Down Syndrome Caucus secures research money!

On April 27, 2009, I, along with the other members of the congressional Down syndrome caucus, wrote to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) expressing concern with the lack of funding for Down syndrome research. (You can read that letter here.)

In particular, we requested NIH triple its funding to Down syndrome research, especially in light of additional funding made available from the stimulus package. We felt NIH’s response to our letter was inadequate and requested an in-person meeting to discuss their commitment to Down syndrome.

As a result, a week ago today, Dr. Yvonne Maddox, Deputy Director, of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child and Human Development (NICHD), briefed me and the other caucus co-chairs on NICHD’s funding priorities. I was extremely pleased to hear NICHD reaffirm its commitment to the short and long term goals set forth in the 2008 Research Plan on Down syndrome, particularly through NICHD’s commitment to future funding announcements for Down syndrome research over the next five years.
Equally exciting, as I mentioned above, was the long-awaited introduction of the Trisomy 21 Translational Research Parity Act of 2009, which I sponsored, together with Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX). This bill is critical to ensuring Down syndrome research remains on par with the research infrastructure of other diseases.
In 2000, the Children’s Health Act amended the Public Health Services Act in a number of ways, including by authorizing research and surveillance for a number of conditions and disabilities such as juvenile diabetes, Fragile X, asthma, and epilepsy, autism, and traumatic brain injuries. However, the amendments did not authorize the research and surveillance of Down syndrome.
The Trisomy 21 Translational Research Parity Act of 2009, will bridge the critical gap that currently exists in Down syndrome research between basic medical research and cutting edge clinical trials. The bill will recognize at least six Centers of Excellence around the nation that will be dedicated to conducting translational research as well as create the much need biobank and registry to assist with the Down syndrome translational research program.
More than 400,000 individuals have been diagnosed with Down syndrome (also known as Trisomy 21). The extra chromosome causes varying degrees of intellectual disabilities as well as physical abnormalities. As a result, those with Down syndrome also have a number of other medical conditions, including: Alzheimer’s disease, autism, and other neurological and psychiatric disorders. I believe the funding opportunities confirmed by NICHD this week as well as the research infrastructure authorized by the Trisomy 21 Translational Research Parity Act of 2009 will not just benefit individuals with Down syndrome but the millions people with other conditions and diseases.
While we have a long way to go, I believe last week represented a turning point in our efforts. I look forward to continuing working with the disability community to ensure funding and infrastructure remains a priority here in Congress.
Bravo Representative McMorris Rogers!!!
She is the best friend the Down syndrome community has in Congress. She is pictured here with me, Eileen Haupt and other members of Keep Infants with Down Syndrome.
Now exciting research projects like those of Dr William Mobley of the Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation can get the required funding they need to move forward. Maybe someday, there won't be a 90% abortion rate for children with Down syndrome, once we can give hope to parents from this promising research.

Feast of the Archangels Gabriel, Michael and Raphael

Happy feast day to my three archangels Gabriela, my daughter, Ralph, my dad, and Michael my nephew.
Now I'm going over to Servant of the Word to read the prayers and readings of today with my daughter while we eat a celebratory brownie!

Playing catch up and its fall in Connecticut

Now that I'm home from Dad's house, and Washington, home for the first time in over two weeks, it's time to play catch up.
I spent some wonderful time with family and new and old friends at the funeral and afterward (which I'll share in a later post) but now I have to face the effects of nearly putting off housekeeping and writing on hold for the length of Mom's illness (four months). A good decision I will never regret, but a costly one. I was swamped then, I don't have a word for how behind I am in book reviews, news stories, blog posts, and assignments.
Monday morning, I was confronted by a neglected home, VERY sore feet from Washington DC, and suitcases full of our clothing and Mom's belongings. Did I mention that I broke a tooth? That's where I spent today and will spend two other days, at the dentist beginning a root canal and crown, which will cost us about $500. All because I grind my teeth at night. I'm getting a night guard for that too.
After the dentist, I had a school meeting for Christina with her teachers where we discussed using a communication augmentation tool. I had been resistant to the idea at first, feeling it would replace speaking, but once Christina pushes a button with a drawing on it and hears the recording say, "I would like a drink" she repeats it and is truly learning language. So I have to come up with nine phrases she needs to learn at home. Can you believe I am having trouble finding them?
The three I have are "I want to go outside" , "I want to read a book", and "I want to read a story". I think the problem is that she does make her needs known at home, albeit incompletely. She says 'book' and we understand. She shoves a Veggie Tales DVD in our faces, and we get the point. Now we can refine the language a bit. One phrase I would give the world to hear is "I have to use the toilet". At Dad's house, we were overjoyed to find her using it on her own!!! We did back flips for joy. She hasn't done it again. Sigh.

It's fall up in Connecticut. Brilliantly colored trees, crisp sunshine and cool breezes brush my cheek as I hurry to ferry the girls to and fro. But this time, Gabbi is driving! I'd take photos but I haven't unpacked the camera yet. So I'll let my friend at Totus Tuus Family Homeschool share about autumn with her beautiful mix of artsiness and Catholicism.
It features my favorite Irish tune which always rings true this time of year, performed with a truly gifted voice.

Tennessee Ernie Ford sings with children

Need to smile today? Watch this charming video of children stealing the show from the famous Gospel singer.

What do you think of Glenn Beck?

Barbara Curtis at Mommy Life is asking for our opinon on Glenn Beck. She is writing a piece for his website, and will be appearing on his 9-12 Moms show this Monday at 5PM on The Glenn Beck Show on Fox.
Here is my opinion:
Glenn Beck is a phenomenon because he is completely honest with his audience, he never plays politics, but speaks from the heart and shoots from the hip, ignoring conventional wisdom which even some talk show hosts seem to follow. For example, I think Sean, Rush, and O'Reilly are pro-life but when is the last time they discussed the health care bill with respect to life issues? It's always money and politics with them.
Glenn is in touch with the people and what makes them passionate; like 9-12 Moms.
He strikes a chord with the folks. That's why he is a sensation. He deserves it. That's also why the liberal media is focusing on his zaniness, trying to discredit them as they tried to do with Sarah Palin. He's in for a rough time.
Glenn also takes the time to draw upon lessons of history like his chalkboard flow chart on the health care bill and its relationship to the history of eugenics both here and in Nazi Germany. It was outstanding, and outside of Catholic TV programs, and Wesley Smith lectures, practically unprecedented.

He is a prophet for our times, declaring the dangers inherent in the Culture of Death.

One last comment; as the mom of a special needs daughter, I know where some of his passion originates; LOVE of his special child. He knows what we know, Barb, that if we don't change the Culture of Death, it will destroy our children after we are gone. That's why he was the first to champion the case of Terri Schiavo.
Go Glenn!

Shared grief shared burdens

Fr Stephen has some comments on his experience of grief on his blog

I especially appreciate the feeling of kinship among those who have experienced grief.

"I think in the same manner we can “weep with those who weep” learning that such things are not utterly private as our culture often teaches, but that the loss and suffering of one is the loss and suffering of us all. Even Christ wept over the grave of his friend Lazarus."

I noticed that those who were the most generous with their time and on target with their condolences were those who have also experienced loss of a loved one. Grief deepens your capacity for empathy, if you are centered in a life of prayer and liturgy.
Thank God for our wonderful Church, and my wonderful family and friends.

Recourse to Mary in time of sorrow

Thank you to all my friends and family who are embracing us with love and prayer during the wake of my mother. The large crowd who attended last night's wake was truly touching We will begin tonight's viewing by reciting the Luminous Mysteries of the holy rosary at 7:15.

Her funeral is tomorrow at 10AM in St Philip Neri Church 344 Main Street, Northport, NY 11768.
If you can't come, please pray for us as we walk through a valley of tears.

St. Alphonsus di Liguori"This world being a place of merit, it is rightly called a valley of tears; for we are all placed in it to suffer, that we may, by patience, gain our own souls unto life eternal. When our crosses weigh heavily upon us, let us have recourse to Mary, who is called by the Church the Comfortress of the afflicted; and by Saint John Damascene, the Remedy for all sorrows of the heart.
Ah, my most sweet Lady, thou who wast innocent didst suffer with so much patience; and shall I, who deserve hell, refuse to suffer? My Mother, I now ask thee this favour—not, indeed, to be delivered from crosses, but to bear them with patience."

Glories of Mary, (Tan Books: 1978), 497-8.
HT Mary Vitamin

My mother's funeral arrangements

The plans for my Mom are at:
Nolan & Taylor-Howe Funeral Home
5 Laurel Avenue
Northport, NY 11768-3166
(631) 754-2400

Visiting:
Monday 21st @ 2 pm -5 pm and 7 pm - 9 pm.
Tuesday 22nd @ 2 pm - 5 pm and 7 pm - 9 pm.

Funeral Mass Wednesday the 23rd @ 10 am :
St Philip Neri Church
344 Main St.
Northport, NY 11768

Interment at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury, with a Celebration of Eleanor's life to follow at:
Napper Tandy's Irish Pub
229 Laurel Ave.
Northport, NY
(631) 757-4141

From - 2 pm - 5pm

In Lieu of Flowers Donations may be made to:

Life Center of Long Island
35 East Willow Street
Massapequa, NY 11758

(631) 798-9100

Into the Mercy

Just fifteen minutes before the hour of mercy, 3PM, my mother, Eleanor Bonk Crafa, left this vale of tears to fly into the loving merciful arms of Jesus.

She was surrounded by her family and we prayed a Chaplet of Divine Mercy to send her off. She had been given an Apostolic Blessing, which carries a plenary indulgence and received holy communion this morning.

It was a happy death.



Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her.
May her soul and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen

Rep Cathy McMorris Rogers supports Healthcare for Gunner

Rep Cathy McMorris Rogers is a champion for disabled children, as well as the proud mother of Cole, her son with Down syndrome. Here is a link to the YouTube video of her remarks at Healthcare for Gunner press conference yesterday.

Healthcare for Gunner press conference in Washington DC

I was part of this group who spoke out about fears that our disabled children will be denied health care when resources dwindle, as they have in Canada.

My first press conference this Tuesday Sept 15

I will be part of Students for Life "Healthcare for Gunner" press conference on Tuesday, Sept 15 at 10AM on the major cable news outlets.
I will be representing International Down Syndrome Coalition for Life, and showing Christina's photo. as I speak.
It is the feast of the Sorrowful Mother, may she intercede for our success to convince Congress to amend the health care plan 3200 until it protects the lives of the vulnerable and the unborn.

Follow my posts at the Hartford Catholic Examiner

Click here to read my first story on the famous 1971 letter to a prolife constituent to see how far Teddy Kennnedy strayed from his Catholic roots.

Discrimination against Down syndrome

Doctor denied visa because son is burden on the health care system in Austrailia.
Read the entire story here.

Sacrifice of Enduring Love

I am registering for this Friday's Conference "Sacrifice of Enduring Love" Eucharistic Congress at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on Friday Sept 11. I will be held by the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious.
What beautiful way to pray and fast for the conversion of President Obama with Catholics Against Obamacare, and see hundreds of faithful religious women.
That entire week Washington will be flooded with Christians at prayer.
God bless our efforts, please join us in fasting and prayer.

Happy Birthday, Blessed Mother!

On dying well and the loving care of God

I am continually surprised how perfectly God meets my spiritual needs. I discovered that, because of Christina's new bus schedule, I found myself sitting in front of St Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in Baltic, dropping off my children at school just in time to enter the church to prepare for daily Mass. It's a dream often deferred, attending daily Mass, something we strove for but never fully achieved as homeschoolers, and now I can attend Mass in peace, and pray for my family. You can be sure that my writing will improve.
On my first day at Mass, Fr Tito encouraged those of us who work to win souls for Christ, assuring us that that desire was put in our hearts by God Himself. I was inspired to go home and begin to catch up on various book reviews and article which have been piling up. On my way out the door, I noticed copies of the National Catholic Register and read In Person interview of Fr Tadeusz Pacholczyk on his work in the National Catholic Bioethics Center. A friend whom I met at Ryan Barrett's funeral told me that Fr Tad patiently counseled her throughout her parents' illness on what health decisions were morally licit in view of Church teaching. I was anxious to hear Fr Tad's reflections on the graces of a good death:
"The graces of dying well are enormous, because there is a possibility for real closure and transition for everybody. For the person who dies, it is the transition into the next life. But for those who are left behind, they can feel that they did things as best they could; they did them well; they were present. Yes, it may be hard and there may be suffering, but there can also be moments of healing and moments of seeing into the person who is about to leave, things that they may have never seen before. Those moments are a part of the human journey.
There certainly will be some tensions and pain, but I am convinced that the Lord is in the details, and he knows all of this. The particular trajectory of each of our deaths, like our lives, is in the Lord’s hands, and he fine-tunes many of those details for the benefit of those around us who are perhaps approaching death for the first time or really struggling with it. This is the mystery of grace at work. The Holy Spirit is ever present in our hospitals and in our dying moments."

Leticia on Catholic Radio International

I was recently interviewed on Catholic Radio International about my fears about Obamacare. Listen here.

Prayers for a Happy Death

Older Catholics remember saying prayers for a happy death throughout their lives. Now we shudder at the thought, avoiding the very thought that we are mortal. We don't prepare for death, we avoid the very thought of it.
That leaves people like me who are preparing a loved one for their journey home to Jesus feeling very alone. Yet in the CCC 1020 we read:
"The Christian who unites his own death to that of Jesus views it as a step towards him and an entrance into everlasting life. When the Church for the last time speaks Christ’s words of pardon and absolution over the dying Christian, seals him for the last time with a strengthening anointing, and gives him Christ in viaticum [a final Eucharist] as nourishment for the journey, she speaks with gentle assurance [in this Prayer of Commendation]"
"
Thank God for my friend and fellow writer Pat Gohn, who has written this piece on Dying with the confidence of a saint on Catholic Exchange.

Blessed Mother Teresa's birthday in heaven

Happy Birthday Mother!

She was the most vivid example of the Culture of Life of our times.

Read my review of "Mother Teresa's Secret Fire" by Fr. Joseph Langford who knew her for decades and founded her order of priests on Catholic.net

Read it here.

A short life full of love

Click here to see a documentary about a Texan couple who gave life to their son with Trisomy 13. See the love in this beautiful family and pray for those who made another choice out of despair.
NOTE: The film says that Trisomy 13 is always fatal but my research tells me that there are about 10-20% of children born with Trisomy 13 that live past the first year so disorder is not always immediately fatal. Each child is different.

The power of confession

From Holy Cross Family Ministries
Fr. Robert deLeon, CSC
"Many years ago two rowdy teenagers were in an empty church in Paris. They were splashing the holy water on each other, kicking over chairs, shouting and roaring and generally being a pain in the neck. Suddenly the door of the sacristy opened and an old priest shuffled out into the church. He didn't pay any attention to the two boys but went into a confessional box.
One boy asked, 'Who is he? What's he doing?' The other boy replied, 'He's just an old priest going to hear confessions.' The first one said, 'Let's go in and have a laugh.' The other boy agreed and they went into the confessional box, one on either side of the priest."
After a few minutes the first emerged and then later the other came out. The first boy asked, 'What did he say to you?' The second responded, 'I think he must be nuts. He told me to stand in front of that big crucifix on the altar and say three times: You did this for me and I couldn't care less.' The other replied, 'That's exactly what he told me to do. Shall we do it?' Replied the other, 'Sure, why not? It'll be good for a laugh.'
So the two boys stood in front of the large crucifix and said, 'You did this for me and I couldn't care less.' There was a pause, and by the second recitation the two vandals had fallen to their knees, stuttering and snuffling as they said, 'You did this for me and I couldn't care less.' By the third recitation two young men were lying face down on the stone floor of the church sobbing their hearts out."
This story was first told many years ago by the great Archbishop of Paris, Cardinal Jean Verdier (1864-1940). The Cardinal finished the tale by confessing, 'I know this story to be true because I was one of those boys.'"
(Original source unknown)

The Decline of the big American Catholic family

The New York Times has a warmhearted story, reminscing about the big American Catholic families of fifty years ago, when people used to listen to the Church teaching on contraception.

"The smaller Irish-American family has been attributed to many factors, but the one most often cited is a decline in willingness to defer to the Roman Catholic Church after the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s. “The church’s guidance on all kinds of things, including family planning, doesn’t carry the weight it used to carry,” said Terry Golway, a writer who teaches American history at Kean University in New Jersey.
In New York, the migration of the Irish middle class from the city to the suburbs contributed to the decline of the double-digit family, he said. “Their world was not defined by the parish as it once was, when they lived in the Bronx,” Professor Golway said. “They moved to the suburbs, where it really was a melting pot. Not everybody on your block was Irish anymore.”'

This is the type of family my father grew up in in Flushing Queens; six kids in bunk beds in bedrooms arranged around a huge kitchen. During the Depression both parents worked to keep a roof over their heads, and the kids banded together to run the home. The boys had baseball games in Grandpa's tomato garden ("Pop, if you see any tomatoes with seed in 'em; DON'T eat 'em!).
Saturday morning battles between the boys and bossy big sisters in charge of the housecleaning over a quarter to see the double feature. Jam-packed family car driving over the bridge to Granpa's farm in Jersey. And the legacy has continued, as the family is aging and 19 grandchildren are raising their own children. Weddings and funerals are reunions but the contstant contact by phone maintains the closeness born around the kitchen table on homemade benches where Nana's homemade tomato sauce was served twice a week; Sundays and Thursdays. I grew up enjoying the boisterous closeness at Christmas and Easter, the happy chaos of gangs of boys who had to be keep under control in the basement, where my cousin Liz and I were told "don't let anyone get hurt". We'd hide under the stairs and share secrets while the boys wrestled and made mayhem around us. Soon it wouild be time for dessert and we'd come upstairs to a table covered with dozens of pies, cakes, pudding and, best of all, expensive Italian pastries.
I'd sit at the adult table eating a cannoli and listen to Uncle Al's stories, complete with dialogue in various New York ethnic accents. He had stories of Old New York and he made them come alive, reliving the events as he made us roll with laughter. My favorite was when he and his brother left Queens on Good Friday by horse cart to get pizza in Manhattan on Good Friday. The horse wasn't tied, and took off down the street, with the cart swinging back and forth wildly, smashing the window of Harvey the Jewish tailor, who came outside yelling in Yiddish.

Big Catholic families, whether Irish, Italian, German or Polish are wonderful. and I wanted one myself. I still hope that one of my girls has a dozen children so I can sit around the Christmas table and tell stories of when I was a kid at my Italian family gatherings, hiding under the table and guessing whose feet was whose. Or when my ugly mutt of a dog, Skippy used to chase cars and recovered every time he got too close and got hit. We will brag about how Granpa Crafa was born ten years after Padre Pio in Pietrelcine, Italy, and baptized in the same Church. We were so proud the day he was canonized and bought a brick in the family name around his shrine in our church.
Two generations later, we still carry some of the closeness of my dad's big Italian family with us; it' is Granpa's gift to us.


Read the entire story here.

Audio of my Eduardo Verastegui interview

Listen here for the press conference with Eduardo Verastegui before his appearance at Eastern CT State University in Willimantic on August 11. Here are some photos of the event, including one with my daughter Gabbi.

Will Obamacare be dangerous for Christina?

I think so.
Sarah Palin thinks so.
The family of Terri Schindler Schiavo think so.
Read the follow from the Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation and see if you agree that the disabled may find themselves denied access to health care once cost-cutting becomes necessary.

"Was President Obama Subtly Promoting Euthanasia . . .?
Who is going to decide whether or not “you're better off” with or without the surgery? What about “additional tests” or “extra care”? Will it be your physician or will it be President Obama?

Recently, during a nationally televised event at the White House, President Obama said that families need better information so they don't unthinkingly approve, “additional tests or additional drugs that the evidence shows is not necessarily going to improve care.” He added: “Maybe you're better off not having the surgery, but taking the painkiller.”
Do we need any more evidence how this President and his administration feel about the equality and dignity of human life? It seems to be becoming more and more clear that if the quality of your life has reached the point where – by the judgment of a government official – your condition will no longer improve, the Obama health care plan will no longer allow any means of help. However, even more alarming is the real possibility of an Obama health care system that would seemingly put into practice an aggressive agenda to either hasten death or, worse yet, impose death on our cognitively disabled, chronically sick and frail."

I fear for my daughter Christina who has Down syndrome. I fear for her under Obamacare, once I am gone, some death panel will decide that her life is not of sufficient 'quality' to merit medical treatment. Tomorrow I will join pro-life activists Rev Pat Mahoney and Chris Slattery on Martha's Vineyard to tell President Obama about my concerns for my daughter.
I will update you on news coverage here.

My interview with Day Gardner of National Pro-life Radio

The show will air on NPLR today at 5p.m. and Thursday -Sunday so spread the word!

Be careful which museum you take your children to

Read this scary experience a father had in a Manhattan museum on MercatorNet.
"A writer complains in the New York Times about taking his twin boys, aged 7, to one of his favourite galleries and running into an exhibition with “graphic images”. The name, “And/Or”, provided no clue to the genitalia displayed; the warning sign at the entrance was in very small print. "
I had a similar experience in the Museums at Stony Brook which are allegedy about local history. On my birthday one hot summer day, I took all three girls to the museum to see a display of wedding gowns. The girls naturally enjoyed the gowns, replete with letters from the brides and photography. What we didn't anticipate was the gay marriage display at the end. When I complained to the curator, about the inappropriatness of the display, I got a lecture on political correctness. I will not be taking the girls back to this museum.
Maybe the art galleries at Woodstock Vermont are on the right track. In this post, I describe how we saw signs in the windows saying, "no children; dogs allowed".
We are seeing the inroads of the Culture of Death where people who want to protect the innocence of their children are being denied access to the arts.
Remember it was the Catholic Church who first developed fine arts. Now we have to filter what our children see, as those who would corrupt them use our tax dollars to fund pornography and blasphemy.

I'm going to be on National Pro-life Radio

I will be discussing my work with KIDS Keep Infants with Down Syndrome with Day Garder of the Daily Life News show.
You can listen to National Prolife Radio on their website.
The program will be aired several times, beginning on Tuesday August 25 at 5PM.

Are you being called to help spread prolife medical care for women?

From the Gospel of Life Society in Norwalk, CT
September 12 Napro-Technology Training -- for Practitioners & Doctors (in Connecticut)

If you are planning to participate in the Training Program, Sept 12 - 19, please sign up now. Last minute decisions are fun! The next program will be March 2010.

To sign up, call the instructor directly: Kathy Rivet, BS, CFCE
603-595-3947

Naturally, it will be held at our favorite place - Villa Maria
Guadalupe, 159 Sky Meadow Dr., Stamford, CT 06903.

I took the first course EPI and will be coming back to take the second course EPII given during the same timeframe. EPI is wonderful -- about the basic technology which is now being
expanded to address the typical health issues of teens and young women . EPII offers more about the differences between secular surgery and NaPro surgery. A course curriculum and brochure are attached together with application and tuition fees are attached.

If you need a loan, with excellent rates, please contact Dorothy Dugandzic -- work is 914/ 476-4858 and cell is 718/ 893-5078. Some take this course to reinforce their understanding and abilities to converse with doctors and loved ones – it is an investment in woman’s health.

FYI, most treatments do not involve surgery. However, if surgery is required, Dr. Anne Mielnik, of the JPII Center due to open (see below), says that doctors can work with Dr. Kyle Beiter of the JPII Center who is a surgeon. Dr. Mielnik’s vision is that the JPII Center become a surgical center or hub that will service other medical centers.

When We Have 4 NaPRO Dr’s in CT…We will start a clinic!
Here is the information about the new Napro-Technology Clinic in Manhattan. This wonderful clinic is the pro-life answer to the Culture of Death which surrounds it!

Reminder: John Paul II Center – Opening Aug 17!

To be put on a list to be called for an appointment, go to http://www.jpiicenterforwomen.org/ and select tab on right. This New York City practice will become a wonderful asset to us! It is just 3 blocks from Grand Central Station, and will include two physicians:

- Anne Mielnik, MD - Founder and Director of the JPII Center for Women & Gianna Healthcare; Family Medicine Physician; NaProTechnology Medical Consultant

- Kyle Beiter, MD - OB/GYN, NaProTechnology Medical Consultant and Surgeon

Local NaPro doctors (internists, family doctors and GPs), who will handle all the non-surgical treatments (about 85-95%), are invited to coordinate with Kyle Beiter, M.D., of the JPII Center to do the surgery.
Again, Dr. Mielnik’s vision is that the JPII Center become a surgical center or hub that will service other medical centers.

Please spread the word on this marvelous opportunity. With a surgeon, we can aggressively begin now to court doctors. Doctors in Ct who are NaPro, but are not OB/GYNs, can refer to Dr. Kyle Beiter.


Nov 14 - NaPro Day in CT!!! Plan to Hear Dr. Anne Mielnik Speak About Her New Practice

Dr. Anne Mielnik will be the speaker at the Gospel of Life Society on November 14, 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon, after the Pro-life Mass. Please do plan to attend and bring friends; all are welcome – doctors, nurses, practitioners, pediatricians, moms, grandparents, etc. We are planning our next Tri-state Medical Group meeting for the same day from 12:00 to 2:00 pm. It will be an open agenda - a wonderful chance for those who attended the seminar in Stamford on Jan 17 (which included 31 nurses, doctors and moms), to view the DVD’s we made, see each other again, meet new people, network, and enjoy a time to exchange information, share, and inspire – all over lunch. $5 for a lite but lunch. Please RSVP.

A Message from Mary Ellen Barrett

When a tragedy hits, sometimes the newspapers get it wrong. This happened when my friend, Mary Ellen Barrett's 14 year old autistic son Ryan was found dead at a family campout this Friday.
I have her permission to share her side of the story with you. Ryan will be buried in a Mass concelebrated with Mary Ellen's uncle Msgr Robert Brennan and the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, whom Ryan had hoped to join this Wednesday.
Please keep the Barretts in your prayers.

"Ryan was a light in our lives and now that he is forever at the feetof Christ his light will shine even brighter for us.I know it’s been difficult for everyone, getting information piecemeal.
Here are some details, please feel free to share them or any part of this email.

Ryan was playing in a little stream a few yard from the campsite. His father and the others knew where he was and he was in view. Other kids were near him but after a bit they spread out. They were all very excited to be in the campsite, they had only just arrived. When theyc alled the kids for prayers Ryan didn’t come and after a very short time the rangers were called and then the state police and firemarshals.
They searched with dogs (my poor Ryan so terrified of them). Dave called me at 11:30pm and then every hour until our dear friend,who was scheduled to go up there Sat with his four boys, drove me upat 4:30am. I arrived there at about 8:00 and they were searching with a helicopter and infrared radar as well as divers. He was found atabout 10:30.
In the five minutes between the other kids being thereand his being called Ryan had a grand mal seizure and slipped into the stream, his body was found a few feet away in a drain in a culvert.
It is believed the seizure is what killed him although we don’t have confirmation of that yet. When Dave and I saw him, he looked very peaceful and that was of great comfort to us. Ryan received last rites at the campsite, two priests against all odds showed up in the middle of the woods at exactly the right time toadminister the sacrament. Only Ryan could have arranged that.
It was reported that Ryan wandered off and some reports were quite cruel in their tone. It just is not true. We did a brief interview with Newsday to try to correct that and have since had my brother dealing with turning away all of the news agencies. They have been like barbarians at the gate.
In the last 48 hours we have been so blessed by all of the prayers and love that we have received. My friend Chris has completely taken overand has made it possible for us to not have to think.
The Knights ofColumbus and Squires have also been incredible. I know all of the people on IHM and MO have been contacting Chris and lining up to help and we are just so grateful. The pain that David and I are in is too unbearable to speak about. I ask for your prayers for us and our children. Katie and Erin inparticular are old enough to understand and are completely devastated. Every time I look at them my heart breaks all over again. The little ones are sad and confused, not really understanding.
We are very mindful of how sad this is going to be for all of Ryan’ s friends in IHM. For many it will be there first experience with losinga friend and Dave and I are offering up some of our sorrow for their comfort. They have lost a dear friend but gained a mighty intercessor. In the coming weeks we will read all of the emails and posts and doour best to respond to everyone, in the meantime please be assured ofour gratitude and love for you all. "

How typical of Mary Ellen to offer up her sufferings for Ryan's friends! I hope to attend his funeral Wednesday.

Rosary.com re-opened

Blessed Solemnity of the Assumption!
In honor of this great feast, Chris Cash of The Catholic Company has announced the re-opening of Rosary.com Since the Rosary is one of my favorite prayers I am thriled!

More than just a Rosary store, it also will offer resources and articles on the Rosary.
Go over and visit today in honor of Our Lady's Assumption.

Urgent prayer request for the Barrett family

My friend MaryEllen Barrett's son Ryan, age 14 who was autistic, has drowned in a father-son campout North-South Lake upstate New York.

Here is her blog post.

Please pray for the Barrett family in this unspeakably tragic time.

Jesus, enfold Ryan and his family in your loving arms.
Sorrowful Mother, pray for them, you lost your son, help this family heal their broken hearts.
Update: here's a news article about Ryan.
Ryan's wake will be:
Lindenhurst Funeral Home
242 S. Wellwood Ave.
Lindenhurst, NY 11757
(631)957-030
Monday and Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-10

Funeral mass (Wednesday) to be concelebrated by Msgr. Robert Brennan and
Franciscan Friars of the Renwal

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish
210 S. Wellwood Ave.
Lindenhurst, NY 11757
(631)226-7725

Ryan wanted to be a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal, so donations to the Friars would be welcome.
Contact: Charlie Moran
Evergreen Florist
583 S. 7th St.
Lindenhurst, NY 11757
(631)226-0015
Update:
The Lindenhurst Knights of Columbus are offering their hall for a luncheon after the funeral mass. It is potluck, so those coming should bring food to share.
The autopsy revealed that Ryan had a gran mal seizure which may be why he died in the water and his body drifted downstream. Here is the story in Newsday.

Catholic author Regina Doman lost her son Joshua Michael and compiled this list of helpful suggestions based upon her experience of loss.

Eduardo Verastegui to speak in CT this week

Just a reminder; Eduardo Verastegui star of the film Bella, will be appearing August 11 at 7PM at Eastern Connectictut State College in Willimantic CT.
All are welcome. Eduardo will be speaking in English and Spanish. Click here to view his slideshow on his various charitable activities, including a mission trip to the Sudan.

Founder of Special Olympics: Eunice Kennedy Shriver

The Kennedy and Shriver families have gathered at the bedside of Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Let's pray for this beautiful woman who began the Special Olympics in her back yard.
Let's also pray for her family to follow her noble example, especially Teddy who is approaching death as well.

The glory of a short life well lived

I was enjoying (at last) the movie "The Ultimate Gift" last night, and the injustice of a child dying before her mother was a central theme in the film. I can only imagine the pain which parents feel at the passing of a child. But much good can come from such a tragedy, as happened in the short happy life of the little saint from Seattle. Never underestimate what God can accomplish with a soul which is open to His grace.

Gloria is a little girl whose life has made a big impact across the country. Here is a quote about her father who asked her if she had "Quality of Life" something Princeton ethicist Peter Singer has made into a formul here. What rubbish! Life cannot be made into an equation, unless it is made into a commodity first. Its a gift of God. Gloria puts Princeton professors to shame in her response to her father's question.
"He heard a voice say, “quality of life.” He was confused, but went to Gloria the next day and asked if she’s had quality of life. He didn’t expect her to understand, but she immediately responded, “yes daddy!” She excitedly added that so many people have started praying because of her illness.
Doug explained that Gloria had a beautiful gift, she was able to draw people to Christ through her cancer. “She taught us all how to carry a cross. Her gift to us was her living example of her commitment to a relationship with God through constant prayer. She always said, “yes.”
Lord, please help me to remember that each day is a gift to be given back to You. Help me to say "yes" each day and speak to You often in grateful prayer.
Gloria, pray for us.
Amen

Read the entire story at CNA.