Simone turned 4 years old on Wednesday!
We made chocolate cupcakes with pink frosting. She had fun pouring all the sprinkles over every inch of each cupcake. She chose hot dogs for her birthday dinner and everything was simple, like it should be in the life of a 4 year old. I cannot imagine life without this precious child. We thank God everyday for the gift she is to us!
Jordan Awarded Photo Student of the Year at Oaks!!!!
This is the second year in a row that Jordan has received this award. We are so proud of him!
Carter, Tatiana, and Nastia are on school countdown for summer.
They are all doing excellent and can't wait for summer. We are going to have a nice and relaxing vacation. They all deserve it!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Jordan's Photography Work
Here is a link to view some Jordan's Photography work.
www.behance.net/jordanChell/frame
(copy & paste)
www.behance.net/jordanChell/frame
(copy & paste)
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
St. Thomas Aquinas College
We took a drive to St.Thomas Aquinas College today. It is in Santa Paula, which is about a 30min drive from our house. We all fell in love with the entire campus. It is just beautiful. We had the privilege of being invited to attend a private Mass which was given by a priest who is an alumni. The chapel is absoluetly breathtaking. Click on the link below and then click on chapel to take a peak.
On Wednesday, April 15, 2009, Dr. Thomas E. Dillon, the president of Thomas Aquinas Colleg was killed in an automobile accident in Ireland, where he was traveling on behalf of the College. His funeral was yesterday and over 1000 people attended.
I have several friends that have kids that attend this school. It is truly a divine place.
http://www.thomasaquinas.edu/index.html
ABOUT THOMAS AQUINAS COLLEGE
Thomas Aquinas College opened its doors in 1971. It is a four-year Catholic liberal arts college exclusively devoted to the study of the Great Books, using only the Socratic method of dialogue in all of its classes. There are no text books, no lectures and no electives. Instead, the College offers an entirely integrated curriculum using only the original texts of the greatest thinkers who have helped shape Western Civilization. These authors include St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Augustine, Aristotle, Plato, Shakespeare, Euclid, Dante, Galileo, Descartes, our American Founding Fathers, Adam Smith, Copernicus, Kepler, and Newton to name a few.
Thomas Aquinas College graduates consistently excel in the many world-class institutions where they pursue graduate degrees in such disciplines professions as law, medicine, business, theology and education. They have distinguished themselves in these fields serving as headmasters, business owners, lawyers, priests, journalists, doctors, military service men and women, educators and college presidents.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
April 22, 2009
Hope
"All things upon which you set your trust are yours. Do but expect much of God, and He will do much for you. Expect but little, and He will do little."
St. Bernard
For Reflection:
What is the word of wisdom that St. Bernard offers us in this quote? How does this correspond to these words from St. James, "You do not obtain because you do not ask?" Read James 4: 1-10 to discover what attitude of heart should accompany our request of God.
Hope
"All things upon which you set your trust are yours. Do but expect much of God, and He will do much for you. Expect but little, and He will do little."
St. Bernard
For Reflection:
What is the word of wisdom that St. Bernard offers us in this quote? How does this correspond to these words from St. James, "You do not obtain because you do not ask?" Read James 4: 1-10 to discover what attitude of heart should accompany our request of God.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Divine Mercy Sunday
"I shall sing forever the Lord's mercy." (Ps 89 [88]) This Sunday is popularly known as Mercy of God Sunday. Between 1930 and 1938 Christ appeared to Sister Faustina, a Sister of Mercy in Poland who initiated the Divine Mercy devotion. She was canonized on April 30, 2000, the Sunday after Easter, the Feast of Divine Mercy. On Good Friday, 1937, Jesus requested that Blessed Faustina make a special novena before the Feast of Mercy, from Good Friday through the following Saturday. Jesus also asked that a picture be painted according to the vision of Himself as the fountain of mercy. He gave her a chaplet to be recited and said that it was appropriate to pray the chaplet at three o'clock each afternoon (the Hour of Great Mercy).
Sunday, April 12, 2009
He is Risen!
Happy Easter!
We attended the Easter Vigil which was just beautiful! Simone lasted the full 2 1/2 hours and was so well behaved! The kids enjoyed watching all 10 baptisms!
We then headed out for 11:00 Mass this morning. Tatiana sang in the choir, she actually had a solo. The Mass was beautiful. The church was packed, wouldn't it be great if it was like that every week.
Have a blessed Easter Season. May God radically change your life. Christ did not Rise for us to live luke warm. Do you want a life full of blessings? Step out of your small view and start thinking how radical Jesus wants you to live. Why leave your blessings at the altar.....claim the blessings that Christ has for you!
Be A Giver.....Be a Blessing....God will ALWAYS bless those who bless others.
We attended the Easter Vigil which was just beautiful! Simone lasted the full 2 1/2 hours and was so well behaved! The kids enjoyed watching all 10 baptisms!
We then headed out for 11:00 Mass this morning. Tatiana sang in the choir, she actually had a solo. The Mass was beautiful. The church was packed, wouldn't it be great if it was like that every week.
Have a blessed Easter Season. May God radically change your life. Christ did not Rise for us to live luke warm. Do you want a life full of blessings? Step out of your small view and start thinking how radical Jesus wants you to live. Why leave your blessings at the altar.....claim the blessings that Christ has for you!
Be A Giver.....Be a Blessing....God will ALWAYS bless those who bless others.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Parents are responsible for teaching their children the Faith
The Primary Apostolate
from a speech by Fr. John Hardon
No one will be saved unless he practices the Charity of sharing the Faith with others. Parents have the principal responsibility to share the Faith with their children. The purpose of teaching the children the Faith is to prepare them for Heaven.
Children are brought into this world for heaven. This is why you are parents. You are parents for eternity.
How are parents to share the Faith with their children?
The first condition is that you yourselves must have the Faith. It is fundamental to Christianity: the Faith comes from those who already have the Faith.
What a difference between having the Faith and having the Faith deeply, clearly, firmly…having the Faith of martyrs.
No ordinary Faith will survive in today’s world, only heroic Faith.
God wants to use you parents as the principal channels to share the Faith with your children. But the means and the degree of efficiency of communication of your Faith will depend on how strong your Faith is in your own hearts and minds.
Home education of your own children is not easy. It is demanding; it requires heroic virtue.
But given that holy virtue of Faith in your own hearts and minds, God will use you for understanding the Faith, teaching the Faith, practicing the Faith, and if it is God’s will, dying for the Faith.
Living in our materially developed nation—how this needs to be said—the greatest risk we have is that as we become materially more advanced, more consumer-conscious, more intoxicated with the things of this world, the more liable we are to forget that we are on earth for one reason—to reach heaven, and there is no way to reach heaven without the Faith.
You are parents that you might be, in the providence of God, the channels of grace of the Faith for your child.
But your own Faith must be strong.
I have three recommendations. First, pray, pray, pray. Believing parents, praying parents are courageous parents. Praying parents are united with God and capable of communicating to their children what God has given them.
In the name of God, pray, pray much. Pray from the depths of your heart. Live in the presence of God. Pray.
Second, know your faith. Faith is not some cerebral possession of a body of ideas. Faith is a living infused virtue. Faith is a gift of the supernatural life.
But unless you know your Faith and understand the knowledge of your Faith, you will not be able to share with your children more than you have.
God uses only believing parents to reproduce believing children. God uses only strong believing parents to provide strong believing children. God uses only heroic believing families, with parents who have paid dearly for preserving and deepening their Faith.
We are living in the most critical age in the history of Christianity. You must know the Faith, study the Faith, learn the Faith.
Third, Jesus Christ during His visible stay on earth said, “I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.”
Eucharistic parents are the ones whom Christ will use to communicate the Faith in Jesus Christ.
Assist at the sacrifice of the Mass as often as you can. Receive Holy Communion. This is the principal means of the petition of the Lord’s prayer: give us this day our daily bread.
Receive Holy Communion every day. Spend time in front of the Blessed Sacrament every day and hold your children in your arms.
Jesus, help us to pay the heavy price of home schooling here on earth so that we may reach the home for which our homes were made, in that eternal dwelling place to which dear Jesus you are calling us to join You for all the ages of eternity. Amen.
from a speech by Fr. John Hardon
No one will be saved unless he practices the Charity of sharing the Faith with others. Parents have the principal responsibility to share the Faith with their children. The purpose of teaching the children the Faith is to prepare them for Heaven.
Children are brought into this world for heaven. This is why you are parents. You are parents for eternity.
How are parents to share the Faith with their children?
The first condition is that you yourselves must have the Faith. It is fundamental to Christianity: the Faith comes from those who already have the Faith.
What a difference between having the Faith and having the Faith deeply, clearly, firmly…having the Faith of martyrs.
No ordinary Faith will survive in today’s world, only heroic Faith.
God wants to use you parents as the principal channels to share the Faith with your children. But the means and the degree of efficiency of communication of your Faith will depend on how strong your Faith is in your own hearts and minds.
Home education of your own children is not easy. It is demanding; it requires heroic virtue.
But given that holy virtue of Faith in your own hearts and minds, God will use you for understanding the Faith, teaching the Faith, practicing the Faith, and if it is God’s will, dying for the Faith.
Living in our materially developed nation—how this needs to be said—the greatest risk we have is that as we become materially more advanced, more consumer-conscious, more intoxicated with the things of this world, the more liable we are to forget that we are on earth for one reason—to reach heaven, and there is no way to reach heaven without the Faith.
You are parents that you might be, in the providence of God, the channels of grace of the Faith for your child.
But your own Faith must be strong.
I have three recommendations. First, pray, pray, pray. Believing parents, praying parents are courageous parents. Praying parents are united with God and capable of communicating to their children what God has given them.
In the name of God, pray, pray much. Pray from the depths of your heart. Live in the presence of God. Pray.
Second, know your faith. Faith is not some cerebral possession of a body of ideas. Faith is a living infused virtue. Faith is a gift of the supernatural life.
But unless you know your Faith and understand the knowledge of your Faith, you will not be able to share with your children more than you have.
God uses only believing parents to reproduce believing children. God uses only strong believing parents to provide strong believing children. God uses only heroic believing families, with parents who have paid dearly for preserving and deepening their Faith.
We are living in the most critical age in the history of Christianity. You must know the Faith, study the Faith, learn the Faith.
Third, Jesus Christ during His visible stay on earth said, “I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.”
Eucharistic parents are the ones whom Christ will use to communicate the Faith in Jesus Christ.
Assist at the sacrifice of the Mass as often as you can. Receive Holy Communion. This is the principal means of the petition of the Lord’s prayer: give us this day our daily bread.
Receive Holy Communion every day. Spend time in front of the Blessed Sacrament every day and hold your children in your arms.
Jesus, help us to pay the heavy price of home schooling here on earth so that we may reach the home for which our homes were made, in that eternal dwelling place to which dear Jesus you are calling us to join You for all the ages of eternity. Amen.
Beauty or a Bum?
A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.
Three minutes went by and a middle-aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule. A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in his case and without stopping continued on. A few minutes later someone leaned against the wall to listen, but looked at his watch and headed off. Clearly he was late for work.
The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year-old boy. His mother tugged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.
In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk at their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition. No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars. Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston, and the seats averaged $100.
This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The experiment’s outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour? Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnOPu0_YWhw
A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.
Three minutes went by and a middle-aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule. A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in his case and without stopping continued on. A few minutes later someone leaned against the wall to listen, but looked at his watch and headed off. Clearly he was late for work.
The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year-old boy. His mother tugged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.
In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk at their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition. No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars. Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston, and the seats averaged $100.
This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The experiment’s outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour? Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnOPu0_YWhw
Monday, March 23, 2009
Reprint of part of the sermon delivered by Fr. Shea at St. Rose of Lima Parish, Simi Valley - January 18, 2009
Talking of a hero of the Nazi Holocaust, Cardinal von Faulhaber, (who, incidentally, ordained Pope Benedict a priest), Fr. Shea moved on to the likeness to today’s abortion holocaust.
This Holocaust also includes the manipulation of stem cells harvested through abortions and the termination of life of our elderly through euthanasia solely for the purpose of a national agenda of convenience, economic prosperity and creating another “master race” of people who will never get sick, who will be as beautiful as the models and movie stars we see on TV, in the movies or the Internet, or who will be the brightest and most talented in the world “another Albert Einstein or another Michael Jordan” super race.
And why is this happening? Because some people in this nation really do believe that the end justifies the means. They believe that the evil means of abortion, euthanasia and some genetic engineering justify the good end of a better nation and society, better health and a more convenient life. But also this present day Holocaust is happening because the majority of people have become part of a conspiracy of silence. They have been confused, deceived or intimidated. Hitler tried to intimidate Cardinal Faulhaber and many others into silence during the first Holocaust. The secular world tries to do the same today with this Holocaust. Edmund Burke expressed it best in a quote from his essay Thoughts on the Cause of Present Discontents: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
That’s why we must answer the question that the Gospel reading lays before us today: Will we be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ? You see, brothers and sisters, Jesus is very clear about what His followers should do in the face of the evil of this modern day Holocaust of abortion and euthanasia. I was listening to a CD of a retreat that Fr. Benedict Groeschel recently gave to priests. Fr. Groeschel told a story about a prominent New York celebrity who approached Mother Teresa and asked her, “Mother Teresa, what is your view about abortion?” Mother Teresa stared at him, like Daniel Boone drawing a bead on a poor raccoon in a tree, and replied, “What do you think Jesus thinks about abortion?” Utter silence.
Jesus is very clear about abortion and euthanasia. There is no confusion and no ambiguity. Abortion and euthanasia are murder. The only ones who are confused, ambiguous, and deceived are unbelievers and fair weather Catholics. Fair-weather Catholics are gung-ho followers of Jesus when it comes to the light, easy, cheerful teachings of the Gospel. But when it involves the challenging, moral dictates that Jesus teaches, they stumble over their euphemisms, excuses, their doublespeak, and their rationalizations.
You’ve heard them: “I am personally opposed to abortion, but I believe that a woman has the right to choose.” I wonder: would those same people say, “I’m personally against stealing, but I believe that a person has the right to steal my car?”No way! Isn’t it amazing how people wouldn’t accept that rationalization with any other Commandment. It’s just with the 5th commandment and the issue of abortion and euthanasia. Jesus is very clear about His teaching on abortion and euthanasia. There is no confusion, no ambiguity. It is only unbelievers and fair weather Catholics.
But there is still the majority of Catholics out there who are good and trying to be faithful, but, who have been intimidated or confused into silence. I urge you not to be afraid. We Catholics make up ¼ of the population of America. If we stood together as dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ and Catholics faithful to Christ’s teachings, we would change the entire moral fabric, fiber and direction of our country.
And we need to stand up. We need to speak out for all those unborn or elderly citizens who have lost their voice in our sleek, chic, sophisticated world. I will tell you why. President-elect Barack Obama has stated publicly that the one of the first things he will do when he gets into office is to the sign the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA).
For those who do not know, the Freedom of Choice Act currently before the Congress, which Barack Obama sponsored as a Senator, will roll back all the restriction on abortion that the majority of Americans want and have voted in during the past 36 years. FOCA will invalidate for the entire country all restrictions on abortion including parental notifications, waiting periods, and partial birth abortions, yes - the brutal killing of 9-month old fetuses while they are in the birth canal, ready to be born.
FOCA also will attempt to force Catholic hospitals to adopt these evil measures. Thank God, Cardinal George of Chicago, the president of the National Council of Bishops, has told President-elect Obama and his team that, if FOCA is signed into law, the Catholic Church will close their Catholic hospitals rather than participate in evil. By the way, Catholic hospitals make up one third of all hospitals in the nation. Do you know what President-elect Obama’s team said to Cardinal George? “That’s OK! We’ll just buy your hospitals.” To which Cardinal George replied, “You didn’t hear me! I said that we will close our hospitals. You will have to build your own!” Good for him and all the Cardinals and Bishops standing with him! They are the new Cardinal Faulhabers, standing up against evil!
Brothers and sister, our Cardinal Roger Mahony has urged all of us in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to get involved with a postcard campaign to turn back this terrible legislative act. As your pastor, I also strongly urge you to stand up and speak out. Hitler wanted the Church to remain silent in the face of all the atrocities of the first Holocaust, all in the name of progress and pride of a nation. Fortunately, a small group of great Christians, such as Cardinal Faulhaber, Dietrich Bonhoffer, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg and others stood up and shouted in defiance. Ultimately, their voices were heard, but not before 10 million innocent people lost their lives in the Holocaust. Many in our government, in our nation, and sadly, even some in our Church today, want the Church to be silent about this new Holocaust. Many want the Church to not get involved in politics all in the name of economic prosperity, comfort, convenience, progress and pride of our nation. Many say that the Church should not say anything because there is a separation of Church and State.
I’ll tell you what: The Church and I won’t speak to or about politics if the government will stay out of our beloved Church and the Gospel. Once the government comes across that boundary, we will speak, and speak loudly. Brothers and sisters, don’t be intimidated, confused or deceived. Jesus is very clear what He wants us his faithful disciples to do. Let’s act with courage and faith. If we don’t, we will rue the day, as the German people still do now about the first Holocaust. If we don’t stand up and speak out, then we will stand condemned by future generations, and maybe even before God, because we failed to heed Edmond Burke’s admonition:
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men and women to do and say nothing.”
Talking of a hero of the Nazi Holocaust, Cardinal von Faulhaber, (who, incidentally, ordained Pope Benedict a priest), Fr. Shea moved on to the likeness to today’s abortion holocaust.
This Holocaust also includes the manipulation of stem cells harvested through abortions and the termination of life of our elderly through euthanasia solely for the purpose of a national agenda of convenience, economic prosperity and creating another “master race” of people who will never get sick, who will be as beautiful as the models and movie stars we see on TV, in the movies or the Internet, or who will be the brightest and most talented in the world “another Albert Einstein or another Michael Jordan” super race.
And why is this happening? Because some people in this nation really do believe that the end justifies the means. They believe that the evil means of abortion, euthanasia and some genetic engineering justify the good end of a better nation and society, better health and a more convenient life. But also this present day Holocaust is happening because the majority of people have become part of a conspiracy of silence. They have been confused, deceived or intimidated. Hitler tried to intimidate Cardinal Faulhaber and many others into silence during the first Holocaust. The secular world tries to do the same today with this Holocaust. Edmund Burke expressed it best in a quote from his essay Thoughts on the Cause of Present Discontents: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
That’s why we must answer the question that the Gospel reading lays before us today: Will we be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ? You see, brothers and sisters, Jesus is very clear about what His followers should do in the face of the evil of this modern day Holocaust of abortion and euthanasia. I was listening to a CD of a retreat that Fr. Benedict Groeschel recently gave to priests. Fr. Groeschel told a story about a prominent New York celebrity who approached Mother Teresa and asked her, “Mother Teresa, what is your view about abortion?” Mother Teresa stared at him, like Daniel Boone drawing a bead on a poor raccoon in a tree, and replied, “What do you think Jesus thinks about abortion?” Utter silence.
Jesus is very clear about abortion and euthanasia. There is no confusion and no ambiguity. Abortion and euthanasia are murder. The only ones who are confused, ambiguous, and deceived are unbelievers and fair weather Catholics. Fair-weather Catholics are gung-ho followers of Jesus when it comes to the light, easy, cheerful teachings of the Gospel. But when it involves the challenging, moral dictates that Jesus teaches, they stumble over their euphemisms, excuses, their doublespeak, and their rationalizations.
You’ve heard them: “I am personally opposed to abortion, but I believe that a woman has the right to choose.” I wonder: would those same people say, “I’m personally against stealing, but I believe that a person has the right to steal my car?”No way! Isn’t it amazing how people wouldn’t accept that rationalization with any other Commandment. It’s just with the 5th commandment and the issue of abortion and euthanasia. Jesus is very clear about His teaching on abortion and euthanasia. There is no confusion, no ambiguity. It is only unbelievers and fair weather Catholics.
But there is still the majority of Catholics out there who are good and trying to be faithful, but, who have been intimidated or confused into silence. I urge you not to be afraid. We Catholics make up ¼ of the population of America. If we stood together as dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ and Catholics faithful to Christ’s teachings, we would change the entire moral fabric, fiber and direction of our country.
And we need to stand up. We need to speak out for all those unborn or elderly citizens who have lost their voice in our sleek, chic, sophisticated world. I will tell you why. President-elect Barack Obama has stated publicly that the one of the first things he will do when he gets into office is to the sign the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA).
For those who do not know, the Freedom of Choice Act currently before the Congress, which Barack Obama sponsored as a Senator, will roll back all the restriction on abortion that the majority of Americans want and have voted in during the past 36 years. FOCA will invalidate for the entire country all restrictions on abortion including parental notifications, waiting periods, and partial birth abortions, yes - the brutal killing of 9-month old fetuses while they are in the birth canal, ready to be born.
FOCA also will attempt to force Catholic hospitals to adopt these evil measures. Thank God, Cardinal George of Chicago, the president of the National Council of Bishops, has told President-elect Obama and his team that, if FOCA is signed into law, the Catholic Church will close their Catholic hospitals rather than participate in evil. By the way, Catholic hospitals make up one third of all hospitals in the nation. Do you know what President-elect Obama’s team said to Cardinal George? “That’s OK! We’ll just buy your hospitals.” To which Cardinal George replied, “You didn’t hear me! I said that we will close our hospitals. You will have to build your own!” Good for him and all the Cardinals and Bishops standing with him! They are the new Cardinal Faulhabers, standing up against evil!
Brothers and sister, our Cardinal Roger Mahony has urged all of us in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to get involved with a postcard campaign to turn back this terrible legislative act. As your pastor, I also strongly urge you to stand up and speak out. Hitler wanted the Church to remain silent in the face of all the atrocities of the first Holocaust, all in the name of progress and pride of a nation. Fortunately, a small group of great Christians, such as Cardinal Faulhaber, Dietrich Bonhoffer, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg and others stood up and shouted in defiance. Ultimately, their voices were heard, but not before 10 million innocent people lost their lives in the Holocaust. Many in our government, in our nation, and sadly, even some in our Church today, want the Church to be silent about this new Holocaust. Many want the Church to not get involved in politics all in the name of economic prosperity, comfort, convenience, progress and pride of our nation. Many say that the Church should not say anything because there is a separation of Church and State.
I’ll tell you what: The Church and I won’t speak to or about politics if the government will stay out of our beloved Church and the Gospel. Once the government comes across that boundary, we will speak, and speak loudly. Brothers and sisters, don’t be intimidated, confused or deceived. Jesus is very clear what He wants us his faithful disciples to do. Let’s act with courage and faith. If we don’t, we will rue the day, as the German people still do now about the first Holocaust. If we don’t stand up and speak out, then we will stand condemned by future generations, and maybe even before God, because we failed to heed Edmond Burke’s admonition:
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men and women to do and say nothing.”
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Feast of St. Joseph,
Husband of Mary
"Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, 'Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt. Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt."
Matthew 2:13- 14
For Reflection:
St. Joseph responded to the word of God immediately. How quickly do I respond to God's word and the promptings of the Holy Spirit? St. Joseph's obedience to God saved his family from calamity. Can I remember a time when my obedience to God saved me from some disaster or unfortunate situation? To what extent will this help me to promptly obey God today and in the future?
Husband of Mary
"Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, 'Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt. Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt."
Matthew 2:13- 14
For Reflection:
St. Joseph responded to the word of God immediately. How quickly do I respond to God's word and the promptings of the Holy Spirit? St. Joseph's obedience to God saved his family from calamity. Can I remember a time when my obedience to God saved me from some disaster or unfortunate situation? To what extent will this help me to promptly obey God today and in the future?
Sunday, March 15, 2009
"It is human to fall, but angelic to rise again."
St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier
For Reflection:
Ah, where does this bring hope to me today?
St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier
For Reflection:
Ah, where does this bring hope to me today?
Friday, March 6, 2009
Our church has weekly speakers during lent. Jordan and I went to see Gerry Straub on Tuesday. Gerry is a Secular Franciscan, is the founder and president of The San Damiano Foundation, which produces films that celebrate the spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi and the Franciscan concern for the poor, social justice, peace, non-violence, prayer and the integrity of creation. The San Damiano Foundation strives to put the power of film at the service of the poor. He is an incredible filmmaker who will touch you.
There is so much need in the world and we all can do more....much more
Copy and paste this link
http://www.sandamianofoundation.org/
once there scroll down and hit green play button to view film
There is so much need in the world and we all can do more....much more
Copy and paste this link
http://www.sandamianofoundation.org/
once there scroll down and hit green play button to view film
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Preparations for Lent
Lent is a time of prayer, fasting, and repentance in preparation for the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection, Easter Sunday. Lent begins tomorrow February 25th, Ash Wednesday.
During this season we are called to reflect and meditate on the sufferings and passion of Jesus Christ. We are reminded that we cannot celebrate the joy of Easter without first encountering Christ’s suffering and death. It is through our lenten practices of prayer, self-denial and almsgiving that we hope to make reparation for our sins and overcome our self-centeredness and become more Christ-centered.
Our family started our pre-Lent planning last week. We decided as a family we would do the following things:
Say the Rosary as a family 3 days a week
Pray the Stations of the Cross every Friday
Prayer Basket- place names of family,friends, teachers etc. in the basket and each night at dinner we will pull out one or two names and lift those people up in prayer.
(got this idea from www.totustuusfamily.blogspot.com/)
Give up TV and computer on Monday, Thursday & Saturday
Tree of Life -On a white piece of poster board we paint a tree with bare branches. In purple letttering write a caption "See I make all things new" and "I have come that you may have life." The kids have already cut out leaves from green construction paper. At the end of each Lenten day each member, if they have been faithful to their Lenten resolutions, is able to glue one leaf on the tree. (Each person determines this for himself. No one checks up on anyone else) As we move through Lent our tree becomes more and more green, mirroring what is occuring in nature and more importantly in our souls
Do random acts of kindness for others throughout our day.
The journey of Lent is a wonderful time to draw yourself and family together in a more intimate relatonship with our Lord. Each day is a gift and we will all strive to keep our daily Lenten resolutions, if we fail, we simply humble ourselves and begin again.
During this season we are called to reflect and meditate on the sufferings and passion of Jesus Christ. We are reminded that we cannot celebrate the joy of Easter without first encountering Christ’s suffering and death. It is through our lenten practices of prayer, self-denial and almsgiving that we hope to make reparation for our sins and overcome our self-centeredness and become more Christ-centered.
Our family started our pre-Lent planning last week. We decided as a family we would do the following things:
Say the Rosary as a family 3 days a week
Pray the Stations of the Cross every Friday
Prayer Basket- place names of family,friends, teachers etc. in the basket and each night at dinner we will pull out one or two names and lift those people up in prayer.
(got this idea from www.totustuusfamily.blogspot.com/)
Give up TV and computer on Monday, Thursday & Saturday
Tree of Life -On a white piece of poster board we paint a tree with bare branches. In purple letttering write a caption "See I make all things new" and "I have come that you may have life." The kids have already cut out leaves from green construction paper. At the end of each Lenten day each member, if they have been faithful to their Lenten resolutions, is able to glue one leaf on the tree. (Each person determines this for himself. No one checks up on anyone else) As we move through Lent our tree becomes more and more green, mirroring what is occuring in nature and more importantly in our souls
Do random acts of kindness for others throughout our day.
The journey of Lent is a wonderful time to draw yourself and family together in a more intimate relatonship with our Lord. Each day is a gift and we will all strive to keep our daily Lenten resolutions, if we fail, we simply humble ourselves and begin again.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Happy Gotcha Day Sweet Simone
Gotcha day is the day that an adoptive child official becomes your child. All paperwork is signed and sealed..... a day of great celebration. Sweet Simone's day just happens to be on Valentine's Day, which means she also our little Valentine!
We adopted Simone when she was just 10 months old from Guatemala. It feels like she has been here forever. Actually, I can truly say that I feel like I gave birth to her. Simome is a cuddle bug and such a blessing to our family.
She will be turning 4 in May but she thinks she's 10...very smart and wants to keep up with her brothers and sisters. Simone brings laughter and joy to our home. Since she is the baby of the house she is loved up all the time by everyone.
We celebrated her day by going to the Natural History Museum in LA. The kids liked the gems the best. They actually sound like expert scientists, yacking all the way home about all the specifics of each type of gem.
We have three Gotcha Day's to celebrate each year, and I am so thankful to God for blessing us with three daughters. I never imagined that the girls would out number the boys, I remember when I was the only female with three males...interesting how God changed that!
We adopted Simone when she was just 10 months old from Guatemala. It feels like she has been here forever. Actually, I can truly say that I feel like I gave birth to her. Simome is a cuddle bug and such a blessing to our family.
She will be turning 4 in May but she thinks she's 10...very smart and wants to keep up with her brothers and sisters. Simone brings laughter and joy to our home. Since she is the baby of the house she is loved up all the time by everyone.
We celebrated her day by going to the Natural History Museum in LA. The kids liked the gems the best. They actually sound like expert scientists, yacking all the way home about all the specifics of each type of gem.
We have three Gotcha Day's to celebrate each year, and I am so thankful to God for blessing us with three daughters. I never imagined that the girls would out number the boys, I remember when I was the only female with three males...interesting how God changed that!
Friday, February 6, 2009
A friend sent this to me today. I thought it was worth posting.
A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said:
"Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your
help! My baby is not even one year old and I'm pregnant
again. I don't want kids so close together."
"OK," the Doctor said, "OK, what do you want me to do?"
She said: "I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting
on your help with this."
Her doctor thought for a moment and responded, "I think I
have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for
you too."
She smiled, believing that the Doctor was going to accept her
request.
Then he continued: "You see, in order for you not to have to
take care of two babies at the same time, let's kill the one in
your arms. That way, you could rest some before the other one
is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter
which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you
chose the one in your arms."
The lady was horrified saying: "No Doctor! How terrible! It's
a crime to kill a child!"
"I agree," the Doctor replied. "But you seemed to be OK with
it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution."
The wise doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point.
He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a
child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb.
The sin in God's eyes is the same!
A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said:
"Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your
help! My baby is not even one year old and I'm pregnant
again. I don't want kids so close together."
"OK," the Doctor said, "OK, what do you want me to do?"
She said: "I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting
on your help with this."
Her doctor thought for a moment and responded, "I think I
have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for
you too."
She smiled, believing that the Doctor was going to accept her
request.
Then he continued: "You see, in order for you not to have to
take care of two babies at the same time, let's kill the one in
your arms. That way, you could rest some before the other one
is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter
which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you
chose the one in your arms."
The lady was horrified saying: "No Doctor! How terrible! It's
a crime to kill a child!"
"I agree," the Doctor replied. "But you seemed to be OK with
it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution."
The wise doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point.
He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a
child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb.
The sin in God's eyes is the same!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
After posting about Jordan's soccer success, it has made me reflect on the true gift he is to me. I do treasure him and and am so thankful that God blessed me with such a wonderful son. Life passes quickly and before you know it....time has slipped away. I want to savor these moments because I know with time he will be on a new chapter of his young adulthood. All 5 of my children are the greatest blessings of my life. Each life is sacred and each soul was created perfectly by God. Why do so many parents take these gifts....our children...given by God and hand them over to the world? So many children are not being raised by their parents. Do they not know that God blessed them (not a babysitter or daycare) with this precious life. The excuse is usually money....which is just an excuse, except for the single parent. Lifestyle is the root of passing the buck and freely handing your children over to a caregiver. I am passionate about this subject because the children suffer....just ask teachers about the behavior of most students in their classrooms. These children are starving for attention. Why is this so difficult for people to fathom....children need their parents. If you are sending your child to daycare/babysitter....have you ever asked God to change your situation and work wonders in your family? If you truly want God's help, He will open doors that you never dreamed were possible. All things are possible with God and each child deserves their parents.
Miracle of life video: copy and paste link to view http://www.catholicmediahouse.com/store/details/?pid=MM_HYP-0001
Miracle of life video: copy and paste link to view http://www.catholicmediahouse.com/store/details/?pid=MM_HYP-0001
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Jordan keeps on scoring!!!!
Jordan is on fire and keeps on scoring. Watching Jordan in action on the soccer field is thrilling!!! He had an amazing goal yesterday and the parents went wild cheering! Yes, I am bragging.....but he is playing awesome. The high school season is coming to a close....only a few games left and it has been an excellent season for Jordan.
Friday, January 23, 2009
"You are not a saint because you keep the rules and are blameless; you are a saint if you live in the real world, going out and loving the real people God has put into your life."
Sister Wendy Beckett
For Reflection:
According to Sister Wendy, how might I be saint-like today?
Sister Wendy Beckett
For Reflection:
According to Sister Wendy, how might I be saint-like today?
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
"The Church of God needs saints today. This imposes a great responsibility on us. We must become holy, not because we want to feel holy, but because Christ must be able to live His life fully in us."
Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
For Reflection:
How fully is Christ able to live His life in me?
Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
For Reflection:
How fully is Christ able to live His life in me?
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
(1774 - 1821)
"Live simply, so that all may simply live."
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
For Reflection:Today, I will do an examination of conscience according to this quote and ask myself these questions: "What two virtues are implicit in this quote?" "To what extent has a consumerist mentality prevented me from living these virtues?" What positive steps can I take, beginning today, to remedy this situation?"
(1774 - 1821)
"Live simply, so that all may simply live."
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
For Reflection:Today, I will do an examination of conscience according to this quote and ask myself these questions: "What two virtues are implicit in this quote?" "To what extent has a consumerist mentality prevented me from living these virtues?" What positive steps can I take, beginning today, to remedy this situation?"
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
As this year comes to a close, I must stop and give thanks for the Blessings that God has bestowed upon our family. Our biggest Blessing was the gift of our new daughter, Nastia. We know she was placed with our family because this is truly the will of our Lord. She brings much joy and fun to our home. She is very sweet and has a caring and loving heart. She has many interest and is just fun to be around. I look forward to each day with her and love being her mother.
I am thankful for the good health of all of my children. So many kids are very ill and we can take for granted the good health of our own children. I ask for the prayers of sweet little Zoey and her family. Please click on her picture on my blog. This family has suffered so much and my heart aches for them. Please lift them up in your prayers.....Zoey is a Gem!
I am thankful that during this difficult financial time in our country, that Edward remains employed and busy. This bad economy is a reminder to all, not be wasteful and to live within our means. We are committed in "2009" to focus on being very wise with our money and purchases.
I am thankful for God's graces and blessings upon our family. We all remain committed to our faith. We continue to try and live out our faith, we only want God's plan and our open to His will and plan for each of us. A perfect example, the loss of the adoption of Dima....this adoption was not the will of God. It was sad for all of us, but we never dreamed His plan was Nastia! I cannot imagine life without her. I am so glad that we were prepared to change "our" plan and go with God's plan. As we all know, God's plan and path is always the most perfect and true way.
Our family is committed to keep asking these questions this coming year....
What can I do to become closer to God?
Can I see Jesus in diffcult times? Look...He never leaves us.
How can I help the poor?
Am I truly doing my best?
What am I committed to and why?
Who can I bless today?
I am thankful for the good health of all of my children. So many kids are very ill and we can take for granted the good health of our own children. I ask for the prayers of sweet little Zoey and her family. Please click on her picture on my blog. This family has suffered so much and my heart aches for them. Please lift them up in your prayers.....Zoey is a Gem!
I am thankful that during this difficult financial time in our country, that Edward remains employed and busy. This bad economy is a reminder to all, not be wasteful and to live within our means. We are committed in "2009" to focus on being very wise with our money and purchases.
I am thankful for God's graces and blessings upon our family. We all remain committed to our faith. We continue to try and live out our faith, we only want God's plan and our open to His will and plan for each of us. A perfect example, the loss of the adoption of Dima....this adoption was not the will of God. It was sad for all of us, but we never dreamed His plan was Nastia! I cannot imagine life without her. I am so glad that we were prepared to change "our" plan and go with God's plan. As we all know, God's plan and path is always the most perfect and true way.
Our family is committed to keep asking these questions this coming year....
What can I do to become closer to God?
Can I see Jesus in diffcult times? Look...He never leaves us.
How can I help the poor?
Am I truly doing my best?
What am I committed to and why?
Who can I bless today?
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Feast of the Holy Family
The Feast of the Holy Family is not just about the Holy Family, but about our own families too. The main purpose of the Feast is to present the Holy Family as the model for all Christian families, and for domestic life in general. Our family life becomes sanctified when we live the life of the Church within our homes. This is called the "domestic church" or the "church in miniature." St. John Chrysostom urged all Christians to make each home a "family church," and in doing so, we sanctify the family unit. Just how does one live out the Church in the family? The best way is by making Christ and his Church the center of family and individual life. Ways to do this include: reading scripture regularly, praying daily, attending Mass at least on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, imitating the actions of the Holy Family, and so forth, all done together as a family unit. In addition to cultivating positive actions, the Church understands that various actions and behaviors are contrary to God's Divine plan for the family, and these should be avoided. These include abortion, contraception, same-sex marriage, polygamy, embryonic stem-cell research, divorce, spousal abuse, child abuse, and co-habitation. Catholic Teaching is that a marriage must be open to children. Anything artificial that prevents this is contrary to divine law. Also, poverty, lack of health care, and other social justice concerns must be addressed by faithful Christians because of the negative effect these conditions have on the family unit.
St. Paul gives us some advice on family life in Colossians 3:12-21:
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged (RSV).
The Holy Family feast is a good time to remember the family unit and pray for our human and spiritual families. We also may take this feast to reflect on the value and sanctity of the family unit, and to evaluate our own family life. What ways may it be improved? What would Jesus, Mary, and Joseph do? Finally, we can use this feast to ask ourselves what are we doing to promote the family within our own cultures, neighborhoods, and communities.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Merry Christmas
Quiet my heart, Lord,
and show me a Christmas
as peaceful and calm as
an old cattle shed...
Slow down my pace, Lord,
and help me seek Jesus,
the Son of Your Love,
in a humble straw bed...
Steady my spirit, Lord,
call me from chaos
in simple surrender
to pray and rejoice...
Breakthrough the busy,
too-bright celebration,
and whisper your message,
"Be still...hear my voice..."
Be still, and know that I am God..."
Psalm 46:10
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Advent Examination of Conscience
Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
Have I greeted others with a blessing, or do I ignore or demean others?
Have I borne bitter fruit in my thoughts, words or deeds?
Why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?
Have I denied my own worth or the worth of others?
Have I missed God's presence because I'm too busy, hurried, or anxious?
As soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy.
Have I been deaf to God's voice coming from unexpected people and encounters?
Have I grown so serious that I can't leap for joy?
My soul magnifies the Lord: and my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
Does my very being announce the goodness of God to others?
Do I rejoice with others as often as I can?
For God has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed.
Upon whom do I look favorably? Upon whom do I look with disapproval? Do I try to look on others with the love that God does?
Has my help for the lowly been more about giving handouts than about seeking justice?
For the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
When have I taken credit for what I have not done?
When have I denied my own participation in social injustice?
God has shown strength with his are; and has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their heart.
Have I been secretly arrogant or pride-filled?
Have I used my power, status, education, or religion to disparage others, even silently in my own heart?
God has brought down the powerful from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly.
Have I voted with a Christian conscience?
Do I live the gospel even at the cost of my own comfort?
God has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.
Have I done enough to feed the hungry? What of those hungry for justice?
Have I become gluttonous for praise, luxury, or the security of others like me?
God has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.
Have I broken my promises to others?
Will I leave this world a merciful, just, and beautiful place for future generations?
Have I greeted others with a blessing, or do I ignore or demean others?
Have I borne bitter fruit in my thoughts, words or deeds?
Why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?
Have I denied my own worth or the worth of others?
Have I missed God's presence because I'm too busy, hurried, or anxious?
As soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy.
Have I been deaf to God's voice coming from unexpected people and encounters?
Have I grown so serious that I can't leap for joy?
My soul magnifies the Lord: and my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
Does my very being announce the goodness of God to others?
Do I rejoice with others as often as I can?
For God has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed.
Upon whom do I look favorably? Upon whom do I look with disapproval? Do I try to look on others with the love that God does?
Has my help for the lowly been more about giving handouts than about seeking justice?
For the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
When have I taken credit for what I have not done?
When have I denied my own participation in social injustice?
God has shown strength with his are; and has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their heart.
Have I been secretly arrogant or pride-filled?
Have I used my power, status, education, or religion to disparage others, even silently in my own heart?
God has brought down the powerful from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly.
Have I voted with a Christian conscience?
Do I live the gospel even at the cost of my own comfort?
God has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.
Have I done enough to feed the hungry? What of those hungry for justice?
Have I become gluttonous for praise, luxury, or the security of others like me?
God has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.
Have I broken my promises to others?
Will I leave this world a merciful, just, and beautiful place for future generations?
Forgiveness
"For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son that everyone who believed in Him might not perish but have life everlasting."
John 3:16
For Reflection:
Quote from Scripture tells us that God loves everyone. If God loves everyone, what right do I have to hold on to hatred and resentment? During this holy season, am I willing to forgive and to ask for forgiveness? With whom should I begin?
"For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son that everyone who believed in Him might not perish but have life everlasting."
John 3:16
For Reflection:
Quote from Scripture tells us that God loves everyone. If God loves everyone, what right do I have to hold on to hatred and resentment? During this holy season, am I willing to forgive and to ask for forgiveness? With whom should I begin?
Monday, December 8, 2008
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Today is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception-a holy day of obligation for all Catholics.
It’s important to understand what the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is and what it is not. Some people think the term refers to Christ’s conception in Mary’s womb without the intervention of a human father; but that is the Virgin Birth. Others think the Immaculate Conception means Mary was conceived "by the power of the Holy Spirit," in the way Jesus was, but that, too, is incorrect. The Immaculate Conception means that Mary, whose conception was brought about the normal way, was conceived without original sin or its stain—that’s what "immaculate" means: without stain. The essence of original sin consists in the deprivation of sanctifying grace, and its stain is a corrupt nature. Mary was preserved from these defects by God’s grace; from the first instant of her existence she was in the state of sanctifying grace and was free from the corrupt nature original sin brings.
When discussing the Immaculate Conception, an implicit reference may be found in the angel’s greeting to Mary. The angel Gabriel said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Luke 1:28). The phrase "full of grace" is a translation of the Greek word kecharitomene. It therefore expresses a characteristic quality of Mary.
The traditional translation, "full of grace," is better than the one found in many recent versions of the New Testament, which give something along the lines of "highly favored daughter." Mary was indeed a highly favored daughter of God, but the Greek implies more than that (and it never mentions the word for "daughter"). The grace given to Mary is at once permanent and of a unique kind. Kecharitomene is a perfect passive participle of charitoo, meaning "to fill or endow with grace." Since this term is in the perfect tense, it indicates that Mary was graced in the past but with continuing effects in the present. So, the grace Mary enjoyed was not a result of the angel’s visit. In fact, Catholics hold, it extended over the whole of her life, from conception onward. She was in a state of sanctifying grace from the first moment of her existence.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
This poem describes my life....not a follower...nope that's never been me. My three daughters are a result of taking the road less traveled...how thankful I am for each of them.
ROAD LESS TRAVELED
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth
Then took the other as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet, knowing how way leads onto way
I doubted if I should ever come back
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence
Two roads diverged in a wood
And I took the one less traveled by
And that has made all the difference
Robert Frost
ROAD LESS TRAVELED
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth
Then took the other as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet, knowing how way leads onto way
I doubted if I should ever come back
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence
Two roads diverged in a wood
And I took the one less traveled by
And that has made all the difference
Robert Frost
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Polish Madonna Art
I find these Polish Madonna Art Paintings simple charming.
To view the fifty paintings by Wislawa Kwiatkowska,
go to: http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/polishexhibit.html
To view the fifty paintings by Wislawa Kwiatkowska,
go to: http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/polishexhibit.html
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving
As I reflect over this last year, I give thanks to the many blessings in my life.
I am thankful for Edward and my children. I am thankful that God has blessed us with Nastia. I cannot even put into words the wonderful blessing that she is to each one of us. She is a gift....and I am blessed, honored and so thankful to be her mother.
God is and always will be as close as we choose Him to be. Such a simple thought and yes....simple is always best. I am thankful for my Catholic faith. I pray that I can always do the will of God. I continue to give thanks to God for the gift of all my children. I am thankful they are all healthy and our life is normal and ordinary.
There is so much need in the world....be a blessing to someone else.
I am thankful for Edward and my children. I am thankful that God has blessed us with Nastia. I cannot even put into words the wonderful blessing that she is to each one of us. She is a gift....and I am blessed, honored and so thankful to be her mother.
God is and always will be as close as we choose Him to be. Such a simple thought and yes....simple is always best. I am thankful for my Catholic faith. I pray that I can always do the will of God. I continue to give thanks to God for the gift of all my children. I am thankful they are all healthy and our life is normal and ordinary.
There is so much need in the world....be a blessing to someone else.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Is this man not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother
of James and Joses...?
Accepting Truth Where Found
Jesus a local boy, taught in the snyagogue at Nazareth. The people were astonished, "What kind of wisdom has been given him?" Lack of faith made His neighbors reject Him (Mk 6:2-6).
Can I accept truth, direction, and even correction from regardless who forwards it? "Man's pride brings him low" (Pro 29:23). Exploring God's wisdom in whatever sort of clothing it comes to you requires faith and humility.
Pray for both of these virtues!
of James and Joses...?
Accepting Truth Where Found
Jesus a local boy, taught in the snyagogue at Nazareth. The people were astonished, "What kind of wisdom has been given him?" Lack of faith made His neighbors reject Him (Mk 6:2-6).
Can I accept truth, direction, and even correction from regardless who forwards it? "Man's pride brings him low" (Pro 29:23). Exploring God's wisdom in whatever sort of clothing it comes to you requires faith and humility.
Pray for both of these virtues!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
"Life is not measured by the number of breathes we take,
but the number of moments that take our breathe away"
I love this quote! Carter has blessed me with many moments that take my breathe away. Last night I was reading a book in bed, Carter came in sat next next to me. He just stared at me like there was nothing he rather be doing. I put my book down and stared back at him. He is such a pure soul, so full of love. We chatted and held hands.....how sweet my precious boy is. I told him I was truly blessed to be his mom.
On another note, my big boy Jordan got his drivers license on Thursday! I was so excited that he passed the test. He is a very good driver and this is another step to his independence. He is such a gem. He has his last soccer game of the season today and then the high school season starts. This year is going by fast....before i know it the school year will be over and he will be a senior! I do savior these moments of having us all home.....I will miss Jordan when he leaves for college.
The girls....yes my 3 girls, are all doing excellent. The girls do out number the household these day. Tatiana is still singing in the choir and preparing for the Christmas concert. She is such a good girl and very helpful. Nastia is a doll and we just love her so much. She likes to dance and likes ballet. Nastia and Simone dance around the house in their leotards and ballet slippers. Simone wants to be just like Nastia. I must say Nastia is the best gift we could have ever given Simone! After the first of year, I am going to sign Nastia up for ballet. She is a natural and very graceful in her movements.
Life is normal and that's the way we like it. I have come to realize that the same day to day routine is OK.
We often, think these times can be boring and don't appreciate them until our life is hit by unexpected situations.
but the number of moments that take our breathe away"
I love this quote! Carter has blessed me with many moments that take my breathe away. Last night I was reading a book in bed, Carter came in sat next next to me. He just stared at me like there was nothing he rather be doing. I put my book down and stared back at him. He is such a pure soul, so full of love. We chatted and held hands.....how sweet my precious boy is. I told him I was truly blessed to be his mom.
On another note, my big boy Jordan got his drivers license on Thursday! I was so excited that he passed the test. He is a very good driver and this is another step to his independence. He is such a gem. He has his last soccer game of the season today and then the high school season starts. This year is going by fast....before i know it the school year will be over and he will be a senior! I do savior these moments of having us all home.....I will miss Jordan when he leaves for college.
The girls....yes my 3 girls, are all doing excellent. The girls do out number the household these day. Tatiana is still singing in the choir and preparing for the Christmas concert. She is such a good girl and very helpful. Nastia is a doll and we just love her so much. She likes to dance and likes ballet. Nastia and Simone dance around the house in their leotards and ballet slippers. Simone wants to be just like Nastia. I must say Nastia is the best gift we could have ever given Simone! After the first of year, I am going to sign Nastia up for ballet. She is a natural and very graceful in her movements.
Life is normal and that's the way we like it. I have come to realize that the same day to day routine is OK.
We often, think these times can be boring and don't appreciate them until our life is hit by unexpected situations.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Happy Birthday Dima
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Jordan just edited this photo from his 2006 Christmas stay with us.
Today Dima turns 9 years old. We miss him very much. As most of you know, we hosted him Christmas of 2006. We then begun the process of adopting him. We were told one lie after another about his paperwork in the Ukraine. We redid our adoption dossier twice and still we were told he still wasn't registered on the Ukraine database, to allow him to be adopted outside his country. Well, the adoption world can be corrupt and we just found out a few days ago that another American family has adopted him. This was a big shocker, to say the least. I will not go into all of the specfic details, but it is just heart breaking.
We only care about his happiness and will pray that his new family loves him.
Dima is a love bug and we are all sad that we were lied to for the past two years. We have been thinking that we had not done enough and worried about him everyday in the orphanage. We are glad that he is no longer in the orphaange and does have a family, however, this family knew they were stealing him from his host family. This gives adoption a bad name and they broke the Ukrainan law, basically they paid the Ukrianain coordintor off to toss our paperwork. Just shameful!
Please pray for God to watch over this child all the days of his life.
Election Day!
Please Vote... Every Vote Counts! Remember that we must uphold the 'Sanctity of Human Life' as Catholic Christians. Mother Teresa was a great advocate for life!
"If Abortion becomes legalized in rich countries, those countries truly are the poorest in the world."
"Do not kill the children. We will take care of them. That is why our orphanages are always filled with children."
- Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Please Vote... Every Vote Counts! Remember that we must uphold the 'Sanctity of Human Life' as Catholic Christians. Mother Teresa was a great advocate for life!
"If Abortion becomes legalized in rich countries, those countries truly are the poorest in the world."
"Do not kill the children. We will take care of them. That is why our orphanages are always filled with children."
- Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Please Pray
My friend Heather has this poem posted on her blog. Please lift Heather up in pray. She is an incredible mother that has faced challenges that most of us will never encounter. Her daughter Zoey needs our prayers as she starts her chemo treatments. Please click on the picture of Zoey, (upper corner of my blog).
A Pair of Shoes
I am wearing a pair of shoes.
They are ugly shoes.
Uncomfortable shoes.
I hate my shoes.
Each day I wear them, and each
day I wish I had another pair.
Some days my shoes hurt so bad
that I do not think I can take
another step.
Yet, I continue to wear them.
I get funny looks wearing these shoes.
I can tell in others eyes that they
are glad they are my shoes and not
theirs.
They never talk about my shoes.
To learn how awful my shoes are
might make them uncomfortable.
To truly understand these shoes
you must walk in them.
But, once you put them on, you can
never take them off.
I now realize that I am not the
only one who wears these shoes.
There are many pairs in this world.
Some women ache daily as they try
and walk in them.
Some have learned how to walk in
them so they don't hurt quite as much.
Some have worn the shoes so long that
days will go by before they think about
how much they hurt.
No woman deserves to wear these shoes.
Yet, because of these shoes I am a
stronger woman.
These shoes have given me the strength
to face anything.
They have made me who I am.
I will forever walk in the shoes of a
woman who has a child with cancer.
*Author Unknown*
A Pair of Shoes
I am wearing a pair of shoes.
They are ugly shoes.
Uncomfortable shoes.
I hate my shoes.
Each day I wear them, and each
day I wish I had another pair.
Some days my shoes hurt so bad
that I do not think I can take
another step.
Yet, I continue to wear them.
I get funny looks wearing these shoes.
I can tell in others eyes that they
are glad they are my shoes and not
theirs.
They never talk about my shoes.
To learn how awful my shoes are
might make them uncomfortable.
To truly understand these shoes
you must walk in them.
But, once you put them on, you can
never take them off.
I now realize that I am not the
only one who wears these shoes.
There are many pairs in this world.
Some women ache daily as they try
and walk in them.
Some have learned how to walk in
them so they don't hurt quite as much.
Some have worn the shoes so long that
days will go by before they think about
how much they hurt.
No woman deserves to wear these shoes.
Yet, because of these shoes I am a
stronger woman.
These shoes have given me the strength
to face anything.
They have made me who I am.
I will forever walk in the shoes of a
woman who has a child with cancer.
*Author Unknown*
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Why be Catholic?
There are a lot of very good reasons for being a Catholic, for remaining a Catholic or for returning to the Catholic Church. I suppose one of the main reasons would be that the Catholic Church has been around since the time of Jesus, has its roots in the Hebrew Scriptures, and best fulfills the model of church presented in the Christian Scriptures. Over the centuries splinter groups have broken off, subdivided and multiplied but the Catholic Church still continues to exist with its varied history of victories and defeats, successes and failures, rights and wrongs, saints and sinners.
But the answer to the question why Catholicism is not to be found so much in intellectual arguments or reasoned debates but in our hearts. An atheist or an agnostic, a pagan or a non-believer can be well versed in all the reasons for belief, have vast knowledge of history and the life of Christ and still be lacking in faith.
Belief comes not so much from the head as it does from the heart. Belief basically is more about loving than it is about knowing. Belief is concerned with the love of God and all of his creation, with love of our neighbor made in the image and likeness of God loving them in all their poverty and need, with love of a church and its Sacraments, with love of ourselves with all our woundedness and weakness, with love of a crucified Christ who came not to condemn the world but to save it.
Why Catholicism? First and foremost the Eucharist comes to mind. Jesus has left us a memorial of his passion in the Mass and the gift of himself in the Eucharist. “I will be with you all days even to the end of the world”. Our Catholic belief is that Jesus is really and truly present in the Eucharist. “This is my body. This is my blood. Do this in remembrance of me”. Jesus is present in the Eucharist to strengthen us, nourish us and encourage us. “Come to me all you who labor and are heavily burdened and I will refresh you”. Jesus gives himself to us in the Eucharist not because we are good but because God is good, Not because we merit such a sublime gift but because we need it. We need it to be able to live a spiritual life, to be nourished and strengthened, to experience the love, mercy, understanding and forgiveness of a compassionate God who loves us unconditionally.
Why Catholicism? Because through all the centuries of its existence it has always been able to address its weakness, to correct its mistakes, to constantly reform itself. Because, like it or not, it always holds up the highest standards of truth and morality yet is understanding and forgiving when we find ourselves falling short of its sublime ideals. Because of its sacramental system that meets all of our needs. Baptism to incorporate us, Confirmation to strengthen us, Reconciliation to forgive us, Eucharist to nourish us, Matrimony to sanctify our human love, the Sacrament of the Sick to heal us and Ordination to continue the priesthood of Christ.
Why Catholicism? Because it’s worldwide, welcoming wherever we may be. Because it is a family with room for everyone, the good and the bad, the strong and the weak, the saint and the sinner. Because of it richness and beauty, its dogmas and truths, its devotion to Mary the mother of Jesus. Because it provides meaning and purpose to our lives in a world that is too often confused overly materialistic, greedy selfish, unjust and arrogant, secular, unhappy and unfulfilled.
Why Catholicism? Because of its love for and care of the poor, marginalized and needy. Because of its social awareness and responsibility which causes it to sponsor, fund and staff hospitals and nursing homes, daycare centers and schools, literacy programs and immigration services, hospices and homeless shelters, soup kitchens and food pantries, battered women shelters, pregnancy centers and hospital beds and care for AIDS patients. Because it preeminently fulfils the two great commandments to love God and love our neighbor.
Why Catholicism? Because while it challenges us always to be our very best, it also realizes that God lovingly settles for the best we can do humanly speaking aware of our woundedness, weakness and sinfulness plus the baggage we have accumulated through the years. Because it constantly assures us of God’s love and reminds us that Christ’s death on the cross and his resurrection makes up for our shortcomings and sinfulness. Because it reminds us that Jesus came to save the world, not to condemn it. Because it proclaims that a loving God will accept our feeble efforts, encourage and help us with his grace, lovingly forgive us and in the end welcome us into the Kingdom of God.
Why Catholicism? Because it’s vibrant and thrilling, exciting and challenging, sustaining and comforting, interesting, appealing, helpful, caring and compassionate.
Father Stephen
There are a lot of very good reasons for being a Catholic, for remaining a Catholic or for returning to the Catholic Church. I suppose one of the main reasons would be that the Catholic Church has been around since the time of Jesus, has its roots in the Hebrew Scriptures, and best fulfills the model of church presented in the Christian Scriptures. Over the centuries splinter groups have broken off, subdivided and multiplied but the Catholic Church still continues to exist with its varied history of victories and defeats, successes and failures, rights and wrongs, saints and sinners.
But the answer to the question why Catholicism is not to be found so much in intellectual arguments or reasoned debates but in our hearts. An atheist or an agnostic, a pagan or a non-believer can be well versed in all the reasons for belief, have vast knowledge of history and the life of Christ and still be lacking in faith.
Belief comes not so much from the head as it does from the heart. Belief basically is more about loving than it is about knowing. Belief is concerned with the love of God and all of his creation, with love of our neighbor made in the image and likeness of God loving them in all their poverty and need, with love of a church and its Sacraments, with love of ourselves with all our woundedness and weakness, with love of a crucified Christ who came not to condemn the world but to save it.
Why Catholicism? First and foremost the Eucharist comes to mind. Jesus has left us a memorial of his passion in the Mass and the gift of himself in the Eucharist. “I will be with you all days even to the end of the world”. Our Catholic belief is that Jesus is really and truly present in the Eucharist. “This is my body. This is my blood. Do this in remembrance of me”. Jesus is present in the Eucharist to strengthen us, nourish us and encourage us. “Come to me all you who labor and are heavily burdened and I will refresh you”. Jesus gives himself to us in the Eucharist not because we are good but because God is good, Not because we merit such a sublime gift but because we need it. We need it to be able to live a spiritual life, to be nourished and strengthened, to experience the love, mercy, understanding and forgiveness of a compassionate God who loves us unconditionally.
Why Catholicism? Because through all the centuries of its existence it has always been able to address its weakness, to correct its mistakes, to constantly reform itself. Because, like it or not, it always holds up the highest standards of truth and morality yet is understanding and forgiving when we find ourselves falling short of its sublime ideals. Because of its sacramental system that meets all of our needs. Baptism to incorporate us, Confirmation to strengthen us, Reconciliation to forgive us, Eucharist to nourish us, Matrimony to sanctify our human love, the Sacrament of the Sick to heal us and Ordination to continue the priesthood of Christ.
Why Catholicism? Because it’s worldwide, welcoming wherever we may be. Because it is a family with room for everyone, the good and the bad, the strong and the weak, the saint and the sinner. Because of it richness and beauty, its dogmas and truths, its devotion to Mary the mother of Jesus. Because it provides meaning and purpose to our lives in a world that is too often confused overly materialistic, greedy selfish, unjust and arrogant, secular, unhappy and unfulfilled.
Why Catholicism? Because of its love for and care of the poor, marginalized and needy. Because of its social awareness and responsibility which causes it to sponsor, fund and staff hospitals and nursing homes, daycare centers and schools, literacy programs and immigration services, hospices and homeless shelters, soup kitchens and food pantries, battered women shelters, pregnancy centers and hospital beds and care for AIDS patients. Because it preeminently fulfils the two great commandments to love God and love our neighbor.
Why Catholicism? Because while it challenges us always to be our very best, it also realizes that God lovingly settles for the best we can do humanly speaking aware of our woundedness, weakness and sinfulness plus the baggage we have accumulated through the years. Because it constantly assures us of God’s love and reminds us that Christ’s death on the cross and his resurrection makes up for our shortcomings and sinfulness. Because it reminds us that Jesus came to save the world, not to condemn it. Because it proclaims that a loving God will accept our feeble efforts, encourage and help us with his grace, lovingly forgive us and in the end welcome us into the Kingdom of God.
Why Catholicism? Because it’s vibrant and thrilling, exciting and challenging, sustaining and comforting, interesting, appealing, helpful, caring and compassionate.
Father Stephen
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
The Rosary
"Contemplating the scenes of the Rosary in union with Mary is a means of learning from her to 'read' Christ, to discover his secrets and to understand his message."
Pope John Paul II
For Reflection:
To what extent is Mary helping me to "read" Jesus better? What impact is this having on my life of prayer and my daily life?
"Contemplating the scenes of the Rosary in union with Mary is a means of learning from her to 'read' Christ, to discover his secrets and to understand his message."
Pope John Paul II
For Reflection:
To what extent is Mary helping me to "read" Jesus better? What impact is this having on my life of prayer and my daily life?
Sunday, October 19, 2008
A Challenge for the World
Do you think there are ANY circumstances in which abortion is acceptable??
If you answer yes to this question - go HERE, watch the video and then tell me you still think this way.
The world will not reject abortion until the world SEES abortion.
This video can be viewed in either english or spanish.
If you answer yes to this question - go HERE, watch the video and then tell me you still think this way.
The world will not reject abortion until the world SEES abortion.
This video can be viewed in either english or spanish.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Hope Does Not Disappoint - By Rick Santorum Philadelphia Inquirer - Publication Date: September 25, 2008
Twelve years ago tomorrow I led an unsuccessful effort to override President Clinton’s veto of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act, which banned a late-term abortion procedure that pro-choice forces argued was necessary to terminate pregnancies that had gone awry. Sen. Dianne Feinstein defined “awry” as “fetuses with severe birth defects . . . fetuses with no eyes, ears, mouths, legs or kidneys.”
Because of Sarah Palin’s son Trig, who has Down syndrome, America is now aware that more than 90 percent of children with significant birth defects are aborted, often late in pregnancy. Over the past few months, several personal experiences have led me to ponder how I and our country should see these imperfect children.
Four months ago, Karen and I were blessed with our eighth child, Bella, who three days later was diagnosed with Trisomy 18, a syndrome with a mortality rate of more than 90 percent in the first year. I subsequently discovered that a friend’s 12-year-old son, Brendan, who also had Down syndrome, had a reoccurrence of leukemia. Then, two weeks ago, a friend’s father performed a heroic act to save the life of his 20-year-old son with Down syndrome. And 12 years ago next week, our family will commemorate the date when we were told that Karen’s fourth pregnancy had gone “awry.”
I’ve recalled Condoleezza Rice’s remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast: “American slaves used to sing, ‘Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen - Glory Hallelujah!’ Growing up, I would often wonder at the seeming contradiction contained in this line. I believe this same message is found in the Bible in Romans 5, where we are told to ‘rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint.’ ” Amen!
This May, as our family was trying to come to grips with the news about our newborn baby, our priest told us of visiting our friends’ son Brendan at the hospital before his chemotherapy treatment. Brendan didn’t want the treatment because he knew it would make him very sick. Father told him he was not alone in his suffering, that another child like him, our daughter, was struggling in intensive care. Brendan said: “I’ll do it and give up my suffering for Bella.”
At the Republican Convention, I watched little Trig Palin “wave” to the crowd, have his hair spit shined by his big sister Piper, and have an emotional mom pledge solidarity with parents of special kids. We all glimpsed both the joy and the difficulty of having a disabled child.
Thomas VanderWoude, 66, was working in the yard with his youngest son, Joseph. “Josie” fell though a piece of metal that covered a small opening to their septic tank. VanderWoude jumped into the six-foot deep tank and pushed his unconscious heavier son from below to keep Josie’s head above the muck. After some 15 minutes rescue workers pulled them both out. Only Josie survived.
I keep thinking of the Christian narrative of the Savior jumping into the squalor of this world to suffer an ignominious death to lift up and save our defective souls.And 12 years ago, Karen and I discovered via ultrasound halfway through the pregnancy that our baby had a fatal birth defect. We knew we could not end our suffering by ending his life, so instead of giving him a death sentence, we gave him a name, Gabriel Michael.Despite the best medical care, he died shortly after his birth. Karen’s book, Letters to Gabriel, chronicled her struggle. It turned out that her book and the story of Gabriel’s life have saved many lives and comforted many parents. In a country where some politicians now promise to end suffering, and where our usefulness seems to be measured in dollars, these special individuals stand as complex, mysterious contradictions from a loving God. They remind us that it is not just our capacity to achieve, but our capacity for sacrificial love that will change the character of America for the good. And that character will inspire true hope - and that hope does not disappoint.
Twelve years ago tomorrow I led an unsuccessful effort to override President Clinton’s veto of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act, which banned a late-term abortion procedure that pro-choice forces argued was necessary to terminate pregnancies that had gone awry. Sen. Dianne Feinstein defined “awry” as “fetuses with severe birth defects . . . fetuses with no eyes, ears, mouths, legs or kidneys.”
Because of Sarah Palin’s son Trig, who has Down syndrome, America is now aware that more than 90 percent of children with significant birth defects are aborted, often late in pregnancy. Over the past few months, several personal experiences have led me to ponder how I and our country should see these imperfect children.
Four months ago, Karen and I were blessed with our eighth child, Bella, who three days later was diagnosed with Trisomy 18, a syndrome with a mortality rate of more than 90 percent in the first year. I subsequently discovered that a friend’s 12-year-old son, Brendan, who also had Down syndrome, had a reoccurrence of leukemia. Then, two weeks ago, a friend’s father performed a heroic act to save the life of his 20-year-old son with Down syndrome. And 12 years ago next week, our family will commemorate the date when we were told that Karen’s fourth pregnancy had gone “awry.”
I’ve recalled Condoleezza Rice’s remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast: “American slaves used to sing, ‘Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen - Glory Hallelujah!’ Growing up, I would often wonder at the seeming contradiction contained in this line. I believe this same message is found in the Bible in Romans 5, where we are told to ‘rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint.’ ” Amen!
This May, as our family was trying to come to grips with the news about our newborn baby, our priest told us of visiting our friends’ son Brendan at the hospital before his chemotherapy treatment. Brendan didn’t want the treatment because he knew it would make him very sick. Father told him he was not alone in his suffering, that another child like him, our daughter, was struggling in intensive care. Brendan said: “I’ll do it and give up my suffering for Bella.”
At the Republican Convention, I watched little Trig Palin “wave” to the crowd, have his hair spit shined by his big sister Piper, and have an emotional mom pledge solidarity with parents of special kids. We all glimpsed both the joy and the difficulty of having a disabled child.
Thomas VanderWoude, 66, was working in the yard with his youngest son, Joseph. “Josie” fell though a piece of metal that covered a small opening to their septic tank. VanderWoude jumped into the six-foot deep tank and pushed his unconscious heavier son from below to keep Josie’s head above the muck. After some 15 minutes rescue workers pulled them both out. Only Josie survived.
I keep thinking of the Christian narrative of the Savior jumping into the squalor of this world to suffer an ignominious death to lift up and save our defective souls.And 12 years ago, Karen and I discovered via ultrasound halfway through the pregnancy that our baby had a fatal birth defect. We knew we could not end our suffering by ending his life, so instead of giving him a death sentence, we gave him a name, Gabriel Michael.Despite the best medical care, he died shortly after his birth. Karen’s book, Letters to Gabriel, chronicled her struggle. It turned out that her book and the story of Gabriel’s life have saved many lives and comforted many parents. In a country where some politicians now promise to end suffering, and where our usefulness seems to be measured in dollars, these special individuals stand as complex, mysterious contradictions from a loving God. They remind us that it is not just our capacity to achieve, but our capacity for sacrificial love that will change the character of America for the good. And that character will inspire true hope - and that hope does not disappoint.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Motherhood is a Gift
We can see God each day in in the smiles and tears of our children. God is so close that we often miss Him. Many are looking for some big moment and forget that all the little day to day acts are where our Lord is present.
Motherhood is not held in high esteem in our society anymore. Isn't it interesting that people can be so judgemental about the number of children a family has. Why do you think people no longer celebrate the family and motherhood? Having a career outside of motherhood, is held more highly than raising the saints that God has placed in our care. Each child is planted by God in our family. I believe that our society is in grave danger because the family life is no longer held sacred. How do we change this? I believe we pay attention to our own family, pray and make our request known to God. Pray to God.....He hears every pray. Then the peace of God, the presence of love, will fill your home. If we choose carefully what we do and not neglect our family we can begin to make a difference.
Many mothers are pulled in so many directions that the world owns them. They believe the lie that placing our children in the care of others is God's will. This is a lie.....this lie gets justified because of money. If we all lived within our means our families would be better off. Of course there are circumstances where a woman has to work outside the home. However, most of the time it is because of money and that a certain lifestyle must be maintained. Most of the time it is a choice and that choice does affect your family. How can it not.....nobody cares for their child better than their own mother. It is true that the day to day chores of running your home is not glamorous, but you are raising the saints God gave you. Do not sacrifice your family. Most mothers that have already raised their children and did not work outside the home ,will always advise on the importance of not working outside the home. That voice of wisdom is something we should all listen to. They know that you cannot get time back and your children do know who raised them. Ask yourself.....who raised you? Your children will answer this same question. Are you paying attention and raising the gifts God has placed in your care?
Motherhood is not held in high esteem in our society anymore. Isn't it interesting that people can be so judgemental about the number of children a family has. Why do you think people no longer celebrate the family and motherhood? Having a career outside of motherhood, is held more highly than raising the saints that God has placed in our care. Each child is planted by God in our family. I believe that our society is in grave danger because the family life is no longer held sacred. How do we change this? I believe we pay attention to our own family, pray and make our request known to God. Pray to God.....He hears every pray. Then the peace of God, the presence of love, will fill your home. If we choose carefully what we do and not neglect our family we can begin to make a difference.
Many mothers are pulled in so many directions that the world owns them. They believe the lie that placing our children in the care of others is God's will. This is a lie.....this lie gets justified because of money. If we all lived within our means our families would be better off. Of course there are circumstances where a woman has to work outside the home. However, most of the time it is because of money and that a certain lifestyle must be maintained. Most of the time it is a choice and that choice does affect your family. How can it not.....nobody cares for their child better than their own mother. It is true that the day to day chores of running your home is not glamorous, but you are raising the saints God gave you. Do not sacrifice your family. Most mothers that have already raised their children and did not work outside the home ,will always advise on the importance of not working outside the home. That voice of wisdom is something we should all listen to. They know that you cannot get time back and your children do know who raised them. Ask yourself.....who raised you? Your children will answer this same question. Are you paying attention and raising the gifts God has placed in your care?
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Quotes on Parenting
The greatest gift you can give to your children is you. Spend time with them, help them through their struggles, and love them through their behaviors.
Parenting is not about controlling our children through consequences and directives. These are fear-based parenting techniques that teach our children to be reactive out of fear. Parenting is about influencing our children through love and understanding. This teaches our children to respond out of love. Thus, true control comes through loving influence.
No matter whether your children rise or fall, they should never be alone. They need you there to celebrate with them on the mountain of success and they especially need you in the valley of failure.
Life is a series of appointments, not accidents. Each interaction we have with our spouse or child is an appointment set in advance by God. How are you going to conduct these Divine meetings today?
Heather T. Forbes, L.C.S.W.
Beyond Consequences Institute, LLC
Parenting is not about controlling our children through consequences and directives. These are fear-based parenting techniques that teach our children to be reactive out of fear. Parenting is about influencing our children through love and understanding. This teaches our children to respond out of love. Thus, true control comes through loving influence.
No matter whether your children rise or fall, they should never be alone. They need you there to celebrate with them on the mountain of success and they especially need you in the valley of failure.
Life is a series of appointments, not accidents. Each interaction we have with our spouse or child is an appointment set in advance by God. How are you going to conduct these Divine meetings today?
Heather T. Forbes, L.C.S.W.
Beyond Consequences Institute, LLC
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
What can One Person Do?
October 8, 2008
St. John Leonardi
(1541?-1609)
"I am only one person! Why should I do anything? What good would it do?" Today, as in any age, people seem plagued with the dilemma of getting involved. In his own way John Leonardi answered these questions. He chose to become a priest.
After his ordination, he became very active in the works of the ministry, especially in hospitals and prisons. The example and dedication of his work attracted several young laymen who began to assist him. They later became priests themselves.
John lived in a time of reform after the Reformation and the Council of Trent. He and his followers projected a new congregation of diocesan priests. For some reason the plan, which was ultimately approved, provoked great political opposition and he was an exile from his home town of Lucca, Italy, for almost the entire remainder of his life. He received encouragement and help from St. Philip Neri [whose feast is May 26], who gave him his quarters—along with the care of his cat!
Quote:
"Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy" (Luke 12:32-33).
(This entry appears in the print edition of Saint of the Day.)
Comment:
What can one person do? If you ever glanced through a Christopher Notes pamphlet you know—plenty! In the life of each saint one thing stands clear: God and one are a majority! What one person, following God's will and plan for his or her life, can do is more than our mind could ever hope for or imagine. Each of us, like John Leonardi, has a mission to fulfill in God's plan for the world. Each one of us is unique and has been given talent to use for the service of our brothers and sisters for the building up of God's kingdom.
St. John Leonardi
(1541?-1609)
"I am only one person! Why should I do anything? What good would it do?" Today, as in any age, people seem plagued with the dilemma of getting involved. In his own way John Leonardi answered these questions. He chose to become a priest.
After his ordination, he became very active in the works of the ministry, especially in hospitals and prisons. The example and dedication of his work attracted several young laymen who began to assist him. They later became priests themselves.
John lived in a time of reform after the Reformation and the Council of Trent. He and his followers projected a new congregation of diocesan priests. For some reason the plan, which was ultimately approved, provoked great political opposition and he was an exile from his home town of Lucca, Italy, for almost the entire remainder of his life. He received encouragement and help from St. Philip Neri [whose feast is May 26], who gave him his quarters—along with the care of his cat!
Quote:
"Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy" (Luke 12:32-33).
(This entry appears in the print edition of Saint of the Day.)
Comment:
What can one person do? If you ever glanced through a Christopher Notes pamphlet you know—plenty! In the life of each saint one thing stands clear: God and one are a majority! What one person, following God's will and plan for his or her life, can do is more than our mind could ever hope for or imagine. Each of us, like John Leonardi, has a mission to fulfill in God's plan for the world. Each one of us is unique and has been given talent to use for the service of our brothers and sisters for the building up of God's kingdom.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Feast day of
St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)
Morning Prayer of St. Francis
Lord Jesus, I offer you this new day because I believe in you, love you, hope all things in you, and thank you for your blessings.I am sorry for having offended you and forgive everyone who has offended me.Lord, look on me and leave in me peace and courage and your humble wisdom that I may serve others with joy, and be pleasing to you all day.
St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)
Morning Prayer of St. Francis
Lord Jesus, I offer you this new day because I believe in you, love you, hope all things in you, and thank you for your blessings.I am sorry for having offended you and forgive everyone who has offended me.Lord, look on me and leave in me peace and courage and your humble wisdom that I may serve others with joy, and be pleasing to you all day.
Francis of Assisi was poor only that he might be Christ-like. He loved nature because it was another manifestation of the beauty of God. He did great penance (apologizing to "Brother Body" later in life) that he might be totally disciplined for the will of God. His poverty had a sister, humility, by which he meant total dependence on the good God. But all this was, as it were, preliminary to the heart of his spirituality: living the gospel life, summed up in the charity of Jesus and perfectly expressed in the Eucharist.Quote:
"We adore you and we bless you, Lord Jesus Christ, here and in all the churches which are in the whole world, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world" (St. Francis).
(This entry appears in the print edition of Saint of the Day.)
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