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“Mary is the sure path to our meeting with Christ. Devotion to the Mother of the Lord, when it is genuine, is always an impetus to a life guided by the spirit and values of the Gospel.”

                                                                                    Pope John Paul II

For Reflection: 

What is the conditional given by the Holy Father regarding Mary’s efficacy in our spiritual life? On a scale of 1 to 10, where would you place your devotion to Mary in light of authenticity and genuineness? Remember these words from the Closing Message to Women of the Second Vatican Council – “… women impregnated with a spirit of the Gospel can do so much to aid humanity in not falling.” How does Pope John Paul II echo these words?

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Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS

Warren Buffet's secretary, Debbie Bosanek, was presented as a symbol of economic injustice by President Barack Obama during the State of the Union address on Tuesday night - but what nobody wants you to know is that Bosanek makes in excess of $200,000 a year.

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By Colin Mason

Earlier this month, a 32-year-old pregnant woman, known only as Mary Moe, narrowly avoided being subjected to a forced abortion and sterilization--at the hands of her own parents.

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A new Gallup poll has found that the mood of voters heading into the 2012 election year is significantly gloomier than it was in 2008 when President Barack Obama was elected, with those expressing concern about the nation's moral climate reaching record highs.

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There was little mention of the March for Life from main stream media and if reported at all, the numbers were inaccurately described as in the “thousands.  There were no counter protesters, although reported as such, but only joyful, prayerful, massive pro-life crowds!

I pondered these things in my heart as I participated in the annual March for Life on Monday. It was the 39th sad memorial of the passage of Roe V. Wade. Since that date over 53 million babies have been lost, mothers have been scarred for life and families devastated.

Determined to make a difference, walking shoulder-to-shoulder, umbrella-to-umbrella the massive March for Life crowd was jubilant, hopeful…and YOUNG. Those who had attended in prior years returned in solidarity and renewed vigor; those who were attending for the first time were in awe and uplifted.

We marched as Women of Grace in full knowledge that “for such a time as this” we were created for a specific purpose and to impact the culture. We marched with the director of our local Christian pregnancy resource center, who was overcome with emotion and thanksgiving for the presence of God she was witnessing. We marched with a young Polish priest, in our country for just 5 months, who was amazed by the hundreds of thousands of peaceful, prayerful, joyful people he encountered.

As we approached the Supreme Court building our young priest searched for the precise words to express the moment. “I am full, and I struggle to control my emotions. This (legalized abortion) is Satanic!”

“For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths.” -2 Timothy 4:3-4

My dear sisters in Christ please continue to be heartfelt, determined Women of Grace, nurturing life to the full. Pray for God’s grace and mercy to be manifest in our country. Ask Our Mother to guide you and give you her heart to transform our culture.

I pray that it would be unnecessary to March in 2013. Perhaps, however, we should consider marching together next year as Women of Grace full of joy, hope and grace?

Your thoughts?

Peggy Pritchard is a Women of Grace® facilitator and Regional Coordinator.  She and Vicki Crispo conduct studies in York, PA and will be hosting the Women of Grace Healing the Wounds of the Heart Retreat and are both lay associates of the Missionaries of the Gospel of Life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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“In that first ‘fusion’ with Jesus (holy communion), it was my Heavenly Mother again who accompanied me to the altar for it was she herself who placed her Jesus into my soul.”

                                                                        St. Therese of Lisieux

For Reflection: 

This beautiful quote expresses the ultimate purpose and grace of Eucharist and the intervention of the Mother of God in helping it to be procured. It also rightly expresses Mary’s role as spiritual mother. Identify all of the above. What resolution would you like to make in its regard?

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Terry O'Neill, president of the National Organization for Women (NOW), says the claim by Roman Catholic bishops that Catholic institutions have a conscience is "poppycock."

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Pope Benedict XVI's message for World Communications Day calls upon the faithful to take a break from constant tweeting, Googling and Facebooking in order to listen to others and understand ourselves better.

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Last night's State of the Union address contained a few glaring inaccuracies, and even when the president's facts and figures were accurate, he often left out the rest of the story.

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“I am all aflame though there is no fire. I feel myself held fast and bound to the Son by means of this Mother…. I’d like to fly off to invite all creatures to love Jesus and Mary.”

                                                                          St. Pio of Pietrelcina  

For Reflection: 

Have you ever felt so full of love for Jesus and Mary? When? Describe that moment in a journal. Do you think it is an example of mysticism? Why or why not? How does this quote of St Pio identify the role of Our Lady and her fulfillment of it?

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