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| Monday, December 07, 2009 |
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| URGENT APPEAL--PLEASE HELP [Gregory Popcak] |
| 12/7/2009 |
Ave Maria Radio is continuing its Urgent Drive. We still need $37,000. We cannot resume programming until we raise it.
Please. If you listen online, or to the podcast, please help Ave Maria Radio meet its goal. The goal is not for improvements. The goal is necessary to keep Ave on the air. Ave Maria Radio produces dozens of programs besides Heart Mind and Strength. Many of your favorite live shows on EWTN Radio are produced by Ave Maria Radio. We cannot continue producing those programs without your support.
Please give whatever you can. Ave Maria needs your help. Become a member of the guild by making a pledge at any level by visiting www.AveMariaRadio.net
Thank You. |
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| Tuesday, December 08, 2009 |
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| WHAT PATHS ARE YOU LEVELING? WHAT MOUNTAINS ARE YOU MAKING LOW? [Rachel Watkins] |
| 12/8/2009 |
Advent is a time to take a good look at yourself and see if Jesus would find a welcome, a warm place to stay and a heart willing to change.
Think of this for yourself - only yourself. Surely there are areas that need some landscaping? |
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| AUTISM AS A BENEFIT?? [Rachel Watkins] |
| 12/8/2009 |
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34047713/ns/health-mental_health/
Here's a story about several companies that actually seeking high-functioning adults with autism due to their ability to remain focused and on task.
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| JUST A STORY TO REMIND YOU THAT GOOD CAN COME.... [Rachel Watkins] |
| 12/8/2009 |
I remember this story from several years ago and listening now to his story I remain impressed by Aron Ralston.
If you don't know, he is the hiker who had to cut off his own arm in order to save his life. He tells, here, of a 'premonition' he had of a child not yet born that helped give him the courage to do this impossible task.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/34324703#34324703 |
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| Wednesday, December 09, 2009 |
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| IN TRYING TO FIND SOMETHING TO BLOG ABOUT... [Rachel Watkins] |
| 12/9/2009 |
I was struggling to find something to post today beyond Tiger Woods and CBS' very poor decision to create a Frosty the Snowman and R-rated TV content for youtube.
Nothing was coming up as relevant or even slightly humorous so I was going to give up. I then realized that I had not taken time to do my morning prayers or gospel reflection and there was the perfect post.
So, from the "Shoulda' Known Better Department" comes this reminder from today's gospel:
Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
Take some time today to unburden yourself to God, lighten your load at the manger and gain some much needed peace for the season. |
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| Thursday, December 10, 2009 |
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| READERS COMING TO THE RESCUE - EXPOSING PLANNED PARENTHOOD [Rachel Watkins] |
| 12/10/2009 |
The other Matt W. in my life - a faithful reader with some great ideas of his own offers me the following:
Rachel,
Yesterday, you mentioned your struggle to find something to post about. I offer this as a worthy topic. Lila Rose, the UCLA student who helped expose a racial motivation behind Planned Parenthood a year or two back, has started a new group, Live Action (http://www.liveaction.org).
Yesterday, they posted their first video (http://www.liveaction.org/index.php/projects/rosaacuna)--undercover footage from a PP clinic in Wisconsin in which the doctor and a PP counselor both lie to the mother about medical facts concerning her 10-week in-utero baby.
-Matt
Consider giving this a look and passing it along to others. |
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| PURITY IN ALL THINGS....EXCEPT OUR FAITH [Rachel Watkins] |
| 12/10/2009 |
I find it interesting that Americans as a whole have begun pushing for a purity in so many things as a means of being green.
We want just plain milk - no hormones, no chemicals. The same is true for the rest of our food - the fewer additives the better. We want 100% cotton t-shirts, shopping bags and beef. We all insist on it being completely natural the way "God" intended it.
Unless, of course, it is your religion. In this case, we are have become a country who mixes and mashes different beliefs together with little concern for the consequences or end results.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34352940/ns/us_news-faith/
I find this so interesting as we are so keen to be so open-minded as a sign of our acceptance of others that we don't use our intelligence to see how our ideas don't make sense. Wether it be the seemingly innocent belief that certain stones or crystals have powers or the real danger of drawing another 'god' into our prayers - we fail to see how certain things just can't mix. Worshipping a created object instead of the Creator and denying God's supremacy over all with a nod towards Buddha makes us less than God intended.
We are becoming more and more like the Greeks and Romans who Paul confronted when he laughed at their temple to the Unknown God!
During Advent it might be a good idea to check out your own list of ingredients and make sure you are being 100% Catholic - all natural, the way God intended.
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| OBAMA GETTING THE NOBEL PRIZE WHILE STRANGE LIGHTS APPEAR IN THE SKY [Rachel Watkins] |
| 12/10/2009 |
It has happened. Not to rehash all the comments from when this was announced but emphasizing just one - good intentions mean nothing until results are seen. Don't we all know the parable of the two sons??
However, I love this next story which also happened in Norway - the appearance of strange circular lights in the sky. I would like to think it is God showing His disapproval. :-)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/34353245#34353245
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| Friday, December 11, 2009 |
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| FOLLOWING UP ON THE RADIO SHOW... [Rachel Watkins] |
| 12/11/2009 |
we were talking about how to connect your kid's and your whole family to their faith and I was noting what is working for us.
Honestly, this is hard to pin this down - both because I don't want you to think that you must do everything we do and because you're not supposed to. You can't and you shouldn't as you and your spouse aren't Matt and I (thank God!), and your children aren't mine (again, thank God).
But your family does have a plan for your family and making that happen is key to your happiness - putting your belief in action as a family should encompass a few things that define you as Catholic.
One- prayer for your family. As individuals, as a couple and a family as a whole. Every evening we pray "Jesus, Mary and Joseph, make us a holy family". Not "The Holy Family" as only they are, but a holy family - to the best of our ability reflecting God and His will. We're holding Him to this prayer and hopefully will see the results of it upon our deaths.
Fill the sails of your family with prayer and you'll have much better sailing during your life.
Two - Make some intentional decisions about what you do and how you do it. For us this encompasses everything from taking advantage of what our parish offers as a family, how we act towards each other, the fun we have and the meals we share. This isn't possible every moment of every day, but we plan one activity a week that brings us together as a family. Whether its a meal, a game, a movie or something similar we make sure we're together. Make time for joy!
Three - Draw the lines in the sand. Make sure that you decide how much and what kind of entry you'll allow the world. This means everything from music to movies to computer access, clothes and TV. This isn't a litany of no, no, no. But rather what is allowed, for whom and under what circumstances. Any regular reader knows how I feel about TV as a whole but we do enjoy some specific shows for some of our kids. Just make some decisions and don't take the attitude that everything is fine - you know it isn't.
And when the line is drawn - make sure you and your kids discuss the why. Just saying 'No' doesn't work. You don't need to justify it but you can certainly explain it.
Four - Make Jesus a name your kids know and respect. Beyond not using it in vain, be sure to drop His name into conversations where appropriate - thanking Him out loud when you find your errant keys, seeking His direction in prayer with the family when a tough decision needs to be made and shouts of joy when good things happen - be it a surprise ice cream visit or good grades on a report card.
One slightly odd habit we have our kids really enjoy - much like football teams that have a familiar sign they slap as they enter a game - we give a high five to the picture we have of Jesus in our living room as we come and go. This acts as a quick reminder that He's in charge, not us. In that same regard we bless our children every evening and as they leave us to go out into the world.
We also do the usual stuff as reminding our kids that they can do the tough stuff they do for the Holy Souls or for a special intention. Serving each other is no more than what Christ did for them, reminding them to be grateful for what they have, etc. etc.
Finally - make the decision as parents that you really want this. Really. Silly as it sounds do you really want to have a holy family or do you want to just coast along? Is being popular or comfortable more important than seeing God? If you decide that your belief in Jesus Christ and your Catholicism is more important than anything else God will start showing how you should do it. But watch out - He'll take you up on it and surprise you with His ideas!!
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| BECOME A MARRIAGE AMBASSADOR--LEAD A MARRIAGE MADE FOR HEAVE GROUP IN YOUR HOME OR PARISH [Gregory Popcak] |
| 12/11/2009 |
Now you can create the marriage of your dreams and inspire your friends and neighbors to do the same.
A Marriage Made for Heaven is a ready-to-use out of the box marriage enrichment program. Anchored by a series of dynamic video presentations by Dr. Greg and Lisa Popcak and Bishop Daniel Conlon (Steubenville), a completely scripted Leader’s Guide and Workbooks for Couples A Marriage Made for Heaven addresses everything Catholic couples need to experience the love of their lives.
It's easy to do and the simply format can be used in your parish or even in your home with a small group you start with your friends. Twelve, once-a-month Heavenly Date Nights, give couples the skills to discover why God brought them together and the exciting, passionate life He has in store for them.
Couples will…
*Explore their “Heavenly Mission” (helping each other become what God created them to be in this life and getting each other to Heaven).
*Discover the secrets of effective communication and problem-solving (as well as a spirituality of conflict).
*Learn tools to win the battle of the sexes.
*Plug into the Power of Grace (and discover simple, safe, practical ways to start praying together).
*Celebrate the joy of Holy Sex!
*Discover how marriage can become more intimate because of kids (not in spite of kids).
*Supercharge friendship and intimacy
*Understand how to avoid feeling taken for granted ever again *Negotiate priorities so that marriage gets the best of them, not just “what’s left” of them.
*PLUS MUCH, MUCH, MORE
Not only will A Marriage Made for Heaven empower couples to experience a Heavenly Marriage, it will also create a supportive community of Heavenly Couples who can support each other’s faith and relationships and create mentor couples to be a blessing to others and potentially serve in a parish marriage prep program.
As a Pastoral Solutions Institute Marriage Ambassador running an active Marriage Made for Heaven group, you will receive a 10% discount not only on the A Marriage Made for Heaven Leader’s Guide, video, and workbooks, but also on any books, audio, or video resources you purchase from the Pastoral Solutions Institute website. To become a Marriage Ambassador, simply copy, paste, and complete the form below with the information requested and send it in an email to me, gpopcak@ExceptionalMarriages.com . I will send you your Ambassador Discount Code.
To get started, I recommend the Marriage Made for Heaven Starter Pack which includes the Leader’s Guide, DVD (in the Leader’s Guide), and Workbooks for 5 Couples (1 Workbook per Couple). The list price is 109.99, but with your Marriage Ambassador Discount (applied automatically at purchase), your price is $99 (plus S&H). You can also purchase additional workbooks (individual or in convenient 5 packs) and other support materials at our secure site.
I thank you for your willingness to consider becoming a Marriage Ambassador and taking up the call of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops to become a Marriage Building Church.
-------------PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AND COPY AND PASTE IN AN EMAIL TO GPOPCAK@EXCEPTIONALMARRIAGES.COM TO RECEIVE YOUR MARRIAGE AMBASSADOR DISCOUNT CODE-----------------
Name:
Address:
Email:
How did you hear about the Marriage Ambassador Program?
Will you be using A Marriage Made for Heaven in your Parish or in your Home?
Any other comments or questions?
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Thank you for your willingness to consider becoming a Marriage Ambassador and taking up the call of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops to become a Marriage Building Church. May God Bless you and your marriage.
Yours in Christ,
Dr. Greg Popcak
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| WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IN? [Rachel Watkins] |
| 12/11/2009 |
Macy's, along with CBS, is working on the "Believe" promotion. Including in this, of course, is a new TV special airing tonight but the main focus is asking people to drop off letters to Macy's stores in conjunction with raising funds for the Make a Wish Foundation. For every letter received they'll donate $1, up to $1M. They also have a chance for you to vote for the best "believe" story entered in a contest.
Now, I have no stake in CBS or Macy's but do know several families who've benefited from Make a Wish. I also do like the "Miracle on 34th Street" movies - both of them tho' Natalie Woods' is my favorite (I like Edmund Gwinn as Santa) with their Macy's tie-in.
That said, I really do think this is a great campaign. Really. Wether you go to Macy's or not, I think you should take some time alone and as a family to consider what you believe in.
Considering this complex question, at this time of year, is important. For this time of year may have you believing more in Santa's coming than Jesus' birthday. You may begin to believe that what you have is more important than who you are. You may begin to believe that spending money on your children will show how much you love them.
Give this question some thought - what do you believe in and how do those beliefs impact on your life, your family and your world?
I offer this as a good starter - "I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, the creator of heaven and earth...."
And should you decide to go to Macy's to participate in this effort, writing out a copy of our creed would be a very good message to send indeed!
You can check out the promotion at www.macys.com or
http://social.macys.com/believe2009/?LinkType=Homepage&cm_re=61.0.45-_-HOMEPAGE_INCLUDE_1-_-CATEGORY%20--%205125%20--%20:Believe%20learn%20more
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