Mother Teresa and the Poor in our midst

"What struck me the most about Mother Teresa when I saw her for the first time was her diminutive size. There stood the world renowned peacemaker, lover of the world’s poor and a Nobel Peace Prize recipient — a giant — but in the body of someone not much taller than my young daughter!

I first caught sight of Blessed Teresa in the flesh a little more than twenty years ago in the Missionary of Charity convent chapel as she came in for daily Mass. I had been visiting..." (Continued at Catholic Exchange today)

"The Christmas Mystery:" my article at Catholic Exchange today

NOW WITH UPDATED LINK

Check out my Christmas article at Catholic Exchange.

Review of my book "The Domestic Church" at Catholic Exchange today

"I recently had the pleasure of reading a copy of noted author Donna Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s latest book, The Domestic Church: Room By Room, A Mother’s Study Guide. On this twentieth anniversary of Muleris Dignitatem: On the Dignity and Vacation of Women and this fortieth anniversary of Humanae Vitae: Of Human Life, Donna, presents us with an in-depth study guide on the vocation of motherhood. In this inspiring book, she instructs, guides, and encourages women to embrace the gift of motherhood and assists them in developing their vocations to the fullest by providing a personal /group retreat, enabling them to grow in holiness and share this holiness with their families.

In her warm, personal writing style, with gentle, loving care, Donna effectively draws women into a deeper understanding of their roles by taking the reader on a tour of the domestic church - the Catholic home - where each room unveils a beautiful new aspect of the mother’s vocation. In each room, she explores the truths of the Church as revealed through Scriptures, papal encyclicals, Church doctrine, and the teachings and words of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, reflecting on the implications of each as they affect the daily lives of mothers and their families..." (Continued at Catholic Exchange today)

My review of Prince Caspian

Go on over to my Daily Donna-Marie blog to read my review on Catholic Exchange today. Just click here

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.)

Keeping Prayer in Summer: A Mother's Strategy at CE today

My summer prayer article at Catholic Exchange today...

Just the thought of summer fast-approaching could bring thoughts of rest and relaxation to mind. We may recall the lazy days of summer during our youth. Summer may also mean anticipated excitement and adventure: exploring new places or trying new things.

Some families plan escapes to beaches and paradise vacations, while others may stay home and plan day trips to fun spots, the local library, or parks and recreation centers.

Summertime can be a time of well-deserved rest and also a welcome change of scenery. While making plans for our families this summer, let’s not forget about prayer. A change in schedule once we hit summertime and an eagerness to “get away from it all” could cause us to lose touch with our spiritual needs.

Prayer Strategies

One strategy to help us remain prayerful this summer is to begin each day with prayer. This simple suggestion may seem like a no-brainer to a praying individual; however the busyness of mornings and preparations for summer outings of even the well intentioned “pray-ers” can cause prayer time to become lost in the commotion.

Getting on our knees when we face each new day and giving it right over to the Lord will indeed start the day off with the proper disposition. Mothers should teach their children to do the same. A morning offering in our own words or a more formal version and prayer to our Guardian Angels at the breakfast table works very well with our captive hungry “audience!” We can offer our hearts to God throughout our days as well. Teaching our children to begin their days with prayer is an invaluable lesson that will remain with them as they grow older and navigate life on their own. Pope John Paul II emphasized the importance of family prayer

When making plans for family trips, perhaps we can think about including shrines, basilicas, and holy places in our trips. When researching places of interest for our family this summer, we can utilize the many Catholic magazines, newspapers, and websites that often highlight interesting places for pilgrimages and visits. We can attempt to attain that nice balance of nourishment for our family’s spiritual life and fun and enjoyment to relax and entertain our senses... (Continued here at Catholic Exchange)

(You can leave a comment at Catholic Exchange if you'd like)

"The School of the Home"

Check out Genevieve Kineke's article at Catholic Exchange today:

"In the domestic church, children learn a variety of things. Sharing a bathroom with siblings can be frustrating but essential to the give-and-take necessary to communal living. Finding the box of a favourite cereal emptied and trashed is familiar terrain, providing an opportunity to make sacrifices and forgive. Living with the disappointment of a busy father missing a stellar game offers the means for a child to grow in understanding in this fallen world. In each case, a strong family should remind its members to apologise, make reparation, and retool its priorities when necessary. Sometimes families are schools of hard knocks while still managing to be a haven for unconditional love.

Children encounter a host of trials in the modern world that throw them off balance — challenging their abilities to receive love and love in return. Some, like divorce and abandonment, are so overwhelming that a variety of outside resources are needed to help them cope. Stacks of new books are aimed at holding their young hands and offering sage advice and a mental framework that will help them process these shocks. The divorce manuals, explanations about death, and sweet introductions to the “new families” are now supplemented by a new title, My Beautiful Mommy, by Dr. Michael Salzhauer.

This plastic surgeon has performed hundreds of “mommy makeovers” and knows how confusing the procedure can be for children. Kids normally associate doctors with illness and bandages with trauma-so seeing their mother hospitalized and incapacitated is frightening. No so! With this helpful illustrated tool, children will know that all is well.

Or will they?..." (Continued here.)

This is why I am not an organ donor

As much as I love to help others, even with body parts, so far I have never ever felt inclined to offer my organs after my "death" for fear that my organs may be snatched before I am actually dead!

Please read this article that I found over at Catholic Exchange which is an article courtesy of LifeSiteNews.com.

"A Virginia family was shocked but relieved when their mother, Val Thomas, woke up after doctors said she was dead. 59 year-old Mrs. Thomas, while being kept breathing artificially, had no detectable brain waves for more than 17 hours. The family were discussing organ donation options for their mother when she suddenly woke up and started speaking to nurses. Ethicists have strongly criticised developments in organ donation criteria that would have made Mrs. Thomas a candidate for having her organs removed before she woke up.

At 1:30 am Saturday May 17, Mrs. Thomas’ heart had stopped beating and she had no pulse when the family called paramedics. She was without a heartbeat or oxygen for 15to 20 minutes before being put on a ventilator and transported to a Charleston, West Virginia hospital.

An attempt was made to lower her body temperature but her heart stopped three times causing doctors to estimate that her chance of survival was less than 10 per cent. The ventilator was kept running for nearly 18 hours and rigor mortis had set in while Mrs. Thomas’ family considered organ donation. The decision was taken to discontinue life support but ten minutes into the process, Mrs. Thomas moved her arm and began speaking to nurses...." (Continued here.)

Catholic Exchange and Sarah's article

Run on over to Catholic Exchange to enjoy Sarah's "Season's of the Present Moment." While you're over there, check out the new look at Catholic Exchange!

Genevieve Kineke's article in Catholic Exchange

In case you haven't had a chance to see Genevieve Kineke's article the other day at Catholic Exchange, here it is. Genevieve eloquently recounts the experience we shared at the International Congress in Rome celebrating twenty years since the Apostolic Letter Mulieris Dignitatem was penned by our dear and late holy father, Pope John Paul the Great!

"If we had held a congress on Mulieris Dignitatem twenty years ago, it would have unfolded very differently." Cardinal Rylko, President of the Pontifical Council, for the Laity made this statement at the outset of his final remarks, bringing to a close a three day International Congress which focused on John Paul II's remarkable 1988 document "On the Dignity and Vocation of Women."

Women in the conference hall, nourished throughout by a wealth of inspired presentations, nodded in agreement. They had enjoyed hearing the sublime truth of God's creation of male and female considered from a variety of angles, through the lenses of anthropology, sociology, politics, theology, history, biology, philosophy and personal experience. Each dimension underscored the beautiful truth: "God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them" (Genesis 1:27).

While some could recognize the tremendous insights of Karol Wojtyla long ago, when he first offered his thoughts on the feminine vocation, most have needed the ensuing years to take them to heart, to pray over them, and to apply them to various fields of inquiry. The time has been well-spent..." (Continued here at Catholic Exchange)

Are we letting our light shine?

I just read a beautiful story at Catholic Exchange...


Light or Darkness: Which Do You Bring?


Is 8:239:3 / 1 Cor 1:10-13, 17 / Mt 4:12-23 or 4:12-17

Some years ago there was a new eighth-grade class at the local parish school, and they were trouble!Negative and sniping, they were down on everything and everybody, most especially themselves.Nobody wanted to teach this class, until finally old Sister Ambrose volunteered.

She was a wise old nun, so she did something very simple.She gave each student a list of their classmates."Next to each name," she said, "write down all the good things you know about that person.Don't exaggerate or make up anything.Just write the good that you see and give me your papers on Friday."And so they did.

Over the weekend, Sister read the students' comments and then typed for each one a full page of all the good things the class saw in him or her.On Monday she handed them out.

The students were astonished."Is this me?" asked some. "I didn't think anybody noticed," said others."Wow, I can't believe I'm this good!" said still others.And so it went.

Years later, when the class had scattered to the four winds, many of them returned for the funeral of one of the boys who had been killed in Vietnam. After the burial they were clustered around old Sister Ambrose when the dead soldier's father came along.

"Thank you, Sister, for all your help to my boy," he said."He grew up fine, just as you hoped, and he made us very proud.Now I want to return to you something you gave him long ago in the eighth grade."

With that he pressed into her hand a yellowed piece of paper, folded very small to fit into a wallet, and falling apart now from being folded and unfolded, read and reread many times.It was the list Sister had typed for that shy boy so many years before!

Silently and tearfully each of his classmates reached into their wallets or purses and produced their own worn and yellowed sheets, which we falling apart from being folded and unfolded, read and reread many times across the years.

And old Sister Ambrose, now leaning heavily on her cane, sighed and whispered a silent prayer, "Thank you, God."


A small kindness cast its light like a beacon across many years.It pierced the darkness, and nothing could put it out.

May our light shine, and bring light to all we meet.And may it never grow dim. Amen.(Catholic Exchange)

Lisa Hendey's New Year's Podcast

Don't forget to check out Lisa Hendey's latest podcast for the New Year here. You'll also find out more about the Catholic Exchange and Cheryl Dickow's Scripture study program.

Catholic Exchange's Woman's Study

Catholic Exchange is sponsoring a woman's study that begins January 7th. It is in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's Apostolic Letter, Mulieris Dignitatem, On the Dignity and Vocation of Women.

From the website: "Are you interested in participating in a bible study but don't always have the time to attend a regularly scheduled meeting?

Would you like to connect with women around the world and share insights, support, encouragement, and opinions?..."

Hurry because this is starting soon! For more information go to Catholic Exchange.

Culture's pressure on girls

In case you'd like to leave a comment at Catholic Exchange on my article there today about the pressure on our teen and "tween" age girls, or to read the article, click here.

Dear Fr. Jack

Through tears, hugs and prayers, St. Francis Xavier parishioners bid their farewells last August to Father Jack, not only their priest, but one who had become a very dear friend, as he prepared to ship out to Iraq. Franciscan Father Jack (John) W. Hoak served as parochial vicar at that parish for several years.

He now serves as a U.S. Navy chaplain stationed near Baghdad. Offered an assignment in upstate New York, he chose instead to volunteer to serve in Iraq with his brothers and sisters who are fighting to ensure a country free of terrorism. But Father Jack never left the hearts or the feelings of St. Francis parishioners.

"Dear Father Jack" emails and letters began shortly after he left. But, at times, the communications left many of his former parishioners with an uneasy feeling about his safety. (Read my entite article on Catholic Exchange.)

A Show of Affection

Awww Mom, I'm not leaving for vacation... I'm just going to the store. I'll be back in an hour." And the door slams shut as your teen-ager leaves. You were unsuccessful in giving him a good-bye kiss. There's no need to give up trying, however. Our children really need our love and physical affection, but perhaps not always in the particular way that we may think. Our younger ones may be too busy playing for a hug or kiss and our pre-teens and teen-agers may pull away at times.

Yet, no one is too old for a hug or a kiss. Haven't psychologists told us that just for emotional survival alone, we need at least four hugs a day?

I believe it all starts in the womb — with the warm amniotic fluid caressing a baby's skin, cushioning him while his mother rocks him gently with her every move. A baby is accustomed to comfort and affection right from the very start.

We emerge into this world wanting to be comforted after a strenuous birth process. The world outside the womb is completely different than our first warm, dark, safe environment. A baby may cry because of hunger, uncomfortable temperatures or a need for a diaper change, but also because of loneliness and a need for physical contact. Sometimes, just a simple touch or caress — a hand on your baby's back, will soothe a fussy baby. At other times, he will need to be picked up, rocked, cuddled or walked to comfort him and stop his crying.

Babies cannot be spoiled by love. When a baby cries for comfort and physical contact and is left in his crib, he will learn to be distrustful about this new world. Each time your baby's cravings for affection are fulfilled, you have helped to establish his sense of confidence and trust. Continued here at Catholic Exchange.

"Light of Life," an amazing Pro-Life story

In a recent article, Mary Kochan from Catholic Exchange says:

"I have never believed that abortion was anything other than a violation of God's command against murder. Even though I grew up in a pseudo-Christian cult (Jehovah's Witnesses) I recognized that, and so, when I finally became a Protestant Christian, there was little to change in my understanding on that subject. But when I became Catholic, it was another story. Before I was "against abortion" but in becoming Catholic, I became truly pro-life.

The were two main ways that being pro-life as a Catholic differed from being "against abortion" as a Protestant: comprehending that artificial birth control perverted marriage and having the Blessed Virgin to contemplate.

As I was undergoing my conversion to the Catholic faith, Mary's maternal interest in me personally became apparent to me, and the historic images of her in art and iconography became quite interesting to me. One sees through the ages that Catholic artists have drawn their Blessed Mother close to them and close to their times with art. Unique among all images of Mary is the icon of Our Lady of Guadeloupe, painted by no human hand, but also unusual in depicting Mary as pregnant. Contemplating these representations of the Blessed Virgin in an age that has declared war upon its own unborn, it occurred to me that an image not merely depicting Mary as pregnant, but instead also showing the Divine Christ Child in her womb would be particularly fitting for our day. This impression was very strong upon me, but I am not an artist.

Nellie Edwards is an artist. When I saw her painting, "Light of Life," the very strong impression that I felt years ago was renewed and fulfilled. Here was what I had pondered in my heart a decade earlier, only strikingly more beautiful: Our Lord, fully God and fully man — fully God and fully unborn infant — is cradled in the womb of the Blessed Mother. The story of how this marvelous and startling portrait of Our Lady came to be interested me greatly, so I was eager to learn about it from the artist herself..."

What follows is an interview between Mary Kochan and the artist Nellie Edwards. It is certainly worth reading and will make your day. Please click here for the article on Catholic Exchange.

Blessed Mother Mary and Motherhood

How can the Virgin Mother of God, the first disciple, a member of the Holy Family, and the Mother of the Church also be my mother? How does the Blessed Mother's life affect mine? How can a simple mother like me aspire to imitate such an amazing mother?

When we think about Mary, we may recall instances in her life that we have learned which illustrate her gentleness, humility, holiness, and her selflessness. Images from our Catholic tradition and what we have learned from Scripture may come to mind. We are reminded of Mary as a little faithful Jewish girl praying with her people in Palestine for the coming of the Messiah, fulfilling God's promises. Mary also prayed for the restoration of Jerusalem as the gathering place of the chosen people. Mary was familiar with Isaiah's words that a virgin would conceive and bear a child called Immanuel — "God with us." Throughout her faithful prayers, however, Mary never imagined that she would be that virgin.

A Faithful and Generous Heart

We certainly recall the momentous occasion when the Angel Gabriel visited Mary when she was a teenager, announcing to her that she would become Jesus' mother (Luke 1:26-39). Because of her humility, Mary found it difficult to believe that it was she, a simple girl, who was chosen by God. When Mary took that blessing to her heart she responded with her courageous "yes" to God. Her determination and generous heart sent her shortly afterwards on a three day journey, on foot, pregnant and by herself, to help her cousin Elizabeth who was much older and also expecting a child. Joseph stayed behind with his work. Scripture tells us that Mary "went in haste to a Judean town in the hill country" (Luke 1:39). We can be sure that Mary prayed and reflected all throughout her journey, while the blessedness of Jesus dwelled within her. After Elizabeth's baby leaped in her womb upon Mary's arrival, the two women embraced. Elizabeth praised Mary for her great faith, and Mary responded with the words of the Magnificat, glorifying God's holiness, justice and mercy (Luke 1:46-55). She humbly expressed that all generations will call her blessed because of the great things the Lord had done in her (Luke 1:48-49).

Perhaps as we think about Mary, we may envision Joseph leading his beloved Mary on a donkey searching for a place for Mary to give birth to Jesus. In their simplicity of traveling mode, Mary was jostled around on the donkey's back, praying to be able to fulfill her mission and bring forth her Son, the Redeemer of the world. We know that the innkeeper turned the holy parents away. Joseph and Mary proceeded in haste to the stable in Bethlehem where soon afterwards Jesus' infant cries were comforted at His mother's breast as Joseph looked on, praising God. Jesus, who is our King and Savior was paradoxically born into poverty, resting in a wooden manger of hay, hardly what is expected for a King's birth. Angels sent simple shepherds to Mary and Joseph to see their holy baby. Mary "treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19)

Through the hidden years, we can imagine Mary teaching Jesus on her knee in the warmth of their humble home. As Jesus grew, Mary surely encouraged her Son to help Joseph in his trade as a carpenter. Mary's faith deepened in the cenacle of prayer that she fostered in the heart of her home, caring for her Son within their Holy Family. She must have shared with him about the Angel's words to her, about His birth in Bethlehem, and Simeon's prophesy.

Read my entire article at Catholic Exchange today.

Informative article by Heidi Hess Saxton about "Abuse-Proofing" your children

The ABCs of Abuse-Proofing Your Children
By Heidi Hess Saxton

"After my article on the HPV vaccine was published on CE, the director of teen ministry at my parish got in touch with me, and we began a series of thoughtful yet matter-of-fact exchanges about the best way to keep young Catholic women from experiencing life-long consequences due to what are often immature impulses. Two scenarios that we touched upon hit especially close to home for me: sexual assault (including "date rape") and domestic violence — the seeds of which are often sewn early in the relationship.

In the article that follows, I tell the story of "Karen." Though names have been changed, her story is true. It is my hope and prayer that parents reading this will be inspired to talk with their children — particularly their daughters — about staying safe..." Read her entire article at Catholic Exchange.

Newsy Wednesday

Infant formula recalled:

Visit Catholic Exchange for an article about an infant formula recall.

Planned Parenthood reaps lots of cash by killing innocent babies:

Visit Catholic Exchange today for an article about Planned Parenthood and their profits from killing babies.

Don't allow abortion funding in family planning programs:

Visit Catholic Online for an article about family planning programs and abortion funding.

Could we perhaps afford a dollar, too?
Please visit Catholic Online for an article about a Boston shrine (existing on a shoestring) that ministers to the body and spirit.