Dynamic Women of Faith 2016

We are so excited to announce that we are having both the Sisters of Life and Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle at our conference this year !!!

If you haven't registered yet, do it soon! Our EARLY BIRD special ends Saturday February 20, 2016.

Have you seen our conference video this year?

You won't want to miss it. It's so much fun! 

Oh, no! I almost forgot to mention that the night before we are hosting a mother - daughter event Calling ALL Girls!

Don't waste any time! Register right away by clicking HERE We give out free hugs for all of you who share this blog post with your friends!

We need all the help we can get in promoting the two events! Please help us and SHARE!

Just a Dream? Or a Precious Gift ?

Last night, I had a dream that I was at a Mothers Group meeting, or some type of forum, and the priest announced that there would be a special guest. 

And to my surprise, who walks in? Radiant and joyful with an absolutely glorious smile on her face? 

My mom !!!! I was sooooooo very very happy, my heart leapt with joy! 

It was such a gift seeing her again! I ran to her... and started telling her about the mothers ministry.... and all that has happened since she passed away.... 

She just kept smiling and nodding her head letting me know she received each word I said, I couldn't stop talking, because it was so long since I had seen her and I was just soooo happy! 

Her presence enveloped me. 

Some wicked force tried to wipe out all the graces of that encounter, as if a

gust of wind tried to blacken my soul. I was determined with all of my might to fight that force. I was not going to let ANYTHING take those graces or the joy of my moms presence away. I managed to overcome it - but when I finished the fight, my mom was no longer there...

But nobody can take away the graces, love and the joy that I experienced this glorious evening. As I prepare to read today's reading. I realize, today is the Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church. My mom was named after her... We always celebrated it by acknowledging my mom in some special way... 

How precious that I had an encounter with my mom on the evening of her special saints feast day !!! OK, I am doing my best to wipe away the tears !!!! My heart is bursting with a bittersweet JOY !!! I miss my Mama! Now I wish I hadn't TALKED so much! 


Maybe SHE had something to say! LOL
What a heavenly gift! 

Well now, the story gets even a little better. As some of my readers know, we are working with the Archdiocese of Toronto on a pilot project that includes starting Mothers Groups at several parishes. Well, this morning I was exchanging emails with one of the Mothers Group Leaders. I suggested we kick off the Mothers Group with a DVD on

friendship, She says, "I think I will pick up a yellow rose, for each mom coming tonight. Yellow is a sign of friendship!" For some reason, I don't think this Mothers Group Leader remembers that today is the the Memorial of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus. I am not sure she is aware of St. Therese's promise to send showers of roses to mark her presence! 

Today, my friends, is a day, filled to the brim with grace! I just can't wait for Mothers Group tonight! My heart has already soared to heaven and back!

Oh, and here is a photo on my birthday, my last birthday with my Mama. The roses? Given to me by a good friend Catharine! 

Bitter Sweet Mother's Day with Mama in Heaven

This past Mother's Day was my third Mother's Day with my mom in heaven.

I really miss her.

The more I look back, the more I realize how gifted I was to have a mom with such strong religious convictions and with a very concrete strong spirituality. 

My mom did not need the feminist movement, she was lead by the Holy Spirit - which of course is much stronger than any movement.

At 13 years old, my mom had her house demolished by the bombing of Warsaw, Poland in World War 11 - Marian priests pulled her and her family out of the rubble. 

My mom knew what suffering meant, she knew that united with Christs suffering - no suffering was wasted.

My mom continued to evangelized with her last breath. She could never relate to anyone who thought their motherly duties were over because their children were adults.

To my mom, mothering was FOREVER.

I know she is still mothering me now from heaven. 

There is no greater gift than a mother who makes it HER life's priority to serve her family and pass down the Catholic Faith.

Someone, make me promise that I will write another short book about the last two weeks of her life, where she evangelized again, until her VERY last breath.

I love you Mama! I love you forever!

Archdiocese of Toronto embraces Mother's Groups!

Some news is just too good to share just on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or a BLOG post. 

So, the other day, I went out to lunch with my daughter to a really nice restaurant that has a remarkable view of Toronto. I shouted from the roof top! I shouted with JOY!

In case you missed it, you can read the story here!  Does your parish have a Mother's Group? 

I would love to hear all about it. 

Want a Chance to WIN Gary Zimak's Book?

If you would like a chance at winning Gary Zimak's book, it's EASY. Just read this post and share it! http://dynamicwomenfaith.com/daily-take/win-gary-zimaks-book-listen-to-your-blessed-mother/

Things My Mystical Mama Taught Me

Soon, it will be the second year of my mom's passing.

There has not been a single day that I haven't thought of her...   
Just yesterday, I was rummaging through some paperwork.
I stumbled upon a card with her writing in it.

Mama's penmanship was distinctly beautiful. 

She took great care in writing hand written notes with love and care. She did it regularly, especially in her later years.  

In fact Mama insisted everything be done
with love, including, writing!

Even in her last days, she wrote my husband and I an anniversary card and reprimanded my older sister for only putting $50.00 in it. 

"You can't get a good dinner for $50.00! 
You should have put more in that envelope! 
What kind of meal are they going to get for $50.00?
I want them to really celebrate."

You see, my mom was dying of cancer, she passed away on April 12th and our anniversary is on April 9th. She needed my sister to get the card and put the money in it. 

In her last days, my mom was still thinking of others. 

God, I love her, God I miss her....  I hope she can feel my love in heaven, and the deep sorrow I have for not knowing throughout her life on earth, exactly how blessed I was to have a Mystical Mama like her.

A Mama, who loved the Catholic Faith and spent her life tirelessly being a preacher, tho many people wouldn't listen.

Seems like everyday, I am reminded of a mystical lesson or eternal truth - taught to me by my Mama. 

When I was very little, about seven years old, I was invited to welcome a visiting bishop to our parish at St. Stanislaus Church in Toronto. I was commissioned, along with another girl, to wear our traditional Polish folk costumes and represent the youth of our parish, presenting a decorated bouquet of flowers (as a symbol of life, gratitude and beauty) to the bishop.

My mom, with exuberant instruction, whispering with confidence, something I innately trusted and knew to be a supernatural true: 

"After you present the flowers to the bishop, kiss the bishops ring! It is a privilege, an honour, not many people know this, but there are many blessings associated with doing that. It is a rare opportunity! Do not miss it!"

As a young child of only about 6 or 7, it took every ounce of courage to do what my mother said. But after I kissed it, I was filled with holy consolations, that no other experience could replace it.

Fast forward many, many, many years. This year, the Dynamic Women of Faith conference, I host - along with my Mother's Group, was privileged to have Cardinal Thomas Collins speak at it. 

And my brain began to think.

Maybe we should be welcoming the Cardinal with several girls in traditional Polish costumes? Wouldn't that be beautiful? It didn't take long for my heart to decide, that is exactly what we should do! Through much effort and sacrifice Bozena Zambrowicz, a dear friend - helped make exactly that happen! 

I got to thinking about the life long habit my mom instilled in me, of venerating the bishops ring. Just now - I questioned it.

Is it really a tradition? Is it something that we should all be doing? so like anyone else, in this day and age, I Googled it.  Low and behold, while I shouldn't be surprised, I learned my Mama was right AGAIN. Her simple lessons, as I am learning, were actually profound truths. As always, my Mama, knew how to make a divine truth, simple and beautiful to a young child. I was delighted to read the history of venerating the bishops ring on Wikepedia CLICK HERE.  

So, this year, at the conference, I did exactly as my Mama taught me - I venerated the ring. And now, I am questioning,

 "Have I taught my own children this beautiful tradition?"

I didn't kiss it - I had bright red lipstick on. I hope my Mama in heaven can see, that her lessons live on in her daughter, who still loves her so very much!

In writing this post, it is my prayer to inspire just one other Mama to pass on the tradition of venerating the bishop's ring! 

Become a Mystical Mama, I say - there is nothing quite like it! 

PS. His Eminence Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, got a standing ovation after his talk, Mary, the Mother of God, Our Model for Becoming a Dynamic Women of Faith. To read more about the conference,  please CLICK HERE 

Do not Miss the EARLY BIRD for the Dynamic Women of Faith Conference!

If you are planning to register for the conference, do it soon at www.dynamicwomenfaith.com. 

Don`t miss the EARLY BIRD rate!