My books were written with you in mind. I strive to present topics of need and interest in a warm, conversational style. Whether relaying sophisticated theological foundations, everyday concerns such as caregiving, or the beauty of nature and poetry, the books are written pastorally and from the heart in an accessible format.
My works are backed with a master’s degree in Pastoral Theology, decades of experience in professional writing, and credible research. I also include my personal experiences, especially when it comes to caregiving to a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease as I cared for my husband who had Alzheimer’s symptoms for 15 years.
I’d love to hear from you, so I encourage you to comment on what you like–or don’t–and what you would like to see in future writings. Following are my books that are currently in publication:
Like a mini retreat, the pages within Inspired Caregiving. Weekly Morale Boosters offer a moment of pause. The brief messages are manageable doses of encouragement and suggestions to boost your morale throughout the year. Read one chapter at a time or spread a chapter out over a week by reading one section at a time or per day.
Each weekly reflection follows a rotation that includes an inspiring photo, hopeful prayer, informative thought, nurturing activity, gentle stretch, self-encouraging affirmation, thoughtful quote, and bit of humor. Because the weekly chapters are not dated, you can start at the beginning of the book and read through one chapter a week or focus on a topic of personal need at any given time.
212 pages, paperback, $16.95, ISBN-10:0879466847, ISBN-13 : 978-0879466848
Alzheimer’s spouses are faced with perhaps the most difficult promise human
beings are asked to keep: the marriage vow to love their husband or
wife-despite the physical and emotional ravages of the disease–until death do
us part. In The Alzheimer’s Spouse, journalist and author Mary K. Doyle,
whose husband suffered from Alzheimer’s most of their 24-year marriage, gives
gentle advice to other Alzheimer’s spouses about what is in store for them and
how to deal with their beloved soulmate in loving and practical ways while
still protecting their own health and happiness.
First Place Winner in the 2020 CPA Book Awards, Marriage and Family category
112 pages, paperback, $14.95, ISBN: 978-0-87946-971-9
Navigating Alzheimer’s.12 Truths about Caring for Your Loved One covers the most pressing questions on primary caregivers’ minds. This little book is packed with important information for anyone with a loved one with Alzheimer’s, especially if they are their primary caregiver. It offers an honest picture of the reality of such caregiving as well as a good dose of hope and support.
Gold Medal Winner in the 2017 Illumination Awards
112 pages, paperback, $14.95, ISBN: 978-0-87946-989-4
Grief is unavoidable. All of us encounter heartache at one point or another. But comfort can be found in our faith. We have hope in the Lord’s goodness and mercy. We also gain peace in the support of God’s saints and angels, Mary being the greatest of all saints.
Grieving with Mary offers many ways to journey to Mary as well as an appendix with feast dates, Marian hymns and prayers, glossary of terms, and a reference list of Marian religious and lay organizations. This newly revised edition includes the Novena, Mary Undoer of Knots.
158 pages, paperback, $12.95, ISBN: 978-0-87946-397-7
The rosary is a means to peace not only because of the calming effects of meditative prayer but also because the ways in which it brings us closer to Jesus. This Catholic tradition with a thousand-year history includes prayers and mysteries that form the basis of our faith.
Whether you are saying the rosary for the first time or already on a daily basis, you will find that The Rosary Prayer by Prayer is an invaluable resource and aid to promoting a deeper prayer experience. It is a treasure chest of information about the history and benefits of the rosary, suggestions for meditation on the mysteries, exquisite artwork, and references.
Simply follow along page-by-page, prayer -by-prayer. Each mystery includes a work of art, scripture verse and reflection.
224 pages, paperback, $14.95, ISBN-13: 978-0967744940
Looking for the Fountain of Youth? Research shows that spirituality is a key to longevity and vitality. People with a strong faith do indeed live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
Young in the Spirit explores the impact of spirituality on aging and caregiving as well as how to strengthen our faith, especially in our later years.
2014 CPA Award Winner, Honorable Mention in the Great Midwest Book Festival
125 Pages, paperback, $10.95, ISBN: 978-0-96774-495-7
World peace is possible. The Blessed Virgin Mary shared this hope with three young shepherd children in 1917 in Fatima, Portugal. She spelled out a peace plan that is outlined in the little, yet powerful booklet, Fatima at 100. Fatima Today.
The steps Mary advised us to follow include Honor the Lord, Ask for Forgiveness, Change Our Ways, Embrace Suffering, Just Say, “Yes!” Get the Word Out, Don’t Be Afraid, Pray Continuously, Meditate on the Rosary, and Seek God’s Comfort. Each step is accompanied by a scripture verse and action response.
40 Pages, paperback, .99, ISBN: 978-0-87946-583-4
Prayer is a conversation with the Divine, and Hans Christian Andersen Illuminated by The Message prompts a lively discussion from an unusual platform. The book pairs passages from some of our favorite fairy tales (Emperor’s New Clothes, Ugly Duckling, The Snow Queen, and The Steadfast Tin Soldier) with Scripture. Fifty passages are taken from Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales and aligned with 50 passages from The Message, a version of the Bible that uses contemporary language.
120 pages, paperback, $10.95, ISBN-10: 0879466294, ISBN-13: 978-0879466299
Few people know their gifts and God’s plan for them, even as adults. Saint Theodora, also known as Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, knew from the time she was a very young child that she wanted to serve God. She believed the best way to do that was to become a religious sister.
Saint Theodora patiently waited until the age of 25 to become a Sister of Providence in France. After caring for her mother and sister, and then serving in her country, she journeyed to the U.S. to found the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana; elementary schools across Illinois and Indiana; St. Mary-of-the-Woods college for adult women; and orphanages. Her story was riddled with obstacles and challenges but she never doubted that when following God’s call, God’s guidance and protection leads us to success.
Brightly illustrated by Phil Velikan, Saint Theodora and Her Promise to God is an inspiring, fun, and entertaining tells story about this dynamic saint and her courage to follow God’s call.
2014 Catholic Press Association’s Book Awards, Honorable Mention
34 Pages, hardcover, $16.99 ISBN: 978-0989739702
Keeping on tract is challenging in this crazy world of ours but we have examples of how this can be done. In Seven Principles of Sainthood Following Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, Mary K. Doyle, identifies seven ways in which Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, also known as Saint Theodora, lived a holy life. This saint had challenges, just as we do. She was a strong, courageous, and practical woman who offers us an example of how to live a better life. You will find this saint to be a fascinating role model on your own road to sainthood.
Saint Mother Theodore’s principles include:
- Praying with Saints
- Trusting in Providence
- Spreading the Word of the Lord
- Leading by Serving
- Being Just and Kind
- Forgiving Like Jesus
- Striving for Humility
156 pages, paperback, $12.95, ISBN: 978-0-87946-355-7
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Photo of me by Erica Nicole
Midwest Mary 