Anonymous No More

Anonymous No More: 

Child of Sperm Donor Speaks Out

 What if I fall in love 

with my half-sibling?

Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/anonymous-no-more-child-of-sperm-donor-speaks-out/#ixzz1afpmfOiq

The challenges that we have being Catholic in a world of let me do what I want to do. The Church is not only trying to guide and protect YOU from many struggles ahead but also protecting a generation of children in the future. When we follow the Churches teaching on natural family planning, this is a great wisdom that goes against the world we live in that only wants what it wants when it wants it.  Remember when you remain obedient to Holy Mother Church you are not only protecting yourself from major issues in the future but also the life of soul yet to be born.  This article above from the National Catholic Register says it all... 

 

My only question is, if we are a people that already struggle with anxiety just by living life, why add to the problems by ignoring what Mother Church is trying to protect us from in the future?  Truly the Church is teaching us what true freedom is.  Now if we could only learn to rely on this gift that we have, what a treasure trove!

* Sorry about the formatting of this post, it was quite a challenge to get this article up and running seems that there are enemies  truly unseen trying to keep this from conversation.  Oh well, here goes.

Mondays with Elisabeth

"Our outer life is the reproduction of our inner life,

 and the visible part of us reflects what is unseen; 

we radiate our souls, so to say, and, 

when they are centers of light and warmth, 

other souls need only to be brought into contact

 with them in order to be warmed and enlightened. 

We give out, often unknown to ourselves,

 what we carry within us; let us strive to increase 

daily this reserve store of faith and quiet charity."

Saint Jerome

Happy feast of Saint Jerome

As we celebrate our faith each day we remember the reason why most especially on Friday.   The visual gifts that we have in our faith are the first of the Gospel as read in the New Testament.  What a treasured faith we have!

Doctor Timothy Lau ~ Conversion Story

References:  Catholic Medical Association

The Gift of Grief?

I found this post this morning browsing through facebook.  I think this is something that we can all grow from as we all go through moments of "GRIEF".  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Good Grief: A Meditation of How Grief can be a Gift in Strange Package
By: Msgr. Charles Pope

As a priest I walk with a lot of people in their grief. It’s a regular part of priesthood. I remember back in 2007 how tough it was for me:

• The Deacon of my parish, Nerus, like a father to me, died after a long battle with cancer. His final words to me were, “I’m not so good right now, but I’ll be better soon.”
• My administrative and pastoral assistant, Catherine, like a mother to me, developed a rapid form of Alzheimer’s and within that year went from being at the top of her game to no longer recognizing anyone, within a year she was gone.
• My Parish bookkeeper, Shirley, also like a mother or an aunt, died suddenly.
• I was transferred from a parish I loved. This too was like a death, death by a thousand cuts.
• My father died shortly thereafter, after a long illness.
• A new parishioner lost her 4 year old nephew when, climbing on a dresser, it fell over on him and he was killed
• Another parishioner lost her 25 year old son, know well to us all, when he was shot to death.

All in a year. I remember telling God it was too much. And though I got no answer, I haven’t had a year like that since.   (story continued here)

• 
  

Mass for couples trying to conceive

Experiencing infertility?

Needing hope and encouragement

 for the journey?

Please join us for a special mass for couples trying to conceive.

When:  Friday, October 21st at 6:30 pm

Where:   St. Pius X Catholic Church, Granger in the Chapel.

A potluck dinner and fellowship will follow in the Holy Cross Room. 

 If you are experiencing the pain of infertility or sub-fertility, 

please consider joining us for this evening.

You are not alone.

Please contact me at syounger@hannahstears.org to RSVP or for more information.

Suzy Younger, FCPI

 

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Hannah's Tears
www.hannahstears.org

Archbishop Fulton Sheen - The Woman I Love Part 4 http://youtu.be/4lyId61fHIQ

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.

Remembering the Miracles of St. Pio

NEVER 

DOUBT 

what

 GOD 

can do 

in 

your 

life

 TODAY.

Reflections from a Poor Clare Colettine Sister on the Chaplet of Hannah's Tears

From the heart of a  Poor Clare Sister

November 7, 2009

The Chaplet of Hannah's Tears immediately evokes in one the story and imagery of Hannah in the Bible.  In (I Samuel 1) we find Hannah pouring out her heart, her longings, pain and suffering into God's presence, desperately pleading for a child, Hannah knew that her God was the one true source of all life.  Hannah knew the place to go, she took her burdened heart and soul into the Temple, to the only one who could truly transform her, and had the power her to give her that fruitfulness, that fecundity that she longed for. Hannah was barren and she longed for life!!!  She persevered in prayer and God heard her.  She was granted in time the gift of a son, Samuel.  Her tears became transformed into joy as she sang her Magnificat (pre-figuring that of Mary's, The Mother of God). She sang in thanksgiving.

The Lord showed her Mercy and she responded with such generosity by dedicating her son when born to the Temple, to Gods service, she knew in her heart that God wanted him and for his purpose. The Chaplet of Hannah's Tears is intended to assist those who 'are broken hearted, who suffer the pains  of infertility, difficult pregnancy, miscarriage, still birth and the early death of a child. It is such a prayer of Compassion to offer for another, and such a prayer of trust for any individual to pray.

Perhaps we can also look at the Chaplet of Hannah's Tears in an even broader perspective. Whether married, single, on living the consecrated life the Chaplet is equally applicable.  A consecrated Nun, a Priest, and a single person, are all called to 'parenthood ', for the Consecrated Nun she should be 'another Mary'.  We are all called to fruitfulness and parenthood. The conditions of a desire for fertility, to carry life to term, are equally applicable in the life of the consecrated sister as her 'sisters ' in the world. In this way she can so understand the pain of infertility, difficult pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth and the death of a child.

A 'Spiritual Mother' also longs to 'conceive life' to nurture, and carry souls within her and pray for them to God, it is as any parenthood a great responsibility, at times intercession, the carrying of another broken person, interceding for grace and life can be a very painful process, and sometimes, despite all efforts, all the prayers, sacrifices and suffering, the person simply does not respond but chooses the path of sin or selfishness. You can say in this sense this is a miscarriage... a stillbirth, because instead of leaping to life the soul has remained against all good reason, against all attempts of prayer to remain without God.  Because of this experience a consecrated nun is so able to understand the deep pain, the deep wound that exists when for some reason life at least in this world does not continue. It is for us all a path of trust, that whatever God decides that although we cannot see it is the best....  Hannah must have felt the pain of when she surrendered her only son Samuel to Temple Service; she knew the Lord wanted him! that was painful as well as a joy, because it meant she would not have all those joys that attend raising a child in the intimacy of ones own home, God wanted the child! And somehow too, in a way that we do not understand, sometimes... God simply wants 'our child ', but if the child is in HIM we have nothing to fear for surely then the child has attained to the ultimate Joy and happiness.

We would like to highly recommend the Chaplet of Hannah's Tears; it was born of love and Compassion. We pray for you all, holding you all and each to God, may he bless you with life!

Chaplet of Hannah's Tears Number II

After the Initial Focus on the sign of the Cross we now turn to the Immaculata, to Mary. Mary, Queen and Mother of all Life! We gaze upon the blessed and beautiful Miraculous Medal, a medal endowed with so many graces and blessings. Let us recall what Mary revealed to Saint Catherine Laboure, that there were many graces in her hands which were not asked for or claimed, rays of light emulated from Mary’s hands, streams of grace!!  Let us in our own need turn to Mary and ask her  for those graces that will bring us closer to God and to each other, she is waiting to give them to us, and love offered, should be love accepted!!!!

"O Mary Conceived without Sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee".

It is a powerful prayer because it takes us to a place where there is no sin! HER HEART! This simple, short prayer draws us into the very depth of her Immaculate Heart, her sinless and pure heart which finally will triumph over all evil and sin.  

We offer our Chaplet with and in the presence of Mary, for Jesus, for souls, for life!!!

To request a copy of the chaplet please email us:  

prayer@hannahstears.org

We will also add you to our list of intentions!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/HeartFeltRosaries

Hannah's Tears Chaplet beads (link)

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:

• Columbus, Ohio
•  South Bend - Fort Wayne, Indiana
• Malta Europe 

 Thank you,

 Hannah's Tears Ministry 

The Dangers of Splenda

Splen.da has NO warnings on their label, so I wanted to warn you to be aware of how it may affect your health and the health of your future.  Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, so take care of yourself and those that you love. <3

http://www.truthaboutsplenda.com/

Splen.da is not natural; it is a chlorinated artificial sweetener. There have been no long-term human studies on the safety of Splen.da; however, issues have been raised about Splen.da in a new study from Duke University. According to the study, Splen.da “suppresses beneficial bacteria and directly affects the expression of the transporter P-gp and cytochrome P-450 isozymes that are known to interfere with the bioavailability of drugs and nutrients. Furthermore, these effects occur at Splen.da doses that contain sucralose levels that are approved by the FDA for use in the food supply.”  For more information on the Duke University study, click here.

Mary My Mother

Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

H.T. Chaplet Beads Available

My new friend JC has offered to make chaplets for our ministry.  Her work is absolutely beautiful!  The picture below is the first to be made, please let her know if you have any interest in having one for yourself or a loved one.  

God Bless!

H.T. Ministry

HeartFelt Rosaries Chaplet for Pregnancy, Infertility

A Chaplet for those suffering Infertility, Difficult Pregnancy, Miscarriage or Early Loss of a Child--now listed at HeartFeltRosaries.com

The Chaplet is promoted by the Apostolate of Hannah's Tears (HannahsTears.org).  The Apostolate was founded in 2003 in my home diocese of Columbus, OH, and this Chaplet--and the work of the Apostolate--was approved by Bishop Fredrick Campbell in 2008.

from their brochure:
"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 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"

This Chaplet is made using the virtually unbreakable wire wrapping technique and will last through heavy use. It is composed of sparkling Crystal and warm, tarnish resistant Bronze.

Instructions included.

See it in my shop at HeartFeltRosaries.com!

Need for Pro-Life Medical Ethics Team

Wanted: Pro-Life Medical, Ethical, Legal A-Team

August 19, 2011 by Gerard M. Nadal

My latest article for LifeNews.com

This week, one of the most searing and difficult bioethical cases I have ever encountered was brought to my attention. It involves a premature baby born with serious and substantial developmental anomalies that will in all likelihood cost this little one her life. Before going further with the story, what are most needed at this moment are prayers for Emily (name changed), her mom, and her family. Identifying information has been changed to safeguard the family’s privacy.

Read the rest Here

How to Preach Against Contraception

How to Preach Against Contraception

This hard-hitting “tell-it-like it is” article appeared in the July 2003 national Catholic publication “Homiletic & Pastoral Review.” The author, Dr. Fredrick W. Marks, is a research historian and essayist on religion with degrees from Holy Cross College and the University of Michigan. The author of “A Catholic Handbook for England and Newly Married Couples” (2001) he has taught courses on the fundamentals of the Catholic faith at the university level, as well as in various parishes.

Christians as dissimilar in theological stripe as Luther, Calvin, Zwingli and Knox have shared the Catholic position on birth control

“How to preach against contraception”
by: Fredrick W. Marks

Catholic morale in the United States has been severely shaken in recent months by allegations of clerical sex abuse. But there is another agent at work in the Church that has been sapping the strength of the faithful for decades. I refer to the yawning gap between teaching and practice in the area of artificial birth control. How can any religious organization expect to prosper when most of its members live in open defiance of one of its major tenets, when, furthermore, it claims to teach the tenet infallibly, and when disregard of such teaching is viewed as a mortal sin?  Continue here

Salvation and True Life ~ Saint John Eudes, priest

Saint John Eudes, Priest

Memorial Feast:  August 19

From a treatise on the admirable Heart of Jesus 
by St. John Eudes, priest




The source of salvation and true life

I ask you to consider that our Lord Jesus Christ is your true head and that you are a member of his body. He belongs to you as the head belongs to the body. All that is his is yours; breath, heart, body, soul and all his qualities. All of these you must use as if they belonged to you, so that in serving him you may give him praise, love and glory. You belong to him as a member belongs to the head. This is why he earnestly desires you serve and glorify the Father by using all our faculties as if they were his.

He belongs to you, but more than that, he longs to be in you, living and ruling in you, as the head lives and rules in the body. He desires that whatever is in him may live and rule in you: his breath in your breath, his heart in your heart , all the faculties of his soul in the faculties of your soul, so that these words may be fulfilled in you: Glorify God and bear him in your body, so that the life of Jesus may be made manifest in you.

You belong to the Son of God but more than that you ought to be in Him as members are in the head. All that is in you must be incorporated into him. You must receive life from him and be ruled by him. There will be no true life for you except in him, for he is the one source of true life. Apart from him you will find only death and destruction. Let him be the only source of your movements, of the actions and the strength of your life.

He must be both the source and the purpose of your life, so that you may fulfil these words: None of us lives as his own master and none of us dies as his own master. While we live, we are responsible to the Lord, and when we die we die as his servants. Both in life and death we are the Lord’s. That is why Christ died and came to life again, so that he may be Lord of both the dead and the living.

Finally you are one with Jesus as the body is one with the head. You must then have one breath with him, one soul, one life, one will, one mind, one heart, And he must be your breath, heart, love, life, your all. These great gifts in the follower of Christ originate from baptism. They are increased and strengthened through confirmation and making good use of other graces that are given by God. Through the holy eucharist they are brought to perfection. 

Resource

United to God's Will

Oh my gosh.. the Holy Spirit is really on a roll with St. Alphonsus de Ligouri!  I was just  sorting books that someone gave me and I found a little pamphlet called "Uniformity With God's Will" by St. Alphonsus de Ligouri.  This seems to be where Our Lord wants us to be in regards to His Will versus our will.  :-D  don't be afraid, it's all really good, God's plans are truly remarkable!

So, if you can take a look at this site and read this when you are able to pray and meditate (especially good in the morning).

Conformity to the Will of God

click the title above for the full version

1. Excellence of this Virtue.

Perfection is founded entirely on the love of God: “Charity is the bond of per-fection;” and perfect love of God means the complete union of our will with God’s: “The principal effect of love is so to unite the wills of those who love each other as to make them will the same things.” It follows then, that the more one unites his will with the divine will, the greater will be his love of God. Mortifi-cation, meditation, receiving Holy Communion, acts of fraternal charity are all certainly pleasing to God -- but only when they are in accordance with his will. When they do not accord with God’s will, he not only finds no pleasure in them, but he even rejects them utterly and punishes them.




If you would like to purchase this see the link below.

• Amazon.com "Uniformity With God's Will"  by St. Alphonsus de Ligouri

VISIT TO THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT BY ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUORI

Opening Prayer


My Lord Jesus Christ, out of love for us all, You stay night and day in this Sacrament, full of compassion, waiting for, calling and welcoming all who come to visit you. I believe that you are really here in this Sacrament. I adore you in your greatness. I thank you for all the wonderful graces you have given me. But I thank you especially for having given me yourself in this Sacrament, for having asked your own Mother to mother me, for having called me here to talk to you.

I am here before you today to do three things: to thank you for these precious gifts, to make up for all the disrespect that you receive in this Sacrament from those who offend you, to adore you everywhere in the world where you are present in this living bread but are left abandoned and unloved.

My Jesus, I love you with all my heart. I know I have displeased you often in the past — I am sorry. With your help I promise never to do it again. I have been weak and have sinned, but I consecrate myself to you completely. I give you my will, my love, my desires, everything I own. From now on do what you please with me. All I ask is that you love me, that you keep me faithful to the end of my life. I ask for the grace to do your will exactly as you want it done.

I pray for the souls in purgatory — especially for those who were close to you in this Sacrament and close to your Mother Mary. I pray for every soul hardened in sin. My Savior, I unite my love to the love of your divine heart, and I offer them both together to your Father. I beg him to accept this offering in your name. Amen.






Act of Spiritual Communion


My Jesus, I believe you are really here in the Blessed Sacrament. I love you more than anything in the world, and I hunger to feed on your flesh. But since I cannot receive Communion at this moment, feed my soul at least spiritually. I unite myself to you now, as I do when I actually receive you. Never let me drift away from you. Amen.