FAITHFULLY CATHOLIC (universal Christian)
~ Supporting you along the way of the cross while praying for the sanctity of marriage and family life,through the trials of infertility and loss as we stand faithfully and hopefully, upholding the teachings of the Church. ~
Share your story of faith and hope or write us if you need a prayer, you are not alone, we're here to listen. All requests are confidential. God bless you today and always.
This Christmas please pray for those that you know with Infertility, MS and other Autoimmune Diseases, as it keeps us from doing and being what we want to be, an active, motivated wife/husband, mother/father and friend. It may seem that we are frozen and as cold as ice, just because we are quiet and keep to ourselves doesn't mean we don't miss our friends. We just learn to accept where we are and who we have become, our total focus is staying as well as we can and praying that it doesn't affect anyone else.
Sometimes we might seem frozen and cold to those around us, but it's truly just that we are learning how to deal with what is happening in our own lives. Our hearts are actually on fire for we are constantly praying for that miracle in our lives and in those around us. We pray each day of our lives that Our Lord would touch me and heal me, and then I think of you... Isn't this who we really are? You are actually more then you think, even if your heart is not blazing there is that little flame that God keeps burning, trust HIM.
To suffer is what this world brings upon us but to be healed is where God wants us to be. As we learn to unite our cross to HIM we will be healed. The fire of God must burn in our hearts and our souls, when we ponder our own cross we are not uniting it with Our Lord in the midst of our cross we must think of those who suffer more. Ask Our Lord to bring people into your life that will understand, as there are many comrades that you will find friendship with. Our Lord never leaves us alone, just ask and you will receive!
Let God set your hearts on fire this coming NEW YEAR for what HE has planned for your lives. When you accept HIS will you will find your path and journey changed forever!
I have listed the GAPS Diet program in the links at the top of this blog page, why? Well, I am finding that this diet thing has been very helpful to myself as well as many others that I know. I'm sure it is not an idea that you've never thought about concerning diet and food restrictions, especially if you have had problems with gluten, but I wanted to share the updated article from Dr. Natasha who has her degree as a Neurologist/Neurosurgeon and in dietary nutrition. Why I want to share it with you is that you will have a great chance in balancing your hormones if you follow this dietary regime, I'm sure of it. I have seen great benefits in my own health and I am not getting any financial benefit from promoting this site. I just feel that we as baptized Christians owe it to Our Lord to take better care of our body. So, it's worth a try isn't it? I pray this information will help you, and if you ever need any support concerning this diet or just a prayer of support, please let us know. God bless and take good care of YOU!
One man’s meat is another man’s poison!Most Recent Article by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride 2011 (Discusses adapting the GAPS diet to meet your individual needs - A Must Read)
Today is the day we celebrate the gifts of 2 holy souls, St. Hannah and St. Juan Diego. They are truly the main patrons of this ministry as they suffered infertility. We learn in the Old Testament that we as Christians need to come to the foot of the altar where the sacrifice is made and where graces will flow. Do you recognize the gift that we have been given in that their feast day is the day after the Immaculate Conception? What is God telling you today? What does this mean to you? I think it is something to truly meditate upon on this feast. Let us open our hearts to this that graces may enter the depths of our saddened minds and hearts to find Jesus and Mary guiding us where we are to go in our time of sorrow let us find the path to Him who knows what He is asking of us. Pray to accept the call Our Lord has placed in you, as you have not been forgotten but recognized as an individual with purpose.
1 Samuel 2
Hannah’s Song of Thanksgiving
1 Then Hannah prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the LORD;
Myhorn is exalted in the LORD,
My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies,
Because I rejoice in Your salvation.
2“There is no one holy like the LORD,
Indeed, there is no one besides You,
Nor is there any rock like our God.
3“Boast no more so very proudly,
Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth;
For the LORD is a God of knowledge,
And with Him actions are weighed.
4“The bows of the mighty are shattered,
But the feeble gird on strength.
5“Those who were full hire themselves out for bread,
But those who were hungry cease to hunger.
Even the barren gives birth to seven,
But she who has many children languishes.
6“The LORD kills and makes alive;
He brings down toSheol and raises up.
7“The LORD makes poor and rich;
He brings low, He also exalts.
8“He raises the poor from the dust,
He lifts the needy from the ash heap
To make them sit with nobles,
And inherit a seat of honor;
For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S,
And He set the world on them.
9“He keeps the feet of His godly ones,
But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness;
For not by might shall a man prevail.
10“Those who contend with the LORD will be shattered;
Against them He will thunder in the heavens,
The LORD will judge the ends of the earth;
And He will give strength to His king,
And will exalt thehorn of His anointed.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Saint Juan Diego, infertile, holy and devoted to serving Our Lord as he was called. I would like to share with you today the post that "Martha Trying to be Mary" has shared with us today concerning St. Juan and infertility, God did not let his life become fruitless. This is what our focus should be as we make our journey in this life. Nothing is empty when we live our lives for Christ, He has something special prepared for us we need to see this with His eyes.
Prayer to St. Juan Diego
You who were chosen by Our Lady of Guadalupe as an instrument to show your people and the world that the way of Christianity is one of love, compassion, understanding, values, sacrifices, repentance of our sins, appreciation and respect for God’s creation, and most of all one of humility and obedience; You whom we know is now in the Kingdom of the Lord and close to our Mother; Be our angel and protect us, stay with us as we struggle in this modern life often not knowing where to set our priorities; Help us to pray to our God to obtain the gifts of the Holy Spirit and use them for the good of humanity and the good of our Church, through the Heart of Our Lady of Guadalupe to the Heart of Jesus. Amen.
So, I find myself thinking of you today as I was browsing through this site calledgaps.me. Many of us have been suffering from chronic illness, PMS, and infertility and somehow if you really think about it with the wisdom that God has given us, our diet maybe the answer to healing the problem. It won't be easy as I am doing my best to follow this GAPS diet, and oh it's not easy, but I know in my heart the Holy Spirit dwells within me and I need to take care of ME. So, this means I had to share it with YOU. I pray that you will find this information helpful in leading you to GREAT health, in body, mind and soul.
*I have no idea why this is printing in ALL CAPS, as I am not typing this in all caps. Hmmm....?
The novena to St. Joseph Moscati begins today November 7th - 15th... Celebrate his feast day November 16 by going to Mass and praying for your physician and those in the medical field. May you be blessed by his prayers and intercession.
"Dear St Joseph Moscati, true model of Christian doctors, in the exercise of your medical profession, you always took care of both the body and soul of every patient.
Look on us, who have recourse to your heavenly intercession, and obtain for us both physical and
spiritual health, and a share in the dispensation of heavenly favors.
Soothe the pains of our suffering people; give comfort to the sick, consolation to the afflicted and hope to the despondent.
May our young people find in you an ideal, our workers an example, the aging a comfort, the dying the hope of eternal salvation.
To all of us be a pattern of industriousness, honesty and charity; so we may comply with our Christian duties and glorify God our Father." Amen
Also known as
Giuseppe Moscati
Joseph Mario Charles Alphonse Moscati
Seventh of ninechildren born to a prominent family, the son of Francsco Moscati, a lawyer and magistrate who served as an altarserver whenever possible, and Rosa de Luca dei Marchesi di Roseto, whose family was Italian nobility. Giuseppe’s family moved to Naples, Italy when the boy was four years old; he made his First Communion at age eight, Confirmation at ten. Friend of BlessedBartolo Longo and BlessedCaterina Volpicelli. Received his doctorate from the University of Naples in 1903. Worked at and served as administrator of a hospital for the incurable while continuing to study and do medical research. Assisted in the preparation for and recovery from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius on 8 April1906, but refused any recognition for the work. Led the work to stop cholera in Naples. Member of the Royal Academy of Surgical Medicine in 1911, and received a doctorate in physiological chemistry. Directed several hospitals and medical societies, and was one of the first to experiment with the use of insulin for diabetes. Tried to enlist in the army in World War I, but was refused and instead ran a hospital for the wounded; personally treated almost 3,000 soldiers. He healed (sometimes miraculously), taught at numerous universities and hospitals, and supported the poor and outcast; could sometimes diagnose a patient‘s illness and prescribe for it without having seen the patient. Knew when and how to use a patient‘s faith and the sacraments to effect a cure. First modern physician to be canonized.
We offer prayer support and comfort to the brokenhearted who suffer the pains of infertility at any stage of life, difficult pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth, or the early death of a child. This ministry intercedes for Catholic/Christian doctors, nurses, and their supportive personnel. We also serve as a vehicle of education in the proper channels of Catholic fertility practices as well as offering information resources to those seeking fertility care and/or adoption.
One of my very favorite quotes from John Paul II is a quote on adoption.
“To adopt a child is a great work of love. When it is done, much is given, but much is also received. It is a true exchange of gifts.”
He was absolutely right, much is received. We are often told that our children are lucky, but we always respond that we are the ones who are blessed through the gift of adoption.
Why is it then that so many people are hesitant to adopt? It often seems to be something that’s nice for other people to do. I have to admit that I often have a hard time reading about couples who are trying all sorts of medical avenues (within the confines of the church) to conceive, while there are so many children in the US and around the world who are in desperate need of a family. My heart is burdened for these children.
I know adoption is difficult. I know there are many earthly obstacles and children don’t simply fall into our laps because we will them to do so. Finances, paperwork, and preconceived notions, pack a big punch. What if these earthly obstacles are excuses that we have put up to protect ourselves? We put so much energy into trying to conceive that it can become our job, our identity. What if we put that energy into providing a loving home for a child that God has already put on this earth?
No, I don’t think the earth is over-populated and no I don’t think women should stop seeking medical intervention to help overcome infertility. I’m only saying that God commands us to look after the orphans and the widows. Maybe for some of us that involves welcoming a child into our home as an adoptive parent.
This is where the letting go comes into play. Adoption is letting go. Letting go of our fears, anxieties, and our desire for control. Letting go of the “what if’s”. We need to let go of the thoughts that we have somehow failed, our bodies have failed, or we have done something wrong to miss this blessing of biological children. Every bit of suffering is meant to draw us closer to Christ. We need not be so focused on the perceived missed blessing of not conceiving a child, that we neglect the blessing that God is trying to give us.
We have to let go of how we have envisioned our family and embrace the family that God has called us to have. That means different things to different people. Maybe for some it means that they will never have children. For others it means letting go of the dream of having a large family, or maybe it means parenting children of a different race.
When we are open to God’s plan it doesn’t confine us or box us in, quite the contrary, it frees us to truly be the persons God created us to be. Maybe in striving so hard for a biological child we are missing the blessing God has in store for us, the blessing of simply being parents.
“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope” Jeremiah 29:11
Some of us have been called to the cross of "infertility or sub-fertility" sufferings. Have you ever considered what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says about anointing of the sick? Don't you consider that your situation is a problem of health? Just as Hannah found herself at the Altar of the Lord (where the sacrificial offering took place in the temple) and Fr. Eli confirmed that her prayer was heard, isn't this something we should also consider as we seek to build our family? Anointing and prayer from our holy priesthood? If Jesus is seen as the Divine Healer and the priest is considered standing in the place of Christ, maybe we should consider seeking him for this prayer. Just something to be considered as we are all seeking God's will and healing hand upon our daily lives. As we seek healing in the physical realm from our medical doctors so should we seek healing and help from our good holy priests within the Catholic Church.
1500 Illness and suffering have always been among the gravest problems confronted in human life. In illness, man experiences his powerlessness, his limitations, and his finitude. Every illness can make us glimpse death.
1501Illness can lead to anguish, self-absorption, sometimes even despair and revolt against God. It can also make a person more mature, helping him discern in his life what is not essential so that he can turn toward that which is. Very often illness provokes a search for God and a return to him.
This chaplet has been approved by Bishop Frederick F. Campbell, Columbus, OH, June 27, 2008. If you are interested in a copy please write prayer@hannahstears.org subject line "Chaplet" along with your request.
The Bishops of the following Dioceses have given their blessing to promote the chaplet of Hannah's Tears, it is always a virtue to ask your Bishop or Pastor before having this used for organized prayer, we generally recommend this chaplet as a private devotion:
