Pro-life Corner: SUNDAY, April 29, 2012

Laying down our lives

The Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. This theme is found also in the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) On the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, a man fell in with robbers. A priest and a Levite came by, but did not stop to help. Despite their knowledge of the Law and Prophets, they walked right by. Why?

One of the reasons may be that they were afraid. The road from Jerusalem to Jericho is a dangerous road. Because of its numerous steep curves, it lends itself to attacks by robbers who can easily hide not too far from their victims. Perhaps the priests and Levites who passed by that man asked themselves, "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me? Maybe the robbers who attacked him are still here. Maybe they're hiding just around the bend. This is a dangerous road. I better keep going."

Sometimes we ask the same question. If, for example, I speak up too loudly about the victims of abortion, what will happen to me? Will I face persecution, will I encounter opposition, will I lose popularity if I get involved in a cause like this?

And then the Good Samaritan came along, and he reversed the question. He didn't ask, "If I help this man, what will happen to me?" The Good Samaritan asked, "If I do not help this man, what will happen to him?" And that's the question for us. If I do not address this evil, what will happen to the unborn? If I do not get involved, what will happen to those who are vulnerable, to those who are marginalized our society, those who are oppressed, those who have no one to speak for them? 


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Every Sunday, I post these pro-life materials, generously offered for distribution by Priests for Life. This is my Sunday effort to help us all think with a pro-life heart.

Every Sunday, I post these pro-life materials, generously offered for distribution by Priests for Life. This is my Sunday effort to help us all think with a pro-life heart.

As is the practice over at Catholic Sistas, a blog to which I contribute, Sunday posts will be scheduled ahead of time in order to leave that day for Church and family.
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PS. Learn about Lady Ribbon’s Entry Into Our Lives… a ribbon that truly speaks to Catholic women with regard to breast cancer with a focus on pro-life awareness.








Pro-Life Liturgical Resources: Fourth Sunday of Easter, Cycle B - April 29, 2012

Pro-life Corner: SUNDAY, April 22, 2012

Easter is a Season

Just as Sunday is one day out of seven, so the Easter season, a period of 50 days, is approximately one-seventh of the year. The Easter season, a time of special rejoicing and celebration of the Resurrection of Christ, is the “Great Sunday” of the year. The liturgical prayers and readings focus on the Resurrection and the effects that it has on believers and on the world. The Acts of the Apostles is a book of Scripture that provides the source of most of the readings of the Easter Season, and it shows the vigor with which the apostles proclaimed the Resurrection and brought many to the waters of baptism to share the new life of Christ. This season is a celebration of life, and leads us all to a deeper commitment to proclaim, celebrate, and serve the gift of human life. 

Today's Readings:
Acts 3:13-15, 17-19
1 Jn 2:1-5a
Lk 24:35-48

Every Sunday, I post these pro-life materials, generously offered for distribution by Priests for Life. This is my Sunday effort to help us all think with a pro-life heart.

As is the practice over at Catholic Sistas, a blog to which I contribute, Sunday posts will be scheduled ahead of time in order to leave that day for Church and family.
.
PS. Learn about Lady Ribbon’s Entry Into Our Lives… a ribbon that truly speaks to Catholic women with regard to breast cancer with a focus on pro-life awareness.








Pro-Life Liturgical Resources: Third Sunday of Easter, Cycle B - April 22, 2012 

Easy Pizza Pockets

Sometimes I get really tired of cooking those three meals per day...so I come up with something fun AND tasty for both kids and adults. Tonight was one of those times, so without further ado I bring you Easy Pizza Pockets!

The excitement is building as the ingredients are gathered:

• 1- can crescent rolls
• Sliced pepperoni
• Mozzarella cheese
• Pasta sauce 

Yes, those baby feet are clean ;-)

And the helpers are eager to pitch in so that the much anticipated meal can quickly be served:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees
• Separate crescents into triangles
• Spread one spoonful of sauce
• Add 2 pepperoni slices
• Top with cheese 

The next part is a bit messy, so better for the adult to do!

• Beginning at the point of the triangle, begin rolling dough and ingredients into a roll. 
• Next take the two side points and fold over the roll. 
• Lay seam side down into baking pan and complete all of your pizza pockets - allowing sides to touch. 
• Cut three or so slits into the top of each Pizza Pocket for allowing expansion and steam release.
• Place in oven and bake for 10 - 15 minutes or until golden brown. 
• Take out of oven and allow to set for 5 minutes.

Bless it...

        dip in pasta sauce...

                ENJOY!

Are You Smarter Than a 4-year-old?

Being a pro-life activist is both my passion and my vocation. As one of the lucky women, who is able to stay home, I can dedicate much of my time consumed by this pursuit. I also watch an assortment of my young grandchildren on a daily basis and so this part of my life pops up while they are here. Today, I was working on finding articles for the Gospel of Life Committee Facebook fan page - of which I am moderator. This is more demanding than one might think, since I must read the articles and watch the videos before determining which make the cut. I happened upon this video about RU-486 (the abortion pill) and my 4-year-old granddaughter, Sarah, walked up just as the photo of a 6-week fetus appeared.

"Look at the sweet little baby!", she chirped!

Yes, even a four-year-old can see the humanity in one so tiny! I smiled and then my heart began to hurt - for all of those who have lied to themselves (and to young, uninformed mothers) for so long, that they deny the obvious.

Out of the mouths of babes!

You and I have it within our power to make a difference. It starts at home. Pray for the babies - as a family. Teach your little ones the importance of life from the very beginning. Sarah and her little brother, Lukas, are spending ten days with me while their parents are out of town. Part of our litany of prayers, after we say the formal prayers, is this intention, "for all of the little babies in their mommy's tummies". It's so simple a child can understand the petition...and evidently it's had an impact!

Please also continue to inform yourself. One way would be to join a fan page such as the one belonging to the Gospel of Life Committee. I post all kinds of information and helpful tips of what YOU can do to stop the slaughter of the innocents. Won't you join me?

In His Name for Life,
Birgit J

The Real Love Story of the Titanic

Much has been written and said about the sinking of the Titanic these past 100 years. There are books and movies and books about the movies; yet none of these popular tales capture the truest story of love that rose above the sinking of a luxury liner - the Titanic. And how can one be surprised? In this age of promiscuity, how does one expect the story of a truly heroic figure to rise above the titillation of a beautiful young, albeit imaginary, couple and their 'true' love infatuation?

Yet there was such a story! This relationship of true love began when Rousell Davids Byles, the eldest of seven children to a minister, went off to Oxford to study theology. While at Oxford he converted to Catholicism and took on the name, Thomas. After having attended seminary he said 'yes' to the Call...and the Church became his Bride. Fr. Thomas Roussel Davids Byles spent around ten years as a parish priest in England before receiving an invitation to come to New York. His brother, William, wished for him to officiate at his wedding and this intent placed him on that fateful journey.

While on board, Fr. Byles served the people of every class by saying Mass and fulfilling other priestly duties. His homily on that fateful morning would be ironically relevant...it concerned 'the need for a spiritual lifebelt in the shape of prayer and the sacraments when in danger of spiritual shipwreck in times of temptation'.[1][2] It is said that he was above deck, reading from his Breviary, when the iceberg was struck. As the fate of the ship and those on board became evident, Fr. Byles repeatedly refused the use of life saving measures and instead gave solace to those facing their demise. He heard confessions, gave general absolution and prayed the Rosary while encircled by members of all faiths.

Much is said about heroes and love these days. The current definitions fall far short from the pure intent of these words, however. A hero is someone who would give up his life for the good of another. Jesus showed us that on His cross and others have emulated Him ever since. The great St. Maximilian Kolbe comes to mind as one such hero. Fr. Byles is surely another! This type of heroics beautifully illustrates the truest definition of love - in its purest form. Love of God above all others and love of neighbor as oneself! On this, 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic AND Divine Mercy Sunday, let us reflect on the true meaning of love and heroes. Allowing Jesus to drive our desires and actions will speak of a great love - the love of creature for the creator. And in all things, surely we can do no less than to say, 'Jesus, I trust in You!'.
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An exciting 'first' for me! This story was picked up by Spirit Daily yesterday...go check it out!
Since I am one of their contributors, this post also appears on  Catholic Sistas!

[1] Fr Thomas Roussel Davids Byles - Titanic Biography - Encyclopedia Titanica
[2] The Scotsman and Extracts from the Diary of Father Patrick McKenna 

Pro-life Corner: Divine Mercy SUNDAY, April 15, 2012

The Chaplet

Today’s observance of Divine Mercy Sunday is a good time to renew our devotion to the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. There is a close link between this devotion and the pro-life movement. Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, MIC, who was a principal translator of St. Faustina's diary, and the postulator of her cause of canonization, writes the following:

"On at least three occasions, from 8:00-11:00 in the evening, she felt like her insides were being torn apart. She suffered so much that she thought she was going to die. The doctors couldn't figure out what was ailing her, and no medication was able to alleviate her sufferings. Later, she was given to understand that she was undergoing those pains for mothers who were aborting their children (Diary, 1276).

"On another occasion, she had a vision of an angel coming with thunderbolts to destroy one of the most beautiful cities of her country. And she felt powerless to do anything about it (Diary, 474). What antidote did the Lord give her? The Chaplet of Divine Mercy. [She explained] that the city was to be chastised for its sins, primarily the sin of abortion." ("Wombs of Mercy," Marian Helpers Bulletin, Summer 1995, p.13).

In 2003, Pope John Paul II issued an Apostolic Blessing to all who pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet “for mothers, that they not abort their offspring; for infants in danger of being put to death in the womb; for a change of heart of providers of abortions and of their collaborators; for human victims of stem cell research, genetic manipulation, cloning and euthanasia; and for all entrusted with the government of peoples, that they may promote the Culture of Life, so as to put an end to the culture of death."

Divine Mercy Sunday, Cycle B - April 15, 2012

Every Sunday, I post these pro-life materials, generously offered for distribution by Priests for Life. This is my Sunday effort to help us all think with a pro-life heart.

As is the practice over at Catholic Sistas, a blog to which I contribute, Sunday posts will be scheduled ahead of time in order to leave that day for Church and family.
.
PS. Learn about Lady Ribbon’s Entry Into Our Lives… a ribbon that truly speaks to Catholic women with regard to breast cancer with a focus on pro-life awareness.

Crazy Easy Blackberry Cobbler

Cobbler is a dish that I have a love/hate relationship with. I love the fruit part of it but have always felt that there is just way too much of the doughy part of it. Come on...won't you join me in freely admitting to 'mining' under the crust yourself, just to get a bit more fruit?

With this idea in mind, I decided to develop my own recipe for cobbler.

We live on 25 acres and love to garden so it wasn't a stretch to plant one or two thornless blackberries when they were offered by my sister-in-law.

I get quite a bit of help during those summer months when these canes profusely bear their fruit - some of the berries even make it into the colander for washing and baking.

Ingredients:

• 5 - cups fresh blackberries
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 - T lemon juice
• 1 - pkg. Lemon Poppy Seed muffin mix
• 1/3 - cup milk
• 1 - egg
• non-stick cooking spray
• 1 - t cinnamon
• 1 - stick butter, not quite room temperature
• 1 - cup brown sugar, packed

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Spray bottom of 9 x 13 pan
Spread blackberries evenly
Sprinkle with sugar and lemon juice

Combine muffin mix, milk and egg. Stir until moistened. Don't worry if it's a bit lumpy.

Spread over blackberries as evenly as possible. Note that you will not get complete coverage - but again, that's the point, isn't it? ;-)

Place butter and brown sugar in a mixing bowl and combine until it resembles coarse granules.

If the butter is too soft, the mixture will not have the correct consistency...if this happens to me, I simply add a bit of flour or white sugar.

Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the entire dish.

Place into oven and bake for 1 hour. Let set for another 15 minutes or so and then serve!

Voila! 

Much fruit and not so much crust - plus, the crust that you do have has a streusel consistency and flavor...and if I say so myself, is much more tasty!

This recipe of mine has been published! So check it out at AllRecipes.com and give a sista a good review!


This recipe is also featured at Catholic Sistas!



HELPFUL NOTES: If you use frozen blackberries, thaw and drain them thoroughly first. The butter must NOT be too soft or the 'streusel' part of the topping will not have the desired consistency.

Pro-life Corner: Easter SUNDAY, April 8, 2012

Our Easter Mission

“Have no fear. The outcome of the battle for life is already decided, even though the struggle goes on against great odds and with much suffering… "Christ is now raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep ... so in Christ all will come to life again" (1 Cor. 15:2022). The paradox of the Christian message is this: Christ - the head - has already conquered sin and death. Christ in his body - the pilgrim people of God - continually suffers the onslaught of the Evil One and all the evil which sinful humanity is capable of.

”The liberating message of the Gospel of life has been put into your hands. And the mission of proclaiming it to the ends of the earth is now passing to your generation. Like the great apostle Paul, you too must feel the full urgency of the task: "Woe to me if I do not evangelize" (1 Cor. 9:16). Woe to you if you do not succeed in defending life. The church needs your energies, your enthusiasm, your youthful ideals, in order to make the Gospel of life penetrate the fabric of society, transforming people's hearts and the structures of society in order to create a civilization of true justice and love.” – Pope John Paul II to Youth, August 15, 1993, Denver, Colorado.

Easter Sunday, Cycle B - April 8, 2012

Every Sunday, I post these pro-life materials, generously offered for distribution by Priests for Life. This is my Sunday effort to help us all think with a pro-life heart.

As is the practice over at Catholic Sistas, a blog to which I contribute, Sunday posts will be scheduled ahead of time in order to leave that day for Church and family.
.
PS. Learn about Lady Ribbon’s Entry Into Our Lives… a ribbon that truly speaks to Catholic women with regard to breast cancer with a focus on pro-life awareness.

Simple Easter Bunny Wreath

I saw a lovely Easter Peep wreath on Pinterest and wanted to make it with the kiddos. When I checked out the instructions, however, I was disappointed to note that the project required an embroidery hoop and hot glue. It really didn't seem like the kids (2, 4, and 6) would appreciate having Peep bunnies to work with and then 'ruin' them by rendering them inedible, so.....


My take on an edible Peep bunny wreath - created last minute! (3 children obviously means three wreaths ;-) )

First, gather your materials:

3 - packages of Peep bunnies (I chose 3 colors)

3 - 10" paper plates

1 - small bowl of pancake syrup

Then begin:

Separate the Peep bunnies...the kids can do this while the adult...

cuts the rim off the paper plate and

writes an Easter message in the center.

 

Now for the fun and messy part:

Dip finger into syrup and apply a thick layer of syrup around the edge of the paper plate...this is your 'glue'.

Watch their expression when you actually tell them to lick their finger clean!

This is the educational part:

Place Peep bunnies on syrup in a color pattern.
Using the materials that I have laid out, you will have exactly enough Peep bunnies to make three complete wreaths.

When you have placed all of your Peep bunnies, place a heavy book on top of the wreath and allow to dry/adhere.

NOTE: Since many children abstain from candy for Lent, they can now simply place their wreaths into a gallon zipper bag...all three fit nicely into one. Won't they be pleased to have this ready-to-eat treat on Easter?!

(Sorry to be so late in posting this, we made this days ago but a stomach flu on my part prevented posting.)

Pro-life Corner: SUNDAY, April 1, 2012

BULLETIN INSERT:

The People of Life, Born from the Cross

“When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, ‘It is finished'; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit" (Jn 19:30). Afterwards, the Roman soldier "pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water" (Jn 19:34). Everything has now reached its complete fulfillment. The "giving up" of the spirit describes Jesus' death, a death like that of every other human being, but it also seems to allude to the "gift of the Spirit", by which Jesus ransoms us from death and opens before us a new life. It is the very life of God which is now shared with man. It is the life which through the Sacraments of the Church - symbolized by the blood and water flowing from Christ's side - is continually given to God's children, making them the people of the New Covenant. From the Cross, the source of life, the "people of life" is born and increases” (The Gospel of Life, n.51).

GENERAL INTERCESSIONS:

As you know, the US Bishops have asked us to include in the General intercessions at every Mass a petition for the building of the Culture of Life. Their words in the Pastoral Plan for Pro-life Activities read, "Parishes should include in the petitions at every Mass a prayer that ours will become a nation that respects and protects all human life, born and unborn, reflecting a true culture of life." (US Bishops, 2001, "A Campaign in Support of Life"). 

~Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life

Celebrant: God the Father sent his Son, Jesus, to bring unity to the human race through his suffering and death. Let us offer our prayers for the whole world.

Deacon/Lector:

That all Christians may embrace the joy of this Holy Week with a commitment to repent of past sins and strive for holiness, we pray to the Lord…

That Church leaders may proclaim with courage and conviction the gospel of Christ crucified, we pray to the Lord…

That world leaders may reflect the sovereignty of Christ as they work to eliminate unnecessary suffering from their countries, we pray to the Lord…

That the crucifixion of Christ for all people may teach us that there is no such thing as a worthless life, or a person God does not love, we pray to the Lord... 

That those preparing to enter the Church this Easter may be protected from evil and grow in holiness, we pray to the Lord…\

That those who have died may find everlasting joy in the Father’s kingdom, we pray to the Lord…

Celebrant: Father, you allowed your Son to suffer for the salvation of the world. 

As you answer our prayers, give us grace to follow the example of Jesus, 

for he is Lord forever and ever. Amen.

HOMILY SUGGESTIONS: 

Mk 11:1-10 or Jn 12:12-16
Is 50:4-7
Phil 2:6-11
Mk 14:1—15:47 or 15:1-39

As the quote above indicates, the Church as the People of Life is born from the Cross. Jesus’ passion and death are his self-giving, and the power of that self-giving is given to us, that we might give ourselves to one another in serving, protecting, and celebrating the gift of life.

The preaching on Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter can be the opportunity to ground the pro-life convictions of the congregation right in the heart of our Faith. In other words, being “pro-life” and defending life are not things “added on” to our faith, or optional, “extra-curricular” activities. On the contrary, the whole culmination of the liturgical year leads us to the days when Jesus, by dying, destroyed our death, and by rising, restored our life. That is why the liturgy, especially in these days, is the most appropriate place to speak about life as a gift of inestimable value.

In particular, Jesus endured the rigors of the passion – described in today’s liturgy in great detail – precisely because of how much he values human life. He did it for us. He did it because he wanted to raise human life to the heights of heaven. Through his Passion and resurrection, he does not only conquer his own death; he overturns the very kingdom of death. We cannot listen to or believe the Gospel of the Passion without marveling at how much God loves each human life, and without feeling impelled to respond when that same human life is trampled underfoot. He gave his life for us; we are to give our lives for one another.

Christ died once for all, but Calvary continues today as innocent people are killed in abortion clinics nationwide. As John Paul II wrote, “It is precisely in the "flesh" of every person that Christ continues to reveal himself and to enter into fellowship with us, so that rejection of human life, in whatever form that rejection takes, is really a rejection of Christ” (The Gospel of Life, n. 104). The Gospel of the Passion continues in our day…

Palm Sunday - Cycle B ~Priests for Life

Every Sunday, I post these pro-life materials, generously offered for distribution by Priests for Life. These posts coincide with the Church calendar and 'contain three elements: a one-paragraph bulletin insert, General Intercessions, and suggestions for drawing pro-life themes out of the Sunday reading for the homily'. This is my Sunday effort to help us all think with a pro-life heart.

As is the practice over at Catholic Sistas, a blog to which I contribute, Sunday posts will be scheduled ahead of time in order to leave that day for Church and family.
.
PS. Learn about Lady Ribbon’s Entry Into Our Lives… a ribbon that truly speaks to Catholic women with regard to breast cancer with a focus on pro-life awareness.