Amazing Grace at the Post Office!

I just love doing something I don't want to do or don't really have time to do. You think I'm crazy, huh? Well, usually there's a lot of hidden grace in doing the things we'd rather not and when doing them not begrudgingly, but instead even with love.

After dropping my daughter off at work I knew I had to go to the Post Office. At that point, I would really have rather gone straight home because my writing work is mounting. I need to finish some things before I can leave for EWTN in Alabama where I'll tape 25 new segments of my "Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms" TV show. I just finished the latest book I was writing yesterday and am very happy about that but I have to tie up some loose ends with things and prepare for my trip.

Off I went to the Post Office. It was surprisingly quiet there. I mentioned that to the clerk and she said it's been kind of "eerie" lately at all the Post Offces she substitutes at. Well, I did what I needed to do there and also had a short chat with the woman behind the counter about the recent tornadoes. She was quite disturbed about it. Since I knew this woman had read my latest Catholic prayer book for women, I knew I could talk to her about prayer (I probably would have any way!) I told her that she really needs to pray--we all do--and especially to the Blessed Mother and to plead for the Lord's mercy. I reminded her that we are a nation that allows the killing of unborn babies to the tune of millions and said I wonder how much longer God is going to be silent. I wasn't trying to instill fear, but rather was reiterating something I recently heard from a conversation I had with a very holy priest.

So, first of all - interesting conversation at the Post Office - a government building where I absolutely LOVE to talk about prayer :) and then the inspiration came to me to give the clerk a blessed Miraculous medal. It was after I had said "good bye" and she thanked me and told me that she always feels better after she talks with me. All glory goes to God (I am thankful to be His little instrument).

Out in the lobby I stopped to check my purse to see if I had a medal with me. Sure enough, I did! I went back in and got in line again (funny, I was previously in such a hurry to get back to work) and I presented her the blessed medal and told her how I had placed it on Blessed John Paul II's tomb and Blessed Mother Teresa's bed while I was in Rome recently (last September). She was thrilled and placed it over her heart. I told her to wear it in good health and to pray to our Lady for help with our country and our world.

Then the other clerk called me over and shared with me the title of an inspirational book she just read and how it impacted her. So neat to share these things about our faith in the POST OFFICE (where so many good and holy things have happened in the past). God is so good!

Next, off to see Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament because I felt Him calling me. No, not time to go do your work just now - come see ME first! Those weren't His exact words. Off I went to the church and was able to pray part of a Rosary and ask for protection for a daughter who is flying to Israel today and help for a son going on a job interview (Please pray for them, especially my daughter's trip). And I went through my litany of requests about all those who ask me for prayers, and lots of thanks and praise to Him too.

While I was there I felt deeply inspired to arrange a Holy Hour of Reparation to be held on the first Saturday of each month at 3:00 PM, the hour of great mercy, where we can plead for protection for our country and the world while offering prayers of reparation for the outrageous crimes against human life. I plan to discuss this with my pastor and I encourage you all to try to do the same. Even if you can't arrange a formal Holy Hour, at least just gather a group of friends and go before Jesus and pray or just do it yourself.

We need to be open to God's whispers to our hearts especially when we are rushing around and busy. Take time to search for the silence in which to pray as Mother Teresa has always said.

Even if you can't steal away to the Blessed Sacrament for prayer in which to hear Our Lord, lift your heart straight up to God right where you are and He will be there to embrace it--always!

God bless you!

Donna-Marie

Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms

Many times while I am out at events, whether speaking or book signing, people will come up to me and thank me for bringing inspiration to their homes via my EWTN television series "Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms." I thank them for their kind words and usually ask them to pray for me so I can continue to strive to get the inspiration out there to women and families through my books, talks, radio and TV. And, inside, I whisper a prayer thanking our dear Lord for His blessings and graces. I give all glory to Him.

This morning a woman named Martha came up to me and thanked me for "Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms." She said she usually sees me every morning on EWTN and is nurtured by my words. She asked me to continue what I'm doing, stating that the message is so very needed. She also said it was hard to describe how she felt meeting me there--she was so surprised to see me at that particular Mass.

You see, she was attending an out-of-town parish due to a relative's baby being baptized that day. She said she just couldn't believe that I was there.

On my set at EWTN

It was a sweet encounter meeting Martha at my own parish. Our Lord is full of sweet surprises.

Thank you dear Lord for Your love!

Speaking of my EWTN series, I will be visiting the EWTN network in Alabama very soon to tape 25 new segments for my series. Please keep me in your prayers. Thank you in advance! I'll keep you posted.

God bless!

Donna-Marie

Keeping Close to God, and Staying Fresh!

Keeping Close to God, and Staying Fresh!

Here's a nice article (link above) with some great suggestions to staying close to God and fresh in your faith, especially at this time of year. My book: A Catholic Woman's Book of Prayers is mentioned.

God bless!

Donna-Marie

Catholic shrines

Are you thinking about visiting a shrine with your family this summer? Here's an interesting article about shrines in which I am quoted about a shrine I love. Just click on the link below.

http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/7929/Sampling-of-Shrines.aspx

Mother Teresa and Me - huge sale!

I will be donating a large number of copies of my book Mother Teresa and Me: Ten Years of Friendship to prisons for my prison ministry which was established to get Mother Teresa's wisdom and inspiration into the hands of inmates. If you'd like to contribute for postage, please go to my website: http://www.donnacooperoboyle.com/  and click on the prison ministry tab at the top to be directed to the ministry page. Any size donation is greatly appreciated to help defray costs.

In addition to the above, I have decided to have a huge sale on my Mother Teresa and Me book! It sells for $14.95 and I am putting it on sale for just $10.00 a copy! Are you trying to come up with an inspirational gift for the graduates you know or the Confirmation students or would like to read it yourself? Just go to my website: http://www.donnacooperoboyle.com/ and click on the book's tab at the top to be directed to this book and then look for the sale paypal button there for your convenience.

Take a look here http://viewdomesticchurch.blogspot.com/2011/05/beautiful-story.html if you haven't seen it already to read a short inspirational story about this book and how it impacted a high school principal's life. I have been told by people from all over that this book has impacted their life in a powerful way. I give all credit to God and to Blessed Mother Teresa's and Blessed Pope John Paul II's intercession.

A beautiful story...

I just have to share a beautiful story. Where should I begin?

The past few days have been filled with busyness and specifically a couple of days work to remedy a situation to pave the way for my Mother Teresa and Me book to be re-released shortly. It will be with another publisher and will have a stunning new cover and will be filled with new scans of letters that Mother Teresa had written to me throughout the years of our friendship.

It was a very interesting couple of days, not without its intense challenges amid the deep abiding peace from our dear Lord. By God's grace, the situation that needed resolution was resolved! I was extremely grateful and was singing God's praises when the phone rang.

I was pretty tired and it was getting late, but a woman I met in Texas a few years ago and with whom I have become friends was excited about sharing some news with me. I was eager to hear.

The current cover which will be replaced
with a stunning new cover

She told me that she was at a concert at her son's high school that evening when the principal came out onto the stage and made an announcement. He told the audience that he had been planning to resign from his job as principal. But, because of a gift from one of the students, an amazing transformation took place with him.

He continued by thanking the student who had given him the gift which happened to be a copy of my book Mother Teresa and Me: Ten Years of Friendship. The principal said after he started reading the book, he changed his mind about resigning and realized that he should continue as the principal. Mother Teresa was prodding him to continue. He knew it without a doubt.

I am very thankful that this woman called me that night to share this awesome news which totally topped off the happiness at the culmination of activity working towards getting everything ready for the new release of my book. I believe Mother Teresa was indeed involved.

So, stay tuned. I'll keep you posted about the new release of Mother Teresa and Me: Ten Years of Friendship!

"she's elevated the value and essence of womanhood..."

Donna Marie Cooper O'Boyle has done it again! In this gem of a book, she's elevated the value and essence of womanhood while at the same time touching our hearts deeply. profoundly. Donna is a master at prayer, and a master at helping others to pray. In this book, women will find echoes from every part of their being, affirming what they already know about themselves and inspiring them to discover even more. It's a source of solace and encouragement that should be part of every Catholic woman's library. Guys, it wouldn't hurt you to read this, either, as it can be the key that unlocks the mystery of the women in your lives! The small size and hard cover make it an easy take-along wherever you go.

--Marge Fenelon, author of When's God Gonna Show Up?, When's God Gonna Call Me Back?, and Strengthening Your Family; A Catholic Approach to Holiness at Home.

You can check out the review at Marge Fenelon's blog here: http://wwwmargefenelon.blogspot.com/2011/05/gem.html

_________

Thank you very much Marge, for your beautiful Review! May you and yours be richly blessed!

God bless,

Donna-Marie

Happy feast of Our Lady of Fatima!

Happy feast day! Blogger was down for a while so I wasn't able to post what I had planned. I hope you had a beautiful grace-filled day.

It's incredible to think that 30 years ago today on this feast day Blessed Pope John Paul II was shot by a would-be assassin. Pope John Paul II said that he was certain that the Blessed Mother saved his life.

"This is a book you will want to use and to treasure."

I am very happy I had the opportunity to review this gracious book of short meditations, prayers, and scripture verses. So much more than “just” a prayer-book, A Catholic Woman’s Book of Prayers is a not only a book of prayerfulness, but also an affirmation of the value of each one of us as a woman, and a collection of lovely nuggets of wisdom. Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle shares snippets of stories of herself and those she knows, as well as original inspiring short prayers, and quotations from saints. The book is both universal and specific in scope, with many balanced and uplifting thoughts for you to ponder.

Even with only a little time on hand, a busy woman – whatever her state in life - can find much fruit in the pages of this little book, a book that may fit in your purse or coat pocket at only 4 1/4 by 6 1/4 inches. With a pretty hard cover, it will make a nice gift, as well. I found there are prayers and reflections I want to return to frequently, so I wrote their page numbers in pencil inside the back cover. This is a book you will want to use and to treasure.

Can be seen here: http://margmary.blogspot.com/2011/05/catholic-womans-book-of-prayers-book.html

_______

Thank you very much for your review, Margaret Mary.

May Gdod bless you and your family!

Donna-Marie

A "little companion" for your prayer life!

This is a little prayer book that easily fits in my purse. There are prayers, though I would rather call them lessons for several situations in a woman's life. Challenges and joys and many more! She has combined in her simple, beautiful way help, prayers and lessons from many great Saints, the Catechism as well as personal prayers. This is a book that I can look through over and over and never get bored. Thank you again for an amazing, little companion to my prayer life!

_______

Thank you very much, Michelle. Your review is much appreciated!

May God bless you and yours!

Donna-Marie

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day! I hope your day is truly beautiful! May God bless ALL mothers in great abundance!

I will be back soon to share some inspiration, but right now I am being beckoned by my "ducklings" to celebrate this beautiful day with them!

Talk to you soon...

Love and prayers,

Donna-Marie

Mother's Day is tomorrow!

Thinking of ALL mothers...

Take a look... http://donnamarieembracingmotherhood.blogspot.com/2011/05/with-mothers-day-fast-approaching.html  

New Review for A Catholic Woman's Book of Prayers

This small, sturdy volume is perfect for those of us who like to carry our prayers in our purse. In A Catholic Woman's Book of Prayers, Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle once again shares her insights on how to live out the faith in a practical way. Composed of short meditations and quotes from Scripture and the writings of the popes and the saints, the book is perfect for a shot of inspiration during a busy day or for an hour of quiet meditation. It is for women of all ages and walks of life, married or single, old or young. There are prayers for times of sorrow and pain, for difficult pregnancies, for the change of life or even for deepening our vocation, whatever it might be. Most of all, it focuses on the fact that all women are entrusted with the nurturing of humanity, with spiritual motherhood, which can be expressed in many different ways. To quote:

All women are blessed with the gift of spiritual motherhood because we are entrusted with the human being. We respond to this lofty gift by our responses of love to all we meet. We trust that God knows what He's doing, putting us all together in our families, neighborhoods, parishes, communities, and work-places for a distinct and holy purpose. (p.63)

You can see this review here: http://fountainofelias.blogspot.com/2011/05/catholic-womans-book-of-prayers.html

_____________________

Thank you very much, Mary-Eileen. Your kind words above are much appreciated!

May God bless you and yours,

Donna-Marie

Review: A Catholic Woman's Book of Prayers

Reading “A Catholic Woman’s Book of Prayers,” by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle is as delightful as an intimate visit with a wise and holy friend. A wife and mother of five children, Mrs. Cooper O’Boyle has packed this small volume with jewels of love, insight and holy wisdom culled from her own experiences, Church documents, scripture, saints and more.

This treasure trove of brief quotations, prayers, and meditations is at once a call to prayer and service, and a gift of great consolation to women struggling to live complex and demanding lives in the abiding peace of Jesus Christ.

With our world in crisis and so many influences that tear at the natural dignity of women, this small text is a resounding affirmation of the transformative and revelatory power of a life lived as God intends. With great tenderness and a palpable fondness for her sisters in Christ, Mrs. Cooper O’Boyle affirms, above all, the great God-given beauty, joy and privilege of being a woman.

Lisa Mladinich

Author, "Be An Amazing Catechist: Inspire the Faith of Children"

Founder, AmazingCatechists.com

______________

 

Thank you very much, Lisa for your kind and lovely review!

 

God bless you and yours,

 

Donna-Marie

Sale on My Saints' Book!

I've been wanting to mention that I am having a sale on my book Catholic Saints Prayer Book which is a a very popular, sturdy, hard-cover prayer book of 32 saints who will inspire your children, grandchildren, CCD students, and friends. It's written for adults but is very suitable for children too. I give copies to my CCD students as gifts.

I decided to offer it at 10% OFF THROUGH THE MONTH OF MAY since this is a First Holy Communion time and Confirmation time is coming up, there may still be time to snatch one for a mother, grandmother, Aunt, or godmother for Mother's day (I know, sorry it's getting late). It makes a nice gift for any occasion.

Check my website: http://www.donnacooperoboyle.com/ and look at the book page. Look for a 10% off paypal button near the book image. Leave a note telling me whose name to inscribe in the book when you place your order or send the note to DMCOBoyle@aol.com

If you'd rather order through Amazon.Com, take a look at the left side of this blog to see my books on Amazon. You may also order this book through the publisher: Our Sunday Visitor or get it at your local book store.

Pilgrims find John Paul's new resting place 'simple, lovely' :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Pilgrims find John Paul's new resting place 'simple, lovely' :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Chivalry is not yet dead, at least not with the birds!

Who says chivalry is dead?



[this is not the particular bird I saw]



I was delighted recently to see my fine feathered friends in my backyard, singing away and flying back and forth from the bird feeder that I fill to the brim each morning and back to the tree nearby to await their turn to get some more seed.

I happen to love birds and nature and consider them a beautiful blessing to observe and to be enveloped with here in the woods of New England where I live.

You can image my delight when I saw Mr. Cardinal in his red glory fly to the feeder to eat and then quickly fly into his position on the tree sitting proudly right next to his wife!

Aw, I thought, he's sweet staying close by to her, protecting her. Barely a feather could fit between them.

Then, the sweetest thing happened.

The male cardinal turned his head and touched his beak to Mrs. Cardinal's beak as if they were kissing, and he put the seed he had just garnered from the feeder into her mouth! What a guy!

Homily at our beloved Papa JP II's Beatification

Homily, Pope Benedict XVI, Rome 1 May 2011

 

During the Mass in which Pope Benedict XVI beatified his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, he gave the following homily. 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Six years ago we gathered in this Square to celebrate the funeral of Pope John Paul II. Our grief at his loss was deep, but even greater was our sense of an immense grace which embraced Rome and the whole world: a grace which was in some way the fruit of my beloved predecessor’s entire life, and especially of his witness in suffering. Even then we perceived the fragrance of his sanctity, and in any number of ways God’s People showed their veneration for him. For this reason, with all due respect for the Church’s canonical norms, I wanted his cause of beatification to move forward with reasonable haste. And now the longed-for day has come; it came quickly because this is what was pleasing to the Lord: John Paul II is blessed!

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/JohnPaul2/beatification/b16homily.asp#ixzz1L77BmZZH