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Putting Our Faith into Action

November 7, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 11 November, Faith, Pro-Life

Alicia Van Hecke has created a wonderful list to remind us that we must put our faith into action, 100 Things You Can Do to the Make the Country More Pro-Life (and Catholic) No Matter Who is President.  You can read her list and suggest updates at her blog, Living Differently.

~~~

100 Things You Can Do to the Make the Country More Pro-Life (and Catholic) No Matter Who is President

Not trying to get into a political discussion here, just an opportunity to remind ourselves what we are capable of regardless of the political situation. A list in progress (in no particular order), please share your own Pray for Americasuggestions in the comments box…


1. Respond with Love.
2. In particular, keep the post-election conversations charitable.
3. Have children (and read about "The Roe Effect").
4. Support cool pro-life organizations like Save the Storks.
5. Talk to people. Keep it simple. Don’t try to fix everything at once.
6. Work on your prayer life and your relationship with God.
7. Watch how you talk about other people – especially people you don’t like.
8. Support the disabled.
9. Recognize what is good in others (and in our country and in our culture) and thank God.
10. Cut back on expenditures to share with others.
11. Donate to a pregnancy help center (a car seat or even a baby blanket can save a life).
12. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, food pantry or other outlet for the needy.
13. Live your life as a reaction to Christ’s love for you, not a reaction to the culture or the current political situation.
14. Live what you believe.
15. Pray for our politicians and for our country.
16. Remember that it’s not all up to you – you just need to do your part with love and leave the rest up to God.
17. Make friends with people outside your political or religious circles.
18. Cultivate joy in your family and in your community.
19. Adopt a baby or become a foster parent.
20. Help your parish become more life friendly.
21. Encourage each other!
22. Be Not Afraid!
23. Sponsor a needy child overseas (through organizations such as Caritas for Children).
24. Challenge yourself to be a better Christian.
25. Forgive someone who has hurt you.
26. Be a good witness to the Faith.
27. Love those who are suffering.
28. Donate your used belongings to organizations like St. Vincent de Paul Society.
29. Don’t just vote pro-life: think pro-life and act pro-life (to every person you encounter!).
30. Don’t despair at what is going wrong with our world – find what you can make better (and do it!).
31. Empower others with hope.
32. Stock your car with "Blessing Bags" to give to the needy.
33. "Replace Them".
34. Love Your Neighbor.
35. Share your gifts with others.
36. Be understanding, loving and helpful to those who have gotten themselves in desperate situations.
37. Cultivate hope in your own life.
38. Donate uplifting books about children with Down Syndrome (or other disabilities) to your public library.
39. Visit the lonely, the sick, and the elderly.
40. Tutor a disadvantaged or special needs child.
41…

~~~

Consecration of America
Immaculate Mary, most Holy Mother of God and of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we the people of the United States of America at this historic moment stand before you in a humbled condition of love, loyalty,
affection, and thankfulness. To your Immaculate Heart we recommit and dedicate ourselves throughout the entire American nation. To your Son Jesus Christ we pledge to serve His teaching, His church, and to work for His kingdom on earth. O Mary, to you do we flee for protection. Surround the American family with your maternal care; enfold us in your arms. Give to this American land, built on the blood and tears of so many faithful forebears, a peaceful and praiseworthy existence in truth, love, justice, and freedom. O Mary, we submit to you as the Patroness of our beloved country. O Mary, Help of Christians, enfold the Holy Father and the Catholic Church within your protective cloak; be our shield in the days ahead. Give to the Church true holiness and freedom. Obtain for our leaders holy zeal, the ability to face the truth, and the courage to correct all abuses. Stop the flood of atheism, greed, heresy, impurity, lukewarmness, materialism, and selfishness that threaten our nation. Show to those who have strayed from the Church the way to Our Lord Jesus Christ. Mother of God, accept our personal consecration to you and, through you, bind us forever to the Holy Trinity. Gather us all into your Immaculate Heart and unite us forever with Jesus. O Mary, we love you. Amen.
God Bless America!

Day 9: Pregnancy Loss ~ 31Days of reflections from a pregnant mama

October 15, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 31 Days, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, pro, Pro-Life Leave a Comment

Wave of Light

There is plenty that I could write on this topic but nothing more powerful than the healing received through prayer. 

My soul is deprived of peace,
I have forgotten what happiness is;
I tell myself my future is lost,
all that I hoped for from the Lord.

But I will call this to mind,
as my reason to have hope:
The favors of the Lord are not exhausted,
his mercies are not spent;
They are renewed each morning,
so great is his faithfulness.
My portion is the Lord, says my soul;
therefore I will hope in him. 
~ Lamentations 3:17-18, 21-24

I’m passing along a tradition that I just became aware of, Wave of Light: Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day. 

A tradition on this day is that at 7:00 pm in each time  zone a Wave of Light will move across the country, and the world. All families who have lost a baby either by pregnancy or infant death should light a candle and leave it burning for at least one hour. The wave of light will serve as a reminder that there are those of us who still remember – and those who have not suffered a loss pause to surround us in love.

My family will be lighting five candles this evening in honor of our blessings in heaven. 

May my beloved children and saints; Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Teresa Agnes, and Maria Luisa ~ pray for us!

I was directed to this tradition via FB friends and Catholic Sistas.

~~~

This is day 9 of my pregnancy reflections. I realize that I am a few days behind.  I’m trying to own it and fight the urge to account my absence to placenta brain our sleep deprivation. 

You can find the other posts of my 31 Days here.

Blessed Mother Teresa Novena

August 29, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Blessed Mother Teresa, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Novena, Pro-Life

 

“In the silence of our hearts, God speaks of His love; with our silence, we allow Jesus to love us.” ~Mother Teresa

August 28-September 5

Blessed Mother Teresa Novena

Mother Teresa was called from this world on September 5, 1997.

Prayer for Life in honor of Mother Teresa Prayer CardFather of Life,
You always defend the poor and oppressed.
In Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, You raised up
a voice for the voiceless
And a friend to the poorest of the poor, the unborn child.
She brought women away from the
despair of abortion clinics
To the hope of a loving community
That cared for her and her child.
She spoke the truth to men and women of power,
Asking them how we could tell people
not to kill one another
While allowing a mother to kill her own child.
Father, as we honor this humble and faithful woman,
We ask you to give us the grace To follow her example.
May we be bold in word and generous in action
To love and serve the unborn
And to awaken our world to know, as Mother Teresa said,
That the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion.
Fill us with love, bring us peace, and let
us share your life forever.
We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

 

~~~

Prayer to Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

Novena to Blessed Teresa with daily quotes/meditations from Mother Teresa

(Prayed each day of the Novena)

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all.  Obtain from the Heart of Jesus (here make your request).  Teach me to allow Jesus to penetrate and possess my whole being so completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others.  Amen.

Immaculate Heart of Mary,

Cause of Our Joy, pray for me.

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, pray for me.

My MarchBaby

March 26, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Lent, Pro-Life, Rose, Rose GFG

IMG_1464

My MarchBaby and I went to view OctoberBaby for our birthday retreat date night.  We invited friends, another mother and her two teen daughters.  Dad and I usually do not permit any social dates during Lent but we thought that this occasion and cause warranted an exception.

I opted for this simplified birthday retreat as soon as March rolled in.  The budget was already stretched and a heavy heart was made.

It was much more than just a retreat.  It was an almsgiving of sorts.  Dad and I knew that we would eventually watch OctoberBaby but we wanted to make a difference.  We wanted to send a message to the entertainment industry that there are people out there who want wholesome movies and are willing to support a prolife message.

October Baby jumped into the overall top 10 despite its screen count, taking in $1,718,427….The film’s total is actually now $1,917,869… -IndieWire.com

OctoberBaby is a powerful movie that hit me on many levels.  It had a similar impact on Rose and her girlfriends.  I encourage all teens, parents, youth ministers,…all prolifers to take the time and money to view this movie. 

everylife is beautiful

Youth for Life

January 25, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Pro-Life, Sparkles, Walk For Life

“I walk for life because I love babies and God.”  ~Sparkles (8)
Walk for Life WC - Fr. Frank Provone
Dad arrived early with the girls.  They were blessed to see Fr. Frank Provone.  He graciously accepted Dad’s invitation for a picture.
I tended to the life that I have been gifted.  We had all intended to walk as a family but God had other plans.  Dad and I received an early wake-up call, Dragonfly.  He was crying hysterically and sitting in pool of vomit.  We agreed that I would stay home with Dragonfly and Papi (who had not fully recovered from his cold). My season to Walk for Life will come, for now I will cherish the time I have to nurture the lives that He has given me. 
E&E
This was Sweetie’s first year on the walk.  It was perfect timing, as she is preparing for her First Holy Communion.
Walk for Life WC - collage
Sparkles was in charge of pictures.*
Rose headed to the front of the caravan to walk with the youth and friends from TAC.
walk for life wc
Rose noted that this year’s turn out was twice as large as the previous years.  She also noted that this year’s opposition was crude,  aggressive and outright diabolic.  It was clear to all my children that there are many who are lost in the ways of this world and much prayer is needed to protect against the lion who is prowling.
Here is a brief reflection from Sparkles.
“I was excited to go on the Walk for Life WC for the second time. I prayed as I walked. The crowd (opposition) made me sad because they were being mean to God. I prayed for them.
I pray that we all will love God and that He let them know that killing babies is wrong.”

see next year

We pray to help build up the culture of life, in whatever way He calls us to.  God willing, this will include walking as a complete family in 2013.
*Sparkles took all the pictures posted that do not include her.
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Hi! I'm Lena, mama of JOYfilledfamily.
We are a traditional Catholic family striving to live for Jesus Christ in everything we do. We pray to completely surrender our will to His and to become His servants. Our mission of this blog is to share our JOY.

This blog serves as a journal of us making good memories, living the liturgical year, and our spiritual journey.

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