View from the Domestic Church: Women are strong! Women are faithful!

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)

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Women are strong! Women are faithful!

I love what Archbishop Sheen expressed to us, don't you? He asked...

"Which stands up better in a crisis - man or woman? The best way to arrive at a conclusion is to go to the greatest crises the world ever faced, namely the CRUCIFIXION OF OUR DIVINE LORD. When we come to this great drama of Calvary there is one fact that stands out very clearly: Men failed. On the other hand, there is not a single instance of a woman's failing him."

~Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

Can we pray to be as faithful as the women who stood by our dear Lord Jesus? We have to be!

We need to pray for a increase in faith, hope, and love EVERY DAY! Faithful women can be an awesome example to others and help to bring them closer to Our Lord.

3 comments:

Trisha Niermeyer PotterMarch 10, 2010 at 11:29 AM
This is a very powerful reflection. Thank you for sharing this!
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Donna-Marie Cooper O'BoyleMarch 10, 2010 at 4:05 PM
You are very welcome, Trisha. Archbishop Fulton Sheen's sentiments helps to boost the spirits of women and helps them aspire to greater heights in prayer and in their example to others.

God bless your Lenten season!
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Trisha Niermeyer PotterMarch 10, 2010 at 10:06 PM
I agree. My dad actually was an altar boy for Archbishop Fulton Sheen earlier on in his priesthood, so I've read some of his books and used to talk about him with my dad.
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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