How Has Your Faith Changed You?

Fr. Tom ended his homily with one question. What has your Faith done for you? Sum it up. Pass it on.


One word came to me. JOY.


In the middle of the human struggle - in the lives of those around me and in my own life - there is joy.


I don't do a great job of conveying that reality to those around me.


And that's a shame.


If God has brought me joy... and He has... it's time to let it show!


May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Pro-Life Where the Rubber Meets the Road

Pro-life Americans are speaking up for the unborn again. Tomorrow, my youngest daughter will be marching with hundreds of thousands of other Americans in Washington, D.C.

I have another daughter who just announced she is pregnant for a third time. There is no daddy in the picture for this little one either. It's a rough turn of events for this mommy of three, but there are signs that her life is ready for a spiritual springtime.

My son and his wife just welcomed their first child into the world. Eliana Noel was born without vital signs just two weeks ago. Doctors worked on her for 12 minutes, and according to the medical records, Eliana did not breathe on her own until 13 minutes after delivery. In Missouri, (we are told) doctors can cease their efforts to resuscitate a newborn after 10 minutes. But they didn't. My son and daughter-in-law were told that Eliana might not survive her first day. She did. My son and daughter-in-law were told that Eliana would have brain damage. She doesn't. Today, at two weeks of age, Eliana is bright-eyed and loves to look at her parents and listen as they talk to her. She is still in NICU, but she is defying every prediction made by the medical community.

I have another daughter who struggles with infertility. She hopes for the day when she is able to hold a baby in her arms and prays that they will be able to adopt a child of their own.

This is the reality behind the March for Life. We are not talking heads. We are not shouting out talking points. We are not judgmental.

We simply love life. All life. It is a gift from God. Period.

While the rest of our society may think that we are "just at it again" for another year, we know that's not true. We are pro-life, and it changes who we are, how we see the world, and what we do each and every day.

This is where the rubber meets the road. Four children. Four stories. Each one speaks to the same reality. God loves the unborn.

We just heard the MRI results. Eliana has NO BRAIN DAMAGE! NONE. The sidebar has a picture from Monday where I prayed in the chapel at Cardinal Glennon Hospital and specifically asked for the intercession of Blessed John Paul II.

 

Thank you so much for praying!

 

St. Peter’s successor raises another Tabitha!

 

Eliana means God Answers Prayers

Dear Catholic Faithful,

Thank you for praying for our newborn granddaughter. As you know, doctors worked with her 9-12 minutes to get her breathing after a difficult delivery. This is the latest update from our son and daughter-in-law. We are begging for prayers. If you know anyone, personally or through social media, who prays.... please, please ask them to pray. It is also an encouragement to the new mommy and daddy when people follow-up saying they have heard their requests and will indeed pray.

This from Eliana's mommy and daddy:

This is Eliana, our precious daughter whose name means "God answers prayers." Please, please PRAY for her. She is better, but is not doing very well. She's not moving her left arm at all. Please pray it is not crippled. Also, she is having tests on her brain in the next few days. Please pray for a healthy brain, and pray for NO lasting effects like cerebral palsy. All I can do is cry because of be...ing so overwhelmed. God saved her life shortly after birth; the NICU people had said they didn't know if she'd survive, but the Lord graciously spared her. But we've still never held her, and have never heard her cry. She is on a ventilator because her ph is low and her carbon dioxide is too high. Her reflexes are getting better but aren't exactly strong. We cherish your prayers. Please, please thank The Lord for what He's done to help our miracle baby already, and beg Him for complete miraculous healing. Thank you.

Dear Catholic Faithful, please pray!!!!!

Dear Catholic Faithful,

Last night, our granddaughter Eliana Noel was born. It was a difficult delivery, summed up best by my daughter-in-law (below). I beg you for prayers. These next three days, Eliana will be monitored as doctors seek to determine brain function and other possible damage. Anything is still possible, from no long term damage to more severe ramifications. If you would leave a note of encouragement for me and for the parents (Stephen and Candice), we would be grateful. Here is the note from Candice (new mommy):

Thank you all so much for your love and prayers. So, Eliana was born with her umbilical cord wrapped twice around her neck. She came out not breathing and without heartbeat for somewhere between 9-12 minutes. The incredible staff administered CPR and saved her life. But the lack of oxygen for that time period could cause brain damage, for which we're just going to trust God and pray for healing. Her shoulder also got caught during delivery, which could sometimes cause a crippling effect for life (again, we're just going to not freak out, and trust God's loving sovereignty). A lot of this is because she was a beautiful 9 pound, 9 ouncer, but I am so small she got twisted and cramped during delivery. Many good things so far, though. She is hyper and seems happy, and is moving all limbs (although one arm seems sore). She responded excitedly to Stephen's voice and to other tests from the doctors, which shows potentially good brain function. She is also not showing any signs of seizures. Please continue to pray for her as we are headed to Cardinal Glennon now. May God get the glory no matter what. -Candice and Stephen

The Hobbit and the Gospel - By Father Robert Barron

I like Fr. Barron's definition of the word hero. Why? Because, as saints-in-the-making, we are all challenged to accept the mission that is contained in the definition. Are you answering the call? It's an exciting challenge...

Hero:  a person is wrenched out of complacency and self-absorption and called to a great adventure.


The Hobbit and the Gospel - By Father Robert Barron

Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

Ancient of Days, Angel of the Lord, Anointed One, Defender of Widows, Everlasting Father, Glory of God, Holy One of Israel, I am who I am, Emmanuel, King, King of Heaven, Lily of the Valleys, Light, Lord, Lord our Maker, Man of Sorrows, Merciful, Mighty One, Morning Star, Prince of Peace, Redeemer, A Refuge for the Oppressed, A Refuge for the Poor, The Rock of our Salvation, Rose of Sharon, Ruler, Savior, My Shepherd, Witness, Wonderful Counselor, The Almighty, Alpha and Omega, Amen, Author of Life, The Beginning and the End, Beloved Son, The Blessed Hope, The Bread of Life, The Carpenter’s Son, Christ, The Consolation of Israel, Creator, Deliverer, Faithful and True, The First and the Last, The Gate, The Gift of God, God, God’s Son, The Good Shepherd, Head of the Church, Head of Everything, Heir of All Things, High Priest, Holy One, Our Hope, I Am, Immanuel, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, King, King of the Jews, King of Kings, The King of Peace, The Lamb of God, The Last Adam, The Life, Light of the World, Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Lord, Lord of All, Lord of the Harvest, Lord of Lords, Mary’s Son, Mediator, Merciful, Messiah, Nazarene, Prophet, Rabbi, The Resurrection, The Righteous One, The Ruler of God’s Creation, The Savior of the World, Servant, The Son of Man, Teacher, The Truth, True Light, True Vine, The Way, Wisdom of God, The Word, The Word of God, Worthy