View from the Domestic Church: What's on your mind?

In addition to my books

I have written for the English edition of L'Osservatore Romano (Vatican newspaper)

The National Catholic Register, Catholic World Report, Our Sunday Visitor (national) newsweekly, Columbia Magazine, The Catholic Transcript, The News Times, The New Milford Times, Hearth magazine, Canticle magazine, Lay Witness magazine, Faith & Family magazine, CarbLite magazine, On the Web - many areas, including Catholic Exchange, Catholic Online, Catholic Lane, Catholic Mom, and a parenting column for Irish Family Press (print edition), a Catholic weekly newspaper published in Ireland as well as the online format. My work appears in many foreign publications as well (Nigeria, Singapore, Africa, Russia, and more).

A Catholic Woman's Book of Prayers

With all the mixed messages that women receive from society today, women can be distracted from--and even unreceptive to--the deep and abiding love that Christ has for them. Whether single or married, religious or consecrated, parenting children, or spiritually mentoring others, women need to know that the Lord understands the many challenges they face, their desire for inspiration, and, above all, their need to be affirmed as women.Through this book of original and traditional prayers from one of the top ten most fascinating Catholics of 2009 as rated by Faith & Family Live, women can realize God's divine Love, thrive in inspiration from Saints and the Church and rest in the affirmation of the "feminine genius." (order above by clicking book image at top of page)

First and foremost educator

"Since parents have conferred life on their children, they have a most solemn obligation to educate their offspring. Hence, parents must be acknowledged as the first and foremost educators of their children. Their role as educators is so decisive that scarcely anything can compensate for their failure in it. For it devolves on parents to create a family atmosphere so animated with love and reverence for God and others that a well-rounded personal and social development will be fostered among children. Hence, the family is the first school of those social virtues which every society needs."--Gravissimum Educationis (one of the documents of the Second Vatican Council)

Love for Laundry: Folding Hail Mary’s
Laundry: a never-ending task,
Looming over me, growing beside me,
Requiring my time and lots of energy.
How can a mother embrace this job?
Quietly, I pray.
Folding my family’s clothes,
I think of them and of you, Lord.
Thankful for this blessing;
The awesome privilege
Of caring for them!
Dear Lord, please grant me all of the graces I need to see the hidden treasure in housework and in caring for my family!
(excerpted from my book: Grace Cafe: Serving Up Recipes for Faithful Mothering, Circle Press)

Monday, June 8, 2009

What's on your mind?

I remember vividly the lazy days of summer as a kid. I enjoyed the relaxed pace and being home or occasional day trips and the beach when I was lucky. :) Being one of eight kids, there was plenty to do at home. I sure had time in my pocket back then.

These days, life rolls by at a much more rapid pace. With summer soon upon us, what are your hopes and dreams for this time of year? What would you like to do with your family? Do you have any major goals or projects in mind? Are you planning to try to take it easy and just enjoy a time of relaxation, trips, refreshment? Have you ever thought of taking a pilgrimage type trip with your family? What do you do to keep prayer as part of your summer? I'll chime in later too.

2 comments:

Jenni CJune 9, 2009 at 8:25 AM
I loved those summer days you described. My mother was always home. There was something about a peanut butter sandwich served on a blanket in the yard that tasted so good.

I want to give that peace of summer to my children too. My oldest is off to Kindergarten in the fall and I want him to have a last great summer. He is going to Summer Spirit and a week of additional camp. He is excited about that. I never wanted to go to camp but was a middle child among 4 children and there was always too much to miss at home. Other then those weeks we are going to hang out in our yard, play in our garden, go to the beach and try to slow time down for a bit.

Now that my children are heading to school our yearly trips to Ireland (to see Granny and Grandad) will have to be summer trips. We will go there for most of August.

Once my two boys are in school I will have to find some kind of job but am desperately hoping I can be home with them for the summers. They are such special times and I don't want them shuffled off every day to someone else, especially if that means they have to be put in with a huge group of kids.

Enjoy your summer
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Donna-Marie Cooper O'BoyleJune 9, 2009 at 9:53 AM
Jenni,

I love your comment! It's so true about those peanut butter sandwiches out on a blanket. :) I was one of eight so like you, there was always a lot to do at home.

Thanks so much for sharing and stick with your goal of trying to be home for your kids! It's so important.

God bless you!
hugs,
Donna-Marie
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I welcome your comments, thanks for stopping by! :)

Be at peace

"Do not look forward in fear to the changes in life; Rather, look to them with full hope that as they arise, God, whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things; And when you cannot stand it, God will carry you in His arms.
Do not fear what may happen tomorrow; the same understanding Father who cares for you today will take care of you then and every day.
He will either shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations."
~Saint Francis De Sales