Jay Leno and support of abortion

Please contact Jeff Zucker, NBC Chief Executive, and ask him why his star, Jay Leno, is raising money for an organization that attacks pregnancy care centers.

Ask NBC, What Does Jay Leno Have Against Pregnant Women?April 13, 2009

As the king of late night comedy, Jay Leno has few living peers. He is watched and beloved by millions of American viewers, which makes it difficult to understand his support for an organization that seeks to shut down facilities that have as their sole purpose to give a home and guidance to young ladies who find themselves pregnant with nowhere else to go.

On April 29th Jay Leno and his wife are hosting a fundraiser for the Feminist Majority Foundation, a radical pro-abortion group that not only advocates for abortion on demand, but also for the closing of pro-life pregnancy centers.

This month the Feminist Majority Foundation sent an e-mail to its 400 campus affiliates planning a nationwide protest against facilities that dare to offer women alternatives to abortion and the support they need to choose life.

Please let NBC know that is unacceptable and that you will not watch any show that stars Jay Leno until he apologizes to the hundreds of thousands of people who have been helped by pregnancy care centers and the hundreds of thousands of people who staff those centers.


Follow the link here to express your concern. It only takes a second.

My Cheeks are still buring

I spoke to my good friend over at Thriftyandchicmom.com and she had been spammed with a naked picture.... She was so distraught after receiving an email from an irate reader regarding the ad..... Imagine my surprise when I found one on my site! AWFUL!!!

Please accept my apologies if you did have to see the picture. Please know that Modern Catholic Mom did NOT put that there!!!

If you ever see anything like that again please let me know!! Thanks.

Divine Mercy Chaplet

Did you know that every time you pray the Chaplet and with an intention of "for an end to the culture of death", you receive an Apostolic Blessing. The Pope established this on March 25, 2003.


EWTN provides an awesome link on how to pray the Chaplet.

E & E- Easter and Evangelization

I had to share my experience this Easter at Franciscan University of Steubenville this past weekend.

I attended the vigil Mass on Saturday with my three year old. Just to give you an idea, it begins at 8:45p but doors open at 7:30p. Seriously, 7:30p. So this is about a four to five hour event that draws a thousand people or so. It was amazing. There is something so moving, so spectacular about being a part of a Catholic community that is truly celebrating the Risen Lord.

Everyone is at Mass because they WANT to be there. They sing because they WANT to sing. Pray because they WANT to pray. They are CELEBRATING, REJOICING! They really know and believe that our Lord has died for our sins and has risen.

So as I was sitting at Mass I was thinking about why all parishes don't react with this excitement and with the knowledge of what is truly happening. During Mass at home you can hardly get the congregation to sing, prayers are mumbled if they are said at all and there is an overall feeling of boredom exuding from people. Why is this? How do we inspire our friends, family and coworkers? How can share a fire for Christ to our fellow Catholics who light has dimmed? We talk about evangelization of those who do not know Christ but for some reason I feel like we overlook our very own Catholic brothers and sisters who need to be touched.

Our Catholic faith is so beautiful and inspiring. We are a community of people that must turn to one another and share the Good News. I am always amazed by friends who say, 'Wow- you are the first Catholic I have ever met that really loves Christ.' WHAT?! I am?!! At first it stunned me and then it just convicted me to open my eyes to Catholics who need to be brought back to the church.

By example of Mother Teresa and St. Francis of Assisi, I pray that we may all be touched by holy boldness and a renewal of love for our Father in Heaven!

Wee Believers Contest

Wee Believers is hosting a contest. Check it out here.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter! May you be filled with the Holy Spirit as we rejoice in the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior!

Good Friday

I was reading in my Magnificat about Judas and Peter's denial of Christ. Of course there is a major difference between Judas' decision to deny and Peter's decision to deny. Judas denied Christ without love in his heart. He did so knowing that the outcome would result in Christ's death. Judas committed the act of denial and then remained cold with no remorse. He knew that he was severing and opportunity to be in communion with the Father and would spend eternity separated from God. Peter on the other hand immediately repented and felt terrible for what he had done. He knew instantly that his decision to deny Christ would hurt his God and effect their relationship. He had no intention of wanting to be separated from God but reacted out of fear and human weakness.

I think the offense that Peter made is something I can relate to. Fear and human weakness? Check. I use to wonder how a person could openly deny Christ. Christ is walking next to you and you are still unable to support Him. He is about to be beaten and killed and still you deny. But as I have grown older I have been able to identify the many, many ways that I deny Christ in my daily life as He walks next to me.

There have been many a time that I have denied Christ through keeping silent about an issue. Or being hurtful to my neighbor (not my real neighbor of course, but you know what I mean). Or choosing to watch mindless television and then being too tired to get my rosary in. The good news is even though Peter denied he reacted with true remorse in his heart. He repented and made his path straight. And can you imagine the feelings of guilt Peter must have felt right after? He automatically knew what he had done and it was overwhelming. Not to mention Christ was being sent to His death. I feel sad for Peter at that time. Maybe it's because I can relate to his feelings of fear and the realization that human weakness has trumped my ability to be strong for the Lord. And maybe its because I can relate to the love he had for his friend and mentor.

And in turn Christ made him the rock on which the church was built. Can you imagine?

Christ calls Peter out before the denial by telling him that he is going to openly state that he is not a friend of Jesus.

Peter says, 'No way! Not me Lord!'

Then Peter denies just as predicted.

Christ forgives him.

And then allows him to lead the Church as the first Pope.

How incredible is our God???

It definitely gives me hope. I am filled with human weakness. I am sinful. And today Christ dies upon the Cross for my weakness, my sin. Today is the day that I look at my denial of Christ and ask him to make me anew..... and now we wait for the Son to rise again.

May this Good Friday be a time of reflection and renewal in your life. Christ's peace.

Divine Mercy

The Catholic Company has provided a great question and answer about the Divine Mercy.

You can find it here.

The article provides all the information you need to understand Divine Mercy and learn how to pray it.

Great Giveaways!

Musty booster seat

Pikkolo Baby Carrier

Check out some great giveaways at Thrifty and Chic Mom!

Wee Believers 'My Mass Kit' Review

I had the wonderful opportunity to review My Mass Kit created by Wee Believers .

From Wee Believers:

“Wee Believers is a new company dedicated to the establishment of a high-quality, attractive, Catholic educational toy line. Our mission is to increase a child’s knowledge of Faith and love for God.

We have three daughters and have looked for great products for them for years, especially toys that are faith related. Much of what we have found are low-quality, plastic toys that offer no spiritual value to our family. Of course, there are many contributing factors for this in a world driven by consumerism, secularization and the depersonalization of society.

So, what can we do? Well, we decided to create the products that we could cherish and appreciate with our children. We hope that you will find them meaningful for your children, in your homes and classrooms, or as gifts for your godchildren and grandchildren.”

Review:

Love it! What an awesome idea!

My Mass Kit comes complete with twelve plush, cleanable pieces and a detailed instructional booklet contained in a durable, canvas case. Crucifix, Chalice, Thurible, Finger Bowl, 2 Cruets, 2 Candles, Paten (cotton/polyester blend), Corporal & Purificator (cotton cloth), and play Hosts (foam). All other pieces are cotton/polyester blend, carrying case is nylon. Made from all new materials.

My three year old immediately made the association to Mass and was so excited about it. Although she called the hosts ‘mints’ it was pretty amazing to listen to her talk about the Mass from her three year old perspective. And it gave me the opportunity to correct any three-year old misconceptions! We talked about the different parts of the Mass and used a visual and tactile reference to explain them in more detail. She was able to touch the pieces used for Mass and immediately you could see her little mind just taking it all in.

All the items come in a carrying case. The carrying case and the pieces are all soft, colorful and durable. Little kid wear and tear has nothing on these toys! My Mass Kit is great for boys or girls. Little guys can play with the pieces so to emulate a priest. (AWESOME! I know this product will contribute to more young men becoming priests! Let's pray!) Little girls will love being able to get their hands on toys that are similar to the items we see at Mass. Either way children will benefit from the opportunity to see and learn about what occurs during Mass.

Think about it: I love the idea that there is a toy that gives children a look at what is going on during the most important hour during the week- Mass. (Or hours if you go daily!)

As a parent it is very important to me for my child to be exposed to all types of learning experiences. I take her to the zoo to learn about animals, to the museum to learn about science, we do puzzles, read books and art projects. But ultimately there is no greater education than that of our Catholic faith. The most important aspect, the Holy Eucharist, is truly a mystery and a beautiful one at that! Providing a child with 'pieces' of the Mass helps to reinforce love of the Eucharist, of our holy Mother Church and brings a comfort level to attending Mass.

I was surprised to see my child’s excitement when first opening My Mass kit. I wasn't sure she would know what it was or what to do with it. She immediately knew what this kit related to. She fingered the contents and wanted to know what each piece was. I think her excitement stemmed from connection her experience as Mass to these toys. Furthermore I think she loved being ‘a part’ of the Church. And in a way, that’s what this kit ultimately does, it allows the child to be a part of the Most Holy Mass in a very personal way.

I completely recommend this Mass kit to all parents wanting to familiarize their child with Mass. It is an ingenious idea, you know the ones you always end up saying ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’. The makers have obviously worked very hard on creating a kit that is child safe and friendly as well as a great representation of a Catholic service. Price should be taken into consideration but truly it is a fantastic product that serves both educationally AND spiritually. How can you beat that? I am looking forward to the products Wee Believers will create in the future. I am confidant they well be excellent resources for sharing the faith with our children!

Christian Family Organizer Giveaway Winners!

Good news! Everyone who posted for the Christian Family Organizer Wins!

If you posted please send me your address via email and I will get those out to you!

Thanks for reading Modern Catholic Mom!

le Monde

Le Monde is the largest newspaper in France. As you may have heard, Le Monde published a blasphemous cartoon on March 19 showing 'Our Lord' handing out prophylactics to the excited masses with the caption "The multiplication of the condoms followed the multiplication of the loaves."The cartoon targeted the Pope too. He was depicted as a decrepit old man who says: "Anything goes!"

Many offended Catholics have sent a note to Le Monde expressing their protest. Below is the email address and example note you may send.

Send it to courrier-des-lecteurs@lemonde.fr:

Le Monde: As a Catholic, I was dismayed and offended by your newspaper publishing a sacrilegious cartoon showing Our Lord Jesus Christ handing out prophylactics from a boat to the excited masses. The cartoon depicts Christ and the Pope saying things that are sacrilegious. This is offensive and hurtful to the Catholic faith. In response, I demand that you apologize for the cartoon and pledge never to publish such offensive material again. Thank you for your time.

Fallen Away

I was talking to a really nice lady at a playgroup recently. I assumed she was a Protestant until we got to talking and she shared she was a Catholic. I always get an excited feeling of kinship when someone shares that they are Catholic. But, she also shared that she is a non practicing Catholic.... but as our conversation continued I was struck by her 'relationship' with Catholicism in general. She spoke of her affection to saints and how she gave her St. Christopher medal to a friends high school newly driving son. She said her boyfriend had fallen ill, been given a rosary while in the hospital and how he wore it around his neck. She laughed and shared that he made him take the rosary off and told him what it was for. When admitted to the hospital the boyfriend shared that his religion was Catholic and she said,' Catholic? You aren't Catholic!' When he replied that his mother had been Catholic she exclaimed 'Being Catholic isn't like being Irish! You have to work to be Catholic!'

The conversation really moved me. I invited her to the church we attend downtown and tried to share my love for the Eucharist. It was at this point that she shared how her daughter was asking about receiving her First Communion. She said that she told her daughter that receiving First Communion required learning and time... that it was a huge commitment.

It stopped me. Her child was asking to receive her Holy Communion. Her daughter was asking about the Son of God! Granted it is enticing thinking about a white dress and possible party of course but overall the child was asking to be united with God in a way no other earthly experience can provide.

How beautiful! How fascinating! Yet still there remains a huge element of sad..... Because I don't think that the mom had any intention of letting her daughter receive this beautiful mystery. It made me think about that huge population of men and women who are Catholic and not practicing. And the effects they have on their children. How do you reach them? How do you evangelize to those who have already been catechized? How do you break through the reasons why they 'left' the church in the first place? Through the power of the Holy Spirit and our ability to open our hearts to holy boldness maybe we can be instruments in the conversion of those who have 'fallen' away.

Lord, please bless those that have fallen away. Open their hearts to your love once again. Please use us however You desire so that we can be instruments of conversion for your loved ones who have forgotten the way.

Romans 10:17

Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.

Philippians 2:9-11

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

How do you promote Catholicism to your children?

I have been meaning to mesh the whole 'mom' and 'catholic' lately.

I was thinking about the things that I do to bring Catholicism into my little three year olds life.

Then I was thinking about how most of my ideas all came from my friends. Ha! My thoughts were that maybe we could all share the things we do in our homes to promote Catholicism.

For example:

I just bought 'The Big Book of Catholic Customs and Traditions'. (Review to come soon!) This book provides different activities for teachers or moms to do with their kiddos.

We do a Rosary playgroup on Fridays. My little one gets to have a playdate and I get to pray the rosary with my girlfriends. The kids definitely get loud during the rosary but I am sure Mother Mary is smiling down on us.

Holy Baby DVD's! Love them! (Another Holy Baby DVD giveaway to come soon!) They are Catholic DVD's that provide music, mass parts and so much more for your child.

What do you do? Post below and I can put together a comprehensive list for a new post entitled ' Keeping the Catholic in Kid!'

Woman's World and Repro-what?

I very innocently sat down with the magazine 'Woman's World' this weekend. All was well until I came to an article entitled 'Would You Like Fries With That Baby?'

It's funny because I 'get' the title now but when I first read it I wasn't sure if it was about losing weight after pregnancy! Oh how wrong I was.

In summary this article is about REPROGENETICS. New word for you? Me too. Basically it is a cross between reproductive technology (think IVF) and genetics and allowing a parent to choose or eliminate traits including things like gender or disease before the child is even conceived.

You can also test children when they are infants. The example they so innocently provide explains that a dad could test and see if his son is going to be a great football star. If genetics show that he does have an inclination toward athleticism than you know you do not have to waste time with music lessons. You can also use the information to foster the child's talent from a young age.

Overall the writer of the article is not very supportive of this break through in medicine because she believes a parent should let a child come into their own. She spoke about her own son who was athletically inclined but truly preferred music as his outlet. The article was not necessarily for this 'new wave' because they didn't want to crush a child's sense of creativity! WHAT?!!

Of course I am reading it and thinking OH MY GOSH! I guess I knew that these types of genetic findings would surface during my lifetime but I still am not prepared for this!

If parents are able to choose certain traits we are in a lot of trouble. Besides the obvious problem of playing God there becomes the issues of control. Hitler tried to choose the traits he wanted in society and it resulted in the Holocaust. China is attempting to choose gender traits by mandating a two child policy and killing baby girls. (This absolutely kills me that it is happening in this day and age and still I sit on my couch and can virtually do nothing.)

More than anything it directly affects the dignity of the human person. God knew us before we were formed in the womb. He plans it all out, our beauty inside and out, our talents, our motivations and science wants to eliminate those traits that it does not deem worthy. Or maybe traits that it just doesn't like. Science wants to try and trump what God has planned. How scary and sad! Please join with me in prayer to end reprogenetic research.