Please take a moment to watch and pass this on!

The Hour of Decision from Mark Mallett on Vimeo.

If you feel that this video is worthy of being passed on, please send the link to my blog post to your friends and family. I think it's powerful. I realize that this is the eleventh hour regarding the presidential election and I hope and pray that all faithful Catholics and Christians are storming Heaven with prayers and offering penance and sacrifice about this election. Please continue to pray and do your part to help others to see the light. By God's grace, it IS possible.

God bless you!!

Donna-Marie

The Commemoration of All Souls

"We know our union with the brethren who have died in the grace and faith of Christ is not the least weakened or interrupted by their death. On the contrary it is strengthened by our conveying spiritual goods for their benefit."~Second Vatican Council Lumen Gentium, 49

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

Review by Nicole in Germany

A very special gift for a very special period of life


"The book Prayerfully Expecting is an outstanding book on the period of pregnancy. It gives you both useful information on what is going on inside of you (which I, being a doctor myself, especially appreciated) and spiritual guidance. It really helped me to firm my relationship to my child in the first weeks and months.

Written as a nine-month novena it is easy to pray. Additionally, I have to mention the beautiful illustrations by the author´s daughter, Chaldea Emerson. I haven´t seen any similar book in Germany, where I live, so far."

***

Thank you very much, Nicole for your fine review. I am very happy that my book served you well. May God bless you and your beautiful new baby and your family in great abundance!

Donna-Marie

The Eleventh Hour Video by Fr. Corapi

EWTN's Fr. Corapi just made a video regarding the upcoming election. His video expounds upon what Bishop Rene H. Gracida boldly stated in a recent radio spot. (He is the Bishop that ordained Fr. Corapi a Deacon).

Bishop Rene H. Gracida's statement:
"This is Bishop Rene H. Gracida, reminding all Catholics that they must vote in this election with an informed conscience. A Catholic cannot be said to have voted in this election with a good conscience if they have voted for a pro-abortion candidate. Barack Hussein Obama is a pro-abortion candidate."

You can view Fr. Corapi's video by clicking here. It's in 3short segments. It's very good and I encourage you to watch it and pass it on to your friends and family.

Borders Book Signing for my Two New Books!

Well, my two new books are now officially launched! They are The Domestic Church: Room by Room and Grace Cafe: Serving Up Recipes for Faithful Mothering.


The best part of the book signing was shortly after my daughter, Jessica arrived from the train from college. She was able to steal away some time from college for my celebration. Jessica hadn't seen my books yet because she was away. So, she picked them up and started to flip through them with her sister, Mary-Catherine. They were reading them at my table! Jessica teasingly said, "Hey! There's a whole blurb in here (The Domestic Church) on Mary-Catherine!" And I said, "Jess, there's a whole blurb on you in Grace Cafe about when you went to India." :) As they read parts about themselves, they smiled or laughed. I tried to capture it with my camera, however, instead I got a couple of hamming it up pictures. :) But it was lots of fun! Of course, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting all of the people who came to my table.







Afterwards, we went out to a favorite Japanese restaurant to have a hibachi dinner to celebrate. We enjoyed our time together, and had lots of laughs. I tried a glass of plum wine for the first time and found it to be delicious!

The only bad part about the day was that I was missing my son, Joseph who couldn't make it home from college this time since he had so much going on with midterms, essays, newspaper meetings, and rehearsals for a play. But we'll soon be together at a celebration in his honor at his college for being on the Dean's list! Way to go, Joseph!


By the way, the daughter all the way to the right in the restaurant picture is my famous illustrator, Chaldea! She illustrated the cover of my new book, The Domestic Church: Room by Room! She has also illustrated my Prayerfully Expecting book and parts of The Heart of Motherhood!

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)

Heaven Isn't Too Far Away

The National Catholic Register

Heaven Isn’t Too Far Away

All Saints Day Reminds Us What’s at Stake — and Within Reach

BY JOSEPH PRONECHEN

October 26-November 1, 2008 Issue | Posted 10/21/08 at 9:48 AM

All Saints Day, a solemn feast of the Church, is practically as old as the saints themselves. Its roots reach to the fourth century, when the Church began celebrating a common day for all martyrs. In the eighth and ninth centuries, Popes Gregory III and Gregory IV set the celebration for Nov. 1 and extended it to commemorate not just the martyred, but also all persons, known and unknown, whose sanctity in this life assured them a place in heaven for all eternity.

Members of the “Church Militant” — that would be us — can thus be assured that the “Church Triumphant” is praying for our salvation with the power of the full beatific vision before them.

Maybe even more important, their feast reminds us of the Church’s unmistakable nudge to our consciences: If those everyday folks could do it, so can we. “‘All Christians in any state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity,’ the Catechism reminds us (No. 2013). “All are called to holiness …”

“When we think of saints, we tend to think of the greatest ones — martyrs, mystics, founders of religious orders,” says author Thomas Craughwell. “Few of us are going to do what they did. But heaven is crowded with saints we do not know, ordinary people who became saints.” Craughwell’s books include Saints Behaving Badly: The Cutthroats, Crooks, Trollops, Con Men, and Devil-Worshippers Who Became Saints (Doubleday, 2006) and This Saint’s for You!: 300 Heavenly Allies Who Will Change Your Life (Quirk Books, 2007); he’s also online at TomCraughwell.com. He points to the heroic holiness of unknowns such as St. Zita, a 13th-century housekeeper — and to the often-overlooked humanity of the most celebrated.

St. Joseph, for example, is one of the most important figures in salvation history. Yet, Craughwell points out, “He’s not a martyr or a mystic. He doesn’t say a single word in the Gospels, and he performs no miracles. He’s a family man, a working man — but he’s completely faithful in obeying the will of God.”

Easier said than done? Sure. But absolutely doable, as Blessed Teresa of Calcutta daily reminded us by her words and her actions. Catholic writer and speaker Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, who knew Mother Teresa as a friend, says she often quotes a slice of simple wisdom that the saintly nun frequently repeated: “Holiness is not the luxury of a few. It is everyone’s duty: yours and mine.”

Cooper O’Boyle, author of two new books on Catholic mothering and homemaking (both published by the Register’s sister company Circle Press; see CirclePress.org and DonnaCooperOboyle.com), stresses that she strives to live Blessed Teresa’s message not only in her work, but also in her vocation as a wife and mother... (Continued here)

Appropriate words for our nation from the late Pope Paul VI

"If evils increase, the devotion of the People of God should also increase. And so, venerable brothers, we want you to take the lead in urging and encouraging people to pray ardently to our most merciful mother Mary by saying the Rosary during the month of October."~Pope Paul VI

Let's hope that tons of rosaries are being said about our nation's election!

My interview with Doug Keck on EWTN's Bookmark is here

If you didn't get a chance to watch the recent EWTN's Bookmark segment in which Doug Keck interviewed me about four of my books: Prayerfully Expecting, The Heart of Motherhood, Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers and Catholic Saints Prayer Book, you can listen by clicking here. Then go to page 8 and go to audio # 212.

Another Book Give-Away!

I think we need to have another Book Give-Away, don't you?



Stay tuned!

God bless your day!

St. Teresa of Avila's Feast Day

Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.--St. Teresa of Avila

My interview withDoug Keck on EWTN's Bookmark

In case you didn't get a chance to catch this morning's episode of EWTN's Bookmark in which I was interviewed, you can see it at another time this week. These are the show times listed on the EWTN's Bookmark website: "Sun 9:30 am ET • Mon 5:00 am ET • Wed 5:30 pm ET • Sat 9:00 pm ET." For those who don't have access to EWTN TV, you may click on the EWTN button that I have in the columns of all of my blogs to watch the show.

God bless your day!

Donna-Marie

I will be on EWTN's Bookmark TV show on Sunday

Check out this Sunday's EWTN's Bookmark show for a segment with me interviewed by the wonderful Doug Keck! It will air at 9:30 AM Eastern Standard Time.

“The thread running through both of your books on preparing for motherhood,” Doug says to author Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, “is John Paul II’s observation that women are more capable than men of paying attention to another person, and that motherhood develops this predisposition even more.” Both Prayerfully Expecting and The Heart of Motherhood stress the important role women play as a source of love, guidance, solace, and comfort for all around her. Cooper O’Boyle indeed seeks to restore pride to the title of “mother” in our world, and her commitment to promoting the dignity of women is captured on this week’s Bookmark."


Doug and I also discuss my books, Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers and Cathilc Saints Prayer Book

For more information go to EWTN's Bookmark website here.

God bless!

Donna-Marie

Just TOO cute!

(special thanks to my MIL for the pic)

Until October 31st: Get Both Books and SAVE!

BE THE FIRST TO GET AUTOGRAPHED COPIES! You may preorder both new books at a special BOOK LAUNCH savings! Normally both books together would be $33.90 (plus shipping and handling). Through this special you will receive BOTH books, autographed, for $30.00 (plus shipping and handling)!



The Pay Pal buttons are installed. You may use Pay Pal or send a check or money order to Donna-Marie at PO Box 773, New Milford, CT 06776, USA. Shipping and handling will be $12.50 for buying BOTH books at this special BOOK LAUNCH savings! Hurry because this special lasts only until October 31st!

On orders of 10 copies or more (for group studies) there is a 10% discount and an adjusted shipping and handling fee by using this Pay Pal button (only for orders of 10 copies of The Domestic Church Room By Room or more). Or you may contact me at DMCOBoyle(at)aol(dot)com to let me know how many books you would like and I will get back to you with the total and the shipping and handling price. You may also send a check or money order for total of books needed minus the 10% discount and then add $3.00 (adjusted ship. and hand. price) per book. Again, I can also give you the total if you email me.

Beautiful feast day today: Our Lady of the Rosary

What a beautiful day today is! The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

"Pope St. Pius V established this feast in 1573. The purpose was to thank God for the victory of Christians over the Turks at Lepanto—a victory attributed to the praying of the rosary. Clement XI extended the feast to the universal Church in 1716.
The development of the rosary has a long history. First, a practice developed of praying 150 Our Fathers in imitation of the 150 Psalms. Then there was a parallel practice of praying 150 Hail Marys. Soon a mystery of Jesus' life was attached to each Hail Mary. Though Mary's giving the rosary to St. Dominic is recognized as unhistorical, the development of this prayer form owes much to the followers of St. Dominic. One of them, Alan de la Roche, was known as "the apostle of the rosary." He founded the first Confraternity of the Rosary in the 15th century. In the 16th century the rosary was developed to its present form—with the 15 mysteries (joyful, sorrowful and glorious). In 2002, Pope John Paul II added the Mysteries of Light to this devotion." (From Saint of the Day)

This morning's segment of "Mom's Corner"

To hear this morning's segment of "Mom's Corner" with Teresa Tomeo and I 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.

Book Give Away on "Mom's Corner!

Tune in this morning to my "Mom's Corner" segment on "Catholic Connection" with Teresa Tomeo. Four lucky call ins will receive a copy of my book, Grace Cafe: Serving Up Recipes for Faithful Mothering!

Tune in at 9:15 AM Eastern Standard Time by clicking here at avemariaradio.net and then click "listen live." Talk to you soon. :)


I hope you'll join us!

God bless!

Donna-Marie

"Mom's Corner" on Monday!

Join me on Monday to sit down with your cup of coffee or tea and sit in on my "Mom's Corner" segment with Teresa Tomeo "Catholic Connection." You'll have an opportunity to call in too. I hope you will join us for a lively discussion about the Catholic faith, my new books coming out in a little over a week and some fun too!

Tune in at 9:15 AM Eastern Standard Time by clicking here at avemariaradio.net and then click "listen live." Talk to you soon. :)

God bless your day!

Donna-Marie

"WISP Live" Radio segment this morning...

I will be posting the segment of this morning's program soon. In the mean time you may check the archives here.

I'll be on "WISP Live" on Holy Spirit Radio Friday morning...

October 3, 2008, 10:15 to 10:55 AM (EST)
Holy Spirit Radio - tune in here
“WISP Live” with Patrick McCabe and Janet Napoli
http://www.holyspiritradio.org/
Doylestown, PA

Our Guardian Angels

On this feast of the Guardian Angels I'd like to take a moment to reflect on these powerful intercessors and friends.

My friend and former spiritual director, Fr. John A. Hardon SJ (now deceased) has said in his book, Theology of Prayer (St. Paul Editions) "The angels are pure spirits who have no bodies like our own but they are persons no less than we. They are intelligent beings whom God has brought into being to praise, love and serve Him no less than us. They are the angels who proved their loyalty to God and are now in heaven with God, never to be separated from him. Their role in God's plan for the universe, and how this bears emphasis, is to serve our needs. They are literally the guardians of the human race.And it is part of our faith that each one of us has his or her own guardian spirit...Within the realm of created beings the angels are more like God because they are pure creatures having no body, but they are also like us because we too have a mind and a will, so we can talk to the angels. The angels are providential intermediaries between God, whose vision they already enjoy, and mankind, whom they are entrusted to lead to the vision not yet attained. We therefore have not only the privilege but the duty to talk with the angels in easy, intimate and frequent conversation."

Are we conversing with out Guardian Angels? Frequently? We should be. They are our friends and powerful intercessors! Most of us have no idea of the magnitude of the blessing of the Angels. We should not squander the privilege of conversation with them. They help us immensely. We can send our Angel before us in the case of an important meeting or situation. Our Angel will "pave the way." We should teach our children to pray to their Guardian Angels frequently. As a parent, we can pray to our infant's and children's Guardian Angels on their behalf. Each family has a separate Guardian Angel that watches over the family too.

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here. Ever this day (night) be at my side to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

Take a look at this!

Roses for St. Therese!

(roses from my garden)
***

"O my Beloved, this grace was only the prelude to the greatest graces You wished to bestow upon me. Allow me, my only Love, to recall them to You today, today which is the sixth anniversary of our union. Ah, my Jesus, pardon me if I am unreasonable in wishing to express my desires and longings which reach even unto infinity. Pardon me and heal my soul by giving her what she longs for so much!



To be Your Spouse, to be a Carmelite, and by my union with You to be the Mother of souls, should not this suffice me? And yet it is not so. No doubt, these three privileges sum up my true vocation: Carmelite, Spouse, Mother, and yet I feel within me other vocations. I feel the vocation of the warrior, the priest, the apostle, the doctor, the martyr. Finally, I feel the need and the desire of carrying out the most heroic deeds for You, O Jesus. I feel within my soul the courage of the crusader, the papal guard, and I would want to die on the field of battle in defense of the Church... (Continued at Fr. James's blog)

Worldwide Rosary Event for the Unborn

The WORLDWIDE ROSARY FOR UNBORN BABIES prayer event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 18th, 2008. You are invited to participate by praying the Rosary during the 9:00 a.m. hour for the following intention: For an end to the surgical and non-surgical killing of unborn babies. This worldwide prayer event is being organized by the Saint Michael the Archangel Organization(www.SaintMichaelTheArchangelOrganization.org * P. O. Box 41257; Memphis, Tennessee 38174; United States of America)

Take a look at this powerful 3 minute video!

For more information about Catholic vote, visit here.

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.

This morning I'll be on the radio with Brian Patrick!

September 22, 2008, 8:40 AM (EST)
Sacred Heart Radio
"Son Rise Morning Show"
with Brian Patrick
http://sonrisemorningshow.blogspot.com/
Cincinnati, Ohio

Grace Cafe: Coming in October!

Now available for pre-order!


From The National Catholic Register:

Grace Café
Serving Up Recipes for Faithful Mothering
By Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle

"Ever wish you had a cookbook for life as a Catholic wife and mother … a step-by-step guide for various “domestic church” situations? Consider your prayers answered. The recipe theme may be lighthearted, fun even, but there’s real nourishment to be had in this wonderful dish too. Inspiriting entrees — practical ways Catholic women can live out their familial vocation — are seasoned with simple suggestions for answering Christ’s universal call to holiness. Lovely poems conclude each chapter on a note of warmth that will lift hearts beyond the kitchen and point mothers straight toward heaven.

Widely published and deeply experienced in both family life and religious life, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle counted Blessed Teresa of Calcutta among her personal friends. She maintains numerous websites and has founded several Catholic apostolates and ministries."
*************************************************************************

We should be in an uproar over this!

There's been much discussion since the recent disgusting remarks and downright filthy verbal attacks from Russell Brand the Host of the MTV Music Awards at the Jonas Brothers. Brand made several rude and very inappropriate comments because of the Jonas Brothers' vow to remain chaste and of their being open about their beliefs by visibly wearing "promise rings." Brand's lack of tact and lack of respect for anyone with values and beliefs targets teens and tweens all over.

Brand's actions were a disgrace and unfortunately many parents allow their kids to watch MTV and be influenced by it. Parents need to be more vigilant about preventing filth from entering into their homes - their "domestic churches." The difficulty is that these young tweens and teens want to see their favorite music groups win awards and to do so they are subjected to a bunch of muck from hosts that seemingly lack consciences.

Once, I actually PAID the cable company to take the MTV channel out of my house! The MTV channel was part of the line up of channels that come to the house and in order to get rid of it, they required me to pay them thirty dollars to take it off! I had it removed not because I feared my children would watch it sneakily. Rather it was because I did not want that filth in my house!

Many bloggers are writing about the recent event at the MTV Music Awards and many Christian parents are up in arms because of it and they SHOULD be! While I did not watch the show (As I have said, don't allow the viewing of MTV at my home, yet no one here wants to see it either), I know that the show was an atrocity attacking purity in the youth and moral values in everyone since the host also made remarks about the candidates in the upcoming election and more.


I have to say that I admire Jordan Sparks for her remark, putting the host in his place. While some do not like her choice of one word, I feel she said what was on her heart and mind in a quick moment to address the disparaging and hurtful attacks. I'm sure that she wanted to get a good message out there to the young who were watching that it's not a bad thing to be pure and chaste. It's a very good thing.

What's on your mind? Did you see the show? I know some parents watched it to see what their kids may be watching when they are older. Speak up, now is your chance. What did you think? Or what did you think about the whole scenario even if you didn't see Russell Brand in action. By the way, "Brand has been arrested 11 times, once for indecent exposure,” said Erik Whittington, director of Rock for Life. “He appears to care more about making crude jokes to gain attention than he does offending who choose to live a lifestyle different from his own lascivious past.”

Here's the American Papist's sentiments on the ordeal with a link to a news article. Another article here. Film clip of Jordan Sparks with her "rebuke" of Russell Brand is here.


So, what's your take on this? Please feel free to comment. Let's continue prayers ALWAYS for our youth.

God bless!

Donna-Marie

Special Prayer to Our Blessed Mother for those in the path of the hurricane

Litany of Our Lady of Prompt Succor

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.

Mother of the Infant Jesus, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of all who invoke you with confidence, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of all who are devout toward the Infant Jesus, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for obtaining a lively faith, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for sustaining the hope of Christians, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for obtaining and persevering in charity, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for observing the law of God, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for observing perseverance in virtue and good works, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every spiritual necessity, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the revolt of self-will, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor in the occasion of sin, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every temptation, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the evil spirit, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for obtaining contrition, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of those wishing to re-enter the path of salvation, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for the conversion of sinners, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every temporal necessity, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every affliction, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of afflicted families, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of the sick and the poor, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor against contagious diseases and epidemics, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every accident, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor against destruction by fire, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor against lightning and tempest, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor against destruction by flood, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of travelers, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of navigators, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of the shipwrecked, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the enemies of our country, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor in time of war, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of those aspiring to the holy priesthood and the religious life, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of laborers in the Lord's vineyard, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of missionaries who spread the faith, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of our Holy Father the Pope, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for those searching for the faith, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the enemies of the Church, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor at the hour of death, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for the deliverance of the souls in purgatory, pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

V: Our Lady of Prompt Succor, pray for us.

R: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

O Almighty and Eternal God, Who sees us surrounded by so many dangers and miseries, grant in Your infinite goodness that the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Your Divine Son, may defend us from the evil spirit and protect us against all adversities, that always and with prompt succor she may deliver us from every evil of soul and body, and safely guide us to the kingdom of heaven, through the merits of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

Contemplation:

If our eyes are always on heaven and God, at the end of life we will find ourselves in His Presence.

(Recitation of the Rosary)

Imprimatur:
Joseph F. Rummel
Archbishop of New Orleans.
New Orleans.
February 11, 1936.

Pre-ordering "The Domestic Church: Room by Room!

You are now able to pre-order The Domestic Church: Room by Room! It is scheduled to be released around mid October. This book is a Catholic mother's study guide which can be participated in a group setting, sharing faith and insights with other Catholic mothers or studied individually. It is 256 pages long!

From the National Catholic Register:
The Domestic Church Room by Room
By Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle

"Pope John Paul II wrote that the “little domestic Church, like the greater Church, needs to be constantly and intensely evangelized: hence its duty regarding permanent education in the faith.” That’s a tall order for busy Catholic mothers. You might even say it’s as big as a house: You wouldn’t want to clean the whole thing in one fell swoop but, if you take it one room at a time, you’ll get the job done. In a systematic course that’s equally useful for groups and individuals, this talented author shows how to remodel your home after the spiritual design of Holy Mother Church.

Widely published and deeply experienced in both family life and religious life, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle counted Blessed Teresa of Calcutta among her personal friends. She maintains numerous websites and has founded several Catholic apostolates and ministries."

*********************************************************************************


This book retails for $18.95. I am offering a 10% discount on all pre-orders that come in on or before September 30th! I will be setting up Pay Pal soon. In the meantime, you may email me at DMCOBoyle(at)aol(dot)com to order. I will give you details in an email regarding the shipping and handling and address to send the payment to.

On orders of 10 copies or more (for group studies) there is a 10% discount and adjusted shipping and handling fee by using this Pay Pal button (only for orders of 10 copies of The Domestic Church Room By Room or more).

The Domestic Church: Room by Room

Ta Da!! More later, stay tuned!

God bless and hugs,

Donna-Marie

Mother of all Mothers! Happy Birthday!!

"The Church has celebrated Mary's birth since at least the sixth century. A September birth was chosen because the Eastern Church begins its Church year with September. The September 8 date helped determine the date for the feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8 (nine months earlier).
Scripture does not give an account of Mary's birth. However, the apocryphal Protoevangelium of James fills in the gap. This work has no historical value, but it does reflect the development of Christian piety. According to this account, Anna and Joachim are infertile but pray for a child. They receive the promise of a child that will advance God's plan of salvation for the world. Such a story (like many biblical counterparts) stresses the special presence of God in Mary's life from the beginning.

St. Augustine connects Mary's birth with Jesus' saving work. He tells the earth to rejoice and shine forth in the light of her birth. "She is the flower of the field from whom bloomed the precious lily of the valley. Through her birth the nature inherited from our first parents is changed." The opening prayer at Mass speaks of the birth of Mary's Son as the dawn of our salvation and asks for an increase of peace." (from Saint a Day)

Blessed Mother Teresa's feast day!

"Dear Jesus, help me to spread Thy fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Thy spirit and love. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Thine."


(Mother Teresa's Daily Prayer, by Cardinal Newman)

***

Here are two previous radio segments where I speak about Mother Teresa My book, Prayerfully Expecting and how I met Mother Teresa,

And Addressing the comments in the media about Mother Teresa's supposed "crisis of faith,"

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

Special prayers going out today for newly formed mother's group!

I am praying for Kim, a Catholic mother in Texas who has decided to start a Catholic mother's group after reading two of my books! God bless you Kim! She will conduct her first meeting tomorrow (Friday) and will do a study on my book, The Heart of Motherhood: Finding Holiness in the Catholic Home. Please say a prayer for Kim and her group as they embark on their study of the vocation of Catholic motherhood and meet together as sisters in Christ!

A copy of Kim's review that appears at Barnes & Noble.Com appears below.

LIFE CHANGING!
Kim Venneman Cooper, A reviewer, 04/29/2008

I am a mother of 3 children ages 3 and under and have read THE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD and it has truly changed my life! The author's outlook on the vocation of motherhood could only have come from the Holy Spirit....Donna Marie Cooper Oboyle's writings are awe inspiring. I encourage all mothers to read this book. It is easy reading and one you can't put down. The writings of this book are ones you remember in the middle of the night when you are up with sick children and want to break down and cry or the days you don't know how you are going to make it through the day....the voice of this book sticks with you and truly helps you become a better mother and helps you to live a holy life at home. IT is a reminder of the true vocation of motherhood that has been lost in today's society. I am starting a mother's group at my church based on this book because the message is so powerful that all mothers need to be touched, encouraged and inspired by the words of this book, especially in today's world!

*****************************************************************

Thank you, Kim for your very kind words. Most especially, thank you for your courage to go forward to gather women together to work together to understand the beauty and holiness hidden in an ordinary yet extraordinary vocation! I'm praying for you and your group!

God bless and hugs,

Donna-Marie

Overheard in the "domestic church"

No names mentioned here. :)

A college student getting ready to return to classes at an away college for his fall semester called out from his bedroom for his Mom. He wanted her advice. He was packing up his clothes and things and would be leaving the following day.

"Do you think I should bring a jacket or just these sweatshirts?"

The Mom, of course wanting him to be warm answered, "Take the jacket, because it has been getting cold these last few nights. You may need it."

The son said, "Well, I'll be okay with these sweatshirts. The jacket is kind of bulky."

He then asked, "How may pairs of underwear do you think I should pack?"

"Seven," the Mom said.

The son looked at his Mom with a look that almost screamed, "Are you kidding me?"

The Mom, interpreting the look said, "Well, how often do you do your laundry?"

Again, no answer, but a look that spoke loud and clear. A look only a Mom could decipher.

"Well, then, I think you should bring fourteen," she answered.

They both then broke out into broad smiles!

From Steven Mosher at Catholic Exchange today

"Already notorious for its unconditional embrace of abortion, the Democratic Party has now managed to adopt a position on the paramount life issue that is, if anything, even more extreme. The new platform adopted in Denver states that the Party “strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade and a woman’s right to choose a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay, and we oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right.”

Past Democratic Party platforms had managed to at least sound moderate by invoking the formulation, popularized by Bill Clinton, that the party’s goal was to make abortion “safe, legal, and rare.” The problem arose with the word “rare,” which important elements of the party’s political base seem to have found offensive. It certainly grated on the sensibilities of feminists, the more radical of whom regard abortion not as something to be avoided but as a positive act of liberation from conventional sex roles, a bloody rite of passage into their own largely barren ranks. Even pro-choice feminists of a more moderate persuasion were unhappy at the moral judgment implicit in the call to make abortion “rare.” They may not have regarded abortion as an unmitigated good, but they were certainly unhappy with anyone who suggested that it was in any way unsavory.

The abortion industry, led by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, was equally unhappy with Ma and Pa... (Continued here.)

Building my website once again!

Due to a data base error, my main website is missing in action! I have to rebuild my site and years of work is missing at the moment. I'd like to give you an address to a temporary site. I will soon have this new site connected to my old website's address. This is a start. The header will be different as will lots of other things. At least it is a new beginning! Go and take a look by clicking here!

God bless your holiday week end!

Donna-Marie

Busy for me and good news for you!

It was a very busy summer. I completed two books that will be released for Catholic and Christian Moms, StepMoms, Adoptive Moms, Grandmoms, FosterMoms, and Godmothers! One is a mother's (and all of the kinds of mothers I mentioned) study guide and will be out early October and published by Circle Press. It's called, The Domestic Church: Room by Room. The other is called, Grace Cafe: Serving Up Recipes for Faithful Mothering and is an inspirational book for Catholic and Christian Moms, StepMoms, Adoptive Moms, Grandmoms, FosterMoms, and Godmothers! This book is also being published by Circle Press and will be released early October too! So, stay tuned and check out my blogs "Embracing Motherhood," "Daily Donna-Marie," and "Moments of Inspiration With Your Favorite Saints" for more information about how to preorder, order, and how you can win a book in a contest! Come on over for a visit. :)


God bless!


Donna-Marie

PS I'll post cover images and more information when it becomes available.

Faith and Culture show tomorrow morning on EWTN: Be there!

I'll be featured on Faith and Culture with host, Colleen Carroll Campbell, Teresa Tomeo, and Genevieve Kineke on Sunday at 10:30 AM Eastern Standard Time and also again on Wednesday night (same show). This week will be the last in the 4 part series of roundtable discussions of Mulieris Dignitatem and women and the Church. I hope you can tune in. Check out more information about these programs in another post below this one.

God bless!

Donna-Marie

Good news for Moms!

I will be telling you about some exciting news I have for Moms and Grandmoms, Godmothers, and StepMoms coming up very soon!

Stay tuned!

God bless your day!

Donna-Marie

I will be on EWTN Sunday morning and at other times coming up

(photo of the American delegates who attended the congress in Rome earlier this year and who are on the shows)

Just a quick note to let you know that I will be on EWTN television tomorrow and Wednesday, as well as the following Sunday and Wednesday. The times I will give here are for Eastern Standard Time. You'll have to check for your own area.

Additionally I do have a little "button" in the right hand column of my blogs to view EWTN television right from your computer if you are living in an area without EWTN, such as my friend, Heidi who is in Alaska. So, be sure to check the "button" out.

Here is the info copied from my blogs:



"Faith & Culture" is scheduled to air throughout August! (Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time and Wednesdays at 11 p.m. Eastern Time). If you don't have EWTN, you can also watch the shows on the Internet at those times. They will also eventually re-air on radio.

Here are the dates you can expect to see the shows on TV:

August 3 and 6: Women's Round table on Mulieris Dignitatem; episode one (Dale, Genevieve, Elizabeth)

August 10 and 13: Women's Round table on Mulieris Dignitatem; episode two (Dale, Genevieve, Teresa)

August 17 and 20: Women's Round table on Mulieris Dignitatem; episode three (Genevieve, Elizabeth, Donna)

August 24 and 27: Women's Round table on Mulieris Dignitatem; episode four (Teresa, Donna, Elizabeth)


I hope that your summer is going well!



God bless you!

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.)

Humanae Vitae: Forty Years Later

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

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

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

"Mom's Corner" Radio segment!

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

God bless your day!

Donna-Marie

Castitas: A young single women's group

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

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

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

God bless!

Donna-Marie

A Review of Catholic Prayer Book For Mothers

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

Something to Help Us Mothers Along

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

***

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

May God bless you and your beautiful family!

Hugs,

Donna-Marie

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

We're on the air on Tuesday morning (tomorrow)! I hope you can tune in! You can actually tune in from your computer by clicking here and then click "listen live." Teresa Tomeo and I will be doing our "Mom's Corner" segment at 9:15 AM Eastern Standard Time.

What are your thoughts right now about a mothering issue? What would you like to hear us discuss on Tuesday morning or at another upcoming segment? Don't be shy! Send me a comment to this post or if you'd rather in an email, send it to DMCooperOBoyle(at) aol(dot)com.

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

Talk to you soon!

God bless and Hugs,
Donna-Marie

Review: Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

Coming next: My review of her Catholic Saints Prayer Book


***

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

May God bless your family in great abundance!

Hugs,

Donna-Marie

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

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

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

So what are you waiting for?

God bless you!

Donna-Marie

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

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

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

Blessings on your week end!

Donna-Marie