Mother Teresa

A Deeply Spirtual Lent

You can count on Fr Tom at HLI to have deep insights into what makes a good Lent. I'm using his letter as a basis for observing Lent.

The Scriptures and our Church both tell us that Lent is not a season for timid creatures. If in Lent we were to simply jump through the hoops of fasting and abstinence on the days prescribed, we would be rightly accused of a sort of spiritual minimalism. But God is not served by minimalists - He wants tested saints of faith to be channels of His Life to the world! That is what Lent calls us to be.How will we embrace God's Life so deeply this season?

The answer is simple. By first jettisoning the baggage we have accumulated in our lives over the past year. I am talking here about interior personal baggage that we have picked up at the cheap convenience stores of human frailty and about which we let ourselves off the hook continuously: pettiness, every sort of self-indulgence, backbiting, selfish attitudes, worldliness, gossip and the like. Withdrawing permission for anti-Christian behaviors at the core of our beings and ridding ourselves of these faults and imperfections is the first order of business for Lent.
It is the basic Gospel call to conversion of heart, and there is no growth in the spiritual life if we do not repent of the things that keep us far away from God. Will we accept the challenge of removing the blockages to God's grace this Lent?If so, this interior purification is just the first step to embracing His Life.
The Church gives us three more: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. They seem so commonplace, yet these practices can create a consuming fire within us, transforming us into spiritually strong men and women of Christ. These practices are not spiritual drudgery; they are spiritual life! We don't put on our calendars that we have to "embrace life today"! We only have to live life each day, and in the same way, Lent asks us to consciously live those things which are channels of spiritual life for us.
Make prayer a passion, not a duty. Ask God for the grace to understand the true nature of prayer which is the very soul of our spiritual lives. If we don't pray, we suffocate spiritually. We wouldn't allow that to happen to our physical bodies, yet through negligence and any number of excuses we drop prayer off our list of priorities and end up spiritually suffocating our souls. There is no time like the present to commit ourselves to a strong prayer life. The interior benefits are truly life-giving.

Fasting makes us spiritual men and women in a way that few other practices can because fasting is a voluntary renunciation of desires of the flesh. No truly spiritual person can live without this practice. So here is a simple Lenten challenge - skip a meal. I guarantee that you will not die! Quite the contrary - you will find yourself filled with divine light in the depth of your being and a vibrancy of life like you have never felt before. Really try it.

Finally, make sure you go above and beyond the call of duty to help your neighbor. Almsgiving, namely, the voluntary deprivation of personal resources for the sake of another, is inconvenient, and sometimes radically so. No matter. Do it anyway and trust God to send it back to you many-fold. When even the smallest deeds of kindness and generosity are done with a completely childlike heart that expects nothing in return, the actual return is a full measure of God's grace and blessing. I would rather have that than all the money in the world.

Be faithful to Lent. It is a deep training program in life, divine Life that is. Let's not lose the opportunity to become deeply spiritual men and women this Lent, and God will then make us a channel of His Life to others.

Welcome "The Face of Pro-life" Viewers

Last night, on the live program of "The Face of Pro-life" I discussed the warm reception KIDS received in Washington, DC at the March for Life, meeting with Sen Sam Brownback and Rep Cathy McMorris Rogers, and our thoughts on where we might serve our children from here. We had several callers who wanted to know where parents expecting children with Down syndrome could find support, and I made reference to my friend Monica Rafie's website
Be Not Afraid. I also told viewers that the links on the sidebar of this site offered resources and blogs of families who had positive stories to share about life with Down syndrome.
So, if you saw me on "The Face of Pro-life" welcome and please don't be a stranger! Drop me a comment below and make my day.
I'll keep you posted about the amazing reaction Eileen Haupt and are finding as KIDS is becoming known out there. Only God knows where this will lead us, but we are 'riding the wave of the Holy Spirit' open to whatever comes.

An early spring?

The other day, when it was a glorious 65 degrees and sunny, when we pale, weak things who have been suffering from the cold of a lifetime, crawled out to the front porch to feel the sun, we were rewarded with an extraordinary sight. Not one but three robin redbreasts!
And it's not even St Valentine's Day!
The big chunks of ice are melting in the driveway, and the ground is visible everwhere, so I'll be looking to see if my daffodils survived the hasty transplanting they received when we arrived last fall.
This may be premature, but I'm hungry for spring. We've had the snowiest winter in 20 years, and though I love snow, I love spring best of all.

Feb 22 UPDATE: Francisco made this video of the stream down the hill from our home. This is the first time I've seen the water flowing since New Year's and I realize how much I missed it's song. Sorry, you'll just have to imagine the sound!

Amazing rosary video

See if you recognize more stars than I do; Eduardo Verastegui sings the "Salve Regina" and Immaculee Ilibagiza prays the prayer which saw her through the Rwandan genocide.
Copy the code and pass it on!

7 Quick Takes Friday

1
Does it bother any of you moms out there when you're playing an 'old' movie and your tween rolls her eyes at your teen, saying, "look at those hair styles, they're so NINETIES"!
2
About 4PM this afternoon, as I was catching up with what everyone else has been blogging about all day, I looked over my shoulder at the rug and found it populated with our entire pet collection; two labs, a black cat and a fuzzy tabby cat. I start to feel popular, and then I notice something. . .
they're all lying the patch of sunlight created by the setting sun in the office.
So much for popularity!
3
It's our second big school vacation since the girls entered school after ten years of homeschooling, and we quickly fell back into homeschooling mode. . .someone constantly in the kitchen making a sandwich, no one getting dressed, lot of silly sister gigglin, and LATE bedtimes. . .
and I miss seeing them during the day so much, I don't even complain!
4
Ever find yourself hunkering after something green in late February? This is when we usually start our annual seeds. after a shopping spree in our local hardware store. It's so much fun, even if the seedlings never see the outdoors.
In my new house, I have a greenhouse window in the kitchen. This year, my seedlings might make it through the deadly combinaton of neglectful Mom, curious, over-watering Christina and a cat who loves to dig.
5
Lent begins next Wednesday and I'm looking forward to imposing some much-needed discipline on myself. Well, not exactly looking forward to it. . . well, dreading it but acknowledging it's very necessary.
You shouldn't lie about the discipline of Lent.
It's good for you, but no one says you have to like it.
6
Speaking of Lent, I am so excited about the beer-battered fish fillets I have waiting in the freezer. They were on sale and really are a treat. . .so I shouldn't eat them for Lent, right, cause they wouldn't really count as abstinence? I should eat them tonight. Thought so.
7
However, unlike Jen, I adore the taste of cilantro, especially when it's served fresh in salads. So, with my bland arroz y frijoles(rice and beans) next Friday, I can eat a tasty green salad with cilantro and avocado. That is something to look forward to.
Did she mention that the Greek word from which cilantro is derived means "smells bad'?
Seven quick takes is hosted byJen at Conversion Diary.

Small Successes

This week everyone was off from school but recovering from three weeks of illness, so I was afraid that my plans for this week were not going to happen.
However we did manage to:

1. clear the dining room/office of the last of the moving boxes. (Don't tell anyone they're in the basement, at least we can see the floor, and it's clean!! )

2. Help the girls catch up with the schoolwork they missed while ill. They had time to have friends visit and see our newly clean home.

3. Send out those book proposals to the publishers.

The baby no one wants; Faith Hope is born

Her mother is an unmarried college student with no medical insurance. Faith Hope has ancephaly, which causes most mothers to abort her. But today, despite all that, she was born by C-section and is at her mother's side, very much wanted. A blessing from God.
Read her mother's blog We walk by faith.

Lia's trophy

If you have an email account, no doubt you've received the video of a speech done by 12 year old Lia for her school speech competition in Toronto. I tried to run in on my other blog, but gave up as it wouldn't play.
Lia didn't win the prize for best speech however, her YouTube video has had over 200,000 hits and one commenter said that she decided not to have an abortion, thanks to the video.
Watch it here on YouTube.
Bravo, mom and dad for raising this wonderful young lady with such a bold heart, and for allowing her to express herself regardless of the consequences.
She has won the best trophy of all.

Read the entire story at Life Site News and updates on Moral Outcry blog.

Pope Benedict's Lenten message

Is up on the Vatican website.

Chastity novelist Carmen Marcoux has a love story of her own

My Valentine’s Love Story Twenty-two years ago my husband, James, and I were wed on Valentine’s Day. Most people figure we must have been a really romantic pair – and truth be told, we were feeling rather romantic and in love! But really, it was a practical move as much as anything … we were students
Read the rest on her blog.

Call for stories on marriage

from my dear friend Jean Heimann of Catholic Fire;
Attention Married Men and Women:

I need your inspirational stories from a Catholic perspective affirming marriage and the family for a new book.
In it, I plan to share 15 compelling faith-filled stories of hope and healing from Catholic families who have dealt with great difficulties and hardships, but have managed to transcend these trials through the grace of God and the intercession of the saints.

Have you experienced great suffering in your family life, but managed to overcome it and experience great hope and unexpected graces in the midst of your trials through the intercession of a special saint or saints? Do you have a child who is handicapped, but instead of 'terminating' the pregnancy, you chose to keep your child? Has your family had to deal with unexpected financial hardships, debilitating or chronic illness but received healing and hope to transcend these trials? Has anyone in your family considered or had an abortion and the entire family was devastated by it, but God healed you and gave you hope? Have you dealt with marital infidelity or addictions that have been overcome through the intercession of a saint or saints? Has a spouse been converted to the faith through your prayers?Would you like to help and inspire others through your witness?
Your story should be 1800 - 2000 words in length.I am looking for content and not perfection in writing, as I will be editing the stories.

Due Date: March 15, 2009
Email your story in a Microsoft Word attachment to:
Jean M. Heimann
jean.heimann@gmail.com

Give a dollar to The Michael Fund

I don't often do appeals on Cause of Our Joy, but here is a charity close to my heart. I wrote about Dr Jim Paddy Baggot in this article. His research was funded by The Michael Fund.
Dear Friend of Life,

In the 1940s, the popular comedian Eddie Cantor coined the name “March of Dimes” (MOD) to help raise money to fight polio. Every American, regardless of means, was asked to stick a dime in an envelope and send it to the White House to help raise research funds to eradicate polio. Despite the hard economic times, the first MOD campaign brought in $1.8 million.

Well, it’s February 2009, and times have changed.

The Michael Fund has become the prolife alternative to the March of Dimes, and instead of a dime we are asking for one dollar. This is the Michael Fund’s first annual online appeal. Our goal is to raise $250,000 funds for prolife genetic research and education – ONE DOLLAR for every person who will read this appeal during the month of February.

PLEASE – won’t you take a dollar from your wallet or purse, stick it in an envelope, and send it to the:

Michael Fund
4371 Northern Pike
Pittsburgh PA 15146

The International Foundation for Genetic Research, popularly known as the Michael Fund, was co-founded in 1978 as the prolife alternative to the March of Dimes, by Dr. Jerome Lejeune of Paris and Randy Engel, head of the U.S. Coalition for Life. To make an online donation or read more about the research and education program of the Michael Fund please visit www.michaelfund.org. All donations are tax-deductible. If you would like a copy of our Winter 2008 Friends of the Michael Fund Newsletter, “New Directions for Down Syndrome Research” by Dr. Paddy Jim Baggot, send your request to Randy Engel, Executive Director of the Michael Fund at rvte61@comcast.net.
Please post and circulate this appeal to your relatives and friends.
May God bless you for your charity.

Prolife Youth Activism Conference

I am helping to organize a pro-life youth activism conference here at the Academy of the Holy Family. I will be co-moderator and the speaker on how to become a prolife activist online. In order to reach the largest possible audience, we will have the Friars stream the conference live on AirMaria.
Keep the afternoon of Saturday, March 28 open, and stay tuned for more details. I hope to link the conference on Facebook for a really large audience, and get some interesting visual aids going. All this while teaching Literature and keeping up with the children.
I'll be counting on your prayers for this, my friends.

Some promising research from Down Syndrome Education International

Dear Friend,
This year will mark the 30th anniversary of the day I received a letter from a father of a young girl with Down syndrome describing her (then) surprising aptitude for reading. This letter, from the late Leslie Duffen about his daughter Sarah, was the start of a fascinating journey.
During this time I have been privileged to be involved (along with many colleagues here and around the world) with groundbreaking research that has delivered marked improvements in the support and education offered to young people with Down syndrome today. There is still much to do to properly educate and inform all educators and therapists working with our children, but there has been notable progress in many parts of the world.
Leslie's letter also marked the beginning of what was to become Down Syndrome Education International. Starting in the early 1980s as a support group for a few dozen families engaged in our earliest research projects, the charity now delivers support to over 75,000 families and professionals in over 180 countries each year.
Ongoing practical research
With a growing team at our centres in the UK and the USA and working with partners at Universities around the world, we have a busy, ongoing programme of research, including:
* Classroom reading and language teaching trial - the largest randomised controlled intervention trial to date will be underway at two centres in the UK in a few months' time and (if the results are as expected) will result in practical, assistant-delivered, daily reading, speech and language support for children in schools everywhere (supported by the UK Big Lottery Fund).
* Early reading pilot study - a pilot trial of two early literacy intervention approaches is underway with colleagues at the University of Denver, Colorado, USA (supported by The Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Educational Fund, the McDonnell Foundation and the University of Denver).
* Early years studies - ongoing studies are investigating the factors influencing differing rates of development, effects of signing on language development and early indicators of social communication and behaviour difficulties - including early predictors of autism spectrum disorders (supported by The Sue Buckley Research Fund and general funds).
* Attention profiles - a study at the University of Oxford, UK, is examining early attention profiles and their impact on literacy and numeracy development (supported by The Sue Buckley Research Fund and the UK Economic and Social Research Council).
* Reading and language - a study is underway at the University of York, Centre for Reading and Language, UK, investigating the interrelationships between oral language and reading skills (supported by The Sue Buckley Research Fund and the UK Economic and Social Research Council).
* Oral motor abilities - a study investigating oral motor control, speech, language, and non-verbal abilities will start at Lancaster University, UK, in April 2009 (supported by The Sue Buckley Research Fund and the UK Economic and Social Research Council).
In addition, we have several studies 'ready to go' when we can secure funding. These include:
* Speech and language intervention at home - an evaluation of an intervention to improve speech clarity supported by speech and language therapists but delivered at home by parents is planned with colleagues at Macquarie University, Sydney.
* Working memory computer training - an evaluation of the effects of computer-based training to improve working memory is planned in partnership with colleagues in the Psychology Department, University of York, UK, who have already demonstrated the training helps working memory in other children with delays.
Expanding global information and advice services
Throughout its history, Down Syndrome Education International has remained focused on practical research that delivers tangible benefits to children and young people with Down syndrome, and on communicating up-to-date and effective advice and information based on this research to families and professionals. Coupled with our extensive experience delivering educational services, support and specialist advice, this model ensures that the research quickly informs effective practice.
This is a model we remain committed to today as we continue to expand our advice, support and information services to improve life for young people with Down syndrome around the world.
We have an exciting programme of ongoing and new information and advice services, including:
* Down Syndrome Issues and Information books online - from birth to adulthood, our Down Syndrome Issues and Information books offer comprehensive information and practical guidance for families and professionals.
* Step-by-step early language teaching - our new See and Learn early language programme (available free online) offers step-by-step guidance to support early language development. We are working on further steps in the language and reading programme and developing practical resources for speech, memory and number development.
* New Down Syndrome Education Conferences - reaching more people in more places with focused tracks for families and professionals, our new conferences offer high quality, evidence based training.
* Global outreach with local impact - from California to Kiev, we are working with partners around the world to support improved support and services on the ground for young people with Down syndrome and their families.
* New online seminars and interactive events - we are launching a series of online seminars and interactive events for families and professionals to be delivered via the Internet via the latest web meeting and web conferencing technologies.
* New teaching reading film - continuing our series of Down Syndrome in Practice films, we will publish a new film on teaching early reading to young children with Down syndrome later this year.
Supporting a better future
Most of our work depends on charitable giving.
Some of these activities are covered by specific grants we have secured - such as the funding from the UK Big Lottery fund for the reading intervention trial.
However, most of our day-to-day activities and much of our ongoing research programme depend on the generosity of thousands of families and friends around the world.
With an effective model of working that is firmly focused on delivering tangible outcomes, we operate our activities highly efficiently. To deliver all of the ongoing activities described in this letter our global operating expenses will total £820,000 (or $1,230,000 or €950,000) during 2009.
That is just under £11 (or under $17 or €13) per person we will help this year.
To ensure this work continues, we need your support today. There are many ways that you can give your support -
* You can donate securely and quickly online today to Down Syndrome Education International (a UK registered charity) or to our associated US nonprofit, Down Syndrome Education USA.
* You can give regularly, be kept informed and receive exclusive members' rewards by joining our new Supporters Club.
* You can organise a fundraising event - perhaps a sponsored sporting event or encourage your school to organise one of our fun, educational and easy Up for Reading events.
Your donation - however large or small - will go a long way towards improving the lives of young people with Down syndrome everywhere.
Thank you,
Sue Buckley OBE
Chief Scientist
Down Syndrome Education International
Down Syndrome Education USA

St Bernadette Soubirous

This February 11th was the 151st anniversary of the apparitions of St Bernadette at Lourdes.
Thirty years after her death, her body was exhumed and found to be in a perfect state of preservation; her skin is even soft to the touch. Read about this miracle at Catholic Online.
The world needs the message of prayer and penance even more now than then. The Holy Father had declared a year of jubilee to celebrate the anniversary of Our Lady of Lourdes.
The girls and I have been very sick for three weeks, and tonight we watched "The Song of Bernadette" and prayed the rosary (a day late, we lost track of the date) in thanksgiving for our slow return to health.
Please pray the rosary for our president and for the world.

KIDS featured in The Catholic Standard and Times

Christina Bogdan, whom I met at the 2007 March for Life (this photo) and who inspired me to say, "we moms of Down syndrome children should march as a group" told Nadia a reporter at The Catholic Standard and Times in Philadelphia about our group.
She relates her experience as she joined our group at the March, lovely new infant wrapped inside a 'mommy-coat'.
“As soon as Andrew saw Sadie and Christina, his eyes lit up,” Bogdan said. “They never met before, but they were so excited to see each other. He saw children all day, but he was just so excited to see them because I think it is important for him to see that there are other children that are like him and are his age.”

I must say that Christina and I agreed that it would be great to 'do something' but it took Eileen Haupt, who emailed me after the March in 2008, to get the ball rolling. Eileen who has run for state office twice and is active in the National Right to Life Committee, is a real mover and shaker who is the inspiration behind KIDS. She came up with the name, she helped design the logo with a friend, and she keeps me, who is full of enthusiasm yet lacks organization on track.We feel strongly that God was behind this group, and we often say we are "riding the wave of the Holy Spirit". Let's see where that takes KIDS.
Read the entire article here.

watching Extreme Makeover Home Edition to see special friends, the Girards, get their dream home.
http://ping.fm/JkTvo

Extreme Makeover; Home Edition features the Girard Family Tonight!

They have a tragic yet inspring story which teaches Ty Pennington a thing or two about faith. We know the Girards through the Friary, and they are an example of faith through the darkest of times.
Watch it with us tonight. See the preview here.

Three year old Chloe can read!

Leticia is reading an article about KIDS in The Catholic Standard and Times of Philadelphia
http://ping.fm/yBRBY

Down syndrome team player.

My older girls who played basketball for the first time this year, will appreciate this story about a basketball player with Down syndrome, who saved the game.
"Patrick made sure his opportunity counted, scoring a 3-pointer with just his second shot. Then, with one minute left in the game, fans stood and chanted Patrick's name. The coach put him back in the game and he delivered -- sinking another three-pointer at the buzzer.
Patrick's teammates swarmed around him, and carried him off the court."
OK moms, were you crying when you read that? I sure was!

Michael Dubriel has left us

It was the nightmare of every married person that befell our friend Amy Wellborn Dubriel yesterday. A call from the hospital about her husband, who had passed away while exercising. Michael was an outstanding Catholic writer and speaker with great plans under way to serve the Lord here on earth, yet he has been called too early to Heaven.
We will miss you, Michael, and pray for Amy and the children.
Here is an entry from Michael's blog Annunciations about the March for Life.
Here is a profoundly moving column, the last Michael would write, called One Seed Fell. Leave it to a great Catholic writer to give us words of comfort in her moment of grief.
We are offering our rosary for the Dubriel family.

A very important anniversary

On the fiftieth anniversary of Prof. Jérôme Lejeune's discovery of the cause of Down syndrome, French daily Le Figaro published an appeal by the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation:
"why does France spend money on screening and nothing on treatment ?".
"In France, there is currently no public policy for therapeutic research on Down syndrome; there is only a public policy for screening."
French medical daily, Le Quotidien du Médecin, also reported on this appeal : "it is conceivable to reduce mental deficiency enough to enable Down syndrome sufferers to be independent and live normally". The appeal is aimed in particular at researchers and decision makers for "France to invest at least as much in treatment research as in screening".
This appeal was published a day after the latest book by Jean-Marie Le Méné, chairman of the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation, was released in book stores : La trisomie est une tragédie grecque (Down Syndrome is a Greek Tragedy), published by Salvator.
Source: Contact Genethique, the online newsletter of the Fondation Lejeune in Paris.

My friend Elizabeth Gerold Miller's poem on pregnancy

is up on Mom-writers literary magazine. She is THE most gorgeous pregnant lady I have ever seen! She just glows; and so do her beautiful lines of poetry. They just make you miss those precious days.
Nice work, Elizabeth! Time for another baby, you look so lovely pregnant!

Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord: Candlemas

In All Generations Shall Call Me Blessed, Fr. Stefano Manelli quotes from Fr. Laurentin, who gives a precise explanation of the Presentation:

“The presentation of Jesus in the Temple is not a standard biblical scene. It was not at all customary to recount the presentation of a hero. The only precedent is in chapter one of the first book of Samuel, and Samuel’s presentation is quite different. It is not tied to a prescription of the law. The timing is different: in
I Sam. 1:22-24 it takes place after Samuel is weaned, while in Luke it takes place 40 days after Jesus’ birth. Samuel remains there forever (I Sam. 1:22), while Jesus returns to Nazareth (2:39). The significance of the act is quite different, for the presentation of Jesus, according to Luke, has an apocalyptic and theophanic character. He who bears the divine names of Holy, Lord, and Son of God, visits the temple as a poor child, but he is recognized by the witnesses as the 'Salvation' (lystrosis, 2:38) of Israel . The newness shines forth everywhere, and always in the same direction. Across the anecdotal diversity the great themes converge.”
(Academy of the Immaculate: 1995), 235
Source: Mary Vitamin

Newsweek gets it right

According to Granny Grump, Mary Carmichael at Newsweek has written an article on the new screening for Down syndrome which laments the fact that improved screening means more deaths of worthwhile people. Amazing! She gets it!
Now, I'm going to look up that article online. . .HERE it is! Read it and weep for joy!

A new baby and a new president

My friend Mary Ellen Barrett has a moving column at the Long Island Catholic on how the arrival of her eighth child (Brendan was born after she wrote the article) is a blessing to her family and wonders about the president's views on the sanctity of human life.
Great job, Mary Ellen, and congratulations on the Barrett family's newest blessing!

Help Educate Medical Professionals about Down syndrome

from the Down syndrome Information Alliance
If you have a child or grandchild with Down syndrome you probably remember everything about the moment you received the news. For many, it was a painful and negative experience. Well, it doesn't have to be - it shouldn't be.

As a DSIA parent or grandparent you can change the diagnosis experience from one of pain and sorrow to one of acceptance and hope by becoming a Family Sponsor of the DSIA's Hungry for Life Progressive Dinner Party on Monday, May 18, 2009 in midtown Sacramento.

Click here for more information.

90%. Really.

One in 733 babies is born with Down syndrome in the U.S., making it the most common chromosomal abnormality. We don't know the true incidence of Down syndrome because a prenatal diagnosis results in termination 90% of the time.

It's hard to believe, until you look at the facts:

Nearly 25% of physicians in an anonymous survey admit to actively urging or emphasizing the negative information so that parents will terminate a pregnancy. Wertz DC: Georgetown University Press; 2000, 261-87.
81% of medical students say they are not getting any actual clinical training regarding people with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics: The health and care of people with intellectual disabilities.
45% of obstetric fellows say that their training on how to deliver a prenatal diagnosis is “barely adequate” or “nonexistent.” Cleary-Goldman: Obstet Gyncol 2006; 107:11-17.
In 2009 a new diagnostic will be available to detect Down syndrome more accurately with a simple blood test in the first trimester of pregnancy, creating an even greater need for the DSIA.

How can you help?

The DSIA is working to expand our hospital outreach program to provide health care professionals with peer education and updated materials so that they can share with new and expectant parents the reality of life with Down syndrome and the tremendous abilities and opportunities our children have. We want new and expectant parents to see videos like the DSIA's Dreams in Reality so that they can be inspired and comforted, rather than terrified and overwhelmed. To view this exceptional short film (about 3 minutes) about local adults with Down syndrome log onto www.downsyndromeinfo.org/dreamsinreality.

We know times are tough. But now more than ever we need your help to raise critical funds for this program. As a parent or grandparent of a child with Down syndrome you know what it's like. Please help us make a change.

Each year the DSIA presents "Hungry for Life" a progressive dinner party in Sacramento. Our 2009 event will be on Monday, May 18th in midtown Sacramento, and feature Sacramento's most exclusive restaurants while raising awareness about the abilities and value of people with Down syndrome to change expectations and remove the stigma. This is not your typical banquet fundraiser! There are now awards, no keynote speaker and no auction. Just a great date night!

The DSIA is offering an exclusive sponsorship opportunity for parents and grandparents of children with Down syndrome! For $250 you will receive two tickets to the Hungry for Life 2009 Progressive Dinner Party and a listing in the event program. This is just $50 more than the price of two tickets.

But you must be a parent or grandparent of a child with Down syndrome to qualify for this exclusive sponsorship opportunity. Click here for more information.


Change the life of a baby with Down syndrome.

Want to drive your teenage daughter crazy?

NO, it's nothing conventional like cutting off her cell phone (she doesn't have one) or taking away her in-room TV (ditto) or credit cards (ditto). We who hold a pretty strict line on our teens or are cutting back with the struggling economy have to be more creative to find ways to keep our teens from thinking they run the house. Or finding out that they do already.
Since working at Isabella's school was initially an effective way to drive her nuts, but after four months, I was exhausted from taming middle schoolers, and she was starting to like the idea of being the teacher's kid, I had to change tactics.
SO, I got a job subbing for the Literature teacher at my 15 year old's high school. I won't be teaching her personally, but in an all girl's school, there are no secrets, so Gabbi was more than a little dismayed.
Next, I came back from Blogs for Life in Washington DC with a mandate to Twitter and get a profile on Facebook. Notice the profiles in the sidebar, and please understand as I tweak them. I'm new at this. Come visit me and be my friend.
I think going on Facebook bothered Gabbi more than becoming a teacher at her school.

She said, "I mean, MOM, Facebook is for cool people, come on!"
"And, so, I'm not cool, so no one will want be my friend, right?"

So, as my friends list grew, surpassing hers on the first day ( this is unfair, she has restrictions on her list imposed from on high) her frustration grew. Mom actually has friends on Facebook. Who knew old people were on Facebook?

True, I am not personal friends with everyone on my profile, but I would like to be. And I want to help the pro-life movement in it's time of greatest need. So I will Tweet and Facebook my way into a position where my photos of the March for Life reach far and wide, overcoming the fact that even Fox News wouldn't cover it.
Or NBC won't play this awesome video during the commercials.
Sorry, Gabbi. It's for the Cause.
Come follow me on Facebook and Twitter and lets' take over the means the Left used to take over this country, before we are blocked from them.
And show this video wherever you can, it's been blocked from YouTube too.
From Catholic Vote.com

National Institute of Health has a plan for Down syndrome research

This is a major victory. If there is no plan for research, the only remedy for Trisomy 21 is prevention; AKA abortion. It took the efforts of many parent advocates coupled with the leadership of the Congressional Down syndrome Caucus, and Rep Cathy McMorris-Rogers, mother of Cole, to bring the NIH to forming a plan to research therapies for treatment of Trisomy 21. Amen!
Read about it here.

Novena for the Conversion of President Barack Obama

Please begin this novena for the intention of invoking St. Josephine Bakhita's intercession for the complete conversion of President Obama and in particular that he be directed by the power of the Holy Spirit to call for an end to the evil of abortion that destroys the sacredness of life. Novena begins on January 30th or 31st. St. Bakhita's feastday is February 8th.
PASS IT ON!
St. Josephine Bakhita, Virgin

PRAYERO Holy Trinity,Father, Son and Holy Spirit,we thank you for the giftsof humility and charitywhich you bestowed onBlessed Josephine Bakhita.Deign to glorify herfor her singular virtuesand grant the prayersof those who invoke her,Amen

Loving God, rewarder of the humble, you blessed St. Josephine Bakhita with charity and patience. May her prayers help us, and her example inspire us to carry our cross and to love you always. Pour upon us the spirit of wisdom and love with which you filled St. Josephine Bakhita. By serving you as she did, may we please you by our faith and our actions. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. To obtain the favor of President Barack Hussein Obama's conversion through the intercession of St. Josephine Bakhita, please also say an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be and kindly remember to pray for our suffering Christian brothers and sisters in Sudan, her native land, who at this very moment are being persecuted, sold into slavery, and converted against their will to the Muslim religion.
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More information on St. Bakhita below:

Bakhita was born in Eastern Sudan around 1869 and was captured by slave traders, who named her Bakhita, which means "lucky one".
Bakhita came from a happy, loving tribal family, which consisted of her parents, three brothers, and four sisters. In comparison to other African tribal families, her family was well to do, as her uncle was the village chief and her father owned cattle and large plantations. When Bakhita was about nine years old, slave traders captured her.
During the course of her life, she was sold five times before she received her freedom. She was subjected to many cruel tortures, some of which included whip lashing, which tore off her flesh, and being tattooed multiple times on her body via incisions with a razor and having salt rubbed into her womb. Despite the cruel treatments, she had no resentment or bitterness in her heart, but prayed for those who hurt her.
When Bakhita’s fourth owner, Callisto (Legnani), an agent of the Italian Consul in Sudan, was recalled to Italy, Bakhita insisted on accompanying him, and her master could not refuse her. On the ship bound for Italy, however, the Consul gave Bakhita to some fellow countrymen, Mr. and Mrs. Micheli, who needed a nanny for their child in Mirano Veneto, Italy.
It was in Italy at age 21 that the Canossian Sisters in Venice introduced Bakhita to the Catholic faith. Accompanying the five-year-old child she cared for to the Sister’s boarding school in Venice, Bakhita received religious instruction along with the child. When the child’s parents returned from Sudan to take them both back to Africa, Bakhita refused to go, but insisted that she remain in Italy to complete her religious instruction and to practice her faith. When Mrs. Michieli's pleas and threats toward Bakhita failed, she appealed to the King’s Procurator, who informed her that slavery was illegal in Italy. Bakhita was now a free woman – free to serve the One she loved. Approximately two months later, on January 9, 1890, Bakhita was baptized and confirmed and was given the names Josephine and Margaret and Bakhita. She also made her first Holy Communion on the same day.
Bakhita continued her studies at the school for four more years, then began her postulancy with the Canossian Sisters on December 3, 1893, in the same house where she had lived for five years. On the feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 1896, Sr. Josephine made her final vows at the Motherhouse in Verona, where the foundress, Magdalene of Canossa, had lived and died.
For six years, Bakhita remained in Venice, performing simple household tasks. Then, in 1902, she was transferred to Schio, a small town in the beautiful mountain area of northern Italy. Her first assignment there was as a cook. She sought to do her best, taking special care that the food she prepared was as pleasing as possible and she even heated the dishware in the winter to ensure warm meals for the boarding school girls and the Sisters.
In 1935, the Sisters asked Sr. Josephine to go on a speaking tour to tell her faith story as a form of missionary work. The shy and modest Sister reluctantly consented, as she disliked being the center of attention. She relayed her witness to captivated audiences for the next year and always did so "For God’s Glory." For the next two years, she served as the doorkeeper at the Sister’s missionary novitiate in Milan.
In 1938, Sr. Josephine’s health was beginning to decline, so she returned to Schio to perform household chores. She celebrated a joyous golden 50th anniversary as a religious on December 8, 1943 with nearly the whole town present, congratulating and thanking her for all her work.
As Bakhita’s life drew to a close, she began to spend more time with the Lord, gazing upon Him in the tabernacle or on the crucifix and praying. She spent much time in prayer for her fellow missionary Sisters."
At times, I have sleepless nights: then I feel bored and sad. But I do not pay any attention to it: I offer my suffering and I feel happy. I thank God for the many graces granted me, happy to have something to offer in return, as a token of my gratitude."
As she was nearing the end of her life on this earth, some of her Sisters, expressed their concerns and fears about God’s judgement to her, to which Bakhita replied, "When a person loves another, she wishes to be together [with him], so why be afraid? Death takes us to God."She added, "I am going slowly, slowly towards eternity…I carry two bags with me; one contains my sins, the other, much heavier, contains the infinite merits of Jesus Christ. When I appear before the tribunal of God, I will cover my ugly bag with the merits of Our Lady. Then, I shall open the other and will present to the eternal Father the merits of His Son Jesus. I will tell Him: "Now, judge from what you see."
Sister Josephine suffered from a violent attack of pneumonia in the winter of 1947 and her fever caused her to go through periods of delirium and unconsciousness. When she regained consciousness, someone asked her, "How are you Sr. Josephine? Today is Saturday." As she lay dying, she replied, "Yes, I am so happy: Our Lady, Our Lady!" These were her last words on February 8, 1947.
Pope John Paul II canonized St. Josephine Bakhita on October 1, 2000.
"Be good, love the Lord, pray for those who do not know Him. What a great grace it is to know God!"~ St. Josephine Bakhita
Visit this website to learn more about the life of St. Josephine: Bakhita: African Flower . It contains a poem commissioned by the Canossian Daughters of Charity and a pictoral biography.
Bakhita: African Flower (1869-1947)
Bakhita (Arabic for "fortunate one") was only a young child in the Sudan when she was kidnapped, imprisoned, and sold into slavery. The winds of change blew her first into freedom, and then into religious communal life with the Canossian Daughters of Charity in northern Italy. Despite the horrific cruelty and torture to which she had been subjected, Bakhita never condemned those who treated her badly. She continually praised the circumstances of her life which led her to her religious vocation. Serving as a missionary, she often closed her talks with the following words:
"Be good, love the Lord, pray for those who do not know him. What a great grace it is to know God!"
Bakhita was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 17 May 1992. Eight years later she was canonised on 1 October 2000, at the Basilica of San Pietro in Rome, a Saint of the Jubilee Year. Her memorial is celebrated annually on 8 February.
From the blog: http://catholicfire.blogspot.com/2008/02/st-josephine-bakhita-virgin.html
view photo album one page at a time at http://www.janeellen.com/musings/bakhita-1.html
Lead Us to Christ Jesus
Based on the story and words of Mother Josephine Bakhita.Commissioned by the Canossian Daughters of Charity, F.d.C.C.on the occasion of the canonisation of Bakhita, 1 October 2000.© 2000 Jane Ellen (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
African Flower, gentle one,stolen away from fam'ly and home;sold into slav'ry and despair,given the name of Fortunate One.Seeing the sun, the moon and stars,seeking the Master of nature there.Yearning to know, to touch and see,wishing the Master's praises to sing.
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia!O Saint Bakhita, lead us to Christ Jesus!Alleluia, alleluia!
No longer slave of man but free,desiring to be a slave of Christ,loving with pure humility,making her life a sweet sacrifice.Forgiving all who caused her pain,knowing the myst'ry of the Lord's plan.Seeing that all things work for good,placing her faith in God's mighty Hand.
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia!O Saint Bakhita, lead us to Christ Jesus!Alleluia, alleluia!
Daughter of God and friend to all,longing to fly home to those in need,wanting to spread her Saviour's love,joy and compassion, and perfect peace.O Saint Bakhita, hear our prayer:teach us to spread our Lord's sacred Word,praying for those who know Him not,help us to "be good and love the Lord."
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia!O Saint Bakhita, lead us to Christ Jesus!Alleluia, alleluia!
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The Shrine of St. Bakhita in New York City and the address of the NATIONAL BLACKCATHOLIC APOSTOLATE FOR LIFE (witnessing the Gospel of Love and the Gospel of Life in our Community) is located at St. Clare Friary, 440 West 36th Street New York, N.Y. 10018-6326 Phone: 212.868.1847, Email: mailto:tnbcalife@aol.com
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Vision Video carries the docu-drama Two Suitcases which offers some interesting tidbits and glimpses into the places in Italy where St. Bakhita lived. It will play on EWTN on Feb. 1 and Feb. 5 in 2009. (dubbed English from Italian original)

Another snow day!

This is the very first snow day my girls have had with me as the stay at home mom and them as the go to school kids. No, I didn't say, "Oh NO! I wanted some time to myself". I looked forward to a day like the old days when we homeschooled for ten years. I looked forward to having some help with Christina who has been recovering with me from a cold all week, and to making popcorn and watching our favorite movies in bed.
And it's time to put away those Christmas decorations!
Did I mention that I have dozens of unfinished writing projects,and that since I temporarily retired from teaching at Bella's school, I have had only ONE day alone at home? A day which included packing for the March for Life (we spent three days in the Liason Hotel in DC, compliments of ALL' s pro-life blogger award) and crying as I watched the Inauguration.
So, yes, I'm still anxiously awaiting my first real day home alone, finally finishing the unpacking so I can invite friends without shame, and getting caught up with my writing. But meanwhile I'm enjoying the girls. And no one is getting dressed today!

KIDS at the March for Life

A preview of my coverage of the March is at Causa Nostrae Laetitiae including a dozen members of the group Youth with a Mission who were with us. They posted their photos here.

Meet us at the March for Life 1/22/2009

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Christina on "The Face of Pro-life"

Click here to watch my interview about Christina and KIDS on "The Face of Pro-life"on http://www.airmaria.com/What a beautiful way to commemorate Sanctity of Life Sunday.

Rest in Peace, Ricardo Montalban

He was one of my favorite actors, not only because of his devout Catholicism and his fidelity to his wife Georgiana, but for his delicious accent. Ricardo was the epitome of the Catholic gentleman.

I loved his role as a priest who enjoyed carpentry in "The Singing Nun".

I loved watching him as Mr. Rourke on "Fantasy Island" growing up. I remember an episode on Fantasy Island when a young woman was contemmplating a vocation insprited by St Therese. She prayed to a statue of the Child Jesus on the Island.

Who can forget the commercial for the Chyrsler Cordoba where Ricardo described the seats as having "rich Corinthian leather"? I also remember his wonderful accent narrating various Catholic documentaries.
Patrick at Creative Minority Report has the definitive sendoff to heaven for an outstanding Catholic artist. He gets credit for finding this photo of Ricardo receiving this medal from the Vatican for this accomplishments. He looks so proud. He should be, he's a true Catholic artist, which is a dying breed.

I won one of the American Life League Pro-life Blog Awards!

Welcome to Pro-Life Blog Awards, the first and only pro-life blog awards.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2009 Pro-Life Blogs Awards:
Best Overall Pro-Life Blog - Mommy Life
Best News and Reporting - Jivin Jehoshaphat
Pro-Life Unity Award - Causa Nostrae Laetitiae
Pro-Life Whistleblower Award - Catholic Fire
Best Pro-Life Apologetics - Mark's Blog
Pro-Life Instigator Award for Activism - American Papist
Pro-Life Blog Awards promotes, encourages, impassions and rewards pro-life bloggers for excellence in spreading the culture of life.
Bloggers are heralding news and information about the pro-life movement when traditional media have ignored the most pressing crisis of our day - the war on LIFE.
Blogging is an often thankless and solitary job and it's time we recognized pro-life bloggers for their contribution to the pro-life movement and potential to transform the landscape of our common cause to protect and defend the sanctity of each human being's life.

KIDS is on Life Site News

Yesterday, Eileen and I were interviewed by Kathleen Gilbert for this article on Life Site News. Word is spreading that we parents of special needs children are marching as a group in the March for Life.Leave a comment below or email me marysjoys@yahoo.com if you can join us. We are meeting at the National Right to Life Headquarters at 11:30 AM on 1/22. The address is 512 10th St NW Washington, DC, a couple of blocks from the Mall where the March will be starting. If you are coming by bus you can still make it, no need to make 'reservations' the more the merrier!Just bring a camera so we can get good press coverage of the event.After the March, around 2:30 -4:00 we are going to visit our friends Rep Chris Smith (R-NJ) at the Rayburn Building, and Sen Sam Brownback (R-KS) on Capitol Hill, to present them with thank you certificates for the "Prenatally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act".

Join us at all of these events and make your voice heard!!

Jennifer Graf Groneberg describes her experience with her son Avery's birth

I have reviewed her excellent book, "Roadmap to Holland" here.

New tesiting for kids with Down syndrome from University of Arizona

This is something I have been waiting for! A battery of psychological tests geared for our kids with Down syndrome. Now we can see how our children are doing based upon standards set by other children with Down syndrome. This is much more meaningful to me than to keep hearing about how 'delayed' Christina is.
Read the entire story here.

The fatherly example of Tom Vander Woude

Many of you have read my posts about Tom, the man who gave his life on Sept 8, 2008 for his teenage son Joseph who has Down syndrome. I also wrote this article about how his example was cited by Senator Brownback and helped pass the "Pre-natally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act" last September.
Or was it heavenly intercession from Tom?
Tom Hoopes, Executive Editor of the National Catholic Register, like so many of us, has been deeply moved by this story, and writes about it at "You Pull, I'll Push".
I've said it before, Tom Vander Woude may be on the road to sainthood. We have great need of inspired fatherhood in this fatherless culture. Read the extensive news coverage on his daughter-in-law's blog.
Tom Vander Woude, pray for us.

Pray to stop the Freedom of Choice Act

NOVENA TO STOP FOCA
If you are opposed to abortion then there is bad news on the horizon.

For those of you who do not know, the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) is set to be signed if congress passes it on January 21-22 of 2009. The FOCA is the next sick chapter in the book of abortion. If made a law then all limitations on abortion will be lifted which will result in
the following:
1) All hospitals, including Catholic hospitals will be
required to perform abortions upon request. If this happens Bishops
vow to close down all Catholic hospitals, more then 30% of all hospitals in the United States.

2) Partial birth abortions would be legal and have no limitations.

3) All U.S. tax payers would be funding abortions.

4) Parental notification will no longer be required.

5) The number of abortions will increase by a minimum of 100,000 annually.

Perhaps most importantly the government will now have control in the issue of abortion. This could result in a future amendment that would force women by law to have abortions in certain
situations (rape, down syndrome babies, etc) and could even regulate how many children women are allowed to have.

Needless to say this information is disturbing, but sadly true. As Catholics, as Christians, as anyone who is against the needless killing of innocent children, we must stand as one. We must
stop this horrific act before it becomes a law.

The Plan :

To say a novena ( 9 days of prayer ) along with fasting
starting on January 11th. The prayer of choice will be
the rosary with intentions to stop the FOCA. The hope is that this will branch and
blossom as to become a global effort with maximum impact. We have very
little time so we all must act fast. Just do three things:

1) Pass this letter to 5 or more people

2) Do it in three days or less

3) Start the novena on January 11th and pray for nine consecutive days.
(please also fast for at least two days during the novena)

Remember that with God all things are possible and the power of prayer is undeniable. If you are against the senseless killing of defenseless children then the time is now to do something
about it!

New line of clothing for Down syndrome

I wonder why I never posted about this; it's a PAIN to find pants and shirts for Christina. She is not at all heavy, but has the typical shorter arms and legs of T21 kids, so regular pants are out of the question. I have to buy off season capris, which up in Connecticut are too cold for her.
This website says they will be making clothing specifically for people with Down Syndrome. That would be awesome!

Hidden Treasures Montage (my girls are in the middle)

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Please pray for Bella Santorum

Please pray for baby Bella Santorum, daughter of former Senator Rick Santorum of PA a Catholic pro-life senator. Just after I met and interviewed him on his heroic work to pass the Partial Birth Abortion Ban he and his wife conceived a special needs child, Bella with Trisomy 18. She was born in May 2008.

Below are email updates from Rick Santorum on the illness of his daughter Bella who is in Children's Hospital of Philadelphia with pnemonia. Most children with Trisomy 18 do not live longer than one year, if they make it to birth. Senator had a beautiful interview with Raymond Arroyo on "The World Over" on EWTN. Listen to it here.

I wanted to send out a quick note to ask for a special prayer over the next couple of days. Bella
worked her way off the ventilator a week ago Sunday and with her
accustomed smiling good cheer has slowly, but steadily gotten
stronger. The doctors have pinpointed two issues that are
compromising Bella?s lung function which they believe are at the root
of her two bouts of pneumonia. Both can be repaired surgically. So
Bella is scheduled for surgery on Friday at 1030 at CHOP at which
time both issues will be addressed. We are hopeful that this will
give Bella a great chance to avoid future serious respiratory problems.
Unfortunately, in this evening Bella began to spike a low grade
fever. This is worrisome generally when you are in a hospital given
the variety of bad bugs that can be contracted, but this has the
added complexity of delaying the surgery that the doctors believe she
needs to have as soon as possible.
Karen and I ask for one extra prayer over the next couple of days
that she is healthy enough to have successful surgery.
As our family celebrates the birth of a little child that changed the
world forever, we continue to thank God for the his gift of another
child that changed our world forever.
With love and gratitude,
Rick, Karen and our children
P.S. I have talked to many of you recently who have apologized for
not responding to these emails. Nonsense. If you hold up Bella in
prayer or in any other way pursuant to your beliefs, you have
answered this email more eloquently and supportively than we could
have hoped for.
Some have also asked about whether we minded if you would forward
this email to others. Our answer is if you think they would pray for
Bella, send away!

This is the previous email which explains how Bella entered the hospital.
Last week on November 13 we celebrated Bella's six month
birthday. A day later she had her six month pediatrician
appointment and checked in at over 15 pounds -- a weight that most
T-18 children take years to reach. That was in spite of the fact
that she had battled pneumonia for several weeks a few weeks prior
to the appointment. She is exceeding expectations of the doctors
both physically and developmentally.
However, on Wednesday night Bella began to get a little congestion
again. She continued to have congestion on Thursday, so we began to
continuously monitor her blood oxygen and pulse with the pulse
oximeter to see that if she did begin to have difficulty we could
get her help before it got too bad. On Thursday evening in a matter
of a few minutes she just ran out of energy and began to fail. As
we were getting her ready to go to the hospital she stop breathing
in my arms and her heart was barely beating. Karen performed CPR
and revived her until the EMTs arrived.
Because she was so critical, we had to get her to the closest
hospital, DC Children's Hospital instead of our favorite Children's
Hospital of Philadelphia. The diagnosis appears to be like the last incident, she contracted a cold virus, that quickly turned into pneumonia.
This time she is in for a much more difficult road
back. She is in critical condition in intensive care on a ventilator with more lines going into her than baby. Because she is on a ventilator, they have sedated her into a coma like
state. Please pray for her lungs to heal and for the doctors to make wise decisions concerning her care.
God has been so good to us. Bella is the most pleasant, sweet bundle our family could have ever asked for. She loves listening to classical music and being held by everyone in her family. She
has become the axis around which our family turns and we thank God every day for that fact.
We are confident with your continued prayers we will have our
smiling cooing little girl back home with us again.
Thank you so much,
Rick and Karen
.

"I regret aborting my special needs son"

Read this heart-rending article at The Daily Mail and understand why I am so motivated to attend the March for Life with my daughter with T21.
"Now aged 43, still desperate for that large family and still suffering miscarriages, I have to accept that I may never have another child. It's very hard. The ghost of my son lingers painfully, haunting my thoughts.
In the past nine years, not a week has gone by when I haven't thought of him. Despite the support that others - including those closest to me - expressed for my decision at the time, I don't think I can ever truly forgive myself for what I did.
What I do know, and often think, is that if my son had been born alive and perhaps with two years to live, were those not two years of my life that I could have spared to nurse him? Would it really have been such a sacrifice for me?
With hindsight, I think I could have offered that at the very least to a child I had wanted so much. "
Our children are a light to the world who can save expectant mothers this type of tragic choice which will haunt them forever. I applaud the author for sharing such a painful story. I wish her God's peace.

Join those of us who are marching with KIDS (Keep Infants with Down Syndrome) in the March for Life this year.
We will be meeting at 11;30 at the
National Right to Life Committee Headquarters
January 22nd at
512 10th St, NW
Washington DC.

Wonderful pro-life educational opportunity here in Connecticut

The seminar will introduce the leading "all natural", "all green", Creighton Model FertilityCare system, for the full spectrum of women’s health issues, for doctors and nurses,
and all of us, in the Tri-State area, PA and RI. It is

Saturday, Jan 17, 200911:30 am to 4:30 pm
(Optional Mass at 10:30)

Location: The Villa Maria Guadalupe Retreat Center, 159 Sky Meadow Dr., Stamford, CT, 06903

To Register or for questions contact: Dorothy Dugandzic, CFCP, 914 476-4858.

Fee: $45 Lunch will be offered.

With the explosion of medical data and information on the Internet in the 1990’s,
women have become more discriminating in their medical selections. "All natural"
“all green” is popular. The FertilityCare all-natural system aligns with these trends
and delivers the associated benefits that women seek. For example:

· The hormones used in treatments are bio-identical and have the same exact chemical formulas as the hormones made by the body. This enables full
· cooperation with all of a woman’s reproductive functions. Whereas hormones
· used in the pill are not identical to those produced by a woman’s body and
· cause problems.
· Biomarkers are used. This enables doctors to customize treatments to the
individual woman and to cure causes of problems. Whereas the pill treats
symptoms, and masks causes.
· Of the natural family planning systems supported by the Catholic Church, this is the most scientific capable of curing
1) complex conditions with multiple causes such as some cases of infertility and miscarriages
2) sophisticated techniques for early pre-cancer detection and
3) treatments for the widest spectrum of conditions – including: Menstrual Cramp, Premenstrual syndrome, Ovarian cysts, Irregularities, Abnormal bleeding, Polycystic ovarian disease, Hormonal abnormalities, Chronic discharges, Female Libido Wellness, Related Depression.

As a result, the Creighton Model FertilityCare system has a great track record with impressive published success rates such as

· 85% for the treatment of chronic infertility is 85% vs 35% for IVF. For additional information, see http://www.fertilitycare.org/napro/infertility.htm and
http://www.aafcp.org/infertility.html
· For pregnancy postponement it offers a very competitive 98.7-99.9% method effectiveness without the risks of the pill – associated with taking the pill’s artificial hormones.

Come and hear Dr. Scanlon and Dr. Watson
discuss this system in great detail. Also hear
Alexandra and Paul McLaughlin discuss the
role of the practitioner followed by a review of
the NaProTECHNOLOGY textbook by Dr. Scanlon.

Dr. Hilgers has done his job for the Church,
and it is now our job to spread the word. Each of us
is vital to God's plan.

A special mother's worst nightmare

Is this kind of "oversight" happening to her child.
If we kill 90% of our babies with Down syndrome in the womb, should we be surprised that medical workers will value such people less than others, and accidentally allow them to starve?
HT Life Site News

"The Face of Pro-life" my first TV interview

If you are considering attending the March for Life to greet our new President this year, watch to my first TV interview and get motivated.

Barbara Curtis

Here's an article in the Christian Post about fellow Catholic and mother of not one but four children with Down syndrome, Barbara Curtis who writes at Mommy Life.
"After the adoption of their first child with Down syndrome, Barbara and Tripp received a phone call from a man who explained that his wife was pregnant with a Down syndrome baby. She had agreed not to abort the child if she could find a family willing to adopt the child. In an interview with Marriage Partnership magazine, Barbara and Tripp said, “God has extended such grace to us, how can we not extend grace to a child who needs a home?”
What a wonderful example of a Christian home, to open their family to other special needs babies.

Down syndrome and IQ

I have read that there is a 60 spread in IQ scores for individuals with Down syndrome. Here is a blog with a lot to say on this topic.

That being said, IQ is NOT a determinant of a person's future happiness, or their worth. I took the exam for MENSA, as a project for Psychological Testing course in my BA in Psychology. By the way, I passed, but so far won't pay the fee, so I'm not an official member. Intelligence has made learning easy for me, but it has often made me lonely. Here's an example of how intelligence can isolate you. I attended a Mensa meeting for brunch in Houlihan's a mall-based restaurant, full of loud chatter one Sunday morning. Talk about geeks; these guys were doing calculus problems on cloth napkins for fun, and proudly displaying the answers to the waitress who was NOT impressed. Neither was I.

Christina scores a 70 IQ on her tests, which bodes well for her educational future, she will learn to read and have a job, etc. But I have more faith in her go-getter personality and her persistance at a task she is interested in. She will be a happy, beloved woman, of that I have no doubt. I want to quote from a thank you note I received today from her teacher's aide in her typical Kindergarten class.

"The gift I cherish the most is your gift of allowing me to work with your beautiful daughter.

Christina has truly brought new meaning to my life. I have learned so much from her,and look forward to getting back with here after vacation. "

That is true intelligence, having the ability to touch someone so profoundly in only three months with limited verbal skills, but with a limitless ability to love.

Christina has much to teach me as well.

I'll share it with you here.

Our first young visitors

Our life in Connecticut has resembled a convent. We girls return from our schools, to spend the evening eating, chatting, watching EWTN and doing homework, and praying the rosary before bed. We have weekend visits from Francisco who must continue to work in New York during the week, from old friends from Long Island, and family, but none from local friends up here, since we have been too busy withour whirlwind schedule, and embarrassed at the state of my office, overflowing with half-unpacked boxes. But today was a perfect sledding (or as they say here, "sliding") day, so I picked up the phone and invited Isabella's friends before she could protest.
I am a genius.
It was a wonderful day, full of chilly fun in the snow, and warm conversations gripping hot cocoa with cold hands in front of a roaring fire. The four children who visited had a great time, and promised to return soon. One little boy lives just up the hill, and this was his first visit. Shame on us for being too shy/busy/proud before this wonderful day! His mom brought over the most exquisite cookies, made by his father. I have wonderful neighbors!

One of the boys took a liking to Christina and personally watched her for me while they all played in the snow. I felt intense satisfaction at the view from our living room window of Bella and Christina, in a circle of friends, enjoying the beautiful snowy yard.
This afternoon alone make the move worthwhile. Good, wholesome Catholic friends for my good, wholesome Catholic daughters. It was a taste of Heaven.
Thank you, Holy Spirit, for the inspiration which started a year ago with a link to a Catholic school, and ended in friendship and fun.

New Year, and a new header

I finally worked up the courage to add a header to the blog, and I love it. Hope you don't mind scrolling down a bit more.

Here is the story of this exceptional painting, by Andrea Mantegna at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, which depicts the Madonna and the Child Jesus with Down syndrome. The story is as beautiful as the painting which is on my desktop as a reminder of why I blog.

I have always been certain that Jesus has a special love for children like Christina, and I am sure He would appreciate being portrayed as one of our vulnerable little ones, the "least of these". They reflect Him so clearly in the world, yet, like Him, the world rejects them, aborting 90% of them.

All our children with Down syndrome are Christ figures, and we are like the Blessed Mother who cherish them, nurture them and see them hurt.

A Prayer for the New Year

Come, Holy Spirit,Spirit of the Risen Christ,
be with us today and always.
Be our Light, our Guide,
and our Comforter.Be our Strength,
our Courage, and our Sanctifier.

May this new year be a time of deep spiritual growth for us,
A time of welcoming your graces and gifts,
A time for forgiving freely and unconditionally,
A time for growing in virtue and goodness.
Come, Holy Spirit,
Be with us today and always.
Amen.

Pro-life Blog Awards

Thank you, DR at The Maritime Sentry for nominating me for this prestigious award from the American Life League.As ALL says, blogging, especially pro-life blogging can be a lonely and thankless job. I hear that.
Sometimes when comments are sparse, or overwhelimingly negative as they were on this post, I wonder if the only readers out there are coming by accident through Google. I certainly don't want to preach to choir, and unintentional readers may have their eyes opened in ways they never imagined, but still, it's so gratifying to be recognized by fellow writers, bloggers, and pro-lifers. Thank you.
There is no voting from the general public, a panel of pro-life bloggers and media specialists will decide the winners. I'm on pins and needles; this would be a great honor coming from ALL.

Hope for the future

Don't you just love these inspirational videos which show the wide range of activities which await our children with Trisomy 21?
As I was saying on the TV interview last week, there has never been a better time to raise a child with T21, the future is full of possibilities. Read the Down Syndrome Info Organtization's book "Whisper's of Hope" in PDF form, here.
IF only they weren't aborted at 90%!
Keep Infants with Down Syndrome.
HT Down syndrome Info.org

Feast of the Holy Innocents

In honor of the Holy Innocents,the first martyrs for Christ, killed by Herod, we celebrate this memorial today. The minor key and lyrics of The Coventry Carol carry the mood of mourning for the innocents of today who are killed in their mother's womb.

Coventry Carol
Pause Music!
Lullay, Thou little tiny Child,
By, by, lully, lullay.
Lullay, Thou little tiny Child.
By, by, lully, lullay.

O sisters, too, how may we do,
For to preserve this day;
This poor Youngling for whom we sing,
By, by, lully, lullay.

Herod the King, in his raging,
Charged he hath this day;
His men of might, in his own sight,
All children young, to slay.

Then woe is me,
poor Child, for Thee
,And ever mourn and say;
For Thy parting, nor say nor sing,
By, by, lully, lullay.