Interview with author, Karen Edmisten

DONNA-MARIE: Karen, it is my pleasure to interview you about your latest work within the book Style, Sex, and Substance: 10 Catholic Women Consider the Things that Really Matter published by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Company. The title alone sounds intriguing. Can you share with us how you got involved in this project?

KAREN: Thanks to Hallie Lord (whose alter-ego is the delightful Betty Beguiles) and to a terrific editor at Our Sunday Visitor, I was asked to weigh in with my thoughts on what it means to be a Catholic woman in the world today, and about what it means to strive for and maintain spiritual strength in our busy, sometimes chaotic lives.

DONNA-MARIE: Would you kindly share a bit about yourself and your background?

KAREN: I’m a wife, a mom, and a writer and I homeschool our three daughters (though our eldest is graduating this spring -- next year I’ll have only a high school junior and a fifth-grader.)

I am a convert to the Catholic faith. I once thought I'd be a lifelong atheist but then I became desperately unhappy, read up on philosophy and various religions (while assiduously avoiding Christianity), and waited for something to make sense. I was initially appalled when Christianity began to look like the sensible thing, surprised when I wanted to be baptized, and stunned that I ended up a Catholic. But I wouldn't change a bit of it. Life is happier and makes far more sense than it ever did before.

DONNA-MARIE: Our Church is so blessed to have you, Karen. How did you decide what type of chapter you'd write for this book?

KAREN: Hallie had a clear vision for the book and there were specific topics she wanted to cover. I was asked to zero in on spiritual strength, prayer, and the sacraments, but how I wanted to do that, and what I really wanted to say about them was left up to me.

DONNA-MARIE: Have you received any feedback about this book?

KAREN: People love it! The reactions I hear the most are: smart, fun and funny, real, meaty, and helpful.

DONNA-MARIE: That’s great. What are your hopes for this book, Karen?

KAREN: I hope that women (and men!) will laugh, identify (okay, not the men on that one), pick up new ideas, feel less alone, feel strengthened, and will be encouraged to be themselves and to find themselves in Christ.

DONNA-MARIE: What wonderful hopes! Is there anything else you'd like to tell us about this book?

KAREN: I admire every individual who contributed to this book but when you round all these women up to create a single package, they pack a powerful wallop. I feel privileged to be a part of such a terrific project. (And no, I didn’t actually mean to create that much alliteration.)

DONNA-MARIE: Finally, Karen, where can we get this book?

KAREN: From the publisher -- Our Sunday Visitor (www.osv.com) -- and from Catholic and Christian booksellers, and online booksellers, too. If your local store doesn’t carry it, ask them to get it for you!

DONNA-MARIE: Thank you very much, Karen. I hope this book inspires many!

A little of this and a little of that...

What? No EWTN in Alaska?

Heidi, a faithful reader of my books and visitor to my blogs wrote me a letter recently and told me that she does not get EWTN in Alaska where she lives and appreciated the fact that I posted a lot about Pope Benedict's US visit here at Daily Donna-Marie. She said they don't have high speed internet either. I hope that EWTN can make it's way up to Alaska. Perhaps the people there can petition the cable companies. EWTN gave superb coverage of our Holy Father's visit to the United States. There were a number of bloggers covering his visit too. Our Sunday Visitor had a three member team covering all of the events and I have posted about them here at Daily Donna-Marie, as well.







St. Padre Pio Exhumed and New Reviews on my new Saints' book

If you go over to my fairly new blog, Moments of Inspiration with Your Favorite Saints you will find some information about St. Padre Pio being exhumed, some amazing photos, Blessed Damien's new news, as well as some current reviews of mt saints' book, Catholic Saints Prayer Book. I hope you visit there from time to time to learn more about our great intercessors in heaven and possibly purchase an autographed copy of my newest book.









"Thirsting for the Living Water: On the Dignity and Vocation of Women"

I gave a retreat last Saturday in Stratford, Connecticut. It was titled, "Thirsting for the Living Water: On the Dignity and Vocation of Women." It was well received and was a wonderful occasion for women to go to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament throughout the day with their cares and concerns and specific points covered in the retreat. I drew from Mulieris Dignitatem, On the Dignity and Vocation of Women which I wove into my talks. Pope John Paul II's profound understanding of a woman's heart and his insights in Mulieris Dignitatem bring amazing affirmation to women when they realize their God-given gifts and dignity in the eyes of God and the Church.

Check out the appearance section on my main website, Donna Cooper O'Boyle.Com to see where I'll be in case you're in the area and would like to join us! By the way, I'll soon be revamping the whole look of my main website, hopefully very soon.



Motherly Inspiration All Over the World,


It is very heart warming to hear from so many women from all around the world who tell me in letters and emails how much they have been inspired and transformed by reading my books and hearing my talks. It is all God's good and loving grace. I am just His little instrument who prays that she can bring inspiration to women, mothers and families during the confusing times we live in where women are targeted with an onslaught of mixed messages that can be quite confusing.







At my Embracing Motherhood blog, I recently shared about Anne in Australia and how my book, Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers has impacted her life. She told me, "This book is a continual support to my motherhood and prayer life." She posted about it on her beautiful blog. She gives this book out as gifts to Moms. You'll find it all at Embracing Motherhood here and you will see her very creative and sweet touch that she adds to her gift to the Moms. :)

I hear regularly from Grainne, a woman in Ireland who likes my parenting column in the Irish Family Press and has read all of my books and shared with me how they were life-changing to her, as well. She has also given away so many of them as gifts (God bless her!) and has shared with me the transformations that she has witnessed with these women after they have read them. God is so very good!



Another very kind woman, Kim, shared with me recently how my book, The Heart of Motherhood: Finding Holiness in the Catholic Home has transformed her life! I am planning to write a study guide very soon for that book and was invited by Catholic Exchange to do online studies of my books there. So, stay tuned for more information on that. I will also be offering helpful tips soon to all of the Moms out there wanting to start a Moms group to get together and encourage one another in their faith and their vocation. Watch for information here and at Embracing Motherhood.


Don't be shy! Feel free to add your comments (no one checks your spelling or grammar!) to the comment section under each post at each blog.

Don't forget to give your smile away, especially to the people who seem tougher to smile at. Be that one to help brighten some one's day! Mother Teresa always said to "Make your life something beautiful for God!" Let's do that!

God bless your week end!

Our Sunday Visitor's "Papal Visit 2008 News and Views"

Our Sunday Visitor has a great place to check out our Holy Father's visit. It's called, "Papal Visit 2008 News and Views" by John Norton, OSV Editor; Mary DeTurris Poust, OSV Contributing Editor and Russell Shaw, OSV Contributing Editor check it out!

"Lent - The Road to Easter"

Our Sunday Vistor's Lent - The Road to Easter is available here.