Today We Became Engaged
by Dianne Ahern
A thoughtful, romantic, faith-centered, keepsake book for couples discerning marriage. Discusses the power of love, the importance of shared values and more. This is a marriage planner…not a wedding planner! Allows couples to record their courtship and engagement stories for years to come.
Price: $22.95 hardback gift edition
THE BOOK
A thought provoking, romantic, faith-centered book for young adults and couples discerning marriage.
This book explores:
– The power of love
– The importance of shared values — commitment, fairness, courage, compassion, honesty, respect, and forgiveness
– History of betrothal and engagement
– Entertaining stories of proposals, engagement rings, and acceptances
“Something magical happens when two people decide they want to spend the rest of their lives together. They stand on the threshold of being totally committed to one another for as long as they both shall live, regardless of health or wealth. It is the time to revel in the mystery of what lies ahead — soon a wedding and a honeymoon, then a home, children, mingling of families and friends, sharing joys, sharing sorrows, and most importantly, the two becoming one through marriage,” excerpt from Today We Became Engaged.
It’s also a keepsake book for the engaged couple to record
– The story of how we met
– Our courtship
– Our Engagement
– Family traditions we want to keep
– Promises to each other
– Our future together
… and more
TESTIMONIALS
|
The Catholic Post
|
|
(Diocese of Peoria), February 10, 2002
|
|
What to do before ‘I do’?
|
|
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — There is no shortage of guidebooks for engaged couples seeking answers to questions such as who should pay for their wedding reception, what are the current fashions in wedding attire and how soon thank-you notes must be sent for gifts. But when it comes to the ultimate questions engaged couples face — is my fiancée really the right person for me? Do we really love one another? Would I make a good spouse or parent? — few publications in the secular market have addressed them. That is, until Dianne Ahern decided to change that Ahern, a native of Sacred Heart Parish in Campus, recently published “Today We Became Engaged,” a combination keepsake book and compendium of advice to help engaged couples know if they are truly in love, approach marriage as a vocation, and discern whether or not they are really called to it. “I wanted it to be romantic, yet thoughtful, and to bring God into it in a friendly manner, not ‘lecturey’ or preachy,” Ahern, 58, told The Catholic Post in a telephone interview from her office in Ann Arbor this week. “When people are in love, they are very excited and looking to the future,” she said. She believes her book celebrates and fosters that spirit, while also “bringing to the fore things they (the couple) should think about.” “Today We Became Engaged,” published in December, is the second in her planned series of books focusing on the sacraments and other rites of passage. Ahern’s first book, “Today I Was Baptized,” was published in June of 2000, and her third book, “Today I Made My First Communion,” is due out later this year. The 56-page engagement book, illustrated by Katherine Larson, includes sections on wedding and engagement customs and pages for couples to preserve photos and record memories of how they met, how they proposed and their favorite shared or individual activities. It is available through both secular and religious outlets, including several Catholic bookstores in the Diocese of Peoria. Through anecdotes and personal stories, the book also demonstrates that a relationship is more likely to last when based on shared values such as commitment, fairness, courage, compassion, honesty, respect, and forgiveness, rather than on outward appearance or attractiveness. “A lot of material published (for engaged couples) covers how to execute a wedding or how to cope with a spouse’s idiosyncrasies,” Ahern said. “But it doesn’t get into what I think is the key to the period of engagement — which is a period of discernment and making sure this man or woman is going to be your lifelong soul mate.” Ahern, the youngest of four children of the late Vernon and Mary Ahern, grew up in rural Livingston County near Campus. She graduated from Dwight High School in 1961 and from Marian College in Indianapolis in 1965 with a degree in biology. She worked in the medical laboratory field before completing a master’s degree in healthcare administration at Indiana University in 1975. Currently she is vice president of Elan Systems, an international healthcare consulting firm based in Ann Arbor. In the mid-1990s she worked with OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria to complete a needs assessment for new laboratory facilities that were completed in 1998. Her interest in writing books began several years ago with a burst of what she now considers divine inspiration. “I was walking to work one day, having my morning talk with God, and wondering if I was doing the right thing with my life,” she said. “The idea then came to me, why not write little keepsake books on events in your life?” As a Catholic she immediately thought of the sacraments as natural subjects for her writing. She started with baptism, since it is a sacrament common to all Christians and because christening celebrations bring generations of family together. She then wanted to do a book on marriage, but felt something was lacking in most of the existing guidebooks on wedding planning and marriage relationships. “I thought something is not hitting the right spot, because there are still so many divorces and bad marriages” despite all the pages of advice, Ahern said. “I thought people needed to focus more on why they are getting married.” While Ahern is not married herself, she said she is familiar with both the good and bad sides of couple relationships from her own experience and those of her loved ones. “My parents were a wonderful example” of a good marriage, she said, noting in the book that they prayed with the family every night before bed. “Until I got out into the world, I didn’t realize how strong a marriage they had. Very few people have the kind of happiness they did.” She said the spiritual content of the book is “subtle” and designed to appeal to couples who might not otherwise think about the role of God or moral values in their relationship. The book encourages couples to respect traditional moral convictions regarding premarital sex and cohabitation. It notes that couples who do not live together or have sex before marriage are less likely to divorce. “Being soul mates first, having a relationship steeped in mutual trust, honesty, commitment, respect and fairness, will guarantee that life together and sex will be totally fulfilling in the marriage covenant,” Ahern writes. “The opposite is not true.” Because she is known to her nieces and nephews as Aunt Dee, and because she has many childhood memories of exploring her parents’ attic, Ahern named her publishing company Aunt Dee’s Attic. “You can explore and have an imagination and pretend there,” she said. An attic represents “a creative space” full of personal and family history, she added. Ahern said all her Aunt Dee’s Attic projects will emphasize strong family values, respect for life and belief in God. Other projects she is planning include books on confirmation, careers or vocations in religious life, dealing with illness and death, becoming grandparents, a child’s first day of school, and welcoming a new baby into the home. |
|
AMSNews
|
|
(Archdiocese of Military Services), Vol 2 No 3, 2003
|
|
“Spreading the Faith” a letter from the Archbishop
|
|
“I was especially taken by a series of colorful, highly informative and attractive gift books ($19.95 each), ‘Today I was Baptized’, ‘Today I Made My First Communion’, and ‘Today We Became Engaged’, each solid, amazingly comprehensive and bound to appeal to the whole family.” Edwin F. O’Brien, Archbishop for the Military Services, USA.
|
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dianne Ahern grew up on a farm in Illinois, has traveled extensively for business and pleasure, and now resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Medical Technology from Marian College (University), and a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Indiana University. After rewarding careers in laboratory medicine, hospital administration, and healthcare consulting, Dianne found a new love: researching and writing about the events that shape our lives.
It was after her first Vatican visit in 1999, when Dianne looked into the eyes of Pope (Saint) John Paul II, held his hand, and kissed his ring, that she felt called to write books for Catholic children and their families. Already a successful businesswoman, Dianne formed her own publishing company, Aunt Dee’s Attic, to support her new calling.
Beginning with the sacrament of baptism, Dianne outlined a series of books on the sacraments designed to prepare families for these most important events. Her books’ formats merge storybook, reference book, and memory book elements into beautiful keepsake books. The sacrament books feature the imprimatur of the Catholic Church to assure families that the contents are true Church teachings.
In addition to her books on the sacraments, Dianne has developed a series of adventure/mystery books for young readers subtitled Adventures with Sister Philomena, Special Agent to the Pope. The Adventure books place fictional characters in real settings to teach about the Church, saints, and holy places. Her books have won accolades from retailers, readers, clergy, teachers, grandparents, and moms and dads.
OTHER POPULAR SPIRITUALITY BOOKS
Shared Miracle Stories
Shared Miracle Stories of the Dominican Chapter of Mary Mother of Dominic and Friends of Cedaredge Ed. by Mrs. Helen R. Hawkins, OP This is a book that invites us to share our miracles with one another. Why does God use or allow miracles? First, a miracle is an action...
The Fourteen Holy Helpers
The Fourteen Holy Helpers Authored by Allison Lunsford and Illustrated by Joan Bennett Saint Acacius, Saint Barbara, Saint Blaise, Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Saint Christopher, Saint Cyriacus, Saint Denis, Saint Erasmus, Saint Eustace, Saint George, Saint Giles,...
Led by the Spirit
Led by the Spirit: Into the Consciousness of Christ by Dennis J. Billy, C.Ss.R. Following Jesus means being open to and led by his Spirit. This book explores the meaning of this phrase by looking at the larger picture of why God entered our world and became one of us...
Manning Up! Lessons from St. Joseph and Jesus by Fr. Michael Nixon
This book will be published by the end of July, 2021. Pre-Order your copy today and get a free copy of Ronda Chervin's Feminine, Free & Faithful to give to someone you love.Manning Up! Lessons from St. Joseph and Jesus by Fr. Michael Nixon Today's world is...
Experiencing God: Thoughts and Testimonies
Experiencing God: Thoughts and Testimonies by Robin Arthur In this thoughtful reflection, Robin Arthur presents his perspectives on the God experience, addressing the conundrum of faith in Christ crucified, which St. Paul has told us is "a stumbling block to Jews and...
The Two Main Sources of Marie de l’Incarnation’s Prayer by Fr. Michel Legault, MSA
The Two Main Sources of Marie de l'Incarnation's Prayer by Fr. Michel Legault, MSA On October 28, 1999, the Catholic Church celebrated the 400th anniversary of the birth of Marie Guyard, known now as Saint Marie de l'Incarnation (canonized 3 April 2014 at the...
Within Reach of You: A Book of Prose and Prayers by Francis Etheredge
Within Reach of You: A Book of Prose and Prayers by Francis Etheredge Prayer is immediate because God is present; and, therefore, there is no nearer, quicker more “in touch” contact than prayer. Prayer is personal – because it arises out of each person’s life; and...
Fuera de las Tinieblas… por Mary Kloska
Fuera de las Tinieblas por Mary Kloska Aquí, al principio de este libro, no quiero explicar mucho sobre mí (quien soy, o dónde vivo, o dónde estudié), en su lugar, me gustaría simplemente presentarlo como es: una colección de tesoros que Jesús ha compartido con mi...
Medjugorje: My Lifelong Journey with Our Lady, Queen of Peace
Medjugorje: My Lifelong Journey with Our Lady, Queen of Peace by Penny Abbruzzese On June 24, 1981 in Medjugorje, Our Lady began appearing to six children. She identified Herself as the Blessed Virgin, Queen of Peace. Her message to the visionaries was: "I have come...
Z ciemności…
Z Ciemności... Mary Kloska (tłumaczenie: Agata Wesołowska) Ta książka to kolekcja skarbów, których Pan Jezus zechciał udzielić sercu autorki ‒ Mary Kloska. Dzieląc swoje refleksje z czytelnikiem, pragnie ona jak najlepiej zaświadczyć o wielkiej mocy, jaką zawiera w...
A Philosopher Reflects on the Rosary by Raymond Dennehy
A Philosopher Reflects on the Rosary by Raymond Dennehy In this book, Catholic philosopher Raymond Dennehy demonstrates to the reader that besides being a powerful source of God's grace and, as Father Garrigou-Lagrange observed, "a school of contemplation," the Rosary...
In Our Lady’s Shadow, authored by Mary Kloska
Mary Kloska speaks to a 'Seven Sisters' Group about her book In Our Lady's Shadow (May 21, 2021)In Our Lady's Shadow: The Spirituality of Praying for Priests by Mary Kloska In Our Lady’s Shadow–the Spirituality of Praying for Priests is a guide for women, taking them...
Table for Three by Larry Hopperton
Table for Three: New and Selected Poems, 1982-2021 by Lawrence Hopperton These poems, written over forty years, illustrate a spiritual landscape evolved from both secular and profane perspectives, from church windows to a handful of dirt, love and grief to redemption...
33 Days … with St. Joseph by Fr. Nicholas Cachia
33 Days . . . with Saint Joseph by Fr. Nicholas Cachia This book is a resource for meditative prayer based on excerpts taken from the Apostolic Letter Patris Corde of Pope Francis (December 8, 2020). It is a prayerful journey into the attitudes and sentiments of St....
Out of the Darkness by Mary Kloska
Out of the Darkness by Mary Kloska This work is a collection of treasures Jesus has shared with Mary Kloska's heart. In offering this to the reader, Mary hopes to witness to the great power Jesus’ Cross contains in itself. Her heart cringes at the thought of her...
Our House of the Sacred Heart
When you join, you’ll get: for each day of the Consecration: a daily reflection sent to your inbox. You will be guided in beautiful prayer, contemplation or story, great works of Catholic art, and reflection for that day. Each day will prepare your own heart for...
La Santidad de la Mujer by Mary Kloska
La Santidad de la Mujer por Mary Kloska, traducido por Alicia Izaguirre La Santidad de la Mujer es un libro de retiro para mujeres. Hay un gran misterio rodeando el don de la femineidad que Dios quiere que la gente atesore y proteja. Este libro describe los varios...
ŚWIĘTOŚĆ KOBIECOŚCI by Mary Kloska
Poniżej znajduje się konferencja, którą Mary wygłosiła w ośrodku rekolekcyjnym w Bąblińcu (w Polsce) do grupy młodych Polaków, poruszając temat Miłości Boga do nich. Konferencja miała miejsce 3 września 2005 r. i była tłumaczona przez Hanię Przybyło. Możecie jej...
The Crisis in the Church
The Crisis in the Church: A Semi-Fictional Dialogue Between a Post-Vatican II-Evolving Catholic James Marley and an Eternal-Doctrine Catholic Ronda Chervin Because of the crisis in the Church, quite a number of books have been written by Catholic thinkers with the...
A Love Letter to Mary – Keith Berube
A Love Letter to Mary By Keith Berubé The Holy Trinity is absolutely enamoured of Mary. The Saints and so many good Catholics not canonized are totally in love with Mary. Both God and man have expressed their hearts for Mary in poetry. When these expressions of love...
Honest Rust and Gold: A Second Collection of Poetry and Prose
Honest Rust and Gold: A Second Collection of Prose and Poetry by Francis Etheredge Honest Rust and Gold: A Second Collection of Prose and Poetry. Rust is the breaking down of metal, owing to water, air and other factors, whereas gold does not deteriorate; and,...
Always a New Beginning!
Always a New Beginning! A Conversation between Broken Catholic Spiritual Warriors By Ronda Chervin, Ph.D., and David E. Dowd RONDA: Life is a broken field of dreams for some of us. Loved ones, experience, accidents, illness, old age... each inflicting pain and...
It is My Soul that Sings: Selected Poems of Charles Gordon Rex
It is My Soul that Sings: Selected Poems of Charles Gordon Rex Ed. by Charles Gordon Rex, Jr. Poet and composer Charles Gordon Rex’s style of writing, finally being published in the 21st Century, is that of a bygone era. He was the product of the first half of the...
Returning Home: A Spirituality of the Christian Journey
Returning Home: A Spirituality of the Christian Journey The spiritual life has often been presented in terms of a journey because it is all about finding our way to God. For Christians, the spiritual journey has to do with following Christ into the mystery of the...
The Holiness of Womanhood by Mary Kloska
Below is a spiritual talk that Mary gave to a group of Polish youth at a retreat center in Babliniec, Poland about the Love that God has for them. It was on September 3, 2005 and is translated by Hania Przybylo. You can listen to this both in my English and Hania's...
Help Dante Help Italy
Help Dante Help Italy A new translation by Daniel Fitzpatrick accompanied by the new sculptures of Timothy Schmalz Donate today!Onward to Florence!The Inferno is now available in Paperback and Kindle! Click a link below to order your copy today! And, as you're...
New Paths to God and the Soul by Roger Skrenes
New Paths to God and the Soul by Roger Skrenes Much of what we receive through media of social communications does not concern itself with either God or the soul. So it is up to each of us to make ourselves aware of the pathways to God and the evidence for...
Light for the Journey: Reflections from Carmel
"Our Lady of Mount Carmel with Simon Stock, Angelus of Jerusalem, Maria Maddalena de’Pazzi, Teresa da Avila." Italian painter and architect Pietro Novelli (1603-1647), dated 1641.Light for the Journey: Reflections from Carmel by the Association of St. Teresa EVERY...
Sacred Braille: The Rosary as Masterpiece through Art, Poetry, and Reflections
Annabelle Moseley interviews Malachy Fallon, the Executive Director of the Xavier Society for the Blind concerning his apostolate to the blind and the work he did transcribing Annabelle's book into Braille. For more on Malachy, visit his interview on CatholicTV's Our...
Do You See what I See? Discovering the Obvious, authored by Robert Hanley
Do You See What I See? Discovering the Obvious Robert Hanley THIS BOOK IS ABOUT finding a better, more meaningful life. Robert Hanley has an insightful way of looking at the world-finding deeper meaning in everyday events that seem to float past the observations of...
Come Alive in Jesus! Solemn Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel by Bishop Robert J. Hermann
Come Alive in Jesus! Solemn Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel By Bishop Robert J. Hermann Bishop Robert J. Hermann, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, delivered nine homilies on the occasion of the Solemn Novena to our Lady of...
At Mass with Jesus on Calvary: Reflections on the Prayers of the Mass and the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, authored by Fr. Gene Martens, SJ
At Mass with Jesus on Calvary: Reflections on the Prayers of the Mass and the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist by Fr. Gene Martens, SJ For the ordinary Catholic, this book will clarify the teaching of the Catholic Church on the Real Presence of Jesus in the...
What Now?: A Roadmap for 80-Year-Olds and Beyond, authored by Ronda Chervin and Al Hughes
What Now?: A Roadmap for 80-Year-Olds and Beyond by Ronda Chervin and Albert E. Hughes The purpose of this roadmap is to provide Christian insight and inspiration to those 80 years or older. May it be a help to you on your 80-plus journey! Paperback: $14.95 Kindle:...
Ave Maria, authored by Richard Ruesch
Ave Maria by Richard Ruesch The life of our Lord, Jesus Christ, is brought to mind through the contemplation of the mysteries of the Rosary and the recitation of its prayers. The mysteries of the Rosary are those that are Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious, and...
Consecrate Me: Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary and Her Most Blessed Rosary, authored by TJ Burdick
Consecrate Me: Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary and Her Most Blessed Rosary by T.J. Burdick What if you knew what God’s will was for your life right now? What if you had the ability to destroy vice, decrease sin, and cause good works...
LIFE Runners Daily Devotions, ed. by Dr. Pat Castle and Bernadette Costello
We climbed to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa, the world's highest free standing mountain (19,341 ft) ... for the least of the least. With Bishop Coffey (Military Archdioces), Dolores Meehan (Walk for Life West Coast), Bernadette Costello (LIFE Runners),...
Servant of God, Gwen Coniker: God Leads, Faith and Trust Follow by Nancy Martin
Special congratulations to Nancy for her being awarded an honorable mention for first time Catholic author and third place in Marriage and Family Living in the 2020 Catholic Book Awards. Servant of God, Gwen Coniker: God Leads, Faith and Trust Follow by Nancy E....
Mary: the Rosary, the Relationship, and Dragons, authored by Keith Berube
Mary: The Rosary, the Relationship, and Dragons by Keith Berubé Mary: The Rosary, the Relationship, and Dragons reveals intriguing, little known aspects of the Rosary, gently catapulting the reader into a wondrous world of sweet, ardent, ever burgeoning intimacy with...
Simple Holiness, authored by Al Hughes and Ronda Chervin
Simple Holiness by Albert E. Hughes and Ronda Chervin We all are called to holiness, but we may not know what holiness means or how to approach it. Do you really desire to climb the ladder of holiness? Do you seek a life of spiritual joy in union with God,...
Today I Made My First Reconciliation
Today I Made My First Reconciliationby Dianne AhernWonderfully instructional book!Best friends Maria and Riley accidentally break a window then lie to their parents. Their growing discomfort coincides with encounters with their parish priests and teachers and lessons...
Today I Made My First Communion
Today I Made My First Communionby Dianne AhernA favorite gift for First Communion!Join Maria and Riley and their classmates as they offer to help Father Hugo solve the Mystery of the Eucharist. Learn about the Church, the Mass, music and prayer. “Look in the Back of...
Today I Was Baptized
Today I Was Baptized by Dianne Ahern All time best seller! Begins with a children’s story about a baby’s baptism day-told from the baby’s perspective! Includes short essays that explain the sacrament of Baptism. The book becomes a keepsake for this very special day...
The Ways of Love: Transforming the Person, A Guided Hundred Day Journal
The Ways of Love: Transforming the Person, A Guided Hundred Day Journal by Stephen Bujno The desire to change those around us is like willing others to go on a diet. The Ways of Love offers itself as an uncomplicated, yet profound guide to hurdle over the barriers to...
Seeking Christ in the Crosses & Joys of Aging
Seeking Christ in the Crosses & Joys of Aging by Dr. Ronda Chervin Seeking Christ in the Crosses & Joys of Aging is a refreshing and inspiring look at a period of your life ‘en route to eternity’ where Jesus awaits you in a new way. A perfect gift also for...
Healing Meditations from the Gospel of St. John
Healing Meditations from the Gospel of St. John Healing Meditations from the Gospel of St. John is about recovering who we are . . . our true selves. Simply put, the true self is the self that God wants us to be, what Kierkegaard called God’s prophesy for...
Holding Hands with God
Holding Hands with God Edited by Dr. Ronda Chervin Miscarriage, depression, breast cancer, abuse, divorce, addiction, and other specific personal, chronic problems touch the lives of many Catholic women. While expert advice is plentiful, what so many women...
Quotable Saints
Quotable Saints Ed. Dr. Ronda Chervin These memorable quotes of the saints and hundreds more are uniquely organized by theme in this uplifting treasury. In each chapter, you follow a particular theme and journey with the saints as they provide just the right word of...
St. Robert Bellarmine
St. Robert Bellarmine by Shaun McAfee St. Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) was a prolific author of the Counter Reformation and great defender of the Catholic Church. This book tells the story of the great saint who went from obscure title to become one of...
Today Someone I Love Passed Away
Today Someone I Love Passed Away by Dianne Ahern Danny becomes enraged when he learns he has to give up his room so Grandpa Vernon can come live with his family. However, as time passes, Danny and his siblings develop a deep love for their grandfather who teaches them...
Raising Kids with a Healthy Body Image: A Guide for Catholic Parents
Raising Kids with a Healthy Body Image: A Guide for Catholic Parents by Dr. John C. Acquaviva Raising Kids with a Healthy Body Image: A Guide for Catholic Parents is the unique approach to the body image crisis that impacts many children. From a young age, our kids...