How radically Catholic are you?

Michael Voris challenges Catholics to live their faith like they mean it on his Vortex program on Catholic TV.

Here's how radical a Catholic I think I am:

1. I have just moved from my home of 46 years in response to a call from God to live in CT where promising opportunities to evangelize with my writing are opening up, and there are good Catholic schools for my girls. I stopped homeschooling after 10 years and enrolled them in school to work full time. For free.

2. Three years ago, I began writing as He asked, and, writing for the Church for little money when you are a wife and the mother of three young women is a sacrifice.

3. People have been avoiding me for years in order not to hear my Catholic pro-life ideas, and I never met a pro-life protest I didn't join. (We keep our own signs in a closet ready for the next protest rally.) I am on Obama's "crazy pro-lifer" list for sure.

4. Financial sacrifice is becoming easier for me, God seems to be asking more and more lately. . so, though I am far from a martyr for the Faith, I can say, my life is on the road to becoming radically Catholic. God has carried me every step of the way, by His grace, making the journey sweeter than I could have imagined.
HOWEVER
Please don't ask me to give up my simple yet spacious new home in the woods, Lord, I am willing to invite my young sister-in-law to share it with us. OK. My in-laws too.

No wonder my family thinks I'm nuts! But they love me anyway.

It's Terri's Day

from the Terri Shindler Schiavo Foundation

"Four years ago today, by the order of Judge George W. Greer, Terri Schiavo died a slow barbaric death by starvation and dehydration over a period of almost two weeks.We must never forget what happened to Terri and the horrible way she was killed.

However, just as important is to remember that what happened to Terri is occurring every day in our nation. Moreover, in this very moment countless people are suffering slow, agonizing deaths in hospice, nursing homes, and hospitals in America and around the world."

It struck me four years ago, as we were suffering her agony with her, that it was appropriate that she suffered the most during Holy Week, and died just after Easter, only four days ahead of Pope John Paul. The treatment witheld from a healthy though disabled Terri and treatment given to a dying John Paul (stomach feeding tube) was exactly the same. I almost suspect that the Holy Father accepted the feeding tube as a message to the world. Since he was in his dying days, he was NOT obligated to accept a feeding tube since it's use might be more harm than good, but he wanted to become an example of death with dignity that Terri was denied.

God's Grace in Practice: A Bad Playdate

God's Grace in Practice: A Bad Playdate

My first day as a freelance writer. . .

Was a challenge. What else did I expect when writing assignments and household chores, and promises to get in shape all come crashing down on the head of a mom who finally has her youngest child safely in a school she likes, a lovely home in the country where it's quiet enough to write?
Pressure!
Oh, and did I mention the internet was on the fritz?!
Did I crumple into a pile of tears?
Reach for chocolate when I gave it up for Lent?
Yell and throw things at innocent dogs?
NO!!
I called my husband and yelled at him. . .
" help me fix the @#$% internet!"
Somebody musta been praying hard out there, he was able to help me reconnect it over the phone!! Hurray!!
Me, fixing a modem and a router when I first had to figure out which was which! Me, whom the tecchies on the helpline hung up on twice as impossible!
This is where I do the victory dance which embarrasses Isabella.

Thank you, Lord! I chalk it all up to making time for daily Mass this morning. See, it saves you time, because it keeps you from losing it, and being childish. At least in the morning.

Sadly, the rest of the day wasn't so smooth. I still have problems managing my time, with no living breathing boss over me. Maybe I shoulda gone to evening Mass too.
Read about it at the Mom Writer's Blog. The World's Worst Boss.

Overcoming Gluttony

Jen over at Conversion Diary has an outstanding post on Gluttony and food addictions. I will try and implement her advice and if I make any progress, I will be sure and brag about it!
It involves giving up the food that makes us crazy: sugar and flour.
We're off sugar for Lent, so there's only one tincy step to go. . .

Fr Groeschel suffered a mini-stroke March 21

But, thanks be to God, he is back on TV despite the setback. He was on his "Sunday Night Live with Fr Groeschel" again last night, and though he did make some errors of speech, he was almost back to his his normal, spiritually intense, insightful, wise-cracking self. He interviewed the beautiful Immaculee Iligagiza on her latest book, Our Lady of Kiebeho, (see my Catholic Online review here).
He, like Mother Teresa, and Mother Cabrini will keep going, till he dies with his boots on.
May he live 100 years!
Read more at the National Catholic Register blog.

IDSC for Life on eugenics

Diane has written a powerful post on how the Clinton Administration appointee for Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders viewed aborting children with Down syndrome as an imporvement.
“Abortion,” she said, “has had an important, and positive, public- health effect,” in that it has reduced “the number of children afflicted with severe defects.” As evidence, the future surgeon general cited this statistic: “The number of Down’s Syndrome infants in Washington state in 1976 was 64 percent lower than it would have been without legal abortion.”
So, killing those with extra chomosomes is an improvement, Dr Mengele, er, Dr Elders?
Can we expect any better from the Obama adminstration?
Read the entire post here.

Come join us and get motivated to change the world!

Youth 4 Life Conference stramed here on Sat March 28 3-8 PM
If you couldn't come to the Academy of the Holy Family in Baltic, CT tomorrow to see the wonderful line up of speakers discussing a wide range of prolife issues, you can still attend on line via the live stream which will be available on this website, AirMaria.comPlease leave a comment if you watch and encourage the girls who worked so hard on this conference this past month.

First Communion Photo Contest

Win $100 Gift Card for the Cutest First Communion Photo

The Catholic Company, the market leader for online Catholic books and gifts, has just announced a First Communion Photo Contest.
What a great excuse to pull those photos out of the photo book and show them off again. Bloggers, podcasters, and webmasters can also win a $50 Gift Card for referring the winning entry to the contest, so be sure to spread the word!

Small Successes

See the other Small Successes at Faith and Family Live.

1. The book I've been working on with stories from Catholic moms of special needs children has had it's first successful 'nibble' from a major Catholic publishing house. Please pray for Fr Benedict Groeshel who has promised to write us a foreword. He is very ill in the hosptial.

2. I made an ethnic dish for Gabbi's high school's International Day; Salvadorean Cheese Pupusas. People ate them for the first time, and liked them.

See the recipe here.

3. I completed my first Power Point Presentation for Academy of the Holy Family's first Youth 4 Life Conference this Saturday (see details here). It's titled; "Catholic Marriage is Pro-life".

4. I helped several high school girls learn the basics of writing a good English Composition, thanks to 10 years of homeschooling my own daughters.

5. I kept my Lenten resolutions for extra Masses, attending a beautiful Missa Cantata on the Solemnity of the Annunciation with the girls.

Act Now to Fund Kennedy Browback Bill

From the National Down Syndrome Congress
The Prenatally and Postnatally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act of 2008 (known as Kennedy/Brownback), passed last fall will provide grant funding to eligible organizations to promote dissemination of high quality information and referral to support services for parents who receive a pre-natal or post-natal diagnosis of Down syndrome. However, an appropriation for funding must now be included in the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education FY 2010 appropriations bill in order for the law to be implemented.
Representatives Cathy McMorris Rogers (R.WA) and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.DC) have written a Dear Colleague letter to members of the House of Representatives asking them to sign a letter asking Representatives David Obey (D.WI) and James Walsh (R.NY) chairs of this committee to include funding for Kennedy/Brownback in the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education FY 2010 appropriations bill. It is important to have as many Representatives as possible sign this letter to improve its chances for funding.

Action Needed

Please contact your Representative and ask him or her to sign onto the McMorris Rodgers/Holmes Norton letter that is being circulated in the House of Representatives. This letter is being sent to the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee in support of funding to provide $5 million in FY10 Appropriations to implement The deadline to add cosigners to the House letter is April 1st. A sample letter with contact information is included at http://capwiz.com/ndss/issues/alert/?alertid=12956971&queueid=3075131146.
If possible, you should personalize the letter.

Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm

Today we went to an ice cream social with free ice cream sundaes with fresh homemade ice cream. It was at Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm, a deluxe farm stand and cafe about 20 minutes east of us at the CT /RI border in Sterling, CT.
We passed along route 49 over rolling hills dotted with farms, and an incredible panoramic view opened up to the Northeast, distracting me from my goal, the Brown Cow Cafe at the Farm. We did a U-turn, and found a cozy shop with a warm fire and friendly people scooping out this wonderful ice cream. Christina found a seat where she could watch the chickens, goose, and turkeys while enjoying the ice cream, and I checked out the preserves and chutneys on the shelves. Isabella tried the vanilla, Gabbi the chocolate, and I had Buttercup, a butter crunch.
A great way to celebrate Laerte Sunday for a family who is getting tired of forgoing sweets!

We will certainly find many excuses to return, the farm offers Turkey Pies, fruit pies and their own fresh beef and poultry including goose.

Great Lecture with Dr Mobley tomorrow

Monday, March 23rd, 2009
7:00 PM
Grace Auditorium
One Bungtown Road
Cold Spring Harbor, NY
The Future of Down Syndrome, Improving Memory and Cognition
The mapping of human genome, and the creation of advanced technologies for neuroscience research, has opened up a whole new world of opportunities in the field of Down syndrome research. Come and learn about how recent studies are beginning to identify the gene(s) responsible for cognitive impairment and exploring drug therapies to restore the function of neuronal circuits affected by Down syndrome. For the first time, neuroscience discoveries are creating the hope that in time everyone with Down syndrome will be able to live independently.

Special Olympian Tyler Paul Cormier

I just can't get over the pain I feel from Obama's mean remark about Special Olympics. But you can imagine how Tyler's father feels when you read this memorial website.
"Tyler moved on to RHAM High School and his competitive spirit grew. The Special Olympian gold medals mounted, giving Tyler a bit of a reputation as an athlete. More importantly, friendships were building and strengthening and Tyler was developing a unique leadership quality. Indeed, Tyler’s acceptance in the RHAM high school community grew daily whether it was eating lunch in the cafeteria, hanging out with his friends after school, or going out on the weekends. Tyler helped break down the barriers often encountered by people with special needs since he was always treated “like one of the guys”. This is something that made RHAM high school and the entire local community special. "
Maybe Obama should read it. And be educated.

Beautiful Testimony to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day.

I've received the Premio Dardos Award!

Heidi Hess Saxton from Mommy Monsters has given me the Premio Dardos Award.

Premio Dardos means ‘prize darts’ in Italian and it is given for recognition of cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values transmitted in the form of creative and original writing.
The rules are:
1) Accept the award by posting it on your blog along with the name of the person who has granted the award and a link to his/her blog.
2) Pass the award to another 7 blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgement, remembering to contact each of them to let them know.

I hereby pass this distinguished award to the following outstanding Catholic bloggers for their literary flair while sharing the treasure of our Catholic faith and culture.

1. Elizabeth at The Divine Gift of Motherhood

2. Jean at Catholic Fire

3. Esther at A Catholic Mom in Hawaii

4. MaryEllen from Tales from the Bonnie Blue House

5. Melanie at The Wine Dark Sea.

6. +JMJ+ at Tutus Tuus Family Homeschool

7. Erin's mom at My Little Saint

Obama mocks the Special Olympics

On Jay Leno last night, while trying to make fun of his bowling abilities, Obama says, " it was like the Special Olympics. "
NOT FUNNY, Mr President!
Read the entire story here.
Maria Shriver, wife of Gov Schwartzenegger, and sister of Tim Shriver the Chairman of Special Olympics took offense to the comment. "It shows that we still have a lot of work to do".
And she supported Obama!
Read the story here.
Next time stick to the teleprompter, if that is your idea of a joke.
On the other hand, Governor Sarah Palin has respect for the Special Olympics. Wonder what disability advocates who voted for Obama are thinking now?
UPDATE 3/20: Special Olympian challenges Obama to bowling!
Read the story at Breitbart.

Ite ad Joseph

Happy feast of St Joseph!

Here are photos of the St Joseph's table at the Academy of the Holy Family where I am subbing this month. It was made by the students and their cooking teacher, Loretta Palliardi.

All the delicious pastries, fresh breads and mouth-watering handmade Italian ices were sold to students and faculty. Here is a quote from an article explaining the tradition of the St Joseph Table in Italy.

"Sicily's most important saint is Giuseppe (Joseph), Father of Jesus, whose day is celebrated on March 19. Many activities are scheduled, including the very unique one called the St. Joseph's Table. This ancient tradition goes back to the Middle Ages. At that time there was an exceptionally severe drought in Sicily. No rain fell for an extended period of time, no crops would grow, and countless people died of famine. The peasants prayed to God for rain, and they also prayed to St. Joseph to intercede with God on their behalf. They promised that if God caused it to rain, they would have a special feast honoring God and St. Joseph.

By miracle, the rains came and the crops were planted. With the harvest, the people prepared a feast of foods from their crops. This has become known as the Tavola di San Giuseppe. Through the centuries, people who have prayed for a favor and been granted the favor use this festivity to show their thanks. The "favor" requested must not be for personal gain or benefit. Some common requests are the safe return of a loved one from a war (very common request during World War II), or that a loved one will be cured and survive from a serious, life threatening illness or accident. "

Tonight my daughters and I will be attending a Missa Cantata at the Marian Friary of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Griswold, which you can watch as it will be streamed at AirMaria.

How blessed we are to have a Catholic community so rich in traditon!

Happy 7th Birthday Christina Maria!

The BBC says we aren't well read

The BBC believes most people will have only read 6 of the 100 books here. How do your reading habits stack up?For those tagged: Put an x beside the books you've read. Apparently the BBC thinks most folks have only read six.
No, seeing the film or starting to read the book don't count. Darn.

Here's my list:
1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen (X)
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte (x)
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling (actually seven books)
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible (X)
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte (X)
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell (X)
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott (X)
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulk
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell (X)
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald (X)
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams (X)
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky (X)
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll (X)
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame (X)
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy (X)
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis (I have read the first three)
34 Emma - Jane Austen (X)
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis (X)(This is the first of the Chronicles of Narnia)
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne (X)
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell (X)
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown (X)
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez(X)
44 A Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery (x)
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding (X)
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert(X)
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen (X)
)55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zifon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens (X)
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley(X)
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez(X)
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville (X)
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens (X)
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett (X)
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce (X)
76 The Inferno - Dante
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray (x)
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens (X)
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert(X)
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White (X)
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad (X)
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery(X) he wrote this while living in Northport, NY the town where I grew up, so we HAD to read it, but we didn't understand much
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare (X) I'm teaching this to AP English students as I write
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables
My score is 37. Wow, the same score as my well-read friend Elizabeth Gerold Miller! I was surprised how many of the same books we have read. Much more reading to get to on this list!
This is bit embarrassing for an English Literature teacher, but 31 books above the BBC estimate. When I lived in London I must admit, however, when I saw Brits reading on the "Tube" (subway) it was more likely to be one of the above classics than the latest potboiler Sidney Sheldon or James Patterson novels. Though I disagree about some of the selections on the list being literary classics:
His Dark Materials, Harry Potter, Five People You Meet in Heaven
Just making the bestseller list doesn't earn a place for you with CS Lewis, Jane Austen and Shakespeare.



Wow, the same score as my well-read friend Elizabeth Gerold Miller! I was surprised how many of the same books we have read. Much more reading to get to on this list.

I am third; my pastor's homily on special needs and humility

Listen to Fr Tito discuss the contributions of Special Needs people to society on this video and try not to cry, I challenge you!

Family ties on Facebook

My friend Cay Gibson has some insightful comments on how Facebook can help you connect with family within your own home.

Sujeet Desai performs at the Special Olypics

It was a week long and among the largest sporting event in the world and largest Winter Games in the history of Special Olympics held in Boise , Idaho. At the opening ceremony on February 7th 2009 in front of 14,000 people from 96 countries Sujeet performed on his clarinet Mozart’s “Adagio in A minor”. Before his performance he was interviewed by Gold medalist World Olympian “Kristi Yamaguchi. http://vimeo.com/3422310

A day before saxophonist “Kenny G”, impressed by Sujeet’s clarinet tone played a duet with him as well at the daily press briefing he suggested they play a duet in the future. http://www.idahostatesman.com/273/story/660598.html
We just updated Sujeet’s web page with this event by photos, a commendation letter from CEO of Sp. Olympics Timothy Shriver and more. Please visit Sujeet’s web page www.sujeet.com and scroll down to click on Highlights of 2009 to find these links.
It also includes a blog post written by Kristy Colvin “Flame of Hope or Despair of Ashes?” Please take a minute to leave your comment on this blog if you have not already done so. Your response w ill certainly help to inspire improvements in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities worldwide.
I hope you experience this magnificent event of the Opening Ceremony of 2009 World Winter Games through the links above posted on Sujeet’s web site & enjoy the photos.
Thank you for your time & advocacy.

Sindoor (Sujeet's mom)

Humility 101

Discussions of humily are fraught with danger, since once you talk about how humble you are, you already proved that you are anything but humble. Instead I'm going to discuss ways that God is helping me acquire this virtue. It's an uphill battle, but God never gives up on me.
St Paul says we should brag about nothing but the cross of Christ. so please indulge me while I brag about the itty bitty splinters of His cross which help me remember my place.
At the foot of the Cross.
1. Children
We all know how young children can embarrass us in public, and I have covered that many times. This time, I mean how an adolescent suddenly realizes that Mommy has feet of clay, and is anxious to bring out her hypocrisy in vivid detail. And the insights are dead-on. If I learn to listen when their observations are respectful, they can be opportunities for growth.
After all, the sting in any rebuke is the truth.

2. Money
Nothing brings you down to size faster than running out of money at the cashier. Or bouncing a check. Or wondering how you will meet your bills. Many of us are re-discovering the part of the Our Father where we ask God for our daily bread.
We should thank God for the opportunity to learn more trust in Him.

3. Age
As my daughters blossom into womanhood, I find my own looks waning. Bad hair days are more the norm than not, the battle of the bulge seems lost, and my knees complain more and more. I struggle with late onset diabetes.
Age reminds us that we have to care for the Temple of the Holy Spirit, but that it is only a temporary home. Our home is heaven.

4. Disorganization
A punishing schedule leaves you vulnerable to making foolish errors. Like being late for your daughter's bus. Like forgetting appointments, and losing keys. Like a disheveled appearance and a messy house.
We can offer our time to the Lord, and remember it's all a gift, begging Him to teach us to make good use of it.

to be continued. . .

My favorite Lenten poem

HOLY SONNETS.XIV.

Batter my heart, three-person'd God ;for you
As yet but knock ; breathe, shine, and seek to mend ;
That I may rise, and stand, o'erthrow me,
and bendYour force, to break,
blow, burn, and make me new.

I, like an usurp'd town, to another due,
Labour to admit you, but O, to no end.
Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,
But is captived, and proves weak or untrue.

Yet dearly I love you, and would be loved fain,
But am betroth'd unto your enemy ;
Divorce me, untie, or break that knot again,
Take me to you, imprison me, for I,

Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.



Poems of John Donne.
vol I.E. K. Chambers,
ed.London: Lawrence & Bullen,
1896. 165.

Dr William Mobley to speak on Long Island, March 23

On Monday, March 23rd, we will be hosting a Down syndrome event at the world-renowned Cold Spring Harbor Labs. We chose this date to honor World Down Syndrome Day, which is celebrated on March 21st (no need to explain the significance of the date, I’m sure) and we chose this venue because we hope to attract local physicians and legislators as well. The National Down Syndrome Society and ACDS will be co-sponsoring the lecture and it will be included in NDSS’ new educational series. The laboratories will also extend an invitation to their scientists and researchers.

Our speaker for the evening will be Dr. William Mobley, of Stanford University. Dr. Mobley is currently doing research that could lead to treatments to improve cognition and memory in individuals of any age with Down syndrome. The results of the preliminary research are incredibly promising and exciting. The mapping of the human genome has opened up a whole new world of opportunities in the field of Down syndrome research and we hope to share this world with all of you and with our physicians. For more detailed information on this research you can visit www.dsrtf.org/research-current.htm.

Most families of individuals with Down syndrome would agree that it is time we bring some more attention to the research that can help our loved ones. This is a unique opportunity for you to learn about current research and at the same time show your support for our community.

Grace Auditorium at CSHL can seat up to 353 individuals and we hope to fill every seat. Help us show our representatives that our children are here on Long Island and that they have a voice. We urge all of you to save this date and to attend with anyone you know who has been touched by your child. This is a free lecture and no organization will be soliciting donations.

You may want to invite your child’s teachers and/or therapists and we hope that you will invite your own OBGYN and children’s doctors. Please also share the invite with your SEPTA. We promise that you will leave with new hope and that any professional working with a child with Down syndrome with leave with a new view of our children’s potential. Please print and share the attached invite with your child’s doctors and providers as soon as possible. We thank you in advance for your support and interest in this event.

Down Syndrome Coalition of Long Island

My Review of "Led by Faith" and "Our Lady of Kibeho"

is up at Catholic.net. Don't miss this inspiring true story of how Immaculee, the woman trapped in a bathroom with seven women for 91 days not only survived, but triumphed with greater charity and faith than ever.
It's great Lenten fare.

This is the third book of a trilogy. The first book explains where Immaculee received her stalwart faith; Our Lady of Kibeho, a story of how the Queen of Heaven tried to spare Rwanda from it's horrible 1994 genocide of 1 million souls.

Read my review of Our Lady of Kibeho at Catholic Media Review.

Prolife Down syndrome t-shirts

The IDSC For Life is excited to be able to offer t shirts and other items, that will help us to promote the dignity and respect for ALL life.
We have gone with Cafe Press for now, until we can find another company like this. We have found the issue of company's using the word Retarded is across the board, and have not been able to avoid that. We hope that who ever would like to help us get the word out there, will send our site out to family and friends, so that they can help to promote the dignity and respect for ALL life, and in particular, the life of individuals who happen to have Down syndrome.
We are excited to be able to give people this opportunity! We also plan to ask anyone who purchases one, to send the IDSC your picture, wearing your IDSC shirt or other item, and we will post it on our web site! This can be a picture of one individual, or an entire family wearing them!

Let's show the world that we believe that ALL life is precious!! Here is the link again to the IDSC website for more information!

My new dishwasher

was an anniversary gift from my dear husband, and as he was working on installing it, Christina had to become involved.
Then she had her sandwich, perched atop the dishwasher.
He didnt' mind.

Just a typical day in the Velasquez home!

I am blogging at Mom Writer's Literary Magazine

Take a look at how I reconciled myself to Connecticut Critters.