A Widow's Spiritual Journey is a tour of the reflections written in the years preceding and following Dianne Coyle's husband's death. From the pain and anguish of loss to gentle movements of God, from the back pew in the church to rosary leader, Lector, and Minister of Holy Communion, Dianne was drawn into a different ministry within the church - that of sacristan. It was here that she realized this was where God wanted her to serve.
"Reflections, prayers, and poetry celebrate the sorrows and joys of living on earth while journeying toward heaven, from the poignant losses of a husband, a grandfather, and even a beloved dog, to the glories revealed in everything from a flower to a galaxy to the opportunity to deliver the Body of Christ to the dying. A deeply personal and powerful book, Dianne Coyle's A Widow's Spiritual Journey will resonate with every reader's heart." - Kevin Vost, Psy.D., author of Memorize the Mass! and Memorize the Latin Mass!
"A most heartwarming, bold and uninhibited journey into the depths of one's soul is transcribed here in a powerful and unadulterated venue that all of us can grasp and cherish with love. Dianne speaks her mind effortlessly stating 'Everyone's relationship to God is unique. No two are the same ... We will come to know him as He reveals himself to us.' Kudos to Diane for getting to the heart of our very being. Experience the beautiful God driven sojourn of a truly multi gifted lady as she endeavors to uncover her life mission for all of us to ponder as we also seek to decipher the essence of our life intervals. Revealing ... Yes, ...certainly way beyond our typical syntheses abilities. The Holy Spirit has clearly dwelt here!" - Rev. Philip Schulze
"Dianne Coyle's spiritual writings evoke a deeply personal relationship with God in a way that is rare. Her love for God and others shines through her essays and poems and she allows the reader a space to join her faith and see the fruits of trust in a loving God through Jesus Christ. Dianne gives a human voice to the personal mysteries of intuition, yearning, prayer and loss and she is never above the reader as a "teacher," she instead gently reminds us to simply ask for and seek God's grace and then be ready for a true and personal answer from Him. As a therapist and counselor to many afflicted with mental illness and additions I have used her poems and message to comfort some who struggled to re-find their Christian faith. I know Dianne indeed practices her faith devotedly as I have had personally from Dianne's words and guidance as she ministered to my father during a long illness. Dianne has a true gift for comforting others with kindness and humility. This book gives only a glimpse of her spiritual wisdom." - Elizabeth Driscoll Jorgenson, drug and alcohol rehabilitation counselor
"When Dianne began sharing her writings with me, I was taken with her ability to evoke compassion, encouragement, and a sense of one who is there to give me support. Her work is worth sharing with the world." - Elaine M. Mott, M.A. Moral Theology from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, (Overbrook) Philadelphia, PA. Elaine has served as a Director of Religious Education, addressed seminars for new DREs, and currently directs the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
"I enjoyed reading "A Widow's Spiritual Journey" very much. I noticed that it stretches over years, so it is the result of experience, reflection, spirituality and meditation. It is the result of an experience!" - Fr. Michael Sequeira
