tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41979507071467368182024-03-07T19:27:59.985-05:00Cause of Our JoyDedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Cause of Our Joy, and my three daughters, the cause of my joy.Leticiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170455690163831806noreply@blogger.comBlogger1522125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197950707146736818.post-45153836592325147722018-02-07T19:11:00.002-05:002018-02-07T19:11:31.146-05:00Fasting is Essential to the Christian Life: Review of "When You Fast"<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpP2uEneb4ieQk44S_Rp_Rp530MuxKsHfFhxQfRG0LZA10d6nuo2RC-eU4Z3gq288DDqMg4YXglzBiYwcj4Jtk7Lun977s-fcZJMLyAlUAfcw3Occ9uePypP8lt8beL5F7POj5HJC-oYA/s1600/8X5-WHEN_YOU_FAST-front-188x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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The Catholic Church requires fasting on only two days of the liturgical calendar: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fridays in Lent we are only required to abstain from meat. This is often waived when St Patrick's Day falls on a Friday, so we Irish Catholics needn't forgo our corned beef and cabbage dinner. </div>
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Its a sad fact that so much of our spiritual lives these days is focused on what we can get away with, doing the bare minimum to obey the Church's rules and squeak into Purgatory. We need to look at the spiritual life as a relationship with Christ who gave without measure, to the very shedding of His blood to conquer sin and give us eternal life. </div>
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Fasting is one of the essentials in the Christian life, particularly in Lent, a season of purification and penance. It is certainly unpopular, as evidenced by the Valentine's Day discussion, but that's because we underestimate fasting's importance and power. We focus on what we are giving up, in a world where instant gratification is the only trusted source of joy. We do not realize what we are missing by overlooking fasting as an essential part of the path to God. </div>
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Jesus understood fasting. After His Baptism in the Jordan, He fasted for forty days in the desert before beginning His public ministry. Jesus clearly expected His followers to do the same, saying, not <i><b>if</b> </i>but <i><b>when</b></i> you fast. </div>
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"Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full." Matt 6:16</blockquote>
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Andy LaVallee discovered the power of fasting after his reversion to his faith while on pilgrimage to Medjugorje, which he describes in detail in his book <i><a href="http://livethefast.org/product/hub-heart-book/">From the Hub to the Heart.</a></i> Since then, he has fasted on bread and water, twice a week, on Wednesdays and Fridays, he has also seen the amazing power of fasting in his personal life. </div>
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In <i>When You Fast</i>, LaVallee powerfully explains, using traditional Catholic teaching, Scriptures and personal testimony, that a relationship with Jesus contains the healing we are seeking and that fasting combined with prayer is the most powerful means of conversion for us and for the world.</div>
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Make this Lent a turning point in your spiritual life; be radically Biblical! </div>
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Pray, read Scriptures, give alms and fast. </div>
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Meet Jesus your Savior in a new and life changing way by reading <i><a href="http://livethefast.org/product/when-you-fast-by-andy-lavallee/">When You Fast</a></i>. and make fasting a voluntary not obligatory, part of your Lent. </div>
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Leticiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170455690163831806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197950707146736818.post-45493951353960062512017-09-21T01:27:00.002-04:002017-09-21T01:27:33.827-04:00Call me a TroublemakerI was raised by an Italian American attorney from New York City, so I am a fighter. That is, I can make a case. From my childhood when staying up for another hour meant giving Dad three good reasons to arguing that Mao's murderous purge of the Chinese people was an atrocity to my communist ninth grade teacher, I had to fight for my beliefs. <div>
Add forty years in the pro-life movement and you have me, two out of three daughters successfully launched from home education into a wonderful Catholic university. I thought my job was done, and I could rest on my laurels. I should have known better. God still has discussions yet to have. In love, the way we win over mothers heading for abortions at our pregnancy center. We have to win hearts while relentlessly insisting on God's truth. </div>
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This is not just an argumentative nature, its a mission. I made so many mistakes in my youth, after being misled by Catholic school teachers, I vowed to help change the Catholic culture to turn our confused faithful towards God's truth. After all, I had found my way back into the fold. As St Francis said, "I have been all things unholy, if God can work through me, He can work through anyone."</div>
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Imagine my dismay when I learned that my daughters' wonderful Catholic university just fired a professor who after 11 years was outed for mocking purity and the pro-life movement. </div>
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I was inclined to ignore it and move on, happy she was no longer there to corrupt young minds with her sneering at tradtional morality, but then I grew concenced that it took nearly a dozen years to realize that a woman who does not hide her disdain for Catholic morality on social media or in public appearances, was an anomaly in a passionattely Catholic university. </div>
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So I asked the administration and got the boilterplate, cut and past answer, they are giving all the angry parents. </div>
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Then I entered into the fray on facebook and faced an unexpected barrage of incensed academics who called me names (my favorite is pearl clutcher!)Woudl that I had pearls to clutch, I just hold on to my mom's Miraculous medal when things get rough as they did today!</div>
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The ugliness only spurred me on. I want to make the point over and over that Catholic education if it doesn't get us to heaven is worse than useless, it is dangerous. They are still calling me and those who agree with me names long into the night. </div>
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See the discussion<a href="https://www.facebook.com/mliccione/posts/10154955294538297?comment_id=10154955392113297&reply_comment_id=10154956220378297&notif_t=mentions_comment&notif_id=1505940561115673"> here. </a></div>
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Catholics founded the university system while monks copied Plato and Aritotle, so calling traditional Catholics afraid of discussing ideas we do not agree with is futile. I simply want it to be a fair fight. No name calling (I think I refrained from that, if not, please forgive me). No rank pulling, no I'm not a PhD but I did do 60 graduate credits and ended up teaching adjunct at a college for nine years. </div>
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So lets continue the discussion but first tell me why two of the world's most prominent academics, St John Paul II and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI were not afraid to defend Catholic morality and declare the Splendor of Truth. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">'They who, by a generous effort, make up their minds to obey, acquire great merit; for obedience by its sacrifices resembles martyrdom.'--St. Ignatius of Loyola~</span></div>
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Leticiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170455690163831806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197950707146736818.post-73626244562815013172017-08-02T12:20:00.000-04:002017-08-02T12:20:04.465-04:00"A World Without Down's Syndrome" is a must see!Don't miss Sally Phillips' extraordinary <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhmIeSxXcxE">documentary</a> on prenatal screening and abortion for Down syndrome called "A World Without Down's Syndrome"Leticiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170455690163831806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197950707146736818.post-30276536525289013522017-03-21T01:43:00.005-04:002017-03-21T01:43:58.180-04:00You Don't Have to Be a Superhero Just Because You Have Down Syndrome!<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygM8bTpw7PQJ9-i-8VNnjs9zRoLgYNruxrtkK2tOn14nebrffIYPYuvyAfIdiEvHSH96NXfX4MhZZdsE5B6cLkz-73R8yGeZlrdBlrZSJulVdt2JJgPTDZFYGweuSNStrjcnTd8jjhRk/s1600/IMG_1920+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygM8bTpw7PQJ9-i-8VNnjs9zRoLgYNruxrtkK2tOn14nebrffIYPYuvyAfIdiEvHSH96NXfX4MhZZdsE5B6cLkz-73R8yGeZlrdBlrZSJulVdt2JJgPTDZFYGweuSNStrjcnTd8jjhRk/s320/IMG_1920+%25281%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In today’s society we are all about acceptance of
diversity. We take great pains to show how well we accept others of different
races, religions, and sexual preferences. We do this by holding social events,
arts showcases, sporting events, and TV programs and even enforcing acceptance
by law. I appreciate the culture of acceptance and how, sometimes, that
acceptance extends to those of differing numbers of chromosomes. After birth of
course. I’ve dedicated my advocacy to it for the past decade. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Most parents who love our kids with enhanced
chromosomes, or Down syndrome, want to show the world how much they can
achieve. They can finish high school, enter college, hold a job, participate in
sports, open a business, design fashions, or become a model. It’s wonderful to
cheer such high achievers on, and if you follow me on social media, you will
enjoy their inspiring posts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yet, sometimes there is pain in constantly lauding the
achievements of those with Down syndrome who defy society’s low expectations of
them. Many of our kids do not break barriers, they are so busy struggling to
overcome the numerous physical, mental and emotional challenges they face, they
can just live day to day. We are sometimes afraid to share these challenges as
we fear that a mother expecting a child who has been diagnosed with Down
syndrome, will read our post and choose to abort her baby. So we buck up, and
cheer the others on, trying not to compare our child with the superstars on
Facebook. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Christina, my daughter, celebrated her 15<sup>th</sup>
birthday yesterday. In Latino culture, the quincinera, or 15 birthday is cause
for a huge celebration, akin to the Sweet 16. It begins in church, then a
reception like a wedding is held with the young lady in a pink ball gown,
treated like a princess. We didn’t do the quincinera for our older daughters,
but when my husband wanted to rent a room in a restaurant and invite over a
dozen family members for our youngest daughter with Down syndrome, I considered
it and then said, “No, for Christina, just having the entire family together at
her favorite meal, and singing her happy birthday is a party!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Christina lost much of her ability to speak when
autism complicated her Down syndrome at age 11. She struggles in social
situations, and has no friends outside our family. In public places like
restaurants, the noise and crowded conditions become a source of stress and she
reacts unpredictably. Once at an important dinner, she threw a fork over her
shoulder into the crowd. Another time she threw a full bottle of soda at an
unsuspecting diner (he responded with humor, “You missed me!”) but I was
mortified. Restaurants are no place for our family to relax and enjoy a meal!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Does the fact that sharing such stories emphasizes the
challenges of raising a daughter with Down syndrome hurt our efforts to lower
the tragic (75-90%) abortion rate of babies diagnosed with Down syndrome? In a
culture obsessed with success, and popularity, that is most likely the case, so
most times I don’t tell the entire story of raising Christina. Just the happy
parts. Her older sister came home from college for her birthday, and the light
in Christina’s eyes told us how happy she was to be reunited as a family for
her special day. Our family has a deeper appreciation of the gift we are to
each other, thanks to her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As people of life, we must rise above our culture of
death. We must teach society that life is not worth living because of what we
accomplish or how many likes our photos garner on social media. It’s about the intrinsic worth of a human
being, whether they can speak or not, make friends, finish school or even ride
a bike. We are valuable because we are gifts of a good God who promised me in
prayer when I had an inner voice tell me my unborn child had Down syndrome, “I
want you to accept this child as a gift from my hand.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=leticiavelasquez" type="text/javascript"></script><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Some of the most profound lessons in my life were
taught by a young lady whom the world overlooks. I am stronger, more accepting,
and have the ability to live in the
moment, thanks to Christina who seldom assembles an entire sentence, yet who
has loved her family with a fierce love, that can’t help spilling over into the
world, making it a bit less like The Apprentice, and a lot more like the
Kingdom of Heaven. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Leticiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170455690163831806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197950707146736818.post-31584819526900573202016-12-11T00:52:00.000-05:002016-12-11T00:52:26.355-05:00The Christmas Offering<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDT1rmRenUJkQLF2M2Rtliezl4VvhImE14vo43gXhjW54UYYOGr1BvHg_jUHT5bFdOZy_7m9Tt8YTIFcxGJDB8fVEeV-44Chr065j35iSVIt5B7j_XpHODXahEt_H50c2OVQroFnKYqw/s1600/Christmas+angel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDT1rmRenUJkQLF2M2Rtliezl4VvhImE14vo43gXhjW54UYYOGr1BvHg_jUHT5bFdOZy_7m9Tt8YTIFcxGJDB8fVEeV-44Chr065j35iSVIt5B7j_XpHODXahEt_H50c2OVQroFnKYqw/s320/Christmas+angel.jpg" width="320" /></a>"It was all a waste of time!" I said to myself in desperation. "Christina is isolating herself from the other girls, we waited all year for Camp, only to have her sideline herself, becoming obsessed with nachos when she could be making new friends!"<br />
I thought wistfully of Camp the previous year, when she and a group of girls left the bowling lane to work on a dance number in hat evening's talent show. I was so proud of my 13 year old daughter, to be relating to her peers like a normal teen. I took photos of her intently focusing as she learned the steps. Later at the talent show, Chrissy would suffer from stage fright and refuse to dance, but the fact that she had interacted so meaningfully with her peers was so significant, I didn't mind. <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=leticiavelasquez" type="text/javascript"></script><br />
<br />
Christina is no ordinary teenager. Born with Down syndrome, she was learning to speak slowly but surely in preschool and all her teachers had hope she'd be able to communicate. She was happy and popular in Kindergarten, making friends with her few words and every time I walked through the hall of her school, people I didn't know called her name and waved. We had great hopes for her future.<br />
<br />
It had all come to a crashing halt when we discovered an anomaly in her spine. We had to restrict her risk taking on the playground; no more "follow-the-leader" up and down the play scape. We might as well have put a gag over her mouth. Christina was devastated that her principal means of feeling included was no longer available. She began to act out in strange new ways, and her speech virtually disappeared. She was removed from the inclusive classroom and put into an autism program, where she was miserable, and soon she resisted going to school. I spent two years forcing her to go to school, a feat which often took nearly the entire day, when I finally decided to withdraw her in fifth grade to home educate her. The stress of being in a bad school placement had taken its toll, she suffered from psoriasis which further deteriorated into psoriatic arthritis. Eventually she was diagnosed with autism in addition to Down syndrome.<br />
At home she was able to receive intense therapy for sensory integration disorder which explained her strange, sensory seeking behaviors; lining up lego blocks, throwing her bottle of water, suddenly screaming at the top of her lungs at children to gain attention. We had a behaviorist help us develop a plan to minimize negative behaviors and help her accomplish successful events in the community such as a shopping trip. We took her for physical therapy to help her overcome her limitations due to arthritis and help ease the fight-or-flight reaction her body endured from her negative experiences. We tested her for food allergies and changed her diet accordingly. We were happy with this progress but she was still not able to relate to her peers, always alienating them by her odd behavior and lack of language. We tried over and over to integrate her into various groups with no success.<br />
It broke my heart.<br />
So the annual Christmas party at Camp Care, held at her physical therapy office, stood out in our minds as the one chance for Christina to make friends. Two moms with daughters with Down syndrome, Chrissy's age, greeted me at the bowling alley but, despite our efforts, our daughters didn't communicate this year. Chrissy kept leaving the group to play alone, and I was very discouraged.<br />
<br />
Later that evening, in the church basement, during the dinner to be followed by the talent show, Chrissy ran into the corner, overwhelmed by the strange place, refusing to interact with anyone. My husband had to take her out to her aunt's for awhile to calm her down. When she returned, she refused to eat, overturning her plate on the floor. In response to the stress my back went into spasms, and during the talent show, I was in so much pain I could barely turn to watch the show.<br />
The day had been an emotional roller coaster, my friend observed. I fought back tears.<br />
<br />
Then, the Director's wife invited people who wanted to "offer their talents as a gift to others" to come and perform in the talent show. Chrissy's therapist tried to coax her to join a dance performance to no avail. "This year, Camp is going to be a total failure," I thought miserably.<br />
<br />
The last performance was a virtuoso performance of "O Holy Night"by a gifted pianist. As the lights were dimmed and the Christmas lights twinkled, emphasizing the beauty of the Christmas carol. Suddenly, as if on cue, Christina stood and walked confidently to the stage. She began to dance. lifting her arms like a ballerina, twirling slowly while quietly singing to the music with an expression of tranquil joy. She was completely absorbed as she danced, offering her gift of self-expression to the audience.<br />
No more the lonely girl in the corner or the awkward teen who dumped her plate of food, Christina was the Christmas Angel, captivating her audience with poise and filling the auditorium with peace. Her father stood at her side, transfixed, and I felt tears of joy rolling down my cheeks.When she first reached the stage, I had wondered if we should stop her from stealing the pianist's moment, but soon I realized that her performance was also a gift to the audience.<br />
When she was done, she returned to her seat and the pianist, who is a music therapist. continued her dramatic rendition of "O Holy Night." This was perhaps the most dramatic accomplishment of her career, transforming an agitated young woman to a graceful ballerina who lit up the night with her inner radiance.<br />
<br />Leticiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170455690163831806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197950707146736818.post-62937688090003595342016-11-12T04:16:00.001-05:002016-11-12T04:30:39.699-05:00The World Turned Upside Down<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7K3pvYYlCHV_i6nDapRu1BPfIeGiUf_FUzM6Q2Zt-1QUpm6HsSHFNPoyQARoxL8ZnqagRfW1Phl7weptKdHne92MI7j187wTeJympnBocMzdgQlS7tvY1zQjEM-Afyy5kYQjPO8MyaKM/s1600/15036183_10209806469592448_334375595421748943_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7K3pvYYlCHV_i6nDapRu1BPfIeGiUf_FUzM6Q2Zt-1QUpm6HsSHFNPoyQARoxL8ZnqagRfW1Phl7weptKdHne92MI7j187wTeJympnBocMzdgQlS7tvY1zQjEM-Afyy5kYQjPO8MyaKM/s320/15036183_10209806469592448_334375595421748943_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>When the British forces surrendered to the rebels after the Revolutionary War, they took out their frustrations, not by rioting, but by instructing the fife and drum corps to play "The World Turned Upside Down". Never had any colony rebelled successfully from the Mother Country, and it was quite a blow to the powerful monarchy to be beaten by a rag tag army of farmers. So much so that the British successfully invaded the US in the war of 1812 and burned down the White House in a failed attempt to get us back.<br />
Thankfully President Madison's wife Dolly, saved the portrait of George Washington.<br />
<br />
History has a habit of repeating itself.<br />
<br />
The reason that imperious Hillary Clinton lost the election is exactly that, her attitude of privilege (she hasn't driven a car in 35 years and spent millions on crystal stemware for the State Department). She thought it was her turn to be president, and if you were not a deplorable or a redneck, you would understand that and get on board. After all, look at all the foreign dictators and terrorists who had already paid to play, betting on her future presidency. Surely the following groups would fall into line as they had for Obama; blacks. Latinos, college educated women, and union members.<br />
<br />
She couldn't have been more wrong. Her canvassers, according to the WSJ often ran into voters who intended to vote for Trump and inadvertently motivated them to get to the polls. White working class voters who turned out for her husband were sick and tired of Obama's political correctness and bullying of those with traditional moral values, like the Little Sisters of the Poor. They were desperate thanks to their factories leaving the US and poor economic growth and Trump's railing against the system which caused their misery was just what they needed to turn out in record numbers and vote.(Michael Moore accurately depicted their rage in Trumpland)<br />
The Dems thought they had it sewn up, and their relatives in the media and academia perpetuated the myth that the Queen must have her coronation. All the people in their liberal enclaves in New York, DC and Hollywood agreed and so did most of the pollsters.<br />
<br />
They never saw it coming.<br />
<br />
So, what happened to the people Hillary relied on? Trump convinced larger margins of blacks and Latinos to vote for him, Perhaps they finally grew cynical at the cyclical promises of Democrats who never really improve their lives. She lost union members like police, hurt by Black Lives Matter protesters, and laid off factory workers who were opposed to TPP (which she approved before she opposed it!) Fears of terrorists entering the country en masse and causing more carnage like Orlando and San Bernadino were more widespread than Hillary thought. Trump was speaking to their fears by promising to be Defender in Chief.<br />
Even we college educated women turned out a bit more loyal to Trump (despite the best efforts of my public school teachers and university professors, I learned to think for myself in college, apparently I was not the only one)<br />
<br />
And, my personal favorite, the sleeping giant, the traditional religous coation: Evangelicals and faithful Catholics who were galvanized by her extreme view on abortion. See my article on that here.<a href="http://www.speroforum.com/a/XRZNFHTMUN46/79210-Why-do-Americans-want-extremist-Hillary-Clinton-in-the-White-House#.WCbggPkrLIU">here</a> Thank you Chris Wallace for making Hillary express her view that every abortion, until birth is to be legal and paid for by Christians! That was the last straw!<br />
<br />
<br />
So, after all the dour faces on Fox News on election day, we were afraid to hope until around 10PM, when the New York Times reversed its prediction that Trump had a 20% chance of being elected to Hillary's 80% on election night, giving Trump an 80% then 91% chance, I knew that we were upending the tables in the temple. The impossible had happened. Trump was leading in electoral votes and Hillary was losing the election. The dam had indeed broken (thank you Pat Cadell for predicting this!)<br />
<br />
Yet even at three AM Hillary seemed to be holding on to some hope that somewhere in Michigan (Detroit perhaps?) someone had found some misplaced ballots. She sent John Podesta to stall the election results till she could come up with a plan. ..<br />
Then Pennysylvania fell to Trump. Was it the Amish? Evangelicals? Catholics? Yes, yes and yes, a coalition of the disaffected religious voters, poor and displaced workers brought down the corrupt and arrogant House of Clinton.Not ti mention this Catholic, college educated woman married to a Latino.<br />
<br />
Here's to the revolution! Que viva!<br />
<br />Leticiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170455690163831806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197950707146736818.post-18751123842921384442016-10-18T18:44:00.000-04:002016-10-18T18:44:02.703-04:00Mother Teresa did not Take Sides in the Pro-life/Social Justice Debate: She got Involved.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">No one has seen as much poverty around the world at
close range as Mother Teresa, who was declared a saint by Pope Francis. That is why she is a hero to the social justice movement. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But she is
also a hero of the pro-life movement, for such moments as the Washington DC
prayer breakfast when, a stone’s throw from partial birth abortion ban vetoing
President and Mrs. Clinton she said, “The greatest destroyer of peace is
abortion.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The scandal of the Catholic Church at this time is that those who say
they seek social justice are often virulently opposed to any restriction of
abortion. Too often, they identify with liberalism whose credo has adopted the erroneous
belief that abortions liberate women from poverty and oppression. This is a tragic
error with horrific consequences. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">While it’s an established fact that the easiest way
for a woman to live in poverty is to bear a child alone, having an abortion is
not the solution to the abandonment of women and children by men. Abortion is a
further exploitation of women. It negates their ability to be resourceful,
strong, and determined. It expects them to be weak and dependent. It makes them
victims along with their children. Women are the losers when society adopts
abortion as a solution to social injustice. I work in a Pregnancy Resource Center in the
inner city. I see the pain caused by half a century of legalized abortion.
Every single day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Women come to us beaten down by life. They had mothers
addicted to drugs, fathers who abandoned them, they were subjected to abuse, and
every other tragedy a human being can suffer. Most do not have a high school
education, and have spotty job histories. They have no financial resources,
vague plans for providing for their families beyond dependency on social
service, and abysmal self-esteem. They are classic targets for the abortion
industry, who, coincidentally, has 80% of their facilities in minority
neighborhoods. </span></div>
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</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Their doctors, social workers, relatives, boyfriends,
girlfriends and even complete strangers try to talk them into abortion. For
their health. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For their future. For the good of their born children.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But is it? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Abortion leaves scars which millions of
women suffer in silence. Physical scars, emotional scars and spiritual scars,
according to the pro-choice filmmaker who produced the award-winning documentary
“Hush.” The medical community, the research community and even non-profits have
closed ranks around the abortion industry, leaving women without the knowledge
of how abortion damages women. Millions suffer and die when this knowledge
would have saved them. No one seems to care. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The poor minority women who comprise the majority of
the clients I see, have everyone they know urging them to abort. Deep in their
hearts, they want to give birth, but doubt their own resiliency to rise about
the trauma of the past, and build a future for themselves. Their guilt over
past abortions has often made them feel unworthy of motherhood. Statistics say
that up to 60% of women who walk into the abortion clinic are feeling coerced. You
call this liberation? Where is the justice?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What does it take to give them the courage they need
to give life to their children? To restore their hope? Nothing less than our
love. The love that Mother Teresa had for each and every soul she helped: the
love of Christ in the distressing disguise of the poor. It wasn’t a social
program, or even a movement, she started, it was personal. She served Jesus in
each of them, one at a time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We who help these women know that, once they
reconcile with God, they find the
strength to do what is right. In our office, we accompany them; we cry, we
pray, we make plans for a future. A future of hope, where naysayers in their
lives are drowned out by their song of triumph. Where the cry of a newborn son
or daughter is the most inspiring sound on earth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That is social justice. But it comes at a cost. We
can’t just sit by with idle platitudes or leave our sisters in Christ to the
government. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We have to open our hearts, and risk shedding a few tears. <br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When we love as Mother Teresa did, we will spend our
time helping a mother believe in her God-given gift of motherhood. Instead of
trying to “prevent unwanted children” by abortion, we will remind her how
infinitely precious she and her child are to God. We will help her value
herself so highly that she demands nothing less than a lifelong commitment from
the man who will share her bed. We will give her hope that her children will
have a father who is there, even if hers wasn’t. We will share God’s amazing
plan for her family until she adopts it as her own. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That, my fellow Catholics, is social justice. This
is how we rebuild our broken families, and blighted communities. By rebuilding
women, one by one. As St Teresa of Calcutta did. As Jesus did for St Mary
Magdalen and the woman at the well. It’s a lot easier to get rid of “the
problem” by blaming it on the children. But it seems, that the real problem is
our own poverty of love. <br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So let's put down the signs, roll up our sleeves and work together to love the poor as our sisters and brothers. </span></div>
Leticiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170455690163831806noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197950707146736818.post-26151726645680443502016-09-02T21:56:00.000-04:002016-09-02T21:56:04.285-04:00I received a letter from Mother Teresa which changed my life<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;">In 1990, I was a single, twenty seven year old woman
working with Latin American immigrants on Long Island. I was also learning
Spanish, and I thought of going to a
Spanish school in Antigua GAfter a day spent with some of the happiest and
poorest women I have ever met, I came away understanding Mother’s saying, “Only
in Heaven will we see how much we owe to the poor for helping us to love God
better because of them.” uatemala. A thought came to mind, “Mother Teresa has a
house in Guatemala City. Maybe I could volunteer there after the course”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;">I had seen the film “Mother Teresa” by the Petrie
Sisters and it impressed me deeply. I loved the scene where Mother visits
Guatemala to open a home despite the bureaucracy of the government. I worked
for a social worker for Catholic Charities, fighting just such a bureaucracy in
New York. A system which left the mentally ill out in the streets in the name
of deinstitutionalization. I loved how Mother ignored the officials’ attempts
to obfuscate her mission to help the people they themselves had failed to help
out of dire poverty. She opened the home in spite of them and spread the joy of
Christ through her sisters. She was my
social justice heroine!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;">The letter came in an ordinary envelope, typed by an
old manual typewriter. But the postmark gave it away, it was from Mother
Teresa! She did not want me to go to Guatemala, she told me that there are many
people who speak Spanish in the Bronx. Classic Mother Teresa, “love begins at
home.” She gave me the phone number and promised to look for me when she came
to New York. So I called the sisters, and made a date to visit, early on a
Saturday morning. No one says “no” to Mother Teresa. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;">Leaving my car parked in the early morning in the Fort
Apache area of the South Bronx, I was approached by two police officers on
foot, who asked me, “Hey lady, where are you going? Don’t you know it’s
dangerous here?” Despite my best efforts, I obviously didn’t blend into the
neighborhood. I answered merely, “Mother Teresa.” They nodded. Now my presence
made sense.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;">After a crowed Mass in the simple chapel where
participants knelt on the carpeted floor, I was greeted, given breakfast and a
tour. A tiny two floor house with a large bedroom filled by dozens of simple cots,
and a single mirrorless bathroom, and a large kitchen comprised the living
quarters of the Missionaries of Charity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;">I recognized some of the sisters from the movie, and
the effervescent joy they displayed in the film was even more evident in
person. They giggled like girls on a sleepover! Living in these simple, cramped quarters did
not dampen their enthusiasm for service of others and love for Jesus in the
poorest of the poor. They prayed the Rosary while cleaning windows in the soup
kitchen next door. I helped by chopping donated vegetables for the biggest soup
pot I had ever seen, all the while learning their names in Spanish, I was to
run errands with two of the sisters. We were to pick up poor little old ladies
to attend the wedding Mass of a doctor who volunteered for the sisters, and
invited two coach busloads of the poor he had served to his wedding. Just like
the wedding feast in the Gospel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background: rgb(253, 254, 255); color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16.4067px;">“When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>that</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>will be your repayment.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background: rgb(253, 254, 255); color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16.4067px;">“But when you give a reception, invite<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>the</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>poor,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>the</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>crippled,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>the</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>lame,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>the</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>blind,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background: rgb(253, 254, 255); color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16.4067px;">and you will be blessed, since they do not have<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>the means</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” </span><span style="background: rgb(253, 254, 255); color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16.4067px;">Luke 14:12-14 NASB</span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;">My little silver Honda could have been a royal coach,
considering the enthusiastic waves directed at it as I drove the sisters
through the most dangerous projects in the Bronx. They prayed with me before
leaving me to go into the buildings to fetch the ladies, and told me to keep
moving while I waited for them. The wedding guests speculated whether in their first
time inside a Catholic church, they would see the Holy Ghost! On the way back
to the convent, the sisters returned a wallet that had been stolen to its
owner. The thief, after taking the cash, had thrown it over their garden wall
knowing that the sisters would return the wallet to its owner. Even thieves
knew these women loved God!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;">When we helped the ladies board the charter busses a diminutive
Indian sister held up six lanes of traffic with the wave of a hand. Only the
Missionaries of Charity who are known for their great love of the poor could
command such respect in the toughest neighborhood!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;">We spent some time in prayer before Jesus in the Blessed
Sacrament before I left, and I understood that He was in their hearts as they
served the poor and that the poor sensed Him in them. After a day spent with
some of the happiest and poorest women I have ever met, I came away
understanding Mother’s saying, “Only in Heaven will we see how much we owe to
the poor for helping us to love God better because of them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;">I never took the sisters up on their invitation to
join them in the convent. Within two years, I had met and married my husband
Francisco, and for the ensuing decades, I continued to teach the poor and raise
three children, but I carried Mother’s
words in my heart every day since I read
them in her letter, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;">“The fruit of silence is prayer,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"> The fruit of
prayer is faith, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;">The fruit of faith is love, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;">The fruit of love is service,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"> The fruit of
service is peace.”<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br /><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=leticiavelasquez" type="text/javascript"></script>Leticiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170455690163831806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197950707146736818.post-3545987686560689252016-06-15T23:05:00.001-04:002016-06-15T23:21:54.447-04:00The Valiant 10%<span style="font-size: large;">Monsignor Charles Pope is my favorite priest blogger. His blogs are full of Christ's wisdom about the most pressing subjects in modern life and his latest "Accepting Disability in a World Obsessed with Perfection" is<a href="http://blog.adw.org/2016/06/accepting-disabled-world-obsessed-physical-perfection/"> no exception.</a><br /><br /><br />His blog is in response to the Holy Fathers comments while meeting with a group of disabled individuals, that <a href="https://cnstopstories.com/2016/06/12/love-not-some-idea-of-perfection-leads-to-happiness-pope-says/">"Love, not some idea of perfection, leads to Happiness"</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">“In an age when care for one’s body has become an obsession and a big business, anything imperfect has to be hidden away, since it threatens the happiness and serenity of the privileged few and endangers the dominant model,” the pope said. “In some cases, we are even told that it is better to eliminate them as soon as possible, because they become an unacceptable economic burden in time of crisis.”<br /><br />People with such attitudes, he said, “fail to understand the real meaning of life, which also has to do with accepting suffering and limitations.”<br /><br />And for Jesus, he said, the sick and the weak, those cast aside by society — like the woman in the Gospel story — are precisely the ones he loves most.<br />The only path to happiness is love, Pope Francis said. “How many disabled and suffering persons open their hearts to life again as soon as they realize they are loved! How much love can well up in a heart simply with a smile!”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NE5qWaNwo3ClIidb7FicgPLghZBmgYPNk-MuDcLQvQ0B7vBk9qxoq73KfP6lc6Rn2pSP_oVfnjyYVGJ2DW8O5O3rMSnhcr2nqelh8WYukytFkVAfXrrE3DPqhnXV9_o54i6chsqfsRE/s1600/laughing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NE5qWaNwo3ClIidb7FicgPLghZBmgYPNk-MuDcLQvQ0B7vBk9qxoq73KfP6lc6Rn2pSP_oVfnjyYVGJ2DW8O5O3rMSnhcr2nqelh8WYukytFkVAfXrrE3DPqhnXV9_o54i6chsqfsRE/s320/laughing.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">Monsignor reflects; </span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Is there such a thing as a life not worth living? Many in our culture seem to believe that there is. There has arisen the tragically ironic idea that death is a form of therapy, that an appropriate treatment for disabled unborn children is to kill them. Of course death is neither a treatment nor a therapy; it cannot be considered an acceptable solution for the one who loses his or her life. Yet this is often the advice that parents in this situation are given.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">All of this “advice” and pressure goes a long way toward explaining why more than 90% of unborn children with a poor prenatal diagnosis are aborted. We in the Church cannot remain silent in the face of this; we must reach out compassionately to families experiencing such a crisis. Many of them are devastated by the news that their baby may have serious disabilities. Often they descend into shock and are overwhelmed by fear, conflicting feelings, and even anger towards God or others. Sometimes the greatest gifts we can give them are time, information, and the framework of faith. </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here is my response; I just finished reading the book <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/imbeciles-adam-cohen/1122135923">"Imbeciles: The Supreme Court, American Eugenics, and the Sterilization of Carrie Buck"</a> by Adam Cohen. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In the wake of Darwin's theory of evolution, a wave of social Darwinism in the early 1900's gave birth the the ideology of eugenics, the idea that some humans were genetically superior to others and we ought to suppress the birth or end the lives of the inferior. Eugenics pervaded society and inspired Margaret Sanger to champion birth control for the 'inferior races' and disabled whom she called "human weeds.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Supreme Court codified this idea in the infamous 1927 "Buck V Bell" decision where Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes approving of the sterilization of those the State deemed 'feebleminded' said in the 8-1 majority decision; "Three generations of imbeciles are enough!"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This ideology led directly to the Nazi holocaust, which began with the slaughter of the disabled in the T4 Program, in fact at Nuremberg the "Buck V Bell" decision was cited by those seeking to excuse their participation in the Concentration Camps.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We congratulate ourselves on having progressed since then; yet we have merely shifted the 'responsibility' of killing those deemed inferior to their mothers. I interviewed many mothers of special needs children for my book<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Special-Mother-Born-Extraordinary-Parenting/dp/1449724167?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0"> "A Special Mother is Born"</a> and some claimed the pressure to abort from their doctors was so great, they even tried to make them feel guilty of imposing a disabled sibling on their children. All of these moms said they can't imagine life without the love of their child. <b><br /><br />Thank God they are the valiant 10%, braver than those who colluded with the Nazis, and the Supreme Court and many in Congress!</b></span>Leticiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170455690163831806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197950707146736818.post-33172223105417339832016-03-21T21:51:00.000-04:002016-03-21T21:51:28.187-04:00Women Deserve the Truth about Down syndrome and Pre-natal Testing<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzQPoB7qTg7DDkJiDfZO-KzLz46tzYkkNvpy6-AeYcD_a-u8T3t78hzj76cZhda8a1YLuZ9JODKbM79wkMsfxhqEhukw02rakD7NM_9l86hg1dZ8X5R7_Y7KtZ57OqxD260XQBpfCcq0/s1600/DSCN6016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzQPoB7qTg7DDkJiDfZO-KzLz46tzYkkNvpy6-AeYcD_a-u8T3t78hzj76cZhda8a1YLuZ9JODKbM79wkMsfxhqEhukw02rakD7NM_9l86hg1dZ8X5R7_Y7KtZ57OqxD260XQBpfCcq0/s320/DSCN6016.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In an age when we value informed consent and patient
centered care, it’s a travesty that often the worst informed patient is the
mother of a unborn baby with special needs. Everyone she meets in her medical
office seems to be telling her what she should do. In what is often a lonely
and frightening time, she needs the truth about her options for testing and
about the future of her baby and seldom hears it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A frequently heard comment from such mothers is, “I
felt pressured to test by my doctor.” Some women even report having prenatal
blood tests done without their consent. If a test shows an increased risk for a
pre-natal diagnosis, they often feel coerced by their doctors to abort. Some
expectant mothers have even changed obstetricians late in pregnancy to preserve
their peace of mind and good medical practice. Defenders of this practice
credit defensive medicine for this, since obstetricians fear so-called
“wrongful birth” lawsuits where an obstetrician is sued for failure to give the
mother a prenatal diagnosis and the chance to abort her baby. An Oregon couple
won a <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/03/portland_couple_sues_legacy_he.html">$3million suit</a> for wrongful birth in 2012. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Regardless of lawsuits, women deserve the dignity of
informed consent. They need to know the risks of prenatal tests and what can be
done if their child is found to have a disability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this time, the answer is often nothing
more than, ‘help prepare you emotionally.’ Too many doctors consider the birth
of a child with a disability like Down syndrome a failure of their patients,
due to outmoded stereotypes of life with Down syndrome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mothers hear such unmedical predictions as,
“Your child will never tie his shoes, read, marry, go to college or be happy.” There
is a wide range of ability among those with Down syndrome, however none of
these predictions can be definitively tied to a prenatal diagnosis, and people
with Down syndrome are breaking these barriers every day thanks to advances in
inclusion and education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then there is the question of happiness. Some
women<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>are given the mother guilt trip in
reverse; “you can’t do this to your other children.” There is the fear of
raising a child with Down syndrome alone in the dire warning, “your marriage
will break up.” Neither of these predictions are substantiated by research. Dr
Brian Skotko’s 2011 study in the Journal of American Medical Genetics showed
that 99% of parents who have a child with Down syndrome report being happy with
them and those with Down syndrome are no less happy. http://www.brianskotko.com/images/stories/Files/ajmg%20parent%20final%20paper.pdf</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A study shows that marriages with a child with Down
syndrome actually have slightly increased longevity. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A
2008 </span><a href="http://aaiddjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1352/0895-8017%282007%29112%5B261%3ADIFOCW%5D2.0.CO%3B2?prevSearch=divorce&searchHistoryKey=&" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">study</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> at Vanderbuilt
University analyzed data from the Tennessee Department of Health's birth,
hospital discharge and divorce database records from 1990 to 2002. Down
syndrome actually gave families what they termed, the “Down syndrome
advantage.”</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rates of divorce:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Down syndrome – 7.6 percent</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No disability – 10.8 percent</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Other
disabilities – 11.2 percent</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/991053/divorce-does-the-down-syndrome-advantage-exist</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mothers are seldom told of the 1% risk of
miscarriage from CVS and amnio-centesis. They are not given a realistic picture
of what raising a child with Down syndrome is really like, and sometimes it’s
hard to believe that this is not intentional. An abysmal ignorance exists in
society about day to day life with people with Down syndrome, due to a high
abortion rate of such babies<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>diagnosed
with Down syndrome before birth <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(between
75-92%)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This is where an array of parents of children with
Down syndrome, have, from their computers, made an enormous difference in
educating the public by sharing their day to day lives, publishing research and
protesting negative stereotypes. These parents are making a difference in how
both Down syndrome and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>prenatal testing
are viewed. Even the <a href="http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1906614">Journal of the American Medical Association</a> is suggesting
that women be given better counseling about prenatal testing. A study which showed
that the number of expectant moms who chose to undergo invasive testing was
halved when they had a short explanation of what testing was and what it could
show them about their baby at their stage of pregnancy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1906614"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The conclusion was that the research,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“adds support to the contention that women
may not be receiving adequate counseling about their options. This underscores the
need for clinicians to be clear that prenatal testing is not appropriate for
everyone, and to present foregoing testing as a reasonable choice.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Well done, moms, keep it up, they are listening!</span></div>
</div>
Leticiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170455690163831806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197950707146736818.post-51770912954610953872016-03-18T20:32:00.000-04:002016-03-18T20:32:10.832-04:00How having a child with special needs helps me work to overcome the deadly sins<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht64FsYenBeDzk3lhFYNocMgIMONYaZNomBU61H1w6J5JQwtQkGZCGaP-Copqftf9E_9J8y0CAcgrp__ayXxh0n3xb76SdGikkZS1apPKo1v221Qx5nPsinYC4H2BBbmpfj5CYih3evIc/s1600/DSC_8674+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht64FsYenBeDzk3lhFYNocMgIMONYaZNomBU61H1w6J5JQwtQkGZCGaP-Copqftf9E_9J8y0CAcgrp__ayXxh0n3xb76SdGikkZS1apPKo1v221Qx5nPsinYC4H2BBbmpfj5CYih3evIc/s320/DSC_8674+%25281%2529.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="tgc"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="tgc"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b></span><span class="tgc"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Humility</span></b></span><span class="tgc"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> against <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">pride- </span></span></b></span><span class="tgc"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I try to have a normal outing to the grocery store,
chatting about nothing with the teenage clerk, when suddenly a bottle of Five
Hour Energy goes flying past her head. She flinches and I have to reprimand
Christina and apologize, catching another potential missile before it launches.
Let’s not talk about the time she toppled the entire paper towel pyramid by ramming
my shopping cart into it! Yes, I have a reputation in my town as a lousy parent.
</span></span><span class="tgc"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span class="tgc"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">But I do know that our lives are in God’s hands and I remember to call
upon Him more often. There was a time when I dared not bring Christina out in
public, she would flop on the floor and I wasn’t capable of lifting a 100 pound
kid. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="tgc"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b></span><span class="tgc"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Kindness</span>
against envy-</span></b></span><span class="tgc"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I have no room to
judge other parents as for their unruly children. I tend to sympathize with
others whose lives are out of control when I would once judge them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a saying about special needs moms,
you say I have my hands full, but you should see my heart!!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="tgc"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b></span><span class="tgc"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Abstinence
against gluttony- </span></b></span><span class="tgc"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Last September,<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>I was obese with declining health, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when I realized I might not be around much
longer to care for my 14 year old daughter.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">
</b>It scared me into joining an online Catholic lifestyle group called Wendy’s
Wellness Warriors. I lost 40 pounds, and threw out my insulin. Last month, my
doctor shook my hand when my great lipid blood results came in, saying, “Keep
doing what you are doing!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="tgc"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b></span><span class="tgc"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>Patience</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">against anger- </b>tonight two drinks were flung at me during the
Lenten fish fry at our parish. One was red juice. Christina looked at me for a
reaction. I held my peace and silently cleaned up the mess. This is NOT the mom
I was 14 years ago!! Watching her halting progress and seeing her overcome huge
obstacles, I learned not to sweat the small stuff. Besides, behavior which elicits
a reaction, however negative, is often repeated.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span class="tgc"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b></span><span class="tgc"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Liberality</span></b></span><span class="tgc"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> against <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">greed</span></span></b></span><span class="tgc"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">- so many people have been so good to us, we have
learned to accept generosity with gratitude and to give when its needed. No prideful
one-upsmanship for us, we are too busy keeping a lid on things!</span></span><span class="tgc"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><span class="tgc"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Diligence</span></b></span><span class="tgc"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">against sloth- </b>Keeping a home, home
educating a young lady with Down syndrome, attending multiple therapies across the
state, being a member of two board of directors, and working as an advocate for
those with Down syndrome has taught me not to waste time. </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b></div>
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<![endif]--> </a><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&pub=leticiavelasquez" onclick="return addthis_sendto()" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')"></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=leticiavelasquez" type="text/javascript"></script></div>
Leticiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170455690163831806noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197950707146736818.post-31747023827540570662016-01-25T19:03:00.000-05:002016-01-26T11:29:29.471-05:00Cooperating with an Act of God: The Historic #TurnpikeMass<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJ24GiWc2cNmePRtx9yBq2GcC-tNunhgLGhvu1neCNJvUOGeHsAj4fwhCRHgHP_bPzNTY6owqVmCdeUWSV9cPEwXNduEp-ujV1PBpgDrNCTtIgaL2YtvUV1BtXE3rTOzLY-3KFHxOtvE/s1600/12573218_749246308508322_3498924965905795046_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJ24GiWc2cNmePRtx9yBq2GcC-tNunhgLGhvu1neCNJvUOGeHsAj4fwhCRHgHP_bPzNTY6owqVmCdeUWSV9cPEwXNduEp-ujV1PBpgDrNCTtIgaL2YtvUV1BtXE3rTOzLY-3KFHxOtvE/s320/12573218_749246308508322_3498924965905795046_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of Roamin' Catholics. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As the mother of a young lady of 13 who has Down syndrome, I am accustomed to seeing how God's ways are far above our ways. Many times we have stood in awe at what Our Lord accomplishes in our life with our daughter Christina in the privacy of our Domestic Church. That is why I share our little miracles with you, dear reader, to inspire you.</div>
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<div>
<b> But sometimes God allows an act of faith to go public. </b></div>
<div>
That is the case of the now famous Turnpike Mass widely reported, first on social media, then picked up by major news outlets like CNN. Hundreds if not thousands of March for Life participants, most of them youth, were stuck on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in the rural and rugged Allegheny Mountains region. They did not move for nearly 24 hours and for some, food was growing scarce and help seemed far away. What did these on-fire Catholic Millenials do? They built an altar out of snow and ice and asked their chaplain, Fr Patrick Behm, to celebrate Holy Mass. </div>
<div>
Fr Behm tried to deflect attention from himself and told the website <a href="https://churchpop.com/2016/01/25/turnpike-mass-inside-story-priest-interview/">Church Pop. </a></div>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“I was the
principal celebrant of the liturgy,” he said, “but credit for the idea,
and credit for building the altar, and credit for going around to the
various buses inviting people to join them belongs completely to the
pilgrims from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, particularly
Mr. Bill Dill, their youth minister.”<br />
It was those students from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and
Minneapolis who built the snow altar: “Those Minnesotans apparently know
how to build stuff out of snow!”<br />
The now famous Mass was a powerful spiritual experience for Fr. Behm and everyone else involved.<br />
“It left me with many impressions, but among them was the fact that
Jesus enters into the storm. Jesus comes to us, in the storms of our
life, and enters in to be with us. He desires to be with His people, and
if we respond to this invitation to let Him in, then the message is
profound hope and joy.”</blockquote>
<br />
The story of the Mass went viral on Facebook then Twitter, and soon <a href="http://kstp.com/news/stories/s4026568.shtml">local news outlets</a> were reporting not only about the stranded students but that they were coming from the March for Life and that they were praying with exuberance. So, a secular media which had largely ignored the enormous annual March for Life which took place despite DC being in a state of emergency and blizzard conditions starting before the end of the March, began to cover the #TurnpikeMass, and tangentially, the #MarchforLife. God's mysterious ways indeed! It is told that a bus driver stranded with the young people who has
participated in an abortion received forgiveness and healing. <br />
<br />
Way to cooperate with the Lord of the Universerse, through what is often termed, "an act of God", a blizzard. The Holy Spirit truly acted in the hearts of his youthful worshipers, and made a big impact on the world! Thousands were witness to a moving act of faith in the snowbound mountains of Pennsylvania. Thousands call this a historic event. When we allow God to work in the midst of a crisis, history is made and hearts are changed for eternity. This sentiment is echoed in a <a href="http://www.troubonline.com/letter-from-franciscan-university-president-concerning-weekends-march-for-life-travel-delay/">letter </a>from FUS President Fr. Sean Sheridan TOR.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Most of all, however, I am grateful to our Lord Jesus Christ for the
good that came out of our situation—the increased media attention
brought to the March for Life, the bus driver with another group of
marchers who was healed of a past abortion, the witness of the outdoor
Masses celebrated by two parishes—and for the good that we will only see
in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead, or only when we enter into
our heavenly reward.</blockquote>
<br />
Watch this <a href="https://www.facebook.com/120695584609182/videos/1176963815649015/?pnref=story">moving video </a>from Holy Spirit Church as the crowd sings Matt Maher's "Lord, How I Need You!" <br />
<b>The lyrics are;</b><br />
<br />
Lord, I come, I confess<br />
Bowing here I find my rest<br />
Without You I fall apart<br />
You're the One that guides my heart<br />
<br />
<b>Lord, I need You, oh, I need You<br />
Every hour I need You<br />
My one defense, my righteousness<br />
Oh God, how I need You</b><br />
<b>On a personal note</b><br />
My daughter Bella was one of the 400 students of <a href="http://Franciscan University of Steubenville">Franciscan University of Steubenville </a>who were traveling back from
the March for Life. These buses were stuck a few miles down the Turnpike were not
as fortunate as the pilgrims from Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota, as their chaplains did not have hosts for Mass. But that did not stop them from praying!! They built and altar anyway and prayed the Rosary Divine Mercy
Chaplet, and the Liturgy of the Hours. Attitudes on the bus, according
to my 18 year old daughter Bella, were mostly positive. The students shared the snacks they brought and kept each other from despairing.<br />
Parents on the
FUS Facebook group shared messages of encouragement, and Mariely M de G a parent who lives
in Steubenville, arranged for subway sandwiches to be delivered to the
group. The National Guard brought in pizza, and
military meals, and dug them out. The students were very grateful for the assistance they
provided and to return home at 7:00 AM Sunday morning after nearly 40
hours on the road (normally a 6 hour trip). They had a special
Travelers' Mass offered for them in Christ the King Chapel. Here is a <a href="http://wtov9.com/news/local/franciscan-students-return">local news story</a> about their safe return from the ordeal.<br />
<br />
Renee of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=PcF5imlg4i4&app=desktop">New Catholic Generation.com</a> made a video about the entire phenomenon and its impact. <br />
<br />
Here are some more great stories about the Turnpike Mass.<br />
<a href="http://www.pattimaguirearmstrong.com/2016/01/epic-wait-during-winter-storm-jonah_23.html">Patti Armstrong.com</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ArchOmaha/?pnref=story">Archdiocese of Omaha </a><br />
<a href="http://omaha.com/">Omaha.com</a><br />
<a href="http://journalstar.com/news/local/home-sweet-home-after-hours-on-the-road-students-back/article_d25efef0-c303-5a88-a539-d2f843303aa6.html">JournalStar.com </a><br />
<a href="http://kstp.com/news/stories/s4026568.shtml">KTSP Minnesota</a><br />
<a href="http://www.christianpost.com/news/snowstorm-winter-storm-jonas-east-coast-pennsylvania-turnpike-march-for-life-155734/">The Christian Post</a><br />
<a href="https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/stranded-catholic-march-for-life-participants-celebrate-mass-on-altar-made">LifeSiteNews </a><br />
<a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/blog/the-best-photos-of-the-historic-turnpike-mass-of-2016/#gig_comment_id=b3d281d19d474402bf01bd607b836b42">CatholicNewsAgency</a><br />
<a href="http://thecatholicspirit.com/news/local-news/stranded-after-blizzard-twin-cities-teens-celebrate-mass-along-pa-turnpike/">TheCatholicSpirit</a><br />
<a href="http://aleteia.org/blogs/deacon-greg-kandra/march-for-life-group-stranded-in-storm-prays-mass-on-altar-made-of-snow/">DeaconGregKandra on his Aleteia Blog</a><br />
Not to mention<a href="http://www.teresatomeo.com/530-miracles-in-the-snow-snow-masses-media-coverage-more-graces-abound-in-post-march-for-life-blizzard.html"> Teresa Tomeo</a> and <a href="https://relevantradio.com/programs/a-closer-look-with-sheila-liaugminas">Sheila Liaugminas</a> of Relevant Radio<br />
<a href="http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/01/24/us/stranded-on-snowed-in-kentucky-interstate-travelers-ration-food-and-wait.html?emc=edit_th_20160124&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=52769483&_r=3&referer">The New York Times </a><br />
<br />
<div>
<b>
</b></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
He
couldn’t claim credit for the idea of having Mass: “I was the principal
celebrant of the liturgy,” he said, “but credit for the idea, and
credit for building the altar, and credit for going around to the
various buses inviting people to join them belongs completely to the
pilgrims from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, particularly
Mr. Bill Dill, their youth minister.”<br />
It was those students from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and
Minneapolis who built the snow altar: “Those Minnesotans apparently know
how to build stuff out of snow!”<br />
The now famous Mass was a powerful spiritual experience for Fr. Behm and everyone else involved.<br />
“It left me with many impressions, but among them was the fact that
Jesus enters into the storm. Jesus comes to us, in the storms of our
life, and enters in to be with us. He desires to be with His people, and
if we respond to this invitation to let Him in, then the message is
profound hope and joy.<br />
- See more at:
http://aleteia.org/blogs/deacon-greg-kandra/the-story-behind-the-turnpike-mass-of-snowmageddon-from-the-priest-who-led-it/#sthash.I1ozbkiE.wlkdchCL.dpuf</div>
</blockquote>
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
He
couldn’t claim credit for the idea of having Mass: “I was the principal
celebrant of the liturgy,” he said, “but credit for the idea, and
credit for building the altar, and credit for going around to the
various buses inviting people to join them belongs completely to the
pilgrims from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, particularly
Mr. Bill Dill, their youth minister.”<br />
It was those students from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and
Minneapolis who built the snow altar: “Those Minnesotans apparently know
how to build stuff out of snow!”<br />
The now famous Mass was a powerful spiritual experience for Fr. Behm and everyone else involved.<br />
“It left me with many impressions, but among them was the fact that
Jesus enters into the storm. Jesus comes to us, in the storms of our
life, and enters in to be with us. He desires to be with His people, and
if we respond to this invitation to let Him in, then the message is
profound hope and joy.<br />
- See more at:
http://aleteia.org/blogs/deacon-greg-kandra/the-story-behind-the-turnpike-mass-of-snowmageddon-from-the-priest-who-led-it/#sthash.I1ozbkiE.wlkdchCL.dpuf</div>
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
He
couldn’t claim credit for the idea of having Mass: “I was the principal
celebrant of the liturgy,” he said, “but credit for the idea, and
credit for building the altar, and credit for going around to the
various buses inviting people to join them belongs completely to the
pilgrims from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, particularly
Mr. Bill Dill, their youth minister.”<br />
It was those students from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and
Minneapolis who built the snow altar: “Those Minnesotans apparently know
how to build stuff out of snow!”<br />
The now famous Mass was a powerful spiritual experience for Fr. Behm and everyone else involved.<br />
“It left me with many impressions, but among them was the fact that
Jesus enters into the storm. Jesus comes to us, in the storms of our
life, and enters in to be with us. He desires to be with His people, and
if we respond to this invitation to let Him in, then the message is
profound hope and joy.<br />
- See more at:
http://aleteia.org/blogs/deacon-greg-kandra/the-story-behind-the-turnpike-mass-of-snowmageddon-from-the-priest-who-led-it/#sthash.I1ozbkiE.wlkdchCL.dpuf</div>
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
He
couldn’t claim credit for the idea of having Mass: “I was the principal
celebrant of the liturgy,” he said, “but credit for the idea, and
credit for building the altar, and credit for going around to the
various buses inviting people to join them belongs completely to the
pilgrims from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, particularly
Mr. Bill Dill, their youth minister.”<br />
It was those students from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and
Minneapolis who built the snow altar: “Those Minnesotans apparently know
how to build stuff out of snow!”<br />
The now famous Mass was a powerful spiritual experience for Fr. Behm and everyone else involved.<br />
“It left me with many impressions, but among them was the fact that
Jesus enters into the storm. Jesus comes to us, in the storms of our
life, and enters in to be with us. He desires to be with His people, and
if we respond to this invitation to let Him in, then the message is
profound hope and joy.<br />
- See more at:
http://aleteia.org/blogs/deacon-greg-kandra/the-story-behind-the-turnpike-mass-of-snowmageddon-from-the-priest-who-led-it/#sthash.I1ozbkiE.wlkdchCL.dpuf</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Leticiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170455690163831806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197950707146736818.post-17865057131637194082015-12-16T12:38:00.000-05:002015-12-16T12:38:10.434-05:00Nurturing Your Vocation to Special Motherhood<div>
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<span style="font-family: "Mongolian Baiti"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Refresh your soul and
renew your vocation as a special mother!</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0yoQn7FT50-RvYqKQ1e3hsa3yWNxQWchKfwQbb1R_GsZAm4yUvZ3mIknDZHrH96xweObSE_lp2Uvef_kAoJNajMEvSxpiCcKcSx6Lzt40GPsgCZUQBmUbyULXAm7SLCwtA946zeUlC2Y/s1600/Enders-Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0yoQn7FT50-RvYqKQ1e3hsa3yWNxQWchKfwQbb1R_GsZAm4yUvZ3mIknDZHrH96xweObSE_lp2Uvef_kAoJNajMEvSxpiCcKcSx6Lzt40GPsgCZUQBmUbyULXAm7SLCwtA946zeUlC2Y/s320/Enders-Island.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Mongolian Baiti"; font-size: 16.0pt;"> Come away for two days
and be transformed though prayer, the sacraments, inspiring talks, and
fellowship with other mothers raising children with special needs. Learn how
God has called you to the vocation of special motherhood. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Mongolian Baiti"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Leticia Velasquez is the
editor of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Special Mother is Born</i>;
33 stories from Catholic parents of special needs children. She is a public
speaker who has appeared on EWTN and co-founded KIDS Keep Infants with Down syndrome.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Mongolian Baiti"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Location: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Mongolian Baiti"; font-size: 16.0pt;">St. Edmund’s Retreat
Center, Ender’s Island, Mystic, CT</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Mongolian Baiti"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Cost:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Mongolian Baiti"; font-size: 16.0pt;"> $120 shared, $150
private room</span><span style="font-family: "Freestyle Script"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Mongolian Baiti";"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcg8LCjQVaq_czlsJ1SOJBjw1iHniwdioYy1fhlFjGVHXIF1xIC0FKl5bqV4Yxc4s0TQQHmkC0ZcH4MfP-KwJIrx-gr3_bz5NFItaBFIm1_PU7fq6c35-8zsjYCyKy8ZreDws3NeKM5EU/s1600/IMG_3828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcg8LCjQVaq_czlsJ1SOJBjw1iHniwdioYy1fhlFjGVHXIF1xIC0FKl5bqV4Yxc4s0TQQHmkC0ZcH4MfP-KwJIrx-gr3_bz5NFItaBFIm1_PU7fq6c35-8zsjYCyKy8ZreDws3NeKM5EU/s320/IMG_3828.JPG" width="320" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Mongolian Baiti"; font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Mongolian Baiti"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Contact Tracie Georgetti for more details</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Mongolian Baiti"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Phone: (860) 536-0565 ext. 167</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Mongolian Baiti"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Email: programs@endersisland.com</span></div>
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Leticiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170455690163831806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197950707146736818.post-75432778703017001842015-12-09T01:37:00.002-05:002015-12-09T01:37:45.934-05:00Born to be Stars; The Charm of "Born This Way"<div>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">My family and I watched the first episode of <a href="http://www.aetv.com/shows/born-this-way">"Born This Way"</a> today. Its the new A&E reality show about a social group of young adults with Down syndrome in Los Angeles. These young people bowl together, eat out, hang out, and listen to music together as they go through the typical self-discovery process of anyone their ages. They compare the celebrities they have met in nearby Hollywood and fawn over the new girl in town.They skype their boyfriends and roll their eyes over protective parents, dreaming of a place of their own. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">As the mom of a 13 year old girl with Down syndrome, I was very likely to appreciate seeing independent and happy young adults with Down syndrome do almost anything on TV. Yet, I found that the program was satisfying in more ways than that. It was a truly groundbreaking event of community education and, hopefully, involvement. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">I think acknowledging that those with intellectual disabilities have hopes, dreams and, even, gasp, love lives. is enlightening to many viewers who tend to see our kids as mascots or worse, objects of ridicule. Even when the dreams seem as unrealistic as Megan's dream of being a film star (why not, she's already featured in a TV show?) the young people in this show quickly capture the viewers' hearts with their bone-crushing hugs, good-natured swagger, and efusivness. </span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">The
open emotions of the stars of "Born This Way" provide the warmth, comedy
and drama that make every good reality show capture the large audiences. </span></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">I
love the affectionate teasing between the stars, and how quickly it turns to hugs and
compassion when feelings are hurt. I love how open they are, allowing the viewers to watch them feel the pain of not being wanted for who they are. How many of us will hear our mothers say we wished we were never born? How many of us are aware that most expectant mothers finding themselves pregnant with a child with our characteristics, would abort? </span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"> The underlying darkness which breaks to the surface in emotional storms which overpower Elena, was very moving and provided the inspiration which gives this show its power. </span></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">The fact that these young adults can get up in the morning and smile at themselves in the mirror is an act of unrivaled courage. </span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">I hope that the viewers learn to see their neighbors and friends with Down syndrome as people, not merely diagnoses and this leads to greater acceptance of those who are truly born this way. </span></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /></span></span></div>
Leticiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170455690163831806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197950707146736818.post-655668225046094772015-10-20T21:54:00.001-04:002015-10-20T21:54:28.112-04:00Review of Chapter Three of True Radiance; Finding Grace in the Second Half of Life<div>
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<![endif]--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIS0Lp0_Px_nTxSJlwTp2YkJhjcQSVBCMhgD3y1gpsYLv9Erm0RSEx1gmQsZ0LSjoqXbpxFlG_qMKYT_n7HC7eE-WP2R9kLd2qeUfFJgvvwyWPy-RAk21vxSeKe_chCwM6cags3Y01ks/s1600/Cover_Art_True_Radiance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIS0Lp0_Px_nTxSJlwTp2YkJhjcQSVBCMhgD3y1gpsYLv9Erm0RSEx1gmQsZ0LSjoqXbpxFlG_qMKYT_n7HC7eE-WP2R9kLd2qeUfFJgvvwyWPy-RAk21vxSeKe_chCwM6cags3Y01ks/s320/Cover_Art_True_Radiance.jpg" width="207" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/True-Radiance-Finding-Grace-Second/dp/1616369078/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1430668383&sr=1-1&keywords=true+radiance">True Radiance; Finding Grace in the Second Half of Life</a><br />
by Lisa Mlandinich<br /><br /><b>Chapter 3 Fog Bound: Hope and Help for Your Aging Brain </b><br />
<br />
Chapter Three is an earthy and intensely personal look into the fears we women face as we age. The passionate detail with which Lisa describes her reaction to viewing her aging body in the mirror during what was supposed to be an affirming experience, resonated with me. Our attacks of poor self-esteem seem to hit us at the most inopportune times! Lisa was on the verge of a triumphant moment, in a hotel halfway across the country preparing to speak to a group of catechists in St. Louis about her books and website, and all she could think about was her aging body. I can’t help but wonder if there’s someone sinister trying to undermine our confidence as we strive to give God our best. <br />God did not abandon Lisa in her moment of crisis. God cares for us, body and soul, in every detail of our lives, not just the sweeping overview. Nothing is more embarrassing to an articulate woman than a sudden memory lapse. She can laugh and call it a senior moment, but it hurts to ask others for their names once again, or endlessly hunt for one’s reading glasses. Who hasn’t been there?! The great part of this most personal and practical chapter, is that God led Lisa to a solution for her memory loss and it’s not a drug. She initiated simple but sacrificial diet modifications and found her old spark come roaring back into a bonfire! Without this we might never have seen this wonderful book.<br />
It seems that women taking charge of their own health problems as they age is an important part of growing older with grace. We can’t just rely on conventional wisdom. We have to remember the confidence we gained by reading up on pregnancy and childbirth in the childbearing phase of our life. We didn’t just do as we were told, we asked intelligent questions of our obstetricians (mine jokingly nicknamed me “the Professor”!) And our babies benefited as a result. Now it’s time to take care of Momma and hopefully, Grandma. We have a lot to offer our families and the larger society, and Lisa gently reminds us to care for ourselves, even if it means changing some long standing habits and saying “No” to emotional eating and pleasing others who offer us foods we shouldn't be eating. You will find her suggestions practical and helpful, particularly the authentic examples of spiritual practices Lisa uses and describes at the end of the chapter.<br />
Nothing in our lives is out of the realm of God's loving care for us, and this book constantly reminds us to love ourselves into more loving, healthier women who listen at the feet of God on a daily basis. <br />
<br />
<br />
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Leticiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170455690163831806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197950707146736818.post-86101989858226188602015-09-30T15:14:00.003-04:002015-09-30T15:26:42.847-04:00Traditional Catholics Can Learn Much from Pope Francis' Visit. If Our Hearts are Open<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_560c2ad496bfe0437800028">
All week my enjoyment of the exuberant visit of Pope Francis was marred by arguments from faithful Catholics close to me who were angry at what he did or did not say or do. <br />
Accusations of socialism, moral weakness and just plain wanting to be liked were flying. I begged them to wait and see what transpired after the visit. I reminded them of the Feast of St. Matthew, which happened earlier that week. Matthew was the sinful, hated tax collector who became a saint and evangelist. In the BBC TV series, "Jesus of Nazareth" his conversion is very instructive to us. <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/14epxvU8XIA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></span><br />
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</span><br />
Notice how the Parable of the Prodigal Son is told by Jesus in Matthew's house, full of sinners while Peter broods in the doorway after railing against Jesus eating in the house of his "Blood sucking enemy!"(earlier scene, Matthew was after him for taxes after Jesus prayed for a miraculous catch). Note how Jesus uses the parable to bring Peter, AND Matthew to repentance and reconciliation. We who love the Church and fight the good fight get angry in our isolation and that does not win hearts to the Kingdom of God. Mother Teresa said, "Joy is the net by which you catch souls." Her ministry of charity was the means of salvation for millions, most of whom were not practicing Catholics. <br />
We "Older Brothers" who are largely obedient to the laws of God and give Him His due worship each week have to work on being charitable when our errant brethren join us at the Lord's supper. <br />
<br />
Just because Pope Francis seemed to be more in agreement with non-practicing Catholics and those who are involved in seriously sinful practices such as abortion and homosexual unions, doesn't mean that he approves of their sin. A good teacher, like Jesus, trying to "catch them being good" finding points of agreement on which to build bridges to make sure they listened to him. Jesus used parables to teach so that the listeners could discover the teaching for themselves without raising their defenses. I recall my contentious relationship with a relative over social issues. All the great points I think I scored in our debates did not move her as much as a single kindness I did for her when her worldly friends rejected her over a good life choice she made. Pope Francis has had his share of spirited debates, but he knows how kindness builds bridges. <br />
<br />
Some of them will need more prayers and fasting to allow the teaching to take root. When President Obama referred to "The least of these" he forgot that the Holy Father meant the unborn. Rep Chris Smith takes him to task on that <a href="http://www.lifenews.com/2015/09/29/when-obama-says-protect-the-least-of-these-he-forgets-babies-victimized-by-abortion/">here.</a> <br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Last week Pope Francis admonished a joint session of Congress to follow the Golden Rule—to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”—and said that the Golden Rule compels us to “protect and defend human life at every stage of development,” and that “it is wrong to remain silent and look the other way.” Yet, every day, Planned Parenthood dismembers or chemically poisons to death approximately 900 unborn babies—the “least of these”— and hurts many women in the process."</blockquote>
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<br />
The task of engaging those sheep outside the flock is very sensitive. We need to be patient and learn from our Shepherd. But in the meantime, it is essential that we stop brooding like St. Peter on how our virtue and fidelity were not being rewarded during the Holy Father's visit. First of all, his texts are full of references to the family, and the rights of the frail, disabled and the unborn. He made it clear that with frequent stops to visit them on the side of the road that they are close to his heart. He visited the Little Sisters of the Poor right after his White House visit. Wasn't that a huge move on his part?<br />
<br />
Our most direct reward came after Pope Francis was safely out of US airspace. The Vatican revealed that the Pope met privately with Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who was jailed for refusing to issue same sex 'marriage' certificates. He encouraged her to "stay strong". she reflects on it here. <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
http://abcnews.go.com/US/exclusive-kim-davis-recounts-secret-meeting-pope-francis/story?id=34143874</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span>In his Wednesday Audience, Pope Francis gave faithful American Catholics another pat on the back. <br />
<br />
"It was on a religious and moral foundation that the US was born and grew, and on this base it continues to be a land of freedom and welcome. It is not a coincidence that the most advanced economy of the last century has such strong religious roots. Instead, its proof that religion and progress are compatible. <br />
It is not accidental but providential that the message and testimony from the World Meeting of Families was giv<span class="text_exposed_show">en in the USA. It is the country that has developed the most economically and technologically in the last century without compromising its religious roots. Now they look to the same roots again from the family, to rethink and recharge the development model for the good of the entire human family. <br /> In the family, the individual and society reach a balance. The family will be a basis on which progress in the 21st century continues. " </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show">source; Wednesday Audience translation Sept 30, 2015 Rome Reports</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show">So, fellow elder brothers, lets stop licking our wounds and get going on Pope Francis' charge to set America's future trajectory, rooted in Gospel values which includes the traditional family, in a way which serves the good of the entire human family. </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span>
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Leticiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170455690163831806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197950707146736818.post-55499641993831860362015-09-04T04:11:00.003-04:002015-09-04T04:14:03.884-04:00Having a Daughter with Down Syndrome Changed Our Lives for the Better<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>This article is my response to Halle Levine's piece at Yahoo news. <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/parenting/if-i-knew-my-daughter-had-down-syndrome-i-would-128029396977.html?soc_src=unv-sh&soc_trk=tw">If I knew my daughter had Down syndrome I would have aborted her; all women should have that right. </a></i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKGdd8mkvvJUKRi1x6UbqzuLIcrS_4xeh74RU6EnEhSgdvj1NgyzLDDAymKs2Linsj8Ou4kEI21Bsb-eiQAqMbNCruLccQm9Hwz_FNYjagnNdRNiWbCprnxLqoxYslfGquR2peUHdaA0/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKGdd8mkvvJUKRi1x6UbqzuLIcrS_4xeh74RU6EnEhSgdvj1NgyzLDDAymKs2Linsj8Ou4kEI21Bsb-eiQAqMbNCruLccQm9Hwz_FNYjagnNdRNiWbCprnxLqoxYslfGquR2peUHdaA0/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chrstina's sisters love to spend time with her. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">During the trying days after September 11, 2001, my
sense of hope was buoyed by a hidden secret; I was after two births and three
miscarriages, at age 39 I was successfully carrying a baby. I was not about to
have a pre-natal test shatter my joy, so I told my OB that diagnostic tests
were out of the question. I would take whatever baby I was expecting and love him
or her with all my heart. In those days, when thousands of people died
unexpectedly, we all experienced a renewed reverence for life. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, when after an emergency C-section was done at
eight months due to an inadequate placenta, those in the OR were surprised to
find my daughter Christina had Down syndrome. At only five pounds, she was tiny
but feisty, scoring a 9.9 on the Apgar scale. No other disabilities were found
besides a tiny 2mm hole in her heart, which by age six months, healed itself.
So Christina was ready to come home from the hospital before I was, suffering
from a C-section scar. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Coming home was a challenge, we had not finished our
kitchen renovations due to her early arrival, so I stuffed towels under my
bedroom door, plugged in a small fridge in my room and lived off cheese baskets
and home cooked meals from friends for two months while I figured out how to
nurse a baby with Down syndrome. A bigger challenge, I discovered, was helping
my family members adjust to Christina’s diagnosis. From denial to fleeing in outright
fear, family members failed to support me. Fortunately I found support in my
friends, my parish, and the Early Intervention professionals who frequented my
home. Christina soon became the heart of our home. Family members who saw her
as something to pity or fear were won over by her toothless grin when she saw them;
she became a daddy’s girl, and her grandfather held her hands as she practiced
walking across the living room. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">School was another matter. Long Island schools do not
accept lower functioning children with Down syndrome and Christina’s toileting
skills were not advanced enough to be admitted in the local elementary school. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was not pleased with the inferior facilities
offered for those children with special needs, so we picked up and moved to
Connecticut where there is full inclusion by law. Soon Christina was taking the
morning bus to Kindergarten in rural Eastern CT. She became famous with her
peers; everyone in the school knew Christina’s name and she gleefully waved
back as they greeted her in school. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
couldn’t be happier, she was reading simple sentences and had wonderful
teachers, therapists and paraprofessionals who motivated her, enjoyed her
personality and even missed her during vacations. </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjmQUFcboWTxO93E1w6xxygHTs2md-_24x6LxSYb3bHudqu4jykT62wc-4O_zo-v4RtTy7jiR2xd2L8r-lakV6fvDXmLKvejznYnXiwixfIvah7F36VYQ4rPO5k9bhWZqNKDGyCSzEiI/s1600/DSCN6028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjmQUFcboWTxO93E1w6xxygHTs2md-_24x6LxSYb3bHudqu4jykT62wc-4O_zo-v4RtTy7jiR2xd2L8r-lakV6fvDXmLKvejznYnXiwixfIvah7F36VYQ4rPO5k9bhWZqNKDGyCSzEiI/s320/DSCN6028.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homeschooling Christina was easier than I expected. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When I learned about the high rate of abortion
following a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome, I was devastated and wanted to
encourage other parents that raising a child with Down syndrome was not
overwhelming. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My daughter and I completed a video about her
life, and I blogged about everyday life with Christina. In 2011, I published a
book of stories from parents who, like me, never expected a child with special needs;
yet found them to be their greatest blessing. I met with scientists, the media
and members of Congress, while touring the country giving talks about life with
Christina and Down syndrome in general. Accustomed to being a classroom
teacher, I had vastly expanded my audience. My lesson was simple; if you
abandon your previous expectations and allow your child with special needs to
transform you, you will be amazed at the result. In 2011 a survey published by
Dr. Brian Skotko in the American Journal of Medical Genetics found .</span>. .
that among siblings ages 12 and older, 97 percent expressed feelings of pride
about their brother or sister with Down syndrome and 88 percent were convinced
they were better people because of their sibling with Down syndrome. A third
study evaluating how adults with Down syndrome felt about themselves reports 99
percent responded they were happy with their lives, 97 percent liked who they
are, and 96 percent liked how they looked.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/id/44703812/ns/health-health_care/t/down-syndromes-rewards-touted-new-test-looms/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://www.nbcnews.com/id/44703812/ns/health-health_care/t/down-syndromes-rewards-touted-new-test-looms/</span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My own older daughters agree with that, both of them
chose careers in nursing after being inspired by watching such professionals
help their sister. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Just as I became known as a voice of encouragement
for those raising a child with Down syndrome, a major challenge emerged in our
journey. In 2012, Christina’s speech development began to stall. Her physician recommended
that she receive more intensive instruction and the Special Ed Director suggested
that she leave inclusion for a full day in a self-contained classroom. It was a
tragic mistake; Chrissy hated the restrictive environment and missed her
friends. Her overtures to the children in the program, which was designed for
children with autism, were largely rebuffed, and she was constantly being
trained to reign in her attempts to gain attention by touching others and their
belongings. This began two years of conflict between us as I spent hours every
day, often with professional help in my home, convincing her to attend
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a dozen professional evaluations
done to prove that she needed to be placed in another program outside the
school, and retained an attorney to convince the school, but they would not
consider it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The three psychologists
who evaluated her were divided about whether she had a secondary diagnosis of
autism, yet the Applied Behavioral Analysis program at her school, which is often
recommended for such children, was not meeting her needs. Child Protective
Services was called by the district twice because of her spotty attendance, and
in both cases, the CPS worker was outraged that she was being denied a proper
school placement, and tried to help us advocate for her. In December of 2013, I
withdrew Christina to homeschool her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Being at home with Christina without fighting with
her over attending school was a huge relief. We enjoyed one another’s company
again. We took trips to local parks, met with homeschooling groups, counted math
manipulatives, enjoyed Montessori activities, practiced her writing, did aqua
therapy in a local pool, and frequented the library to read stories together.
We found a speech therapist who believed in her ability to speak and she made slow
but steady progress (the Special Ed Director said, at age ten, that Christina
would never speak). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found an
Occupational Therapist who helped her start to overcome her sensory integration
disorder which was the cause of much of her attention-seeking behaviors. We are
currently working with a behaviorist who helps us help Christina improve her
social skills. A state grant provides us with in home support for us so I can
have a day off, attend and out of town conference or just catch up with my
writing. I am working on a novel whose main character has Down syndrome. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Homeschooling was not new to me, I had schooled
Christina’s sisters, but writing, speaking, and advocacy were new fields of
endeavor. I have learned more about the exciting research like this new
breakthrough </span><a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-down-syndrome-therapy-discovered-300135102.html"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-down-syndrome-therapy-discovered-300135102.html</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">and I have scores of new friends who, like me, never
anticipated how our children would turn our lives upside down; for the better. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I hope that there comes a day in which all parents
will be able to overcome the anxiety which often accompanies a prenatal
diagnosis of Down syndrome, and they are free to welcome their child with open
arms, but until then, I support a banning discriminating against an unborn child
with Down syndrome. Aborting because of a baby’s physical characteristics is
equivalent to aborting a baby girl because she is not a boy. We can help
parents who are feeling overwhelmed with a baby with Down syndrome find
support, resources, or in truly difficult cases, an adoptive family. What we
can’t do is undo the tragic decision to end a life ended because of fear of the
unknown and bring back the wonderful potential hidden behind an extra
chromosome. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Leticiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170455690163831806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197950707146736818.post-13055058933948253842015-08-03T03:08:00.001-04:002015-08-03T03:08:07.340-04:00Sadness-Tinged Joy about the Special Olympics<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLwT2owsCEMss8bXOcULXXb8b2m7E8m8JzNmYI6SAkjxEav0AoMOg7IGJRg0paROh6GWDckr1v9sLdPOxIVvgEmhZRIeQNM1a3zkkU66auLWKVTNQ7JjeTOUdJcIPzr1s4jNHasmyS9I/s1600/11136952_938589592857858_143489497_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLwT2owsCEMss8bXOcULXXb8b2m7E8m8JzNmYI6SAkjxEav0AoMOg7IGJRg0paROh6GWDckr1v9sLdPOxIVvgEmhZRIeQNM1a3zkkU66auLWKVTNQ7JjeTOUdJcIPzr1s4jNHasmyS9I/s320/11136952_938589592857858_143489497_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christina participating in swimming at our local pool. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SpecialOlympics/photos/a.477003273781.260604.10331123781/10154217948723782/?type=1&fref=nf">closing ceremonies </a>of the Special Olympics in Los Angeles was marked by joyful celebration. There is certainly a lot to celebrate since President George HW Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law twenty five years ago. In the years before the law was passed, many Americans with disabilities were left to languish in institutions without proper educational, social, health care or athletic opportunities. So much ground has been covered, its as if society has been transformed. But an important piece has been overlooked, and that's why I can't find joy in my heart for the 25th Anniversary of the ADA.<br />
<br />
<b>What is it?</b><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=leticiavelasquez" type="text/javascript"></script><br />
If you watched any of the scant news coverage of the four <a href="http://www.centerformedicalprogress.org/cmp/investigative-footage/">undercover Planned Parenthood videos</a>, you will understand my pain. Over 54 million Americans lost their lives in abortion since its legalization and too many of those were aborted specifically because they had disabilities.<br />
Listen to the heartbreaking <a href="http://www.lifenews.com/2014/08/25/pregnant-couples-defend-aborting-babies-with-down-syndrome-loving-kids-like-that-is-a-waste/">reasons </a>why parents aborted their child after a diagnosis of Down syndrome.<br />
<ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;"><blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 5px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.5px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 10px 20px;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: freight-text-pro, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;">
I just couldn’t do it, couldn’t be that kind of mother who accepts everything, loves her kid no matter what. What about me? Maybe it’s selfish, I don’t know. But I just didn’t want all those problems in my life. (138)</div>
</blockquote>
</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;"><blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 5px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.5px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 10px 20px;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: freight-text-pro, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;">
It’s devastating, it’s a waste, all the love that goes into kids like that. (134)</div>
</blockquote>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
Instead of focusing on research to improve the lives of people with disabilities by helping them overcome memory loss or difficulties in communicating, most of the research money was spent in developing earlier, less invasive methods of prenatal testing.(as many as 90% of parents will abort their child with Down syndrome after receiving a diagnosis of Down syndrome.)<br />
Introduced in 2011, new NIPT Non Invasive Prenatal Screening methods gave parents a very reliable result at only 10-12 weeks of pregnancy using only a maternal blood sample. Further testing such as amnio is needed to make the diagnosis of Down syndrome, yet its feared that the abortion rate for babies with Down syndrome climbed<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3123078/New-blood-test-blamed-women-choosing-abort-babies-s-syndrome-disabilities-soars-34-three-years.html"> as much as 34%. </a>as a result of this new technology.<br />
<br />
<b>Talk about a step backward!</b><br />
<br />
In a cruel irony, life has never been better for those with Down syndrome around the world, Opportunities and achievements are breaking all barriers, people with Down syndrome grace our TV and movie screens, college campuses and fashion magazines. Yet we still don't see a significant downward trend in abortion for such babies.<br />
<br />
<b>Why hasn't the abortion rate for Down syndrome gone down?</b><br />
Is it that we as parents haven't reached out enough?<br />
Since 2002 when my daughter Christina was born, opportunities for sharing our daily life as famlies with members with Down syndrome have blossomed online and in print media. Gone are the days when Googling Down syndrome led to only dreadful results. But we have a long long way to go until babies with Down syndrome are welcomed as joyfully as their typical counterparts. The late term abortions discussed in the Planned Parenthood videos are too often those babies whose disability turned eager anticipation to a challenge which parents are rejecting after prenatal testing.<br />
<br />
<b>Is that all?</b><br />
But the threat doesn't; end once our precious children are born. They are overwhelmingly happy wiht their lives and most families agree that they are great assets to their families and the community. But the power brokers do not agree. They want to deny them full access to health care.<br />
<br />
As <a href="http://nypost.com/2015/07/26/time-to-finally-remove-the-stigma-from-the-intellectually-disabled/">Betsy McCaughey said in her Op Ed in the New York Post. </a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: #fbfbfb; border: 0px; color: #2e2e2f; font-family: pt-serif, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 0px 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; color: #2e2e2f; font-family: pt-serif, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Take heed, ObamaCare architect Ezekiel Emanuel. He’s argued that organ transplants and other scarce resources shouldn’t go to the mentally disabled, who are “irreversiblly prevented” from contributing fully to society. Fortunately, 87 percent of Americans disagree with that cold calculation, according to the new national poll, and want the intellectually disabled to have access</span>to organ transplants.<br />It’s a sign that Americans are becoming ready to embrace the humanity of the intellectually disabled. </blockquote>
Let us work and pray for the day when we can say without irony that people are fully included in our society no matter what their score on an IQ test. <br />
<br />
<br />Leticiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170455690163831806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197950707146736818.post-50083791004469029562015-06-30T22:39:00.002-04:002015-07-02T16:01:15.681-04:00The Coming Battle: We will reclaim marriage<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1NKaQGwFU1cZWhUFtPhiyD91anIo38P6kE0P8fnfIcgG1D0xUKiquSc9uE_B3CNeU4FFYRj7FTMBo92zsKvNzHozWrUXI_sDhG__PDcri75INs6TpVz7hgX3U15cthf90xNAdOmLc_k/s1600/March+for+Life+Mall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1NKaQGwFU1cZWhUFtPhiyD91anIo38P6kE0P8fnfIcgG1D0xUKiquSc9uE_B3CNeU4FFYRj7FTMBo92zsKvNzHozWrUXI_sDhG__PDcri75INs6TpVz7hgX3U15cthf90xNAdOmLc_k/s1600/March+for+Life+Mall.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half a million attend the March for Life each year.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you are like me, you are in mourning. Not merely for a battle lost, but for the thousands of misguided souls who may be lost due to the Supreme Court's misguided attempts at fairness.<br />
<br />
The legalization of same sex marriage is not a sudden event, however, judging by the reactions on both sides, it is certainly a seismic cultural shift, akin to Roe v Wade or the Plessy v Ferguson decision (legalized segregation). But it should not come as a shock to observant people of faith. Society has been sliding downwards into the abyss for five decades, and the shudder you felt at the decision is society's morality hitting bottom. Or so we hope. <br />
<br />
The legal recognition of homosexual marriage is the fruit of a degradation of marriage which began in the 1960's when the contraceptive pill drove a sword into the heart of marriage. Codified in Griswold v Connecticut, which legalized contraception use in marriage (yes, it was once unthinkable and banned by all major religious groups) the pill slowly sucked the life out of traditional marriage. Rather than assuming that children were at the heart of marriage, they are an option for couples pursuing careers, travel and the home of their dreams. My next door neighbors on Long Island told me that they were getting a dog instead of a second child, to enable the husband to buy the boat of his dreams. The grandparents actually threw a baby shower for the puppy! Their lonely little guy used to gaze through the picket fence at my two girls playing in our yard. His father put up a six foot stockade fence to stop him. When I sold purebred Labrador Retrievers, I quickly understood that I was cooperating in this childless culture. Many young couples would come to buy a dog to "practic being parents" and hold off the urge to procreate. I could see the seething resentment in the women's eyes. I stopped breeding dogs and had another baby. <br />
<br />
Procreation hgas been cut out of the very essence of marriage, and what remained of marriage's God-given meaning and purpose was left to wither in public opinion until it became a loose association of two adults in love. Add five decades of the promiscuity of the sexual revolution, aided by no-fault divorce, and we arrive at a society with a 40% illegitimacy
rate, where millions of confused, suffering children search amid the emotional ruins of the once-strong family structure for the love of a father and mother. I taught in an inner city high school while I was engaged to be married. Not one of my students had ever met a person in their social circles who was married. We heterosexuals seem to have no use for marriage, other than some nostalgic image on a Hallmark card. Marriage was up for grabs. <br />
<br />
<b>Times change, so why not marriage?</b><br />
<br />
If companionship and not babies was the sole aim of marriage, and babies could be made in a laboratory (via IVF and surrogacy) by any one with the money to do so, what made marriage so unique that it could only be shared by one man and one woman?<br />
<br />
The question became; <br />
<b>Why not grant homosexuals the right to enjoy such companionship and economic security? </b><br />
We allowed the same sex marriage lobby to frame the argument in terms of rights for adults, forsaking the needs of children. We wanted to be seen as fair, loving, tolerant people.That is how public opinion went from 80% opposed to same sex marriage to 50% in favor in a few short years. The institution of marriage was on shaky ground indeed. <br />
<br />
So when the question is asked "who is responsible for the Supreme Court's approval of same sex marriage?" the only honest answer is; I am. I did not fight hard enough against contraception, no fault divorce and for a traditional understanding of marriage. I did not feel badly enough for the children who suffer from the lack of traditional family structure to be their advocate even when <a href="http://www.acpeds.org/traditional-marriage-still-the-best-for-children">study </a>after study confirmed this. I did not fast and pray enough for God to change the hearts of all Americans who stood idly by, consumed with their entertainment devices, and allowed the family go on life support. It was too lonely a battle to defend traditional marriage amid the disdain and mockery of my family and associates. Hollywood, academia, many churches and politicians had given way, so I did as well. I was censored on Facebook for a few days for posting an article on same sex marriage so I stopped posting on it. There were other battles to be fought, I thought. I was wrong. Nothing is more important than retaining our right to not only worship freely but to live out our faith in the public square.<br />
I attended a <a href="http://livestream.com/dioceseofworcester/fortnightforfreedom">lecture. </a>by a Little Sister of the Poor on the history of religious freedom in America. The right to worship as Catholics was not ensured in the Colonies, but thanks to fair minded <a href="http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2001/03/james-madison-and-religious-liberty">James Madison the father of the Constitution and Bill of Rights,</a> we have it in our most fundamental document. But then the majority in the Obergefell v. Hodges decision found a right to homosexual marrige in the Fourteenth Amendment which did not exist. So much for the Constitutional protections!<br />
<br />
<b>But here's the good news. </b>The battle is far from lost. Neither Roe v Wade or Plessy v Ferguson settled the matters they proposed to decide. They created movements which caused disruption in society until the wrongs they caused were rectified (the abortion industry is losing steam at this time). It took commitment, courage and faith to overcome the degradation of segregation. It will take perhaps even more effort to help homosexuals find love and healing within the arms of God and to restore the true meaning and beauty of God's plan for marriage for heterosexuals who lost faith in it. <br />
And thanks to many public declarations where Christians of all denominations and races have expressed solidarity with traditional marriage, we will find new friends at our side as we work to rebuild what has been torn down. <br />
<br />
Good people of faith forged many alliances on the freedom rides, on the sidewalks of abortion mills and in the streets of our nation's capital. We expect to be joined by fellow believers who did not believe us when we warned that the family was in trouble, as our freedom of conscience is drastically eroded. It will take sacrifice and pain, real pain. Will it take the arrest of our local clergyman for refusing to perform a same sex wedding to wake us up? Perhaps. <br />
<br />
But the awakening is coming. The darkness of our culture of relativism has become sufficiently dark for the light of Christ to stand in stark relief.<br />
As Blessed Archbishop Oscar Romero, a martyr for the truth in El Salvador said,<br />
<br />
"The Church must suffer for speaking the truth. For pointing out sin, for uprooting sin. No one wants to have a sore spot touched, and therefore a society with so many sores twitches when someone has the courage to touch it and say, 'You have to treat that. You have to get rid of that. Believe in Christ. Be converted."<br />
Please join me in praying, fasting, and bearing joyful witness to the love of Christ expressed in your marriage. We will join the battle this time. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Leticiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170455690163831806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197950707146736818.post-48742827820604777402015-05-12T17:28:00.002-04:002015-05-12T17:28:47.419-04:00Have Scientists Unlocked the Mystery of Cognitive Decline in Down syndrdome?<div>
This is the most exciting research development for my daughter with Down syndrome and significant cognitive decline a long time! Read <a href="http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-05/uom-cor051215.php">here. </a>-<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Down syndrome, the most common chromosomal
disorder in America, can be complicated by significant deterioration in
movement, speech and functioning in some adolescents and young adults.
Physicians previously attributed this regression to depression or
early-onset Alzheimer's, and it has not responded to treatments. Now, a
researcher at the University of Missouri has found that Catatonia, a
treatable disorder, may cause regression in patients with Down syndrome.
Individuals with regressive Down syndrome who were treated for
Catatonia showed improvement, the researcher found.
<br />
"Our findings are important for young people with Down syndrome,
autism and probably other neurodevelopmental disorders," said Judith
Miles, professor emerita in the MU School of Medicine and researcher
with the MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
"Until recently, Catatonia was felt to be just a complication of
schizophrenia; however, it now is known that Catatonia is a common
neuropsychiatric disorder that complicates many types of brain
disorders. Our recognition that Catatonia occurs in young adults and
adolescents with Down syndrome means these individuals who before were
relegated to lives of incapacity may now receive treatments that restore
them to their usual levels of activity."<br />
Those who care for individuals with regressive Down syndrome
describe them as "zombie-like," Miles said. Symptoms of regression can
include difficulty moving and sleeping, inability to perform activities
of daily living, no longer talking, and a lack of interest in previously
enjoyed activities.<br />
In her study, Miles followed the cases of four patients with Down
syndrome who were diagnosed with Catatonia. Each patient improved when
treated with a combination of benzodiazepine, a drug commonly used to
treat anxiety, and electroconvulsive therapy.<br />
"The wonderful thing is that Catatonia is a treatable cause of
regression," said Miles, a pediatrician who led the Down syndrome clinic
at MU for many years. "When we treat these patients who otherwise would
be condemned to stupor-like existences, they can return to their
baseline level of functioning. So, not only do we have a diagnosis, but
we also have a treatment that is backed by years of successful use by
psychiatrists. We're also beginning to know how it works to correct
imbalances in neurotransmitters in patients."<br />
Miles said she wants families, physicians, teachers and therapists
to know that Catatonia causes regression in Down syndrome so individuals
with the disorder can receive accurate diagnosis and treatment. But,
more research is needed to better understand Catatonia, identify its
prevalence among patients with Down syndrome and improve treatment,
Miles said.<br />
"I consider it a public health issue to determine how often
Catatonia occurs in patients with Down syndrome," Miles said. "We don't
know what predisposes kids with Down syndrome to develop Catatonia.
However, one of the things we do know is that individuals with Down
syndrome tend to acquire autoimmune disorders, so we're looking into
autoimmune function and its possible connection to Catatonia."</blockquote>
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They may have finally unlocked the reason why Christina had a sharp cognitive decline in her pre-adolescent years. I spoke with Dr. Miles today and she will be presenting on a medical panel at the National Down Syndrome Congress in Phoenix next month. She is touch with Dr. Brian Skotko and hopefully, her protocol of anti-anxiety medication which seems to help those in catatonia 'wake up' to their surroundings and in some cases, return to baseline levels of functioning will be made available to those patients like my daughter for whom the medical community has had no clear answers. <br />
<br /></div>
Leticiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170455690163831806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197950707146736818.post-7705761632302715612015-04-24T21:56:00.001-04:002015-04-24T21:56:02.121-04:00Movie Review: 'Little Boy'<a href="http://www.speroforum.com/a/KDTWKVOYWS18/75830-Movie-Review-Little-Boy#.VTr0GsIH_WM.blogger">Movie Review: 'Little Boy'</a>Leticiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170455690163831806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197950707146736818.post-13094466992709775192015-04-20T13:29:00.002-04:002015-04-20T13:33:50.903-04:00Dear Sears, Thank you for Helping My Daughter with Down Syndrome<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0CCjKoTekUpiHtAirvPkGyRmm1Ce_jyNBN2QyUSMiEXrYYbQ0DtfnV1NFeJGeZ0V1UYfalwxVmij5WiD4sOGF3A-aBhNd6Ta9PxTDLy1i5mqn9VCy0rFCnpkZQmJgtTj6l7wXU5q5qo/s1600/11106206_938589492857868_1711434690_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0CCjKoTekUpiHtAirvPkGyRmm1Ce_jyNBN2QyUSMiEXrYYbQ0DtfnV1NFeJGeZ0V1UYfalwxVmij5WiD4sOGF3A-aBhNd6Ta9PxTDLy1i5mqn9VCy0rFCnpkZQmJgtTj6l7wXU5q5qo/s1600/11106206_938589492857868_1711434690_n.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chrissy shopping in our local drugstore. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My 13 year old daughter Chrissy with Down syndrome has a support person to help her reshape her behaviors so that she can get along better in everyday situations. Christina has autism as well as Down syndrome, making her more impulsive and
stubborn, and has a very limited vocabulary which is a recipe for
disaster in public. Most times I leave her home when I shop. On Friday
we took a risk, and took Chrissy to Sears. Ana, her helper, and I were looking for bathing suits at Lands End so we look good when we take her to the pool, her favorite activity. <br />
Christina was not ready for Sears. At first she ran in the door of the store and sat in the waiting area for Miracle Ear. She refused to budge despite harried looks from the lady in the office. I told Ana to go and shop while I kept Christina company there. As soon as Ana left, Chrissy bolted after her, and I tried to shop with her in the costume jewelry section. She is 13 and was fascinated by the bling of the sale watches. I was not quick enough to keep her from picking up a Hello Kitty watch in a plastic case. To my horror, she pitched over the railing of the escalator, where it glanced by the head of a manager and smashed to pieces on the escalator, creating a scene. Several judgmental onlookers were making my face turn red, as I yelled down the manager, "I'm sorry! My daughter doesn't understand what she did was dangerous!" He cleaned up the mess without making a huge deal about it. I continued on my way, trying to ignore the diapproving stare of a perfectly coiffed blonde mother of a perfectly dressed blonde daughter of five. The mom and the little girl scowled at me, lifted their noses in the air and turned on their heels as if pleased to have let me know what they think of such behavior. My face burned red and I started to sweat. Ouch!<br />
I could not find Ana in Lands End and so Christina bolted out of Sears to the mall where I gently helped her to the carpet. She cried and cried wanting to run top speed through the mall. and I kept helping her to the ground explaining that we were waiting for Ana. Onlookers saw her sobbing in frustration and I was worried they would call the authorities. Finally Ana appeared in Lands End and we joined her on the comfy couches provided for customers.<br />
Two friendly salespersons provided Chrissy with coloring books to keep her busy while I tried on a bathing suit. When I emerged to buy the suit, Ana and Chrissy were gone. No one knew where they went and I had no cell phone (a certain young lady likes to hide it!) to contact Ana. Her cell phone had no power anyway, so I ran around and around the store and the mall searching for them to no avail. Finally one of the nice salesladies who gave Chrissy the crayons saw my distress and offered to page Ana. <br />
There was no answer. More panic. Suddenly the saleslady got a cell phone call. The other saleslady was going home for the day and spotted Chrissy and Ana in the parking lot. I thanked her profusely and gratefully left. My hands were shaking and my vision was blurry from the high blood pressure induced by my panic. We went to eat pizza and discuss why Mommy was worried about Chrissy and how to behave next time. Trust me, the next time is a LONG time away!<br />
The next day I came without Christina and sought a manager, I told her this story, offering to pay for the $15.00 watch. She said it wasn't necessary, and was pleased to hear of her sales clerk's efforts to help me with my daughter. She agreed that the salesclerk deserved props for her out of the ordinary consideration for a needy customer. I am very grateful to Sears for hiring three employees who care about the dignity and the safety of customers with special needs. Its easy to judge Christina as the blonde lady did, as just a spoiled brat who needs discipline, and I can't claim perfect parenting, however that is not taking her complex challenges into consideration. Instead of judgement, a little compassion goes a long way to make my and Christina's life easier.<br />
<br />
Someday Christina and I will walk through the mall like I do with her older sisters, calmly shopping and enjoying one another's company. But it will take time and patience, and its a far off goal at this point. In the meanwhile, its good to know some of Sear's employees have my back.</div>
Leticiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170455690163831806noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197950707146736818.post-75335635186422451892015-04-14T20:41:00.003-04:002015-04-14T20:41:43.431-04:00My experience at a Hillary Clinton Rally <div>
Since I don't see much difference between the 'new' Hillary Clinton listening tour today and the one I witnessed during her Senate run in 2000 I thought I'd share my reflections at <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/thefont/2015/04/what-i-saw-from-the-rope-lines-at-hillarys-first-listening-tour/">Patheos. </a>Even the Scooby Doo van is the same. </div>
Leticiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170455690163831806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197950707146736818.post-32344244121181147082015-04-06T19:04:00.000-04:002015-04-06T19:04:01.422-04:00My Response to Changing the Conversation<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9VstbDTqrtiPGxf0uH1h69_SfZkHgOCHFnk0vg5y8UwLMmGr9Prtpx3_ecggpVQLmjjrroM9FyQ1DiQnj8mo1jIcAmIR1TQtWKguzNoqIabmLbrehSaDnOPanaJ_qCvLoPp-yb-5ZhE/s1600/11137044_938589536191197_344491384_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9VstbDTqrtiPGxf0uH1h69_SfZkHgOCHFnk0vg5y8UwLMmGr9Prtpx3_ecggpVQLmjjrroM9FyQ1DiQnj8mo1jIcAmIR1TQtWKguzNoqIabmLbrehSaDnOPanaJ_qCvLoPp-yb-5ZhE/s1600/11137044_938589536191197_344491384_n.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christina, age 13, helping make her own lunch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
The discussion of pre natal testing and abortion as usual is a very emotional one. I decided to wade in. Here the original <a href="https://forelysium.wordpress.com/2015/04/06/changing-the-conversation-on-abortion-and-down-syndrome/comment-page-1/#comment-237">post. </a>The blogger at For Elisium has it right, she says, </div>
<div>
"The new generation of kids with Down syndrome is the new normal, the
new majority. Unfortunately, the people at the front lines don’t seem to
know it yet.
In fact, people with Down syndrome have scarcely been given a chance
in recent history. First they were institutionalized, just as they are
still in many countries. But in the U.S., when parents began questioning
that practice in the 60s and 70s and insisted on bringing their babies
home and insisted that they should be able to go to school, the laws
started to change. This could have made an incredible difference for new
babies born with Down syndrome, but the new realization came at the
same time as two strikes against Down syndrome: Roe vs. Wade and
prenatal testing.<br />
Laws aren’t going to change–got it. Acknowledged. Not going to change anyone’s mind on abortion. Check."<br />
The part which got me fired up is the comments from moms who aborted their babies with Down syndrome and are suffering at Baby Center. This is a sick culture which asks moms to fall on the swords of their consciences to save their babies from a life full of suffering. This type of deception, and self-delusional violence makes me angry. Women are wounded, babies are dead, and the world is deprived the delight of these beautiful human beings. What may I ask , are we accomplishing besides some sick type of eugenics? Here is my comment on the blog. <br />
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
The doctors are either ignorant of the prospects of living a fulfilling
life with Down syndrome OR they know the truth, and are deliberately
telling terrifying stories to scare moms into abortion. They may think
they are sparing the mothers, the babies and society but as a society,
we are past that type of “doctor knows best” paternalism.<br />
The moms are kidding themselves if they think that by abortion they have
saved the baby pain (do some research about how much pain unborn babies
feel, particularly later in pregnancy) or that it is less selfish. We
can not spare our children pain in this life, we can only accompany them
through it. That is our job as mothers, not to make a decision your
very heart screams to you is wrong.<br />
My 13 year old Christina does not have a poor quality of life because
she is very limited intellectually and has little language. Her life is
very similar to my typical daughters. She is happy and sad, excited and
frustrated like all teenagers. She is embarrassed by her mom, is a
Daddy’s girl, has her favorite TV shows, loves attention when she gets
dressed up and has her favorite pop songs.<br />
Who am I to decide her life is not worth living? If I even had the
unmitigated gall to suggest she would be better of dead, she would look
at me as if I were crazy. Christina loves her family, her pets,
chocolate, swimming and most of all she loves life. Her life.<br />
I am a Catholic and look forward to seeing her fully functional in
Heaven, singing God’s praises with full voice, and doing cartwheels in
the Elysian fields. When her time comes. But I have NO right to decide
when that time is. God gave her a life filled with purpose and she must
live out her destiny. My older daughters my husband and I were chosen to
guide, protect and learn from her in our mutual journey. That is what a
family does. We grow as a unit, crying, laughing, working and loving
one another with all our faults.<br />
And, God willing, we will celebrate that eternal Alleluia in Heaven
together. And I suspect my daughter has seen Heaven a bit more clearly
than we have, as she does not judge her neighbors by their abilities.
She looks at them as friends.</div>
Leticiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170455690163831806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4197950707146736818.post-53682899674823548092015-03-26T11:42:00.002-04:002015-03-26T11:42:13.964-04:00Review of "Joyful Witness: How to be an Extraordinary Catholic"<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">by Randy
Hain</span></b>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Americans know a lot about movie stars, musicians
and athletes. Often, we know more than we want to know about their lifestyles and relationships.
How this type of bad example influences us and our children is well known, yet
most of us feel helpless to counteract it. It takes concentrated effort to find good
examples to follow, especially if you are attempting to be a good Catholic. Good Catholics rarely
make headlines these days. Here is a book which attempts to make edifying examples
of holy Catholic lives easier to find. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Some Catholics think that today’s saints-in-the-making are humorless old fogeys dressed in grey who never step outside of
church. By compiling stories of ordinary Catholics leading extraordinary lives
of irresistible joy, Randy Hain, the creator of the website, The Integrated Catholic Life, has done Catholics a great service. He dispels that stereotype by relating
thirteen stories about irresistibly joyful Catholic people whom he has met in his daily life, with a
vibrancy that leaves the reader feeling inspired, not overwhelmed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I read one chapter a day in my prayer time and used
the helpful series of questions at the end of each chapter as a tool to
challenge myself to conform my own actions and attitudes to that person’s example. Hain makes sure to emphasize the useful advice from each of his story
subjects. Advice such as “Receive the Eucharist daily," "be humble," " we must
support and pray for our priests," "we must properly catechize ourselves,” are
highlighted in bold print and leave no doubt as to why he chose these people as
examples to help us in our own walk of faith. Each chapter is headed by
a Scripture verse or a paragraph from the Catechism of the Catholic Church
which epitomizes that person's life. The people whose stories grace this book range
in age from pillars-of-the-Church great-grandmas to exuberant youth leaders, from humble home-schooling
moms of many, to prominent successful businessmen. No one is exempt from living a
life of joyful witness to Christ according to Randy Hain, and he gives you the education
and inspiration to make the journey in your own life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Living in the highly secular Northeast, I enjoyed the
example of Andy LaVallee, a successful bread distributor in Boston.
After a life confession and re dedication of his life to Our Lady while on pilgrimage with Jim Caviezel, Andy began to
learn and apply Catholic social teaching to his employees with amazing results.
He was inspired by reading of Pope Emeritus Benedict's encyclical, <i>Charity in Truth. </i>Andy says, "The Holy Father was asking us to seek hybrid programs that could develop and help people and business enterprises. This encyclical provided the motivation for my company to transform our biggest department, our distribution program, into something more devout." He changed the title of the job from "driver" to "guardian" and gave the employees who dealt directly with the customers a bigger responsibility, teaching them the concept of servant leadership, encouraging to grow their routes by giving them a share in the new business they created. It lead to increased profits both for the drivers who felt more invested in their work and the company. Another time, after prayer and reflection, Andy rehired an employee whom he fired for insubordination. Andy accompanied this unprecedented action with a memo on forgiveness so that, "my entire company would understand the power of this virtue." Andy's attendance at daily Mass, weekly confession and adoration is the power behind his unique brand of leadership. He shares his story with other business leaders and also with fellow Catholics. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Joyful Witness</i> would make an excellent book for a study group for Catholics who want to support one another as they grow in faith or for RCIA groups who want to give practical examples to new Catholics of what living a fully Catholic life really means. Blessed Mother Teresa gave away the secret of her success when she said, "Joy is a net with which to catch souls." I give <i>Joyful Witness </i>an enthusiastic thumbs up!</span></div>
Leticiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08170455690163831806noreply@blogger.com0