My top 12 inspiring book picks to throw into your summer beach bag!

Well, it's almost that time of year. We will hopefully have a chance to get to the beach and do some reading. Here are my top 12 inspiring picks for your summer beach bag (in no particular order):


1) Studies in Honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe by the Academy of The Immaculate.

I can't help but recommend this book since it is about Our Lady of Guadalupe and partially written by my dear friend Cardinal Burke. My endorsement is on the back cover.

About this volume

Extraordinarily relevant, Mariological Studies in Honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a one of a kind treasure trove delving into the great mysteries of salvation through the lens of Mary’s maternal mediation. Eight essays relating to the Mother of God and Mother of the Church, but particularly about Our Lady of Guadalupe, Queen of the Americas, will stir your heart to a renewed devotion to the Blessed Mother Mary, so essential for our times. You’ll want to savor this book. Highly recommended!

- Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, EWTN TV Host of
"Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms” and “Catholic Mom’s Café”
is the author of numerous Catholic books including
The Miraculous Medal: Stories, Prayers, and Devotions

Contributors to this volume...

• His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke
• Father Angelo M. Geiger, FI
• Mother Miriam of the Lamb of God Moss, O.S.B.
• Father Dwight Campbell
• Monsignor Arthur Burton Calkins
• Father Peter Damian M. Fehlner, FI

Order here: http://academyoftheimmaculate.com/studies-our-lady-guadalupe.html#.U5owHl7oYXo


2) Journey to Heaven: A Road Map for Catholic Men by Randy Hain (Emmaus Road)

"Each hour of each day you are forming habits that shape your character and will determine where you will spend eternity. When your earthly life ends, it will be too late to change your destiny. In the midst of the hectic demands, busy schedules, and countless interruptions of every day, this book gives you the surefire, divinely instituted "apps" for becoming the man God wants you to be. Use them! Your family is counting on you.

Order here: http://www.emmausroad.org/%2FJourney-to-Heaven-A-Road-Map-for-Catholic-Men--P12146.aspx#sthash.EzdPzQYM.dpbs

3) Mary, Virgin Mother and Queen, Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J., (Our Sunday Visitor)

In his new Bible study, Mary – Virgin, Mother, and Queen (Our Sunday Visitor, 2014), popular EWTN host and renowned scripture scholar, Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J. gives Catholics the necessary background to understand Marian doctrine in light of Sacred Scripture. Fr. Pacwa wrote this study to educate Catholics about the Mother of God, and to give them the tools needed to enable them to dialogue with those who typically reject Marian devotion.

“Marian teaching advances best,” states Pacwa, “when it is grounded in a sensitive reading of the scriptural text.” This background becomes the basis for understanding Mary’s role in salvation history, which becomes a platform for evangelization opportunities. “She is the Mother of the Church which evangelizes, and without her we could never truly understand the spirit of the new evangelization,” writes Pope Francis in Evangelii Gaudium (284).

The study examines Scripture passages that refer to Mary, including Old Testament women and images that prefigure Mary, and New Testament passages that give details of Mary’s life. Nine sessions are included in Mary – Virgin, Mother, and Queen, with each one including background information by Fr. Pacwa, Scripture passages to read, space for notes, and thought- provoking discussion questions. The book also includes common Marian prayers.

Order here: https://www.osv.com/OSVNewsweekly/ByIssue/Article/TabId/735/ArtMID/13636/ArticleID/14399/Mary----Virgin-Mother-and-Queen.aspx

4) Something Other Than God, Jennifer Fulwiler, (Ignatius Press)

Jennifer Fulwiler told herself she was happy. Why wouldn't she be? She made good money as a programmer at a hot tech start-up, had just married a guy with a stack of Ivy League degrees, and lived in a twenty-first-floor condo where she could sip sauvignon blanc while watching the sun set behind the hills of Austin.

Raised in a happy, atheist home, Jennifer had the freedom to think for herself and play by her own rules. Yet a creeping darkness followed her all of her life. Finally, one winter night, it drove her to the edge of her balcony, making her ask once and for all why anything mattered. At that moment everything she knew and believed was shattered...Hardcover, $22.95: http://www.ignatius.com/Products/SOG-H/something-other-than-god.aspx

5) 150 North American Martyrs You Should Know, By Brian O'Neel (Servant Books)

n this compelling new book, Brian O’Neel tells the stories of martyrs associated with North America. Some are from other countries and died in their attempts to spread the faith on this continent. Some were born on 

n this compelling new book, Brian O’Neel tells the stories of martyrs associated with North America. Some are from other countries and died in their attempts to spread the faith on this continent. Some were born on 

In this compelling new book, Brian O’Neel tells the stories of martyrs associated with North America. Some are from other countries and died in their attempts to spread the faith on 
this continent but died doing missionary work in other lands. Some were individual martyrs, and some were part of an heroic group. Some were “white martyrs” who, although they did not shed their blood for the faith, suffered much for the spread of their faith. The book includes:

• A lively presentation about each martyr (or group of martyrs)
• A practical application for the reader
• A historical context for how these martyrs helped the Church to grow in North America

These martyrs changed the world by their courage and commitment, and their stories have the power to inspire us today to live our Catholic faith bravely and boldly.

Order here: http://catalog.franciscanmedia.org/Product.aspx?ProductCode=t36551

6) Pope Francis, By Matthew Bunson, (Our Sunday Visitor)

Pope Francis is still new to us, but in this biography you will get to know the man who became pope: A street priest at heart with a deep love for people and a pastor's touch. He teaches in word and deed the truths of the Church and God's merciful love.

Get inside access to the entire history-making event, from the startling resignation of Pope Benedict through the gathering of Cardinals for the Conclave and the installation of this Pope of the people.

Examine Pope Francis the man - his background, his ideas, his mission, and his challenges and opportunities as our new pope - including 16 pages of full color photos from Pope Francis' past and present.

Order here: https://www.osv.com/Shop/Product?ProductCode=T1417

7) He Leadeth Me, by Walter J. Ciszek, Daniel L. Flaherty (Ignatius Press)

He Leadeth Me is the deeply moving personal story of one man's spiritual odyssey and the unflagging faith which enabled him to survive the horrendous ordeal that wrenched his body and spirit to near collapse.

Captured by the Russian army during World War II and convicted of being a "Vatican spy," American Jesuit Father Walter J. Ciszek spent some 23 agonizing years in Soviet prisons and the labor camps of Siberia. He here recalls how it was only through an utter reliance on God's will that he managed to endure. He tells of the courage he found in prayer-a courage that eased the loneliness, the pain, the frustrations, the anguish, the fears, the despair. For, as Ciszek relates, the solace of spiritual contemplation gave him an inner serenity upon which he was able to draw amidst the "arrogance of evil" that surrounded him. Learning to accept even the inhuman work of toiling in the infamous Siberian salt mines as a labor pleasing to God, he was able to turn adverse forces into a source of positive value and a means of drawing closer to the compassionate and never-forsaking Divine Spirit.

He Leadeth Me is a book to inspire all Christians to greater faith and trust in God-even in their darkest hour.

[this book might be out of print but you might be able to find it]

8) Made for Love, Loved by God, Fr. Peter John Cameron, O.P., (Servant Books)

A down-to-earth, practical reflection on the nature of God’s love, eloquently written by Fr. Peter Cameron. Drawing heavily on Sacred Scripture and the transforming encounters with Jesus Christ recorded in the Gospels, Fr. Cameron seeks to make God’s love as real, concrete, and accessible to his readers’ lives as possible. He emphasizes how God constantly searches for us and takes the initiative in loving us—how he woos us into happiness with him.

Made for Love, Loved by God will also address common misconceptions about God’s love as well as the obstacles that prevent us from letting God love us. After reading this book, the reader will feel closer to God by being shown a way to be closer to God. It will imbue the reader with the certainty of the psalmist: “The Lord delights in those who wait for his love” (Psalm 147:11).

Order here: http://catalog.franciscanmedia.org/Product.aspx?ProductCode=T36635

9) Marian Gems, Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, (Marian Press)

In Marian Gems: Daily Wisdom on Our Lady, Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, shares gems or quotes on Mary that he was inspired to begin collecting when he was a seminarian. He includes a gem for each day of the year, drawn from the writings of the Popes, Saints, Blesseds, and Venerables. When these gems first appeared in his book Under the Mantle, many readers loved them and suggested he publish them in a separate book for daily prayer. He was delighted and took their advice. 

Order here: https://secure.marianweb.net/shopmercy.org/books/

10) You Did it To Me, Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC (Marian Press)

What Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC, has done in 33 Days to Morning Glory to promote true devotion to Mary, and what he has done in Consoling the Heart of Jesus to promote devotion to the Merciful and Sacred Heart of Jesus, he now does in 'You Did It to Me' to promote the works of mercy.

     Father Gaitley has a genius for bringing together the spiritual and corporal works of mercy under the umbrella  of "The Five Scriptural Works of Mercy" that Jesus will use to judge us at the end of the world, as found in Matthew 25:31-46. He then enriches these Scriptural texts on mercy with the practical insight of St. Pope John Paul II, St. Faustina, and Pope Francis.

      He also has a very fertile imagination in bringing to life practical ways of implementing these works of mercy in our own individual lives, in our parish ministries as well as in the workplace, together with a plan of action for making these works of mercy concrete and livable.

     If implemented, these concepts will transform the culture of any parish. The simple soul will be energized to do and the contemplative soul will be inspired to intercede.

I could not recommend this book more highly.

~Bishop Robert J. Hermann

Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of St. Louis

Order here: http://www.divinemercygiftshop.org/marian/product.asp?prod_name=You+Did+it+to+Me&pf_id=PAHEIDDIPNBOIENE&dept_id=3032&s_id=0

11) The Faith, Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J., (Servant Books)

Fr. Hardon was my friend and spiritual director. He is also my daughter's godfather. Fr. Hardon was a very humble and holy world renowned theologian and scholar. I highly recommend all of his books. here's the book description: 

In this new reissue of Fr. Hardon’s classic, the universal Catechism of the Catholic Church is presented in an easy-to-use question-and-answer format. He zeroes in on what question each section is trying to answer and formulates that question in user-friendly language. He then gives a simple answer in his own words, referencing the section of the Catechism that addresses the question.

Still as fresh and relevant as when it was first released, The Faith makes the Catechism of the Catholic Church accessible to a new generation of readers. Fr. Hardon helps to form Catholics in the faith by focusing on the principle points of doctrine, moral teaching, and spirituality conveyed so richly in the Catechism. In the pages of this book, you’ll learn:

• What the faith we profess is all about
• Why Christianity is the most credible religion in the world
• How the Catholic Church possesses the fullness of truth
Catholics today have a greater responsibility than ever before to educate themselves first and then the world—a world that is starving for knowledge of Christ and his truth. This question-and-answer guide will be a valuable addition to your library.

Order here: http://catalog.franciscanmedia.org/Product.aspx?ProductCode=T36775

12) Evangelizing Catholics, Scott Hahn, (Our Sunday Visitor)

You can't keep the faith unless you give it away.

That's a fact. To be a Christian is to be an evangelizer. When the Catholic Church calls us to a "New Evangelization," that's simply a reminder to us of what has always been true. The good news is: you can do it - you can evangelize - and Scott Hahn shows you how.

In this this very practical "mission manual" Dr. Hahn equips you with:

• A guide to understanding what the New Evangelization is, and who it's really for
• A roadmap that leads you to where it all happens (hint: it's closer than you think)
• A simple, beautiful message to share - in words and actions

You don't need esoteric knowledge. You don't need to master a new set of skills. Evangelization, for Catholics, is simply friendship raised up to the highest level. Enter a deeper friendship with Christ, and you'll want to share his companionship more and more with a wider circle of friends.

Order here: https://www.osv.com/Shop/Product?ProductCode=T1578

It's tough to limit good book picks to twelve. I suspect I'll need to recommend twelve more in the not so distant future! :) I think my next set of book recommendations will be fiction. Please leave your fiction recommendations in the comment box. I'll also do a set of books for teens and also the young-ins'.

Enjoy your summer reading! Be inspired!

God bless!

Catholic Mom's Cafe: Celebrate your "Mom-isms!"

Catholic Mom's Cafe: Celebrate your "Mom-isms!": An InLinkz Link-up The first link-up will open on Monday, June 16th! Stay tuned!

Keeping Prayer in Summer: A Mother's Strategy

Keeping Prayer in Summer: A Mother's Strategy

Just the thought of summer fast-approaching might bring thoughts of rest and relaxation to mind. We may recall the lazy days of summer during our youth. Summer may also mean anticipated excitement and adventure--exploring new places or trying new things.

Some families plan escapes to beaches and paradise vacations, while others may stay home and plan day trips to fun spots, the local library, or parks and recreation centers.

The realization that summer is just around the corner can cause the Moms to feel a bit (or a lot!) nervous too. They might not want to let go of their semi-structured schedule for the more relaxed bedlam, craziness, and insane structure of summertime.

One thing is for sure—the schedule will usually change quite dramatically. But there's no need to fear. Let's take the stress out of summer right now by pausing to plan a strategy.

Summertime can certainly be a time of well-deserved rest and also a welcome change of scenery. While making plans for our families this summer, let’s not forget about prayer. A change in schedule once we hit summertime and an eagerness to “get away from it all” could cause us to lose touch with our spiritual needs. We don't want to inadvertently let our  prayer life go on vacation!

Recently, on a radio show I suggested that we should actually write down the intention to "pray." We can do that on a dry-erase board, chalkboard, or in our tablet. I suggested that in order to make family prayer happen throughout summertime, we have to carve out time for it—we need to make time to be with our Creator! Sure, all kinds of inconvenient stuff happens in the heart of the family, but God knows what we are all about. He knows we can't drop to our knees to pray when we are taking care of a pressing need with the children. He also knows that we are a work in progress! When our planned prayer time gets sabotaged or rearranged, let’s just try again—let’s make it work! But, let’s not beat ourselves up when our efforts might fail. If we try our very best God will surely reward us for making sure that we are training our children to develop a beautiful relationship with Him.

So, add "prayer" to your "to-do" list and teach the kids to do the same. Do that soon! We want to establish some good prayer habits.

Prayer Strategies

A key strategy to help us remain prayerful this summer is to begin each day with prayer—no matter what. This simple suggestion may seem like a no-brainer to a praying individual. However, the busyness of mornings and preparations for summer outings of even the well intentioned “pray-ers” can cause prayer time to become lost in the commotion.

Getting on our knees when we face each new day and giving it right over to the Lord will indeed start the day off with the proper disposition and it only takes a few minutes of our time. Mothers should teach their children to do the same—to greet Our Lord first thing in the morning. A morning offering in our own words or a more formal version and a prayer to our Guardian Angel at the breakfast table works very well with our captive hungry “audience!” We can offer our hearts to God all throughout our days as well. Teaching our children to begin their days with prayer is an invaluable lesson that will remain with them as they grow older and begin to navigate life on their own. 

Making time to come together as a family to offer our hearts to God is indispensable and will be etched on your children’s hearts forever. No family is too busy to pray together. We can easily slip meaningful prayer into mealtimes to keep our family focused on prayer throughout the day. Saint John Paul II emphasized the importance of family prayer frequently. He said, "Prayer increases the strength and spiritual unity of the family, helping the family to partake of God's own “strength” (Gratissimam Sane, Letter to Families, 1994).

When making plans for family trips, perhaps we can think about including shrines, basilicas, and holy places in our trips. It's a win-win situation! When researching places of interest for our family this summer, we can utilize the many Catholic magazines, newspapers, and websites that often highlight interesting places for pilgrimages and visits. We can attempt to attain that healthy balance of nourishment for our family’s spiritual life and fun and enjoyment to relax and entertain our senses.

Summer travel affords us many opportunities for prayer—more than we might imagine. Prayers such as the rosary can be said in common in the family vehicle en route to a vacation spot or while traveling to the beach, park, or picnic area for day trips. Each child can voice a prayer of petition about something that is close to their hearts and offer prayers of thanksgiving for God’s gifts — including family time together. Naturally, we will want to ask our good Lord for His protection over our family as we travel.

Why not teach the kids about the saints this summer? A saint a week! My book, Catholic Saints Prayer Book (32 saints) is on sale at Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Company for $2.00 off all throughout the month of June! It has just been re-released in paperback and is just the right size to toss in the beach bag. Check it out here: https://www.osv.com/shop/promotions.aspx?promotion=f46bbs63

Turning the Negative Around

Annoyances and inconveniences can crop up at any time. Summer doesn’t automatically translate into bliss. However, the traffic jams, whiny children, bug bites, sunburn, or unexpected delays and mishaps can be turned around and used for good. We have a perfect opportunity to “offer it up” to God and ask Him to use a small sacrifice or inconvenience on our part for the good of others, rather than allowing the situation to cause us to become annoyed or angry. Let’s keep our cool and turn to prayer. We can ask our Lord to use our sufferings for the souls in purgatory so that they can get to Heaven a little faster.

Servant of God, Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J., the late world renowned theologian and author (and my former spiritual director), said in his book, Theology of Prayer (The Daughters of St. Paul, 1979), “When I suffer prayerfully, I recognize that God is behind the suffering and I humble my head in faith… when I suffer prayerfully, I trust that God has reasons for permitting what I endure and that in His own time and way, the experience now suffered will eventually somehow be a source of grace.”

These prayer times are not only spiritually enriching and gifts for the recipient, they also become beautiful teachable moments, pointing our children to patience and thinking of others during trials, helping them turn to prayer rather than allow a negative situation to get the best of them.

Whatever way your family plans might unfold for this summer, be sure to have fun, enjoy, and offer your joyful heart to the Lord! Your example of prayer throughout the summer days will inspire your family and those that God puts in your midst. 

Have a happy and holy summer!

Prayer from St. John Paul II for families:

Lord God, from You every family in Heaven and on earth takes its name.  Father, You are love and life. Through Your Son, Jesus Christ, born of woman, and through the Holy Spirit, the fountain of divine charity, grant that every family on earth may become for each successive generation a true shrine of life and love. Grant that Your grace may guide the thoughts and actions of husbands and wives for the good of their families and of all the families in the world. Grant that the young may find in the family solid support for their human dignity and for their growth in truth and love.Grant that love, strengthened by the grace of the sacrament of marriage, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass. Through the intercession of the Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that the Church may fruitfully carry out her worldwide mission in the family and through the family. We ask this of You, Who is life, truth and love with the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

God bless!

Hugs,

Official Dolphin Tale 2 Poster!

Here's the official Dolphin Tale 2 poster!

Recent radio chat discussing exciting upcoming books, shows, events!

I recently had a wonderful radio chat with Gail Buckley AKA the "Bible Lady!" In case you missed it, you can listen to the archive here: http://radiomaria.us/thebiblelady/
It's labeled as "May 5, 2014." My name is not yet added to the archived link.

Gail and I spoke about lots of wonderful Catholic issues including some exciting upcoming books and programs. I hope you can listen.

God bless you and yours!

Daily Inspiration...

I'd love to listen to this every morning: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kId0NBvNiCk

Happy Easter and God bless!

Movie trailer right here for DOLPHIN TALE 2!

Winter and the gang are headed back to the big screen!

Alcon and Warner Bros. will be releasing DOLPHIN TALE 2!

     This September, the original cast (Morgan Freeman, Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd, Kris Kristofferson, Nathan Gamble, Cozi Zuehlsdorff, and Winter the Dolphin) are teaming up again to help save a new member of the Dolphin Tale family, Baby Hope. 

     DOLPHIN TALE 2 promises to be just as great as the original. I am sharing a sneak peek of the trailer so that you can see for yourself! The sneak peek is currently available via this private link. 

     Here's the private link to see the movie trailer! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugYJNHzxeHM 

God bless!

Catholic Mom's Cafe: Prayer is a surge of the heart!

Catholic Mom's Cafe: Prayer is a surge of the heart!: Hello! "Prayer is a surge of the heart!" according to Saint Therese of Lisieux. Recently I was teaching my second grade ...

Review: "The Miraculous Medal: Stories, Prayers, and Devotions"

"I converted to Catholicism many years ago but I have always felt a bit like an outsider when it comes to understanding how Mary cares for us and intercedes for us - so this book caught my eye because I was curious about the miraculous medal and I knew very little about it. I like how the book was divided into two main parts - essentially the story of how the MM came about and the second half included encouraging stories. The author related a lot of her own experiences handing out the medals and that was one of the more interesting things about the book I thought - how her efforts have touched the lives of others and I found that very inspiring. The book concludes with some prayers and devotions in case you aren't familiar with them (which I was not). Someone else commented that it does a good job of explaining the difference between superstition and faith and I agree - it really helped me to "get it" when it comes to why many (especially Catholics) feel a special connection to Mary.

I found this book so interesting that I read it in two days and it is one I would go back and read again. She writes with a clarity and sincerity that isn't overly sentimental but refreshing and inspiring and makes you think. If you are on the fence about this book - I'd say buy it. It would be great if she did a follow-up book with more stories - I'd buy that one too!" [as seen on Amazon]

Available here: www.donnacooperoboyle.com


God bless you and keep you!

A review in the National Catholic Register

Here's a review of my book Bringing Lent Home with Saint Therese of Lisieux from the National Catholic Register:

Go on Thérèse’s Lenten Retreat

Book review of Bringing Lent Home With St. Thérèse of Lisieux

by Jean M. Heimann, Register Correspondent Saturday, Mar 22, 2014 8:55 AM Comment

Feel free to order here: www.donnacooperoboyle.com

Bringing Lent Home With St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Prayers, Reflections and Activities for Families

By Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle

Ave Maria Press, 2013

96 pages, $2.95

To order: avemariapress.com

During Lent, Catholic parents have the valuable opportunity to catechize their children about the true meaning of this beautiful liturgical season and offer their children — and themselves — opportunities to grow in holiness.

In Bringing Lent Home With St. Thérèse of Lisieux: Prayers, Reflections and Activities for Families, popular author and EWTN host Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle leads families on a retreat, using St. Thérèse of Lisieux as a spiritual guide to anchor domestic churches in prayer, fasting and almsgiving this Lenten season.

The wisdom of St. Thérèse guides families through each day of Lent — all the way through to Easter Sunday. Each day’s devotional reading offers a quote from the Little Flower and a brief excerpt from her life, as well as fasting and almsgiving suggestions, points to ponder and a simple yet poignant prayer.

The parent reflections in the book are particularly moving. Here is one example:

"The Blessed Mother has much to teach us. She remained with her Son, Jesus, to the bitter end and witnessed every drop of blood he shed on our behalf. While in his agony on the cross, Jesus gave his Mother Mary to all of us to be our Mother.

While Mary won’t always perform miracles for us as she did with St. Thérèse the day she was cured of her illness, Mary will work miracles in our hearts and will indeed bring us closer to her Son. We need to ask her to guide us."

Calling to mind important Catholic truth and saintly wisdom, this booklet offers both spiritual depth and practicality of format. The saint’s spirituality is shared in an easy-to-understand manner, even for children. The short devotions are perfect for busy families’ schedules, and the suggested activities for fasting and almsgiving are creative and doable.

As a doctor of the Church whose spiritual doctrine consists of the "Little Way," St. Thérèse is an excellent spiritual guide and model of holiness for both children and adults, especially for Lent.

This booklet is a beautiful spiritual companion for your family this Lent — and Lenten seasons to come.

Jean M. Heimann blogs at CatholicFire.blogspot.com.

Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/go-on-thereses-lenten-retreat/#ixzz2wnlH3C99


God bless you and yours!

My recent chat with Teresa Tomeo on Catholic Connection

I was chatting with Teresa Tomeo this morning on her wonderful show, "Catholic Connection." We discussed a family's Lenten journey and Saint Therese of Lisieux, Mother Teresa, and St. Teresa of Avila. Here's a link so you can listen in case you missed it: http://www.donnacooperoboyle.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/CC_DMCOB_03-18-14.mp3

God bless you and keep you!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

"Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ in breadth, Christ in length, Christ in height,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the Threeness, through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.
Salvation is of the Lord. Salvation is of the Lord. Salvation is of Christ. May Thy Salvation, O Lord, be ever with us."

~From The Breastplate of Saint Patrick

God bless you and yours!

Irish Soda Bread!

Below is a blog post from the past:

Getting ready for Saint Patrick's day tomorrow, my son, Joseph and I made some Irish soda bread tonight. I'm telling you, it was delicious! It really tasted too good for a Lenten Friday. We used my friend, Mary Maguire's old time recipe (and adapted it a little). We doubled this recipe to make two loaves; one for tonight (just to make sure it tasted good!) and one for tomorrow!

Here is the recipe:

3 cups flour (I use whole wheat flour, sometimes unbleached white, and sometimes spelt and gluten free flours)
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. caraway seeds (optional, but I lOVE them!)
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup butter softened
1/2 cup sugar (I usually substitute honey or agave nectar, and sometimes I combine them)
1 egg
1 cup raisins (I use a mix of golden and black raisins)

Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and caraway seeds in a large bowl. Cut in butter until crumbly; stir in raisins and sugar. Add beaten egg and buttermilk to mixture; stir until dough clings together. On lightly floured surface, knead gently and shape into ball. Grease and flour cake pan lightly; pat to fit pan. Brush top with beaten egg and cut a deep cross in top of bread with sharp knife. Bake in about 350 degrees oven for about an hour or until a cake pick, inserted in center, comes out clean. Place on wire rack and brush top with butter.

We substituted soy butter for the butter (but some years we use real butter) and we shaped our loaves into rounds and baked them on cookie sheets rather than in cake pans, both ways work well. We didn't put an egg wash on top this time. Sometimes I use half whole wheat flour and half unbleached white flour to make the bread a bit more nutritious. [Edited today: Lately I have been baking it with gluten free flours or a mix of spelt flour.]

Also, I'll let you in on a little secret. I don't usually have buttermilk on hand, so instead, I use regular milk with a couple of tablespoons of Apple Cider vinegar mixed in to curdle it. Don't worry, this is safe and some recipes give this option.

Every time we make Irish soda bread we ask ourselves why we only make this bread at St. Patrick's day. It tastes so delicious we should make it more often!

I hope you get a chance to make some Irish Soda bread. :)

God bless you and yours!

Fasting today...

A surge of the heart!

St. Therese of Lisieux has said that prayer "is a surge of the heart." 

Specifically, she said, "For me prayer is a surge of the heart, it is a simple look towards Heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy."

Sometimes, I think we make prayer too complicated. Certainly, our desire for prayer comes from a good place in our hearts. But, I believe that God does not want us to be setting ourselves up for failure by scheduling an unrealistic prayer schedule (even during Lent). Yes, God wants us to pray.

But, possibly it might be in a way we are not planning.

After I sent out the newsletter yesterday a woman wrote to tell me to say that she was relieved to read in my message that we shouldn't be overly regimented in our prayer life. I was referring to being patient with our little ones in the family when gathering for prayer.

This woman had recently learned many new prayers and told me in her email, "...Just so you know, I was just discovering all these wonderful prayers and novenas, and wanted to do it all. But quickly realized it's not about quantity, but quality." I admire this woman's beautiful desire to "do it all." But, she also learned a valuable lesson.

This reminds me of what St. Therese had said about wanting to embrace the whole package of what God called her to. She said, "You cannot be half a saint; you must be a whole saint or no saint at all." Saint Therese accepted God's will in her life. Even though she thought she would be a missionary and travel to the five continents to evangelize Therese needed to be content with what God had planned for her--to stay in the convent and to pray for the world from there.

Our lives are very busy and we need to surely carve out the time for prayer and then try to stick to it. God is awaiting our conversations with Him. But, we also need to be patient and loving with the ones God puts in our midst (and ourselves).

For instance, we might have scheduled an early prayer time before the kids get up and suddenly a child bursts into the room with an immediate need. We, in a sense, excuse ourself from the prayer with our Creator to minister to the one our Lord helped us create--an active prayer! God does not want us to neglect our duties toward others whose care we are responsible for.

We need to strike a balance with our contemplative prayer and our active prayer life. Set aside time for prayer each day and trust God with how it will unfold in your life. If it doesn't go as planned, don't give up--try again! Graces are indeed flowing through your prayers no matter how "successful" they may feel or seem to be. All prayers are valuable. Keep them going!

I hope you can find a quiet few minutes today to lift your heart up in a loving conversation with God. Close your eyes and speak to Jesus. Tell Him that you love Him. He's there waiting for you...

God bless you and yours!

SON OF GOD movie

SON OF GOD in theaters Fe. 28th

SON OF GOD comes to us from producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, the husband-and-wife team responsible for the record-setting and award-winning miniseries THE BIBLE. It's the first major studio film about Jesus' teachings and ministry in over half a century!

In honor of the film's release, I am offering my readers a chance to win an official SON OF GOD prize pack. Each package will include a copy of the SON OF GOD soundtrack, the SON OF GOD companion novel, as well as a 1000 piece puzzle that is sure to entertain the entire family!

To enter the contest, simply leave a comment on this blog post telling me why you want to win it...Good Luck!

Watch for this movie which will be debuted in theaters everywhere on February 28th.

God bless you and yours!

A Mother's Intuition

Prayer is so essential. I can't imagine what people do do without it.

     After my daughter walked out the front door the other day for her appointment, I had a strong feeling to get right on my knees (in front of the picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus) to pray and ask protection for my daughter even though the temperature finally got above freezing and the roads should have been safe. 

     A few minutes later a very strong intuition/inspiration came to me, I stopped everything and sent up another plea to God--this time with more urgency. 

     "Please help her, Lord!" I seemed to cry out from the deepest recesses of my heart. 

     I also called upon the Blessed Mother, Angels and Saints. Only about a minute later my daughter's text message came through telling me that she was "okay" but that she had just crashed into a huge snow plow truck when she lost control of her car (on a slippery icy spot)!    

     I have no doubt that God protected her and Mother Mary was there too. Thank the good Lord that she is fine, just shook up as anyone would be. 

     I am so thankful for a mother's gift of intuition and the graces from God to pray.

     Please be careful out there wherever you may be. Also, listen carefully to God's whispers to your soul.

God bless you and keep you!