) in the establishment of a Catholic household..." (Continued here and here at the reviewer's blog.)

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Humanae Vitae: Forty Years Later


From Fr. James:
"You may be surprised to learn that prior to 1930 every Christian denomination agreed in their opposition to artificial birth control. In 1930, the Anglican Church, motivated by increasing social pressures, stated that artificial birth control could be allowed in some circumstances. Shortly thereafter the Anglicans gave in, allowing contraception. Since then, all other Protestant denominations followed the example of the Church of England. Today, the Catholic Church stands alone in opposition to artificial birth control. However, even though the Catholic Church affirms that artificial birth control is intrinsically evil, the majority of Catholics in America completely rejects and ignores the Church's teaching on procreation.

The first cries for change within the Catholic Church came about in the late 1950's and the early 1960's with the availability of the birth control pill. In July of 1968, Pope Paul VI published an encyclical letter Humanae Vitae (On Human Life) which reaffirmed the constant teaching of the Catholic Church that artificial birth control is intrinsically evil. The encyclical was confronted by a massive revolt within the Catholic Church and it is believed that 96% of Catholics in this country completely reject Humanae Vitae.

Why does the Catholic Church affirm that artificial birth control is intrinsically evil? The reason is founded on this principle: every marital act must keep together "the inseparable connection, established by God, which man on his own initiative may not break, between the unitive significance and the procreative significance which are both inherent to the marriage act (Pope Paul VI, Humanae Vitae, 12)..." (Continued here)

Friday, July 25, 2008

"Mom's Corner" Radio segment!


If you didn't get a chance to catch the "Mom's Corner" segment the other day with Teresa Tomeo and myself on "Catholic Connection" on Ave Maria Radio (through EWTN) you can check it out now by clicking here. I hope you enjoy it. :)

God bless your day!

Donna-Marie

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Castitas: A young single women's group


My friend, Mary Rose over at True Confessions of a Prodigal Daughter has started a Face Book group called CASTITAS. You can check it out here.

Mary Rose describes it as "A Catholic single young women's group focusing on promoting and supporting chastity, purity, and self-respect."

Perhaps you may know someone who would be interested in joining. :)

God bless!

Donna-Marie

A Review of Catholic Prayer Book For Mothers


Elizabeth from A Catholic Mom Climbing the Pillars just posted this beautiful review of my Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers

Something to Help Us Mothers Along

Donna-Marie has done it again! Just when I thought I had no really good material to work with to get through the pre-teen years with not just one, but TW@! girls in the house, my prayers are answered.

Another beautifully hardcovered treasure trove of personalized prayers to throw in your purse and/or keep tucked under your pillow at night.

Donna's "Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers" is 12 short chapters reaching far and wide the vocation of motherhood's needs and inspirations.

There are poems, reflections, formal, and beautifully written prayers from her heart. Here's a poem I especially liked:



The Rosary, One Decade at a Time
Because caring for my family
Demands my full attention,
Please, Lord, accept my Rosary
One Decade at a Time.

When the children are fed and dishes washed
And baby is asleep,
I can borrow some time now to kneel down
And pray a decade of the Rosary.

And later, as I sit and rock and nurse my baby,
My heart goes out to You, my Lord.
As I recite the second decade....."

This is a book to be cherished daily as we work the fields in God's creation. Once again, I am very thankful for the amazingly gifted Catholic community we have, it is not an easy road to pave the Catholic way with children in tow and husbands to keep healthy and happy, but we can do it...with the help of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Thank you so very much, Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle, for the gift of you!

***


Thank YOU, Elizabeth for your very kind words. I pray that this book will inspire you and aid you in guiding your beautiful girls!

May God bless you and your beautiful family!

Hugs,

Donna-Marie

Monday, July 21, 2008

Tune in Tuesday morning for our "Mom's Corner!"


We're on the air on Tuesday morning (tomorrow)! 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 Tuesday morning or at another upcoming segment? 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.

Tune in tomorrow to see what's up with Teresa and me and what we'll be talking about. :)

Talk to you soon!

God bless and Hugs,
Donna-Marie

Review: Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers


Jane at Building the Ark graciously posted this review of my book, Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers

I was thrilled when Catholic mother and author, Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle, asked me to review her books. But in the back of my mind, I was also a little concerned. I had just committed to my first review for the Catholic Company and I had an additional writing deadline of my own to meet.

So, when the box arrived containing two of her books for review, I was pleasantly surprised by their size.

Each of the books, Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers and Catholic Saints Prayer Book appeared a simple, nearly pocket-sized, book--or so it seemed. As I began to page through the Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers, the saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover," rang in my ears. Sure, each book is small in stature--at less than 80 pages each--but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in substance.

The Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers has pleasant, pastel illustrations, providing a perfect visual complement to the gentle words accompanying them. Divided into 12 sections, each chapter begins with an appropriate scripture reference. Delving deeper, you'll find a great deal of wisdom reflected by this Catholic mother of five.
With such offerings as:


The Rosary, One Decade at a Time
Not Perfection, Just Peace
and, my personal favorite...

Mother's Prayer for Grace to Correct a Child Properly
the book's contents will impact your prayer life as a mother at its very core. Full of quotes from great saints, including several from Blessed Teresa of Calcutta and John Paul the Great, the combination of original and traditional prayers make this tiny book a powerful weapon in a Catholic Christian mother's arsenal. It would be a lovely token of appreciation for all those undertaking the vocation of mothering, and an especially perfect addition to a gift basket for a new mother.

While not a "new" mom by any stretch, I'm always searching for inspiration during the women's bible study I lead. Thanks to this collection of prayers in Donna-Marie's book, my search just got a whole lot easier.

Thanks, Donna-Marie for touching so many mother's hearts with the gift of your faith!

Coming next: My review of her Catholic Saints Prayer Book



***


Thank you very much, Jane for your beautiful review and kind words. You are in my prayers for a speedy delivery of your new baby girl!

May God bless your family in great abundance!

Hugs,

Donna-Marie

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Win Two Books: What's your opinion on my new "Header" for "Embracing Motherhood?

Please let me know what you think of my new header for "Embracing Motherhood." I will put all of the comments into a drawing to win a copy of each of my new books coming out this October for mothers! One is a mother's study guide book and one is an inspirational book for mothers. These books address all mothers - biological, adoptive, stepmothers, Godmothers, single mothers, and grandmothers. I think you are going to love them, if I may say so myself. :)

So, get your comments in on the "header" and be honest. Your opinion matters to me and ALL comments will go into the drawing to win BOTH books!

So what are you waiting for?

God bless you!

Donna-Marie

Want to Know What's Going on in Sydney at the World Youth Day?


Be sure to check out the World Youth Day Central regularly for scedules and all kinds of good stuff! Just click here!

I have also been posting a lot of good information about World Youth Day 2008 at my "Daily Donna-Marie blog. Go over and take a look!

Blessings on your week end!

Donna-Marie

Friday, July 18, 2008

Review of The Heart of Motherhood: Finding Holiness in the Catholic Home



Sarah over at Sarah's Musings graciously sent me her review of my book, The Heart of Motherhood. Her review is below and after you've finished reading it, go on over to her beautiful blog and read the history behind her review and how this book almost got "lost in the shuffle!"

Here is her review:


The Heart of Motherhood: Finding Holiness in the Catholic Home by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle is both encouraging and inspirational. A mother of five, Donna has weathered the storms and inspires me (as a new mom) with her experience and wisdom.

Peppered with inspirational quotes from Mother Teresa, among others, Bible passages and heartfelt prayers, The Heart of Motherhood, inspires from within. Donna-Marie begins the book with the statement that motherhood is, indeed, a truly ordinary and yet extraordinary vocation. By being mothers and by welcoming, loving and teaching our children, we are truly doing the Lord's work. She explains,

"A mother's day is filled to capacity with many ordinary tasks, not unimportant, but rather works of love that may be overlooked or unnoticed. Changing diapers, doing laundry, schedule keeping, house cleaning, planning and cooking nutritious meals and helping with homework are just some of the ordinary tasks in a mom's repertoire. Her own family family may take these loving acts for granted. Although these tasks may seem mundane, or even monotonous, they are the nitty-gritty details that keep the family going and together. . . . A mother's deep inner faith affirms that a day's sacrifices and seemingly ordinary tasks please our Lord because they are done with extraordinary love."

And later reminds us that "love is not merely a feeling or emotion. Love is also a decision [emphasis mine] . . . at times, this decision may be an enormous sacrifice."

Donna-Marie notes that today's society, unfortunately, rarely respects the woman's role as mother and wife nor the mother's domestic role in the home. I appreciated a quote that she included from Pope John Paul II who stated


"There is no doubt that the equal dignity and responsibility of men and women fully justifies women's access to public functions. On the other hand the true advancement of women requires that clear recognition be given to the value of their maternal and family role, by comparison with all other public roles and all other professions. Furthermore, these roles and professions should be harmoniously combined, if we wish the evolution of society and culture to be truly and fully human.

While it must be recognized that women have the same right as men to perform various public functions, society must be structured in such a way that wives and mothers are not in practice compelled to work outside the home and that their families can live and prosper in a dignified way even when they themselves devote their full time to their own family.

Furthermore, the mentality which honors women more for their work outside the home than for their work within the family must be overcome. This requires that men should esteem and love women with total respect for their personal dignity, and that society should create and develop conditions favoring work in the home."


Donna-Marie then encourages her readers to bring back the dignity and respect motherhood deserves by being an example of holy mothering to our family and, ultimately, to society. She continues by explaining how one can focus on holy mothering, the importance of a mother's prayer life, shares inspiration for those times when you feel anything but holy in your mothering, gives inspirational examples of holy mothers (including the most holy mother, Mary) in history and ends each chapter with beautiful prayer.

It is a blessing to me to have read this book. This is a book that will be an inspiration for years to come. It does not tell you how to run a household, how to clean a sink or how to get your family pulled together each Sunday morning to make it to church on time. Instead, it delves deeper into the holy vocation of motherhood and encourages mothers young and old to keep the faith and to recognize the immeasurable importance of the job to not only their children and families, but to society, the Christian family and God.

I'll be keeping this book handy, by my bedside, on my kitchen counter, in the bathroom (yes, you read that right. You know it might be the only quiet time you get all day!) . . . maybe for a few minutes of refreshing, or even for 30-seconds of inspiration and prayer.

The essence of The Heart of Motherhood is love. God is love. And the greatest of these is love. We do difficult, easy, ordinary and extraordinary things for our family and children because we are mothers (and wives) and we do them out of love.


God is love and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

1 John 4:16


And now, a smattering of my underlined and starred quotes and prayers that I gleaned inspiration from; I hope that it does to you as well (and encourages you to go buy the book! We need to continue to encourage good Christian authors!). These quotes are just a small amount of the beauty found within this book.

On Our Duties as Christian Homemakers and Mothers

St. Frances of Rome, a wife and mother, said, "It is most laudable in a married woman to be devout, but she must never forget that she is a housewife and sometimes must leave God at the altar to find him in housekeeping."

"Since we are generally our children's first teacher as well as their most important teacher, we must hold tight to our values and teachings of the truth about God."

"Christian mothers need to be a contradiction to the world" - being Christian and being a mother is counter-cultural (we are a creative minority!) after all!

She reminds us of St. Thérèse of Lisieux' words, "Remember that nothing is small in the eyes of God. Do all that you do with love," and backs them up with Blessed Teresa of Calcutta's statement that "Small thing done with great love bring peace and love."

LORD, HELP ME SEE
Dear Lord, help me to see the extraordinary graces that abound in a role that is sometimes thought of as ordinary. Please reinforce the dedication in my heart to raise my children with extreme love - love that knows no limits, love that is priceless. Help me to remember that there is immeasurable power in a mother's love and a mother's prayer for her children. Thank you, dear Lord, for this awesome gift! Amen

On the Importance of Prayer in a Mother's Life, both formal and in action

"prayer is a way of life. . . . so we learn to make our life a prayer."

"Mothers have to find a proper balance for prayer on their knees and prayer in action."

St. Catherine of Siena said, "You must pray the prayer of action, which is the fragrant flower of the soul. A good man [woman] is a prayer."

"So from our hearts as we go about our motherly duties, we pray to touch the heart of God, by lifting up to him our actions of love and service to our families. He knows we are busy! He made us the moms! He knows that we can't stop everything and drop to our knees to pray. He wants us to pray throughout our daily actions.

Pray to remember to lift your heart to God often. He is there to listen. He is waiting. He wants us to satiate his thirst on the Cross, by opening our hearts and lifting them to him. He is very pleased when a mother offers her heart to him in the midst of her hurried day. Strive to find the opportunities to do just that."

"Prayer is joy, prayer is love and prayer is peace. You cannot explain it; you must experience prayer. It is not impossible. God gives it for the asking."

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta


On Holy Motherhood

"Holiness is not reserved for a few, but is a duty for everyone. Holiness is really living our lives to our fullest potential within God's will. it is striving to reach our eternal destiny while living in God's providence. It is surrendering our wills to God and praying for the graces to fulfill our duties faithfully.

We are not perfect creatures. We fall many times, even throughout the course of one day. But the difference between a person striving for holiness and one who is indifferent to God's promptings in her soul is that the former will pick herself up, examine her conscience, ask forgiveness for her shortcomings, and strive to improve with prayer.

It is a daily effort; it is an hourly effort. We have to want holiness. God will not force it upon us."

"The best and surest way to learn the love of Jesus is through the family. Whatever you do in your family for your children, for your husband, for your wife - you do for Jesus."

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta


And to close, a final prayer


LIVE AND SHINE THROUGH ME, LORD

Dear Jesus, please help me to become united to you as I prayerfully journey through my life. Please increase the desire in my heart to bring others closer to you. As I mother my children, helping them to light their lamps, please radiate my own lamp so brilliantly that others who come to know me will see your heart burning within me, lighting the way for others. Amen.
***


Now go on over to Sarah's blog!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Are there dangers to cell phone use?

I just came across this article about the possible dangers of cell phone use:

"Twenty-eight years ago, Arthur Firstenberg had a dental X-ray. He's been on the run ever since.

That X-ray, he says, made him excruciatingly sensitive to electromagnetic fields—the low-level radiation that emanates from power lines, microwaves, and, most vexingly, cell phones. Now 58, Firstenberg has spent more than a decade crisscrossing the country, trying to find the last unwireless spot in America. When cell phone towers came to New York City, he moved upstate. Then he headed to Mendocino, California. These days, he lives out of his '87 Nissan station wagon in Santa Fe; a house is too risky. "Your neighbor could get wifi, and then you have to leave and hunt for a new home."

At first, I was inclined to chalk Firstenberg's symptoms up to plain old paranoia. After all, the World Health Organization's website says "no study [on cell phone radiation] has shown adverse health effects at exposure levels below international guideline limits." But doctors and scientists are starting to scrutinize how invisible electromagnetic fields affect human health, especially when it comes to cell phones, one of the most ubiquitous sources of microwave radiation. In 2006, a Swedish study reported that 85 of 905 brain tumor patients had used mobile phones heavily for 10 years or more, and most of their tumors occurred on the side of their head where they usually held their phones. In March, after... (Continued here)

What do you think?

Friday, July 11, 2008

"Spiritual Support," A Review of "Prayerfully Expecting"


This review was posted at Amazon.Com and comes from a Catholic mother in Alaska named Heidi:

Donna Marie's book, Prayerfully Expecting, is a real gem. The monthly prayers and readings were such a tremendous help to me in making my pregnancy a truly blessed time of drawing closer to Our Lord and Our Lady. The "Mother's Daily Prayer for her Children" became especially precious to me as I called on many of the saints associated with motherhood and pregnancy to pray for us. When our baby suddenly came six weeks early, those prayers went with me to the neonatal ICU where I continued to pray them over our delicate little girl. Such comfort and peace this book brought to my whole pregnancy. I cannot think of a better gift for any expectant mother!!! Thank you, Donna, and may God bless you always.

***


Thank you very much for your review, Heidi. I am very grateful that you felt comforted during your pregnancy while you read Prayerfully Expecting and as you prayed for your tiny darling daughter when she was in the neonatal ICU. God is so very good!

God bless you and your beautiful family!

Big Hugs,

Donna-Marie

***


PS Heidi gave me permission to post a photo of her little bundle of joy and love! That's little Emily above on the right!

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Check out CATHOLIC OUTPOST!

Catholic Outpost has a completely new look and a great focus! I am a featured blogger at their site. You can check out their very cool video here! Or you may click on the YouTube to the right.

You can go to CATHOLIC OUTPOST here.

Enjoy!

God bless!

Donna-Marie

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Keeping Prayer in Summer: A Mother's Strategy at CE today



My summer prayer article at Catholic Exchange today...

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 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 help us remain 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 days 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

When making plans for family trips, perhaps we can think about including shrines, basilicas, and holy places in our trips. When researching places of interest for our family this summer, we can utilize the many Catholic magazines, newspapers, and websites that often highlight interesting places for pilgrimages and visits. We can attempt to attain that nice balance of nourishment for our family’s spiritual life and fun and enjoyment to relax and entertain our senses... (Continued here at Catholic Exchange)

(You can leave a comment at Catholic Exchange if you'd like)

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Can anyone translate this for me?

This is interesting. Someone posted my photo of Mother Teresa with my son, Joseph on their blog which is in another language. Can anyone translate this for me?

By the way, CUTE baby in their blog header. :)

Haystack Full of Needles


I just found out that Alice from Cottage Blessings is releasing her first book Haystack Full of Needles! I haven't been blogging around much at all in quite some time since I have been buried with family (I love it) and work (I love it) and also recovering from a car accident (very challenging) so time is a rarity and I have to focus on the seemingly millions of things I have to get done! However, I made a quick visit to Alice's blog, Cottage Blessings and was amazed that her beautiful blog was even more beautiful, if that could be possible. You'll have to see and experience it yourself to understand what I am talking about! So, I emailed Alice to congratulate her and I will eventually be able to see her beautiful new book. I found out from Karen's blog that it is written in Alice's charming style of, well...Alice! Once you know Alice you love her. She's genuine and beautiful. So, I can't wait to see her new book!

You're going to have go on over to Karen's place and see what she has to say about Alice and her new book. Karen has quite a bit of information for you over at her blog. I'll be reviewing Alice's book at some point soon and will report back to you with my take on it.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

The Blessed Mother and Breastfeeding


Isn't this wonderful?

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The loving, tender images of Mary breast-feeding the baby Jesus need an artistic and spiritual rehabilitation, said the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano.

A vast iconography of traditional Christian art has been "censored by the modern age" because images depicting Our Lady's naked breast for her child were deemed too "unseemly," the paper said June 19.

Artists began depicting a fully clothed nursing Mary in sacred art in an attempt to make her seem less "carnal," but the depictions unfortunately also diminished her human, loving and tender side "that touches the hearts and faith of the devout," the newspaper said.

The article, titled "Those Marys, Too Human, Censored by the Modern Age," was written by Christian historian Lucetta Scaraffia. It was one of two articles commenting on the release of a two-volume work documenting the variety in iconography and history of Mary. The work, "The Sword and Milk," by Tommaso Claudio Mineo, was published recently only in Italian by Rome's Pontifical Lateran University and presented to the public at a Vatican-sponsored event June 17.

The Vatican paper published the two commentaries in its June 19 edition along with a Renaissance portrait of Mary baring her breast, nursing a swaddled baby Jesus.

Salesian Father Enrico dal Covolo, a professor of classic and Christian literature at the Pontifical Salesian University, said in his commentary that a nursing Mary represents an interesting paradox: "He who gives nourishment to all things, Mary included, now lets himself be nourished by her.

"The Virgin Mary who nurses her son Jesus is one of the most eloquent signs that the word of God truly and undoubtedly became flesh," he wrote. And it was only by becoming fully human that the Son of God could save humanity from sin and death, the priest wrote.

Scaraffia said that when the early Christian theologians wrote about and artists represented Our Lady breast-feeding they were showing "concrete proof" of God's incarnation.

"Jesus was a baby like all others. ... His divinity does not exclude his humanity," she wrote.

This kind of Marian iconography can be traced back to Egypt and early Christian times, but it ends around the 16th or 17th century, both authors said.

Scaraffia wrote that the Protestant movement was quite critical of "the carnality and unbecoming nature of many sacred images." Even though Catholicism rejected this view, the condemnations still affected the church's approach to sacred art, as evidenced by artists later covering up the naked forms in the Sistine Chapel, she wrote.

The splintered views concerning the sanctity of the human body were not repaired and therefore an "artistic and spiritual rehabilitation" of a breast-feeding baby Jesus is needed, she wrote.

She said the sacred image of Mary nursing her child is "an image so concrete and loving" that it recalls her offering her body for nourishment and giving herself completely to her son as he offers his body and blood in the Eucharist and gave himself completely for others with his death and resurrection.(Catholic News Service)

Author Mary De Turris Poust has this to say at her blog, "Not Strictly Spiritual"

Surprise! Jesus Wasn't A Formula Baby
"It’s a rare moment when the Vatican can reaffirm the Incarnation and at the same time appease earth mothers everywhere, but Church officials pulled off that amazing feat recently when they declared that artistic images of Mary nursing the infant Jesus should be “rehabilitated.” It seems the images, which were quite common back in the day, were banned around the 16th or 17th century when breasts became taboo and were seen as either medical or erotic but, as is always confounding -- at least to me, not for the natural, God-given purposes for which they were created. The painting above, “Nursing Madonna” by the Italian Renaissance artist Andrea Solari, is one of the shocking depictions in question. Aren’t we humans too funny?

Of course Mary nursed Jesus. Back before the medical community convinced the world --at least the industrialized world -- that a man-made made powder full of artificial ingredients with names too long to pronounce was better than the absolutely perfect nutritional make-up of mother’s milk, everyone nursed. Can you imagine Mary, during the flight to Egypt, trying to find a Wal-Mart so she could pick up a case of Similac?

Perhaps we can forgive the fact that our Medieval counterparts were uncomfortable with the visual image of the Mother of God nursing the Son of God. After all, they were Medieval, for goodness sake. They... (Continued here)

The Ten Commandments of Driving for this week end!

The Ten Commandments of Driving


Cardinal Renato Martino's Pontifical Council for Migrants has issued “Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road,” aka The Ten Commandments of Driving


1)You shall not kill.

2)The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.

3)Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.

4)Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.

5)Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.

6)Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.

7)Support the families of accident victims.

8)Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.

9)On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.

10)Feel responsible toward others.

Have a very happy and healthy FOURTH week end! Watch out for the drunk drivers on the road!! I hope you have some great FAMILY time!

God bless and hugs,
Donna-Marie