In a recent article in the National Catholic Register, Katie Warner quotes me (using my sentiments expressed to her in an earlier interview).
Katie writes:
“Ever since I was a little girl, I observed a bit of the ‘big Church’ inside little domestic churches,” author, EWTN host and new grandmother Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle reminisced. “My Polish grandmother’s home was adorned with sacred Catholic items. From pictures of the saints and images of her favorite — Polish Pope John Paul II — to rosary beads and crucifixes, my grandmother’s faith was easily perceived in her home. My mother followed in her mother’s footsteps, and I grew up with [the Catholic faith] inconspicuously woven into my life.”
O’Boyle continued to build upon the foundation that her grandmother and mother gave her in her own family, adorning her home with Catholic art and sacramentals, which for her serve as “holy reminders that help uplift one’s spirit and heart to God” in the midst of busy family life. “Placing visible signs of our faith throughout our Catholic homes will transform walls, brick and mortar into a beautiful domestic church,” she explained.
Furthermore, O’Boyle has noticed that the church of the home is a powerful place to evangelize others. “The sacred items and sacramentals that we are accustomed to in our home can spark a conversation about the faith with a visitor or even a complete stranger. A deliveryman ended up staying a short while because we became engrossed in a conversation about God. It all unfolded after he observed religious art in the foyer of my home. After that, he left with a big smile on his face and said, ‘Wow! This was really meant to be … I have never had this route before!’”
You can read the entire article here: http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/fostering-holiness/#ixzz3qRWHZF00
Donna-Marie,
Today after morning Mass and prayer I went to the nearby Marshalls to return a coat. This older woman was coming out of the store struggling with pushing her store carriage..I offered to help her and she was grateful. She told me she had something she liked to show me as she was putting her store bags in the backseat of her car. It was a framed picture of St JohnPaul when he was Pope and she too was in the picture! She talked with me of her life and inquired of mine. We talked for a time and she said she would keep me and my famiky in her prayers until the day she dies… Anyway after such blessings (God is so good) I went into the store and bought several scarves and winter hats for your collection for the homeless. Will hats be okay?
Wow, Cheryl. I think that is incredible. How wonderful that you were helping that woman and then that she showed you that special photo. It’s amazing that she “happened” to have it in her vehicle too. How special that she will keep you and your family in her prayers. God bless her! And then, more blessings after that! Thank you for sharing this very special encounter and God’s amazing grace! Thank you so much for purchasing the scarves and hats for the homeless. That is very kind and generous. And, absolutely, hats will be great. Thank you for thinking of hats too.