"Suicide: The Ripple Effect" Documentary Screening, May 31, 2018, 7:30p, Marlborough, MA

I continue to take on projects to help raise awareness of the insidious nature of suicide, 

and to help develop life affirming options for people to deal with such unbearable pain. 

A new documentary film, "Suicide: The Ripple Effect," contributes to this.

I am hosting a screening for the film on Thursday, May 31, 2018, 7:30pm at the 

Solomon Pond Mall Regal Cinemas in Marlborough, MA. I hope you can make it! 

50 tickets need to be reserved by 2pm, Monday, May 21, 2018, for the event to take 
place.

Please go to https://gathr.us/s/23304 to reserve your ticket(s).

If you have questions, contact me, and feel free to forward this to others.

Kathleen Laplante

klaplante2@yahoo.com 

Help bring "Suicide: The Ripple Effect" to Marlborough, MA on Thursday, May 31!  Reserve your tickets today.

BACKGROUND: In 2015, I finished writing and publishing a book about my father's suicide and the resulting clustering in my family tree. The title is "Unraveling My Father's Suicide" (FB Page  and  website). 

8 Things Every Catholic Should Be Doing Every Day - #5, Talk About [and to] God

                 

 5. Talk about God [and to God]
I'm not sure why we lose our childhood wisdom and innocence, but we can get it back. Do you remember having an imaginary friend? Talking to her, feeding her, playing games with her, and including her in everything. That's what #5 is about, except that the friend is not imaginary in this case. The friend is real and omnipotent. Talk to Him, offer Him a sacrifice, play games with Him, feed Him "dinner," tell Him your woes, thank Him for bringing you into this world, ask Him to care for your children, mention Him in a conversation with another adult or a child -- all day long. It is the most important relationship we will have, so we must find ways to nurture and rely upon it.

God is a personal God. Imagine if we all tapped into this wonderful resource. +

       
         



images - http://www.biblechurch.org/chbc/images/sermons/TalkToGod.jpg
- https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b8/22/df/b822dfcb98e1370ed12380dc8e3f49dd.jpg 
- http://www.lovethispic.com/uploaded_images/68732-Talk-To-God-Though-Short-Little-Prayers.jpg
- http://www.christianitycove.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/TalkAboutGod_thumb1.jpg
- http://www.godtalkstoyou.com/images/God%20Wants%20To%20Talk%20To%20You.jpg
- http://tuneinnmusic.com/images/Acm-You%20can%20talk%20to%20God.png
- http://www.biblequotebook.com/go/images/if-you-are-afraid-talk-to-god-47.png

New Book Review on Amazon (Unraveling My Father's Suicide)

Click here for Amazon listing.

Overall Rating: "5.0 out of 5 stars.

Honesty and candor about understanding suicide.

ByVeronique on January 8, 2016

"This is a difficult subject to talk about. Many people have pre-prejudicial thoughts toward people who have tried to commit suicide or had family members who have taken their own life. That is so unfair as one cannot possibly understand the frame of mind a person must be in to think about suicide unless you been there yourself. Kathleen's book is courageous in opening her life to help people understand about her father's suicide and her own attempt. Read it with an open mind. This author also writes with hope for those struggling and how faith plays an integral part of the healing process. There is a tremendous amount of nourishment in her words for anyone who battles with suicide ideation or has lost a friend or family member. Thank you Kathleen for your powerful written account." - http://www.amazon.com/Unraveling-Fathers-Suicide-Kathleen-Laplante/dp/0692409882/ - w/correction

Beautiful Womanhood

My older son is coming home to visit soon and my mind stepped back in time to when the Empty Nest Syndrome was ruling my roost. I was reminded of when he & his younger brother were steadily in college and not at home. My heart ached - and was elated for them as well. At different times, I experienced different layers of all that is associated with children flying the coop. This time, I reflected back to when I was pregnant. I reflected on the fact that I cannot be and never will be pregnant again. I have gone through menopause, and as many positive things there are about this phase of my life, I rue about what at times feels like a loss of my femininity. No more menstrual cycles, no more pregnancies, no more babies to rear, no more soccer games to attend.  

Many women embrace and are glad about those facts. I, however, still yearn for another child. I want to be vibrantly pregnant again. I want the chance to be less neurotic. In between, I want my menstrual cycle, not only because it signifies that I could get pregnant (God willing), but because it was integral to my womanhood. It provided a cadence to my female life. Without it, I have at times been at a loss about who I am. Of course, the loss has diminished with time, and with prayer and Jesus and the Catholic faith, I have been blessed with the opportunity to expand my development of the word womanhood into later stages of life. 

Given the fact that I was repulsed by and even afraid of my womanhood for so long in my younger years (see my conversion story), this is a miracle of sorts. I love being female. I love being a woman. I love men being men. I love that I can let men be men, unlike my pre-Catholic-conversion when I was angry and usually felt that women got short changed.

Perhaps if my marriage did not end up in divorce, and perhaps if my husband and I had ten+ children, my yearning to have more would have less pull on me. But maybe not. 

My mind will now step back into today where I can appreciate the depth and beauty of God's gift of reminiscing. He truly is amazing.

In JMJ+,

Kathleen

image - http://beautifulwomanhood.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/BW_logo.png

The Pharisees Exist Among Us

I asked a friend of mine recently for a ride to the bus stop, where I was going to catch a bus to see my son.  His reply was basically no.  His reason?  He had to attend his Bible study.  Now I know we are not supposed to judge others, but I can't help myself in this case.  I know him.  He goes to his Bible study group every week, and has gone every week for at least a couple years.

I can't help but think that this person is being like the Pharisees, who couldn't see the forest for the trees. They challenged Jesus because His disciples took, cleaned and ate some grain from a field they walked through on a Sabbath. They were quite hungry and were taking it for food, not for harvest. The Pharisees, however, claimed that Jesus allowed His disciples to work on the Sabbath.

Jesus and the Pharisees

Jesus reminded them that there are exceptions to laws.  In this case, when a person needs something very much, God's love is more important than His law.  The Pharisees were hyper-focused on the "rule" or the "law", such that they didn't see the bigger picture, which in this case is charity to a fellow Christian. 

In my example, my friend could not extend himself by missing his Bible study to bring me to the bus stop.  I may be off in my judgment of him, but even so, my idea is still valid.  We all know many Catholics who can not see the forest for the trees.  They are the Pharisees among us today.  I know, because, at times, I am one of them.

"Oh, Dear Jesus, please give me the grace to see clearly,

so that I may imitate You more closely."

image - http://www.stmaryswestmelbourne.org/homilies/95-twenty-second-sunday-in-ordinary-time-b.html

Stop Banging Your Head Against The Wall

For those of you who may be banging your head against the wall, trying to get a non-believer to believe, you might consider this quote from St. Thomas Aquinas: 

"To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible."

If you continue to force the issue with the non-believer, because they might just convert if you say it "this way", or if you cover a different topic, then it is time to look within.  It is probably about your pride, rather than their readiness to hear the Gospel.  So kick back and put your faith in God. 

There are other ways to be a witness to Christ, and who knows, over time, that non-believer with who you are forcing the issue, may come back around and ask you a question about the Faith some time later.

Kathleen


Then again, you might enjoy banging your head against the wall.

If so, then go for it.  :-)  lol



images - http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Faith-in-God-Posters_i4305732_.htm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phudspith/4540219071/

Separating The Sin From The Sinner - Part 2

Yes, God loves gay people, He certainly does, but He does not like their immoral sexual behavior, just as He does not like the immoral sexual behavior of men and women living together without being married, or the immoral sexual behavior of spouses who cheat on their wives.

He loves the gay person, He loves the cohabitators, and He loves the adulterers, but He does not like their illicit behavior.

For those who don't believe in God, this topic can be considered from the angle of natural law instead.  Here is a series of recent articles that may be helpful.  What Does it Mean to be a 'Political Animal'?, Moral Absolutes and the Humpty Dumpty Fallacy, and Who’s Afraid of Metaphysics? by Matthew O'Brien and Robert C. Koons.
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Every now and then, I hear statements about Catholics discriminating against homosexuals.  When that happens, I take the opportunity to clarify things.  This is what I wrote recently:

"...you mentioned to 'discriminate against homosexuals in the confines of your religion is your right.'  If you meant to use the word discriminate, pejoratively, you have it wrong, from the perspective of the religion anyhow. Catholicism does not discriminate against homosexuals. Catholicism believes homosexual behavior is immoral, and therefore, does not condone the behavior. The persons are welcome, just like anyone else. The behavior is not, just like any other behavior that is considered immoral in the religion's eyes, e.g. lying, stealing, gossiping, adultery, etc. All people are welcome, all sins are not. Some behaviors are considered venial sins; some are considered grave. All can be reconciled with confession and true contrition. I will say, though, that Catholic individuals themselves are human, and do discriminate against homosexuals perjoratively, that's for sure, but again, it's a love the sinner, hate the sin kind of thing. All sinners are welcome. Thank God there is the Sacrament of Reconciliation, i.e. Confession, to help people try to get back on track."

Like all other humans, Catholics err when it comes to this, but I doubt it is any more than teachers in public schools, athletic coaches, parents, prisoners, etc.  The bottom line is that we try to get back on track when we sin in this area, and in every other area, at least those who seek spiritual direction or go to Confession regularly.

It is unfortunate that people misinterpret applying consequences for immoral behavior as discrimination against a person.  If that were the case, all parents would be guilty of discriminating against their children, since they must point out and not allow their immoral/bad behavior. 

Separate the sin from the sinner.  Hate the sin, love the sinner.  These are the proper attitudes and behaviors for not only Catholics, but for everyone.  As mentioned in Part 1, how to live these concepts out is not always easy, but we must start with it as our intention, and hold steadfast to love.

Some gay people believe it too, as they realize heterosexuals are human and deserving of love, despite any errors on their part. >>>


Kathleen




image - http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/does-god-really-hate-gay-ppl/question-118395/?link=ibaf&imgurl=http://avoicenoecho.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/god_loves_gay_people.jpg&q=love%2Bhomosexual%2Bhate
http://toppun.com/Specials/GAY-PRIDE-BUTTON-SPECIAL-Love-the-Heterosexual-Hate-the-Sin.html.

Bishops Failing To Pastor Their Flocks

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Unlike Bishop Olmstead who assertively pastors his flock in Arizona, the bishops in the dioceses mentioned in the article below are lapsing in their responsibility. 

Catholic or Consequences: Feds increasingly tell Catholic Entities to Be Authentically Catholic or Lose Religious Exemptions

What to make of this? God will bring down the faux Catholic institutions one way or another..


image - http://www.garyharbo.com/He%20Gave%20Us%20His%20Word/He%20Gave%20Us%20His%20Word%20Chapter11.htm
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Have A Problem?

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The shortest distance between

a problem and its solution,

is the distance between

your knees and the floor. 

- Source unknown

image - http://sites.securepaynet.net/redirect_3.html
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Atheism And Agnosticism - WWJD?

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Did you ever get the feeling you are being watched?  It can be creepy, but most of the time it just is what it is. 

That is, being watched is an every day reality.  That is because we are accountable to someone most of the time throughout all stages of life, be it our parents, our siblings, our aunts or uncles, our teachers, our husbands or wives, our boss or our very own children. 

It can be a creepy thing, like the picture to the left, but in general, I think it is a good thing.  I think we want to do good by those who watch us, and I think the roles each of us plays is a positive catalyst for right action and right speech.  It makes us a little more conscientious when we do something or say something.

A natural extension of this would be with God, with a God, or with some gods, in that we would be accountable to Someone beyond mankind for our overarching journey of life from conception to natural death (hopefully).  At least that is my thinking, and the thinking of many, many other people in our world.

Atheists and agnostics, however, can't wrap their brains around that concept, just like I can't wrap my brain around their concepts: 1) God does not exist, or 2) the existence or non-existence of a God is unknowable.  So where do we go from here?  Let's ask Jesus.

[Jesus] said to them, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15) [emphasis mine]

Jesus says go and preach the Gospel.  He did not give any qualifiers.  He simply said go and preach.  It doesn't matter if the people believe in God or not.  Go preach.  That's WWJD.

Jesus never said preaching would be simple.  On the contrary, He said it would be hard.  Take a look: 

1) Then he said to all, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?  
Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. (Luke 9:23-26)

2) As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."
Jesus answered him, "Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head."
And to another he said, "Follow me." But he replied, "(Lord,) let me go first and bury my father."
But he answered him, "Let the dead bury their dead. 28 But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
And another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home."
(To him) Jesus said, "No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:57-62)

3) Great crowds were traveling with him, and he turned and addressed them,
"If any one comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26-27)

4) In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:33)

Based on my own experience, and the advice of many sage saints, I think the only thing to do, when you don't know what to do, like I don't with atheists and agnostics, is to preach the Gospel by living the Gospel and by praying for the conversion of all souls. "Preach the Gospel and if necessary, use words," kind of thing. So even when we think it is impossible to communicate with atheists and agnostics, we can still do so with our actions.  We would still be doing right by Jesus.

Happy St. Teresa of Avila Feast Day!



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images - http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/01/18/fight-piracy-by-being-a-snitch/
http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=208

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Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Delays Death Penalty Execution

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Click here to read the article

Let's hope there is another delay and the sodium thiopental expires.  And then let's hope there is another delay after that, so we don't try to play God once again.

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image - http://www.talkleft.com/story/2007/9/25/115627/522
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So Help Me God

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Here she is folks, Elena Kagan, the new Supreme Court Justice, 

swearing in on a Bible and ending her judicial oath with "so help me God." 

I have mixed feelings about the use of the Bible and the reference to God.  I like that they

are still included and made visible to the public.  People need to be reminded of

their existence.  On the other hand, I dislike the hypocrisy of it all.  I mean,

do they really call upon God for guidance in making their decisions?

Ok, ok, lest I be too cynical, I am sure there are some individuals
who do ask God for guidance.  As a group?  I doubt it.

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image - http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-naw-kagan-20100808,0,6612295.story

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