Thursday, February 02, 2012
WE HAVE GOT TO SOMETHING FOR KOMEN [Rachel Watkins]
  2/2/2012
  In light of the recent great news about Komen breaking up with Planned Parenthood - this story was filed this morning:

"Planned Parenthood said Wednesday that it received more than $400,000 from 6,000 donors in the 24 hours after news broke that its affiliates would be losing grants for breast screenings from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast-cancer foundation."

I know - I really know - how tight money is today but those of us who turned our back on Komen because of their PP connections must do the same - really, better - to support them in their very courageous decision. There a headlines all over about the anger from PP supporters towards Komen.

Please - consider sending Komen some $$ as a thank you for standing firm. I'm not good at FB but perhaps some who is could start one of those pages showing support and drawing donations for Komen. We need to back our words with real action here or other companies/organizations looking to cut ties w/ PP won't have the courage to do so because they risk losing truly necessary donations.

Just a thought!
  E-Mail Author
 
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
ONE BATTLE DOWN - ONE STILL IN THE WORKS [Rachel Watkins]
  2/1/2012
  Well, as we celebrate the courage of the Komen foundation, we still have the battle against HHS and contraception.

I am sure you've read or heard Cardinal-Elect Dolan's comments in this regard, perhaps even your own bishop has written strong comments as well.

I am sharing in its entirety a column from the Baltimore Sun. The mere fact it is printed in the this known to be liberal-Democrat leaning paper is big -

And after you are done reading this - say a quick prayer for my state - Maryland - as we need it in regard to the upcoming election on same-sex marriage.

http://martamossburg.com/columns/39-the-baltimore-sun/210-omalleys-selective-application-of-religious-freedom
O'Malley's selective application of religious freedom


"Md. governor promotes church rights in gay marriage issue but not when it comes to forcing contraceptive coverage

On one hand, Gov.Martin O'Malleypublicly advocates religious freedom. On the other, he supports — through his silence — federal rules dictating how religious groups must act.

I am referring to Mr. O'Malley's promise that gay marriage legislation he supports will protect religious groups that object to such unions from having to perform them. And I am also referring to the lack of comment from the loquacious head of the Democratic Governors Association about the new federal rule requiring religious institutions to provide contraception free of charge for employees.

If he is so outspoken about the one issue, he should be about the other. Agreeing with both positions is philosophically untenable. It is akin to believing that "separate but equal" is a legitimate interpretation of the Constitution's guarantee of equality under the law.

Maybe that is why he isn't talking about the new mandate that will impact so many organizations in the city where he used to be mayor, as he and his wife soliloquize about the importance of civil liberties for a favored...
Read the complete entry...
  E-Mail Author
 
FEEL FREE TO BUY PINK!! KOMEN IS COURAGEOUS AND STRONG [Rachel Watkins]
  2/1/2012
  Did you hear the amazing news!

The Susan G. Komen Foundation has cut all ties w/ Planned Parenthood as well as any support of embryonic stem cell research.

This news is not just wonderful but hugely courageous.

Lifesitenews.org is covering it, I read it from msnbc.com.

Please, please share this great news with all your friends and family.

As we are gearing up to fight HHS over their contraception mandate, this is wonderful news that will surely helps us over the next months.

AND - please, please - take a moment to write Komen and say Thank you - they are getting a good deal of grief from the other side and they need to know we support them -

news@komen.org
  E-Mail Author
 
Monday, January 30, 2012
SIMPLE OBSERVATIONS AND TRUTHS [Rachel Watkins]
  1/30/2012
  God is can always be seen in 'good'.

"I" am always in the center of sin.

And to change your sin you must bend your "I" into an 'o' so sin can become son - as in the Son of God.

Just a few simple thoughts. Have a good day.
  E-Mail Author
 
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
DID YOU CATCH THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS?? [Rachel Watkins]
  1/25/2012
  Neither did I. But I know one thing the President said that makes me shake my head about his rush to power.

First, we have the contraception mandate.

Second, according to the SOTU address, he would like the gov't to force all kids to stay in high school until they are 18 or graduate.

Sounds so simple - but is it?

I am picturing belligerent 18 yr. olds taller and stronger than their teachers who are being held against their will in a school that is not preparing them for their futures. I am seeing schools attempting to keep 16 yr. olds who have proven they can graduate in schools in order to keep the tax monies rolling in.

I am picturing the fed'l govt. stepping into homeschooling and deciding that despite what I say about the skills of my child, or my own skills homeschooling will now be illegal.

And honestly, I cannot for the life of me understand his reasoning. Is it to help reduce the number of illiterate 17 yr. olds? Believe me - if the school system has not been able to teach the child to read by that age, the parents should have been given their tax dollars and the outlets to find a program, system or tutor who can.



  E-Mail Author
 
THIS IS A WEEK TO BE PROUD YOU ARE A CATHOLIC [Rachel Watkins]
  1/25/2012
  We were out in rain and lousy weather for the March for Life and America's bishop, Bishop Timothy Dolan has a concise essay over at usatoday.com.

Sure, we can be angry, frustrated and sometimes even embarrassed by the actions of some Catholics but today, this week we can be proud of what we are trying to do.

We may not succeed but do not think we are not trying.

Here in Maryland we will are trying to save traditional marriage - again - we may not succeed but we will try.
  E-Mail Author
 
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
MAKE YOUR MARRIAGE A PRIORITY! PLEASE!! [Rachel Watkins]
  1/24/2012
  I was dismayed to find that a conference Matt and I were going to speak at this weekend was cancelled due to lack of attendance. The one day event was going to be on homeschooling with our talk focusing on having a happy, holy marriage while homeschooling.

While I automatically think the lack of interest was specifically because Matt and I were speaking, the organizer assured me it wasn't.

What she said that when people called about coming they spoke about their children's sport commitments, other activities planned, and.....why would they plan a talk about marriage at a homeschooling event??!

Really? Really?

Apparently a good number of the people felt that talking about marriage was a waste of time. Should they rather focus on curriculum choices, a better math program - or in other words - anything BUT marriage!

I was sad. Not only because Matt and I had worked on a really great, funny talk but also because there has been a number of divorces in this area - from those 'really good Catholic families' who were open to life, homeschool, active in parishes, etc. etc.

These families while focusing on so much else had clearly neglected their marriages - their SACRAMENT!!

Note the emphasis - while homeschooling is great, and while children are one of the divine purposes of marriage - Marriage is first and foremost a sacrament which is not true of either parenting or homeschooling!!

Not to mention that while sports are all fine and good, and supporting your kid's interest is laudable the likely hood that any of your kids will actually be a pro-soccer, lacrosse, pro-athlete of any kind is pretty slim.

BUT - is your kid likely to grow up to be a wife, a husband, a mother or a father?? Probably, almost definitely. And where will they learn about a good, healthy marriage from? YOU and YOUR SPOUSE!!!!

What kind of marriage coach are you being for your child? Are you being the kind of husband or wife...
Read the complete entry...
  E-Mail Author
 

Return to top of page.

Pastoral Solutions Institute Resources

 
Recommended Reading

Marriage & Sexuality
For Better...FOREVER!
  A Catholic Guide to Lifelong Marriage (GK Popcak)
The Exceptional Seven Percent:
  Nine Secrets of the Worlds Happiest Couples (GK Popcak)
Good News About Sex and Marriage (Christopher West

 

Parenting
Parenting with Grace:
  The Catholic Parent's Guide to Raising (almost) Perfect Kids. (GK & L Popcak)
Beyond the Birds and Bees:
  Raising Sexually Whole and Holy Kids (GK Popcak)
We're On a Mission From God (Mary Beth Bonacci)
Real Love: Teens Questions about Dating and Sex. (Mary Beth Bonacci)

 

Adult Faith Formation
By What Authority?
  An Evangelical Discovers Catholic Tradition (Mark Shea)
Making Senses Out of Scripture (Mark Shea)
This is My Body: An Evangelical Discovers the Real Presence
365 Saints:
  Your Daily Guide to the Wisdom & Wonder of Their Lives (W Koenig-Bricker)
365 Mary:
  A Daily Guide to Mary's Wisdom and Comfort (W Koenig-Bricker)

 

Catholic Publications & Other Resources
CRISIS: A Magazine of Politics, Culture, and the Church
Catholic Parent Magazine
Faith & Family Magazine
DECENT FILMS.com
  For an insightful, Catholic take on Hollywood's latest offerings

 

Teaching Kids the Faith
Did Adam & Eve Have Belly Buttons? (Matt Pinto)
Friendly Defenders Apologetics Flashcards for Kids (Matt Pinto)
Prove It: God (A Welborn)
Prove It: Church (A. Welborn)

 

Adult Formation (Faith, Politics and Culture)
By What Authority?
  An Evangelical Discovers Catholic Tradition (Mark Shea)
Making Senses Out of Scripture (Mark Shea)
This is My Body:
  An Evangelical Discovers the Real Presence
365 Saints:
  Your Daily Guide to the Wisdom & Wonder of Their Lives (W Koenig-Bricker)
365 Mary:
  A Daily Guide to Mary's Wisdom and Comfort (W Koenig-Bricker)
CRISIS:
  A Magazine of Politics, Culture, and the Church
DECENT FILMS.com
  For an insightful, Catholic take on Hollywood's latest offerings
 
Contributors
Click here to view all contributors.

Links

Coming soon...



This site designed and powered by the Ridgefield Group.