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Note: This post is a modified version of an announcement compiled by Stephanie Sikes at suicidetherippleeffect.com Thank you Stephanie.
Showing posts with label missionwork. Show all posts
Showing posts with label missionwork. Show all posts
May 22, 2018
Screening of a New Documentary is Saving Lives "Suicide: The Ripple Effect"
Note: This post is a modified version of an announcement compiled by Stephanie Sikes at suicidetherippleeffect.com Thank you Stephanie.
April 13, 2016
Excerpts from "What I Didn't Know When I Stopped Having Sex"
My original post was on Facebook. Thank you, Tori, for your sharing.
"What I Didn't Know When I Stopped Having Sex"
"...No one told me that sleeping with that guy from the bar would leave me feeling more empty than I thought possible. No one told me that it would make me feel more unworthy and more alone. No one told me that with each one-night stand, my heart was building up walls that would keep everyone out. No one told me that allowing men access to my body would make it seemingly impossible to receive a hug, hear someone tell me that I ambeautiful, or let myself be loved."
"I stopped having sex and you have the freedom as well...."
"... despite what the world was telling me, I could stop having sex. I could save it for the proper context and I could regain the part of me that is so precious."
"The battle is to claim a new life in Christ and to shed away the masks of false identity."
"...I learned that while on His cross, the Lord saw all those lonely nights when I lay in bed wondering if this is as good as it gets. He bore the pain of my wounds and today allows me to live in the freedom which He has promised."
~ Tori Vissat, Shalom Tidings, Oct/Nov 2015
To read Tori's article in its entirety, go to to the full article here.
God Bless,
Kathleen +
image - http://madeinhisimage.org/whatididntknowwhenistoppedhavingsex-2/
February 26, 2012
Another Trip to St. Anne Shrine in Sturbridge (Fiskdale), MA
This week, I will be visiting St. Anne's Shrine in Sturbridge, MA again. I love going there for a mini-retreat. It is a little gem nestled on a hillside next to St. Patrick's Parish. I think they are actually in Fiskdale, MA.
St. Anne's has a Russian icon museum, which is precious and worth the visit. "Nearly all were icons that were in Russian homes and used in family devotions until the aggressively atheistic Soviet regime made possessing them dangerous and prejudicial to one's social advancement." - the web site
"About Saint Anne Shrine: St. Anne Shrine is a sacred place, dedicated to St. Anne, mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandmother of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Pilgrims and Visitors come to the Shrine seeking physical and spiritual healing, and in this peace-filled atmosphere they find hope, strength and comfort for themselves and their loved ones.
The natural beauty of the grounds, the Way of the Cross, the Lourdes Grotto, the Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs) and many other prayerful places provide an ideal setting for contemplation and meditation."
I will try to bring back pictures!
St. Anne's has a Russian icon museum, which is precious and worth the visit. "Nearly all were icons that were in Russian homes and used in family devotions until the aggressively atheistic Soviet regime made possessing them dangerous and prejudicial to one's social advancement." - the web site
"About Saint Anne Shrine: St. Anne Shrine is a sacred place, dedicated to St. Anne, mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandmother of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Pilgrims and Visitors come to the Shrine seeking physical and spiritual healing, and in this peace-filled atmosphere they find hope, strength and comfort for themselves and their loved ones.
The natural beauty of the grounds, the Way of the Cross, the Lourdes Grotto, the Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs) and many other prayerful places provide an ideal setting for contemplation and meditation."
I will try to bring back pictures!
October 21, 2011
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 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.
image - http://www.stmaryswestmelbourne.org/homilies/95-twenty-second-sunday-in-ordinary-time-b.html
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.
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| 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
September 20, 2011
Christian Attitude
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| Jesus Washing the Apostles' Feet |
Christian Attitude
The proper attitude of a follower of Jesus Christ is clearly written on every page of the New Testament: To be a servant to one another. As fallen human beings we have a desire for others to treat us with respect, honor, deference. Jesus taught us by His own sublime example, that this is wrong. He taught us that in His Kingdom the one who considers himself least is the greatest! As St. Basil the Great wrote: "Though He was in the bosom of His God and Father since before the beginning of time, He emptied Himself and took the form of a servant."
What is a servant? A servant is someone who is concerned about the needs of others rather than his on needs and who seeks not to receive respect but to give it to others. The paradox is that in this self-emptying (which we call metanoia) that we receive the highest possible honor: the Imitation of Christ our Savior!" - http://melkite.org/PRIMER.htm#Attitude
I have a hard time with this. I think most people do in our society. We can't seem to distinguish between being a servant and being a slave. Where is the line crossed? I don't know the answer, but I am pretty sure my mind tells me I am closer to the slave line more often than I really am. Hence, I could be of service to more people than I currently am, and hence, most of us probably could be of more service than we are.
To top it off, there are groups like the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I don't know if that is a proper use of the word. I am an editor, so I seek these things out. Slave usually connotes unwillful servitude. I know there is nothing unwillful about these Slaves; I have seen some of them in action. So I just don't get it. I'll keep searching though.
"Lord Jesus, show me the way."
image - http://therosarytrail.com/jesus-as-servant/
August 11, 2011
Have You Heard About The Upcoming 40 Days For Life?
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| A Previous 40 Days for Life Campaign |
The 40 Days for Life effort already has a record breaking number of participants for their next campaign, September 28 to November 6. There are still more people and locations to sign up for this peaceful fasting and prayer effort for an end to all abortion.
For a list of participating locations, click here
If you can't participate on-site with a group, consider fasting and praying privately at home. Our Lady will love you as much.
image - http://www.40daysforlife.com/location.cfm
August 04, 2011
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.
images - http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Faith-in-God-Posters_i4305732_.htm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phudspith/4540219071/
June 23, 2011
Mother Teresa's Anyway Poem
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
This poem was posted on the wall at Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta. It is based on Kent M. Keith's poem, The Paradoxical Commandments. It really resonated with me tonight.
image - http://www.carina.cc/2011/05/20/anyway-by-mother-teresa/
August 31, 2010
CLOSED: 99 Ways to Stop Abortion
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Introduction
Chapter 1: Sidewalk Counseling
Chapter 38: Adopt an Abortionist
Chapter 81: Violence: Why It Won't Work
Here is a review by the Publisher back in 2001.
In this now-famous book, probably the expert on Pro-Life activism shares his vast experience and practical know-how on preventing abortions, either directly or indirectly. He explains what works and what does not. Writing 2 and 3 page chapters and approaching the problem from scores of angles, he includes "Sidewalk Counseling," "TV & Radio Editorial Rebuttals," "Starting a Pregnancy Help Office," "Strategies for Closing Abortion Mills," "Getting Pro-Life Information into High Schools," and dozens of other ways - with, of course, prayer being the cornerstone of the whole work. The author also discusses "How to Stay Optimistic" and "Having Fun" in the struggle. Overall this is a tremendously positive and extremely valuable book to help other win Pro-Life victories as great as and even greater than Joe Scheidler himself has won! Practical and right to the point!! - http://www.amazon.com/Closed-99-Ways-Stop-Abortion/dp/0895554933
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May 25, 2010
The Rosary Army
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I will be doing just that with some friends of mine soon. We will be making all-twine knotted Rosaries and donating them to the Rosary Army. The "Army" gives them away free as part of their mission to evangelize the Faith. Any individual of any faith from anywhere in the world can obtain one.
The Rosary Army also does public speaking and they produce Catholic audio and video podcasts for educational purposes freely available on their website. I have not listened to them yet, but I hear that The Catholics Next Door and That Catholic Show are good. Check them out at http://www.rosaryarmy.com/ and http://gregandjennifer.com and http://thatcatholicshow.sqpn.com/
image - http://www.rosaryarmy.com/
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I will be doing just that with some friends of mine soon. We will be making all-twine knotted Rosaries and donating them to the Rosary Army. The "Army" gives them away free as part of their mission to evangelize the Faith. Any individual of any faith from anywhere in the world can obtain one.
The Rosary Army also does public speaking and they produce Catholic audio and video podcasts for educational purposes freely available on their website. I have not listened to them yet, but I hear that The Catholics Next Door and That Catholic Show are good. Check them out at http://www.rosaryarmy.com/ and http://gregandjennifer.com and http://thatcatholicshow.sqpn.com/
image - http://www.rosaryarmy.com/
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