Among Women 135 takes a look ata new book, Catholic Family Fun, from Catholic wife and mom, author-blogger, Sarah Reinhard. Together we share fun memories of growing up, and ways to keep families bonded together using the glue of fun! It's all part of the conversation we had as we take ideas from her new book and head into the summer months. Plus enter a special free drawing for this book! (Send in your name to via the contact details below.)
Among Women Special Edition: on Joy! Send Pat your reflections on what gives you joy, or where you find joy... for a future edition of the Among Women Podcast later this summer. Contact Pat at pat.gohn@comcast.net or find AW on facebook.
Finally, listen to this new podcast as Pat announces her book project that will be of special interest to the AW listening audience.
Like a World Youth Day for families, you can get more details here. The Pope celebrate Mass in Milan on June 3. Some catechesis for families found here.
Prevent me, Lord, from confounding The mystery of you life in me With willful self-mastery. May my gentleness not be a facade; May it flow froth from my inmost center Where you reign supreme. Save me from becoming A proud paradigm Of perfect self-control, A worshiper Of poise and self-possession. Save me from pressure Of exalted ideals That deny my humanness Let my soul not be maimed By perverted gentility Grant me the gift to pray With a contrite heart And be saved daily From the deception Of pious fantasies.
15 Years and Silent No More By Kat Fernandez at The Crescat Powerful, poignant, memoir of another woman who regrets abortion.
The Norm of Co-Habitation By Bernard Toutounji at Mercator.net A look at this phenomenon and how not to co-habitate strengthens a relationship prior to marriage.
Sibling Revelry By Rachel Balducci at Faith and Family A great perspective on the gift of siblings through the years.
Career vs Baby Making Posted by Julie Robison at A Corner with a View An 8-min. video on the "window" of having one's own children... The video is not by Julie herself, but another woman. However, if you'd like to hear Julie, check her out on AW 132 and 133 with "The Bright Maidens."
The Great Pentecost Mass Check-In By Lisa Hendey at Catholic Mom. com A fun and easy way to talk up Sunday's Mass for Pentecost. And while you're at Catholic Mom, admire the new website upgrade.
Check out my latest column on Patheos at A Word in Season, where the word is evangelization, and where I'm talking about what the heart of the new evangelization must be in us.
Here's a snip...
The heart of the new evangelization is not the Year of Faith, or the forthcoming Synod, or the next great pope, or the next great book, or parish program, or even all new Catholic media on the internet or the broadcast bands or in film.
No. The heart of the new evangelization is an actual beating heart.
It is the heart of Jesus that burns with love for us.
And it is our hearts that yearn to be one with his.
The heart of the new evangelization is about a Person, the Person of Jesus Christ, and our encounter—our living encounter—with him.
Everything starts there, and everything must flow back there.
O Lord my God, Teach my heart this day where and how to see you, Where and how to find you. You have made me and remade me, And you have bestowed on me All the good things I possess, And still I do not know you. I have not yet done that For which I was made. Teach me to seek you, For I cannot seek you Unless you teach me, Or find you Unless you show yourself to me. Let me seek you in my desire, Let me desire you in my seeking. Let me find you by loving you, Let me love you when I find you.
-- Saint Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, theologian, philosopher, monk, Doctor of the Church (d. 1109).
Live the Law of the Gift By Kathryn Lopez at K-Lo at Large at Patheos A highly excerpted review of Cardinal Timothy Dolan's Commencement Address last weekend at Catholic University of American in Washington, DC. Very good.
Love Both Conditional and Unconditional By Father Robert Barron at Word on Fire This is an audio podcast version of Fr. Barron's amazing sermon from last Sunday. Do listen. Consider subscribing to the podcast he puts out every week. It will really boost your faith.
The Face of Attachment Parenting By Elizabeth Foss at her Real Learning blog The best response by far to the TIME magazine cover that caused a stir with an full frontal photo of a mother nursing an older toddler. Elizabeth is one of the wisest women in the mothering circles. One day I hope to meet her in person to thank her for all I've "read" of her for years. I did have the delight of talking to her, together with Danielle Bean, for this AW podcast a while back.
Congrats to our middle child, our daughter Katie, who graduates from Boston University, magna cum laude, with double majors in history and political science.
The Right Choice Video Makes Waves on Facebook By Rebecca Downs at Live Action News Here is a short post and 7 minute video about an amazing young mother, and her heartbreakingly beautiful love for her disabled son.
Reflecting on Last Week By Mark Shea at Catholic and Enjoying It Don't let the title of this post fool you. Mark talks about his thoughts and reasons behind his compassionate stance toward gays and lesbians in light of church teaching, after considerable fuss was made over his previous post memorializing a very accomplished Catholic Christian man who happened to be gay.
The Heartburn of Sex By Joanne McPortland at egregious twaddle While Mark and Katrina are on the subject... yet another thought-provoking missive...
Warning: This from the sad-but-true department. The epitome of evil, human remains in pill form, likely from aborted babies. Sorry to link to something so chilling, but Catholics who respect life need to know the depths of these depravities so we can argue for true human dignity.
Among Women 134 features the powerful songs and testimony of Sarah Hart. In a joyful departure from our normal format, I'm delighted to welcome Sarah Hart to Among Women. In this episode, Sarah shares the stories behind some of her songs (and some of my favorites)... from her Grammy-nominated "Better Than A Hallelujah" to "Wonderfully Made" to "Prayer for This House," and more.
Together we share the concerns often found on a woman's heart, as we explore themes of faith, life and death, the feminine genius, family, and prayer. Sarah shares her heart not only in concerts as a singer and songwriter, but as beautiful wife, mother, and evangelist with a passion for women's ministry. Don't miss this one! Find Sarah Hart's music on iTunes.
[Mary] is the “blessed among women” (Lk 1:42) – in the words of Saint Elizabeth’s greeting. Her whole life was spent in the light of the Lord, within the radius of his name and of the face of God incarnate in Jesus, the “blessed fruit of her womb”. This is how Luke’s Gospel presents her to us: fully intent upon guarding and meditating in her heart upon everything concerning her son Jesus (cf. Lk 2:19, 51). The mystery of her divine motherhood that we celebrate today contains in superabundant measure the gift of grace that all human motherhood bears within it, so much so that the fruitfulness of the womb has always been associated with God’s blessing. The Mother of God is the first of the blessed, and it is she who bears the blessing; she is the woman who received Jesus into herself and brought him forth for the whole human family. In the words of the liturgy: “without losing the glory of virginity, [she] brought forth into the world the eternal light, Jesus Christ our Lord” (Preface I of the Blessed Virgin Mary).
Mary is the mother and model of the Church, who receives the divine Word in faith and offers herself to God as the “good soil” in which he can continue to accomplish his mystery of salvation. The Church also participates in the mystery of divine motherhood, through preaching, which sows the seed of the Gospel throughout the world, and through the sacraments, which communicate grace and divine life to men. The Church exercises her motherhood especially in the sacrament of Baptism, when she generates God’s children from water and the Holy Spirit, who cries out in each of them: “Abba, Father!” (Gal 4:6). Like Mary, the Church is the mediator of God’s blessing for the world: she receives it in receiving Jesus and she transmits it in bearing Jesus. He is the mercy and the peace that the world, of itself, cannot give, and which it needs always, at least as much as bread.
--Benedict XVI, Homily, Solemnity of Mary, Jan. 1, 2005.
Today I remembered that I’m am still afraid sometimes. It starts somewhere
in the minutes I’m asked to disrobe, and I find my way into a one-size-fits-none
hospital gown. I consider it fortunate that the radiology unit is running on
time today and I don’t have to spend additional time waiting my turn in the
queue. I timed my arrival perfectly despite the long haul in 40 minutes of
traffic. I’m glad things are on schedule.
My nerves don’t betray me yet as I endure the chit-chatty nurse
putting the I.V. into my left arm. I show her which vein works best, because after
years of the jab you just know. Then she guides me to the lab that houses the MRI
machine, its tubular structure reminding me of a small escape pod tethered to
an indoor space ship. But there’s no escape for me as I’m introduced to another
radiology technician who helps prepare to me to slide into the tube for my
latest internal photo-shoot.
I try to practice my relaxation techniques… breathing
deeply, visualization, and prayer.
I’m never just there for a routine screening. Of course,
that’s not what I’d tell you if you asked me why I was there. Yeah, I get these all the time. I know the drill.
But, really, this is never a routine.
If you’re in the MRI tube, they are scanning you for something. In my case, they are looking
for breast cancer, or any of its evil cousins… even if they just call this a
follow-up visit for a sixteen-year survivor.
I lay face down into open headrest, and try to imagine the
posture as one where I am about to get a massage. Yet all that fades away as soon as my sternum rests on the chilled
solid frame that suspends me over the imaging platform.
I temporarily find it harder to breath and renew my effort to concentrate on being relaxed. This as I’m tucked in on
all sides, and handed the “emergency call button”, in case I should have an emergency
while I’m in the tube… a polite reference to panic attacks. Thanks for the
reminder. Yes, over the years I’ve had a few, always in relation to this one
recurring theme. I know that life can change with one lab report, one failed
test, or one questionable exam.
It began for me on May 5, 1996 when I found a lump first
thing in the morning while showering. I knew the minute my fingers traced it that
I, no, we – our whole family -- would be in for a long haul.
Don’t move, the
tech tells me, as she exits to start the imaging series… lie still.
I am lying here… still.
The conveyor hauls me into the tube and the slowest fifty
minutes of isolation I can bear commences. My heartbeat pulsates my throat… I
try push it away as I deliberately pray…
In the name of the
Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit…
I keep thinking of that quote from American actress Dorothy
Bernard: “Courage is fear that has said its prayers.” The only up side to this
diagnostic haul is that I am forced to do nothing else than suspend my will and
submit to prayer…
Hail Mary, full of
grace, the Lord is with thee…
It occurs to me that for the last 5,840 days I’ve been hauling
in graces in from heaven, thanks to the fervent prayers of people too numerous
to name. The first prayers were from my husband the morning I came back into
bed with the news about what I discovered in the shower. He went into protective mode, and the first thing he did as he sensed my fear was prayed aloud into my ear as he held me tight. Grace flooded
the room.
Blessed are thou among
women…
Weeks flew by as spring yielded to summer and by June
biopsies and surgeries were scheduled. The news went out to my family out of
state. They took turns staying with us to keep the house from falling to pieces,
to keep the kids going strong, and to provide sanity amidst less than normal.
Not only that, I think they contacted every prayer chain on the east coast.
One by one the prayers went up, from near and far. Rings
around the rosary, as I went from surgery to surgery… The graces continued to
pour in thanks to the prayers and help from my friends from the local church.
So many pleading voices petitioning heaven, pulling down graces on another’s
behalf… how can I ever repay them?
Holy Mary, Mother of
God, pray for us sinners….
I try to offer up this one claustrophobic morning in the
tube for the needy ones, even as I beg for a few small graces to quiet my racing thoughts. Years later, even today, I am still comforted by the presence that comes from others’
prayers. I know loved ones are praying for me this morning, including one who
sent a text message complete with a silly hand-drawn picture that got me
giggling minutes before I entered the lab.
Now and at the hour of
our death…
Every little prayer counts, God can even use my little
distracted mutterings lifted heavenward amidst this noisy MRI booth. I hate being
reminded that cancer is a loathsome specter lurking in places I cannot see. But
even distracted prayer is prayer, and God is everywhere whether I'm luxuriating at the seaside where I breathe freely, or squished in confining spaces
like an MRI tube with my crowded, fearful imagination.
Amen.
Finally, I feel the tightening leave my chest… The slow
cadence of the rosary lowers my heart rate a bit. Slowly my fear is replaced
by trust. I close my eyes counting the prayers on my fingers. The machine’s
magnet whirs louder than a jackhammer. Even through the earplugs, it jars me
awake, and alive. In the past, fear
has stolen many moments from me, and even whole days, when I have let it.
There is nothing to fear right now. Jesus is with me. I'm not relinquishing this day.
Glory be to the Father
and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit…
Finally it’s over. The staff releases me from the chute and
my feet find the floor. Relief doesn’t even begin to describe my feelings as I change
back into my street clothes and find a quick bite at the cafeteria. I pass the window of the hospital gift shop on the way out to the car, and spy a little coffee mug I
might suggest to my now-grown kiddos for Mother’s Day. I marvel that after my
fearful moments in the radiology department, I can find amusement, even joy, in such silly diversions.
As it was in the
beginning, is now and every shall be…
Graces for the long haul come in many manifestations…
prayers … check ups… supportive family and friends… even goofy texts and
silly window-shopping…
I may be claustrophobic and a fraidy cat when it comes to
MRIs and cancer, but my bigger fear is wasting all this somehow, or missing the
blessing of the days I’ve been given.
World without end.
Amen.
I’m a little choked up as I realize this as I take to the
highway for the long haul home.
Sixteen years. Sweet Sixteen. They have truly been sweet
years, especially with Bob and my children -- all three of them well on their way now – another set to graduate from college in a couple
weeks.
Lord, let me not waste
the graces you’ve in invested in me.
I no sooner give thanks to God for bringing me through this long haul of a day, and through a medical history that, at times, tries my weak soul, when this song comes on the radio on my drive home. (You'd almost think God orchestrated this timing now, wouldn't you?)
I turn it up, and sing at the
top of my lungs... remembering that no one is immune from suffering, everyone's got stuff they struggle through. And grace isn't given just for days like these, but for the long haul home to heaven.
Credo: Mary Eberstadt By Liz Essley at Washington Examiner Mary Eberstadt briefly gives a history lesson on why women are not as happy as they once were, a premise from her new book Adam and Eve After the Pill.
By Jennifer Fulwiler at National Catholic Register
So good to hear clear voices in the pro-life cause.
How to Plan a May Crowning for Kids By Lacy Robideau at Catholic Icing Great activity! Every Catholic child should have a memory of a May crowning in their life.
If You've Been Looking for a Sign By Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience Christian author Ann Voskamp talks grace, graffiti, gifts.
The Endearing Name of Mommy By Susan Terbay at Catholic Mom Oh. Wow. This is so me... the Mom of young adults looking back on the Mommy years.
A Rose for My Mother By Bishop Libasci of Manchester, NH Funny, sweet, and serious memoir and tribute to the Blessed Mother. (Elsewhere, I'm doing some talking of my own about Mary and the Hail Mary here, and about my varied nicknames for Mary here.)
Tweens Secret Lives Online By Katherine Rossman at the Wall Street Journal Got tweens? Teens? Pre-tweens? Don't miss this.
Legal Scholar Helen Alvare gives a great talk on Religious Freedom and Sexual Liberation. I highly recommend your listening and digesting this content. Please share this video link with others.
And finally, one of the coolest events in the Archdiocese of Boston every year that is touching our young adults...
I'm an avid bird watcher, not that I go to meetings or anything, but I love feeding the wild birds that come to our yard, and my Hubby and I are always drawn to go see the bald eagles that nest in our region in the dead of winter. So, this video fascinated the birder in me. Disclaimer: this is a schmaltzy production video that is ultimately a pitch for an Alaska vacation. But the unexpected capturing of humming birds coming close enough to feed off of a human's hands was worth enduring it. Just that shot that you see below is worth it.
I'm a happy contributor to the on-going series that is examining the HailMary, word by word. My assignment from the lovely and prolific Miss Sarah was "fruit". Head on over there!
I am a Catholic wife and mother of 3 young adults. I write about Catholic subject matter here and on numerous Catholic websites elsewhere. I love sharing my enthusiasm for the riches of our faith in person in parishes, at conferences, or on retreat.
I have a Masters in Theology but I remain forever a student at heart, for the more I know, the more I realize I have so much more to know!
Come follow my writing and speaking journey and my Among Women podcast both here and at PatGohn.com.
