Anita DiGregory
Are you a struggling mom? Do you feel like you are failing? Do you feel like your efforts are never quite good enough? If so, local mom and author Colleen Duggan has some practical and spiritual advice for you. On April 29, 2018, in honor of Mother’s Day, the Seton Shrine hosted a “Chat with an Author,” featuring Duggan and her book, Good Enough is Good Enough: Confessions of an Imperfect Catholic Mom, which has a 5-star Amazon rating.
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first native-born U.S. saint, faced many struggles in her life. Because Mother Seton was a young wife, mother, and resident of Emmitsburg, the Seton Shrine was thrilled to invite Duggan to share her message with the community. The event, which was well attended, included a talk, a question and answer session with the audience, a book signing, and refreshments. The free event was the third in the series, with the next talk (featuring Thirty-Three Breaths: A Little Book on Meditation author Father Jack Lombardi) scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on August 19, 2018.
Duggan, a wife and mother herself, was happy to meet with the community and share her personal “confessions” on imperfect motherhood. In a refreshingly humble and honest manner, Duggan shared stories from her life and the lessons she has gathered along the way. As a woman who has struggled with the challenges of trying to be the “perfect” wife and mother, Duggan communicated the hopes, fears, joys, and sufferings of her journey thus far.
With the honesty of a best friend, Duggan invites her reader into her life. With all of her “confessions” as separate chapters (including I Don’t Know How to Master Motherhood, I Don’t Always Take Care of Myself as I Should, I Don’t Know How to Keep My Kids Catholic, I Don’t Like Watching My Children Suffer, and I Sometimes Compare Myself with Other Parents), Duggan tackles each heart-wrenching subject with a humble and honest approach, interspersing advice from spiritual advisors, counselors, and saints.
In addition to sharing her stories and lessons with the reader, she has questions for reflection at the end of each chapter. Another unique element of the book is that each chapter ends in a heartfelt prayer for moms struggling with that particular “confession.”
Duggan adds, “Maybe you feel like everything is up to you, that you have to get everything right or you’ll destroy your kids’ lives. Maybe you think creating perfect Catholics, who stay Catholic, is something you can control. Maybe you struggle with doing everything “right” but know the ill effect of this approach to life. If so, this book is for you.”
Those looking for helpful, friendly advice on motherhood can also reference Duggan’s blog at Colleenmurphyduggan.com. In addition, you can find her photography and a free, downloadable group study guide for Good Enough is Good Enough: Confessions of an Imperfect Catholic Mom on the site.
Colleen Duggan discusses her book, Good Enough is Good Enough: Confessions of an Imperfect Catholic Mom, at Seton Shrine Chat with an Author Series in April.
Emmitsburg can be a beautiful, peaceful little town, but like anywhere in the USA, it can also be that godless, stress-filled rat race. Life can become a never-ending carousel that seems to take a hold and capture our peace. Much of our time can then often be spent trying to regain our peace. This effort can often be misdirected into an escape through drugs, alcohol, or unhealthy relationships. There is a better way! The solution is beautifully explained in a new book by the former Chaplain of the Grotto of Lourdes in Emmitsburg, Father Jack Lombardi (pictured right).
This little book on meditation titled, Thirty-three Breaths: A Little Book on Meditation, covers the topic of meditation from a spiritual, historical, and a “how to” perspective. Father Jack describes meditation as an “ongoing and foreshadowing merger with God and soul in oneness.” Those who became familiar with Father Jack during his eight years at the Grotto will recognize his contemplative manner, as he often would break forth in short prayerful interjections, seemingly erupting from deep within.
