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

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

13 comments:

Jean Heimann said...: Donna,

I like it -- it's very cute and the images are very suitable for the title.

Great job!; July 19, 2008 at 4:39 PM
Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom) said...: Donna,

It's so sweet--just like you! I vote it stays.

God Bless,
Jane; July 19, 2008 at 6:15 PM
Barb Szyszkiewicz said...: That's cute!! I love the little "raggy edges" on some of the letters, that look like they were torn from a notepad. And of course you kept that sweet picture of a mom snuggling her infant (I love that drawing!) But best of all is your subtitle. In my mind, the only thing that would make it better would be to use blue instead of purple, but that's because blue is my FAVORITE color :); July 19, 2008 at 6:48 PM
EC Gefroh said...: I think it's beautiful Donna.; July 20, 2008 at 1:05 AM
marvgern said...: I think it is very cute. Love the mom touches (like the pins) here and the pictures. My only criticism is that my eyes weren't really sure where to go when I first looked at it. Wondering if there is a better color or font or smaller size for the "Embracing Motherhood" that would change the busy-ness of it.; July 20, 2008 at 5:39 PM
Anonymous said...: It's very nice and the purple is very soothing on the eyes.; July 21, 2008 at 1:25 PM
Anonymous said...: I like the mom and child holding hands and walking together. Reminded me that my girls and I are walking our path together, hand in hand to find out place in God's plan.
Thanks!
Jamie; July 21, 2008 at 4:23 PM
Cmerie said...: Isn't google reader so impersonal? I didn't even know you had a new header until I read your post. I love it! It's very cozy, and fits your blog perfectly.; July 21, 2008 at 4:38 PM
Anonymous said...: I really like it. It is very eye-catching.

Good job!; July 21, 2008 at 6:14 PM
Anonymous said...: Donna,
I really like it. This might be the second time I post b/c I am REALLY new to blogging. The header is very eye-appealing.
Good Job!; July 21, 2008 at 6:16 PM
Mary DeTurris Poust said...: I think the header is just great. I love the lettering, and the nice little touches -- like the safety pin "holding" the art. Perfect!; July 23, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Anonymous said...: A beautiful patchwork of motherhood reflecting those soothing moments with mom.; July 23, 2008 at 4:37 PM
Mrs. L said...: It loosk very nice!; July 26, 2008 at 11:14 PM

Embracing Motherhood

"In this small volume, Embracing Motherhood, Ms. Cooper O'Boyle offers a sensitive reflection on what it means to tune into faith, hope, and charity, living out the vocation of raising children, passing on our Catholic faith, and providing our kids with the necessary roots and wings to live virtuously. Mothers and fathers too can grow spiritually from this book, and draw inspiration from her tender perspective. This is a substantive and practical gem as well as an ode of joy for God's gift of motherhood!"~Reverend Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York

Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine Month Novena for Mothers-To-Be

I wrote this book while on complete bed rest during a high risk pregnancy with my fifth child, Mary-Catherine. Blessed Mother Teresa whom I knew at that time, gave me a foreword for the book. Pope John Paul II blessed it. It is a book to celebrate pregnancy as a wonderful time of anticipation as mothers await childbirth and it offers the expectant Mom the opportunity to transform her pregnancy into a novena of prayer to God. It's a "baby book" for the unborn baby! An expectant Mom will be able to follow her baby's progress and record her thoughts and prayers as well as save her ultrasound pictures to cherish in years to come.

Here's a link to my chat with Brian Patrick on the Son Rise Morning show discussing pregnancy and motherhood. My spot is about 3/4 through the segment. Click here.

A Catholic Woman's Book of Prayers

With all the mixed messages that women receive from society today, women can be distracted from--and even unreceptive to--the deep and abiding love that Christ has for them. Whether single or married, religious or consecrated, parenting children, or spiritually mentoring others, women need to know that the Lord understands the many challenges they face, their desire for inspiration, and, above all, their need to be affirmed as women.Through this book of original and traditional prayers from one of the top ten most fascinating Catholics of 2009 as rated by Faith & Family Live, women can realize God's divine Love, thrive in inspiration from Saints and the Church and rest in the affirmation of the "feminine genius." (order above by clicking book image)

My radio segments with Teresa Tomeo on "Catholic Connection" on Ave Maria Radio

First,*** Second,*** Third, *** Fourth, *** Fifth - Prayerfully Expecting and how I met Mother Teresa,*** Sixth - Addressing the comments in the media about Mother Teresa's supposed "crisis of faith",*** Seventh - Culture's pressure on our girls,*** Eighth - Halloween, All Saints and All Souls Days,*** Ninth - Thanksgiving: Keeping it sane, simple, & holy,*** Tenth - Christmas reflections*** Eleventh - Discussing the International Women's Congress in Rome*** Twelth - Discussing our Vatican trip as delegates*** Thirteenth - Discussing Holy Week*** Fourteenth - Interview with Teresa about my new book, Catholic Saints Prayer Book *** summertime prayer and proper summer attire for Mass, among other things, you can listen here. My two newest books coming out in early October, Teresa's new book and our EWTN segments airing all throughout August by clicking here. Teresa Tomeo and me discussing my new books and other topics brought up by the callers who called in to the show and won copies of my books, just click here. you can click here to listen at any time. Teresa and I chatted about the new book I am writing as well as taking the time to pause and recharge your "batteries" by going on retreat and with prayer. Pressures on Moms these days and some prayer strategies. Just click here. Back-to-School - Just click here to listen. Here's an Autumn theme - Halloween, All Saints Day, retreats, news, helping the youth, and more. Just click here to listen. A Christmas theme: "Jesus at the Post Office," Just click here to listen.

Catholic Exchange

"Donna has submitted a number of articles that have found a place on the Catholic Exchange website, enriching our readers with her insights into the lives of modern women. She writes with a broad comprehension of the rapidly changing scene of this world, and with deep understanding of the challenges faced by Catholic women – and all women – today. It is clear from her writing that she believes in the power of women to make the world a better place and she is not afraid to challenge women to start that transformation in their own hearts and homes. Catholic Exchange readers have been very blessed to have Donna share her thoughts with them and as editor, I have been blessed by the high professional quality of Donna’s work." --Mary Kochan, Senior Editor

Radiating Christ

Dear Jesus,help me to spread Your fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Your Spirit and Life. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that my life may only be a radiance of Yours. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Your presence in my soul. Let then look up, and see no longer me, but only Jesus! Stay with me and then I will begin to shine as You shine, so as to shine as to be a light to others. The light, O Jesus, will be all from You; none of it will be mine. It will be You, shining on others through me. Let me thus praise You in the way You love best, by shining on those around me. Let me preach You without preaching, not by words but by example, by the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what I do, the evident fullness of the love my heart bears for You. Amen.

Composed by John Henry Cardinal Newman and one of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta's favorite prayers. She TRULY LIVED this prayer!

Totus Tuus

Immaculate Conception, Mary, my Mother. Live in me. Act in me. Speak in and through me. Think your thoughts in my mind. Love, through my heart. Give me your dispositions and feelings. Teach, lead and guide me to Jesus. Correct, enlighten and expand my thoughts and behavior. Possess my soul. Take over my entire personality and life. Replace it with yourself. Incline me to constant adoration and thanksgiving. Pray in me and through me. Let me live in you and keep me in this union always. – Pope John Paul II

In addition to my books, I have written for...

The English edition of L'Osservatore Romano (Vatican newspaper)

Currently write for national publications: The National Catholic Register and the Our Sunday Visitor newsweekly. Have written for: The Catholic Transcript, The News Times, The New Milford Times, Hearth magazine, Canticle magazine, Lay Witness magazine, Faith & Family magazine, CarbLite magazine, On the Web - Catholic Exchange, Catholic Lane, and Catholic Online, and Catholic Mom.com. I wrote a parenting column for Irish Family Press (print edition), a Catholic weekly newspaper published in Ireland, (online edition now available). My articles have appeared in other countries, such as Nigeria and Singapore. My book Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers has been translated into Russian.

PRAYERS ARE NEEDED...(prayer requests change periodically, so please look through) for a man who died whom his sister feels what not in a state of grace, for a woman I met at a retreat I gave in Texas whose baby died, for a woman who struggles with her husband's addiction and for help for the family, for a young family in need of prayer, for a friend with breast cancer, for families everywhere who struggle in our culture today, for the folks at EWTN who work hard to bring you Catholic news and inspiration. Let's be sure to pray for all of our priests everywhere who are certainly in need of prayers to continue their work each day!

Parents are the FIRST and foremost educators of their children!

"Since parents have conferred life on their children, they have a most solemn obligation to educate their offspring. Hence, parents must be acknowledged as the first and foremost educators of their children. Their role as educators is so decisive that scarcely anything can compensate for their failure in it. For it devolves on parents to create a family atmosphere so animated with love and reverence for God and others that a well-rounded personal and social development will be fostered among children. Hence, the family is the first school of those social virtues which every society needs."--Gravissimum Educationis (one of the documents of the Second Vatican Council)