What Readers are Saying

              

           "I love your books and it has been such a blessing for me in

             ways I cannot even articulate! Not long after I became a

             mother for the first time, I was drawn to this book while

             browsing through a Catholic gift shop and it seemed to call

             my name. From the moment I opened the cover, I have 
  
             relished every page. In fact, I leave the book in my car so if 

            I ever have a few extra moments to myself while I am out 

            running errands or early for an appointment, I’ll randomly

            open up a chapter and enjoy a refresher! I always feel like 

            Dorothy is speaking directly to me- sharing the right story

             just for whatever I am experiencing at that moment in my 

            life. If every Catholic mother read this book, there would be

            a radical shift in the way the "modern woman" views

            motherhood and family life. Being a mother is not just one 

            of many hats we women wear in our busy lives. Being a 

            mother is the very essence of who we are and who we are 

            called to be and what we have been created for. Motherhood 

            is not a job, it is a vocation! Dorothy reminds us that we are

            the most influential people in our children’s lives and it is 
  
            not our right, but our privilege to care for them , to nurture 

            them, and to raise them as sons and daughters of God.

          . Dorothy does not mince her words yet eloquently and 

            poignantly shares stories, prayers, and letters that have 

            made me laugh and cry. God bless you, Dorothy, for your 

            courage, your tenacity, and for sharing your God-given gifts 

            and talents with us. You are an inspiration. 

            Motherhood Matters…. Amen!"  

                  Elisa Rocillo

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      "Truly, Dorothy, you have been an inspiration to me. 
        From the first time I saw that first episode of Mothering
        on the S&L website, I was convinced that mothers 
        everywhere could hugely benefit from your apostolate, 
        and still am convinced, more than ever.

        I finally got around to actually reading your book over
        the holidays, and boy, oh, boy am I glad I've been 
        promoting it. I couldn't put it down. I was drawn into
        your wonderful world and didn't want to leave when 
        I finished the book. You really are a "Gutsy, Catholic Mom" 
        by starting off in the book with the controversial topic
        of moms staying home with their children!

        I loved everything you wrote on that subject and 
        whole-heartedly agree with it all, though I confess, 
        I lack the courage to speak up to my moms too much 
        about that.That is why I'm so glad that they attended 
        our mom's tea at Holy Redeemer and heard you speak 
        and bought your book. 

       You are so brave Dorothy, and VERY articulate 
       and charitable in sharing your convictions. 
       You fill a huge void in our Catholic Church in Canada 
       and we are so very blessed to have you - a "lone voice in the  
       wilderness" - championing Holy Motherhood! 

       Looking forward to what you've got in store 
       for us in the new year! With much love and many prayers." 

       Cathy

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     "Your book kept me up to 3am the other night... 
     As I read it, I wondered,
    'Where has she been all my life?
    Dorothy is my long lost sister?!!!!
    I almost woke up the entire house shouting, 'Yes !!!!"


    Leticia Velasquez
    Media Critic
    Author, A Special Mother is Born

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   "I started to read “Motherhood Matters” by Dorothy Pilarski, 
   and I couldn’t put this amazing book down. 
   I could so relate    to Dorothy’s experiences and reflections.
   I wish I had had the  opportunity 
   to read this book twenty years ago.  It was just so refreshing
   to hear a mother’s voice reflecting and celebrating 
   that children are our gifts from God, to be treasured and
   nurtured in faith with unconditional love.  I purchased
   four more copies of the book to share with friends, 
   my niece, and my future daughter-in-law.  
  This book is a ten-out-of-ten, a must read for all mothers!"


   Deirdre Furlong, Mississauga, Ontario
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   "Motherhood Matters is a must read!!! You will love
    and appreciate it! It is an INCREDIBLE book! 

    Dorothy Pilarski, you rock....
    Thank you for sharing your God inspired wisdom!"  

    Mary Finn Kent, 

    Mom,  Pacific DVD Duplication,

    Business Owner, Lahaina, Hawaii  
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   "I love this book! This book is not just for mothers, 

    but for all women. I love how she talks so candidly 

    about her everyday life while calling out the cultural 

    norms and challenges them with her witty insights. 

    I have to say it is soooooooooo refreshing. You can 

    tell she has gone down deep into her heart and 

    has taken the courage to talk about the topics 

    in her book. I just love it. It has given me a lot 

    to think about. Thank you Dorothy!"

    Catharine Bone,
    Elementary School Teacher,

    Mississauga


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    "I just finished reading the book, 

    Motherhood Matters by, Dorothy Pilarski, 

    all I can say it WOW! I am so glad she wrote 

    this book for us Catholic moms! I LOVE 

    all the TRUTH and GOODNESS that

    pours out of it. I was very touched 

    by how she shared so many personal 

    experiences and I could relate so well 

    to them. I also LOVED how it offers 

    practical way to get closer to God 

    and how to bring our children closer to HIM. 

    Check it out! 


    It would make a great 

    Christmas gift for mom on your list."     

    Carolina Soledad, Stay at Home Mom,  Brampton


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    "I am loving the book...I am sneaking 

     in pages every night...     I just finished

     the story about the Bishop from the 

     Philippines...   loved that!  

     This is a clarion call to moms..   

     Dorothy, you've written a very important work.

     The deeper I get into the book, the more

     I want to shout it from the rooftops.
    What we do is not just important--

    it shapes the very world.

    It gives moms not just a pat on the back..

    it is telling them.."What you do-- 

    can and will change the face of this planet..

    so dig in and glory in your God-given role!!! 

    And this book needs to be in every mommy's

    hands around this country. 

    Time for a Momolution!! 

    Occupy HOME!!

    Parishes should buy this to hand 
    out to their moms...


    You have issued a clarion call
    for motherhood...this isn't just a
    tome with sweet little stories..
    This is a challenge for truth...


    Dorothy, I am seeing so many moms

    who have just abdicated their God-given roles,

    working outside or inside the home...
    and their children are crying.

    crying to be heard. 

    You are putting into their hands
    the tools they need to tell their
    hubbies, their parents, their bosses...

    What I do as a Mom is THE most job

    on the planet, and in fact, it isn't just

    a job...it is MY VOCATION.

    Most moms I know work either

    outside or inside the home.

    When I quit to stay home

    (but still practiced law), a book like this

    would have given me the boost

    I needed to not feel so apologetic

    all the time about not having a 'real'

    job anymore.

    Dorothy..I would happily assist you--

    as you and the Holy Spirit have done

    something very important together

    to fight back the tide of evil.

    Strong and holy moms will change the world."

    Marcella Ketelhut, Catholic mom,

    lawyer, business owner,

    Los Robles Hills Winery,

    Puerta del Cielo Vineyards, California


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    "I think I should've been finished reading your book,
     if I didn't keep coming back to "favourite" parts! The ones
     I find I go back to when I just want a "short read" before
     turning in are *Mothering Our Mothers* and 

    *Millionaire's Family* And I might be slightly biased 

    (being a Filipino), but I love your story about Bishop Yiet.

     Your book is on my night stand,
     a quick reach whenever I need inspiration, encouragement,
     or an instant pick-me-up! I even found my husband,
     Conrad, sneaking a read one time."

      Cristy Rocillo, 

      mother of six girls, with another baby on the way!

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    "I just finished reading your book, and I loved it! 

    It is very affirming as a Catholic stay at home mother,

    to hear another mother say, "You are right where you 

    are supposed to be!" Opposed to, "When are you

    going back to work?" and "Why aren't your kids in

    daycare learning how to socialize, blah, blah, blah..."

    From the moment my first child was born

    something in me forever changed, and I knew,

    that I had to be the one to raise her...

    I couldn't give up that awesome joy and

    responsibility to someone else.

    It took me by surprise and my husband too,

    it wasn't an easy decision, but we made it work,

    we both came to the decision that

    it was the best thing we could do for our children."

    Lexi Johnson, mother of three children




           In a world where the dream of being a mother is
           just not good enough, you honor  the dream. 
           You don't allow other people to define who you are as a woman. 
           I wonder how it would be to have a mother like you, 
          someone whose whole life revolves around children and home 
          (though you certainly are busy), an experience that not 
          very many children enjoy these days.  The conversation 
          in which you commit your life to your children--to speak 
          and to hear those words must have a profound effect 
          on you and must also return to you in the form of a life-long bond.
          I like that you point out that by substituting materialism for
          motherhood, we rob ourselves of the way to enhance our
          own humanity, which is illustrated so clearly in the analogy 
          about heart disease:  in the course of breaking our children's hearts,
          we break our own as well. There's much gold to be mined
          in your words.  You should be proud to have written so movingly. 


          Dorothy Funkhouser, 
         St. MIchael's Church, Annandale, Virginia   


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      Dorothy offers Catholic mothers encouragement 
        and support to follow their precious vocation.  
        Her refreshing affirmation about the beauty, power, 
        and importance of motherhood is much needed today. 
        The author seems to know from personal experience
        how to directly address a Catholic mom’s doubts 
        and insecurity. Living in a society that often dismisses, 
        denigrates, or ridicules both motherhood and Catholic
        values means that often a Catholic mom is on the
        front lines of evangelization—of her own family, and of society. 
        In a very grounded way, Pilarski expresses the 
        dignity of the mother’s calling, and offers creative 
        responses to the challenges.

        In style, Pilarski is informal and unpretentious.
        Each chapter is an interesting mix of stories, essays,
       prayers, and tips. The tips are particularly original and 
       practical, ranging  from “how to raise your kids Catholic,”
       to “ways to make an active attempt to grow closer to God.”
       The prayers and poems are beautiful and from the heart...."

                   Sr. Marie Paul Curley, fsp

    "I've just finished reading this book and it is a truly strong
     affirmation for all mothers who have perhaps wondered
     if having a family, staying home with children,
     sacrificing professional and financial advancements, 
     have really been worth it. Mothers can be
     confident in all their decisions provided they rely on
     the grace of God guided by the faith passed 
     to them by their mothers. I found this book to be a very
     honest reflection on motherhood and life by an
     intelligent and loving woman."


    Krystyna Zasowski, Etobicoke, Ontario