Happy feast of the Guardian Angels!

Visit "Embracing Motherhood" for a post on the Guardian Angels.

Back from EWTN

I'm back from EWTN. It was a whirlwind of amazing busyness and abundant blessings! I'll post a few photos tomorrow and fill you in. I have to get to bed - I'm quite exhausted.

God bless you!

Donna-Marie

Happy feast of St. Therese!

"I prefer the monotony of obscure sacrifice to all ecstasies. To pick up a pin for love can convert a soul." These are the words of Theresa of the Child Jesus, a Carmelite nun called the "Little Flower," who lived a cloistered life of obscurity in the convent of Lisieux, France. [In French-speaking areas, she is known as Thérèse of Lisieux.] And her preference for hidden sacrifice did indeed convert souls. Few saints of God are more popular than this young nun. Her autobiography, The Story of a Soul, is read and loved throughout the world. Thérèse Martin entered the convent at the age of 15 and died in 1897 at the age of 24.
Life in a Carmelite convent is indeed uneventful and consists mainly of prayer and hard domestic work. But Thérèse possessed that holy insight that redeems the time, however dull that time may be. She saw in quiet suffering redemptive suffering, suffering that was indeed her apostolate. Thérèse said she came to the Carmel convent "to save souls and pray for priests." And shortly before she died, she wrote: "I want to spend my heaven doing good on earth."

[On October 19, 1997, Pope John Paul II proclaimed her a Doctor of the Church, the third woman to be so recognized in light of her holiness and the influence of her teaching on spirituality in the Church.]

From Saint of a day at American Catholic.org

Hitting the Road!

I'm leaving now for EWTN. I am very thankful for your prayers for this new series for Catholic Moms and for safety in my travels.

Thank you in advance for your prayers!

God bless and hugs,

Donna-Marie

Day Five on our St. Therese novena

Day Five...

Start with:
O St. Therese of the Child Jesus, who during your short life on earth became a mirror of angelic purity, of love strong as death, and of wholehearted abandonment to God, now that you rejoice in the reward of your virtues, cast a glance of pity on me as I leave all things in your hands. Make my troubles your own, speak a word for me to Our Lady Immaculate, whose flower of special love you were—to that Queen of Heaven "who smiled on you at the dawn of life." Beg her powerful intercession the grace I yearn for so ardently at this moment and that she join with it a blessing that may strengthen me during life, defend me at the hour of death, and lead me straight on to a happy eternity. Amen.

O God, who did inflame with the Spirit of Love, the soul of your servant Therese of the Child Jesus, grant that we also may love you and make you much loved. Amen.

DAY FIVE

O Little Flower of Carmel, Almighty God endowed you, consumed by love for Him, with wondrous spiritual strength to follow the way of perfection during the days of your short life. Sickness touched you early but you remained firm in faith and prayer was your life. O pray for me that I may benefit by your intercession and be granted the favor I ask in this novena...(request here).


St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.

Heading for EWTN!

It's just about time to head out to Alabama (without a banjo on my knee) to meet up with the faithful folk at the EWTN studios. I've been in communication with two of their producers, Lee South, and Michael Baker and EWTN's program director, Peter Gagnon.

I will be taping 25 episodes for Catholic Moms for my new series called: "Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms" and also a segment with the ever-gracious Doug Keck on EWTN's Bookmark show. We'll be discussing my latest books: Grace Cafe: Serving Up Recipes for Faithful Mothering and The Domestic Church: Room by Room: A Mother's Study Guide.

I've been working closely with my producer, Michael Baker and he and his crew have come up with a lovely set design and wonderful ideas to compliment my new series. I'm eager to see the set that has been "built" in a house at EWTN where we'll be filming on "location" to attain a "domestic church" homey feel. I'm really looking forward to meeting the people I will be working with as well as seeing Lee South and Doug Keck again for the EWTN's Bookmark show.

I'm asking all of you please for prayers for my journey, prayers for the series, and for God's holy will to be done. It's exciting to be able to work with EWTN to bring inspiration to Catholic Moms all over the world! So, if you would be so kind, please keep me and this project in your prayers. I really appreciate that so much and thank you from my heart in advance.

I'll try to take some photos to share with you here once I return at the end of the week. If I have Internet service and decide to bring my laptop, I may be able to post something even sooner. Don't count on it though, because my days down at EWTN are packed to the brim!

Thank you so very much for your prayers!

God bless and hugs,

Donna-Marie

Day four of a novena to St Therese

We start with an introductory daily prayer :

O St. Therese of the Child Jesus,
who during your short life on earth
became a mirror of angelic purity,
of love strong as death,
and of wholehearted abandonment to God,
now that you rejoice in the reward of your virtues,
cast a glance of pity on me
as I leave all things in your hands.
Make my troubles your own,
speak a word for me to Our Lady Immaculate,
whose flower of special love you were
to that Queen of Heaven
"who smiled on you at the dawn of life."
Beg her powerful intercession
the grace I yearn for so ardently at this moment...
(our prayer intention here....)
and that she join with it a blessing
that may strengthen me during life,
defend me at the hour of death,
and lead me straight on to a happy eternity.Amen.

O God, who did inflame with the Spirit of Love,
the soul of your servant Therese of the Child Jesus,
grant that we also may love you
and make you much loved.Amen.

Day Four
O Little Flower of Jesus,
who at an early age had your heart set on Carmel
and in your brief earthly life
did become the mirror of angelic purity,
of courageous love
and of whole hearted surrender to Almighty God,
turn your eyes of mercy upon me who trusts in you.
Obtain for me the favor I seek in this novena

( our prayer intention here....)
and the grace to keep my heart and mind pure and clean.
O dear saint, grant me to feel in every need
the power of your intercession;
help to comfort me in all the bitterness of this life
and especially at its end,
that I may be worth
to share eternal happiness with you in heaven.
Amen.

St. Therese of the Child Jesus,
pray for us. Amen

Novena to St Therese

I'm sorry that I forgot to mention the St Therese novena to prepare for her feast day coming up on October 1st. St Therese was beloved by Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She is a saint me can all aspire to emulate. She showed us how doing little things faithfully with great love is so very pleasing to God. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta taught us the same way.

Today is the third day:

Start with:
O St. Therese of the Child Jesus, who during your short life on earth became a mirror of angelic purity, of love strong as death, and of wholehearted abandonment to God, now that you rejoice in the reward of your virtues, cast a glance of pity on me as I leave all things in your hands. Make my troubles your own, speak a word for me to Our Lady Immaculate, whose flower of special love you were—to that Queen of Heaven "who smiled on you at the dawn of life." Beg her powerful intercession the grace I yearn for so ardently at this moment (here is where you mention your request) and that she join with it a blessing that may strengthen me during life, defend me at the hour of death, and lead me straight on to a happy eternity. Amen.


O God, who did inflame with the Spirit of Love, the soul of your servant Therese of the Child Jesus, grant that we also may love you and make you much loved. Amen.


DAY THREE


O Therese of the Child Jesus, lily of purity, ornament and glory of Carmel, I greet you, great saint, seraph of divine love. I rejoice in the favors our Lord so liberally bestowed on you. With humility and confidence I ask you to help me, for I know God has given you love and pity as well as power. Tell Him, now, I beseech you, of the favor I now seek in this novena...Your request will crown my petition with success and bring joy to my heart. Remember your promise to do good here on earth. "I shall spend my heaven doing good on Earth. After death I will let fall a shower of roses."


St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.

Visit this beautiful blog. The author, Nancy Carabio wrote a beautiful book on St. Therese. I have interviewed her and will re-post that interview soon. You'll see my endorsement of her book in the right hand column of her blog.

Among Women Podcast about "Mother Teresa and Me"

If you'd care to listen to the "Among Women" podcast by the very talented and gracious, Pat Gohn, please click here. Pat recently interviewed me about my friendship with Blessed Mother Teresa and about my new book about to be released: Mother Teresa and Me: Ten Years of Friendship. You'll also hear Mother Teresa's beutiful inspiring voice!

Visit Pat at her blog here.

Happy feast of St. Padre Pio!

Go on over to my Saints' blog to read about St. Padre Pio whose feast day is today by clicking here.

Coming up...My interview on "Among Women"

Stay tuned...

God bless,

Donna-Marie

Today's radio chat on Mom's Corner

Here's the link to today's radio chat with my dear friend, Teresa Tomeo. If you didn't get a chance to tune in this morning or would like to share the news with someone about my new EWTN television series coming up: "Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms" just click here.

Have a blessed night!

hugs,

Donna-Marie

Tune in to "Mom's Corner" with Teresa Tomeo and Me

I hope you can tune in to my chat with Teresa Tomeo this morning on Ave Maria Radio on "Catholic Connection." Just tune in at 9:15 AM Eastern Standard Time by clicking here at avemariaradio.net and then click "listen live."

It's the first day of Autumn! AND, St. Padre Pio's feast day coming up tomorrow! We'll be chatting about my new EWTN television series coming up! I'll be back to post a link a little later on in case you can't tune in.

God bless!

Donna-Marie

My retreat in PA over the week end

Now updated AGAIN to include some quotes...

The retreat at St. Mary's in Hamburg, PA was wonderful. Women from all over the diocese filled the huge beautiful church. Faith was shared and women discovered and rediscovered their God-given gifts and dignity.

The "Day of Spirituality" was titled: "Thirsting for the Living Water: On the Dignity and Vocation of Women." My talks were: "Meeting Jesus at the Well," "The Perfect Woman: Dealing with Society's Demands," and "Awareness of a Mission: Our Call to Evangelization."

I spoke much about the amazing Apostolic Letter to Women, "Mulieris Dignitatem: On the Dignity and Vocation of Women" penned a little over twenty years ago by Pope John Paul the Great, a wonderful hero and promoter of women. I also wove a lot of Blessed Mother Teresa's spirituality throughout the day.

We even had a free "raffle" and three women won their choice of copies of my books. Two of the winners chose to wait to receive their prizes, choosing my newest book: Mother Teresa and Me: Ten Years of Friendship which will be released soon.

The day opened with a welcome and opening prayer from Rev. Donald W. Cieniewicz, Pastor at St. Mary and opening comments by Rev. E. Michael Camilli, M. S. C., Secretary, Catholic Life and Evangelization. The new bishop, Bishop John Barres who was a promoter of the event could not be present because he was attending "bishop school" in Rome at the time, we were told.




Here is a photo of Diane Arnold and me. Diane had been reading my books and contacted me quite some time ago about the possibility of visiting her area and with her efforts, God's grace, and the work of a whole commission of women representing the Diocese of Allentown, PA, the retreat day: "Women's Day of Spirituality" became a reality.





Pictured here are Helen Nowak, a freshmen physician's assistant major (in blue), me, Maggie Riggins, Assistant Director of Campus Ministry at DeSales University (in peach), and Mary Simonea sophomore mathematics and secondary education major, (in white). They traveled from De Sales University to share the day with us.

Afterwards by email, Maggie Riggins, Assistant Director of Campus Ministry at DeSales University graciously shared some reflections with me of some of the essential messages from my talks from the "Women's Day of Spirituality" that she took away with her.

She said, "The message from the Gospel story of Jesus and the Woman at the Well really inspired me to reflect on important spiritual questions: Am I focusing too much on other things that I do not notice Jesus offering me the Living Water? Do I focus on the present moment and how I can encounter Jesus in the here and now? How can I be "Jesus in the flesh" in giving the Living Water to others?

"Remembering Mary as our Model on how to live - and that is through our giving of love to others.

"Believing that we are called to be salt of the earth and a light to the world and not to be afraid to let our light shine. And the need to ask God for awareness and courage to show our gifts.

"Also, your presentations have really laid the outline for the DeSales Women's Retreat weekend for 2010! In addition to the Gospel story of Jesus and the Woman at the Well, the DeSales Women's Retreat will also explore how Jesus encountered other women... The Woman caught in Adultery, Mary and Martha, Mary at the Cross and Mary Magdalene at the Tomb. Your talk was very inspiring and my papers are full of wonderful notes that I will cherish for a very long time! Thanks again and may God continue to bless your ministry."

It was refreshing for me to see women of every age attend this gathering that had been planned for quite some time. I am constantly encouraged when I encounter women who are craving to discover and understand more about their faith and their Church. There is so much richness for all of us to learn and apply to our lives.

Marge Collins, part of the women's commission who had been in touch with me over several months in planning the event had this to say: "Mrs. O'Boyle's message to the women of the Diocese emphasized two very important aspects of women's spirituality which often seem in conflict in the modern world: that women possess unique God-given gifts which have an enormous impact on humanity and that these gifts can often be put to use in the most ordinary of circumstances. Her examples from the life of Mother Teresa of Calcutta illustrated this point. In our drive for achievement and perfection, we need to be reminded of Mother Teresa's words that God doesn't call us to be successful, only faithful."

I wish I had other photos to show you here, but these are the only two that were sent to me after the event thus far. The Allentown Diocesan newspaper will be publishing a story about the event and their photographer was present to catch a lot of the event. I'll try to link an article to a post when I receive it.

The Women's Commission offered prayer in thanksgiving for the inspiring gifts of faith and fellowship that we shared that day and for a deeper spiritual understanding of the dignity and vocation of women everywhere.

Join us tomorrow on "Mom's Corner"

I hope you can tune in to my chat with Teresa Tomeo this tomorrow on Ave Maria Radio on "Catholic Connection." Just tune in tomorrow, Tuesday at 9:15 AM Eastern Standard Time by clicking here at avemariaradio.net and then click "listen live."

We're going to discuss my new show coming up on EWTN. :)

I'll be back later to post a link as soon as I can in case you can't tune in.

God bless!

Donna-Marie

Prayers appreciated

Hello Everyone,

I pray you all have a blessed day! Please say a prayer for me as I travel today to head down to give a retreat to a wonderful group of faithful Catholic women in PA.

Thank you in advance!

God bless and hugs!

Donna-Marie

While I have two minutes...a bit about my new EWTN show coming up!

Well, I never got a chance to catch up with you last night. So, I will now. I'll be giving a retreat in PA this week end, entitled, "Thirsting for the Living Water" which I posted about recently. My new book, as many of you know, Mother Teresa and Me: Ten Years of Friendship will be coming out very soon. My calendar is filling up with events and book signings. I am also finishing the book I told you about, The Heart of Catholicism.

Not too long ago I mentioned that I would be doing something on EWTN television. I'll finally fill you in now. I'll be an honored guest of Doug Keck on EWTN's Bookmark show once again. We'll be talking about some of my recent books. It'll be great to see Doug again, as well as his wonderful producer Lee. Everyone at EWTN is really incredible to work with.

In addition to the honor of being featured on EWTN's Bookmark show with Doug, I will also be taping 25 segments of a show, actually it's my new show, called "Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms"! They will be short segments and will be on various topics pertaining to a Catholic mother's life. I feel honored have worked with EWTN's wonderful program director, Peter to get this show from an inspiration to a reality. And I have had the pleasure of working with a wonderful producer, Michael who is producing this particular show. I look forward to meeting him in person very soon. Like I said, the people at EWTN are such a pleasure and blessing to work and pray along with.

I'll be sure to let you know when the shows will premiere. I am very excited to be able to offer this inspiration to Catholic Moms as a further extension of what I strive to do through my books, talks, and retreats for Catholic and Christian mothers.

If you can spare a prayer or two, please pray for me as I work to get all of this accomplished, by God's grace to help inspire and encourage mothers within a vocation that is filled with both great joys and difficult challenges, while raising our little saints to Heaven.

Thank you in advance for your prayers!

God bless you!

Donna-Marie

I think it's about time...

I think it's about time we had a little chat and I bring you up to date. After tending to my family dinner, I'll see if I can snatch up a bit of time and try to chime in here soon. :)

hugs,

Donna-Marie

Grace Cafe: Serving Up Recipes for Faithful Mothering

Frances Butek is reading my Grace Cafe: Serving Up Recipes for Faithful Mothering book right now. She recently shared with a friend...

"Honestly, every time I pick up my 'Grace Cafe' book and open it up, I seem to
find the most perfect quote, comment, story or suggestion to help me be a better
parent, and to draw closer to God (which is where I should have been in the
first place!). I hope you are enjoying this book as much as I am. It actually
irritates me that I can only read it in short spurts. I want to just curl up in
a quiet corner and read it straight through just like a juicy novel!
*laugh*...! "

Frances and her husband run Illuminated Ink. I hear from her friend that "Frances's husband is a phenomenal artist, and their products are simply lovely. I especially like the Way of the Cross project, but many people really like the First Holy Communion banners.)" she said.

Second day of St. Padre Pio novena

Prayer to St. Padre Pio

O God,
You gave Saint Padre Pio Pietrelcina,
capuchin priest,
the great privilege of participating
in a unique way
in the passion of Your Son,
grant me
through his intercession
the grace of --------
which I ardently desire;
and above all grant me the grace of
living in conformity
with the death of Jesus,
to arrive at the glory
of the resurretion.

Glory be to the Father (three times)
To learn more go to
the Vatican page here.