Is a 4 yo too young to go to soup kitchen?

I want to begin a family tradition of bringing my 4 year old to a soup kitchen.  My mom thinks she is too young to be involved in this type of volunteer work.  What do you think?

Electronics at Church

 At Church today there was a five year old sitting next to us playing video games.  I kid you not.  He was literally playing a hand-held video gaming system including the continuous click-click of the keys.  While walking to Communion I noticed another electronic device (unsure what it was.. DVD v. videogame, etc.) sitting on the pew.

Seriously?  I cannot wrap my mind around the idea of letting children play electronics during the one hour a week we go to Mass.  I am not trying to sound hard, I am just dumbfounded.  Has anyone else had this experience during Mass?

Pope's Statement about Condoms

What does the Holy Father really say about condoms in the new book?

By Dr. Janet E. Smith

This week, Light of the World, a book-length interview given by Pope Benedict XVI to journalist Peter Seewald, will be released worldwide. Several of the Holy Father's statements have already started making news, particularly his comments regarding condom usage in the prevention of the spread of HIV.

To the charge that “It is madness to forbid a high-risk population to use condoms,” in the context of an extended answer on the help the Church is giving AIDs victims and the need to fight the banalization of sexuality, Pope Benedict replied:

There may be a basis in the case of some individuals, as perhaps when a male prostitute uses a condom, where this can be a first step in the direction of a moralization, a first assumption of responsibility, on the way toward recovering an awareness that not everything is allowed and that one cannot do whatever one wants. But it is not really the way to deal with the evil of HIV infection. That can really lie only in a humanization of sexuality.

Are you saying, then, that the Catholic Church is actually not opposed in principle to the use of condoms?

She of course does not regard it as a real or moral solution, but, in this or that case, there can be nonetheless, in the intention of reducing the risk of infection, a first step in a movement toward a different way, a more human way, of living sexuality.

To read the full article regarind the Pope's statement about condoms and sex workers go here.

Prayers with a 4 year old

My four year old asked me why we had a statue of Jesus' mother, but not Jesus.  Well that prompted me real quick to go out and get a beautiful Divine Mercy statue.  While praying for the first time in front of it she led the prayer like this:

Jesus, I hope we don't have any temptations and here is your invitation.  Amen.

I am pretty sure she was reciting the 'Our Father'.  I guess we'll be working on the 'Our Father' over Thanksgiving break!

Olivia has developed a real awareness of God over the past few weeks.  There is a lot of songs about how much she loves God, mixed in with songs about spooky Halloween.  A child's love for the Lord is just so pure and amazing.  Without knowing any of the theology or catechetics behind some of the most complex issues of the faith she just loves.  How hard it has become for me as an adult to remember to just LOVE the Lord.  Sometimes there are so many facets to the faith that I literally forget to become like a child and fall in love with our Creator.  I know Scripture references to the child-like-faith we are all to have and that the children will lead us to Heaven.  I truly never saw the meaning of this until now. 

I wonder at which point we decide to make our prayer life so complex?  The opportunity to pray comes in so many ways.  My little one is usually on a swing or sitting in the back of a car when she will break into song and ultimately 'pray'.  She is able to drift off into her own world of thought and prayer and even manages to make some rhymes.  (Usually hilarious and unrelated of course).

Leave it to a four year old to bring my faith back to the basics and to remind me that prayer is prompted by the Holy Spirit.  I pray that we are open to the Spirit as Christmas approaches and that prayer through song escapes our lips throughout the day. 

Amazing CATHOLIC outdoor adventure camp!!

Please check out and pass on this info. about an amazing Catholic outdoor Adventure camp!!!

CAMP WOJTYLA

http://www.camp-w.org/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=232DbS79NFo

Hello all

Hello MCM's,
So many things to share with you!  Time has truly escaped from my grasp.  My little one and I spent a lazy summer in Florida with our family hence my lack of writing.  I will try to be better!  I hope and pray all is well. 

When you get a minute, check out www.catholicfreeshipping.com.  A wonderful site for Catholic resources and the owners are awesome too!

The noise of the little ones

Sometimes when I am at Mass all I can hear are babies crying, toddler babbling and moms letting little bursts of irritation escape their lips. It meshes into one consistent noise that can distract me.



The other day at Mass I listened to the symphony of children's noises and got to thinking. I imagined that the chorus of noises was actually a beautiful symphony of song for the Lord. We hear a cry or babble and he hears glorious music escaping from the lips of his beloved children. They worship Him through their song of praise. And there is probably no prettier song.....

Hope

There is something to be said about adversity. Many will say that it makes one stronger. Many times in my life I have failed to see the 'stronger' part and wallowed in the 'adverse' part.

These past few days have been both emotionally and physically draining. At the worst of it I really thought we might lose my best friend, my mother. We have spent almost every minute in a hospital room praying silently to ourselves and wondering if we were going to be left orphaned. Can grown women be orphaned? I think so.

But now my mom is feeling better and the worst is over. My four year old and my sisters seventh month old have made it through the hospital visits and the hotel room. We have healed from bed bugs, eaten more Tim Hortons then I care to admit and made due with only a few sets of clothing. But the real miracles of this experience have been plenty.

First we can praise God for my mothers recovery. Second my sisters and I have had the chance to reconnect considering we live all over the United States. Third I have had the chance to get to know my nephew and God child. Out family has had the chance to spend precious time in close quarters and take comfort in one another. I am also able to attend my other God Childs first communion as he lives in Steubenville. Friends have offered their time and support by watching the kids and lending us their ears. Some pretty amazing gifts God has provided amidst adversity.

I am grateful for the chance to even see these gifts and hopeful that if He can get us through this He can help us even through the lowest moments.

A True Mothers Day

Right now I am in Steubenville, OH for my sisters graduation from Franciscan University.  She also was proposed to last night by an amazing man who we are proud to bring into our family.  She is on cloud nine as she should be!


Unfortunately my poor mom has just been diagnosed with diverticulitis so I have been with her at the hospital almost the entire time we have been here.  She has been in so much pain and endured the engagement and graduation so gracefully.  Actually I thought I would tell you about the selfless love of a mother.


We were able to be there for the proposal which was so sweet.  My mom was in excruciating pain but kept silent and smiling as we watched my sisters boyfriend go down on one knee to ask her hand in marriage.  He asked on  his baseball field with candles, flowers and a home plate dance set to their fave song on the speakers.  It was awesome.  My mom and I left right after for the ER.  Around 3:30 in the morning I came back to hotel because we received news that my mom was going to be admitted.  At 6a I received a call from the nurse.  My mom was leaving the ER against medical advice.  What?!


Turns out she pleaded with the ER doctor to let her leave and return later in the day.  She desperately wanted to see my sister graduate.  As many of you know my dad died 4 years ago so it has been very important for all of us to support one another as much as possible.


So she sat through most of the graduation and then we came back to the ER and went back through the ER process until we ended up in a room.  I am still amazed at the sacrifices my mom made (even though my sister promised it wasnt a big deal if my mom missed!).  My sister said to me, ' It's okay.  Mom doesnt have to be there... she needs to get better!'  Of which I responded, ' Mom wants to be there for you!  She wants to see yougraduate!'


There's something selfless and crazy about that.  I like to think I would do the same for my little one if I was in the same position but then I would have to say that I learned from the best. 


So we will be spending Mothers day in the hospital room instead of P.F. Chang's.  (Man I love P.F!)  But we will all be together and appreciative of the sacrifices our mom has made for all of us.  And of course the first gift we must recognize is the gift of life!


If you would, please keep my mom in your prayers this weekend as we wait out this painful problem.


I pray you have a wonderful Mothers Day and please know I will be keeping all of you in my prayers.

Dr. Drew and pushing an agenda

I am so upset.  Dr. Drew (from VH1 and MTV) has been a great source of compassion and wisdom in regard to counseling.  Up until now I really thought he was an effective instrument of change in people's lives.

I've been a fan of '16 and Pregnent' mainly because is it touching and truly shows the reality of being a teen and having a baby.   Additionally Dr. Drew is very supportive of adoption.

But I am so upset because Dr. Drew is PUSHING contraceptives... Every teen he talks to he asks what their new means of contraception is for preventing future pregnancies.  And when talking to one of the teen parents he offered the morning after pill as a future option for contraception.  The teen responded that she did not believe in the morning after pill because she believes it is an abortive.  Dr. Drew openly LIED and stated that it is NOT an abortive method.  It truly seemed that is was a 'set-up' question just so he could say that it is not an abortive pill. 

But Dr. Drew.... IT IS AN ABORTIVE METHOD!  I don't understand how he could just openly put that out there.  Am I missing something? 

Plan B (the morning after pill):  If conception has already occurred it prevents the implantation of the fertilized egg.  This is abortion. 

From Catholic.com:

The "morning after" pill is not a contraceptive--it does not prevent conception--its only purpose is to induce the abortion of an already conceived child. 

Ugh.  I am done with Dr. Drew.  And it makes me sad!  But I cannot support someone who is a board certified physician and KNOWS that truth and lies to a completely impressionable population.   I am not asking for Dr. Drew to agree with the Catholic Church.  I just want Truth.  And someone who is in such a powerful position needs to be honest.  :(   I guess we just have to pray for his conversion. 

Explaining the Trinity to a 4 year old:

My 4 year old and I had 'the talk' the other night.  You know, the one that goes something like this....

Me:  And then God gave us his only son... and Jesus did wonderous things on earth and then died on the cross for our sins.  He is our Savior, Our God.

4 yo:  And Jesus is God's son.

Me: Yes

4 yo:  And Jesus is God?

Me: Yes

4 yo:  And God is God?

Me: Yes

4 yo:  But Jesus is God, and God is God, and Jesus is God's son?

Me: Um, yeah. 

Insert perplexed 4 yo look.

Me:  I know its confusing but God loves you very much.

4 yo:  Okay mom :)

Ego and God

A box that is filled with sand cannot be filled with gold; a soul that is bursting with its own ego can never be filled with God.

The Worlds First Love
Bishop Fulton Sheen

You know you're Catholic when....

You know you are Catholic when you are singing along to the local Christian radio station (which I love) and there is a great song about being forgiven....

"I am forgiven....." 
and you add
"when I go to Confession!........"
So your 4 year old knows whats up!  :)

The one whom every man loves

She (Mary) is the one whom every man loves when he loves a woman- whether he knows it or not.  She is what every woman wants to be, when she looks at herself.

The Worlds First Love
Bishop Fulton Sheen

Landmark Law passes in Nebraska

Good news! On Tuesday, the Nebraska Legislature passed the "Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act." The new law prohibits abortions in Nebraska after the unborn child can feel pain, which happens at twenty weeks. NLRC and Nebraska Right to Life lobbyists successfully worked closely with Nebraska Speaker Mike Flood to make the bill's language as strong as possible. The legislation is the first of its kind. It is being described by observers as nothing short of "landmark." No state has ever passed a similar pain law.


The law will save lives. It will protect the twenty-week and older unborn child in the womb from the pain and horror of abortion. It will protect mothers from the grief that so often accompanies the decision to abort. The law is expected to be reviewed by the Supreme Court. If so, it could redefine a state's legitimate interest in protecting the child in the womb.

This bill is a real victory for grassroots pro-life Americans and the unborn. Thank you!-
National Right to Life Committee, Inc.
 

True Freedom

To be devoid of love is the essence of hell. 

Scripture tells us: "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty".

The Worlds First Love
Bishop Fulton Sheen

Defenders of the Family

All pagan religions begin with the teaching of adults, but Christianity begins with the birth of a child. From that day to this, Christians have ever been the defenders of the family and the love of generation.

The Worlds First Love
Fulton Sheen

Fiat

There are mothers who yearn for children, but they have to wait on the processes subject to nature. In Mary alone, a child waited not on nature, but on her acceptance of the Divine Will.  All she had to say was fiat, and she conceived.

The Worlds First Love
Bishop Fulton Sheen

Alleluia!

Have a blessed Easter season!

He is RISEN!!

Alleluia!

Divine Mercy Novena

Today begins the Divine Mercy Novena.  It begin on Good Friday and ends on Divine Mercy Sunday. 

EWTN provides the novena here.

Jesus asked that the Feast of the Divine Mercy be preceded by a Novena to the Divine Mercy which would begin on Good Friday. He gave St. Faustina an intention to pray for on each day of the Novena, saving for the last day the most difficult intention of all, the lukewarm and indifferent of whom He said:



"These souls cause Me more suffering than any others; it was from such souls that My soul felt the most revulsion in the Garden of Olives. It was on their account that I said: 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass Me by.' The last hope of salvation for them is to flee to My Mercy."

In her diary, St. Faustina wrote that Jesus told her:
"On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy ... On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces for these souls."

Holy Baby DVD Giveaway Winner

Cam you were chosen at random.org as the winner of the Holy Baby DVD set! Yay!

St. Louis de Montfort's Way of Total Consecration

Today starts the first day of St. Louis de Monfort's Way of Total Consecration to Mary.  This is an amazing opportunity to know Christ in a beautiful and intimiate way.  I found a great website that explains how to do it.  Go here.  And if you have any questions please feel free to email me.

Mother furious after in-school clinic sets up teens abortion

Okay so this is unbelievable. I seriously cannot believe this is legit.  But it happened and I have a feeling it is going to happen again....

Mother furious after in-school clinic sets up teen's abortion:
SEATTLE -- The mother of a Ballard High School student is fuming after the health center on campus helped facilitate her daughter's abortion during school hours.


The mother, whom KOMO News has chosen to identify only as "Jill," says the clinic kept the information "confidential."

When she signed a consent form, Jill figured it meant her 15 year old could go to the Ballard Teen Health Center located inside the high school for an earache, a sports physical, even birth control, but not for help terminating a pregnancy.

"She took a pregnancy test at school at the teen health center," she said. "Nowhere in this paperwork does it mention abortion or facilitating abortion."

Jill says her daughter, a pro-life advocate, was given a pass, put in a taxi and sent off to have an abortion during school hours all without her family knowing.


"We had no idea this was being facilitated on campus," said Jill. "They just told her that if she concealed it from her family, that it would be free of charge and no financial responsibility."


The Seattle School District says it doesn't run the health clinics at high schools. Swedish Medical Center runs the clinic at Ballard High and protects the students' privacy.


T.J. Cosgrove of the King County Health Department, which administers the school-based programs for the health department, says it's always best if parents are involved in their children's health care, but don't always have a say.


"At any age in the state of Washington, an individual can consent to a termination of pregnancy," he said.


But Jill says she not only didn't have a say in her daughter's abortion, but also didn't know about it.

"Makes me feel like my rights were completely stripped away."


See article here: Komonews

More healthcare info

Here is an email from a trusted politically correct friend:



Well, basically America is a MESS... an executive order from the most pro-abortion President ever means NOTHING... and I'm happy to live in a Commonwealth that is suing the Federal Gov't (rock on, Virginia Republicans) . 59% of Americans are opposed to nationalized healthcare.. . and yet, it passed. Uhm hello Congress... you buffoons work for us. The largest bill ever and NO bo-partisan support. (Even Social Security and medicare had bi-partisan support!) Costing Americans $1 trillion... hold on to your wallets, folks. Never forget that this country once went to WAR over a small tax on TEA. Tea!

And, the nail in the coffin... the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade. Yikes.

....but God is BIGGER.

Did we need healthcare reform? YES. Did we need total gov't takeover? NO.

On Saturday,I protested this hoopla with about 40,000 other people on Capitol Hill. I think that says something about America. (Does that make us crazy members of the Tea Party Movement now? Perhaps.) Anyway, the only major news camera I saw there was FoxNews. Not surprising, but the liberal bias of the corrupt media still gets to me. Ugh. So. Annoying.

For updates... check our old faithful Drudge ... couple other sites I've been reading:

http://redstate. com/

http://hotair. com/

http://www.humaneve nts.com/

http://blog. aulaction. org/

http://www.suzyb. org/

Here's the roll call: http://www.foxnews. com/politics/ 2010/03/22/ house-roll- health-care- overhaul/

Repubs are trying to repeal: http://thehill. com/blogs/ blog-briefing- room/news/ 88323-house- and-senate- republicans- quick-to- release-repeal- bills

As for what exactly is in the bill... well.... I (like many members of Congress) haven't had time to actually read the darn thing.

Healthcare Bill Questions

I wish I knew all the details of what is happening with our healthcare.  I know we need to pray.  I also know that there are over 11 states that plan on suing over this bill.

Here is a quick read from a Catholic standpoint:

Obama’s executive order on abortion funding is inadequate fix, pro-life groups say-  from Catholic News Agency.com

A-mazing book

I am reading the most amazing book.  It is called 'Consoling the Heart of Jesus' by Father Michael E. Gaitley.  It is a Do-It-Yourself Retreat inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.

I am only part of the way through it but I couldn't wait to share with you about it. 

This is the first book I have read in a long time that is truly challenging me to know and love Christ more.  Father Gaitley's style of writing is humerous, to the point and easy to read. It is not a 'heavy' read in terms of theology.  It is a call to sanctity.  It is a reminder of why we are Catholic and what we believe.

I can remember being in college and thinking about sanctity and wondering what was the next step to obtain it.....  Then I left college and I began to think about how amazing the saints are and how unamazing I was. By the end all I could do was look to the saints to know that I would never even get close!

Father reminds the reader that we are all called to be SAINTS even amidst our sinfulness.  It is a passionate and burning desire to be IN LOVE with our Creator.  It is a call to love Jesus until our heart aches.  I am always amazed when I read something so simple, something I have been taught since 1st grade yet somewhere along the way I forgot.  I forgot what it was like to be passionately in love with Christ.  And Fr. Gaitley's book is the beginning steps to remembering what that love is like.

I HIGHLY recommend this read that can be done in one weekend or over many weeks.  I think Father had us moms in mind when he wrote it.... knowing that in the middle of a chapter we will have to start dinner, or change a diaper or simply fall asleep so to prepare for the next day. 

I will update as I continue on reading.....

Soul Searching

I think I mentioned the lovely Jehovah's Witnesses that I have been talking to over the past few weeks....  It has been a wild ride for sure.  Here are they things I have figured out:

1.  JW's really know their Bible.

2.  They are very passionate about their faith.

3.  I am being so challenged to get into Scripture and really look at what it means.

4.  I never realized how much of my Catholic faith I did not know until I met these ladies.

5.  I can't believe how much I thought I did know about Catholicism.

6.  I am burning with the desire to know more and more about Catholicism!

7.  We are all called to evangelization.... and we need to be educated and prepared before we begin.

8.  Catholicism is not for the weak at heart!  There are so many things that must be researched and looked in to!

9.  I am in love with Catholicism.

If anyone has had any experience with JW's and would be willing to email me I would SO appreciate it!  Thanks :)

Finally a giveaway!

Modern Catholic Moms!  I have a treat for you :)

It's that time again.... Modern Catholic Mom is giving away a set of HOLY BABY DVD's.


Holy Baby DVD's are an incredible opportunity for your children to hear Catholic music and prayers through a DVD. There are everyday prayers, prayers in different languages, adorable graphics and pictures of Catholic items.

My three year old loves her Holy Baby DVD. She sings the Holy Baby song ALL THE TIME! Seriously, it is hilarious. I think she relates to the prayers that she hears in Mass and then in these DVD's. This is a great set of DVD's based on the same principles as Baby Einstein yet centered around the Catholic faith.

Volume 1

Seven Prayers in Seven Languages introduces your child to the:

Sign of the Cross

Apostle's Creed

Our Father

Hail Mary

Glory Be

Oh My Jesus

Hail Holy Queen

All the prayers are said in seven different languages including English, French, Spanish, Latin, Vietnamese, German and Portuguese. It is also full of vivid religious imagery and songs including Jesus Loves The Little Children, The Seven Joys of Mary, A Child's Morning Hymn and the Holy Baby theme song.

Volume 2

Jesus Loves Me , He Is The Bread Of Life is full of upbeat faith filled songs, prayers of the mass and scripture passages.

For more entries do any or all of the following: ( be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry and include your email if it is not in your profile)

* Blog about this giveaway with a link back

* Subscribe to our emails

* Twitter about this giveaway with a link back ( leave your twitter name)

* Make a purchase from The Rosary Project website

*Email a friend about this giveaway with a link back ( be sure to CC moderncatholicmom ( at ) gmail ( dot) com )

Giveaway ends 3/27/10 at midnight, open to US residents.

Catholic Home Schooling

To homeschool or not to homeschool.  That is the question.

But with great resources like the ones listed below, hopefully you will have the information to make that decision.

Check out http://www.educatingforheaven.com/ if you are located in Central Ohio.

Seton Home study http://www.setonhome.org/

Seton Educational Media http://www.setonbooks.com/

Mother of Divine Grace School http://www.motherofdivinegrace.org/

Emmanuel Books http://www.emmanuelbooks.com/

Catholic Heritage Curricula  http://www.chcweb.com/

Ecce Homo http://www.eccehomopress.com/

Homeschooling through highschool www.hslda.org/highschool

Children of Mary, Retreat House

Have you heard of 'Children of Mary'?

Consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, this religious community has devotion to Blessed Mother Teresa, Saint Theresa and Venerable John Paul II.

Children of Mary are located in Newark, Ohio and offer a retreat house for the public.  Individual or groups, day or weekends, the public can access their grounds to have a day of retreat.... I think I might just take them up on this offer!

Visit http://www.childrenofmary.com/ for more information.

Catholic Youth Summer Camp

Catholic Youth Summer Camp is a high adventure camp for students entering grades 6-12.  Activities at CYSC range from paint ball, jet skis and tubing to archery and bonfires.  Along with high adventure activities, CYSC helps to form a high adventure faith, celebrating daily Mass, daily prayer and small groups. 

Visit www.cysc.com for more information!

EWTN Evangelization Opportunity

Did you know that EWTN offers an opportunity to Proclaim the Good News?

Recently at the Columbus Catholic Women's Conference (which was fabulous btw) I saw a booth that was being taken care of by a dad and his daughter.  Basically EWTN offers the EWTN Media Missionaries. 

The requirement is 10 minutes a month.

The Media Missionary will volunteer their time to assist with placing the EWTN program guide in their parish or offering a their pastor a seasonal bulletin announcement with an accompanying poster during Advent, Lent and other special occasions.

If you are looking for a volunteer ministry that won't take up a lot of time go to www.ewtn.com for the opportunity.

Why do Catholics have a devotion to saints?

Imagine you know one of the advisors for the President.  (ok, imagine the president is pro-life).  This advisor has studied the president, tried to live a life similar to the president, loves the president and truly wants to please the president. The advisor has even thrown himself in front of a bullet to protect the president. The advisor loves the president so much that he has committed his life to being an example of how the president lives his life.

Imagine that advisor is someone you could totally relate and look up to.  He is just an ordinary man like you or I but for some reason has gone beyond the call of duty to make great choices in life.

That is how Catholics look at saints.  They are people, like us, that have lived a life pleasing to God.  They have done amazing and brave things to truly live Catholic lives.  They have exceeded our worldly expectations and serve as an example to us of how to act so that we too can be pleasing to God.  They have kept themselves pure and devoted to the Lord. 

Catholics do not worship saints or hold them higher than God.  Catholics don't worship or pray to the statues.  We do pray that the saint who we know is in Heaven will pray on our behalf.  It's like knowing that God is super happy with that saint and will listen closely when the saint brings our intentions to Him.

Saints are only windows to God.  We look through them to see the beauty of the Father.  We know that by following their example we have seen a way to seek sanctity.  Saints pattern their lives off of Jesus Christ never to exceed the Son of God but ONLY to glorify Him. 

Some of my favorite saints:

St. Terese the Little Flower
St. Gerard
St. Clare
St. Francis
St. Philomena

Evangelization in the home

Sometimes I get this urge to proclaim the love of Christ to the world.  You know what I mean?   I read Scripture and I read how we are called to evangelize and I wonder in what capacity that means?  God has been so faithful with His teachings throughout my life and I am convinced that the knowledge He has shared is meant to be shared. 

So, I was talking to my mom and sharing with her my frustrations of determining to what extent we are supposed to be evangelizing and she said that the most important evangelizing I can do is to my daughter.  She firmly believes that upon entering the gates of Heaven we will be asked what we did to bring Christ to our children.  In one breath this is a simple statement. Of course we need to evangelize to our children.  On the other hand it takes that breath away!  I am responsible for being the first Christ that my daughter encounters.  My actions, my words and my teachings must all consistently reflect the love of Christ.  What  a HUGE endeavor!  What a HUGE gift!  What a HUGE responsibility!

I think it such a testament to the gift of a child.  I am someone who has a very difficult time getting pregnant and then maintaining the pregnancies.  I am beginning to really see the miracle of life in that God is truly in charge of our fertility.  This can be difficult for me because I wanted many children!  And God has blessed me with one on earth and one in Heaven.  How much more am I being called to raise the one I have been given to truly serve the Lord and bring Christ to all she meets. 

I pray that I am always a witness to Christ's love in the world but I pray even more so that my little one knows and loves the Lord so that she may be a witness to all.  Whew!

Jump rope and Mary

This morning as I was opening my eyes I saw my three year old starting at me.  A welcomed sight indeed I asked, 'Liv, what are you doing?'

She very innocently shared, 'Mom, I am crushing the snake like Mary does'.  

And there she was stepping on her jump rope.  Crushing the snake.  Just like our statue.

How cool is that?

Pope to canonize new saints!

American Catholic.com shares here about 8 new saints that will be cannonized later this year. 

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Pope Benedict XVI will create six new saints Oct. 17, including Blessed Mary MacKillop, who will be Australia's first saint, and the Canadian Blessed Andre Bessette, who will be the first saint of the Holy Cross Brothers.

For those in the Columbus, OH area

2010 Diocesan Respect Life Conference will be held at St. Patrick's Church downtown Columbus.  See more details here.

Featured Speaker:


Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D.

Director of Education and Ethicist

National Catholic Bioethics Center
 
 

The Immaculate Conception

Why does the Catholic Church have a devotion to Mary?

After I wrote this one I realized that this is a BIG topic to cover.  So I will do my best to provide concise information that will be helpful to the family or friend who really doesn't understand why we love Mary so much.  It will be broken up into a few different posts.  I decided to start with a few beliefs that a lot of non Catholics struggle with.

Mary is the Immaculate Conception:

Mary was not born with original sin.  Consequently, her Son, who had no human father, could not inherit original sin.

Jesus was also immaculately conceived but his conception is a little easier on most people of other religions.  

Immaculate means: without stain

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 (taken from www.catholic.com)

CCC 491 Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, "full of grace" through God was redeemed from the moment of her conception.   

            
                                
Pope Pius IX Ineffeabilis Deus in 1854 said:  The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.

Fundamentalist Objections:

Romans 3:23 "all have sinned"- The author of this article from http://www.catholic.com/ says that this statement obviously excludes Jesus and a later Scripture reference Romans 9:11 stating that when Jacob and Esau were unborn babies they had done neither good nor bad.  So unborn babies are excluding from Romans 3:23 as well. 

This would indicate that the New Adam, Jesus, is excluded from this verse.  And consequently the New Eve, Mary could also be excluded from this verse.

So if Mary is without Sin is she equal to God?

No, and we only have to look at Adam, Eve and all the angels to know that although they were without sin they were not equal to God.  Being sinless does not equate being a human being.  More so it is when we strive to be sinless that we are fulfilling what God desires of us.  www.catholic.com



Two fantastic books to read if you want to learn more about Mary:  Introduction to Mary or Meet Mary: Getting to Know the Mother of God by Dr. Mark Miravelle.  Dr. Miravalle is a Mariologist.

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It is of importance to note that Catholics believe in Scripture and Tradition regarding our faith. This means that we are not 'sola scriptura'. Our belief in the Immaculate Conception has evolved through Scripture references and Sacred Tradition.   Vatican II issued the following statement about the Bible:

The Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation:
"Since everything asserted by the inspired authors or sacred writers must be held to be asserted by the Holy Spirit, it follows that the books of Scripture must be acknowledged as teaching firmly, faithfully, and without error that truth which God wanted put into the sacred writings for the sake of our salvation".

We acknowledge that the apostles were directed to preach the Gospel and to communicate the gifts of God to all men (CCC 75).

The apostolic preaching was handed down:

- orally:  by the apostles who handed on, by the spoken word of their preaching, by the example they gave, by the institutions they established, what they themselves have received- whether from the lips of Christ, from his way of life and his works, or whether they had learned it at the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

-writing:  by those apostles and other men who associated with the apostles who, under the inspiration of the same Holy Spirit, committed the message of salvation in writing.  (CCC 76)

Of course this subject is a huge post in itself but I thought I would provide some background.

Great Catholic Answer Books

Here is a list of some of the fantastic books I have used to get my Catholic answers!

Catholic Questions Catholic Answers- by Fr. Kenneth Ryan (my fave)

What Catholics Really Believe- 52 Answers to common misconceptions about the Catholic faith- by Karl Keating

Why Do Catholics Do That?- A Guide to the Teachings and Practices of the Catholic Church- by Kevin Orlin Johnson, Ph.D

The Catholic Church and the Bible- by Peter M.J. Stravinskas

Are Catholics really Christians?

Are Catholics really Christians?

I had no idea that some Christians are unsure if Catholics are even Christians! I found out recently when I had a conversation with a non denominational friend.  She shared with me that as far as she had known Catholics were not considered Christians.  So from this comes the answers as to why Catholics are not only Christians but truly the first Christians! :)

1.     The word 'Catholic' first appears in a letter of St. Ignatius of Antioch (110 AD) to distinguish Christ's Church from heretical groups.  The word 'Christian' also originated in Antioch (Acts 11:26).  St. Ignatius' letter indicated that by 110 AD the original Christian Church was already well known as the 'Catholic Church'.   Taken directly from 'Beginning Apologetics- How to Explain and Defend the Catholic Faith' by Father Frank Chacon and Jim Burnham.

 2.    Early Church Fathers and their writings tell us what the first Christians believed.  Their practices are all specific to Catholic doctrine. Taken directly from 'Beginning Apologetics- How to Explain and Defend the Catholic Faith' by Father Frank Chacon and Jim Burnham.

3.   Catechism 73:  God has revealed himself fully by sending his own Son, in whom he has established his covenant for ever.  The Son is his Father's definitive Word; so there will be no further Revelation after Him.

Catechism 259 (last sentence of 259):  Everyone who glorifies the Father does so through the Son in the Holy Spirit; everyone who follows Christ does so because the Father draws him and the Spirit moves him.

4.  Scriptural references:

Mark 1:11-  And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.

John 14:1- Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Believe in God, believe also in me.

John 1:18- No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.

John 6:46- Not that anyone has seen the Father, except the one who is from God.  Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father come to me.

Matthew 11:27-  All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.

John 1:14 - And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.

It is imperative that the world knows that Catholics are Christ based!  It seems almost comical to me that someone would not know that Christ is our savior and redeemer.  But truly it falls back on Catholics to remain consistent and alive in our faith.  Catholics can proclaim to the world that Jesus is King! 

Why can't priests get married?

So, why can't priests get married? Does the Catholic Church really expect these men to be celibate their entire lives? Is that even natural?

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1: Jesus and Paul both practiced celibacy during their lives.  Although some of the apostles were married, including Peter, we know that Jesus and Paul were celibate as well as Mary and Joseph. 


2. All priests take the vow of celibacy voluntarily. If you have received a call to be a priest then celibacy is a portion of that decision that must be taken into consideration before a 'yes'.


3. Clerical celibacy is not church doctrine. It is a discipline instituted since the Middle Ages. I didn't realize this until I read it. This means that it could be changed if Church leaders decided it was a beneficial decision.


4. A priest is the head of his parish. He is there to minister to the sick, the old, the yong, administer the Sacraments and so much more. Being married to the church is a 24 hour a day job (if anyone has a priest friend they can attest to this). If priests were allowed to marry there would be a divide between his devotion to the church and his devotion to his family (and if anyone knows the level of devotion it takes to be a dad they could attest to this!). Could it be done? Sure. Would it be difficult to manage the day to day needs of an entire parish and the day to day needs of a spouse and children? Definitely. This is something the early Church leaders took into consideration as they made this discipline.


5. Matthew West writes that their (the priests) celibacy, in effect, brings about “the most fruitful union in the cosmos—the union of the human and divine natures in the person of Christ. All those who live an authentic celibate vocation participate in some way in this new super-abounding spiritual fruitfulness.”


6. 1 Corinthians 7: 32-34


"An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. But a married man is anxious about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and he is divided."


7.  In our 'sex' saturated society some would believe that it would be impossible for a man or woman to remain celibate.  This is a sad and closed view of what celibacy can be.  Anything we do can be used to glorify God.  Is it possible to remain celibate?  Yes!  Can that celibacy be used to glorify the kingdom of God? Of course.  This is actually a beautiful sacrifice that speaks volumes of the devotion and commitment that priests have to the Catholic faith.


Lord, we thank you for the faithfulness of your priests.  We pray for their intentions and their continued commitment to Your Church.  Please help us to support our priests through prayer.  Amen.




For more information about this please visit the following websites:


http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/columns/guests/georgesimjohnston/marriedpriests.asp

http://www.catholic.com/library/Celibacy_and_the_Priesthood.asp

Why do Catholics do that?

There are so many components to Catholicism that are misinterpreted due to lack of information. I thought I would take a few posts to break down some of the most common misconceptions and the Scriptural and Theological basis that will explain them. If you have any that you are wondering about please feel free to post your questions and I will do my best to answer them according to the Catholic faith.

Some of the most common questions:

1. Why can't priests get married?

2. Are Catholics really Christians?

3. Why does the Catholic Church have a devotion to Mary?

4. Why does the Catholic Church have a devotion to the saints?

5. Why can't women be priests?

6. Why not contraception?

7. Why not IVF?

8.  I'm not Catholic but why can't I receive during Communion?

It has been my experience that the more knowledgeable we are about our faith, the easier it is to evangelize when we get in those conversations that can sometimes stump us. As we prepare for Lent let us prepare our hearts for the call to conversion in our own lives and to be a catalyst for conversion in others.

Feast Day Coloring Pages

I just love this blog.  Waltzing Matilda provides beautifully drawn coloring pages for your child.  Today being the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, I printed out a coloring sheet found here.  Check out Waltzing Matilda and have a blessed Feast day!

NOW president speaks about Tebow commerical

Really?  Really???!!

In regard to the recent Tebow ad from Focus on the Family:

That was too much for NOW president Terry O'Neill, who told the Los Angeles Times the ad glorified violence against women: "I am blown away at the celebration of the violence against women in it. That's what comes across to me even more strongly than the anti-abortion message. I myself am a survivor of domestic violence, and I don't find it charming. I think CBS should be ashamed of itself." (my emphasis added in bold)

I am in absolute shock that the President of the NOW, the National Organization Against Women, has issued a statement exclaiming that the Tebow ad promotes domestic violence.  

The commercial is awesome.  It is not in your face pro-life... it is a true celebration of life.  It is a beautiful example of trusting in the Lord and letting God do His work.  And the result?  Tim Tebow, Heisman Trophy Winner. 

NOW states that they promote equality for women.  If you know me, you know that I LOVE women's rights.  I love equality and a basic understanding that all men and women are created equal.  O'Neill, you have just made a statement that actually challenges the credibility of your organziation.  To make such an off the wall statement about this commerical is like reaching for straws.  That is the only thing you  can think to ctiticize?  Because we know it's not the message of the actual commerical that could be argued against.  Because the commerical is thoughtfully crafted so to speak to all people whether prolife or proabortion about the beauty of life.  It definitely isn't to criticize Focus on the Family for being overly critical of proabortionist because that message does not exist.

No, the only thing that could be criticized is the non-existent domestic violence message.  Yep, I am sure that's what Focus on the Family overlooked when they created a commerical to support life.  Please. 

I have to remember to pray for Ms. O'Neill and the entire NOW organization.  And I also need to pray in thanksgiving that such an amazing message was able to reach so many viewers during the Superbowl.  How amazing that a man (Tebow) in such a high position is able to use that 'power' to glorify God.  Amen!

And for your viewing pleasure I have also included a picture of Tim Tebow and his beautiful mother. 

If you haven't see the Tebow commerical yet check it out here.


Life News writes about the commerical here.

Prayers tomorrow at 9am

Hello everyone- Thanks again for all your prayers.  Tomorrow morning at 9am est my mom is getting an MRI done to look into the mass on her pancreas.  Please pray that this mass is benign.  We are well aware of the severity of pancreatic cancer and I am praying so hard that this is not something that she has.  Please know that I am so grateful for your support.  Thank you!!!

Three year olds and Mass

I took Liv to noon Mass the other day.  Everything went pretty well.  The church is really old and beautiful and of course with that comes amazing acoustics.  It feels like every noise, sound and creak she makes is amplified by 1000.  I mean it's hard enough taking a 3 year old to church when the place is full (like on Sundays) but during the week, daily Mass can be a little stressful.

Now I have to say, she did really well.  For the most part I can get her to sit and kneel.  She will play with her baby doll or sit in my lap.  But truth be told she is three and she squirms. I am working on it.  But let me tell you what doesn't help.  It does not help when there is a lady a few rows in front of you who seems highly annoyed by our presence.  Liv did have a little coat issue, 'Mom take off my coat.' 'Hold on Liv'.  'Moomm, my coat.'  It was at this point that the woman thought it would help the situation by turning around and giving us a look like Liv had just did a flip in the pews.  I couldn't believe it.  Then I realized that not everyone is blessed with the love and patience a mother must have with her three year old.  And I prayed that I could just 'let it go' and God is faithful.  It only got worse when Communion came and the lady moved a few more pews away.  I mean, moved her coat and everything.  

But don't think we won't be back to daily Mass because we will.  And don't think that this is the last of my three year old making noise.  It's bound to happen again. 

Lesson learned:  Sit toward the back?  No, take Liv's coat off right away! :)