"The Handbook for Catholic Moms" is coming soon!

I am thrilled to announce that my friend and founder of Catholic Mom.Com, Lisa Hendey will release her new book: The Handbook for Catholic Moms VERY SOON!

The Handbook for Catholic Moms
Nurturing Your Heart, Mind, Body, and Soul
Published by Ave Maria Press
By Lisa M. Hendey

"Drawing from the deep tradition of the Catholic faith, Lisa Hendey coaches Catholic moms in how to care for themselves—heart, mind, body, and soul—so that they can better love and care for their families, their neighbors, and their Church.

With warmth and wisdom, Hendey creates an environment where Catholic moms can reflect peacefully upon often-competitive topics like parenting style, types of schooling, and working outside the home. By sharing her own story, Hendey inspires readers to better balance their own needs with the demands of family life and faith commitment.

Lisa shares stories from her personal life as a wife and mother, as well as stories contributed by Catholic moms and families from around the country. Each chapter of The Handbook for Catholic Moms contains relevant scripture passages, Church doctrine, and quotes from the lives of the saints. Noted Catholics such as Danielle Bean, Father James Martin, Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle and Phil Lenahan contribute their expertise and wisdom to make this a tremendous resource for Catholic mothers. "Mom's Homework" reflections at the conclusion of every chapter help the reader apply the book's principles to her real world challenges as a Catholic Mom."

Contributors to The Handbook for Catholic Moms:

Sharmane Adams, Susan Bailey, Rachel Balducci, Mary Ellen Barrett, Danielle Bean, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, Maria de Lourdes Ruiz Scaperlanda, Lisa Duffy, Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur, Fr. Jay A. Finelli, Reverend Mr. Tom Fox, Pat Gohn, Kelly the Kitchen Kop, Mary Ann Kuharski, Phil Lenahan, James Martin, SJ, Laurie Manhardt, Arwen Mosher, Holly Pierlot, Sarah Reinhard, Paula Rutherford, Rebecca Ryskind Teti, Sue Stanton, Kate Wicker, Melissa Wiley

Topics of Interest include:

~Single Motherhood
~The Importance of Mass Attendance
~Working Outside the Home
~Doctor’s Orders: Recommended Medical Routines
~Becoming a Lifelong Learner
~Exploring the Bible

Lisa's book sells for $15.95 and will be available on February 2010.

Endorsements:

"Lisa Hendey’s CatholicMom.com website has long been a treasured internet gathering spot. The Handbook for Catholic Moms is a welcome extension of Lisa’s wisdom and energy, enriched by the experiences of the community of women who have found community, support, and strength through CatholicMom.com."
- Amy Welborn, Author of A Catholic Woman’s Book Of Days

"Lisa Hendey is the sister friend of Catholic motherhood! We know her so well through her work for families, her website, and her engaging podcasts. Lisa now brings us her book in which she openly discusses the essential elements of a Catholic mom’s life in an exceptionally delightful, engaging, dynamic, and practical manner. You’ll be turning pages and feeling as if Lisa is there by your side lovingly offering her insight and warm encouragement. You’re going to love this book!"
- Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, Host of EWTN’s Everyday Blessings For Catholic Moms

"Lisa Hendey is the kind of friend whose advice you always treasure. Warm, wise, funny, compassionate, faith-filled, and, above all experienced in the joys and struggles of family life, her new book will be a lifesaver to Catholic women who try, hope, and pray to be good moms."
- James Martin, S.J., Author of My Life with the Saints

"Kudos to fellow blogger Lisa Hendey for such a comprehensive, holistic companion for women who can use their faith as a tool to empower themselves as mothers, as wives, and as individuals on the pilgrimage of life."
- Therese Borchard, Author of Beyond Blue

"Every mom needs a few good tools in her belt, to help her handle life’s challenges and The Handbook for Catholic Moms belongs on your short list of indispensable resources. Does your marriage need a tune-up? Does your friendship garden need cultivating? Could your parenting skills use a little remedial attention? This book offers sound advice to help you meet these and other challenges with confidence and grace."
- Heidi Hess Saxton, Author of My Big Book of Catholic Bible Stories

"There is a saying: A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. For years, Lisa has been the candle that lights so many others. She also invites those with their own flame of faith to join with her so that more darkness is dispelled. This book is wonderful for Catholic moms (and others) to experience the Light burning inside as well as around Lisa Hendey. She is a gift to people of faith and journey."
-Deacon Tom Fox, Columnist and Podcaster at deacontomonline.com

Check out some of Lisa's appearances here.

Check out video interviews here.

Advent is coming up!

Go take a look at Mary De Turris Poust's ideas for Advent for families and classrooms here.

Do you know where your Advent wreath candles are? Or where to get some? It's coming up fast! I've even purchased candles at a Hallmark store in the past.

God bless!

Donna-Marie

Catching up

Hello!

I just returned home from a trip to Rome - actually a pilgrimage for me. I am blogging about it at my blog: View From the Domestic Church. Go on over each day and check it out. I'll be posting photos and news from the trip. I have been spreading myself thin lately so I may not be able to post much here for a while. But come back and check - you never know. So go on over to View From the Domestic Church and be sure to check the posts each day, not just the one from this link because I will be updating regularly.

God bless!

Donna-Marie

Unveiling the new cover image!

Are you ready?

Here's the new front cover image of my Mother Teresa book due to be released shortly.

News story: Victory!

The United States House of Representatives Pounds a Nail in the Eventual
Coffin of 'Roe v. Wade'

In historic healthcare vote, the Democrat lead House of Representatives
excludes taxpayer funded abortions and signals the "beginning of the end"
for abortion in America.WASHINGTON,Nov. 8 /Christian Newswire/ -- Taxpayer
funded abortion was excluded from the final healthcare bill even though
President Obama made the public funding of abortion a key component of his
Presidential campaign and was strongly supported by Speaker Pelosi and House
leadership.


In spite of these facts, a healthcare bill including abortion funding would
not pass.


This vote is a reminder that America is turning away
from the violence of abortion and embracing social
justice and human rights for all.


It is now critical for the pro-life community to
passionately and prayerfully work to ensure taxpayer
funded abortions are not part of the Senate Bill and
that they are excluded from the final passage of any
healthcare legislation.


Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian
Defense Coalition, who led a national campaign
called "Abortion is Not Health Care" for the past
several months, states:


"This historic vote in the United States House of
Representatives signals the beginning of the end
for 'Roe v. Wade.' President Obama made taxpayer
funded abortions a key part of his presidential
campaign and it was strongly supported by Speaker
Pelosi and House leadership.


"Pro-choice groups spent millions of dollars to have
taxpayer funded abortions included in healthcare
legislation to no avail.


"It is important to note that taxpayer funded abortions
were excluded from the healthcare bill because of the
votes of Democrats in the House, not conservative
Republicans. This vote shows what recent national
polls have demonstrated, and that is -- America is
turning away from abortion and embracing human
rights and a culture of life.

"The pro-life community must now passionately and
prayerfully work to ensure that taxpayer funded
abortions are not a part of the Senate bill or any final
vote on healthcare.

"The House got it right. Abortion is Not healthcare."

For more information or interviews call: Rev. Patrick J.
Mahoney at 540.538.4741

Act TODAY please!

From: One Nation Under God. org...
Dear Friends,

Given the holdout of 40 pro-life Democrats, and intense pressure by pro-life groups and the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) over the federal funding of abortion, last night Speaker Pelosi conceded that she did not have the votes to push a vote on the Rule. After hours of negotiations Congressman Bart Stupak was given permission by the House Rules Committee to offer his pro-life amendment. A vote will occur this afternoon.

Pro-abortion leaders left Speaker Pelosi's office last night upset with the news that the Stupak amendment will get a vote. Planned Parenthood of America president Cecile Richards isn't happy with the U.S. Bishops efforts, and holds them responsible for this new development. The following email was sent to Planned Parenthood supporters this morning:

Late yesterday, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops met with leaders in the House of Representatives in their bid to eliminate women's access to abortion care under health care reform.

We have just received news that their efforts are working, and Representative Bart Stupak has introduced an amendment to the health care reform bill that will result in women losing health care coverage for abortion.

We urgently need you, and your friends and family, to call your representative...and ask him or her to reject the Stupak amendment that will remove abortion coverage from health care reform.

If the bishops and their anti-choice partners in the House succeed, they'll permanently alter health care in America, even taking away benefits from women that they have today. The bishops want to effectively eliminate abortion coverage in both private plans and the public option. We simply cannot stand for such a discriminatory, mean-spirited attack on women.

Warning to Congress from Fr. Frank Pavone

This morning Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, warned the members of Congress that he would distribute the voting records of members of Congress on the Stupak-Pitts amendment to HR 3962 (and other abortion-related votes) to every Catholic parish in America, with instructions to each pastor on how to make clear to his congregation the implications of how that congregation's representative voted. "Whatever one's position on abortion itself," Fr. Pavone commented, "the vast majority of Americans have always opposed the idea that taxpayers should fund it. Our plan to inform pastors of these voting records is phase one of a year-long effort to activate Churches as never before regarding what they can legally do in preparation for next year's midterm elections. Publishing voting records in a non-partisan fashion is certainly one of those activities."

President Obama is making a rare Saturday appearance to Democrats on the hill to rally support. Democrats need 218 votes.

Ask your Representatives to Support the Stupak-Pitts amendment

What the Stupak-Pitts Amendment Would Do

The Stupak-Pitts Amendment would remove the two major pro-abortion components from H.R. 3962: (1) The amendment would permanently prohibit the new federal government insurance program, the "public option," from paying for abortion, except to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape or incest; and (2) the amendment would permanently prohibit the use of the new federal premium subsidies ("affordability credits") to purchase private insurance plans that cover abortion (except to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape or incest).

Note: The Stupak-Pitts Amendment explicitly allows private insurance companies to sell insurance policies that cover abortion (either abortion alone, or abortion coverage along with other coverage) to persons who pay for such policies entirely with their personal funds. Some pro-abortion groups have claimed that the Stupak-Pitts amendment would prohibit private companies from selling abortion coverage even to a person who receives no government subsidy, but this is false. - NRLC

1.) Contact your Representative and ask them to vote "YES" on the
Stupak Amendment. Contact your Members here.
or call the House switchboard at: (202) 224-3121

2.) Spread the word to 10 people.

3.) Continue to pray for our elected officials. Pray that our
nation -- founded on the inalienable right to life --
does not allow its government to fund the destruction
of human life at its most vulnerable stage.

That Congress will act to ensure that needed health care reform will truly protect the life, dignity and health care of all and that we will raise our voices to protect the unborn and the most vulnerable and to preserve our freedom of conscience.
We pray to the Lord.

Sincerely,


Lisa Correnti
Founder and Director
OneNationUnderGod.org

Check this link for more information.

Our Blessed Mother and Mothers

Here's an article: "Nearer to Our Blessed Mother" over at Catholic Mom.Com. It was originally written for the month of October but is really fitting for any time. You can see it here.

God bless!

Donna-Marie

Little Flowers

Have you heard of the Little Flowers Girls Club? I will be giving a talk to a local group tonight. It's really such a wonderful club. Here's some information for you here:

"Little Flowers Girls' Club® is a Catholic program for girls ages 5 and up based on learning Catholic virtues through the lives of Catholic saints, Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Developed by a Catholic mom of nine, Rachel Watkins, and based on Fr. Lasance's Catholic Girls' Guide, the Club strives to bring the Catholic faith alive and inspire the girls to become authentic Catholic women.

Nine virtues are included in each of three different wreaths or years of study. A fourth year, studying the fruits of the Spirit is also available. The format of the Clubs is flexible, with groups meeting monthly, bi-monthly or weekly. Badges for the virtues are earned by studying the saint associated with the virtue, memorizing relevant scripture verses and studying the Catechism. The program is flexible enough to use with a variety of age groups. Little Flowers Girls' Club® has also been successfully implemented in the family. Sashes, vests, skirts, bandanas, t-shirts and other items are extras that add to the experience, but are not necessary to running a successful Club.

The Leader's Guide for each wreath offers suggestions for running meetings, planning crafts and activities, talks on virtues and other relevant information. The Member's Guide includes the activities, saints' biographies, pictures of the saints, and prayers for each girl. Each of the girls in the Club should purchase their own Member's Guide.

Other items that leaders find useful are the Memory Verse CD/Cassettes, the Tea and Luncheon Manual and the Craft Companion and Merit Certificates.

Leaders should have fun with the program and use the flexibility to choose the items that are right for your group's needs. God bless you in your work for His work!"

Please take a look at the link here.

Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine Month Novena for Mothers To Be

Anne McClure at "Catholic Mommy Brain" has just reviewed my book: Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine Month Novena for Mothers to Be:

"Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle is a Catholic wife, mother of five, author, speaker, and Lay Missionary of Charity. Inspired by the idea that pregnancy spans nine months, Donna Marie created a guide to using this period of time for a novena of prayers and reflection on the blessing of new life.

This reflective journal helps you pray through your pregnancy, using beautiful meditations on all the mysteries of the Rosary and asking the intercession of Saint Anne and Saint Gerard Majella in particular. Interspersed with these prayers are descriptions of the baby’s development and quotes from wonderful models of love such as Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta (a personal friend of Donna-Marie’s). These nuggets of wisdom will deepen your experience on the incredible dignity of life.

I am praying through this book myself and am so grateful for the peace I am finding. It can be so difficult to simply appreciate pregnancy. After all, everything about a pregnancy is oriented towards its conclusion. We can’t help but ponder names, prepare for labor, and dream about cuddling a new baby. These thoughts can be fun, but they can also prevent us from enjoying the experience of pregnancy itself. Prayerfully Expecting allows us an opportunity to slow down and find God in the process and not just the product. It offers a window into how God sees pregnancy– as a gift of self and an act of love.

Donna Marie is an inspiring witness to the joy of mothering. Prayerfully Expecting seeks to help every mom deepen that joy. To purchase this book, or to learn more about Donna Marie’s other writings, visit her website. You can also find her blogging at View From the Domestic Church, Moments of Inspiration From Your Favorite Saints, Embracing Motherhood, and Daily Dose of Donna-Marie. Her new TV series, “Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms” will soon premiere on EWTN as well."

Visit Anne's blog here.

Exciting contest at Catholic Mom.Com

Lisa Hendey at Catholic Mom.Com is running an amazing contest...

"Bringing new life into the world is a profound miracle; but for some women, pregnancy itself isn’t easy. To show our support, celebrate the blessing, and pamper our pregnant friends, we decided to offer a pregnancy giveaway during the month of November. Leave a comment on this post, and you’ll be entered to win one of two pregnancy prize packages.

Prize Pack 1:

1 copy of Erin O’Brien’s Complete Pregnancy Fitness DVD set
1 Bella Band
1 copy of the complete Laugh and Learn DVD package including Laugh and Learn about Childbirth, Breastfeeding, and Newborn Baby Care; 1 Laugh and Learn T-shirt; 1 copy of Sheri Bayles’ Laugh and Learn about Childbirth book
1 copy of Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine-Month Novena for Mothers to Be by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle
1 copy of Margo Smith’s CD “Sending Up A Prayer”
Prize Pack 2:

1 copy of Erin O’Brien’s Complete Pregnancy Fitness DVD set
2 boxes of Organic Preggie Pop Drops
1 copy of the complete Laugh and Learn DVD package including Laugh and Learn about Childbirth, Breastfeeding, and Newborn Baby Care; 1 Laugh and Learn T-shirt; 1 copy of Sheri Bayles’ Laugh and Learn about Childbirth book
1 copy of Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine-Month Novena for Mothers to Be by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle
1 copy of Margo Smith’s CD “Sending Up A Prayer”
Visit Kate Wicker at Momopoly for a detailed review of the Complete Pregnancy Fitness DVD set. Visit Anne McClure at Catholic Mommy Brain for reviews of the Bella Band, Laugh and Learn package, and Prayerfully Expecting."

So, go over to Catholic Mom.Com and see how to enter!

Praying for souls...

I'm praying for the souls in Purgatory today especially, but I pray for them every day. Go on over to my blog "View From the Domestic Church" to read a couple of posts about fellow Catholic authors writing on the poor souls and Purgatory.

Happy All Saints' Day!

Feast of All Saints

"Let us rejoice in the Lord and keep festival in honor of all the saints. Let us join with the angels in joyful praise to the Son of God."

Entrance Antiphon