The Areopagus 2-3-10
posted by Phil Lawson
2-3-10
I have written about the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist out of Ann Arbor, MI before. (Not least because my sister-in-law is a part of the Order ). Website here: http://www.sistersofmary.org/
This beautiful, young, and rapidly growing order is going to be featured on Oprah of all places next week Tuesday, Feb. 9th.
Here’s the email I received:
Please keep this in your prayers -- but on Feb. 9th, our 13th
anniversary as a community, we will be on the "Oprah Winfrey Show"!!
They were out here yesterday filming and 4 Sisters will be flown to
Chicago for the filming to be completed Thursday. So...if you
wish....you might decide to tune in on Feb. 9th -- and to PRAY that GOD
will be able to use these efforts, too, for His Greater Honor and Glory.
God bless us all....counting on your prayers, please!
in Jesus, Mary, and all our saints,
Sister!!
I’ll certainly be praying that this remarkable opportunity bears much fruit!
Phil’s Tidbits:
Here’s an inspiring story of Grant Desme—a top baseball prospect for the Oakland Athletics who is giving it up to enter the seminary. The Oakland Athletics, to their credit, are being completely supportive.
TOP BASEBALL PROSPECT RETIRES TO ENTER PRIESTHOOD
NEW YORK — As a top prospect for the Oakland Athletics, outfielder Grant Desme might've gotten the call every minor leaguer wants this spring.
Instead, he believed he had another, higher calling.
Desme announced Friday that he was leaving baseball to enter the priesthood, walking away after a breakout season in which he became MVP of the Arizona Fall League.
"I was doing well at ball. But I really had to get down to the bottom of things," the 23-year-old Desme said. "I wasn't at peace with where I was at."
A lifelong Catholic, Desme thought about becoming a priest for about a year and a half. He kept his path quiet within the sports world, and his plan to enter a seminary this summer startled the A's when he told them Thursday night.
General manager Billy Beane "was understanding and supportive," Desme said, but the decision "sort of knocked him off his horse." After the talk, Desme felt "a great amount of peace."
"I love the game, but I aspire to higher things," he said. "I know I have no regrets."
In a statement, Beane said: "We respect Grant's decision and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors."
Athletes and the priesthood have overlapped, albeit rarely.
Al Travers, who gave up 24 runs during a one-game career for a makeshift Detroit Tigers team in 1912, became a Catholic priest. More recently, Chase Hilgenbrinck of the New England Revolution left Major League Soccer in 2008 to enter a seminary.
Desme spoke on a conference call for about 10 minutes in a quiet, even tone, hardly sounding like many gung-ho, on-the-rise ballplayers. As for his success in the minors, he said "all of it is very undeserving."
The Athletics picked Desme in the second round of the 2007 amateur draft and he was starting to blossom. He was the only player in the entire minors with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases last season.
Desme batted .288 with 31 homers, 89 RBIs and 40 steals in 131 games at Class-A Kane County and high Class-A Stockton last year. He hit .315 with a league-leading 11 home runs and 27 RBIs in 27 games this fall in Arizona, a league filled with young talent.
Desme went into the AFL championship game well aware it might be the last time he ever played. "There was no sad feeling," he said. He homered and struck out twice, which "defines my career a bit."
The Big West Player of the Year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Desme was ranked as Oakland's No. 8 prospect by Baseball America. There was speculation the Athletics might invite Desme to big league spring training next month.
Rather, Desme intends to enter a seminary in Silverado, California, in August. He said abbey members didn't seem surprised someone who would "define myself as a baseball player" was changing his life so dramatically.
Desme said he didn't consider pursuing his spiritual studies while also trying to play ball. His family backed his decision and he said the positive reaction to his future goal — the surprising news spread quickly over the Internet — was "inspiring."
"It's about a 10-year process," he said. "I desire and hope I become a priest." In a way, he added, it's like "re-entering the minor leagues."
Desme's first two years in the minors were beset by shoulder and wrist problems. He said his days off the field gave him time to think about what was most important to him, to read and study the Bible and to talk to teammates about his faith.
In retrospect, he said, those injuries were "the biggest blessings God ever gave me."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The idea and use of “excommunication” continues to be widely misunderstood. Bishop Vasa recently gave a helpful explanation :
Bishop Robert Vasa of Baker Oregon via Lifesitenews.ccom
Using medical imagery, Vasa explains that just as it is not good for a doctor to allow a patient with diabetes to continue eating sugar, so also a bishop cannot let a Catholic who is in error remain so. It is the duty of the doctor to prescribe the proper medication and “accusing the doctor of being a tyrannical power monger would never cross anyone’s mind,” says Vasa.
“In fact, a doctor who told his diabetic patient that he could keep ingesting all the sugar he wanted without fear would be found grossly negligent and guilty of malpractice.
In the same way, bishops who recognize a serious spiritual malady and seek a prescription to remedy the error, after discussion and warning, may be required to simply state, ‘What you do and say is gravely wrong and puts you out of communion with the faith you claim to hold.’ ”
Further, Vasa also explains that excommunication guards the rest of the faithful from falling into the same error as the excommunicated. If a person is allowed to publicly dissent from the Catholic faith, Vasa says that other Catholics may become confused as to what the Church actually teaches.
-Bishop Vasa’s full column can be found here: http://www.sentinel.org/node/10596
Finally, this is so far out there as to be humorous:
John Paul II Attacker Wants to Team With Dan Brown
Agca to Be Released Monday; Interview and Book in Future
ROME, JAN. 13, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The man who shot Pope John Paul II in 1981 is set to be released Monday from a Turkish prison after serving almost 29 years. He said he has contacted the author of "The Da Vinci Code" for help in writing a book.
Agca has said once he is free he wants to do two things: visit John Paul II's tomb and write two books, including one about his life. For help with this second task, Agca reported that he has contacted Dan Brown, author of the bestselling science fiction work "The Da Vinci Code."
"I will proclaim the perfect Christianity that Vatican [sic] has never understood," Agca announced in a handwritten letter sent to The Sunday Times newspaper.
Agca's 29 years in prison resulted not only from his attempted assassination of the Pope, but also from having killed Abdi Ipekci, director of the Turkish newspaper Milliyet, in 1979.
God Bless you!
Phil Lawson For the latest info on St. Peter’s, check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com (You can also find old editions of the Areopagus here)
The Areopagus is a regular email for adults that includes various reflections, tidbits, news and events. Hope you find it fruitful!
If you would like to be added to this list, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com
On the other hand, if you would like to be removed, send an email to the same address indicating that.
I have written about the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist out of Ann Arbor, MI before. (Not least because my sister-in-law is a part of the Order ). Website here: http://www.sistersofmary.org/
This beautiful, young, and rapidly growing order is going to be featured on Oprah of all places next week Tuesday, Feb. 9th.
Here’s the email I received:
Please keep this in your prayers -- but on Feb. 9th, our 13th
anniversary as a community, we will be on the "Oprah Winfrey Show"!!
They were out here yesterday filming and 4 Sisters will be flown to
Chicago for the filming to be completed Thursday. So...if you
wish....you might decide to tune in on Feb. 9th -- and to PRAY that GOD
will be able to use these efforts, too, for His Greater Honor and Glory.
God bless us all....counting on your prayers, please!
in Jesus, Mary, and all our saints,
Sister!!
I’ll certainly be praying that this remarkable opportunity bears much fruit!
Phil’s Tidbits:
Here’s an inspiring story of Grant Desme—a top baseball prospect for the Oakland Athletics who is giving it up to enter the seminary. The Oakland Athletics, to their credit, are being completely supportive.
TOP BASEBALL PROSPECT RETIRES TO ENTER PRIESTHOOD
NEW YORK — As a top prospect for the Oakland Athletics, outfielder Grant Desme might've gotten the call every minor leaguer wants this spring.
Instead, he believed he had another, higher calling.
Desme announced Friday that he was leaving baseball to enter the priesthood, walking away after a breakout season in which he became MVP of the Arizona Fall League.
"I was doing well at ball. But I really had to get down to the bottom of things," the 23-year-old Desme said. "I wasn't at peace with where I was at."
A lifelong Catholic, Desme thought about becoming a priest for about a year and a half. He kept his path quiet within the sports world, and his plan to enter a seminary this summer startled the A's when he told them Thursday night.
General manager Billy Beane "was understanding and supportive," Desme said, but the decision "sort of knocked him off his horse." After the talk, Desme felt "a great amount of peace."
"I love the game, but I aspire to higher things," he said. "I know I have no regrets."
In a statement, Beane said: "We respect Grant's decision and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors."
Athletes and the priesthood have overlapped, albeit rarely.
Al Travers, who gave up 24 runs during a one-game career for a makeshift Detroit Tigers team in 1912, became a Catholic priest. More recently, Chase Hilgenbrinck of the New England Revolution left Major League Soccer in 2008 to enter a seminary.
Desme spoke on a conference call for about 10 minutes in a quiet, even tone, hardly sounding like many gung-ho, on-the-rise ballplayers. As for his success in the minors, he said "all of it is very undeserving."
The Athletics picked Desme in the second round of the 2007 amateur draft and he was starting to blossom. He was the only player in the entire minors with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases last season.
Desme batted .288 with 31 homers, 89 RBIs and 40 steals in 131 games at Class-A Kane County and high Class-A Stockton last year. He hit .315 with a league-leading 11 home runs and 27 RBIs in 27 games this fall in Arizona, a league filled with young talent.
Desme went into the AFL championship game well aware it might be the last time he ever played. "There was no sad feeling," he said. He homered and struck out twice, which "defines my career a bit."
The Big West Player of the Year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Desme was ranked as Oakland's No. 8 prospect by Baseball America. There was speculation the Athletics might invite Desme to big league spring training next month.
Rather, Desme intends to enter a seminary in Silverado, California, in August. He said abbey members didn't seem surprised someone who would "define myself as a baseball player" was changing his life so dramatically.
Desme said he didn't consider pursuing his spiritual studies while also trying to play ball. His family backed his decision and he said the positive reaction to his future goal — the surprising news spread quickly over the Internet — was "inspiring."
"It's about a 10-year process," he said. "I desire and hope I become a priest." In a way, he added, it's like "re-entering the minor leagues."
Desme's first two years in the minors were beset by shoulder and wrist problems. He said his days off the field gave him time to think about what was most important to him, to read and study the Bible and to talk to teammates about his faith.
In retrospect, he said, those injuries were "the biggest blessings God ever gave me."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The idea and use of “excommunication” continues to be widely misunderstood. Bishop Vasa recently gave a helpful explanation :
Bishop Robert Vasa of Baker Oregon via Lifesitenews.ccom
Using medical imagery, Vasa explains that just as it is not good for a doctor to allow a patient with diabetes to continue eating sugar, so also a bishop cannot let a Catholic who is in error remain so. It is the duty of the doctor to prescribe the proper medication and “accusing the doctor of being a tyrannical power monger would never cross anyone’s mind,” says Vasa.
“In fact, a doctor who told his diabetic patient that he could keep ingesting all the sugar he wanted without fear would be found grossly negligent and guilty of malpractice.
In the same way, bishops who recognize a serious spiritual malady and seek a prescription to remedy the error, after discussion and warning, may be required to simply state, ‘What you do and say is gravely wrong and puts you out of communion with the faith you claim to hold.’ ”
Further, Vasa also explains that excommunication guards the rest of the faithful from falling into the same error as the excommunicated. If a person is allowed to publicly dissent from the Catholic faith, Vasa says that other Catholics may become confused as to what the Church actually teaches.
-Bishop Vasa’s full column can be found here: http://www.sentinel.org/node/10596
Finally, this is so far out there as to be humorous:
John Paul II Attacker Wants to Team With Dan Brown
Agca to Be Released Monday; Interview and Book in Future
ROME, JAN. 13, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The man who shot Pope John Paul II in 1981 is set to be released Monday from a Turkish prison after serving almost 29 years. He said he has contacted the author of "The Da Vinci Code" for help in writing a book.
Agca has said once he is free he wants to do two things: visit John Paul II's tomb and write two books, including one about his life. For help with this second task, Agca reported that he has contacted Dan Brown, author of the bestselling science fiction work "The Da Vinci Code."
"I will proclaim the perfect Christianity that Vatican [sic] has never understood," Agca announced in a handwritten letter sent to The Sunday Times newspaper.
Agca's 29 years in prison resulted not only from his attempted assassination of the Pope, but also from having killed Abdi Ipekci, director of the Turkish newspaper Milliyet, in 1979.
God Bless you!
Phil Lawson For the latest info on St. Peter’s, check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com (You can also find old editions of the Areopagus here)
The Areopagus is a regular email for adults that includes various reflections, tidbits, news and events. Hope you find it fruitful!
If you would like to be added to this list, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com
On the other hand, if you would like to be removed, send an email to the same address indicating that.
Experiences from the March for Life 2010
posted by WebmasterTHE SERVANTS OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
PRESENT:
REFLECTIONS FROM THE MARCH FOR LIFE 2010
COME AND HEAR THE HIGHLIGHTS OF
SEVERAL ATTENDEES' EXPERIENCES OF
THE MARCH FOR LIFE!!
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2010
7PM AT ST PETER'S CHURCH
KOLBE HALL
ANY QUESTIONS CONTACT:
email: vitapretiosa(AT)gmail.com
PRESENT:
REFLECTIONS FROM THE MARCH FOR LIFE 2010
COME AND HEAR THE HIGHLIGHTS OF
SEVERAL ATTENDEES' EXPERIENCES OF
THE MARCH FOR LIFE!!
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2010
7PM AT ST PETER'S CHURCH
KOLBE HALL
ANY QUESTIONS CONTACT:
email: vitapretiosa(AT)gmail.com
Pro-life Speaker Patrick O'Donnell coming January 16
posted by Webmaster
THE SERVANTS OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
PRESENT…..
PATRICK O’DONNELL
(PRO-LIFE SPEAKER)
The Pro-Life Challenge:
“Re-Warming Love Grown Cold”
• The Global Challenge
• The Post-Abortive Healing-Christ Rises Again
• The Preborn Christ-Making It Personal
Time: 9AM
Date: SATURDAY, JANUARY 16 (AFTER 8 AM MASS)
Location: KOLBE HALL (St. Peter Church basement)
FREE SNACKS!
(PLEASE PASS ON TO YOUR PRO-LIFE FRIENDS)
PRESENT…..
PATRICK O’DONNELL
(PRO-LIFE SPEAKER)
The Pro-Life Challenge:
“Re-Warming Love Grown Cold”
• The Global Challenge
• The Post-Abortive Healing-Christ Rises Again
• The Preborn Christ-Making It Personal
Time: 9AM
Date: SATURDAY, JANUARY 16 (AFTER 8 AM MASS)
Location: KOLBE HALL (St. Peter Church basement)
FREE SNACKS!
(PLEASE PASS ON TO YOUR PRO-LIFE FRIENDS)
The Areopagus 12-21-09
posted by Phil Lawson
12-21-09
Over the weekend, the Vatican announced that our late and beloved Pope John Paul II had been declared “venerable.” In layman’s terms this means that those charged with investigating his life—as a part of a process likely leading to his being declared a saint—have determined that he lived a life of “heroic virtue.” The next step is investigating the various miraculous claims associated with his intervention---which may or may not have already occurred. If a miracle is substantiated, then he will be declared “Blessed” and beatified. The final step after that is the process of canonization—or sainthood. Got all that?
Either way, it’s an exciting process, especially for those, myself included, who are called the “JPII Generation”-having grown up with his as our Holy Father.
I remember years ago being at the Golda Meir Library at UW-Milwaukee one day and stumbling upon a traveling exhibit to the life of John Paul II. This was probably around 1998. I remember being very impressed with this man’s life—growing up during WWII, living under Communism, working with the Solidarity Movement in Poland, the assassination attempt on him, his background as a poet, playwright, and actor…the list goes on and on. Seeing that exhibit, was another step on my journey back to Catholicism. The influence he had while tied to this earthly world continues from Heaven.
Phil’s Tidbits:
Sports Illustrated recently published a photo of a man, Kevin Fast, pulling a 208-ton CC-177 Globemaster III transport plane. He pulled the plane 28’ 10 ½ “ to set a Guinness World Record. Even more impressive? He’s an ordained Lutheran Minister in Ontario. I suspect he has some “powerful” sermons…maybe?
I admit to not being overly familiar with actor Jeff Bridges—but I came across an interview with him in the Wall Street Journal with this delightful quote:
Interviewer: You’ve been married to the same woman for 32 years. Rule No. 1 for staying together in Hollywood?
Bridges: Don’t get a divorce. That will keep you together, you know.
What more needs to be said?
http://www.inforumblog.com/?p=2684
This website chronicles an increasing number of attacks on Christian Churches around the world—and not just in Africa and the Middle East—but including one in New York.
A Christmas message from the Pope to a gathering of children (and a glimpse into his own tender heart):
Pontiff to Children: Approach Christ Without Fear
Tells Them That Jesus Is Glad to Hear From Them
VATICAN CITY, DEC. 20, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI encouraged the youth of Italian Catholic Action to not be shy about approaching Christ, as he is very interested in hearing from them.
The Pope affirmed this today in a traditional Christmas meeting with a delegation of the youth organization, urging them to take as a role model the biblical figure of Zacchaeus, "the man who meets the Lord and welcomes him with joy."
"You too are a little like Zacchaeus, who climbed a tree because he wanted to see Jesus," the Holy Father said. "But the Lord, looking up, noticed him immediately, in the midst of the crowd.
"Jesus sees you and hears you even though you are little, even if the grown-ups do not take account of you as you would like."
"Always imitate the example of Zacchaeus," Benedict XVI continued, "who immediately came down from the tree, full of joy he welcomed him into his house and did not cease to celebrate him!"
The Pope spoke to the children of Jesus as a friend who "comes to meet you and calls you!"
"He is the Son of God, he is the Lord whom you see every day in the images in churches, along the street, in houses. He speaks to you always of the love that is 'greater,' able to give itself without limit, to bring peace and forgiveness," the Pontiff added.
"Only Jesus' presence in your lives gives complete joy, because he is able to make everything always new and beautiful," the Holy Father said. "He never forgets you."
This seems like a fitting way to conclude the last Areopagus prior to Christmas. Peg Hammill is the director of Pro Life Wisconsin—I have been blessed to know and be inspired by her for quite a few years now. She recently penned this beautiful tribute to her Mom.
Reflection on motherhood
Jane O’Brien of Oconomowoc, mother of Pro-Life Wisconsin state director Peggy Hamill, passed away Dec. 11 at the age of 91. Jane was one of Pro-Life Wisconsin’s most loyal supporters. In 1999, Peggy had the following reflection published in a number of newspapers. In memory of her mother and in honor of all mothers, especially the mother of the Christ Child, Peggy would like to share it with you. Memorials to Pro-Life Wisconsin, Gifts for Life, are gratefully appreciated. To make an online Gift for Life donation, click here.
Reflection on Motherhood
How often have I heard my mother say, “Don’t worry. The Lord will provide.” Her life has been a living out of this belief. The Gospel of Life has been a way of life for her. This gospel proclaims that life is sacred from the moment of conception to natural death. If we humbly subject ourselves to the will of our Heavenly Father, we will be provided for. Mom never refused this gift of life; always trusting in God. According to God’s plan, she and my dad were blessed with 11 children.
What a contrast this is to today’s prevailing feminist mindset. These people aggressively promote contraception, sterilization and abortion as liberating and empowering to women. They mock and pity women who are “burdened” with one or more children. Tragically, their false enlightenment has led many women into darkness.
I praise God for the empowering faith example of my mother. I thank the Lord for mercifully protecting me from falling into the bondage of contraception.
What a privilege it has been for my husband and me to welcome 10 miracles into the world. We look forward to a heavenly meeting with the 11th child we lost through miscarriage. All of our children have enriched our lives so much. We are so proud of each and every one of them. Motherhood is a wonderful opportunity to experience the awesome providence of God. The word of the Lord says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33.
To all mothers and mothers-to-be: Don’t worry. The Lord will provide if you follow His will and fully trust in Him. I know; my Mom told me so.
God Bless you! Phil Lawson For the latest info on St. Peter’s, check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com (You can also find old editions of the Areopagus here)
The Areopagus is a regular email for adults that includes various reflections, tidbits, news and events. Hope you find it fruitful!
If you would like to be added to this list, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com
On the other hand, if you would like to be removed, send an email to the same address indicating that.
Merry Christmas & God Bless you! Phil Lawson For the latest info on St. Peter’s, check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com (You can also find old editions of the Areopagus here)
The Areopagus is a regular email for adults that includes various reflections, tidbits, news and events. Hope you find it fruitful!
If you would like to be added to this list, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com
On the other hand, if you would like to be removed, send an email to the same address indicating that.
Over the weekend, the Vatican announced that our late and beloved Pope John Paul II had been declared “venerable.” In layman’s terms this means that those charged with investigating his life—as a part of a process likely leading to his being declared a saint—have determined that he lived a life of “heroic virtue.” The next step is investigating the various miraculous claims associated with his intervention---which may or may not have already occurred. If a miracle is substantiated, then he will be declared “Blessed” and beatified. The final step after that is the process of canonization—or sainthood. Got all that?
Either way, it’s an exciting process, especially for those, myself included, who are called the “JPII Generation”-having grown up with his as our Holy Father.
I remember years ago being at the Golda Meir Library at UW-Milwaukee one day and stumbling upon a traveling exhibit to the life of John Paul II. This was probably around 1998. I remember being very impressed with this man’s life—growing up during WWII, living under Communism, working with the Solidarity Movement in Poland, the assassination attempt on him, his background as a poet, playwright, and actor…the list goes on and on. Seeing that exhibit, was another step on my journey back to Catholicism. The influence he had while tied to this earthly world continues from Heaven.
Phil’s Tidbits:
Sports Illustrated recently published a photo of a man, Kevin Fast, pulling a 208-ton CC-177 Globemaster III transport plane. He pulled the plane 28’ 10 ½ “ to set a Guinness World Record. Even more impressive? He’s an ordained Lutheran Minister in Ontario. I suspect he has some “powerful” sermons…maybe?
I admit to not being overly familiar with actor Jeff Bridges—but I came across an interview with him in the Wall Street Journal with this delightful quote:
Interviewer: You’ve been married to the same woman for 32 years. Rule No. 1 for staying together in Hollywood?
Bridges: Don’t get a divorce. That will keep you together, you know.
What more needs to be said?
http://www.inforumblog.com/?p=2684
This website chronicles an increasing number of attacks on Christian Churches around the world—and not just in Africa and the Middle East—but including one in New York.
A Christmas message from the Pope to a gathering of children (and a glimpse into his own tender heart):
Pontiff to Children: Approach Christ Without Fear
Tells Them That Jesus Is Glad to Hear From Them
VATICAN CITY, DEC. 20, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI encouraged the youth of Italian Catholic Action to not be shy about approaching Christ, as he is very interested in hearing from them.
The Pope affirmed this today in a traditional Christmas meeting with a delegation of the youth organization, urging them to take as a role model the biblical figure of Zacchaeus, "the man who meets the Lord and welcomes him with joy."
"You too are a little like Zacchaeus, who climbed a tree because he wanted to see Jesus," the Holy Father said. "But the Lord, looking up, noticed him immediately, in the midst of the crowd.
"Jesus sees you and hears you even though you are little, even if the grown-ups do not take account of you as you would like."
"Always imitate the example of Zacchaeus," Benedict XVI continued, "who immediately came down from the tree, full of joy he welcomed him into his house and did not cease to celebrate him!"
The Pope spoke to the children of Jesus as a friend who "comes to meet you and calls you!"
"He is the Son of God, he is the Lord whom you see every day in the images in churches, along the street, in houses. He speaks to you always of the love that is 'greater,' able to give itself without limit, to bring peace and forgiveness," the Pontiff added.
"Only Jesus' presence in your lives gives complete joy, because he is able to make everything always new and beautiful," the Holy Father said. "He never forgets you."
This seems like a fitting way to conclude the last Areopagus prior to Christmas. Peg Hammill is the director of Pro Life Wisconsin—I have been blessed to know and be inspired by her for quite a few years now. She recently penned this beautiful tribute to her Mom.
Reflection on motherhood
Jane O’Brien of Oconomowoc, mother of Pro-Life Wisconsin state director Peggy Hamill, passed away Dec. 11 at the age of 91. Jane was one of Pro-Life Wisconsin’s most loyal supporters. In 1999, Peggy had the following reflection published in a number of newspapers. In memory of her mother and in honor of all mothers, especially the mother of the Christ Child, Peggy would like to share it with you. Memorials to Pro-Life Wisconsin, Gifts for Life, are gratefully appreciated. To make an online Gift for Life donation, click here.
Reflection on Motherhood
How often have I heard my mother say, “Don’t worry. The Lord will provide.” Her life has been a living out of this belief. The Gospel of Life has been a way of life for her. This gospel proclaims that life is sacred from the moment of conception to natural death. If we humbly subject ourselves to the will of our Heavenly Father, we will be provided for. Mom never refused this gift of life; always trusting in God. According to God’s plan, she and my dad were blessed with 11 children.
What a contrast this is to today’s prevailing feminist mindset. These people aggressively promote contraception, sterilization and abortion as liberating and empowering to women. They mock and pity women who are “burdened” with one or more children. Tragically, their false enlightenment has led many women into darkness.
I praise God for the empowering faith example of my mother. I thank the Lord for mercifully protecting me from falling into the bondage of contraception.
What a privilege it has been for my husband and me to welcome 10 miracles into the world. We look forward to a heavenly meeting with the 11th child we lost through miscarriage. All of our children have enriched our lives so much. We are so proud of each and every one of them. Motherhood is a wonderful opportunity to experience the awesome providence of God. The word of the Lord says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33.
To all mothers and mothers-to-be: Don’t worry. The Lord will provide if you follow His will and fully trust in Him. I know; my Mom told me so.
God Bless you! Phil Lawson For the latest info on St. Peter’s, check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com (You can also find old editions of the Areopagus here)
The Areopagus is a regular email for adults that includes various reflections, tidbits, news and events. Hope you find it fruitful!
If you would like to be added to this list, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com
On the other hand, if you would like to be removed, send an email to the same address indicating that.
Merry Christmas & God Bless you! Phil Lawson For the latest info on St. Peter’s, check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com (You can also find old editions of the Areopagus here)
The Areopagus is a regular email for adults that includes various reflections, tidbits, news and events. Hope you find it fruitful!
If you would like to be added to this list, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com
On the other hand, if you would like to be removed, send an email to the same address indicating that.
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