The Boston Catholic Women's Conference - an awesome event!

I returned home late last night from the Boston Catholic Women's Conference which was truly wonderful. It was a day filled with grace! I will give you some highlights later on, but now I'd like to tell you that it will be aired on Catholic TV at noon (Eastern Standard Time) today. You'll be able to see all of the speakers (myself included) and the beautiful Mass.

To find information to tune into Catholic TV from your computer or TV click here Just scroll over until you see the Boston Catholic Women's Conference and you'll also see my name which you can click on.

You can see my talk here..

The Year of the Priest

Go on over to View from the Domestic Church to read about the Year of the Priest.

"Angels of God"

I am loving Mike Aquilina's new book: Angels of God: The Bible, the Church and the Heavenly Hosts. It's very fascinating. I have a particular love for the Angels and am intrigued by Mike's book. I especially love this author's style of writing. He brings us so much enlightenment on his subjects in a wonderful conversational way. Mike helps us to discover the reality and the power of our Angel friends, escorting them seemingly ever closer to us. I really feel like I'm sitting down with Mike and chatting about the Angels over a cup of coffee every time I pick up this book to read more. I know you'll love this book and learn much too, which is why I am highly recommending it. I'll be posting a review of it soon. Stay tuned!

It's a beautiful day: feast of the Ascension!

My windows are open so that I can feel a gentle breeze and hear the birds chirping as I work at the computer - music to my ears! I also hear the crows of a distant rooster chiming in with his two cents worth. I must pry myself away from my work and go for a walk today. It's supposed to be in the 90's.

I hope you're enjoying a brand new day filled with umpteen opportunities for grace! I'll catch up with you soon. Things are busy, busy here as the school year winds down and award ceremonies and graduations to attend, a book to finish writing, and meetings galore!

Happy feast of the Ascension! I'm looking forward to Mass later.

God bless!

Donna-Marie

Grace Cafe: Serving up Recipes for Faithful Mothering Review

A review from Elena Maria:

"I started reading Grace Café by Donna-Marie Cooper-O'Boyle in Cool Beans Coffee Shop in Bellefonte on one frozen February morning. My husband and I can often be found there on Sundays while CCD classes are in progress. Cool Beans has comfortable arm chairs and a gas fireplace; it is the perfect place to curl up with a cup of coffee and read a wonderful book. It was especially suited for reading Grace Café, which further develops many of the themes put forth in The Domestic Church, but in a more personal and conversational style.

Once again, Donna-Marie shows us the meaning in the meaningless. That is, we have been convinced by the world that everything we women do in order to run a home is meaningless, since we are not bringing in a pay check to do what we do. Here are some lines that I highlighted in my copy of the book:

We live in a society where, sadly, a woman's value is most times measured by the size of her paycheck or lack of one. If a mom decides to devote her time to her family's care without pursuing outside employment, she may be considered to be less significant or inferior....

I have experienced jabs of jealousy and criticism from others at times because I was committed to raising my children full time....Others would say, 'Oh, it's nice you have the luxury to stay at home.'

Yet I believe that it is not a luxury~ it is a choice and a decision to do without some material things and comforts to be there for our little ones; it also requires putting aside our own aspirations for achievement in a particular field or direction. We have brought children into the world or accepted children through adoption, we should care for them assiduously. (pp.24-25)
While Grace Café is an immensely charming book, it takes a searing look at the attacks upon the family and upon women which masquerade as liberation.

A woman is given a role to care for others, specifically because she is a woman, because she is feminine. Femininity is a beautiful thing! Radical feminism is ugly. Woman have to realize that from their femininity will blossom many graces and blessings for society and for their families. Attempting to change a woman into a man does nothing but confuse matters and destroys families in the process....(p.96)
Since not all women are called to be mothers in the physical sense, Grace Café explores the different ways of "mothering:"

Obviously, not all women are mothers; however, they can be mothers to others in their midst because women are given motherly hearts. I know many women who are not mothers but who are mothers to so many around them. (pp.96-97)

Rich in quotations from Scripture, saints, and pontiffs, Grace Café combines simplicity and profundity in an amazing manner. With Our Lady and St. Joseph as companions, we can find holiness in the fulfillment of the everyday duties of our states of life. Even when Donna-Marie is pointing out the flaws in our society, her tone is always one of hope and encouragement; it is a book which uplifts and energizes, not just in a sentimental way, but in a manner that inspires transformation in behavior as well as in attitude."

(Visit Elena Maria's blog here)

*******

Thank you very much, Elena Maria for such a lovely review!

God bless you and your family!

Donna-Marie

Discussing "Dignitas Personae," the new Vatican document

Here is my interview this morning on Sacred Heart radio with Brian Patrick. We discussed the new Vatican document called Dignitas Personae.

Just click here to listen.

God bless!

Donna-Marie

Advent begins tomorrow!

Can you believe that Advent begins tomorrow (with the vigil tonight)? I'm planning to go up in the attic to find my Christmas decorations so that I can find my Advent wreath! I go through the same thing every year... trying to figure out which box or bin I put the Advent wreath and candles in. You would think I would mark the box or bin. That would be the sensible thing to do, after all. I always mean to do that. Maybe I will be surprised and find a box labeled "Advent wreath!"

Feast of all Saints!

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



Dear Saints, please watch over us, protect us, and intercede for us. Amen

Halloween Candy Recall

HALLOWEEN CANDY RECALLED



There is a new warning put out by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency....

Sherwood brand Pirate's Gold Milk Chocolate coins are being recalled due to the fact that they contain Melamine, the ingredient in milk product that has caused many infant (and dog) deaths in china. These candies are sold at Costco, as well as many bulk and dollar stores. please make sure to check your childrens halloween candy and DO NOT LET THEM EAT THE PIRATE COINS (you know the ones wrapped in the shiny gold foil) and please let other parents know about this!



(you can verify this on snopes: http://www.snopes. com/food/ warnings/ coins.asp)

Sturdy Totes for Carrying All of Your Stuff!

I am now offering sturdy totes for busy Moms, GrandMoms, women, and others who are dashing around with their arms full on their way to activities and such. Put your stuff in one of these cute totes and ease your carrying! Each tote will be imprinted with my blogger header artwork on each side. There will be a "Daily Donna-Marie" on one side and "Embracing Motherhood" on the other. You may request to have both sides with the same imprint if you prefer.

The colors are white or natural. Please specify when you order. The natural color is a bit thicker and is shown at the right here. The price is only $12.99 plus shipping and handling (for US orders). You may use the Pay Pal button or send $12.99 plus $3.50 shipping and handling to Donna-Marie at PO Box 773, New Milford, CT 06776, USA.

As long as we have those prayers going out...

Please also pray for two other new Catholic mother's groups who will be doing a study using my book, The Heart of Motherhood. Two women from different areas of the country - Domini will be leading one and Jane will be leading the other. Inspiration must be in the air for Catholic mothers at this time of year! Please say a prayer for their groups as they get started and as they embark on their mother's study. May God bless them all!

Thanks!

God bless!

Donna-Marie

Tune in to "Mom's Corner" on the feast of the Assumption!

Teresa Tomeo and I will be on the air on Friday, August 15th, on the wonderful feast day of The Assumption. We'll be discussing the twentieth anniversary of Mulieris Dignitatem and the beautiful feast day along with other good Catholic stuff! Tune in at 9:00 AM Eastern Standard Time on Friday by clicking here at avemariaradio.net and then click "listen live." Sit back, relax, and enjoy a cup of steaming tea or coffee or a nice tall iced tea. Talk to you soon!

God bless!
Donna-Marie

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.)

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

The Mouths of Babes

I just found this beautiful and insightful post about motherhood over at Real Womanhood.

Ela Grace said, "Without a doubt motherhood is an efficient path to holiness. Our days are spent clothing the naked and feeding the hungry. We cannot effectively teach without example so it becomes imperative that we embody patience and kindness; that we forsake jealousy, boastfulness, arrogance and rudeness. Any mother will tell you that, all too often, insisting on ones own way is an exercise in futility."

Read the remainder of her post here.