View from the Domestic Church: A Season of Grace

View from the Domestic Church: A Season of Grace

Precious children!

Chatting about Rooted in Love and the true Dignity of Women

http://avemariaradio.net/archiveListen.php?file=cc_20121227_2 Teresa Tomeo and I begin our chat at about the 13.17 mark in this archive link. Use the link for December 27th, the "second hour "

Check it out!

Happy Twelve Days of Christmas!

Catholic Moms Talk: Moving Closer To The Crib

Catholic Moms Talk: Moving Closer To The Crib: Moving Closer To The Crib During a Season of Struggles and Great Hope We read in the Catechism,  “When the Church celebrates the li...

Moving Closer To The Crib

Moving Closer To The Crib

Catholic Moms Talk: Advent teaching from Johnnette Benkovic

Catholic Moms Talk: Advent teaching from Johnnette Benkovic: The ancient prayer form called  Lectio-Divina  is a perfect way for us to enter into an ever deepening relationship with God, and the ...

Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women: Rooted in Love Blog Tour: Day # 10

Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women: Rooted in Love Blog Tour: Day # 10: E komo mai! (Welcome!) to our stopover for Donna's book tour! It is very exciting to be able to participate in this book promotion be...

Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women: Rooted in Love Blog Tour Day # 9

Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women: Rooted in Love Blog Tour Day # 9: How many books begin with an invitation to a slumber party? This one does! Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s richly personal, but powerfully...

Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women: Rooted in Love Blog Tour Stop # 8

Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women: Rooted in Love Blog Tour Stop # 8: Sometimes for a woman, the Urgent is the enemy of the Important.  Amid the cacophony of family life— the homework, the laundry, the dis...

Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women: Rooted in Love Blog Tour Day # 7

Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women: Rooted in Love Blog Tour Day # 7: From Roxane at "Peace Garden Mama"   Welcome to Peace Garden  Mama!  I'm so pleased to be  part of the  effort to help spread word o...

Cooper O’Boyle to Begin Tour of Catholic Women’s Blogs December 1, 2012 | Ave Maria Press

Cooper O’Boyle to Begin Tour of Catholic Women’s Blogs December 1, 2012 | Ave Maria Press


WIN MY BOOK through this tour!

Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women: Easy, Compelling, Uplifting Read

Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women: Easy, Compelling, Uplifting Read: I loved this book and recommended it to all my Catholic female friends and family-members. Was an easy, compelling, uplifting read. In a mo...

Catholic Moms Talk: Hark, a Herald Voice Is Calling...

Catholic Moms Talk: Hark, a Herald Voice Is Calling...: I am thrilled to welcome Johnnette S. Benkovic to "Catholic Moms Talk" today. Johnnette is the Founder and President of Women of Grace®, ...

Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women: Rooted in Love Tour, Day # Four

Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women: Rooted in Love Tour, Day # Four: I am honored to be today’s stop on Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle's blog tour for her newest book, Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Wo...

Cooper O’Boyle to Begin Tour of Catholic Women’s Blogs December 1, 2012 | Ave Maria Press

Cooper O’Boyle to Begin Tour of Catholic Women’s Blogs December 1, 2012 | Ave Maria Press

Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women: Blog Tour Stop # Three

Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women: Blog Tour Stop # Three: Rooted in Love {My Turn on the Ave Marie Press Book Tour!} I anxiously awaited the release of Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle's new bo...

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Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women: Exceeded My Expectations

Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women: Exceeded My Expectations: 5.0 out  Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women is not quite the book I expected it to be. This particular book exceeded my expe...

Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women: You won't be disappointed!

Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women: You won't be disappointed!: Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle has written a book from her heart to touch your own. From personal experience (and one wonders how any woman cou...

View from the Domestic Church: Feast of St. Catherine Laboure

View from the Domestic Church: Feast of St. Catherine Laboure

Grace Cafe Review

available at:
www.donnacooperoboyle.com

"I'm so thankful for Donna-Marie and her wonderful books! She's is a bright light on the path for faithful Christian moms in our world today. There's something so familiar about her writing that speaks straight to my heart. It's as if I'm able to sit down for coffee with a trusted friend or around the dinner table with my mom, Grandma and aunts for treasured time who know both Jesus and our calling as mothers (whether physical or spiritual) well. Someone who seems to know my heart and can speak uplifting words of inspiration, confidence and encouragement. For example, how to maintain an active prayer life throughout the very busy and often chaotic days and nights of mothering, how to sanctify each day as we take steps each day to answer our universal call to holiness by our Baptism - for ourselves and for our family's salvation- and especially words of wisdom from years of experience how to serve in love and joy. To keep the fire of love and faith alive in our hearts and share it with others, with sincere joy. How to not miss the tremendously beautiful gifts that God has given us, and how to cooperate with His grace with our Yes. Especially in this "Year of Faith," and the 50th Anniversary of Vatican II when the council fathers said in closing that women living the Gospel could do much to "aid humanity in not falling," I believe this is an excellent book to help us on that path."

Thank you very much for the review, Julie.

God bless you and your family!

Thanksgiving around the corner!

What are your Thanksgiving plans? Tell us about them in the comment box. I've been so busy lately. My husband had major surgery, I just completed a book and I'm starting to write another! As well, I have one that is releasing any day now called, "Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women." You can check that out on my website: www.donnacooperoboyle.com.

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is only ONE week away? I can't. The days zip by--a reminder to us that we need to seize every moment to pray and be a wonderful witness of Christ's love to others. 

Did you ever pause to consider that God gives you an amazing opportunity to evangelize at your Thanksgiving dinner celebration? When you gather around your family table at the heart of your domestic church, you bow your heads to thank God when you pray your Grace Before Meals, followed by a Hail Mary or whatever you feel called to pray. You may have relatives who have joined you at the table who don't share your faith or who have left the faith. You might have grown children who have turned their backs on God. But, you're all there together breaking bread. Pray in advance that you can be a mighty light to all gathered, all by God's grace. And, whisper up a prayer while seated at your table that God will touch everyone deeply.

Hang on to your Thanksgiving traditions and continue to gather the family and other guests to your table to break bread, share stories and laughter. Who cares if the gravy burns or you forget the rolls in the oven! You'll laugh about that later, hopefully. For now, bask in the moments together, We really don't know what tomorrow will bring. All we have is now. Now is our time to pray and love.

For now, I'll leave you with a radio segment from a previous Thanksgiving regarding making Thanksgiving dinner and being together on the holiday, "Keeping it sane, simple, and holy" with Teresa Tomeo and me on our radio segment, "Mom's Corner."

Don't forget to leave your comments below, I'd love to hear from you. Share with us what you plan to do or perhaps a recipe.

God bless you and yours!

OSV Daily Take Blog: They lead, they serve, they witness. Give us your ...

OSV Daily Take Blog: They lead, they serve, they witness. Give us your ...: Our Sunday Visitor is introducing a new end-of-the-year feature in OSV Newsweekly that highlights Catholics who have been outstanding exampl...

Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms

http://www.ewtnnews.com/catholic-news/US.php?id=6507

http://www.ewtnnews.com/catholic-news/US.php?id=6507

Catholic Moms Talk: My Children are the Heart of God Himself

Catholic Moms Talk: My Children are the Heart of God Himself: I am pleased to welcome Kate Wicker to "Catholic Moms Talk" today. Kate shares a special story with us today. I suspect many moms will ...

Catholic Moms Talk: Year of Faith Saint for November

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Planning to be on Long Island this weekend? Stop by and say hello to some Patheosians!

Planning to be on Long Island this weekend? Stop by and say hello to some Patheosians!

Saints are example for how to evangelize, Cardinal Amato says :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Saints are example for how to evangelize, Cardinal Amato says :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Catholic Moms Talk: Thorny Mercy

Catholic Moms Talk: Thorny Mercy: I am pleased to introduce Heidi Bratton to you today at "Catholic Moms Talk." Heidi is amazed to have found her niche as a wife...

Catholic Moms Talk: My Excitement over the Year of Faith

Catholic Moms Talk: My Excitement over the Year of Faith: I'm pleased to introduce Roxane Salonen to "Catholic Moms Talk" today. Roxane B. Salonen, a wife and mother of five children ages 7 to 16,...

Inspiring!

View from the Domestic Church: Year of Faith project!

View from the Domestic Church: Year of Faith project!

Catholic Moms Talk: Being part of a FAITHFUL Church

Catholic Moms Talk: Being part of a FAITHFUL Church: How wonderful that we are part of a Church that lovingly reminds us about the importance of our faith and even our duties to prof...

Listen in!

You can hear a snippet of my book Embracing Motherhood narrated by yours truly! Simply click on this link and then on the image of the Audio book.http://catalog.franciscanmedia.org/Product.aspx?ProductCode=A36336

Serving God in the here and now

Here's an older video. may it bring you inspiration!

A Pillar of the Church!

God bless Cardinal Burke!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/01/cardinal-raymond-burke-sp_n_1924290.html?fb_action_ids=10151118954011553&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%2210151118954011553%22%3A438339226218075%7D&action_type_map=%7B%2210151118954011553%22%3A%22og.likes%22%7D&action_ref_map=[]

Novena to the Blessed Mother for our Nation

Novena to the Blessed Mother for our Nation

St. Therese novena day 9

Ninth Day

Dear Little St. Thérèse, by love and suffering while you were on earth, you won the power with God which you now enjoy in heaven. Since your life there began, you have showered down countless blessings on this poor world; you have been an instrument made use of by your divine Spouse to work countless miracles. I beg of you to remember all my wants. Sufferings must come to me also, may I use them to love God more, and follow my Jesus better. You are especially the little missionary of love. Make me love Jesus more, and all others for His sake. With all my heart I thank the most Holy Trinity for the wonderful blessings conferred on you, and upon the world through you.

Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen.

Thought for the day: The Mission of the Little Flower. I do not intend to remain inactive in Heaven. I want to work for the Church and for souls. I have asked this of God and I am certain that He will grant my request.
I will spend my Heaven doing good upon earth. This is not impossible, since the angels though always enjoying the beatific vision, watch over us. No, I cannot be at rest until the end of the world.
I beseech Thee, O Jesus, to cast Thy divine glance on a great number of little souls. I beg of Thee to choose in this world a legion of little victims, worthy of Thy Love.

Concluding Prayer

O Lord, You have said: Unless you become as little children you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven; grant us, we beg You, so to follow, in humility and simplicity of heart, the footsteps of the Virgin blessed Thérèse, that we may attain to an everlasting reward. Amen.

Little Flower Novena
Prayers to be said each day:
Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of the faithful, and kindle in them the fire of divine love.
V. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created.
R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray: O God, who have instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit; grant that by the gift of the same Spirit, we may be ever truly wise and rejoice in His consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love: O my God! I believe in Thee: strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in Thee: do Thou secure them. I love Thee: teach me to love Thee daily more and more.

The Act of Contrition: O my God! I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance , and to amend my life. Amen.

Concluding Prayer Prayed Each Day:
O Lord, You have said: Unless you become as little children you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven; grant us, we beg You, so to follow, in humility and simplicity of heart, the footsteps of the Virgin blessed Thérèse, that we may attain to an everlasting reward. Amen.

St. Therese novena day 8

Eighth Day

Dear St. Thérèse, like you I have to die one day. I beseech you, obtain from God, by reminding Him of your own precious death, that I may have a holy death, strengthened by the Sacraments of the Church, entirely resigned to the most holy Will of God, and burning with love for Him. May my last words on earth be, "My God. I love You."

Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen.

Thought for the day: Death. It says in the catechism that death is nothing but the separation of the soul and body. Well, I have no fear of a separation which will unite me forever with the good God.
I am happy to die because I shall be able to help souls who are dear to me, far more than I can here below.
Life is not sad; it is very joyous. If you say, "This exile is sad," I understand you. We are wrong to give the name "life" to something which will end; it is only to the things of Heaven that we should apply this beautiful name.

Concluding Prayer

Little Flower Novena
Prayers to be said each day:
Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of the faithful, and kindle in them the fire of divine love.
V. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created.
R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray: O God, who have instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit; grant that by the gift of the same Spirit, we may be ever truly wise and rejoice in His consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love: O my God! I believe in Thee: strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in Thee: do Thou secure them. I love Thee: teach me to love Thee daily more and more.

The Act of Contrition: O my God! I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance , and to amend my life. Amen.

Concluding Prayer Prayed Each Day:
O Lord, You have said: Unless you become as little children you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven; grant us, we beg You, so to follow, in humility and simplicity of heart, the footsteps of the Virgin blessed Thérèse, that we may attain to an everlasting reward. Amen.

St. Therese novena day 7

Seventh Day

O little martyr of Love, you know now even better than in the days of your pilgrimage that Love embraces all vocations; that it is Love alone which counts, which unites us perfectly to God and conforms our will with His. All you sought on earth was love; to love Jesus as He had never yet been loved. Use your power in heaven to make us love Him. If only we love Him we shall desire to make Him loved by others; we shall pray much for souls. We shall no longer fear death, for it will unite us to Him forever. Obtain for us the grace to do all for the love of God, to give Him pleasure, to love Him so well that He may be pleased with us as He was with you.

Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen.

Thought for the day: Love of God. I will love God alone and will not have the misfortune of attaching myself to creatures, now that my heart perceive what He has in store for those who love Him.
What attracts me to the kingdom of Heaven is the call of our Lord, the hope of loving Him as I have so desired and the thought that I shall be able to make Him loved by a great number of souls who will bless Him forever.
When Christ said, "Give Me a Drink," it was the love of His poor creatures that He, the Creator of all things, desired. He thirsted for love.
Remember that the dear Jesus is there in the tabernacle expressly for you, for you alone. Remember that He is consumed with a desire to come into your heart.

Concluding Prayer

Little Flower Novena Prayers to be said each day: Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of the faithful, and kindle in them the fire of divine love. V. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created. R. And You shall renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, who have instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit; grant that by the gift of the same Spirit, we may be ever truly wise and rejoice in His consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love: O my God! I believe in Thee: strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in Thee: do Thou secure them. I love Thee: teach me to love Thee daily more and more. The Act of Contrition: O my God! I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance , and to amend my life. Amen. Concluding Prayer Prayed Each Day: O Lord, You have said: Unless you become as little children you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven; grant us, we beg You, so to follow, in humility and simplicity of heart, the footsteps of the Virgin blessed Thérèse, that we may attain to an everlasting reward. Amen.

St. Therese novena day 6

Sixth Day

St. Thérèse, Patroness of the Missions, be a great missionary throughout the world to the end of time. Remind our Master of His own words, "The harvest is great, but the laborers are few." Your zeal for souls was so great, obtain a like zeal for those now working for souls, and beg God to multiply their numbers, that the millions to whom Jesus is yet unknown may be brought to know, love and follow Him.

Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen.

Thought for the day: Zeal for souls. Let us work together for the salvation of souls. We have only the day of this life to save souls and to give them to the Lord as proofs of our love.
I tell Jesus that I am glad not to be able to see, with the eyes of my soul, this beautiful heaven which awaits me, in order that He may vouchsafe to open it forever to poor unbelievers.
I cannot perform brilliant works; I cannot preach the Gospel or shed my blood. But what matter? My brothers work in place of me, and I a little child, keep very close to the royal throne. I love for those who are carrying on the warfare.
My deeds, my little sufferings, can make God loved all over the world.

Little Flower Novena Prayers to be said each day: Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of the faithful, and kindle in them the fire of divine love. V. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created. R. And You shall renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, who have instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit; grant that by the gift of the same Spirit, we may be ever truly wise and rejoice in His consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love: O my God! I believe in Thee: strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in Thee: do Thou secure them. I love Thee: teach me to love Thee daily more and more. The Act of Contrition: O my God! I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance , and to amend my life. Amen. Concluding Prayer Prayed Each Day: O Lord, You have said: Unless you become as little children you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven; grant us, we beg You, so to follow, in humility and simplicity of heart, the footsteps of the Virgin blessed Thérèse, that we may attain to an everlasting reward. Amen.

St. Therese novena day 5

Fifth Day

Little Flower of Jesus, from the very first moment of your religious life you thought only of denying yourself in all things so as to follow Jesus more perfectly; help me to bear patiently the trials of my daily life. Teach me to make use of the trials, the sufferings, the humiliations, that come my way, to learn to know myself better and to love God more.

Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen.

Thought for the day: Patience in Sufferings. I do not fear trials sent by Jesus, for even in the most bitter suffering we can see that it is His loving hand which causes it.
When we are expecting nothing but suffering, we are quite surprised at the least joy; but then suffering itself becomes the greatest of joys when we seek it as a precious treasure.
Far from resembling those beautiful saints who practiced all sorts of austerities from childhood, my penance consisted in breaking my self-will, in keeping back a sharp reply, in doing little kindnesses to those about me, but considering these deeds as nothing.

Little Flower Novena Prayers to be said each day: Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of the faithful, and kindle in them the fire of divine love. V. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created. R. And You shall renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, who have instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit; grant that by the gift of the same Spirit, we may be ever truly wise and rejoice in His consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love: O my God! I believe in Thee: strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in Thee: do Thou secure them. I love Thee: teach me to love Thee daily more and more. The Act of Contrition: O my God! I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance , and to amend my life. Amen. Concluding Prayer Prayed Each Day: O Lord, You have said: Unless you become as little children you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven; grant us, we beg You, so to follow, in humility and simplicity of heart, the footsteps of the Virgin blessed Thérèse, that we may attain to an everlasting reward. Amen.

St. Therese novena day 4

Fourth Day

Dear Little Flower of Carmel, bearing so patiently the disappointments and delays allowed by God, and preserving in the depths of your soul an unchanging peace because you sought only God’s will, ask for me complete conformity to that adorable Will in all the trials and disappointments of life. If the favors I am asking during this Novena are pleasing to God, obtain them for me. If not, it is true I shall feel the refusal keenly, but I too wish only God’s Will, and pray in the words you used, that I "may ever be perfectly fulfilled in me."

Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen.

Thought for the day: Abandonment to God. I fear only one thing---to keep my own will; take it, my God, for I choose all that You choose.
The only happiness here below is to strive to be always content with what Jesus gives us.
I can demand nothing with fervor, except the perfect accomplishment of God’s will in my soul.
O my Beloved, I offer myself to You, that You may perfectly accomplish in me Your holy designs, and I will not allow anything created to be an obstacle in their path.

Little Flower Novena
Prayers to be said each day:
Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of the faithful, and kindle in them the fire of divine love.
V. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created.
R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray: O God, who have instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit; grant that by the gift of the same Spirit, we may be ever truly wise and rejoice in His consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love: O my God! I believe in Thee: strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in Thee: do Thou secure them. I love Thee: teach me to love Thee daily more and more.

The Act of Contrition: O my God! I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance , and to amend my life. Amen.

Concluding Prayer Prayed Each Day:
O Lord, You have said: Unless you become as little children you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven; grant us, we beg You, so to follow, in humility and simplicity of heart, the footsteps of the Virgin blessed Thérèse, that we may attain to an everlasting reward. Amen.

St. Therese novena day 3

Little Flower Novena
Prayers to be said each day:
Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of the faithful, and kindle in them the fire of divine love.
V. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created.
R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray: O God, who have instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit; grant that by the gift of the same Spirit, we may be ever truly wise and rejoice in His consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love: O my God! I believe in Thee: strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in Thee: do Thou secure them. I love Thee: teach me to love Thee daily more and more.

The Act of Contrition: O my God! I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance , and to amend my life. Amen.

Concluding Prayer Prayed Each Day:
O Lord, You have said: Unless you become as little children you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven; grant us, we beg You, so to follow, in humility and simplicity of heart, the footsteps of the Virgin blessed Thérèse, that we may attain to an everlasting reward. Amen.

Third Day

Dear Little Flower, make all things lead me to heaven and God, Whether I look at the sun, the moon, the stars and the vast expanse in which they float, or whether I look at the flowers of the field, the trees of the forest, the beauties of the earth so full of color and so glorious, may they speak to me of the love and power of God; may they all sing His praises in my ear. Like you may I daily love Him more and more in return for His gifts. Teach me often to deny myself in my dealings with others, that I may offer to Jesus many little sacrifices.

Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen.

Thought for the day: The Use of God’s Gifts. How much benefit have I received from the beauties of nature, bestowed in such abundance. How they raise me to Him who placed such wonders in this land of exile which is only to last a day.
O sparkling nature, if I did not see God in you, you would be naught but a great tomb.
With your little hand which caresses Mary, You sustain the universe and bestow life; and You think of me, O Jesus my little King.
I do not wish creatures to have one atom of my love. I wish to give all to Jesus, since He has shown me that He alone is perfect happiness.

See more here: http://www.ewtn.com/therese/novena.htm#3 

St. Therese novena day 2

Little Flower Novena
Prayers to be said each day:
Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of the faithful, and kindle in them the fire of divine love.
V. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created.
R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray: O God, who have instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit; grant that by the gift of the same Spirit, we may be ever truly wise and rejoice in His consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love: O my God! I believe in Thee: strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in Thee: do Thou secure them. I love Thee: teach me to love Thee daily more and more.

The Act of Contrition: O my God! I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance , and to amend my life. Amen.

Concluding Prayer Prayed Each Day:
O Lord, You have said: Unless you become as little children you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven; grant us, we beg You, so to follow, in humility and simplicity of heart, the footsteps of the Virgin blessed Thérèse, that we may attain to an everlasting reward. Amen.

Second Day

O dear little Saint, now that you see the crucified Jesus in heaven, still bearing the wounds caused by sin, you know still more clearly than you did upon earth the value of souls, and the priceless worth of that Precious Blood which He shed to save them. As I am one of those children for whom Christ died, obtain for me all the graces I need in order to profit by that Precious Blood. Use your great power with our divine Lord and pray for me.

Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen.

Thought for the day: Sin. The only grace I ask, O Jesus, is never to offend Thee.
By love and not by fear, does a soul avoid committing the least fault.
Yes, even if I have on my conscience every possible crime, I should lose none of my confidence; my heart breaking with sorrow, I should go and throw myself into the arms of my Savior.
The remembrance of my faults humbles me and makes me afraid to rely on my own strength, which is nothing but weakness.



http://www.ewtn.com/therese/novena.htm#pray

Novena to St. Therese

St. Therese's feast day is October 1st. You can start this novena today.


Little Flower Novena
Prayers to be said each day:
Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of the faithful, and kindle in them the fire of divine love.
V. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created.
R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray: O God, who have instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit; grant that by the gift of the same Spirit, we may be ever truly wise and rejoice in His consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love: O my God! I believe in Thee: strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in Thee: do Thou secure them. I love Thee: teach me to love Thee daily more and more.

The Act of Contrition: O my God! I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance , and to amend my life. Amen.

Concluding Prayer Prayed Each Day:
O Lord, You have said: Unless you become as little children you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven; grant us, we beg You, so to follow, in humility and simplicity of heart, the footsteps of the Virgin blessed Thérèse, that we may attain to an everlasting reward. Amen.

First Day

St. Thérèse, privileged Little Flower of Jesus and Mary, I approach you with childlike confidence and deep humility. I lay before you my desires, and beg that through your intercession they may be realized. Did you not promise to spend your heaven doing good upon earth? Grant me according to this promise the favors I am asking from you.

Intercede for us all the days of our life, but specially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen.

Thought for the day: Confidence in God. We can never have too much confidence in the good God who is so powerful and so merciful. We obtain from Him as much as we hope for.
If you are nothing, do you forget that Jesus is everything? You have only to lose your nothingness in His Infinity and think only of loving Him.

Learn more here: http://www.ewtn.com/therese/novena.htm#pray

View from the Domestic Church: A Mother's Study Guide

View from the Domestic Church: A Mother's Study Guide Do you need a spark or two of inspiration for your vocation of motherhood?

http://www.ewtnnews.com/catholic-news/US.php?id=5943

http://www.ewtnnews.com/catholic-news/US.php?id=5943 Here's a great article on the family.

Excited to announce my upcoming book!

Releasing in March 2013 by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Company

More details to follow as we get closer to the release!

Finding Holiness at Home

On Inspiration Day (the anniversary of the day that Mother Teresa received the "call within the call" from Our Lord to take care of the poorest of the poor all over the world), talking about holiness in the home and Blessed Mother Teresa. 

Review of Embracing Motherhood

http://www.newmilfordspectrum.com/default/article/Fun-read-enriches-hints-for-Catholic-moms-3512362.php

I just found a review that was published some time ago. It's in the link above. two books are reviewed and my book, Embracing Motherhood is one of them:

...For the Catholic mothers out there, Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle has written a thought-provoking book that provides encouragement to moms trying to raise children in the Catholic faith while living in a world that doesn't necessarily share the same values. "Embracing Motherhood" approaches parenting as a vocation, as something more than just an assignment a woman takes on at a certain stage in life.

Mothers that haven't viewed motherhood this way before may find a helpful new perspective that could stand them in good stead, especially on the tough days. Those of other faith traditions may find O'Boyle's perspective helpful in general, too, but readers will know that this book presumes the reader is Catholic.

A similarity between Lauer's novel and O'Boyle's nonfiction work that may jump out at readers is that both books portray work, or a person's calling, as having the inherent dignity of doing God's will.

In other words, whether it's tending to chores on the family farm or raising children, the attitude with which you approach your work can make all the difference.

Both these books feature people who are strong in their particular faiths.

Food for thought for mothers

Food for thought for mothers

My interesting life as a mother

God certainly keeps my life interesting. Some day, perhaps I'll write about it! Ha! I already do - but perhaps in more detail later on. Maybe when I have time. :)

Just a tiny update for now - just got the youngest duckling to her out-of-state college for her senior year. How did that happen? I wonder. Not the getting her there part, but rather, her getting to this point in life--already! 

My hubby is home from the hospital after major surgery. I am his nurse. :) Well, the "real" nurse visits as well as the physical therapist. I'm doing my writing in between his care.

Another daughter whom I mentioned in another http://donnamarieembracingmotherhood.blogspot.com/2012/08/my-daughter-is-leaving-for-thailand.html post just went abroad to volunteer in a remote region. She's been gone about ten days so far and will be away for about six months. God bless her heart. She is a brave young woman. She experienced an "eye lock" with Blessed Mother Teresa twenty-five-years ago. I'm loving watching how her life unfolds in ministry to others.

Today, on the Missionaries of Charity Inspiration day (a special day commemorating Blessed Mother Teresa’s “call within a call” from Jesus to take care of the poorest of the poor), my daughter wrote a long email update to our family. I'll share just a little. She described a meal she ate and said: 

They made lunch. it's Palaung food (their ethnic group in burma from the north near china). I have to say, ive never had anything like it. it was rice and some  twig-like stuff. while i was eating it i thought, wow, this sort of tastes like twigs and leaves. and then i asked what it was and they said "some twigs from the forest in burma" so i guess i was right. it was really spicy so i sort of awkwardly sat there wiping my nose and eyes the whole time and tried not to choke. 

 She also said,

i bought some things for my apartment yesterday. sugar, corn flakes, a rice cooker, soy milk. forgot toilet paper. my bathroom at home doesnt have a flusher. you basically dump water in the toilet and somehow it sort of flushes. at work its a hole in the ground outside. i have to be careful not to have the swarm of mosquitos bite my butt and give me malaria. lots of obstacles here.

This video is of a local market.

I'm not sure whether I should laugh or be worried. But, seriously, I try not to ever worry and I do keep a constant prayer vigil going for her and for all of the "kids." Trust me, Jesus, Mary, and the saints in heaven hear from me constantly. 

Daily Catholic Quote from Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

Daily Catholic Quote from Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

The Winning Strategy

The Winning Strategy

Above is an excellent article about the spiritual life.

My daughter is leaving for the Thailand Burma border!

I can't believe that my daughter, Jessica is leaving tomorrow for the Thailand/Burma border Yikes! She'll be volunteering and helping trafficked women there. Please keep her in your prayers for safety.

Today, we had to get last minute errands done before we shove off early tomorrow. On our way back home, we had to make one more stop and that was at our parish center so I could pick up my class list and books for this year's faith formation. As we passed the building, Jessica nostalgically said, "There's my nursery school!" I told her we actually needed to stop there for a minute. She wasn't aware that I needed to do so until that moment.

So, it was such a perfect time to stop and get my things (which were at the same building). It gave us an opportunity to pause and reminisce--just for a couple of minutes--what perfect timing, actually. I really couldn't have planned this--I had so many other things on my mind. It just HAPPENED. I mentioned to Jessica that I was picturing in my mind a photo of her on her first day of Catholic pre-school when she was sitting on the steps. Jessica assured me that she knew the exact picture and remembered precisely where she was sitting at the time. She also had the sweet idea to sit on the SAME step and have me take a picture of her. Twenty three years later. Wow!

I still can't believe she leaves tomorrow to help women on the other side of the world. Lord, have mercy. Please! Please take care of my sweet daughter, Jessica with the generous heart.

When we got back to the house I just had to look through our photo albums to find the picture. Here it is!

Not quite 3 years old on the steps of her pre-school on the first day of school.

My sweet daughter, Jessica at 26 years old the evening before she leaves for Thailand.

So hard to believe she's leaving in the morning...She'll be gone for six months...God bless her! Please.

Blessed Mother Teresa's birthday

Blessed Mother Teresa's birthday

Discovering Our Lord at home with us.

Tomorrow...

Is Our Lord at home with you? Tomorrow I'll share one of my EWTN TV segments in hopes of inspiring your heart!

Radio chat yesterday RE: pregnancy and motherhood

Here's a link to my chat with Brian Patrick yesterday discussing pregnancy and motherhood. My spot is about 3/4 through the segment. But, if you have time, listen to the whole show. God bless!
http://www.sonrisemorningshow.com/?p=763

Are we "light and salt" to the world?

All in one place!

Announcing a SALE AT MY WEBSITE and here:
As the creator and host of the "EVERYDAY BLESSINGS FOR CATHOLIC MOMS" EWTN TV series, I'd like to announce the First edition DVD is NOW AVAILABLE! It includes 25 segments of the EWTN's TV series "Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms." It's so nice to have the first 25 segments all in one place. :)

Many mother's study groups are using this DVD along with my books to gather together and learn more about their blessed vocation of motherhood as they share their Faith as a Catholic woman. This DVD is available on sale for only $15.00 with any order of ten or more books from this website to be used for a group study.

From the EWTN website: "Host Donna Marie Cooper O'Boyle shares a variety of parenting experiences with viewers. Topics range from building a strong faith base early in your children's lives, to teaching respect, promoting family values, and schooling issues. A program whose short but meaningful lessons will be much enjoyed, and easy to put into practice, by Catholic mothers, fathers, and grandparents. 1 disc. 2 hrs."



RETAIL Price each: $20.00, but on sale for $18.00 each

INTRODUCTORY SALE: Two for $30.00!

If you would like to purchase this DVD on sale for $15.00 when you purchase ten or more books for group study, please email me at DMCOBoyle@aol.com to inquire how it is done.

Tomorrow...

Stay tuned...I'll be posting one of my EWTN TV segments, sharing it right here tomorrow, hopefully inspiring Moms to be "salt and light" to their households and communities.

View from the Domestic Church: Are your "kids" getting ready to go back to college?

View from the Domestic Church: Are your "kids" getting ready to go back to college?

Back to School!

It's that time of year--sometimes dreaded, sometimes welcomed depending upon your frame of mind! :) What are your plans? Do you have any or are you merely going along with the flow of things? Can you pause to strive to fit prayer into this busy time of preparing lessons for your children or when running around purchasing school supplies and back-to-school clothes?

I'll share a back-to-school radio segment from a previous year here for your listening pleasure. In this segment I discuss with Teresa Tomeo various prayerful strategies and practical tips in sending our kids to school or college as well as for homeschooling. Enjoy it. :) Just click here to listen.

Please feel free to share (in the comment box) what your strategies are to remain prayerful at this busy time. And, please share some of your practical everyday strategies or plans. I'd love to hear from you! :)

And stay tuned. Throughout the week, I'll be posting various pertinent helpful links to back-to-school topics and aids.

View from the Domestic Church: Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine Month Novena for Mothers to Be

View from the Domestic Church: Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine Month Novena for Mothers to Be

Also, here's a link to my chat with Brian Patrick yesterday discussing pregnancy and motherhood. My spot is about 3/4 through the segment. But, if you have time, listen to the whole show. God bless!
http://www.sonrisemorningshow.com/?p=763

Are you called to holiness?

A Mom's call to holiness right in the trenches of motherhood:

RUSE: Say no to Girl Scout Cookies - Washington Times

RUSE: Say no to Girl Scout Cookies - Washington Times

This article was just mentioned by Father Benedict Groeschel on his show Sunday Night Prime. He is interviewing the author of the article and her husband. It's a shame what is going on with the Girl Scouts. I used to be a GS leader for many years and two of my daughters were Girl Scouts years ago. Things started going downhill with the Girl Scouts in about 2002. Graphic depictions of sexual activities as well as advice that abortion can be a good experience was given to ten year olds and up -- all of which came from Planned Parenthood. Deeply perverse and offensive messages were published by Planned Parenthood and given to Girl Scouts. Try to catch the Sunday Night Prime show. Or look for it on EWTN's archives or You Tube (I'll try to post it when it's available).

Here's a helpful website: http://www.girlscoutswhynot.com/

Here's another helpful website: http://www.100questionsforthegirlscouts.org/100/

Here's an alternative to Girl Scouts - the American Heritage Girls: http://www.ahgonline.org/

View from the Domestic Church: Dear Saint Joseph

View from the Domestic Church: Dear Saint Joseph

SANCTE PATER: Father Mitch Pacwa: Lack of any Spiritual Depth to...

SANCTE PATER: Father Mitch Pacwa: Lack of any Spiritual Depth to...: By GREG GARRISON - Religion News Service [Father Mitch] Pacwa said there is no chance for the visions to get approval while they're sti...

View from the Domestic Church: Death, peace, and my sister

View from the Domestic Church: Death, peace, and my sister

View from the Domestic Church: My sister

View from the Domestic Church: My sister

View from the Domestic Church: Mother Mary understands our hearts

View from the Domestic Church: Mother Mary understands our hearts

View from the Domestic Church: Mothers at Home

View from the Domestic Church: Mothers at Home

View from the Domestic Church: Recent Radio segment

View from the Domestic Church: Recent Radio segment

Radio today

Radio today

Hope you can join us today at 12:30 PM Eastern

Radio today at 12:30 Eastern. You can check it out here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/
judy-dudich/2012/07/13/embracing-motherhood-with-donna-marie?fb_ref=.T_7nOZhgpOc.like&fb_source=timeline

I'll be chatting about motherhood, grace, prayer, God's call to women, my books, and
so much more. I hope you can join us.

View from the Domestic Church: I didn't plan to go back into the Post Office

View from the Domestic Church: I didn't plan to go back into the Post Office

View from the Domestic Church: Surprise on my morning prayer walk!

View from the Domestic Church: Surprise on my morning prayer walk!

Happy Sunday!

Keeping the Lord's day holy...ENJOY!

Love, love LOVE my daughter's artwork!

I know, I know, she's my daughter. But I really do admire her creativity and imagination, not to mention her skill! You can see more of her art at her etsy site: http://www.etsy.com/shop/chaldea?ref=search_shop_redirect

Here's one of her creations titled, "Summer."

Of course, this art work is protected under copyright law.

Embracing Motherhood review

Embracing Motherhood review

Speaking of Embracing Motherhood...

Speaking of "Embracing Motherhood," would you kindly take a look at this Amazon page for my book, Embracing Motherhood and read the reviews there? If you like the review, would you please click on the little box below each review (on the lower right) to say that the review was helpful? It doesn't take very long and it helps out a lot. Oh, and if you like the book, why not click the "like" button at the top of the page on Amazon which features the book? Thanks in advance and God bless you!

Here's the link to the page:
http://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Motherhood-Donna-Marie-Cooper-Boyle/product-reviews/086716994X/ref=cm_cr_pr_top_helpful?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0