Embracing Motherhood: Out with the old and in with the new!

Embracing Motherhood: Out with the old and in with the new!

Happy feast of the Holy Family!

Pope Benedict XVI has told us, "The family is the privileged setting where every person learns to give and receive love." Sometimes we may question his wisdom when the kids are acting up and the household seems to be anything but loving! Yet, it is in those very everyday circumstances that we can endeavor to rise to the occasion and to choose love.

We learn that, "The Christian family constitutes a specific revelation and realization of ecclesial communion, and for this reason it can and should be called a domestic church. It is a community of faith, hope, and charity; it assumes singular importance in the Church, as is evident in the New Testament" we learn from the Catechism (CCC # 2204).

Pope Paul VI has said, 

“Nazareth is a kind of school where we may begin to discover what Christ’s life was like and even to understand his Gospel.  Here we can observe and ponder the simple appeal of the way God’s Son came to be known, profound yet full of hidden meaning.
“And gradually we may even learn to imitate him...“First we learn from its silence. If only we could once again appreciate its great value...The silence of Nazareth should teach us how to meditate in peace and quiet, to reflect on the deeply spiritual, and to be open to the voice of God’s inner wisdom and the counsel of his true teachers. Nazareth can teach us the value of study and preparation, of meditation, of a well-ordered personal spiritual life, and of silent prayer that is known only to God.
“Second, we learn about family life. May Nazareth serve as a model of what the family should be. May it show us the family’s holy and enduring character and exemplifying its basic function in society: a community of love and sharing, beautiful for the problems it poses and the rewards it brings — in sum, the perfect setting for rearing children — and for this there is no substitute" (January 5, 1964).

The family is such an important "communion of persons." Even so, I think that many times we forget or lose sight of just how important it is. The family is attacked in a variety of ways by our culture and society. It's the mission of the family to defend the sacredness of the family and to bolster its strength through prayer and Christian teaching. As parents, through thick and thin, and throughout all of the many details of family life, we guide our family ever closer to Heaven each day.

Can we endeavor to find some quiet moments in which to immerse our hearts and souls in prayer even amid the busyness of family life? I believe we can do so, but it requires effort and determination to establish times for prayer and pondering. Without our efforts and our seeking God's graces, we might miss opportunities to grow in holiness. 

Even when we are determined to establish regular prayer times and to stick to them, inevitably life itself can get in the way of our efforts. Yet, I firmly believe that our Lord is in control and allows us extra opportunities to pray--perhaps in a way we hadn't planned. So, the child who spiked a fever and suddenly needs our constant attention or the one who is misbehaving and requires immediate correction, and the one who is hurting in some way and needs solace may rearrange our prayer times. But, all of them provide opportunities to pray actively as we tend to the needs in our domestic church. Every instance can bring grace. 

The Church reminds us, "The Christian family is a communion of persons, a sign and image of the communion of the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit. In the procreation and education of children it reflects the Father's work of creation. It is called to partake of the prayer and sacrifice of Christ. Daily prayer and the reading of the Word of God strengthen it in charity. The Christian family has an evangelizing and missionary task" (CCC # 2205).

It might be interesting to consider that God in His Infinite wisdom has specifically chosen each and every member of your family to be together in your domestic church--to grow in faith, hope, and love. Each member, in a myriad of ways helps the others to get to heaven. Yes, it's true! You might want to think about that very fact the next time there's a dispute, a misunderstanding, or even a great joy celebrated. Are we choosing love? Our responses indeed help to transform hearts. Our sacrifices in helping the other truly aid in theirs and our journey to Heaven.

Have you paused to ponder your "missionary task"? As you minister and teach your family you are also affecting society with your exemplary example. Sometimes it is accomplished by the fact that you don't partake in various ungodly pastimes. At other times it is in your reaching out as a family to help the poor and needy that can strike a chord in a neighbor's heart. Your preaching won't necessarily be from the roof tops, but it will occur more than likely one by one--to one soul at a time as you strive to live up to your mission in your domestic church, all the while evangelizing the world too. God has it all figured out. 

Blessed Mother Teresa was very aware of the holiness which dwells in family life and often said, "Love begins at home." We must begin our evangelization in the hearts of our homes. Mother Teresa specifically told me, "...Let us learn to pray and work as Jesus did for 30 years in Nazareth. The life and work; the prayer and sacrifice at Nazareth are so much like what our life should be. That peace, joy and unity that joined the Holy Family together in prayer and work is such a wonderful living example to us. They grew in holiness together. Let us learn from Mary to pray and ask Her to pray that your home will be another Nazareth."

What amazing and poignant words to ponder today. May your home become "another Nazareth" as you pray to grow in holiness together!

Pope Francis celebrated the Feast of the Holy Family today on this first Sunday after Christmas. Our holy pontiff entrusted the work of the bishops to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and recited this prayer:

Prayer to the Holy Family
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, in you we contemplate
the splendor of true love, to you we turn with trust.
Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that our families too
may be places of communion and prayer,authentic schools of the Gospel and small domestic Churches.
Holy Family of Nazareth, may families never again experience violence, rejection and division: may all who have been hurt or scandalized find ready comfort and healing.
Holy Family of Nazareth, may the approaching Synod of Bishops make us once more mindful of the sacredness and inviolability of the family, and its beauty in God’s plan.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, graciously hear our prayer.
Amen.

***
Happy feast of the Holy Family!

Catholic Mom's Cafe: What do Catholic Moms really want for Christmas?

Catholic Mom's Cafe: What do Catholic Moms really want for Christmas?: Donna-Marie (in dress on right) with her mother and 4 of her 7 siblings Moms are always thinking of others—not so muc...

Moving closer to the crib

Here's a link to an Advent article I wrote last year but I thought you might enjoy it.

http://www.integratedcatholiclife.org/2012/12/donna-marie-cooper-oboyle-moving-closer-to-the-crib/

God bless and happy Advent!

Catholic Mom's Cafe: Keeping the season of Advent holy in our domestic ...

Catholic Mom's Cafe: Keeping the season of Advent holy in our domestic ...: It's that wonderful and holy time of year that our Church calls "Advent." We might be planning to observe this Advent in a ...

My daughter's book!

My artist daughter, Chaldea published her first book! It's titled, Farm House. It's lovely. Kids love it--you will too.

How cool is this?
Chaldea's new book at a popular book store in Northampton, Mass.

You can order your autographed copy from Chaldea's Etsy site through her blog: www.artbugillustrations.blogspot.com. Take a look. You'll also see a little about the making of this book.

Happy feast of All Saints!

God bless!

Families need to pray together

God bless!

The Miraculous Medal: Stories, Prayers and Devotions

The Miraculous Medal: Stories, Prayers and Devotions

Seeing Christ in Others

Seeing Christ in Others

Our Invisible Friends!

The Angels: http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/the-angels-are-our-invisible-friends/

God bless!

My daughter's happy day!

A few snippets of highlights from my daughter's wedding day...

The Bridal bouquet

Getting the flowers ready for the reception

Starting to get the barn ready for the reception

Getting some festive lighting in place

Bride and Groom in a lovely garden setting

A casual moment at the reception

Sharing in joy with my daughter

The family

The "kids"!

The picturesque setting for the reception. Can you see the sheep up on the hill?

Praying for much happiness and love!

"Marriage is an act of will that signifies and involves a mutual gift, which unites the spouses and binds them to their eventual souls, with whom they make up a sole family - a domestic church."~Bl. Pope John Paul II

My daughter is getting married!

Only one week until I leave to travel out-of-state with my family to my beautiful daughter's wedding!

A few weeks ago I was able to pull off a surprise Bridal shower for her.

Remembered to get this quick photo after the festivities
and before she needed to get back on the road to go home

Did you know I have been growing lemon verbena and lavender for her bridal bouquet? My daughter asked me to and will add some sprigs of each to her bouquet which will be comprised of gorgeous flowers she is growing on her farm.

These lavender and lemon verbena plants are much larger now

One of the flower types for the bouquet

Another flower to be added to the bouquet

Trust me, there will be many more gorgeous flowers adorning my daughter's bouquet as well as on all of the tables at the reception.

Well, the Mother of the Bride finally got her dress! I have been wondering when I would have a chance to finally get one and it all worked out. I found a pretty dress after returning from my recent trips. Now I have to figure out the shoes since the reception will be held at a beautiful farm in a rustic barn. Heels won't work well walking around on the soft ground nearby the barn. I think I'll bring a pair of flats to change into, as well as some casual clothes for the festivities afterward.

God bless and hugs,

Wonderful radio show: Check it out!

Wendy Weise is an amazing radio host. I'd love for you to get a chance to listen to my recent chat with Wendy Weise on Relevant Radio. We chatted about the Miraculous Medal and my new book "The Miraculous Medal: Stories, Prayers, and Devotions." 

I hope you enjoy it. There are also wonderful "call ins" with amazing stories. http://relevantradio.streamguys.us/OC%20Archive/OC20130826.mp3

God bless you!

Everyday Blessings in the Domestic Church

I just did a radio show today with the wonderful team of Jennifer and Leo at Real Life Radio: http://www.realliferadio.com/

I'm calling the show, "Everyday Blessings in the Domestic Church." Today we chatted about Back to School dynamics in the domestic church and how we can carve out time for prayer into our busy days. I will try to get a link to an archive so you can listen to it hear if you didn't already hear it.

I'll be doing this show every month and will try to bring you the archive link. UPDATED NOW WITH THE LINK:

Meanwhile, how are things going in your domestic church? Have your children started school either at home or out at the school building? I'd love to hear how you are keeping mindful of praying each morning, even for just a moment to get the day started off on the right foot.

Take good care and God bless you!

Embracing Motherhood: Angels this fall!

Embracing Motherhood: Angels this fall!

A Holy Whirlwind: Pittsburgh and Birmingham!

Just after my jam-packed week at the Catholic Marketing Network or CMN (more on that later) which was quite a holy whirlwind, by the way...

With Doug Keck, EWTN Host of Bookmark TV show

 I flew to Pittsburgh to give a key note to hundreds of women there. Immediately after, I headed for the airport and took two flights to get to EWTN where I would participate all week end at the Family Celebration (on a Live TV show as well as meet and greets and book signings). 

Getting ready to address the women

Some of the faith-filled women at the Magnificat Breakfast in Pittsburgh

As soon as I arrived at my Birmingham hotel, I had literally five minutes to quickly change and get to the stage (wherever that was!). I had to run to the elevator and make a call so I could meet up with the gentleman in charge at EWTN who would had me driven in a golf cart across the street to the venue. I called him as I was dashing to the lobby. Within a couple of minutes the golf cart pulled up to the door.

The breeze was blowing and there was a light mist in the air. As my hair was blowing all around (and God only knows what it would look like when I arrived on stage!), I was thinking (and actually expressed it out loud to the folks I was riding with) that God always keeps me at the edge of my seat, of not having the benefit of planning ahead (with the other women who arrived the day before to chat about the show), and after traveling, being left with almost zero time for changing and "hair and make up" (which is not a practice at EWTN, by the way). I surmised that, as always, God wants me to trust Him with everything--completely. 

I arrived at the back stage after trucking down the long hallways and was excited to see all of my Catholic girlfriends sitting on the sofa on the stage. As soon as my microphone was in place, the curtains opened--SHOW TIME!

Talk about a holy whirlwind!

I think I was deep in thought. :) EWTN Family Celebration Airs This Weekend! Here's the scoop:

"Women of Grace Special:" WOMEN, THIS COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE! What's so special about being a woman? What does God specifically call women to do? Be inspired by the women of EWTN. They include your host, Johnnette Benkovic, as well as Teresa Tomeo and Janet Morana (Co-hosts of "The Catholic View for Women" and more), EWTN Rome Bureau Chief Joan Lewis, Barbara McGuigan ("The Good Fight"), Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle ("Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms), Joanna Bogle ("Feast & Seasons" and more), and "Women of Grace" Journalists Mary Jo Anderson and Kathy Mathieson. Airs 4 p.m. ET, Saturday, Aug. 24 and 6:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, Aug.31.

I hope you can tape or watch the show which re-airs today!

Here are other photos from the Live show:

On the show with the Women of EWTN!

God bless you and yours!