Our God is an Awesome God

2009-08-13T20:56:00.005-04:00

Click here to learn more about what our government is trying to force us to pay for!

It is time that all good citizens of this country, especially Christians to be informed and not just informed, well-informed on the issues at hand.

It is time to do God's Will and fight for life.

Blessed be God FOREVER!

2009-07-21T19:46:00.002-04:00

"Whoever has two shirts must give one to the man who has none, and whoever has food must share it to the hungry." -Luke 3:11

WE MUST SUPPORT LIFE AT ALL STAGES. WE ARE OUR BROTHERS KEEPERS. WE MUST HELP TAKE CARE OF ONE ANOTHER AND LIVE OUR LIVES IN THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST.

BLESSED BE GOD FOREVER!!!

2009-07-20T16:53:00.002-04:00

If we pray, we will believe;

If we believe, we will love;

If we love, we will serve.

---Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Isn't this what being pro-life is about? Believing we can make a difference through love and by doing the Will of Our Father (which means serving).

We need to remember that we NEED to pray so that we know what direction we are to go in!

Blessed be God forever!

2009-07-10T12:03:00.002-04:00

SENIOR DEATH WARRANTS:

The actress Natasha Richardson died after falling skiing in Canada .

It took eight hours to drive her to a hospital.

If Canada had our healthcare she might be alive today.

In the United States , we have medical evacuation helicopters that would have gotten her to the hospital in 30 minutes.

In England anyone over 59 cannot receive heart repairs or stents or bypass Because it is not covered as being too expensive and not needed.

Obama wants to have a healthcare system just like Canada 's and England 's.

If Obama's plans in other areas don't scare you, this should! Please do not let Obama sign senior death warrants!! Everybody that is on this mailing list is either age 50 and a senior citizen or is getting close or knows somebody that is. Most of you know by now that the Senate version of the "stimulus Bill " includes provisions for extensive rationing of health care for senior citizens. The author of this part of the bill, former senator and tax evader, Tom Daschle was credited today by Bloomberg with the following statement:

Bloomberg: Daschle says "health-care reform will not be pain free. Seniors should be more accepting of the conditions that come with age instead of treating them."

If this does not sufficiently raise your ire, Just remember that our esteemed Senators and Congressmen have their own healthcare plan that is very low co-pay which they are guaranteed the remainder of their lives and are not subject to this new law if it passes.

Please use the power of the Internet to get this message out. Talk it up at the grassroots level.

We have an election coming up in one year and nine months, and we have the ability to address and reverse the dangerous direction The Obama administration and it allies have begun and in the interim, we can make their lives miserable. Lets do this!----------------

I got this article from lifesitenews.com.

I am horrified that life, by the Obama administration, is being attacked at all sides.

We must remain firm on our pro-life stance and defend life at ALL stages.

Blessed be God forever!

JMJ

Rosary for life!

Life is a gift from God!

2009-07-04T21:46:00.002-04:00

Blessed be God forever! He has given us life! We do not have a choice but to respect it at all its stages and to live each moment with gratitude.
God is so good and He loves us!

JMJ

Rosary for Life!

2009-05-13T11:50:00.003-04:00

Life is full of beauty and so much potential to do God's work.

It saddens me when people do not realize that God has called them to love one another and to help make His world a better place.

It saddens me when they do not see the importance of life at all stages.

It saddens me when people chose death over life.

It is with a very heavy and sad heart that I must inform you that the co-worker of my husband's whom we tried to help did chose to abort her baby.

We are speechless and saddened by this.

We must now pray for her baby and pray for her.

We are giving her the phone numbers to priests in NYC that she can contact and Project Rachel.

In her email to my husband, she informed him that it was the worst thing she ever did in her life.

I only wish she would have realized that it would have been the worst thing she ever went through before she did it.

Hate the sin (I so hate this with so much passion) and love the sinner (we are praying for her).

Thank you for your prayers for her and her unborn child.

Blessed be God forever!

Pray for the rosary for Life, Please!!!

JMJ

Picture taken by my son, Thomas.

2009-05-04T11:35:00.002-04:00

I teach my children there is no other way to be than pro-life. There is no room for choice when it comes to ending a life of the unborn.

If you love God, you will chose life.

I am a proud pro-life mother who is raising pro-life children in a culture that does not support life.

Life must be first and the rest will fall into place.

2009-05-02T17:24:00.003-04:00

Do I need to say anymore?

Please say the rosary for life!

JMJ

Blessed be God Forever!

Prayers are needed to save a baby!!!!!

2009-04-24T08:42:00.004-04:00

I am asking for prayers for a young, pregnant, unwed mother who has an 8 month old baby and is considering aborting her baby.

She currently lives with the father of her 8 month old baby and things are not going well in the relationship so she is considering abortion.

She made this known to my husband yesterday (she is a co-worker; talk about a hectic day at work).
He gave her our phone number and asked her to call us so we could help her.

As of yet, we have not heard from her. We do not have her phone number, but we can email her at her work email to check on her and ask her to call us.
We are willing to do what we can to help this young woman.
Please pray that God guides us in what we are to do for her and that we follow through with His Will.
Please say a rosary that she will not abort her baby and that she will call us to know someone cares.

Thank you for your support, your prayers, and your concern for this mother, her unborn child, and her 8 month old.

I will keep you informed as I know more.
For now, we need to pray.

Blessed be God Forever!
JMJ

Rosary for Life!

2009-04-22T17:43:00.002-04:00

Plan B Pill is now obtainable to those 17 years old without a prescription.

Wow!!

I couldn't even let my oldest son go to the doctor without me until he turned 18 last month, but they will let young girls get the Plan B pill without their parent's knowledge.

Our anti-life government scarces me and it should you as well.

It also motivates me to make a difference.

People do not realize the "evils" of birth control nor abortion.

Men--do me a HUGE favor--- if you love your wife (or if you are having sex outside of marriage--you shouldn't you know so you should stop right now) don't let her take birth control pills. They harm her body.

Primum non nocere

"Above all, do no harm!!"

We need to come together and pray for this country and for those who do not know the truth.

John 8:32:

"You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free."

Enough rambling, just pray!

JMJ

Blessed be God Forever!

Rosary for Life and for those who might think the Plan B pill is a great option. Pray they change their minds.

2009-04-22T10:29:00.002-04:00

We must support life at all stages when we proclaim ourselves pro-life.

Donate to your local food pantry to help support those who are in need.

Life is important from conception to natural death.

We must help those who need help so that they will know Jesus by our love.

Blessed be God forever!

JMJ

Rosary for Life!

2009-04-21T11:08:00.001-04:00

My children give me so much joy! They celebrate life each day and they don't even realize it. They make me a better person and I thank God He gave me four beautiful children to love.

Blessed be God forever!

Please pray the rosary for Life!

JMJ

2009-04-15T21:48:00.002-04:00

People only see what they are prepared to see.

--Emerson

I have found in the pro-life world that once you help people see what abortion is all about, they realize that they were not prepared to see it for it really is---MURDER!

People then become horrified of what they did not see and then prepare themselves to understand better.

JMJ

2009-04-15T12:57:00.002-04:00

Primum non Nocere

"Above all, do no harm."

Blessed be God FOREVER!!!!!!

Pray the Rosary for the unborn, the poor, the lonely, and those who need to come to the Lord.

JMJ

2009-03-05T13:41:00.000-05:00

"Faith," Cardinal Scola wrote, "inevitably has to do with the reality of life and death, love and sorrow, labour and recreation and civic action."

2009-03-05T06:46:00.000-05:00

Archbishop Chaput -

"It seems like there has been a very bad period of catechesis of people in the Church, not only catechesis of the laity but also catechesis of the clergy and it's bearing bad fruit in our time."

2009-03-02T19:09:00.000-05:00

Rabbi Nahmanides said:

“One should place no limitations upon the love for the neighbour, but instead a person should love to do an abundance of good for his fellow being as he does for himself.”

2009-03-02T16:30:00.001-05:00

Fr. Euteneuer: "And I'm tired of President Obama's 'Choice for me, but not for thee' hypocrisy. His audacity is not of hope, but of the destruction of freedom and human life."

2009-02-22T10:11:00.000-05:00

Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of.

- Benjamin Franklin

Today, I would like to take the time to thank God for the gift of life He gave me. I hope that I have not squandered the time He has given to me as a gift.

Today, I also thank my mother for bringing me into this world and saying "YES" to life.

I love you mom (and dad too! He had a part in it).

Blessed be God Forever!

JMJ

Rosary for LIFE!

2009-02-21T08:08:00.000-05:00

If you judge people, you have no time to love them.

--Mother Teresa

2009-02-21T08:03:00.000-05:00

Justice will only exist where those not affected by injustice are filled with the same amount of indignation as those offended.
Plato

Amen! Let us start with the unborn child and work our way up!

Blessed be God forever!

JMJ

Rosary for Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness!

May only God be the true source of your Happiness and the root of your love!

2009-02-19T22:08:00.000-05:00

"It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible."

--George Washington

2009-02-18T19:56:00.000-05:00

"Love means loving the unlovable - or it is no virtue at all."

- G.K. Chesterton (Heretics, 1905)

2009-02-18T19:55:00.000-05:00

"Once abolish the God, and the government becomes the God."

- G.K. Chesterton (Christendom in Dublin, 1933 )

2009-02-18T12:41:00.001-05:00

"There are two victims in every abortion: a dead baby and a dead conscience." - Mother Teresa

2009-02-18T12:40:00.001-05:00

"Ive noticed that everyone who is for abortion is already born."

- Ronald Reagan

2009-02-18T11:49:00.000-05:00

Eric Clapton: Musician:
"It sounds strange for me to be saying this, but I've come around to the idea that sex really is for procreation."
(Source: You! Magazine, 8/95)

Thank you, Mr. Clapton!

God bless you for your words!

JMJ

Rosary for Life!

Blessed be God Forever!

Hello to all my blogging friends! I have been so busy with my children and getting my first grassroots pro-life group started. Please keep me in your prayers!

My love and prayers to you!

2009-02-13T17:17:00.000-05:00

"Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person."

-Mother Teresa

2009-02-12T07:33:00.000-05:00

"When bad men combine, the good must associate;else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrificein a contemptible struggle."

--Edmund Burke

2009-02-10T06:13:00.000-05:00

Susan B. Anthony (1889), abolitionist and early leader of the women's suffrage movement, opposed abortion, saying:

"Sweeter even than to have had the joy of caring for children of my own has it been to me to help bring about a better state of things for mothers generally, so their unborn little ones could not be willed away from them."

2009-02-09T12:48:00.002-05:00

"Be humble like Mary so that you can be holy like Jesus"

---Blessed Mother Theresa

2009-02-06T10:03:00.001-05:00

"It is a great poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish." - Mother Theresa of Calcutta

2009-02-05T07:48:00.001-05:00

"Life is superior to non-life. Human souls are eternal. Every human life is of potentially infinite value. The God who gave us life reflects His glory through each one of us."

--Judge Andrew Napolitano, FOX News' Senior Judicial Analyst

2009-01-30T15:50:00.000-05:00

"Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them." - Ephesians 5:11

I saw this quote today and thought it so appropriate as we fight and pray for the Right to Life.

Blessed be God Forever!

JMJ

Rosary, please for LIFE!!!

I am back!!

2009-01-20T13:27:00.006-05:00

Hello my dear blogging friends!

I have missed you greatly.

I have had some computer problems that continue to keep me from getting to my blog, but today I was blessed with the chance to be able to use my son's laptop since he did not take it with him to school today.

I must say that the time away from my blog was well spent.

I have been focused on prayer and keeping up with my pro-life work.

I believe it is Divine Intervention that helped my son's laptop be home today so that I may post on this day of the New Presidency.

My heart is heavy.

As my 11 year old spoke to me this morning about watching the change of power in school today, I tried hard to not give him the look that my insides were feeling. We discussed the Historic event that was taking place today; however, we also discussed the what could be faced for the pro-life movement due to this historic event.

I am amazed at how Joseph took things in so well.

He told me,"We have to help save the babies and we must help those who don't have what they need to live a safe and healthy life, right mom?"

"Yes, Joseph we must support life at each stage. We must start with the RIGHT TO LIFE and go from there to help support the gift of life. WE MUST continue to go to the homeless shelters, the soup kitchens, and help with the food pantries. We must continue to support help for the third world countries where the people are not able to be safe and healthy. We must stand up for all those people whose voices are not being heard. We must do our part since God is counting on us. We must share with others that without the right to life no other right matters."

He looked at me with his big eyes and said,'Today when we are watching Obama become president, I will pray in my head that he will have a change plan when it comes to the babies and I won't play my Wii today like your fasting for the babies who will not be born today."

Wow!! He really took me by surprise! Yes, we must respect President Obama for his position as our president. However, I will NEVER respect his policies on Life and will fight and fight to help stop them as long as there is breath left in me.

My children, my future grandchildren, and my godchildren deserve more in this world. They deserve a world where abortion is not an option. They deserve a world where hunger is not an option. They deserve a world where safety is not an option. They deserve a world where we take care of each other.

This will never happen as long as the unborn babies are aborted.

Abraham Lincoln said (and by now most of you have seen this quote, but I love it so much I have to repeat it)," Nothing stamped with the divine image and likeness was sent into the world to be troden on ..."

It feels good to be back and in the saddle again!

Love to each and don't forget,

Pray your rosary today for our President and for his change of heart. If my 11 year old can get it, I am sure enough of our prayers will help him get it.

BLESSED BE GOD FOREVER!!!!

Happy Birthday Katie!!

2008-12-05T07:43:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday to my oldest goddaughter, Katie.

Today, she is celebrating her 11th birthday.

My Katie is so full of joy, wonder, awe of the world, but most of all, she if filled with the love of God.

She has always been a blessing in my life and I thank God that He has given me the chance to share in her life.

Katie, despite the miles between us--

I am always there for you; I am always praying for you; I am always loving you; I am always proud of you.

May God bless you today and every day of your life with His unconditional love and graces.

I love you Katie-bug, ladybug!

Blessed be God Forever!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Katie!!

2008-12-05T07:43:00.001-05:00

2008-11-28T10:14:00.002-05:00

Why is it that we call the day after Thanksgiving "Black Friday" and everyone who was so busy being thankful the day before runs out to consume, consume, consume?

Do people flock to Mass on Good Friday to mourn the death of Jesus?

Doesn't this seemed wrong that we will shop and celebrate "Black Friday" and give so little thought to Good Friday; the day Our Lord died for our sins?

For me, Good Friday is more like Black Friday. I drape a black cloth in my home and outside on my porch.

I guess the point I am trying to make is that our society has turned a shopping event into something more important than the death of Jesus.

As we enter into Advent, may we all focus on the gift Our Father gave us--His Son.

As we progress through Advent, may we focus our hearts, souls, and minds on Jesus that as well come to Lent we will be able to see Good Friday as "Black Friday" and mourn for Our Lord so that on Easter Sunday we can Rejoice for the gift of the Resurrection.

Jesus died for our sins! Could we repay Him by making Him the center of our lives? Could we repay Him by working to save the unborn?

Blessed be God Forever!

Rosary!!!!!!

2008-11-27T11:00:00.002-05:00

I am thankful for the life the God has given me.

I thankful for my husband, children, parents, brother, mother-in-law, sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, nieces, nephews, godchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins, close friends, and all friends.

I am thankful for my blogging buddies and all my friends who are brought to me through Christ.

I am thankful I can vote.

I am thankful for the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

I am thankful for the freedom to worship in the Catholic Church.

I am thankful God called me to the Catholic Church.

I am thankful that I can receive Our Lord in the Eucharist.

I am thankful that I can visit Our Lord in the Blessed Tabernacle.

I am thankful that I can teach with the little knowledge I have the faith of the Catholic Church.

I am thankful that I can freely work to save the unborn.

I am thankful that I can freely write on my blog about protecting the unborn.

I am thankful that I can help try to make the world a better place.

I am thankful that I can work to better the social justice problems in our world.

I am thankful for my relationship with the Lord.

I am thankful for all the wonderful people God has put in my path.

I am thankful for the food, clothing, shelter, and many extras the Lord has given my family.

I am thankful for my husband's job.

I am thankful for our health.

I am thankful for the love I feel each day from many people.

I am thankful for each breathe I take.

I am thankful for the birds, the trees, the grass, the flowers, the clouds, the rain, the sunshine, the parks, our schools, and our world.

I am thankful for raindrops, snow, animals, my dog (Cissy), lakes, spiders, lady bugs, grass hoppers, and much more.

I have thankful for the stars.

I am thankful for being able to be thankful.

I am thankful for all the wonder blogs I read, learn from , and grow in faith from.

I am thankful for being able to spend Thanksgiving with my parents and our friends, the other Mike and Kathy Miller (from Seneca Falls).

I am thankful I have great kids who love God and take their faith seriously.

I am thankful that I am blessed with many good things in my life.

I am thankful for the times I must bear the cross since I know that it will only help me grow closer to Our Lord.

I am thankful for being me and for being a child of God.

I am thankful that I have people come and read my blog.

I am thankful that I can once again ask all of you to help save the unborn, to pray the rosary, and to help with social justice issues in this country.

I am thankful that I can ask you to pray for President Bush as he ends his term and to pray for President-elect Obama that he have a change of heart in regards to abortion.

I am thankful that I can stand outside Planned Parenthood and pray to end abortion.

I am thankful for all those who work so hard to stop abortion.

Blessed be God Forever!

Please pray your rosary today!

JMJ

Happy 11th Birthday to my dear Joseph!!

2008-11-25T21:38:00.003-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY JOSPEH!

Today we celebrate my second youngest child, Jospeh's 11th Birthday.

Joseph is a joy and a great blessing in our lives.

He always makes us stop and listen to what other possibilites there are in life.

He is a talented musician, a good athlete, a hardworking student, and a compassionate young man.

He is also serves Our Lord at the altar with his brother.

He is my shining star and today, I thank God for his presence in my life.

I love you Joseph Hevron Burke!!

God bless you on your special day!

Blessed Be God Forever!

2008-11-25T14:31:00.001-05:00

Failure is not the final word.

Love is the final word.

And love is the most living thing of all because love is of God.

--- George Wiegel

Love is the final word and I know that as long as we unite together and love each other, we will win the battle against this culture of death.

We will have the final word and we will show the world that God is love!

God's love should motivate us to make the world a better place and to start with the unborn.

Blessed be God forever and may you know that He loves you more than you will ever know!

Here is a link to the Westchester Institute and a great article that you want to take the time to read in regards to Obama and the pro-life forces. It is a good article and you should consider signing up for their newsletters.

Thank you and say your Rosary for the pro-life movement!

2008-11-24T14:39:00.001-05:00

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

---MLK Jr.

and I may add that means in the womb as well!!!

If we don't show justice there, then where it there justice?

God bless you and may find it in your heart to fight for justice in the womb.

From there, fight for justice for those that you fought for while in the womb.

The pro-life fight does not stop once the babies are born.

We need to help these babies grow up to know the love, support, and kindness that helped them be born.

Be the person God intended for you to be and you will help make this world an awesome place.

Blessed be God Forever!

JMJ

Pray the Rosary!

The Blessed Mother is pro-life--she had Jesus, didn't she?

Thanks for stopping by!

2008-11-17T18:22:00.001-05:00

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does!!

--Wm. James

You make a difference in how you treat others.

You make a difference on how your live your life.

You make a difference when you stand up for the defenseless.

You make a difference when you pray.

You make a difference when you hug your children.

You make a difference when you smile at a stranger.

You make a difference when you get up each and try to make the world a better place.

You make a difference by just being in this world.

You make a difference becasue God is good and He is the creator of ALL!!!

You make a difference because you believe God is calling you to love his people.

You make a difference so why not inspire others to do the same?

Why not try to help save the unborn??

This will make a huge difference!

Blessed be God Forever!

JMJ

Don't forget to say your rosary!

Book Review: Graced and Gifted: Biblical Wisdom for the Homemakers Heart By Kimberly Hahn

2008-11-14T09:24:00.002-05:00

Grace and Gifted:

Biblical Wisdom for the Homemakers Heart

By Kimberly Hahn

Being a book reviewer for The Catholic Company, I am blessed with being able to read Catholic material that relates to my life.

My latest book review touches the core of my heart since my vocations of motherhood and marriage are my paths to the Lord.

Kimberly Hahn reminds me that my work as a Homemaker has extraordinary grace available to me through the sacraments.

I have always thought of my vocation as Holy, but never related them to the sacraments.

God calls us to be that woman. She also shows her readers how to apply the Proverbs 31 woman's wisdom, grace, and gentleness into our own lives as well care for our families.

She also discusses the importance of Prayer, Person, Partner, Parent, and Provider and how they relate to the sacraments. I was simply amazed at how she was able to connect the mundane work that I do each and every day with the sacraments. I was felt a new sense of joy when I thought of my chores and duties at home as a fulfillment of the sacraments. This really brought about a new way of thinking for me.

Kimberly states,"It's a joy to know that even though you walk your own path, you do not walk alone." So many mothers/wives feel this way. They are walking there path and no one is there to support them. However, we do have Our Lord and the sacraments to support us.

Kimberly's book encourages to respond to our Lord with, "Yes, Lord, for you I will ..." When you realize that you are working for the Lord by taking care of your family, you have a new joy put into your work.

Kimberly writes that ordinary work gives us extraordinary grace. We need to model after the Proverbs 31 woman by caring for the practical needs of our household, work with willing hands, realize our small efforts count, and to cook with the right attitude.

She encourages her readers to say to the Lord while they are cooking, "Lord, help me to bless my family with this meal."

I asked this of the Lord the first night I made a meal after reading Kimberly's words and I have to say it made me feel peaceful while cooking for my family rather than dreading preparing the meal.

Time is a gift--these minutes will never occur again writes Kimberly. She is right about this and so we must work hard to manage our time wisely to best serve the Lord and our families. Her book gives wonderful examples and ideas on how to do this.

Kimberly's book should be a gift that each young Catholic woman receives before her wedding day. It would help her set a strong foundation for her marriage, her faith life, and for her future .

I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to put Christ back as the focus of their lives and to put joy back into the task of the everyday life stuff.

This review was written as part of the The Catholic Company product review program. Visit the Catholic Company to find out more information on Kimberly Hahn's book Graced and gifted: Biblical Wisdom for the Homemakers Heart.

2008-11-12T21:17:00.000-05:00

Dr. Seus once said,"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."

He is right; unless we care a whole awful lot about defeating abortion and loving our neighbors, things will not get better.

I encourage each of you today to get out there in the trenches and fight the pro-life fight. I encourage each of you to get out there and love your neighbor.

I encourage each of you to take pray up as your weapon to defeat the evils of this world.

I encourage each of you to start your day with prayer; pray without ceasing!

Blessed Be God Forever!

JMJ

Rosary-- Our Lady is waiting to help you take up the fight. Let her be your guide!

2008-11-12T08:06:00.001-05:00

I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant!

--- Martin Luther King Jr.

So it shall be with the pro-life movement!!! We may have a temporary set-back with President elect Obama, but we are right and so we will be stronger than evil at its glory!

This urgent prayer request has come to me by my dear friend Kathy over at the Daily Grotto--

We must pray hard for a 16 year old who is seeking an abortion in the next 2 weeks. Her mother has full knowledge and seems to be supportive. It seems it is the grandmother (a devout Catholic and a friend of Kathy's) who is trying to help her young granddaughter have a change of heart.

Thank you prayer warriors! I will keep you updated on how things go. Until then, don't stop praying!

Blessed be God forever!

JMJ

Rosary!!!

2008-11-11T12:39:00.001-05:00

Below is the link to the article in the Catholic Courier in regards to Saturday's Pro-life event!

http://www.catholiccourier.com/tmp1.cfm?nid=78&articleid=104336&cfid=6628780&cftoken=63971838

Will the Real Feminists Please Stand Up?

2008-11-10T16:51:00.007-05:00

Sue Wills, Esq. from the National Bishops Conference Washington D.C. to speak.
Feminists Choosing Life of New York sign by the famous statue.

I am shown in the center during the re-enactment. Our costumes were beautiful.

People lining up to sign the declaration despite the rain.

Everyone at the signing and the re-enactment.

Here I am standing in the rain thanking Christine for coming from 40 Days for Life that took place in Rochester, NY. I meet her the weekend before and she was there to support us. I was so happy to see her there. She really is one of the nicest people you will ever meet.

Statue in Seneca Falls, NY where Amelia Bloomer introduced Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. This is also the site that the event took place.

What a wonderful day it turned out to be, despite the rain, on Saturday where Feminists Choosing Life of New York held the 160th Anniversary celebration of the Declaration of Rights for Women & Children.

The original document had 100 signers and we were blessed, despite the cold rain, to have over 100 signers for the latest update Declaration of Rights for Women & Children.

The day started early with the re-enactment of Amelia Bloomer (played by me) introducing Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

Many braved the weather to sign the declaration and to watch the re-enactment.

We then moved in a procession of loudly honking horns (we wanted to make sure that NOW knew the pro-lifers were in town) to the Seneca Falls Library where we were treated to speakers and food.

Wendy McVeigh, Vice President, FCL spoke first and it was so wonderful to see a a beautiful young woman like Wendy with such a passion for life and the values of motherhood.

Next, Suzanne Schnittman, PhD who is professor on Women's History gave a delightful talk as if she were Elizabeth Cady Stanton's daughter. She was so fun to listen to and her body language made her even more fun.

Our last speaker was Sue Wills, Esq. from the National Bishops Conference, Pro life Activities.

Susan was a wealth of information to our group. She also had a wonderful sense of humor. She opened up for questions after her life affirming talk and was willing/able to discuss politics with our group.

I was able to speak with her later in the morning and felt I could have talked to her all day about pro-life issues.

She said one thing that has stuck with me since our meeting. Sue said,"I get paid to do what I love in the pro-life movement. You people do not get paid to do this. You volunteer. You are the true heroes."

Wow!! How humble she was!

It as an incredible day and provided me with much fire and enthusiasm that I needed after the election results earlier this week.

"When we consider that women are treated as property, it is degrading to women that we should treat our children as property to be disposed of as we see fit."

---

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

You can't really say much more than that. Elizabeth did a fine job pointing out reality.

I am so glad that God gave me the opportunity to participate in this event.

I also thank Kathy Peters for all she did to make the day wonderful. She is one awesome woman who is so positive, encouraging, and loving. She is one person who I hope to follow in the foot steps of during my pro-life journey.

Please consider doing your part in the pro-life movement. Pray for the pro-life movement, blog about it, volunteer, set-up programs, or whatever your talent is - use it to bring awareness to others that Life is a Gift from God. We do not have the right to choose who has life and who does not.

One more thing to consider: we must fight for the Right to Life for the unborn child and while we fight we must also work for the good of those unborn children once they are born. Those children become toddlers, preschoolers, school agers, teens, young adults, mature adults, elderly, etc.

Our support for life does not stop once we have worked to ensure the Right to Life. We must work at helping them have the basic needs, love, support, and to see God's kindness so that if they are ever faced with a decision to abort they will remember those who worked hard to help them have a better life and will say, "I will chose life, I will chose love." (Tom Booth).

I would also like to say to all my blogging buddies that you are all awesome and inspire me to work harder in the pro-life ring.

THANK YOU for your support, your love, and your encouragement.

You are all my shining starts.

Blessed be God Forever!

JMJ

Rosary- Our Lady is waiting to hear from you!

2008-11-08T20:19:00.002-05:00

Life is life: born and unborn.

-Cindy Sheehan, May 4, 2006

That is the reality of God's Divine Work.

He created life!

No need to debate it! No need to fight it!

Remember, We did not invent God-

He invented us.

Lets start acting like the children of God instead of spoiled brats that think only of themselves!

Blessed Be God Forever!

2008-11-08T18:29:00.001-05:00

"I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then."

Deut. 30:17

God is pro-life, are you?

What have you done today to help make the pro-life cause heard?

What have you done today to save the unborn baby?

Your prayers for the unborn baby and the pro-life cause would be a great first step.

Then would you please decide to get out in the trenches and join other pro-lifers to do God's work?

As Ablert Einstein said,"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile."

Ask God what it is He is calling you to do to help the pro-life cause.

As we sang in Mass tonight, "Here I am, Lord; Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord; if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart."

Follow where the Lord wants you to go; His ways are the only ways worth living.

Blessed be God Forever!

Tomorrow, I will post about my absolutely wonderful and moving day as Amelia Bloomer, being part of the Feminist Choosing Life Conference, and listening to Susan Will from the USCB Pro-life Actitivies Office.

I will also post pictures!

JMJ

Rosary for Life!

2008-11-06T08:13:00.001-05:00

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world---

Anne Frank

What are you waiting for?

Ask God for His guidance and to know His Will so that you have all the tools you need to get started on making the world a better place!

Blessed be God Forever!

2008-11-05T21:23:00.000-05:00

" Pray without ceasing." (1 Thes. 5:17)

2008-11-05T10:32:00.002-05:00

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter---

Martin Luther King Jr.

I will not become silent.

I will speak out!

I will shout!

I will scream!

I will let the world know abortion is murder!

I will also do this with great love and humbleness!

As Martin Luther King Jr. said," When you are right you cnnot be too radical; When you are wrong, you cannot be too conservative."

I am right and know in my heart the Lord has called me to fight this "Culture of Death."

I will also respect and pray for our 44th President of the United States, Barrack Obama.

I will follow the words of Lucy Larcom:

If the world seems cold to you, kindle fires to warm it.

Blessed be God forever!

2008-11-04T22:38:00.003-05:00

Here I am, Lord; I have come to do your Will.

Tonight, I must turn all over to my Lord and trust that He will guide me in what I am to do so that I may contribute in the fight to combat the "Culture of Death."

I will work until I am bone tired to fight the "Culture of Death."

I will work to teach my children over and over again with much love that only God's Will matters and we are to know, to love, and to serve Him.

I will lovingly teach my children that they cannot stand by and let the innocent be killed.

I will also lovingly teach my children that we will not be one issue Catholics.

We will place life at the top of our priority; however, we will work to improve social justice issues within our country.

I will do this, so help me God, with much love, prayers, and humbleness.

Thank you God for letting me live in a country where I have a right to vote. Thank you God for letting me live in a country where I have religious freedom and the freedom of speech.

Thank you good for letting me join you in fighting the "Culture of Death."

Let me be your eyes, your ears, your hands, your feet, your voice.

Let me be the voice of the unborn, the poor, the hungry, the lonely, and the those who need my suport.

Let me do your Will with love, with humbleness, and with your guidance.

Blessed be God Forever!

JMJ

Rosary now more than ever!

Abortion is Murder!!

2008-11-03T22:40:00.001-05:00

I saw this on a website and wanted to repeat it:

A vote for Obama is a vote for dead children.

Will you be able to justify to these children on Judgement Day why you vote for a candidate that did not protect them from abortion??

Chose Life, Your mother did!!!

I will chose life!

2008-11-03T22:39:00.004-05:00

Vote Pro-Life!!

2008-11-03T22:30:00.003-05:00

I would like to see Obama tell Blessed Mother Teresa about what his first act as President of the United States would be.

I know that she would be horrified to hear about the Freedom of Choice Act. I know she would be saddened over the fact that Obama does not have the interest of the unborn in his heart.

Blessed Mother Teresa would be praying a lot for Obama.

She knew the value of life and she knew what true social justice was.

She lived with and served the poorest of the poor and she felt that abortion was murder. She felt that every person should have a chance at time.

Perhaps Obama, you should have found people like her to advise you on your policies.

Pray for those voting tomorrow that they will see Life as precious and will see Obama's life policies unbearable to live with.

Pray also for Obama that he will have a change of heart in regards to his extreme abortion views.

Please pray a rosary for life!

Blessed be God Forever!

JMJ

Rosary Time!

2008-11-03T22:07:00.002-05:00

There is no time more needed than the present time to be praying to Our Lady for her intercession. Please say a rosary for Life!

Our Lady is waiting to hear from you!

Blessed be God Forever!

My All Saints Day with 40 Days for Life!

2008-11-03T21:49:00.004-05:00

Picture above are a few of the wonderful people I prayed with during my time with 40 Days for Life.

I spent time on All Saints Day with a wonderful and devout crew of Catholics in front of the Planned Parenthood Abortion Mill in Rochester, NY.

It was a bit nippy, but while we were praying the rosary the sun came through and seemed to be God smiling on us.

I had the little ones with me and wish the older boys could have joined us as well, but schedules did not allow it.

The people praying at the vigil site were kind, generous, and so loving.

We prayed and prayed and prayed.

I have to say that when I drove by the Planned Parenthood Abortion Mill to get to the vigil, I felt evil itself lurking in the air.

My stomach turned when I thought about this being a place where babies are murdered and I , first as a Catholic- Second as a mother- and third as a registered nurse that I could not run in there and do something about it.

How heavy my heart felt!

I turned it over to God and joined by fellow pro-lifers in praying!

We briefly discussed our concerns in regards to the election, but I know that if the election does not turn its favor to LIFE that this will only urge all of us to work harder and to have a stronger faith in the Lord.

I want to thank the wonderful 40 Days for Life crew I meet on Sunday, to Jose for all his hard work for organizing, and David Bereit, National Campaign Director40 Days for Life for the amazing job that he did.

I hope next year to organize a 40 Days for Life in my community and I encourage each of you to consider doing the same.

A close and dear friend reminded me that it is one thing to say you are pro-life and do nothing and it is another to get out there in the trenches so you get dirty.

I think it is time for more of us to get dirty.

Blessed be God Forever!

JMJ

Why I do what I do!

2008-11-03T21:33:00.003-05:00

I do what I do to help be a better person, to love my neighbor, to help the homeless, to feed to hungry, to give time to the lonely, to defend life because I love God.

I also do it because I love these four kids.

They make me each day want to be a better person.

Loving them tells my heart that I must work to make this world a better place.

Loving them tells me that I must teach them that loving God means being a servant and by being a servant, they are to take care of the vulnerable, the homeless, the hungry, the poor, the lonely, and to care about those that make the laws in our country and VOTE!!!!

I must make sure that I leave no doubt in their minds what the Catholic Church teaches so that they will never come to a time in their life when they must ponder who the best candidate may be.

They will already have it written on their hearts: the one that supports the right to life and social justice issues.

Loving these four kids makes it imperative that I teach them that the Right to Life is the foundation of all other rights and without the Right to Life no other right matters.

Blessed be God Forever!

JMj

Will the real feminists please stand up?

2008-11-02T16:25:00.001-05:00

The statue above is in my Village of Seneca Falls.

It is a statue of Amelia Bloomer (center) introducing Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

These women are the foremothers for the Women's Right Movement.

For those of you who do not know, Seneca Falls is the home of Women's Rights and the National Women's Hall of Fame.

A surprising fact to most is that these women were pro-life.

Next weekend, I have been asked to help re-enact this historic meeting of Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

I will play Amelia Bloomer and my good friend, Michelle will be playing Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

I am very excited about this because it means that I am recognized in my community as someone who is Pro-life; this is considered to be a bit radical in the community I live in.

It is not common to find like-minded people.

The re-enactment will be followed by a short conference defending life with pro-life speakers.

The exciting speaker (for me) will be Sue Wills, Esq. from the National Bishops Conference, Pro-life Activities.

We will also obtain 100 signatures on the New Declaration of Rights for Women & Children:160th Anniversary Declaration of Rights for Women and Children

Recalling 2008 marks the 160th anniversary of the Declaration of Sentiments written for the First Woman’s Rights Convention at Seneca Falls, New York as well as the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, Feminists Choosing Life of New York presents a compilation of human rights documents and pro-life feminist philosophies related to a consistent life ethic and wherein opposes abortion ,euthanasia, the death penalty and embryonic stem cell research as violations of basic human rights and,

It is the right and duty of every woman, equally with man, to promote every righteous cause by every righteous means, and especially in regard to her children and their security of life and happiness.[i]

Whereas the child by reason of his or her physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection before as well as after birth.[ii]

Whereas the woman, by reason of her child bearing capacity needs special safeguards and care thus seeks legal protection and accommodation for said capacity, in the home, workplace, and society[iii],

Therefore let it be hereby resolved that

"Every Human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall arbitrarily be deprived of his or her life”[iv]

Women and their children must not accept their current situation when they are deprived of special care and assistance they need[v]. (Art. 25).

Women must have full legal protection against those who take the life of her child.3

Women and children shall be free from violence at home and in public and be assured full legal protection against those who threaten the life of a woman or her children.3

Women and children must have full legal protection against all forms of non-consensual sex3.

Women and children shall have full access to affordable health care including pre and post natal care.3

Women and children must have full access to quality, affordable child-care and after-school care.3

Women and children must have access to affordable, appropriate campus housing for all parenting students.3

Sentences of death shall not be carried out on pregnant women.**** (International Convention of Civil and Political Rights.5 (Art. 5)
The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.5(Art. 16)
[i] Declaration of Sentiments
[ii] UN Preamble Declaration of the Rights of the Child
[iii] Feminists Choosing Life of New York
[iv] Article 6: The American Declaration on the Rights of the Child
[v] Declaration of the Rights of the Child

NOW (National Organization of Women) will hold their convention at the Holiday Inn in Seneca Falls this same weekend and their BIGGEST agenda is pro-abortion/choice.

To counteract their pro-choice views, we will putting on this 160th Anniversary celebration to show that our feminist foremothers were pro-life and their strong commitment to Equal Rights for All Women and Children meant the unborn as well.

Please pray that in this town of pro-choicers that we will receive the support to show the world that pro-life is the only way to live!

Blessed be God Forever!

I'll take pictures and post them so you can see how things went!

JMJ

Rosary for Life!

We have saved a baby!

2008-11-01T10:59:00.001-04:00

Great news my prayer warriors--

we have saved a baby!

My friends daughter has made the right choice on keeping her baby. Not sure if she will raise the baby or give it up for adoption, but she has chosen life for this little one.

Blessed be God forever!

Please pray that she will return to her Catholic faith and ask God for his guidance in her decision.

Please pray for me and my family as we attend the 40 Days for Life Vigil in Rochester, NY today in front of the Planned Parenthood.

We are so exicted to be praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ to stop Abortion!

Thank you again for your prayers!

Our Lady of Victory, Pray of Us!

JMJ

Don't forget your rosary!

Urgent Prayer Request

2008-10-31T08:58:00.003-04:00

Urgent Prayer Request!!!

A friend of mine (who is a devout Catholic) confided in me that her 17 year old daughter has strayed from her faith and has become sexually active with her boyfriend.

She has become pregnant and my friend thinks she is planning on sneaking out of state to have an abortion.

Believe it or not, in NY you have to be 18 to have an abortion without parental consent.

If the election outcome is not a pro-life outcome, this young child would be able to have an abortion without her parents consenting.

Sad!!

However, we are doing interventions with this young child and also calling in the reinforcements with a few women who have had abortions themselves and a few priests from other areas who are heavily involved in the Right to Life Culture.

Could you pleas say a pray for this family?

My friend is a recovering alcoholic and fell off the wagon yesterday. She is very fragile and I am supporting her in anyway that I can.

I have told her that she needs to turn this all over to God, which she normally does.

However, the thought of her daughter having an abortion is so heavy on her right now.

I know I can count on my prayer warriors!

I also pray for my husband and I. We have decided to become even further invovled with our pro-life views and the pro-life movement.

We asked God to send us a sign that this is what we were suppose to be doing and the very next day--my friend calls with this.

Amazing how the Lord works!

Pray we can do His work and follow His Will!

Blessed be God Forever!

JMJ

Catholic Carnival mm196

2008-10-31T08:52:00.002-04:00

Catholic Carnival 196 has been up for a few days and I am little behind in getting info. out.

Please take the time to read this wonderful exposure to other Catholic blogs and the wisdom each of them has to share with the blogging world.

Please, will you say a "Hail Mary" for these bloggers.

Thank you and blessed be God forever!

JMJ

2008-10-30T09:08:00.001-04:00

I must apologize for not posting much during these times when encouraging others to Vote for Life is so important. I am determined that Satan has control of my computer or that my computer is Pro-Choice. Thankfully, I am able to use my husband's laptop today to post.

This is a time when all should be saying their novenas for Life and praying their rosaries for life.

I am blessed to have a good friend, Dan Kane who works for The Westchester Institute for Ethics & the Human Person.

Basically, the Institute is a Catholic Think Tank.

Dan emailed me yesterday with exciting news: Westchester Institute has released a paper that I think all of you will be interested in and I think is a must read. The paper is Westchester Institute White Paper on Conception.

The Westchester Institute for Ethics and the Human Person ed officially publish their inaugural White Paper – When Does Human Life Begin?– A Scientific Perspective authored by Senior Fellow Maureen Condic, Ph.D. This paper describes scientifically and logically that life begins and can only begin at the moment of conception with conception described as the moment the sperm cell enters the cell wall of the egg.

Not at heart beat, brain waves, implantation in the uterus, or any other arbitrary point in the continuum of human life.

The faithful Christian in general and Catholics in particular see no conflict between science and Faith because all truth stems from the One who referred to Himself as the “…the way, the truth and the life.” (Jn 14:6). The truth of the matter at hand, demonstrated in this paper, is that a human person, self-directing his life and development is present the moment the sperm penetrates the egg. For centuries, people of faith and people of good will have taken this fact on faith or on the “word of any medical text”. Here today, in one place are the details, laid out by a professional biologist ratifying scientifically a point we have always known by faith.

This of course, does not end the abortion discussion. It does, however, better define what we are discussing - that scientifically, this is and can only be a human life from the first instance of sperm and egg union.

The Westchester Institute is indeed proud to present this paper at no charge on our website at http://www.westchesterinstitute.net/

________________________
Daniel F. Kane
Institute Fellow & Special Assistant for Operations
The Westchester Institute for Ethics
& the Human Person
Cell: 770.335.0263
dkane@westchesterinstitute.net
http://www.westchesterinstitute.net/

I encourage you to read the paper and then let Dan know (his email is stated above) how you came across the paper (I would like to continue to show him that he can receive feedback from my blog ) and to give him and his colleagues support in their work for the Human Person through their Ethics work.

Here is another link to the Institute on an article written by Fr. Thomas titled Expect Obama to Sign FOCA int he first 100 days.

We must be constant with our prayers!

May God give you the strength and the grace to help fight this Culture of Death!

Blessed be God forever!!!!!!!

JMJ

Rosary!!!!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!

2008-10-23T07:08:00.002-04:00

Happy Annivesary to my parents, Grace and Jerry!

They are two amazing people who have been a wonderful example to my brother, my husband, my children, and myself on the importance of working at a marriage.

May God bless them with many more years of love, joy, friendship, and peace.

Thank you mom and dad for being the great and wonderful people that you are!

Blessed be God forever!

I love you!!!

G.K. Chesterton

2008-10-22T16:13:00.002-04:00

I just love G.K. Chesterton. I find him to be wise and he was well ahead of his.

Here are a few quotes I would like to share of his:

To have the right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it. (This can be applied to abortion)

Let all the babies be born. Then let us drown those who do not like it. ( again, applied to abortion; however, I know it is not nice to drown people)

Blessed be God Forever!

Catholic Carnival 195 is up!!

2008-10-22T11:14:00.001-04:00

Catholic Carnival 195 is up and ready for you to read. Take a few moments to read the great posts all these Catholic blogs have to offer. It is a great way to meet new Catholics and find new Catholic blogs to explore.

God Bless and thank you!

http://acatholicview.blogspot.com:80/2008/04/catholic-carnival-169.html

Enjoy!

Blessed Be God Forever!

Don't forget your Rosary for Life today!!

Pharmacy that follows the Catholic Faith's Teachings

2008-10-22T07:37:00.001-04:00

Please follow this link to a CNN story on a Pharmacy that follows Church teaching. Then after reading this story, pray that Catholics (as well as others) will be drawn to patronize this pharmacy. Please pray that this pharmacy will be an example to the rest of the world. How important a pharmacy like this is for me since my son will be attending pharmacy school next Fall. Just think, to work in a place that you did not have to worry about refusing to fill a script and worry about keeping your job. I pray more will follow this example and the world will respect those of us who follow what our faith and Our Lord teaches.

God is Good!

Blessed be God forever!

JMJ

Pray your rosary for Life today, please!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081021/ap_on_re_us/no_contraceptives_pharmacy

Campbell Brown and how the politicians should spent there money! Worth the read!!

2008-10-17T08:41:00.002-04:00

By Campbell Brown CNN

Editor's note: Campbell Brown anchors CNN's "Campbell Brown: Election Center" at 8 p.m. ET Mondays through Fridays. She delivered this commentary during the "Cutting through the Bull" segment of Thursday night's broadcast.

CNN's Campbell Brown says the candidates should spend their campaign money helping the homeless. (would it not speak volumes about the character of a person that stopped unfunding their political adds and started feeding the poor and homeless???? Think about it.)

NEW YORK (CNN) -- In the middle of an economic crisis, with a lot of Americans worried to death about how they are going to pay their bills, our two presidential candidates are about to spend an astonishing amount of money kicking the "you know what" out of each other on national television.
This year they are breaking all records in terms of the amount of money spent and the number of negative ads. (yes, spending money where it is needed most-- with the poor--is the best way to run a campgain, I think).
A study by the Wisconsin Advertising Project at the University of Wisconsin at Madison says the campaigns will spend a combined $30 million dollars a week on ads between now and Election Day, the vast majority, negative.

According to Wednesday's Wall Street Journal, negative ads are having almost no impact this election cycle. The journal's headline: Ready, Aim, Backfire: Nasty Political Ads Fall Flat.

Why? According to one quote, "Arguing about personal associations pales in comparison to the current grim economic news."

Still between now and Election Day, Obama and McCain are going to spend a combined $30 million dollars a week.

So I'm going to throw a crazy idea on the table that I don't think is that crazy. There is a food bank in Provo, Utah, that feeds the homeless. Joalaina Redbird takes her three small children there. They have all three meals there everyday. They became homeless two months ago when her husband lost his construction job. This food bank is running low on supplies; they have issued an emergency call for help. Because of our economic crisis, donations are way down and the number of people they are feeding is way up.

This story is being repeated all over the country. The Northlands Rescue Mission, a homeless shelter in Grand Forks, North Dakota, is bursting at the seams every night with record numbers of homeless showing up needing a place to sleep, again, a result of our economic troubles. And guess what -- these charities are out of money. No one is giving in these tough times.

So, Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain, how about instead of spending that $30 million a week kicking the "you know what" out of each other between now and Election Day, you pool your money and you give it to that food bank in Provo, Utah, so Joalaina Redbird's kids can get three square meals a day until her husband finds another job.

Give the money to that homeless shelter in Grand Forks or any of the hundreds of charities around this country that are trying to help desperate people get through these difficult times.

If you really care about hurting Americans, put your money where your mouth is and spare us three more weeks of negative ads.

I don't think I need to add anymore than what has already said besides, "Vote for Life and Help those who need help. Follow in the footsteps of Christ and love your neighbor."

Blessed Be God forever!!

JMJ

Rosary for Life--don't forget to pray it!!!

Obama

2008-10-16T22:58:00.002-04:00

A Vote for Obama is a Vote for Dead Children!!

I just saw this sign on another blog and it pretty much sums it all up; I doubt there is anything I can say that makes it more clear unless you want to add that a vote for Obama is a vote for minors being allowed to have abortions without parental consent when they still need a parent to go to doctors appointments with them or a note from a parent saying why they were absent from school or to go on a field trip. Give me a huge break! When did Obama become an expert on what is good for American children?

Wake up America!

Abortion is Murder and Murder is against the law.

Why do we let this happen in our country?

Blessed be God Forever!

Rosary for Life

2008-10-16T18:46:00.001-04:00

Please follow the link to The Daily Grotto to read Kathy's post and amazing picture of McClain.

Kathy is encouraging others to join her in praying the rosary each day until election day for McCain/Palin and the pro-life movement.

Please join us as we pray for LIFE!!

Thank you Kathy for getting this started.

The more we pray the more the world will know that Life is precious and murder is wrong!

Blessed be God forever!

JMJ

Rosary-Rosary-Rosary-Rosary-Rosary-Rosary-Rosary-Rosary!!!!!

My brother should be landing back in Camp LeJune, North Carolina as I write!!

2008-10-16T08:54:00.001-04:00

A prayer of thanksgiving to Our Lord, who gives us all good things!

Today, my brother returns from his second tour in Iraq.

I rejoice that he is coming home safely.

I pray that he will have a smooth adjustment back to our world.

Only God knows what he has seen and what he has experience while in Iraq, he worked hand-in-hand with the Iraqui police.

Please keep him in your prayers as he works through all that he has gone through during his time in Iraq. Please keep his soldiers in your prayers as well.

My parents are there (and as I write he should have arrived by now) to welcome him home.

Pray my parents will have a wonderful homecoming with him, they will have a safe return to Indiana, and it will be a great time of bonding for them with Kevin.

Thank you for your prayers!

I would post his picture, but my internet explorer keeps

MIchelle's Own Words

2008-10-14T22:26:00.000-04:00

"They know his heart, they know his spirit, and the thing that I just encourage people is to judge Barack and judge all of these candidates based on what they do, their actions, their character, what they do in their lives rather than what somebody [else] did when they were 8."

-----Michelle Obama speaking with Larry King during an interview

Michelle's words are very touching (honestly) and when I heard them on the interview and then reread them, I know she believes them with all her heart. However, I just wonder what type of heart a person and what type of spirit a person must have to want to so willingly sign the Freedom of Choice Act that would enable babies to continue to be murdered with less restriction, minors 13 or older can have abortion without parental consent, and babies born alive after a botched abortion do not have the protection of medical attention.

It saddens me to think that a person could think so little of life , especially a person that is running for president.

I pray for Obama that he will have a change of heart. Life is precious, life is good, and Life is a gift from God.

Blessed be God Forever!

JMJ

Remember your Rosary!

Economy

2008-10-11T09:36:00.002-04:00

Economy is temporary, Life is Eternal.

God is in charge.

What this economic meltdown should teach us is that our hope is not in the things of this earth, but in God.

--Dr. Alveda King

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayers and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests know to God.

Phil. 4:6

Please pray your rosary today for there are so many things that need our prayers!!

Blessed be God forever!!

Another Pro-Lifesite with the facts you cannot ignore!

2008-10-02T13:58:00.005-04:00

Just wanted to share with you this new site I found, Second Look Project. Just follow the link to this site. It has all the facts you need to know about abortion. It shows statics. It is a must read for those who doubt the pro-life stance and a must read for pro-lifers to share some statics and facts.

Blessed Be God Forever!

JMJ

Sarah needs our prayers!!!!!!

2008-10-02T11:42:00.002-04:00

Sarah needs our prayers for the BIG debate tonight. Please say an extra rosary for her today so that Our Blessed Mother will intercede for her and help her through this debate.

Please see The Daily Grotto (just click the purple area to go to the site) and the nice entry Kathy has wrote on praying for Sarah.

I know all my fellow prayer warriors will join me in praying for her!

Thanks Kathy for your post and your reminder that Sarah needs our prayers!

Blessed be God Forever!!

JMJ

Happy Birthday to my dad!!

2008-10-02T11:22:00.005-04:00

Happy Birthday to one of my heroes!!!

Today is my dad's birthday and I want to wish him a very happy and blessed day!

Unfortunately, I live over 600 miles from my parents and will not be able to be with my dad on his special day.

However, he is in my heart and kept close to me each day this way.

There are several reasons why my dad is one of my heroes.

He has accomplished a lot in his life time so far.

He served his country, he overcame obstacles in his life that I know were hard for him, but the main reason he is my hero is that he (along with my mom) taught me to love others and to serve others as Christ did.

Through his example (and my mom's), they taught me the importance of helping people, standing up for what you think is right, and to work hard to always do the right thing.

I have always been a bit of a "spit fire" when it comes to what I believe and standing up for it. I can remember when I was back in elementary school and they were discussing the closing of my small little Washington School. I was so upset that I was ready to protest on the steps of the school.

Instead of telling me I was foolish, my parents were supportive (do you remember this mom and dad)?

I think this is why I don't hesitate now to protest at an abortion clinic, to work at a soup kitchen, or to flood my elected officials with my letters (let me tell you, Hillary Clinton probably was not happy when I moved to NY).

Growing up with a father like mine taught me that you can make mistakes, just learn from them (yes, you must turn off the electricity in the whole house before touching any electrical wires or you might black out the whole neighborhood), that family is important (we spent so much time with my grandparents and every Sunday morning after church at my Grandma Werline's eating doughnuts and my dad has always stood by me, no matter how much I did not deserve it, and he always stands by his siblings, wife, son, friends, etc.) , he has taught me to make a difference no matter how small it may be, to always believe in people especially when others don't, and to be yourself---others will like you that way.

Most of all, my dad (along with my mom) have given me a strong faith background. I cannot tell you what it means to me to have my parents and my family the same faith.

What a blessing!

I could go on and on, but he knows what he has taught me and knows the he has shaped me into being the person I am today (yes, he even has a hand in my radical views on life, even if he doesn't realize it).

Happy birthday Dad!

I love you more than you will know and you are one of my heroes!

Blessed be God Forever and God Bless my Dad forever!

JMJ

I will say my rosary today for you, Dad!

New SIte I found-- Must to check out!!!!!!

2008-10-02T11:01:00.002-04:00

Art work taken from the Prayers for Our Country, the United States of America.

Freedom isn't Free is the title at the top of this sites page. Further down you will see, Prayers for Our Country, the United States of America.

Just click on on the of underlined, purple words and it will take you to the site.

At the site, you will find Prayer for Our President, Prayer for a Moral Country, Prayer for a Better Economy, Prayer for a Wise Government, Prayer for Offering the Daily Rosary for the United States of America, and many more prayers.

Please take the time to check this site out.

Remember, it is our responsibility to pray for our government, our president, and our country.

Again, I will use the writings of Seth from Catholic Land Writer in which he discusses Bishop Scranton's pastoral letter on the obligation of Catholics to defend the Right to Life.

Bishop Scranton emphasizes that, "Being 'right' on taxes, education, health care, immigration, and the economy fails to make up for the error of disregarding the value of a human life.

Don't forget to also check out the 40 Days for Life Site as well. You might even be motivated to sign up for a peaceful vigil outside an abortion mill in your area. In fact, I challenge all of you who read this blog to give an hour for life!! I know my family and I are doing this and it would be great hear about those of you who are doing so as well.

Please also take the time to check out the Catholic Vote site. For Catholics who are dedicated to the teachings of our Faith or should I write, the teachings of Christ, then this site is for you. If you are not a Catholic in line with the teachings of Christ through is Church, this site is especially for you.

As Tom Booth wrote in one of his songs, "I will chose life, I will chose love, I chose to serve Him."

Choosing Life shows love; showing love is serving Him.

Blessed Be God Forever!

JMJ

Don't forget to talk to your mother today,

Pray the Rosary!

Catholic Carnival 192

2008-09-30T09:10:00.028-04:00

A Call to Conversion

I have been blessed with being able to, for my first time, host Catholic Carnival 192 during turbulent times in our country, while the40 Days for Life event takes place from coast to coast, and the Year of St. Paul.

It seems as if "A Call to Conversion" on most events that surround our world today can no longer be ignored.

According to http://www.newadvent.org/ , conversion refers to a moral change, a turning or returning to God and to the true religion.

I feel one of the greatest conversions was of St. Paul.

After Jesus' Ascension, Paul wrote in Acts 8:3 that he "was trying to destroy the Church; entering house after house and dragging out men and women, he handed them over for imprisonment." If God can convert Paul, then I see much hope in our country and in our world for conversion on all matters of moral and political issues.

Catholic Writer discusses conversion experiences. He makes an excellent point that the conversion experience is for us to grow in our relationship with God, not so much to grow in our knowledge of the channel we had our conversion experience.

This is an enriching article that I am sure many of you will walk away from yearning to be closer to Our Lord.

Catholic Matriarch in my Domestic Church aka Catholic Mom writes about Fr. Thomas Reese, SJ and how he tries to suggest that it is enough to reduce the number of abortions without making abortion illegal. Catholic Mom points out how he is horribly mistaken. To keep abortion legal means to deny the unborn human person the dignity to which he is entitled.He remains vulnerable to those who are more powerful. Once we decide one class of persons is disposable we are all at risk.

Her article definitely shows that even among our clergy there is a need for a conversion and how our society as a whole needs a conversion of heart when it comes to abortion.

Catholic Mom's article reinforces to the me the importance of the 40 Days of Life event taking place as I write. Please pray for the efforts of 40 Days of Life as all the volunteers try to have a conversion with those seeking abortion or performing abortion. Dave Bereit writes in his daily email:

"Please pray for these precious turnarounds," John Anthony asked, "and for the conversion of all clinic workers and for Eduardo (star of the movie Bella who showed up in Los Angeles at Famiy Planning to help with a peaceful vigil) -- what a courageous witness and backer of courageous words with action!"

To further reach out for conversions in regards to abortions, Christine at A Catholic View writes, "What's Up with You Tube?" You Tube is blocking pro-life videos that expose Sen. Barrack Obama's extremist support for abortion, videos exposing Planned Parenthood's support for Race-Selective Abortions, and Eduardo Verastegui's denouncing of Obama on abortion. However, they were all but fine with the 40 videos of desecration of the Eucharist.

Please read Christine's article and the pray for the conversion of those at You Tube who find that it is okay to block pro-life videos such as the ones mentioned above, but not okay to block the videos desecrating Our Lord in the Eucharist.

As we continue down the road to conversion, Catholic Land writer Seth discusses Bishop Scranton's pastoral letter on the obligation of Catholics to defend the Right to Life.

Bishop Scranton emphasizes that, "Being 'right' on taxes, education, health care, immigration, and the economy fails to make up for the error of disregarding the value of a human life.

Again, a call of conversion is needed for Catholics who do not support the right to life and find other issues more important than life.

Kevin at Exceptional Marriages reflects on the Mass Readings from 9/28. He points out that Our Lord tells us that if one turns from sin to holiness they will be rewarded with the perfect life that is heaven. Conversion is very much a part of turning from sin and keeping our eyes on the Lord. Please read the reflections on last weeks Mass and apply the readings to your own life and your own conversion to grow closer to Our Lord.

To further speak on conversion, Sister Spitfire on her blog Catholic Spitfire Grill speaks on their faith with Jesus Christ and how this is her Catholic identity. She tries to explain the Catholic Mass to those who state that she was being denied a personal relationship with Jesus through her Catholic faith. She reminds us that as Catholics we "find Jesus everywhere we look." Please share her article with your non-Catholic friends who may be tinkering with their own conversion to the Catholic Faith.

Dave at Catholic Journeyman discusses the Fear of God. He discusses Filial Fear, fear of hurting and offending the God who loves us. I also take this quote directing from his article:

I have run into a few Protestants who fully recognise Filial fear, and live it out...the a-C is one of them. He/they have a well formed Conscience and practice their truth which is, in my experience, compatible Universal truth. They are far more Catholic than they would ever admit ...and I quietly smile when I notice this and think "maybe someday they will come home".

May we pray for those who are far more Catholic than they would ever admit that they have a conversion of heart and find the Lord leading them home to the Catholic Church.

We also need to pray for conversion when it comes time for Catholics to Vote during the Presidential Election. Musings from a Catholic Bookstore discusses the Importance of Voting Catholic. It brings up the question of if not voting for one candidate means voting for the other choice. Susie writes about the book Render to Caesar by Archbishop Charles Chaput. Chaput states that it is "absurd to separate our Catholic beliefs with how we vote politically," and, "we can't compromise our beliefs just to fit in with a majority or to soften Christ's message to make it more palatable." His words that Susie brings to us through her blog call for us to come to a conversion of heart if we are not voting by what we believe to be true as Catholics. Susie also shares the link for information on voting Catholic at http://www.catholicvote.com/. I hope you will take the time to check out her article and the Catholic Vote site.

Discussing the Catholic Vote and pro-life issues, Paul writes about The Civic Sin of Omission (or, why any vote not for McCain is Pro-Abortion) at Dying Lying. He quotes Jason Jones who says,“When you live in a constitutional democracy, your civic duty becomes your religious duty." He is so true with the statement that the cause for abortion is one of the ultimate issues of good versus evil in our time. Reading his blog will make you realize that not voting or not voting for a pro-life candidate is a sin of omission.

Patrick at The Paragraph Farmer writes a piece to make clarifications On Praying Protection for Sarah Palin

The Associated Press does not know what to make of a prayer for protection from witchcraft and has tried to make a pastor from Kenya sound like a superstitious bumpkin for blessing Sarah Palin that way, but I see the blessing in a more charitable light common to Catholics and other Christians.

I agree with Patrick that this was a charitable thing to do for Sarah. I just don't think the media recognizes charity when they see it happen.

So far, we have covered the voting issues and pro-life issues and mentioned St. Paul's conversion and praying for the conversion of others. Let us touch on the conversion of Americans who rely on credit to live day-to-day and the financial problems within our country.

David at the Apostolate of Laity writes a wonderful article on the current financial crisis in this country. He writes of secular materialism and greed. He reminds us that Christ did not die a rich man and that even His tomb was borrowed. He also discusses where the true housing crisis takes place and you will be surprised learn that despite what the media makes you think, it is not here in the United States. I take from his article this information:

For if one has Christ in his heart, then all the financial turmoil in the world matters little, and he has found not a temporary bubble, but rather an ocean of hope and peace.

Those words are what we need to hold close to us and pray for a conversion for those who do not see that these words mean so much.

Conversion can only happen with the use of prayer.

The psalms give us a way to voice the anguishes we have not experienced, the joys that might have never been ours, the fears that besiege and beset those around us. They force us to widen our hearts, and like Christ with Martha and Mary, be willing to go beyond acknowledging another’s pain, and imagine it. The psalms let us weep with each other.

Michelle from Quantum Theology brings us to the psalms where we can find comfort amongst our fears and anguishes. These fears could be due to the loss of a loved one or a loss by a friend (as Michelle as experienced) or the fear of conversion of yourself or others, especially those Catholics who are not in line with the true Catholic Vote.

We can also turn to the Saints for intercession as well. Diana writes about St. Vincent DePaul on her blog 7th Generation Texas. St. Vincent DePaul tells us to ". . . trust in Him, I beg you, and you will have fulfillment of what your heart desires." This quote can be applied to the conversion of heart. Diana also tells her readers that prayer is made of ACTS: Adoration, Contrition, Supplication, and Thanksgiving. Thank you for submitting your excellent post Diana. Diana is a first time carnival entry and I want to let her know how welcome she is.

Could you guess what another form of prayer for conversion could be? Yes, the rosary! To find out more about the history of the rosary, please read Deanna's article on The Rosary at

Not Luke Warm.

Snoring Scholar Sarah writes a book review on Rediscovering Catholicism: Journeying Toward Our Spiritual North Star. She admitts she thought it might be just another "Catholic" book, but once into it she discovers it is a treasure chest of information with "down-to-earth" explanations that you can understand. Sara writes:

He talks of witnessing and salvation with an enthusiasm that’s hard not to catch. This book burns with a fire that comes straight from the Holy Spirit, and the practical advice Kelly gives is perfect for us normal folk. He writes it as a real person, not as someone who assumes that their canonization will take place five minutes after their death.

Sara's book review show that even we practicing Catholics need a form of conversion at times and this books seems to enrich the heart with the, as Sara puts it, fire needed for a conversion for a closer relationship with our Lord!

Brian at Christus Vincit writes about the restoration of a Hammond organ whose church is dedicated to the patroness of sacred music. He writes on to give history or this beautiful instrument and even this quote by Mozart:

Mozart proclaimed the pipe organ the “King of Instruments.” For centuries it has been the chosen means of musical support and inspiration for the church. It is the largest of all musical instruments and can speak with a whisper or a roar. The organ alone can produce both the highest and lowest pitches perceptible by the human ear.

This article reminds me that music is also a form of prayer. Hasn't it been said that singing (with the use of the organ) is praying twice. Yes, we can even use music to motivate conversion as well!!

Prepare for Mass (the greatest form of prayer) the blog of Bob's whose entry for this Catholic Carnival 192 is about the parable of the wicked tenants. This parable seems to reflect so much that goes on in our society today. Bob states, "It is by living in Christ, the cornerstone, that we find the peace of God guarding our hearts and minds." With conversion, we can have Christ as our corner stone.

This brings us to the end of this edition of the Catholic Carnival. I thank you for letting me hostess for this 192nd Carnival. It has been a pleasure and a blessing to read each of the articles that were submitted. I have grown in knowledge and in amazement of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who have so much so share and teach.

Feel free to submit you own articles for the next or any future Catholic Carnivals. You can do so by clicking here.

God Bless each of you that submitted to this Carnival and all of you who take the time to read these submissions.

Blessed Be God Forever!

JMJ

Yours in Christ,
Kimberly

Day 3 of 40 Days for Life

2008-09-26T22:18:00.003-04:00

Today is Day 3 of the 40 Days of Life!!

Please pray for God's gift of strength for those who strive to protect human life during these 40 Days for Life.

Today, offer up your rosary for those who are out there participating in the peaceful vigils outside of abortion mills (mostly Planned Parenthood Clinics) throughout the country.

Blessed be God Forever!

JMJ

Happy Birthday Patrick!

2008-09-25T08:16:00.005-04:00

Happy Birthday to the man who makes me want to work harder each day to be a better person and the man God has trusted will help me get to heaven,

my husband--Patrick!

I hope we make your day as special as you are special to us!

I love you dearly!

Blessed be God forever!

JMJ

Happy Birthday Kevin!!!

2008-09-25T08:08:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday to my brother, Kevin (shown above).

He is currently spending his birthday defending our country in Iraq. He is schedule to return home to the United States in October.

My brother is a very talented writer and is due to have his poetry published at the time of his return.

Happy Birthday Kevin!!

We look forward to your return home and know that you are in our prayers for a save return.

God is with you and we are with you in our hearts!

Blessed be God forever!!

JMJ

40 Days for Life: Day 2

2008-09-25T07:45:00.002-04:00

40 Days for Life: Day 2
Just wanted to include with this post the email I received this morning on the wonderful things already happening with 40 Days for Life. I have to say that not been able to attend any of the vigils in Rochester, NY (about one hour from my home) as of yet, but hope to make a couple of vigils during the 40 days with my family. I am also so proud to hear that my home state--Indiana has great participation in 40 Days for Life.
Here is the email:
Dear Kimberly,
What a way to start the day! The fall 40 Days for Life campaign was barely hours old when we received an e-mail from Jennifer in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. She and a few others had arrived at 6:30 Wednesday morning to pray at the abortion center.A couple arrived in the parking lot, got out of their car and walked towards the building. "Joe gave them a flyer," said Jennifer, "and she brought it into the clinic. About 10 minutes later they came out of the clinic and went to the car."The woman argued with the man for a time, but then they got in the car and left. "This lady looked at us praying and blessed herself with the sign of the cross," Jennifer said. "We saved our first baby!" Shortly thereafter, a text message appeared on my phone from Chris, the campaign director from New York City: "David! 1st 40 Days turnaround!" Later in the day, another life was saved at the same location .Nance, organizer of the Grimes and Waller county, Texas, 40 Days for Life efforts e-mailed, "a BABY SAVED from Planned Parenthood in Houston!!! "While driving to the 40 Days for Life kickoff event in South Bend, Indiana tonight, I received an excited call from the Indianapolis campaign leader. A first time 40 Days for Life volunteer was praying outside the Planned Parenthood abortion facility this morning when a car leaving the center pulled over and the occupants beckoned for her to come near. The volunteer nervously approached and was told by the mother in the vehicle, "Your prayers are working. My daughter just decided to not have an abortion."We are hearing amazing success stories like this from all across North America......So let's spread the news! In addition to prayer, fasting and constant vigil, the other component of 40 Days for Life is grassroots community outreach. Prayer and fasting allow us to humble ourselves before God and ask for his grace and mercy. Constant vigil allows us to bring Christ's love to the locations where lives are on the line and people need to know that others are concerned about their well being. Community outreach allows us to tell the story to entire neighborhoods, entire cities. Some people might say, "Abortion doesn't affect me; I wouldn't have one -- or encourage anyone else to have one -- but it's none of my business."Well, it is everyone's business when the rights of the most helpless in our midst are being trampled --and we need to say so. Others in our communities may have simply given up on ever changing the abortion status quo. They need someone to rekindle that fire -- and that someone maybe you! Whether the outreach is manning a booth in the mall, engaging the local media, speaking to church or civic groups, conducting a door-to-door campaign, or simply spreading the word to friends, family, co-workers,and fellow believers, it's important to reach people who don't ever think about abortion -- and don't ever drive by the clinic -- with the reality of how abortion negatively affects the community. Ernie and Mary Beth in Pensacola, Florida report that their campaign, which is holding vigils at two abortion facilities, received an enthusiastic and appropriate send-off from Rev. John Licari."He talked about how abortion hurts women and families," they said. "His theme was: Don't hide your light under a bushel basket. We need to bring the light of Christ into a world so desperately in need of His love and mercy, especially at the abortion clinics. He reminded us to 'be not afraid.'"We are the light of the world. Let's go forth and shine!
Here's today's devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone,National Director of Priests for Life...
DAY 2 INTENTION

-Pray for those who work in the abortion industry, and for those who have repented of committing abortions and have resolved to defend life.

SCRIPTURE

Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man."-- Luke 23:46-47

REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life

"Those of us who have participated in the killing of unborn children are the Centurions of today. We have dropped our swords against the unborn child. Now we must recognize the depth of our guilt and deal with the ramifications... To revitalize our humanity we need to forgive and be forgiven, to reconcile and be healed."These words come from a brochure of the Society of Centurions, an organization for former abortion providers. These words convey in a beautiful and moving way what is happening across the nation as hundreds of abortionists and their staff members experience repentance, conversion, and healing.How does this conversion begin? Dr. Philip Ney writes, "The factors that changed their opinion on performing abortions, in the following order of frequency, were: evidence of the infant's humanity, a spiritual experience, personal distress, evidence of the mother's distress, scientific articles, being accepted as a person, a personal relationship with a pro-lifer, pro-life pickets." (The Centurion's Pathway, p. 77).

The journey is not easy. But the Jesus who heals us calls us to face the truth of what we've done, make restitution where possible, and engage in the hard work of mending relationships. Let's pray for the Centurions; may their numbers increase!

PRAYER

Lord, we thank you for those who have repented of committing abortions and have resolved to defend life. We too repent and resolve.We repent of every instance in which fear has made us silent when we should have spoken. We repent of the ongoing bloodshed in our land, and for thinking that we can deprive the unborn of protection but keep it for ourselves.We resolve that we will advance the cause of righteous candidates for public office, and that we will be more afraid of offending you by our silence than of offending others by our speech. We resolve that we will proclaim your name to the nations,through Jesus Christ our Lord,

Amen.

What a blessing 40 Days for Life is for our country!! I encourage you to try and make a vigil in your area. Let your voice be heard!! Let others know that abortion is what it is--MURDER!!!!

We can make a difference and we can save the babies. We can change the tide of this country. We must save the babies, change the hearts of those seeking abortions, those performing abortions, and those who encourage laws that allow abortions. Action and prayer: we need your help to save the babies. In truth, if you save the babies, you are saving the world!!

Blessed be God Forever!!

JMJ

Happy Birthday Aidan!!!

2008-09-24T14:55:00.003-04:00

Happy Birthday to my godson and nephew, Aidan!!!

What a special kid he is to me and his Uncle Pat!!

May your birthday be filled with much love, much happiness, lots of cake, and of course, fun presents.

God bless you Aidan on your special day!

An award from Marie!!!

2008-09-24T09:45:00.006-04:00

I received this from my dear blogging friend, Marie.

Thank you so much Marie for this award.

I love your blog as well.

When I started in this blogging world, I never dreamed I would meet the people I have nor would I have dreamed the bonds I would form with people all over the world.

What a blessing blogging has been for me!

Now, Marie says that I must send this on to 7 people and so here are my picks:

1. Marie (I know you already got this award, but you deserve it again and I do love your blog!!)

2. Kathy at Daily Grotto. She was the inspiration for me to start blogging and a wonderful example of a good Catholic woman, mother, and wife.

3. Terri at Prayers of the Faithful. My good buddy from many, many years ago. She has taught me that life deals you many twists and turns, but what matters most is your relationship with God and your family.

4. Tom in Vegas-- His blog is so awesome and I love to visit there with a good cup of coffee and my mind read to learn and think from him.

5. Therese at Aussie Coffee Shop--although she is in another country, I feel as if she lived right next door to me. What a wonderful and beautiful person she is.

6. Grandma K at Bit of Blarney-- my Hoosier buddy and friend. She is a joy to know!!!

7. Shelly at Keeper of the Keys-- I love this blog and it is so interesting!! Thanks for the work you do on your blog Shelly.

Okay, I know it said 7 but I also love this blog as well:

8. Joseph the worker at A Catholic Journey--- this is a great blog and a wonderful journey any day when you need some spiritual growth going through your brain.

Okay, there are many, many more blogs that I love, but these are the all time favorite.

Now, I have a question I hope someone can answer for me. I have noticed in the past when people post awards that when they put the persons name you are able to click their name and it takes you to their blog. How do you do that? I would love to obtain that knowledge. Thank you and blessed be God forever!

JMJ

40 Days for Life Starts Today!!!

2008-09-24T07:17:00.001-04:00

Today is the start of 40 days for Life across the country. Please pray that the next 40 days makes a huge impact on the abortion industry by changing the hearts of the American people to see that abortion is what it is--- MURDER!!!

Here is the reflection today for 40 Days for Life:

DAY 1 INTENTION

That we may use these 40 Days for Life to plead for God's mercy and grace upon all those involved in thesin of abortion.

SCRIPTURE

Blow the trumpet in Zion! Proclaim a fast, call anassembly. Gather the people, notify the congregation.Assemble the elders; gather the children and theinfants at the breast... Let the priests, theministers of the Lord, weep and say, "Spare, O Lord,your people."-- Joel 2:15-17

REFLECTION by David Brandao, 40 Days for Life

The toll of abortion cannot be measured. We hear estimates of almost 50 million innocent victims, but that's only one aspect of the harm that has unfoldedin abortion's wake. There are also the mothers and fathers of these millions, as well as thegrandparents, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins. Unborn lives destroyed. Lives of the living shattered. It's overwhelming and depressing, but even in themidst of such unfathomable darkness, the Church teaches us to have hope. Yes, it was indeed Calvary that followed Christ's 40 days in the desert, but without Calvary there would have been no Resurrection-- His victory over death that opened the gates of heaven to those who believe in and follow Him.The psalmist encourages us to go humbly before God as we seek His will: "A clean heart create for me, OGod, and a steadfast spirit renew within me... Giveme back the joy of your salvation and a willingspirit sustain in me... O Lord, open my lips, and mymouth shall proclaim your praise" (Psalm 51:12, 14,17). We are called to be God's messengers; or as the Apostle Paul told the Corinthians: "We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealingthrough us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20).That is the true message to all we encounter at theabortion centers and in our communities who have been deceived by the Culture of Death. We don't bring condemnation; we bring God's good news.

PRAYER

Lord, we ask for the strength, courage, wisdom,determination and stamina to carry out this mission according to Your will. Guide us, we pray, as we go forth and proclaim Your truth, always doing so with a spirit of love andcompassion, as was demonstrated to us by Your Son, Jesus Christ.

In His name we pray,

Amen

Today would be a great day to pray your rosary for all those involved with 40 days for Life.

For more information on 40 days for Life, go to http://40daysforlife.com

It will time well spent checking out this website.

Blessed be God Forever!!

JMJ

Childhood Hunger

2008-09-16T17:26:00.000-04:00

Hunger and Children

There are many, many issues I hold dear to my heart that I feel called by God to do something about. Some of my issues can cause conflict within my own family and with others who believe differently from me. However, I feel that strongly that everyone agrees that no one--especially the children of our country, the future of our country, do not go hungry. I have been advocating for a while through Feeding America and you can find the link on my side bar of Favorite Sites. Please help to make a difference by donating, advocating, or praying for the children in our country who go hungry. God does not let them go hungry, we do!! God has given us the resources to care for each other so it is our responsibility to make sure no one goes without food.

Working in a soup kitchen, donating nonperishable goods to a local food bank, holding a dinner fund raiser in your home for a local food bank, or praying for the hungry is a wonderful way to make a difference. Remember, we are here to love each other. If we all do that, then the world will be more at peace and less at odds with what is right and wrong. Loving your neighbor is what we are to do; no matter who your neighbor is or where he lives.

Follow in the example of Jesus and you will not go wrong.

Blessed be God Forever!

JMJ

A Prayer for Children

Author Unknown
We pray for the children
Who sneak popsicles before dinner
Who can never find their shoes
Who bring us sticky kisses
Who hug us in a hurry, run out the door and forget their lunch money
We pray for the children
Who never get dessert
Who can't bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers
Who are born in places we wouldn't be caught dead
Who have no safe blankie to drag behind them
We pray for the children
Who shove dirty clothes under their bed
Who throw tantrums in grocery stores
Who get visits from the tooth fairy
Who pick at their food
We pray for the children
Who don't have any rooms to clean up
Whose pictures aren't on any body's dresser
Who have never seen a dentist
Who will eat anything
We pray for the children
Who make us look under the bed for nightmares
Whose tears we dry
Whose smiles can make us cry
We pray for the children
Whose monsters are real
Who aren't spoiled by anybody

Who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep

Facts On Childhood Hunger

Over 9 million children are estimated to be served by the Feeding America network, over 2 million of which are ages 5 and under, representing nearly 13% of all children under age 18 in the United States and over 72% of all children in poverty [i].

According to the USDA, an estimated 12.6 million children lived in food insecure (low food security and very low food security) households in 2006 [ii].

Nearly one quarter of the country (12 states) have more than 20% percent of children living in food insecure households, the states of Texas and New Mexico have the highest rates of children in households (24%) without consistent access to food.

The top four states plus DC with the highest rate of food insecure children are New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Idaho.
The top five states with the lowest rate of food insecure children are North Dakota, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Proper nutrition is vital to the growth and development of children, particularly for low-income children. 62% of all client households with children under the age of 18 participated in a school lunch program, but only 13% participated in a summer feeding program that provides free food when school is out [iii].
51% of client households with children under the age of 3 participated in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) [iv].

Nearly 41% of emergency food providers in the Feeding American network reported "many more children in the summer" being served by their programs [v].

Emergency food assistance plays a vital role in the lives of low-income families. In 2002, over half of the nonelderly families that accessed a food pantry at least once during the year had children under the age of 18 [vi].

13.3 million or approximately 18% of children in the U.S. live in poverty. The rate of poverty for children under 18 remains higher than those aged 18- to- 64 and for those aged 65 and over [vii].

Research indicates that even mild under nutrition experienced by young children during critical periods of growth impacts the behavior of children, their school performance, and their overall cognitive development [x].

In fiscal year 2006, nearly half 49% of children were food stamp recipients [xi].

During the 2006 federal fiscal year, 17.7 million low-income children received free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program. Unfortunately, just under 2 million of these same income-eligible children participated in the Summer Food Service Program that same year [xii].

Source of Facts
i.Rhoda Cohen, M. Kim, and J. Ohls. Hunger In America 2006. America's Second Harvest-The Nation’s Food Bank Network. February 2006. ii. Nord, Mark, M. Andrews, S. Carlson. United States Department of Agriculture/Economic Research Service, Household Food Security in the United States, 2006.iii. Rhoda Cohen, M. Kim, and J. Ohls. Hunger In America 2006. America's Second Harvest-The Nation’s Food Bank Network. February 2006. iv. Rhoda Cohen, M. Kim, and J. Ohls. Hunger In America 2006. America's Second Harvest-The Nation’s Food Bank Network. February 2006.v. Rhoda Cohen, M. Kim, and J. Ohls. Hunger In America 2006. America's Second Harvest-The Nation’s Food Bank Network. February 2006. vi. Zedlewski, Sheila, S. Nelson. Snapshots of America’s Families. November 2003.vii. DeNavas-Walt, Carmen, B.D. Proctor, J. Smith. U.S. Census Bureau, Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007. August 2008.viii. Nord, Mark, M. Andrews, S. Carlson. United States Department of Agriculture, Household Food Security in the United States, 2006.ix. Nord, Mark, M. Andrews, S. Carlson. United States Department of Agriculture, Household Food Security in the United States, 2006. x. The Links Between Nutrition and Cognitive Development of Children, 1998, Tufts University School of Nutrition Science and Policy.xi. Wolkwitz, Kari. United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation. Characteristics of Food Stamp Households: Fiscal Year 2006, September 2007.xii. United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. National School Lunch Program: Participation and Lunches Served. Data as of October 2007.

Prayer Requests!!!!!!!

2008-09-05T10:00:00.000-04:00

Please pray for Bobbi Hinker. She has recently been diagnosed with IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer). She will have a CAT and PET Scan on Monday to determine the type of treatment she will have.

She is the sister to Judi B. who is a very dear friend of my mother-in-law, Judy B. I thank my mother-in-law for bringing this prayer request to me so that my dear prayer warrior friends can once again do their thing and help another child of Christ.

A PRAYER TO OUR LADY FOR HEALING

Mary Immaculate, you have given yourself to us as our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.

You have asked us to pray with confidence,and we will receive great graces.

We know your compassion, because you saw your Son suffer and die for us.

In your union with His suffering you became the mother of us all.

Mary, my mother, teach Bobbi to understand suffering as you do and to endure it in union with the suffering of Jesus.

In your motherly love, calm Bobbi's fears and increase her trust in God's loving care.

According to God's plan, obtain for Bobbi the healing she needs.

Intercede with your Son that Bobbi may have the strength she needs to work for God's glory and the salvation of the world.

Amen

Mary, health of the sick, pray for us. May God grant us healing and all the graces we need through the intercession of our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.

Here is a link to learn more about IBC:

http://www.ibcresearch.org/

Thank you for your prayers my dear and faithful prayer warriors. I know that with your intercessions that Bobbi will have her needs met according to God's Will.

Blessed be God Forever!

Don't forget your rosary today. Please say a decade for Bobbi.

JMJ

Awards!!!!!

2008-09-03T18:25:00.000-04:00

JMJ

I am so blessed to have received this award from my blogging, Tom @ http://tominvegas.blogspot.com/. He has an awesome blog and I encourage each of you reading this blog to check his out. I learn so much from him and thank him for thinking of me.
I received this award from my blogging sister, Marie @ http://viewfromthepews.blogspot.com/. Again, another blog that is awesome. I feel so honored that Marie would give me such an award since my blog is so beginner and way out of her and Tom's league when it comes to blogging. Marie's blog is definitely worth any time you can spend there; in fact, I get on her blog and love to read what she writes so much that I find it hard to leave.

Thank you to both Tom and Marie for thinking of me. I think it is now my turn to send the award on to the following:

Kathy

Terri

Tom

Marie

Tracey

Cathy

I know most of them have already received these two awards, but not from me and so I wanted to show my appreciation for their blogging friendships!

Blessed be God Forever!!

Back Home Again in Indiana

2008-08-26T11:16:00.001-04:00

Just returned from my "Back Home Again In Indiana" trip.

What a wonderful time we had with all our family.

We miss being with our family and it was a joy to see our kids having such a great time with their cousins.

My sister-in-law, Anne and her husband, Ed hosted a wonderful family reunion at their mini-farm. Annie has a way of making everyone feel so warm and welcomed in her home.

My husband, kids, and I stayed with my sister-in-law, Margaret and her husband, Jim. They, too, have a wonderful way of making you feel as if you belong right there with them.

Some may call it Hoosier Hospitality; however, with Jim and Margaret I call it goodness.

Both Jim and Margaret, are saints in the making. They both work so hard to be good people and to raise their children with a strong faith, but with goodness that will enable them to embrace the virtue of kindness.

Their children A.J. (my godson) and M.E. have wonderful examples set for them by their parents. I am continously amazed at how well Margaret and Jim work at making each day a day that really matters and counts when it comes to their daily lives of living so that they make a difference in the world.

They are a beautiful family to watch, to learn from, and to be with.

"Back Home in Indiana"

2008-08-25T23:51:00.000-04:00

Cathy at Bit of Blarney has tagged me for the Quirky MEME.

This sounds like a lot of fun and so hear it goes.

1. I like to be alone with my family a lot and be removed from the world. When I have had to much stimulation from the world, I like to retreat with my family to the confines of my home.

2. I don't like to watch t.v., but occassionally will watch DVD's.

3. I like to dress my children better than myself. What's up with that??? I need to rethink that one.

4. I could not live without my day planner. I would be lost.

5. I like to have the utensils in the dishwasher to be organized. All the forks go one slot, all the spoons in another slot, all the knives in the last slot. I know it sounds crazy, but it is easier for my four eyar old to put the utensils up after the dishwasher is clean.

6. I like my closet and the closets in my children's rooms to be organized by color.

The rules:1. Link the person who tagged you.2. Mention the rules on your blog.3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours.4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them.5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged.

I tag: anyone who wants to do it!! Thank you!!!!!!

Urgent Need for Prayer Warriors!!!

2008-08-20T12:46:00.001-04:00

My dear Prayer Warriors,

I know I ask for many prayer request from each of you and I know it can be burdensome at times to pray for some many; however, I feel that God would not direct the needs of others for prayers in my path if I were not to reach out and pray for them. I also feel He is calling me to ask my fellow Prayer Warriors to do the same. With that said, I would like to ask you to pray for Teena.

She is a middle-aged woman who has recently been diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer that is not operable at this time.

I receive this prayer request from my friend, Dawn. Dawn is very close to this child of God. Dawn in an email told me the following,"she is a kind and gentle spirit. She is also very private and most likely feels the worst part of her illness is that she has to put people out that want to help her."

Dawn also mentioned that Teena has bore many crosses throughout her life since childhood into her adulthood. She has spent most of her life taking care of others and this has left very little time for her to care for herself.

She has in the past 6-8 months lost her husband and her baby grandson. Dawn states that despite her losses she has a very strong faith in God.

She is currently she is receiving chemotherapy to shrink or contain her tumors.

I ask if you can, please spread the word so that other can pray for Teena as well.

Thank you so much and blessed be God Forever!!

JMJ

St. Maximilian Kolbe

2008-08-14T11:52:00.000-04:00

St. Maximilian Kolbe is was an extraordinary man who the world could learn a lot from. Even though I never had the pleasure of meeting this man, I feel as if I have always known him.

Today, he is celebrated by the Catholic Church. He is also celebrated in our home, not only for the wonderful man he was, but for the fact that my oldest son chose Maximilian Kolbe as his confirmation name after reading about him.

Saint Maximilian Kolbe was born January 8, 1894 and died August 14, 1941.

He is considered the "Apostle of Consecration to Mary."

Pope John Paul II declare him the "Patron Saint of our Difficult Century."

He was a Franciscan Priest and founded the Militia Immaculata (http://www.kolbenet.com/pages/library/militia_immaculata.html; follow this link to find out more about the Militia).

Saint Kolbe was arrested in 1941 and sent to Auschwitz. During his time there, he took the place of Fraciszek Gajowniczek who was picked to be placed in Block 13. A place prisoners were put to starve to death.

After 3 weeks, Kolbe and three others were still alive. He was then murdered by a fatal injection of carbolic acid.

He was a fervent advocate to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

He once said, "If angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion."

I agree Saint Maximilian!! We are blessed to be able to receive Jesus each time we are at the altar.

This man is truly a man who knew how to love his neighbor and knew how to trust in God.

I look forward to the day that I can meet him in the Heavenly Kingdom of Our Lord.

In the mean time, it will continue to be an honor to study, to read, and learn more about this wonderful man who made this world a better place by following Christ's example.

St. Maximilian Kolbe Prayer

O Lord Jesus Christ who said, "greater love than this no man has that a man lay down his life for his friends," through the intercession of St. Maximilian Kolbe, whose life illustrated such love, we beseech You to grant us our petitions .....(mention them here).
Through the Knights of the Immaculata movement, which Maximilian founded, he spread a fervent devotion to Our Lady throughout the world. He gave up his life for a total stranger and loved his persecutors, giving us all an example of unselfish love for all men --- a love which was inspired by true devotion to Mary.
Grant O Lord Jesus, that we too may give ourselves entirely without reserve to the love and service of our Heavenly Queen in order to better love and serve our fellowman in imitation of your humble servant, Maximilian. Amen.
(Say 3 Hail Marys and a Glory be....)

Prayers for Injustice!

2008-08-12T23:01:00.000-04:00

Today, I found out shocking news from a friend. Her husband has been wrongly arrested and charged with a felony. In order to help my friend and her family maintain some privacy, I will refrain from giving names and details.

I just ask that you pray for this family. I know this family well and know that my friend's husband has been wrongly charged with something he did not do.

He is a good man, a good husband, and a wonderful father.

I ask that each of you reading this say a rosary for this family.

They are good Catholics who work hard to raise their children in the Faith and to make the world a better place.

My friend's husband has one of the hardest jobs that many would not do. He keeps the world a safer place with what he does.

This is a good vs. evil situation with my friends husband being the good.

This will be a trying time for this family and so your prayers are needed.

Pray that they will stay strong through this and turn to Our Lord for His much needed support.

Dennis Wholey:
Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you are a good person is a little like expecting the bull not to attack you because you are a vegetarian.

I found this quote after talking with my friend on the phone. I plan to share it with her the next time we talk.

How true this statement is!!

I offer up this prayer

In Time of Need

Heavenly Father,in the present need of my friend and her husband ,help them to believe that you are aware of their anxiety and will do what is best for them. Give them the strength to trust you and put the present and future in your hands.Grant this through Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Blessed be God Forever!

JMJ

Olympics!!

2008-08-12T14:53:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to Mary Beth Dunnichay and Haley Ishimatsu in their 5th place finish in the Women's 10 meter Synchronized Diving at the Olympics!!!

These two young women (and when I say young I mean very young; Mary Beth is the youngest member of the entire USA Olympic Team at 15 years old and Haley is only 5 months older than Mary Beth).

Both girls are from my home state of Indiana and Mary Beth is from my home town of Elwood. She is the daughter of Ned and Marian Dunnichay. Her Aunt Angie was features on my website as my first Awesome Person Award after donating a kidney to our former high school English teacher.

We have been fortunate to know this family and all their extended family for many years.

For my Catholic friends, a side note is that the Dunnichay family and the Melvin family (her mother's family) are Catholics and attend St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Elwood.

In fact, Mary Beth's great uncle is a priest.

With that said, please say a "Hail Mary" for Mary Beth and her family while they are in China.

Also, please say a rosary for China that their position on Human Rights may become better.

Congratulations Mary Beth!!

May you continue to share your gift that God has given you with the world and may you continue to be successful!

Blessed be God Forever!

JMJ

Prayer

2008-08-12T14:48:00.001-04:00

Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?

--Corrie Ten Boom

I know this quote just stopped me and my tracks as it made me think-- do I use prayer was my steering wheel or is it my spare tire? I think that it is easy to use it as a spare tire; however, I feel there is much more comfort and direction in life it is our steering wheel.

Today, I will review my prayer life and see where I stand compared to this quote.

If I fall short, I will work hard each day to make prayer my steering wheel and not my spare tire.

Wow! This quote has really got me thinking and I hope it inspires you to think as well.

Blessed Be God Forever!!

JMJ

Prayer requests!!

2008-08-08T09:04:00.001-04:00

Please follow the link below for prayers being requested for my very dear friend and fellow blogger, Kathy. Her requests are for her gram and a mom, Julie with six kids. I know I can count on my fellow prayer warriors to come to these with requests with full hearts and be willing to ask Our Lord for His ear.

Blessed be God Forever!

http://kathleenmiller.typepad.com/the_daily_grotto/2008/08/another-urgent-prayer-request.html

confession

2008-08-05T10:47:00.000-04:00

Confession is a beautiful act of great love. Only in confession can we go as sinners with sin and come out as sinners without sin.

Confession is nothing but humility in action.

---Blessed Mother Teresa

If you haven't been to confession in a while. I pray that you will be encouraged by Our Lord to return to the confession to seek His unconditional love, His warmth, and His forgiveness.

Blessed Be God Forever!

Prayer

2008-08-03T08:04:00.000-04:00

Don't let a day go by without praying a little! Prayer is a duty, but it is also a joy because it is a dialogue with God through Jesus Christ.

--Pope John Paul II