Yesterday on our radio program, Women of Grace® Live, I recommended two resources for Lent _-- In Conversation with God, Volume 2 by Francis Fernandez; and Divine Intimacy by Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalene, OCD. Today, I followed my own advice and prayerfully read the selections for Ash Wednesday. Both were excellent. But it was one line in Section 2 of In Conversation with God that grabbed me.
The plight of Baby Joseph Maraachli, whose family wants to bring the terminally ill child home to die, remains in limbo as the family's new lawyer plans to appeal the case to Canada's highest court, and the hospital is refusing to release medical records to doctors in Michigan who are willing to help.
In his general audience today, Pope Benedict XVI said the ashes we receive today are a sign reminding us of our status as created beings, and inviting us to penance and to a deeper commitment to conversion.
The release of an undercover video in which National Public Radio's (NPR) top fundraising executive is caught denigrating Christians, Jews, and tea party members, while espousing the Muslim Brotherhood, has prompted outrage and renewed calls for an end of the organization's taxpayer funding. It has also resulted in the resignation of controverial NPR CEO, Vivian Schiller.
During a recent filming of a documentary on premature babies, a prominent UK health official said she believes babies born at or before 23 weeks should be left to die.
“Those who sow in sorrow, will reap with shouts of joy.” Psalm 126:5
1997, 1998, 1999—three years that broke my heart. The loss of my loved ones during that time devastated me. Looking for answers to the ultimate questions, I found my heart turning back to God in re-conversion. I sought Him through a women’s group at my church. My steps were tentative but see now that God was with me.
The women’s group reconnected me to Jesus yet there was a disturbance in my spirit. The group was gracious and spiritual but I longed for something more authentic and in alignment with the teaching of the Catholic Church.
The Holy Spirit prompted me—actually gently pushed me—into the way I should go. Through His inspiration and the words of a friend I began a group called FIAT which sought to be truly Catholic and Marian. I searched for resources that were in alignment with Catholic teaching—Bible studies, inspirational books, lives of the saints, encyclicals. These works were inspired and beautiful but our little group lacked direction and a consistent vision.
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