My dear Fr. Bill

I haven't been able to post lately because I have been visiting with my dear friend and spiritual director of over 25 years, Fr. William C. Smith out of town for the last couple of days. Fr. Bill had extensive surgery to remove a cancerous tumor several months ago and has not fully recovered his strength. He is 86 years old. Prior to his surgery he had been leading a very active life for someone of his age - saying Mass every morning - hearing Confessions for hours on end even though he is retired, taking continuous phone calls from people calling for his prayers, frequenting the area abortion clinics in a few different locations to peacefully picket and pray the Rosary, as well as sidewalk counsel whenever possible (this is something I did with him for many years), and writing continuous pro-life Letters to the Editor.

When my children and I were leaving him yesterday (because he needed rest), Fr.Bill gave us continuous blessings even though he barely had strength to lift his right hand. He also gave my son, Joseph (who is going away to college in a couple of days) a huge blessing the prior day.

My beloved friend, Fr. Bill died peacefully last night at 11:50 on the feast of Saint Augustine. Please say a prayer for his soul, although I'm sure he went straight up! And please also for his very large family. He will be missed by so many friends and family members. I know that Fr. Bill's prayers are even more powerful now. Please excuse me for the next few days while I tend to the needs of his friends, family and attend the services.

God bless you all!

Calling all skywatchers...

Watch a Lunar Eclipse Early on Tuesday

Skywatchers should set their alarms early for the morning of August 28 to see the year's second total lunar eclipse before sunrise. It will be visible from the Americas, Oceania and parts of Asia. For pictures and detailed information about times and details, click here.

Fr. James's Sunday Homily

Never Give Up

The Tour de France, the world famous bicycle race, is well known for its grueling intensity. Lance Armstrong, born in Plano, Texas and raised in Dallas, has won the race five times since his first victory in 1999. Armstrong is not only an outstanding athlete; he is a cancer survivor.

While seemingly at the top of his professional career in 1996, Armstrong’s doctor gave him the stunning news that not only did he have cancer, but that the disease had spread to his lungs and brain. Although he was given a 50% chance of survival, Armstrong began an aggressive chemotherapy treatment that worked. Amazingly, Lance Armstrong was able to return to the passion that he loved: racing. However, getting back into racing was not easy.


Having left behind the ordeal of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Armstrong found himself without a cycling team and without sponsors willing to trust his physical ability to compete again. However, the United States Postal Service took a big leap of faith and decided to sponsor him. ( Continued here.)

"Embracing Motherhood"

It has come to my attention that some of the "Daily Donna-Marie" visitors may not know about my other blog "Embracing Motherhood." If that's the case, feel free to go over and visit - lots of good mother stuff there!

The link to the radio segment is fixed

I'm sorry for the technical difficulties...the link to my radio segment with Teresa Tomeo (below) is now fixed. feel free to listen in.

Latest installment of "Mom's Corner" with Teresa Tomeo on "Catholic Connection"

If you would like to listen to the latest installment of my "Mom's Corner" with Teresa Tomeo on "Catholic Connection" at Ave Maria Radio (EWTN and Sirius radio) you may click here. Teresa and I discussed my newest book, Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine Month Novena for Mothers-To-Be which bears a foreword from Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. We also talked about how I met Mother Teresa. (Oops, I just found out that the segment isn't complete, I will fix it and post it again a little later on.)

There is also a cover story in Canticle magazine (Women of Grace, EWTN) in September's issue about my friendship with Mother Teresa, entitled, "Blessed Teresa and Me: Remembering the Mother of All the Poor" You may access Canticle magazine or subscribe by clicking the "Women of Grace" button in my sidebar.

The Dignity of Women

As you all may remember, I mentioned a few days ago that the Pontifical Council for the Laity has asked the lay faithful to reflect on the Apostolic Letter, Mulieris Dignitatem, On the Dignity and Vocation of Women written by Pope John Paul II August 15, 1988. next year marks the twentieth year anniversary. It is indeed an exciting time for women in the third millennium!

I have put a "Dignity of Women" button in my sidebar which links to the brand new "Dignity of Women" website which has been created in order to provide a comprehensive resource for those interested in ways to reflect on this timely anniversary www.Dignityofwomen.com will point to the Apostolic Letter, Mulieris Dignitatem, relevant books, speakers, study guides, and other initiatives that will bring the beauty of this document to as many people as possible, while continually integrating suggestions, additions, as well as a bulletin board of events to access over the coming year. Feel free to ask for the code to put the button on your own websites and blogs to spread the word.

Feel free to leave a comment about how you think you might like to reflect on this Apostolic Letter. Will you read the Letter? Arrange a study group in your parish? Plan a Day of Refection in your diocese? Feel free to ask questions here as well.

God bless you!

"Mom's Corner" on Teresa Tomeo's show tomorrow morning!

I will be on my "Mom's Corner" segment tomorrow on Teresa Tomeo's show on "Catholic Connection" on Ave Maria Radio. Tune in at 9:15 AM EASTERN time right here from your computer! We will be discussing Mom things, of course! We will also discuss my latest book, Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine Month Novena for Mothers-To-Be and a bit about the very new Vatican initiative for the laity! It's exciting stuff! I hope you will tune in. :)

Fr. James's Sunday Homily

Many years ago a young high school senior came to speak to me. He was raised as an Evangelical Protestant and his girl friend, a cradle Catholic, sparked his interest in Catholicism through the many conversations that they had had about religion. He was doing a lot of reading, especially Dr. Scott Hahn's conversion story, and he was ready to begin formal instructions. However, he faced a serious dilemma. He told me that his parents were anti-Catholic, and if in fact he did convert to Catholicism, it would cause division in his family.


As the young man spoke, I listened attentively, and then I opened up my Bible and read to him these words from the Gospel:


“From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law” (Luke 12: 52-53).


I have been a Catholic priest for almost twenty years. All throughout these twenty years I have experienced the truth of these words from Our Lord. The experience has been intense. (Homily continued here.)

RU 486 Abortion Pill unsafe

Washington DC, Aug 17, 2007 / 09:40 am (CNA).- A recent study appearing in the August 16 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine reports that the abortion drug RU486 is as safe as having a surgical abortion. However, the study is being spun in favor of the abortion industry by the mainstream media.

The study has concluded that the risk to future pregnancies after a RU486 abortion versus a surgical abortion is equal. Journalists have interpreted the finding to mean that the abortion drug is safe, when in fact, neither is ever safe.

It is a leap in logic to say that both methods are safe, says Operation Rescue Senior Policy Advisor Cheryl Sullenger.

"Women are dying at an alarming rate from RU486 abortions and its widespread misuse in the abortion industry,” she told LifeSiteNews.com.

"Women who have had abortions have greater risks of miscarriage and infertility than women who have not had abortions,” she added.

Read the entire article at Catholic News Agency here.

Catholic Radio International

I have been wanting to tell you about this for a while now but have been extremely busy with a couple of huge projects. I came across Catholic Radio International recently and am very impressed. I have put a button in my left hand column that you can click on or you may use the link in this post.

Jeff Gardner, a co-founder has this to say, "We created Catholic Radio International to bring you honest and truthful information about our world. We promise never to pull punches when giving you the news, critiquing our culture or discussing the faith.

Our goal is to provide you with straightforward information and insights about the world around us – insights which we believe are essential for the well-being of our culture, nation and ourselves.

Above all, conscious of our responsibility as Christians to our fellow men, we will strive to deliver to you more than mere news but also to communicate to you an understanding of 'He who is', as Pope Benedict XVI wrote, 'the ultimate foundation and meaning of human, personal and social existence.'"

Go take a look and listen to the creative and inspirational hosts who are dedicated to bringing us the Good News.

Update on Clare

Clare is my elderly neighbor woman (86) whom I asked for prayers for the other day. She took a very bad fall and was rushed to the ER a couple of nights ago. The following morning I was about to set out to the hospital to see her, but found out that she had been airlifted to a trauma center a another hospital a couple of hours after she went into the ER. The poor dear has two broken arms (she tried to break her fall with her arms), a broken nose, broken cheek bone, a very injured eye and more. Please continue to pray for Clare who really needs prayers at this time. I very much appreciate your concern and prayers. God bless you!

Radio segment describing the Vatican's initiative for women

Here is the radio segment of this morning's conversation between Teresa Tomeo and Genevieve Kineke during the "Catholic Connection" show on Ave Marie Radio. In it they discuss the Vatican initiative - the Pontifical Council for the Laity asking us to meditate upon the Apostolic Letter, Mulieris Dignitatem and the worldwide celebration to be held all throughout next year around the globe.

On the Dignity and Vocation of Women

I am overjoyed to be able to offer this to all of you on this marvelous Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary! Please read the following through and pray about how you can help to spread this message in your own areas on the dignity and vocation of women, spoken of so beautifully by our late Pope John the Great. Take a look at the website which is in the process of being built, and use it as a resource. Please take time to read the Apostolic Letter so that you will become more familiar with the riches and wisdom it holds for us. This is a mighty celebration that will resound throughout the entire world all throughout 2008, the twentieth year anniversary of this amazing Apostolic Letter, Mulieris Dignitatem!


+ Dear Friends in Christ:


It is our great joy to learn that the Pontifical Council for the Laity is encouraging the faithful worldwide to observe the 20th anniversary of Mulieris Dignitatem in the coming year. This Apostolic Letter (signed August 15th, 1988) was written by John Paul II to encourage women in their vocations, to highlight the essential feminine genius that they provide to the world, and to restore spiritual and physical motherhood to a culture that was quickly losing sight of the very meaning of nuptial love.


The Catholics of North America have been asked in particular to consider the document in light of one overarching theme: The Dignity of Women in a Technological and Consumeristic Society. To that effect, a website has been created in order to provide a comprehensive resource for those looking for ways to reflect on this timely anniversary. Dignityofwomen.com will point to books, speakers, study guides, and other initiatives that will bring the beauty of this document to as many people as possible, while constantly integrating suggestions, additions, and a bulletin board of events for women to access over the coming year.


Your help would be greatly appreciated in spreading the word, contacting the appropriate persons at the parish and diocesan level to alert them to this anniversary, fostering the publication of articles on the topic for various periodicals, encouraging local women to gather and discuss the theme in various settings, and to pray for the message in Mulieris Dignitatem to be studied and lived. This is also a marvelous opportunity to reach out to women of good will in other denominations and faiths, inviting them to prayerfully consider its themes and to see if common ground could be found. We invite qualified speakers to submit a request, and thereby add their names to the site. Similarly, relevant books and organizations are welcome to provide their links.


The timeliness of this observance cannot be overestimated. With debates raging over the nature of marriage, the sanctity of human life, the needs of children, and how the gifts of women are best promoted, what better way to form ourselves than by returning to the foundational questions of who women are and why the divine plan hinges on their cooperation.


Kindly help us share this good news with as many as you can and please pray with us for a fruitful observance. Any questions, suggestions, or submissions of resources should be sent to gskineke at] feminine-genius.com. May Our Lady, in whose fidelity the entire world rejoices, bless this coming year and all our efforts to understand the richness of the feminine vocation.

Here is an article from Catholic Exchange today about this Vatican initiative for women written by Genevieve Kineke.

Please pray for Clare!

I'm asking you all to please pray for my neighbor, Clare. She is 86 years old and just took a very bad fall. My husband and I decided to go for a short walk down the road since we have both worked non stop today on this beautiful day and wanted to at least stretch our legs for a few minutes before the sun went down. When we began to walk we saw the ambulance up the road in front of Clare's house. I ran up ahead to see if I could talk to her before she was put on the ambulance. I was able to be by her side and hold her hand and talk to her while she was attended to. She is severely traumatized physically and emotionally. She was being strapped to the board when I got there and I don't want to tell you how bad she looked. The poor thing. She is severely hurt.

I stroked her one arm carefully not to interfere with the three medics surrounding her and I touched her other hand with my other hand in which she gently wrapped her fingers around my hand and held me as I talked to her. I told her that it was going to be okay and that I love her and I will be praying for her. I told her that God was with her and I blessed her forehead with the sign of the Cross as I asked God to take care of her. She was very thankful for the prayers. I have no idea if she is a praying woman and I have never before told her that I loved her. I don't know her well. I just wanted her to know that she is loved by someone and there is someone who is praying. It would be so wonderful if you could all please pray for Clare. She is a sweet woman and is right now in the Emergency Room.

She is very broken up and in critical condition. As she was put in the ambulance, I again told her that it was going to be okay and that I would be praying for her. Another neighbor of mine, Rene, who found her on the ground and was there at the scene is going to go over to the hospital to help if he can. Clare has no family around. Please say a prayer for her.

Thank you for "listening" and for caring.

God bless you!

Perhaps new Cardinals

Rome, Aug 14, 2007 / 06:50 am (CNA).- According to the Italian daily Il Messaggero, Pope Benedict XVI may convene a consistory in November to create 17 new cardinals.

"The story in the Italian newspaper states the Pope could announce the second consistory of his pontificate after the Wednesday Audience on October 24. It says the Pontiff intends to create 17 new cardinals under the age of 80—which would bring the total number of cardinal-electors back up to 120. After the death of the retired Archbishop of Paris, Cardinal Jean Marie Lustiger, the College of Cardinals is left with 182 members, of which 105 are under the age of 80. In October, the former Vatican Secretary of State and current Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, and American Cardinal Edmund Casimir Szoka, will both turn 80..." (Continued here)

Pope Benedict's writing work while on vacation

Rome, Aug 13, 2007 / 09:18 am (CNA).- A Vatican analyst in Italy says the social encyclical that Pope Benedict XVI was working on during his vacation time in northern Italy this summer will address the challenge of the just development of nations in the context of globalization.

Ignazio Ingrao, Vatican analyst for the magazine “Panorama,” quoted Vatican sources this week as saying the expected social encyclical by the Pope, the second of his pontificate, will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the historic encyclical by Pope Paul VI, “Populorum Progressio,” published on Easter Sunday, 1967.

According to Ingrao, the Pope will address the issue of social justice and ethics within the context of a globalized economy, “denouncing even as socially unjust the economic paradises where taxes are avoided.” The avoidance of taxes has been an issue in Italy since some politicians have said that Church authorities don’t speak out against the frequent Italian practice enough.

The encyclical will also advocate “a world in which world commerce and the economy are regulated in such a way as to prevent greater injustice and discrimination,” as a consequence of globalization. Continued here.

Calling all skywatchers...

"This year the new moon of August comes on Sunday, the 12th, perfectly timed to bring dark, moonless nights around the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. Moreover, Earth should pass through the shower's richest part around 1AM ET on August 13th -- so North Americans and western Europeans should have the best seats in the house..."

See more here.

Let's hope and pray for the miners

"HUNTINGTON, Utah - A second drill broke through early Saturday to a mine shaft where officials hope to find six trapped workers, clearing the way for a video camera to be lowered and provide the first answers to the miners' fate.

Nearly 9 inches wide, the hole reached the mine shaft between just before 3 a.m., said Bob Murray, chief of mine co-owner Murray Energy Corp. Crews were removing the heavy drill steel and planned send down the camera within a few hours.

There has been no word from the miners since the Crandall Canyon mine collapsed early Monday. A microphone lowered into a smaller hole yielded no sounds of life and an air sample taken through the 2-inch hole detected little oxygen.

However, officials remained hopeful that the six men trapped in the mine were still alive..."

Continued here.

Fr. James's Sunday Homily

A man stopped by a policeman for driving without a taillight became visibly distressed. The policeman said, “Don’t take it so hard; I am only doing my job giving you this ticket.” “Sorry, officer,” the man replied, “What worries me is what’s happened to my wife and my trailer?”



Another man went to the doctor for his annual physical. When he returned home, his wife noticed that he was troubled and anxious. “What’s the matter, dear?” asked the man’s wife. “The doctor told me that I would have to take a pill every day for the rest of my life”. “That’s nothing to be upset about”, said his wife. “There are a lot of people that have to take medication for the rest of their lives.” “Yes, dear, I understand”, said the man. “But the doctor only gave me one pill”.



Life is filled with many difficulties and challenges that cause us to be fearful. Each day we are confronted with many events that may cause us to become apprehensive. Going to a new school; starting a new job; having to take the car in for repairs on the busiest day of the week; dealing with a computer virus; missing an important deadline at work; getting laid off from work; coping with a child’s sudden illness; these are just some of the many things that happen each day that may cause us to be filled with fear, sick with apprehension.



This Sunday’s Gospel narrative gives us a clear teaching on how we are to handle fear. "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12: 32).

Continued here.

Interview with Irish journalist, Lorcan Mac Mathuna

Some time ago, I received an email from an Irish gentleman, Lorcan Mac Mathuna who had read an article that I had written for Lay Witness magazine that was on the Internet. He asked if he could interview me for a story he wanted to do in the Irish Family Press, a weekly Irish national newspaper. We arranged a time to talk and Lorcan called me from Ireland. We had a very nice talk and chatted for about an hour. Lorcan told me that he would send the article to me when it was published.

A few weeks later, a large brown envelope arrived in the mail. I opened it and saw the Irish newspaper for the first time. It was attractively laid out, and oh, did I mention that my face was on the front page? That was a surprise. I then thumbed through the newspaper with my husband who had just come home; leaning over my shoulder. I started laughing when I reached the centerfold (I think I was in shock)! I hadn't imagined that the story was going to be so huge! On the centerfold of the paper was a very big photo of me and another of Mother Teresa holding my son, Joseph as a baby about eighteen years ago. Lorcan did a very nice job with the story and I humbly offer it to you below...


A Nine-Month Novena
Interview with Donna Marie Cooper O’Boyle by Lorcan Mac Mathuna - a newspaper article from Irish Family Press

An enforced rest turned out to be a very rewarding period in Donna Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s life.

It was 1991, and she was pregnant with her fifth child. When she experienced severe complications after just ten weeks, she was instructed to take to bed for complete rest for the sake of her child. It was her second difficult pregnancy and she had had three miscarriages previously (in fact her doctor was pretty certain that this latest pregnancy would end in a miscarriage also), so it was a frightening and anxious time for her. Donna was always a devout Catholic. She believes that a prayerful life for a mother can be as simple as offering each day to God and being a good example to her children as is her duty -- but being confined to her bed left her in the situation where she could devote all her time to meditation and prayer.

Continued here.

St. Dominic's feast day

Memorial of St. Dominic, priest
(from Catholic Culture)

"At the end of the twelfth century the Church in France was ravaged by the Albigensian heresy, a doctrine which was not only entirely unchristian but which, in addition, constituted a social evil. Effective measures were required to be taken to combat it. Where others had failed, a Spanish canon, Dominic Guzman, succeeded. He was notable for his learning and love of poverty. The Order of Friars Preachers, which he founded about the year 1215, was endowed by him with these two characteristics; instead of manual labor, as practiced by the Cistercian monks, he required his friars to work with their minds by preaching and teaching. He died at Bologna on August 6, 1221. His friend, Gregory IX, canonized him three years later.

Before the reform of the General Roman Calendar St. Dominic's feast was celebrated on August 4 and today was the feast of Sts. Cyriac, Largus and Smaragdus. St. Largus and St. Smaragdus are two Roman martyrs. They were buried at first on the Ostian Way. Their bodies were later transferred, after the peace of Constantine, to a church built near the baths of Diocletian by a Christian of the name of Cyriacus. The cult of St. Cyriacus has been joined to that of the two martyrs.

The Fourteen "Auxiliary Saints" or "Holy Helpers" are a group of saints invoked because they have been efficacious in assisting in trials and sufferings. Each saint has a separate feast or memorial day, and the group was collectively venerated on August 8, until the 1969 reform of the Roman calendar, when the feast was dropped."

Learn more about St. Dominic here.

Here's some food for thought...

"An excuse is worse and more terrible than a lie, for an excuse is a lie guarded." - Pope John Paul II

Fr. James's Sunday Homily

Stepping Stones Towards Eternity
The summer following the tragic events of September 11, I took the time to visit New York City and “ground-zero” during my home visit to Binghamton, NY. My visit to Manhattan gave me the opportunity to reconnect with a high-school friend whom I had not seen since 1979. He works in an office building located three blocks from “ground-zero”. We met at his apartment on the north side of Manhattan. The 45-minute subway ride took us to the spot where the World Trade Center once proudly stood. Although my friend was one of the many who could walk away from lower Manhattan through the billowing cloud of smoke and dust, he graciously allowed me to visit something that I had to see. I needed to stand on hallowed ground and pray for the dead.

As we got off of the subway and walked towards “ground-zero”, I quickly began to perceive the horrific suffering of the innocent and the heroic. Hundreds of people lined up along the fences to look, to pray, to remember and to cry.

I gazed upon the craters where the towers once rested, the infamous iron cross, the American flag proudly flying in the gentle breeze and the countless memorials erected along the surrounding sidewalks. I reflected upon the fundamental questions of human existence. Who am I? What is the purpose of life? What happens when this life comes to an end? Read the remainder of the homily here.

"Light of Life," an amazing Pro-Life story

In a recent article, Mary Kochan from Catholic Exchange says:

"I have never believed that abortion was anything other than a violation of God's command against murder. Even though I grew up in a pseudo-Christian cult (Jehovah's Witnesses) I recognized that, and so, when I finally became a Protestant Christian, there was little to change in my understanding on that subject. But when I became Catholic, it was another story. Before I was "against abortion" but in becoming Catholic, I became truly pro-life.

The were two main ways that being pro-life as a Catholic differed from being "against abortion" as a Protestant: comprehending that artificial birth control perverted marriage and having the Blessed Virgin to contemplate.

As I was undergoing my conversion to the Catholic faith, Mary's maternal interest in me personally became apparent to me, and the historic images of her in art and iconography became quite interesting to me. One sees through the ages that Catholic artists have drawn their Blessed Mother close to them and close to their times with art. Unique among all images of Mary is the icon of Our Lady of Guadeloupe, painted by no human hand, but also unusual in depicting Mary as pregnant. Contemplating these representations of the Blessed Virgin in an age that has declared war upon its own unborn, it occurred to me that an image not merely depicting Mary as pregnant, but instead also showing the Divine Christ Child in her womb would be particularly fitting for our day. This impression was very strong upon me, but I am not an artist.

Nellie Edwards is an artist. When I saw her painting, "Light of Life," the very strong impression that I felt years ago was renewed and fulfilled. Here was what I had pondered in my heart a decade earlier, only strikingly more beautiful: Our Lord, fully God and fully man — fully God and fully unborn infant — is cradled in the womb of the Blessed Mother. The story of how this marvelous and startling portrait of Our Lady came to be interested me greatly, so I was eager to learn about it from the artist herself..."

What follows is an interview between Mary Kochan and the artist Nellie Edwards. It is certainly worth reading and will make your day. Please click here for the article on Catholic Exchange.

Praying For Bryant

You have been asking for updates and I think this may be a good way to communicate them to you. Click on this "Praying For Bryant" button to be updated about Bryant, the 18 year old boy (my son's friend) who was critically injured in a hiking accident. Please feel free to post this button on your own blogs (I will send you the code when you ask for it through an email to me: DMCooperOboyle(at) aol (dot) com) to spread the word for more prayers. I really believe that it is all of the prayers that have helped Bryant recover in the way that he is progressing. I may add a Pay Pal button soon, in case anyone would like to contribute a little something to help with this boy's medical care and rehabilitation. Remember, his Dad died last year and things aren't easy for them. Thanks for caring and thanks for praying.

God bless you all!

Prayers for Minneapolis

Let's remember in prayer all those whose lives were touched by the tragic collapse of the bridge over I-35 in Minneapolis. See news story here. Visit Heidi over at Streams of Mercy for a prayer.

Calling all skywatchers...

Jupiter is the first "star" you’ll see coming out on August evenings, burning brighter and brighter in the south as darkness deepens. Sparkling just 5° below it is golden-orange Antares, heart of the Scorpion, 1/20th as bright. In August Jupiter halts its retrograde (westward) motion against the stars and begins moving back eastward just before it can achieve a conjunction with Antares. But its motion is slow and slight, so use binoculars to note its changing position among the stars from night to night. (from Research and Learn)

Learn about the August night sky and also how to get an audio tour by clicking here.