Amazing Catechists

Teaching and learning the faith together

RED AND GREEN ALERT! Christmas Book Giveaway!

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How many books begin with an invitation to a slumber party?

This one does! Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s richly personal, but powerfully catechetical new book, “Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women,” is as delightful, intimate, and honest as a 3 a.m. chat with your best friend over a cup of hot chocolate, and I can’t recommend it heartily enough.

This is my top Christmas gift recommendation for every Catholic woman on your list; married, single, divorced, actively raising children, or empty-nesters, and would be a superb gift for your DRE, your volunteer catechists, and the moms who help out in your parish program. It is an authentic, faithful exploration of the meaning, beauty, and purpose of our holy calling as Catholic women. It would be a genuinely bonding and exciting book study, but it’s a wonderful read for individuals, too.

And you have a chance to win a copy! But first, a few words about the author.

I was very fortunate to meet Donna-Marie a few years ago when we were both speaking on a panel for one of the Catholic Writers’ Guild’s annual conferences, and I have had the joy of getting to know her as a friend, since then.

She is an extremely unusual person, but I don’t know if I can quite capture the reasons in words. A dedicated parish catechist of 25 years and counting, a mother of five children who suffered through a heartbreaking divorce, battled poverty as a single mother, and suffered a number of personal tragedies, she is also a best-selling author and popular speaker, EWTN television and radio personality, and personal friend of Servant of God Father John A. Hardon, SJ, and Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. She is both ordinary and extraordinary all at once.

But to me, the credentials that really make Donna-Marie unusual and special are her simplicity and naturalness in the midst of it all. She is that rare creature; wise and deeply loving (the kind of person I have always wanted to buddy up with) a truly humble, gentle soul in love with God.

Like her other books, “Rooted in Love” is packed with wisdom gleaned from the Church; from documents, scriptures, and saints. And as with the others, she shares illuminating, charming, and often deeply moving anecdotes from her own life and the lives of others. And consistent with every single endeavor she undertakes, the person you meet in the printed text matches the real Donna-Marie, a surprisingly shy person whose obedience to God has led her to share her heart with the world.

What is different about this inspiring book is the depth of personal revelation, and the power of the resulting intimacy. Donna-Marie has a great passion for the saints, the Catechism, and Sacred Scripture, so that the weaving of her life with the writings of the Church is remarkably familiar and seamless, comfortable, yet exciting in its freshness and vibrancy. This work has elements of both memoir and study guide, but rises above both genres in a way I can only attribute to the bond of love between the author and her Lord.

I’m going to share the table of contents with you, because it will give you a flavor for the book:

Part One: Discovering Myself in Christ

  • Who Am I?
  • Becoming a Whole Woman

Part Two: Christ is My Strength

  • Always at My Side
  • Offering Me Living Water

Part Three: Christ is My Life

  • In My Home
  • In My Work
  • In My Struggles

Part Four: Meeting Christ in Others

  • A Woman for Others
  • When Did I See You, Lord?

Part Five: Christ is My Joy

  • My Soul Magnifies the Lord

I admired and enjoyed the discussion questions at the end of each chapter, which fall into three categories, and are followed by a simple prayer. “My Mind to Know Him” gives you something to think about, like behavior in the workplace, or learning more about the saints. “My Heart to Love Him,” gently poses questions that help us take inventory of our hearts in relationship to God. “My Hands to Serve Him” frames our work and service to others in light of our love for God, but in practical, simple ways that I’ll wager will touch your heart as much as they did mine. Her closing prayers are utterly humble, heartfelt, and very brief.

I have a copy to give away, so enter a comment in the box below, and I’ll be putting all the names in a Christmas stocking and picking one at random on December 12th, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

But don’t wait to win a free one, order a whole bunch!

A very blessed and happy Advent to you and yours! Thanks for reading!

Love,

Lisa Mladinich

Founder, Amazing CatechstsTM

Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle

Website: https://www.donnacooperoboyle.com/

Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle is an award-winning author and journalist, speaker, reviewer, and the EWTN television host of Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms, which she created. A Catholic wife and mother of five, Cooper O’Boyle was noted as one of the Top Ten Most Fascinating Catholics in 2009 by Faith & Family Live. She enjoyed a decade-long friendship with Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta and became a Lay Missionary of Charity. For many years her spiritual director was Servant of God John A. Hardon, S.J., who also served as one of Mother Teresa’s spiritual directors.

Cooper O’Boyle was invited by the Holy See in 2008 to participate in an international congress for women at the Vatican to mark the twentieth anniversary of the apostolic letter Mulieris Dignitatem (On the Dignity and Vocation of Women). She received apostolic blessings from Blessed Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI on her books and work and a special blessing from Pope John Paul II for her work with Blessed Mother Teresa. Cooper O’Boyle is the author of several books on faith and family, including Bringing Lent Home with Mother Teresa, Mother Teresa and Me, Embracing Motherhood, and The Domestic Church. She has been featured by Zenit news and Rome Reports, and is a frequent guest on EWTN’s Bookmark, Faith & Culture, and Vatican Insider.

Follow Donna-Marie on Facebook.

Follow Donna-Marie on Twitter.

About Lisa Mladinich

Lisa Mladinich believes that living boldly in the love of Christ makes every day an amazing adventure. She is thrilled to be a Gallup-Certified Professional Strengths Coach and a professional Life Coach certified by the International Coaching Federation. She is dedicated to helping clients discover and live powerfully into their natural talents, for God’s glory and their lasting joy. She coaches privately with individuals, ministry and business leaders, dating and married couples, and leads mastermind groups for Catholic creatives and those seeking to accelerate their growth through an awareness of natural talent. Lisa is a veteran speaker and webinar instructor, with online courses for teen and tween girls about authentic beauty and femininity, experienced through the liberating lens of the Catholic faith. (Find her classes live or recorded at HomeschoolConnections.com.) Lisa is a best-selling author and host of the Homeschooling Saints Podcast, dedicated to supporting the rapidly growing homeschooling community. She is in pre-production planning on two new Catholic media endeavors: an internet-TV program called, “Wonderfully Made: Your Talent. God’s Purpose,” and a new podcast, “Faith Focused Forward,” which she will cohost with Allison Ricciardi and Chantal Howard. Lisa is passionate about marriage, family life, promoting the Sacraments and the Holy Rosary, and teaching on the RCIA team at St. Patrick’s Church in Huntington, NY. Contact: lisa@mladinich.com.

Comments

  2. Alicia S. says

    I’ve read some of Donna-Marie’s other books, and this looks to be just as lovely. 🙂

  4. BERTHA BAROSKY says

    I SO LOOK FORWARD TO READING THIS NEW BOOK BY DONNA-MARIE COOPER O’BOYLE. ALL OF HER BOOKS HAVE BEEN VERY INSPIRATIONAL. I HAVE RECOMMENDED THEM ALL TO THE MEMBERS OF THE COLUMBIETTES AT ST. CECILIA R. C. CHURCH IN STAMFORD, CT., OF WHICH I CURRENTLY AM THE PRESIDENT. WE AWAIT DONNA’S COMING TO SPEAK AT ONE OF OUR MEETINGS IN THE NEAR FUTURE. GOD HAS BLESSED HER WITH A REAL TALENT IN WRITING AND SPEAKING TO CATHOLIC WOMEN ABOUT THE CATHOLIC RELIGION AND ITS BENEFITS IN OUR LIVES. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK DONNA-MARIE, YOU ARE A TRUE INSPIRATION TO MEN AND WOMEN ALIKE.

  5. Noreen says

    Hi Lisa, this book sounds perfect for any Catholic women as you’ve mentioned! I would love a chance to enter your giveaway.

    Advent Blessings,
    Noreen

  7. Donna Brigman says

    I have read other books by you, however any book that is inspiring at Christmas is great. I am a mom and grandmother of 6 and love this occupation! Thanks you!

  8. Alpha Shanahan says

    this is perfect timing to come across this post. i love to win a copy of the book!
    thanks…

  9. LizEst says

    This looks like a lovely book to give and receive. Thanks for sharing your review and the opportunity to win a copy. I would love one! God bless you.

  10. Dorothy Pilarski says

    Boy, oh boy would I love to win a copy of Donna`s new book! I have read many of her other books and given them away as gifts too! Lots of love in this woman`s heart, I can attest to that!

  15. Nancy Baum says

    Donna-Marie’s book sounds like a perfect fit for our Regnum Christie encounter team. I think we will find some wonderful insights along the way.

  16. Ginette Tellado says

    Again Lisa what a great idea, I met Donna at your Catholic Conference and she was amazing. I wanted to buy ALL of her books! I was looking for a Christmas Gift for my friends and my sister-in-law and you are absolutely correct this would be PERFECT! Thank you. I’m going to get on her website and purchase them right away!

    Sincerely,
    Ginette