There is Hope

This past week I was honored to be a guest on “Setting Things Right” on Immaculate Heart Radio to discuss the undercover videos exposing Planned Parenthood’s barbaric practice of selling body parts of aborted babies.  One issue discussed was whether we should even be talking about the videos as they might be re-victimizing those who have had or participated in an abortion. 

Granted, the content of the videos is deplorable.  I am sure, based on my own reactions, they are re-traumatizing those who have attended post-abortion healing and bringing stuffed emotions to the surface from those who have not.  However, the purpose is life-saving.  Exposing Planned Parenthood for who and what they are is necessary to end the barbarity once and for all, and it will also guide those now struggling with the pain, remorse and regret towards healing and hope.

Along with the Planned Parenthood discussion, there were two other guests on the show: Incredibly courageous angels of mercy - Jacqueline Isaac and Dr. Yvette Isaac of Roads of Success.

Their non-profit organization empowers girls and women in the Middle East who have suffered the barbaric actions of ISIS (enslavement, torture and rape).  It also deals with other human rights controversies including female genital mutilation, child marriage, women’s rights, spousal abuse, discrimination, lack of higher education and health issues, such as eating disorders, hunger and malnutrition, sanitation, disabilities, childbirth, child rearing, sex slavery and disease such as HIV/AIDS. 

God entrusted them with this mission of hope and they could definitely use help reaching out to those in need.  Click HERE for information on their organization and how you can help. 

With Kent Peters, Jacqueline Issac and Dr. Yvette Issac at
the St. Francis de Salles studio.



Listen to the broadcast HERE

Thank you Kent Peters - Director,  Linda Arreola - Asst. Director, Deacon Jim Walsh and Maria Valencia - Administrative Asst.  of the Office of Social Ministry and Immaculate Heart Radio's "Setting Things Right" for bringing truth, hope, and the love of God to so many. 

With Heavy Heart - My Thoughts on the Latest Expose' on Planned Parenthood

My heart has been heavy since the release of the undercover video of Dr. Deborah Nucatola of Planned Parenthood discussing the harvesting of body parts of aborted babies.  She went into morbid detail while munching on a salad and drinking a glass of wine. 

Being post-abortive, this latest atrocity not only broke my heart, but I was also shrouded once again with overwhelming regret over my decision to abort so many years ago.  The nightmares have returned with graphic reenactments of the details Dr. Nucatola so dispassionately divulged between bites of lettuce. 

How many other post-abortive women are going through the same despair?  Yes, I’ve been through a healing program, in fact, I am a facilitator of one and thank God I have the tools that will, in time, help me get through this latest crisis.  But what about those who have not yet reached out for help dealing with their regret?  I can only imagine the heart-wrenching anguish they must be experiencing.

The only positive that came out of Dr. Nucatola’s callous lunch conversation was the affirmation that abortion does destroy life.  She speaks of muscles and organs, all parts of a human being (e.g. “A lot of people want intact hearts these days.”).  I pray those comments sear the truth into the hearts of pro-aborts and end this barbarity once and for all. 

For the women who have had an abortion … or for anyone involved in the decision:

Be assured there is light at the top of the dark abyss of pain, shame and regret.  There is hope, there is healing.  We can’t turn back the hands of time, but we can move forward with the love and mercy of God and support of others that have walked the same path.  You are not alone…

 

There are many healing resources available in the U.S. and internationally.  Silent No More Awareness provides a list of resources at: http://www.silentnomoreawareness.org/search/index.aspx

 
 

It's All in the Family

Our priest gives wonderful homilies, but one in particular I wanted to share.  I'm not as eloquent as Father Fernando, but this was the message I heard:







A father teaches a child the tools of his trade so when he is gone, his business will continue to thrive. That child takes that endowment and strives to make his father proud, and the business grows. That child does the same for his son ... and so it goes from generation to generation.

Our Heavenly Father did the same with his disciples as proclaimed in Matthew 28:16-20. "The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

So when we walk out the door today for work, shopping, etc., remember we are all part of a family business, His business.  Let's teach the tools of His trade ... Love, Mercy and Compassion ... to build a better world today and for future generations ... Let's make Him proud.

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

That Explains It!

 

I recently received some ancestry information pertaining to the maternal side of the family.  I only had a vague awareness of the Morse family history and was surprised at a few similarities: 

·        My great-great-great grandparents came to the U.S. from England.  I too came to the U.S. from England.  I was born in Wimpole Park.

·        My great-great –great grandfather was the brother of Jedediah Morse, father to Samuel F.B. Morse (Inventor of the telegraph – Morse Code).  No wonder I’m such a chatterbox!

·        My great-great grandfather (Ahira) and his wife Ann were Catholic.  Through the years, many of the Catholic Morse Clan converted to Protestantism.  I was raised Protestant and converted to Catholicism in 2006.

·        My great-great grandmother (Ann) smoked a pipe.  I smoked a pipe in college – not pot mind you, regular pipe tobacco…always the rebel!

·        My great-grandfather (Samuel) married Amanda Jane Dunbar (I was named after her – Patricia Jane). Amanda was the only child of eight that survived into adulthood.  I too struggled to survive into adulthood due to a plethora of health issues … made of strong stock!

 Some other interesting facts from my mother’s side of the family:

 

        *  Our ancestors have been traced back to the Gauls of France.

 

        *  My great-great-great grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War under George

           Washington.

 

        *   My great-great grandfather (Ahira) fought in the war of 1812.

 

        *   My great-grandfather (Samuel) settled in the Washington Territory and became friends

             with Chief Joseph, Chief Lawyer and Chief Looking Glass - all of the Nez Perce Tribe.

 

        *   My grandmother, Nellie Morse Davis, was a matron at the Washington State Penitentiary.