Among Women ReadHER 5.26.12 Pentecost check in, Catholic lawsuits, Sibs, Silent no more...

Among Women ReadHER

5.25.12

Why We are Fighting (and Filing): Setting the Record Straight
By Emily Stimpson at CatholicVote.org
Reminders about the HHS Mandate fight and the Catholic institutions that are taking up the charge in court.


Cardinal Dolan of NY, Cardinal Wuerl of DC, and 40 Other Catholic Institutions Sue Obama Administration 
Posted at CNSnew.com
This is almost old news, but read it in case you've been out of touch this week.


Surprise! MSM Ignoring Catholic Lawsuits Against the Government
By Elizabeth Scalia, The Anchoress
A more recent take on the subject above.


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.


Simcha Fisher this week with a two-part knock-out punch (um, in a good way.)
Over at her blog at National Catholic Register...
Part 1: Is This What Abstinence-Only Education Looks Like?
Part 2: What SHOULD We Tell Our Kids about Sex

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.

This makes me think... about how women can transform the culture...

In transforming culture so that it supports life, women occupy a place, in thought and action, which is unique and decisive. It depends on them to promote a "new feminism" which rejects the temptation of imitating models of "male domination", in order to acknowledge and affirm the true genius of women in every aspect of the life of society, and overcome all discrimination, violence and exploitation.

Making my own the words of the concluding message of the Second Vatican Council, I address to women this urgent appeal: "Reconcile people with life".You are called to bear witness to the meaning of genuine love, of that gift of self and of that acceptance of others which are present in a special way in the relationship of husband and wife, but which ought also to be at the heart of every other interpersonal relationship. The experience of motherhood makes you acutely aware of the other person and, at the same time, confers on you a particular task: "Motherhood involves a special communion with the mystery of life, as it develops in the woman's womb ... This unique contact with the new human being developing within her gives rise to an attitude towards human beings not only towards her own child, but every human being, which profoundly marks the woman's personality". A mother welcomes and carries in herself another human being, enabling it to grow inside her, giving it room, respecting it in its otherness. Women first learn and then teach others that human relations are authentic if they are open to accepting the other person: a person who is recognized and loved because of the dignity which comes from being a person and not from other considerations, such as usefulness, strength, intelligence, beauty or health. This is the fundamental contribution which the Church and humanity expect from women. And it is the indispensable prerequisite for an authentic cultural change.

I would now like to say a special word to women who have had an abortion. The Church is aware of the many factors which may have influenced your decision, and she does not doubt that in many cases it was a painful and even shattering decision. The wound in your heart may not yet have healed. Certainly what happened was and remains terribly wrong. But do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope. Try rather to understand what happened and face it honestly. If you have not already done so, give yourselves over with humility and trust to repentance. The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To the same Father and his mercy you can with sure hope entrust your child. With the friendly and expert help and advice of other people, and as a result of your own painful experience, you can be among the most eloquent defenders of everyone's right to life. Through your commitment to life, whether by accepting the birth of other children or by welcoming and caring for those most in need of someone to be close to them, you will become promoters of a new way of looking at human life.

--Blessed John Paul II, The Gospel of Life, Evangelium Vitae, par. 99.

Mississippi & Alabama: Important Movie about an Abortion Survivor in limited release this weekend.

Official movie trailer for October Baby...



Here, Gianna Jessen, an abortion survivor and a well known public speaker shares about her experience with the movie...



The film makers describe the story behind the movie. Check it out....

Among Women ReadHer... A new weekly feature

Among Women ReadHer

5.24.11

The Perfect Pill? -- Tim Muldoon

This short piece uses a powerful analogy that even a middle-schooler can understand.

What is a Catholic Feminist? -- Simcha Fisher at National Catholic Register

Reclaim the lexicon or find new language? It's an ever-present question.

How to Choose Flowers for a Mary Garden - Lacy at Catholic Icing

-- Related: If you are a gardener, you might like this blog by Margaret Rose Realy.

The Beauty of Play -- Brunhilde Luken

Just what it says. Have you played lately?

Pray for Joplin - Chelsea Zimmerman at Reflections of a Paralytic

Written by a woman who lives in MO, this has links to lend support.

Prayers for Joplin, MO -- Facebook page

The Quality of Mercy -- Rebecca Teti, Faith and Family Live

A mother extending mercy to her son's killers...

Note: this one comes with a warning.*

To Be Born - a powerful 10-minute short film depicting the torment of abortion, as well as the potential to heal from it. - On YouTube. Related: Here's an article quoting the director of the film who hopes that people will be disturbed by its message.

*I applaud that this film was made because it is a story that needs to be told boldly. However, do not view/listen with small children or impressionable/sensitive children in the vicinity. I'd label this a PG-13, but that depends on the maturity of the 13 year old.

Finally, a remarkable woman...

HT: Creative Minority Report & Testosterhome

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This post explains why I started this feature last week. BUT I'm giving you a little taste now... THIS FEATURE will be ON SATURDAYS.

Among Women Podcast #75: Healing the Hurt of Abortion

Among Women 75 spotlights the amazing healing ministry of Rachel's Vineyard that tends to the hearts and souls of women, men, and families affected by the grief, trauma, and soul-tearing realities of abortion.

Join us for an informative and compassionate "Among Women" conversation with wife and mother Dr. Theresa Burke, the founder of Rachel's Vineyard, and a counselor, psychologist, author, and international expert on post-abortion trauma and treatment. Together we explore the healing process of a Rachel's Vineyard retreat.

To find Rachel's Vineyard, go to RachelsVineyard.org or call toll-free at 877-HOPE-4-ME.  To donate to this ministry, go here.

This week's "Blessed Are They" segment talks about our champion for persistent prayer, the widow in the parable of Luke 18: 1-8, found in this week's Sunday Gospel.

Go see a moving song and video on Rachel Vineyard's Facebook page.