Advent wreaths

Go on over to Anne's blog to see how she made this gorgeous Advent wreath as well as read about all its symbolism!

Traditional Christmas novena

From EWTN:

"Today begins the traditional novena to St. Andrew, which begins Nov. 30 and runs until Christmas. EWTN’s Father Joseph gave an awesome homily about this novena today, http://bit.ly/8OK0sJ. His great, great uncle, who had been declared legally blind, said the short novena prayer some years ago and received his sight back on Christmas Eve. Here is the prayer, which should be said 15 times a day from now until Christmas:

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment In which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen."

I plan to print out the prayer and carry it around with me so that I can pray it 15 times a day now until Christmas. I'll probably have a copy near my computer, one in the bathroom, one in my purse...How about you? Novenas are powerful!

God bless you as you embark on this journey of Advent!

Donna-Marie

Just peeking...

I was just peeking at my friend, Joan Lewis's "Joan's Rome" blog and I happened to see that she mentioned me in the bottom of her post. Joan reports the news from the Vatican for EWTN. You can see it here.

Lisa Hendey's new book!

Go on over to my Embracing Motherhood blog to read all about The Handbook for Catholic Moms!

Mother Teresa and Me!

I just received word the other day that my book: Mother Teresa and Me: Ten Years of Friendship will make its debut very shortly. I know that many have pre-ordered and have been waiting so patiently. I want to apologize for the delays which often occur with publishing, but am rejoicing that my book will soon be in your hands or on your book shelves! I pray that it will bring inspiration. I will keep you posted about the release, but you can expect the book in about a week and a half to two weeks, God-willing! I am still taking pre-orders from my website: www.donnacooperoboyle.com (scroll to bottom of main page) and will fill your orders promply so that you will have your books for Christmas gift giving.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Father, all powerful,
your gifts of love are countless
and your goodness infinite.
On Thanksgiving Day we come before you
with gratitude for your kindness:
open our hearts to concern for our fellow men and women,
so that we may share your gifts in loving service.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

(opening prayer Thanksgiving Day Mass)

Thanksgiving coming up!

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is coming up so fast - tomorrow! It's been a whirlwind of activity and grace for me over the past few weeks with my trip to Rome, family things, birthdays, work, and now getting ready for Thanksgiving. I'll try to continue my posts on my Rome trip as soon as I can. In the mean time, here's a radio segment from another Thanksgiving about "Keeping it sane, simple, and holy" with Teresa Tomeo and me on "Mom's Corner."

Wisdom of the Church's Teaching on Providing Sustenenance for the Comatose

“'I want to read, talk with my friends via the computer and enjoy my life now that people know I am not dead,' he said, according to the Daily Mail."

Read on...

Brussels, Belgium, Nov 24, 2009 / 03:55 am (CNA).- A paralyzed man who was misdiagnosed as comatose for 23 years is again communicating with the world after new brain scans showed he was in fact conscious. A Catholic bioethics expert suggests the case shows the wisdom of Catholic teaching on the duty to provide sustenance for those believed to be comatose.

Rom Houben, a former martial arts enthusiast, was paralyzed in a 1983 car crash. The Daily Mail reports that his doctors in Zolder, Belgium used the internationally accepted Glasgow Coma Scale to assess his physical and verbal responses, but each time he was graded incorrectly.

“I screamed, but there was nothing to hear,” said Houben, who after therapy now communicates with the aid of a computer. “I dreamed myself away.”

Three years ago, new technology scans showed Houben’s brain was still functioning almost completely normally. His case has just been reported in a scientific paper by the doctor who discovered the mistake, neurological expert Dr. Steven Laureys of the Coma Science Group and Department of Neurology at Liege University Hospital.

Laureys’ re-evaluation of Houben showed that the patient had lost control of his body but was still fully aware of what was happening.

“Frustration is too small a word to describe what I felt,” Houben said. “I shall never forget the day when they discovered what was truly wrong with me - it was my second birth.” (Continued here)

Pausing a little

I am pausing a little today to drink in the graces and blessings surrounding me. It's my birthday and I have been receiving so many greetings on Face Book as well as cards and phone calls. I'm looking forward to birthday dinner tonight with part of my family and a continued celebration on Thanksgiving day and the week end!

I'll pick up tomorrow with my updates on my Rome pilgrimage. I thought I'd post a bit each day so I can still keep up with work and family here.

God bless your day! I hope it's a happy one. Don't forget to share your smile to brighten some one's day!

hugs,

Donna-Marie

Archive of radio show on the Vatican

I was unable to post this until now since I was in Rome at the time.

From Catholic Connection Archive...

"November 18, 2009

Segment 2 - Joan Lewis is EWTN's Rome Bureau Chief. She joins Teresa this morning to talk about the latest news out of the Vatican with Pope Benedict XVI and his weekly audience. Donna Marie Cooper O'Boyle is a Catholic mom and author. She reports on her week in Rome and her experiences with Joan."

To listen to the segment, just click here.

If you don't have time to listen in to what is before our segment, you can skip ahead to our segment by dragging the tiny button on the bottom to the right a bit (that you'll find when you click the link above).

St. Cecilia's feast day.

Today is St. Cecilia's feast day. I visited St. Cecilia's church with my friend, Teresa Tomeo while in Rome this past week. It was a very beautiful church and we spent some time there. I was most struck by a man who was pushing a broom, cleaning up the courtyard just outside the door. We stopped to talk with him and ask a few questions about St. Cecilia. I had remembered that I had read something about her recently and I wanted a find out more. The man stood there, leaning on his broom - his eyes gleaming as he told us the story he knew. We felt blessed to hear from this seemingly simple man who appeared to us to have a deep faith. The photo here is one I took of the altar in St. Cecilia's church. Her relics are below the altar.

Here's a bit about St. Cecilia...

"Although Cecilia is one of the most famous of the Roman martyrs, the familiar stories about her are apparently not founded on authentic material. There is no trace of honor being paid her in early times. A fragmentary inscription of the late fourth century refers to a church named after her, and her feast was celebrated at least in 545.
According to legend, Cecilia was a young Christian of high rank betrothed to a Roman named Valerian. Through her influence Valerian was converted, and was martyred along with his brother. The legend about Cecilia’s death says that after being struck three times on the neck with a sword, she lived for three days, and asked the pope to convert her home into a church.

Since the time of the Renaissance she has usually been portrayed with a viola or a small organ." (From A Saint a Day)

A View from Rome...

Photo is taken at night from my friend, Joan Lewis's home. This amazing view is right outside Joan's dining room window!


Doing a little work at the computer at Joan's home; updating Face Book and writing emails to my family. What a great location, huh?




More photos and news soon...

Recent post from Joan's Rome

You can check out a recent post from Joan Lewis, EWTN's News Bureau Chief in which she mentions Teresa Tomeo and me here.

I'll be filling you in soon on our visit to Our Lady of the Archway – La Madonna dell’Archetto that Joan mentions in her post. But first, I think I'll start at the beginning. I will find time to upload my photos from my Rome trip and give you snippets each day as I also catch up at home and prepare for Thanksgiving and many birthday celebrations in my family.

God bless your Saturday!

hugs,

Donna-Marie

Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

"Mary’s presentation was celebrated in Jerusalem in the sixth century. A church was built there in honor of this mystery. The Eastern Church was more interested in the feast, but it does appear in the West in the 11th century. Although the feast at times disappeared from the calendar, in the 16th century it became a feast of the universal Church.

As with Mary’s birth, we read of Mary’s presentation in the temple only in apocryphal literature. In what is recognized as an unhistorical account, the Protoevangelium of James tells us that Anna and Joachim offered Mary to God in the Temple when she was three years old. This was to carry out a promise made to God when Anna was still childless.

Though it cannot be proven historically, Mary’s presentation has an important theological purpose. It continues the impact of the feasts of the Immaculate Conception and of the birth of Mary. It emphasizes that the holiness conferred on Mary from the beginning of her life on earth continued through her early childhood and beyond."

(From Saint A Day)

Lisa Hendey's new book!

Just found this review this morning about Lisa Hendey's new book. Take a look here. Lisa invited me to offer a piece in her book too. I am very happy for Lisa about the release of her book and know it will be a wonderful resource for Catholic Moms!

Hello from Roma!

Hello!

I have not been able to access my blog until now but it is after 1:00 am here in Rome. I thought I would at least say "hello" and let you know that I am praying for all of you here at the Vatican. I am taking amazing photographs that I will share with you when I return home to the US.

I will try to write more soon.

God bless and hugs from Rome!

Donna-Marie

Just happened to come across this article...

I just happened to come across this article that was published last year regarding my trip to Rome. I will be going to Rome again TODAY!!! This time to attend an evangelization summit along with Teresa Tomeo. Here's the article...

To visit the Vatican is a trip many folks only dream of

"But for Connecticut resident Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle, her recent trip to the Italian city-state ruled by the Pope was an opportunity of a lifetime, one that provided further insight into a theme to which she has devoted her adult life.

Mrs. Cooper O'Boyle was one of 260 people chosen from around the world -- only one of six from the U.S. -- to participate in the Pontifical Council for the Laity's International Congress at the Vatican in February.

The event marked the 20th anniversary of the apostolic letter "Mulieris dignitatem, On the Dignity and Vocation of Women," written by the late Pope John Paul II.

'I felt excited about the anniversary and that the church was recognizing the anniversary to reflect on the document and its relevance to women today,' Mrs. Cooper O'Boyle said during a recent interview.

The letter's milestone is especially significant to her. She has quoted segments of it in some of her books, which focus on the theme of women, children and mothers.

'It was a pilgrimage/mission for me to travel to Rome,' Mrs. Cooper O'Boyle said of her experience. 'It was such an honor.'

The soft-spoken, petite mother of five said she believes she was invited to attend the Congress in recognition of her continued work celebrating women and mothers by writing articles and books and giving presentations to various groups.

The author has had a respected relationship with the Catholic Church for more than two decades, having first traveled to Rome 20 years ago (while pregnant with her fourth child, Joseph) to hand-deliver papers from her spiritual director, Fr. John A. Hardon S.J., to then-president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity Cardinal Eduardo Pironio.

In addition, she met Mother Teresa in the mid-1980s and corresponded with her over the years, and has received letters from both Pope John Paul II and reigning Pope Benedict XVI, all in acknowledgement of and praise for her work while encouraging her to continue.

This trip was especially close to Mrs. Cooper O'Boyle's heart. It gave her an opportunity to be "part of a history-making event" and reflect on her faith, and her role as a woman, mother and writer, she said.

Plus, she was able to take two of her daughters, Chaldea, 26, and Mary-Catherine, 16, with her for some family time away from her attendance at the Congress.

'It was amazing to me to be in the same room with people from five continents, from some 48 or 49 countries, [who] were there for the same mission and reason -- to go deeper into our Catholic faith and the apostolic letter,' she said of her experience at the Congress.

The purpose of the three-day event was to 'review the progress made over the past 20 years in the field of the advancement of women and the recognition of their dignity... [and address]... the new cultural paradigms and the difficulties faced by Catholic women as they strive to live according to their identity and to collaborate with fruitful reciprocity with men in building up the Church and society' among other things, according to the letter of invitation Mrs. Cooper O'Boyle received from the Council on Laity.

Delegates attended several conferences led by theologians, Biblical scholars, women authors and others, some of whom presented panel discussions, and a workshop of their choice.

Mrs. Cooper O'Boyle said she found the workshop she attended, which focused on technology and consumerism and their relationship to women, informative and reaffirmed her belief in the importance of 'hang[ing] on to family time, not allow[ing] technology to take over and not allow[ing] the demands of our culture to' impact our children.

'Women are the target of mixed messages in our culture and the demands of perfection in the workplace and home are really tough for women,' Mrs. Cooper O'Boyle said.

As a delegate, Mrs. Cooper O'Boyle also attended a private audience with Pope Benedict XVI at the Papel Palace, which turned out to be one of the highlights of her trip.

'We were all on the edges of our seats trying to get closer,' Mrs. Cooper O'Boyle said, noting the Pope thanked the delegates for their attendance at the Congress and offered them a special blessing.

Another highlight was hearing the encouraging words of Cardinal Rylko during the Congress' closing ceremony.

Mrs. Cooper O'Boyle said Cardinal Rylko suggested the delegates "come down from the mountain and go against the current -- be a contradiction giving witness" and reminded them not to be concerned with being a minority.

'Salt is a minority but it gives flavor, yeast is a minority but makes the whole dough rise,' he said.

These words touched a special chord in her heart, Mrs. Cooper O'Boyle said, noting she has used similar words in her presentations and books.

Hearing his words 'resolidified my vow to do what I feel God calling me to do,' she said with a quiet confidence.

'I'm so happy if God can use me," she said. "I'm not hiding my light under a bushel.'"






Copyright, 2008, The News-Times (Danbury, CT)
Record Number: 8717300

Update coming up

I'll update you tomorrow (Wednesday) about things. For now have a BLESSED night!

hugs!

Donna-Marie

Here's the full cover

Sharing the new cover image!

Are you ready?

Here's the new front cover image of my Mother Teresa book due to be released shortly.

Victory for LIFE!

The United States House of Representatives Pounds a Nail in the Eventual
Coffin of 'Roe v. Wade'

In historic healthcare vote, the Democrat lead House of Representatives
excludes taxpayer funded abortions and signals the "beginning of the end"
for abortion in America.WASHINGTON,Nov. 8 /Christian Newswire/ -- Taxpayer
funded abortion was excluded from the final healthcare bill even though
President Obama made the public funding of abortion a key component of his
Presidential campaign and was strongly supported by Speaker Pelosi and House
leadership.


In spite of these facts, a healthcare bill including abortion funding would
not pass.


This vote is a reminder that America is turning away
from the violence of abortion and embracing social
justice and human rights for all.


It is now critical for the pro-life community to
passionately and prayerfully work to ensure taxpayer
funded abortions are not part of the Senate Bill and
that they are excluded from the final passage of any
healthcare legislation.


Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian
Defense Coalition, who led a national campaign
called "Abortion is Not Health Care" for the past
several months, states:


"This historic vote in the United States House of
Representatives signals the beginning of the end
for 'Roe v. Wade.' President Obama made taxpayer
funded abortions a key part of his presidential
campaign and it was strongly supported by Speaker
Pelosi and House leadership.


"Pro-choice groups spent millions of dollars to have
taxpayer funded abortions included in healthcare
legislation to no avail.


"It is important to note that taxpayer funded abortions
were excluded from the healthcare bill because of the
votes of Democrats in the House, not conservative
Republicans. This vote shows what recent national
polls have demonstrated, and that is -- America is
turning away from abortion and embracing human
rights and a culture of life.

"The pro-life community must now passionately and
prayerfully work to ensure that taxpayer funded
abortions are not a part of the Senate bill or any final
vote on healthcare.

"The House got it right. Abortion is Not healthcare."

For more information or interviews call: Rev. Patrick J.
Mahoney at 540.538.4741

Please ACT today and spread the word!

From: One Nation Under God. org...
Dear Friends,

Given the holdout of 40 pro-life Democrats, and intense pressure by pro-life groups and the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) over the federal funding of abortion, last night Speaker Pelosi conceded that she did not have the votes to push a vote on the Rule. After hours of negotiations Congressman Bart Stupak was given permission by the House Rules Committee to offer his pro-life amendment. A vote will occur this afternoon.

Pro-abortion leaders left Speaker Pelosi's office last night upset with the news that the Stupak amendment will get a vote. Planned Parenthood of America president Cecile Richards isn't happy with the U.S. Bishops efforts, and holds them responsible for this new development. The following email was sent to Planned Parenthood supporters this morning:

Late yesterday, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops met with leaders in the House of Representatives in their bid to eliminate women's access to abortion care under health care reform.

We have just received news that their efforts are working, and Representative Bart Stupak has introduced an amendment to the health care reform bill that will result in women losing health care coverage for abortion.

We urgently need you, and your friends and family, to call your representative...and ask him or her to reject the Stupak amendment that will remove abortion coverage from health care reform.

If the bishops and their anti-choice partners in the House succeed, they'll permanently alter health care in America, even taking away benefits from women that they have today. The bishops want to effectively eliminate abortion coverage in both private plans and the public option. We simply cannot stand for such a discriminatory, mean-spirited attack on women.

Warning to Congress from Fr. Frank Pavone

This morning Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, warned the members of Congress that he would distribute the voting records of members of Congress on the Stupak-Pitts amendment to HR 3962 (and other abortion-related votes) to every Catholic parish in America, with instructions to each pastor on how to make clear to his congregation the implications of how that congregation's representative voted. "Whatever one's position on abortion itself," Fr. Pavone commented, "the vast majority of Americans have always opposed the idea that taxpayers should fund it. Our plan to inform pastors of these voting records is phase one of a year-long effort to activate Churches as never before regarding what they can legally do in preparation for next year's midterm elections. Publishing voting records in a non-partisan fashion is certainly one of those activities."

President Obama is making a rare Saturday appearance to Democrats on the hill to rally support. Democrats need 218 votes.

Ask your Representatives to Support the Stupak-Pitts amendment

What the Stupak-Pitts Amendment Would Do

The Stupak-Pitts Amendment would remove the two major pro-abortion components from H.R. 3962: (1) The amendment would permanently prohibit the new federal government insurance program, the "public option," from paying for abortion, except to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape or incest; and (2) the amendment would permanently prohibit the use of the new federal premium subsidies ("affordability credits") to purchase private insurance plans that cover abortion (except to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape or incest).

Note: The Stupak-Pitts Amendment explicitly allows private insurance companies to sell insurance policies that cover abortion (either abortion alone, or abortion coverage along with other coverage) to persons who pay for such policies entirely with their personal funds. Some pro-abortion groups have claimed that the Stupak-Pitts amendment would prohibit private companies from selling abortion coverage even to a person who receives no government subsidy, but this is false. - NRLC

1.) Contact your Representative and ask them to vote "YES" on the
Stupak Amendment. Contact your Members here.
or call the House switchboard at: (202) 224-3121

2.) Spread the word to 10 people.

3.) Continue to pray for our elected officials. Pray that our
nation -- founded on the inalienable right to life --
does not allow its government to fund the destruction
of human life at its most vulnerable stage.

That Congress will act to ensure that needed health care reform will truly protect the life, dignity and health care of all and that we will raise our voices to protect the unborn and the most vulnerable and to preserve our freedom of conscience.
We pray to the Lord.

Sincerely,


Lisa Correnti
Founder and Director
OneNationUnderGod.org

Check this link for more information.

Beautiful lanterns!

Go on over to that faithful and crafty woman Anne's blog. You'll be amazed! Here you go!

Excited!

I am very excited! I just saw the new cover image of Mother Teresa and Me: Ten Years of Friendship! It's just beautiful! I'll be able to share it with you very soon. I don't mean to keep you in suspense.:)

God bless!

Donna-Marie

Please don't sit back

Finding EWTN

Check Out EWTN's new Channel Finder –

From EWTN:

"Traveling? Want to share the good news about EWTN with a friend in another part of the country?

Then you'll love EWTN's handy new Channel Finder, an online gadget that easily lets you find the channels on which EWTN is airing in any part of the United States. Just look for the “Channel Finder” icon on our home page.

You'll also find it on our television page, and the What's New page and on . Try it! Just enter a zip code and up pops all the channels on which you can view EWTN in that area."

Prayers

Not too long ago I asked for prayers for a woman in a Kansas hospital who was on a ventilator and fighting for her life. She had two sets of twin children at home. You all prayed and she is now completely fine! Thank you!

I have another favor, in addition to the prayer requests in the column of this blog, please pray for someone I know who just found out this morning that her cancer has come back after a ten year remission. She will need a double mastectomy and treatment. She has two small children and is hoping for many prayers to pull through all of it to be here for her children. Thank you in advance for your generous and powerful prayers.

God bless you and keep you!

Hugs!

Donna-Marie

Hey! Did you hear about this?

Lisa Hendey at Catholic Mom.Com is running an amazing contest...

"Bringing new life into the world is a profound miracle; but for some women, pregnancy itself isn’t easy. To show our support, celebrate the blessing, and pamper our pregnant friends, we decided to offer a pregnancy giveaway during the month of November. Leave a comment on this post, and you’ll be entered to win one of two pregnancy prize packages.

Prize Pack 1:

1 copy of Erin O’Brien’s Complete Pregnancy Fitness DVD set
1 Bella Band
1 copy of the complete Laugh and Learn DVD package including Laugh and Learn about Childbirth, Breastfeeding, and Newborn Baby Care; 1 Laugh and Learn T-shirt; 1 copy of Sheri Bayles’ Laugh and Learn about Childbirth book
1 copy of Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine-Month Novena for Mothers to Be by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle
1 copy of Margo Smith’s CD “Sending Up A Prayer”
Prize Pack 2:

1 copy of Erin O’Brien’s Complete Pregnancy Fitness DVD set
2 boxes of Organic Preggie Pop Drops
1 copy of the complete Laugh and Learn DVD package including Laugh and Learn about Childbirth, Breastfeeding, and Newborn Baby Care; 1 Laugh and Learn T-shirt; 1 copy of Sheri Bayles’ Laugh and Learn about Childbirth book
1 copy of Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine-Month Novena for Mothers to Be by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle
1 copy of Margo Smith’s CD “Sending Up A Prayer”
Visit Kate Wicker at Momopoly for a detailed review of the Complete Pregnancy Fitness DVD set. Visit Anne McClure at Catholic Mommy Brain for reviews of the Bella Band, Laugh and Learn package, and Prayerfully Expecting."

So, go over to Catholic Mom.Com and see how to enter!

New Review of my book Prayerfully Expecting

Anne McClure at "Catholic Mommy Brain" has just reviewed my book: Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine Month Novena for Mothers to Be:

"Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle is a Catholic wife, mother of five, author, speaker, and Lay Missionary of Charity. Inspired by the idea that pregnancy spans nine months, Donna Marie created a guide to using this period of time for a novena of prayers and reflection on the blessing of new life.

This reflective journal helps you pray through your pregnancy, using beautiful meditations on all the mysteries of the Rosary and asking the intercession of Saint Anne and Saint Gerard Majella in particular. Interspersed with these prayers are descriptions of the baby’s development and quotes from wonderful models of love such as Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta (a personal friend of Donna-Marie’s). These nuggets of wisdom will deepen your experience on the incredible dignity of life.

I am praying through this book myself and am so grateful for the peace I am finding. It can be so difficult to simply appreciate pregnancy. After all, everything about a pregnancy is oriented towards its conclusion. We can’t help but ponder names, prepare for labor, and dream about cuddling a new baby. These thoughts can be fun, but they can also prevent us from enjoying the experience of pregnancy itself. Prayerfully Expecting allows us an opportunity to slow down and find God in the process and not just the product. It offers a window into how God sees pregnancy– as a gift of self and an act of love.

Donna Marie is an inspiring witness to the joy of mothering. Prayerfully Expecting seeks to help every mom deepen that joy. To purchase this book, or to learn more about Donna Marie’s other writings, visit her website. You can also find her blogging at View From the Domestic Church, Moments of Inspiration From Your Favorite Saints, Embracing Motherhood, and Daily Dose of Donna-Marie. Her new TV series, “Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms” will soon premiere on EWTN as well."

Visit Anne's blog here.

Support a Catholic Speaker Month

Favorite Catholic Speaker Nominee Fr. Phillip Chavez

Fr. Phillip Chavez, SOLT, leader in Men' Ministry is a priest in the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity. You may be familiar with this Society because it is the same Society as Fr. John Corapi's.

Fr. Chavez is the director of the Amator Institute which is a men's ministry based in south-central PA. He has been encouraged by his superiors to establish an outreach to men so that they can be helped through the many challenges and struggles that they face in modern times. Fr. Chavez concentrates on Masculine Spirituality.

Fr. Chavez has said, "Men often find themselves isolated, profoundly dissatisfied, unfulfilled, and desperately seeking answers." Fr. Chavez encourages men to see and assume their supernatural calling to emulate Christ as Priest, Prophet, and King. He strives to awaken and strengthen the identity and mission of young men and fathers. He summons them to realize their natural longing to be a Leader, Protector, and Provider in their homes, churches, and community.

He strives to help men find the answers through seminars and parish missions that he offers. He often works with the Knights of Columbus who sponsor many of his appearances. Many of his recordings are published through St. Joseph's Communications.

Fr. Chavez stated, "I strive to call men toward their natural duty to mentor younger men and adolescents, inspire then to sacrificially honor their commitments, coach them to assemble and work in small teams, and summon them to defend their family, Church and society. All my work finds its basis upon sound theological and human principles, so that men may realize the secure promise of Christ: "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). A few of Fr. Chavez's talk titles are: "Masculine Identity," "Faith Challenges and the Man," "Marriage, Parenting, and Family Life."

I am pleased to be a sponsor and promoter of Fr. Chavez to the nation’s top and favorite Catholic Speakers’ List for 2009.

Fr. Chavez's contact information is:
Rev. Phillip Chavez, Solt
The Amator Institute
Post Office Box 278
Glen Rock, PA 17327

www.AmatorInstitute.org

Email: info@AmatorInstitute.org

Check out the entire list of Catholic speakers Support a Catholic Speaker Month here.

A great reflection on All Souls Day

Mary De Turris Poust gives us a great reflection on All Souls Day and Purgatory.

Never a dull moment...

Never a dull moment! I had to chase a coyote out of my yard today. It was trying to pick a fight with my dog, Sweetpea at around lunch time. A pack of coyotes will send one coyote out to try to get your dog or other animal and entice him or her to another spot. Then, the whole pack will attack and kill the poor animal. They'll just go ahead and attack and kill smaller animals on the spot without a problem.

My dog is beginning to lose her hearing so I had to yell for her to come in and then go closer so she could see me and hear me. I didn't want to get too close to the coyote. Brave Sweetpea was barking and inching towards her to chase her out of our property. I yelled at the coyote to "GET OUT OF HERE!!!" And it did leave. It took a little bit. It turned around and meandered out of our driveway and down the road. Sweetpea still wanted to protect me by barking and inching towards the wild animal and I had to get her safely in the house. It was scary since just last week I read in the news about the poor nineteen year old who was hiking in Canada and was attacked by two coyotes. Unfortunately, she couldn't be saved and she died. Let's pray for her soul. I have been.

Incidentally, the pictures here are not of the actual coyote that visited us today. The photos are from the Internet.

Praying for the Holy Souls in Purgatory

Karen Edmisten asks and answers the question: Why bother praying for the souls in Purgatory.

All Souls Day

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 n Gentium, 49

All Saints Day celebration

A beautiful family's All Saint's Day costumes.

Happy All Saints' Day!

God is the glory and joy of all his saints, whose memory we celebrate
today.

May his blessing be with you always.
Amen.

May the prayers of the saints deliver you from present evil;

May their example of holy living turn your thoughts to the service of
God and neighbor.
Amen.

God's holy Church rejoices that her children are one with the saints
in lasting peace.

May you come to share with them in all the joys of our Father's house.
Amen.

May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

[Solemn blessing, Mass, Solemnity of All Saints]