"We will" is a response in the Sacramental Rites of Baptism, Confirmation and Matrimony. At all three of these sacred ceremonies, the congregation uses this response to promise they will support and assist the recipient of the sacrament to grow in the Faith. This Blog will discuss the many aspects of Christian Formation that the family is called to master.Our aim is to facilitate intergenerational family empowerment in order to live out our Baptism Covenants and live out the Great Commission.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Generations
Going to be with Our Daphne Dudes this week. This always brings me to thinking about the Ebbs and Tides of the Generations. Lots of events occur in May. PpAll the school age GrandLoves move up to the next grade this week and next. On this Friday, we will be the Grandparents of a High School Senior. THAT time just flew by. My youngest Sibling's youngest graduates from St. James Grade School in St. Louis and moves on to St. Mary's High School. (GO Bradley!!!)!
And I get to see our 2yo GrandLove Aidan meet my brother's 1 yo GrandLove, James on Monday, at the Beach! James will meet Stephen on Friday. How cool is that. Said GrandLoves' parents haven't seen each other since their Grandpa John's (my Dad) funeral, a long long time ago. God is so good that Monday and Friday of next week they will introduce their new spouses and children to each other. And John and I (with our spouses) get to be there! And in the great Cloud of Witnesses, so will Momma and Daddy.
I'm a grateful woman. Thanks be to God.
And I get to see our 2yo GrandLove Aidan meet my brother's 1 yo GrandLove, James on Monday, at the Beach! James will meet Stephen on Friday. How cool is that. Said GrandLoves' parents haven't seen each other since their Grandpa John's (my Dad) funeral, a long long time ago. God is so good that Monday and Friday of next week they will introduce their new spouses and children to each other. And John and I (with our spouses) get to be there! And in the great Cloud of Witnesses, so will Momma and Daddy.
I'm a grateful woman. Thanks be to God.
Monday, May 6, 2013
GrandLove at Prayer
"I want to be a child again. I want to see the world with five year old eyes" These lines are taking from a tape from The Benedictines in Pecos, New Mexico. But what does this line mean? What are five year old eyes? Let's examine that concept. For a five year old in Amma Kate's family (and hopefully yours), it means birthday parties, grandparents and parents who love them, extended families for support in difficult times, it means a typical middle class upbringing that includes proper nutrition, predictable consequences to problems and never a sleepless night due to homelessness, abuse, terrorism attacks, murdered or maimed parents or siblings, starvation or poverty. In Northern Uganda, a five year old is subject to horrific harm. Terrorist come regularly to the homes of children, killing the parents, mutilating the children, murdering babies (for target practice) and kidnapping boys to be child soldiers and girls concubines. The children to be stolen are often made to do the killing and mutilating of their own family members. Children, somehow left, become the NightWalkers. They must walk miles and miles every night for a safe place in which to sleep. And then they walk back home the next day. This has been allowed to continue for over 20 years. In South America, many poor children live with their family in garbage dumps. Even for the most hearty of us, the smell alone is beyond words to describe. In the United States, thousands a year won't live to have five year old eyes as they will be aborted. Over 45 million abortions have been performed since Roe v. Wade in 1973. Typical reasons given for abortion is inconvenient timing for the mother. In America, 3,700 babies are aborted every single day. And contrary to the popular cry that abortion be available for cases of rape or incest, pregnancy rarely results. In our country, child abuse has reached an pandemic proportion. Terrorist attacks have reached into schools and athletic events In countless countries of our world, five year old eyes see daily violence and violent death. SO, It appears that someone must stand in the gap for all of children. The children are our future. They will be the one's to inherent not only our greatness but also our problems. And who better to stand in the GAP for them but grandmas, nanas, mimis, me-mows and those with a grandmother's heart. We must come together prayerfully and stand in the gap for the children. We must pray for leaders that are child aware. We must pray for children like Noah, who is autistic, and his beloved parents. We must pray for the "atonement" babies (the child born after a mother has had an abortion) for they inherit incredible expectations. We must pray for children like Loren who was born with serious birth defects. We must pray for children like Joe, who was adopted from a third world country and has many challenges. We must pray for all the children born without the ability to form emotional attachments. If left unhealed and untreated, they will be doomed to a life of violent acts harming themselves and others. We must pray. We must pray. And NOW. If you have a heart of love for children. If you have a child in need of prayer. Or if you just want more information, please call or write AmmaKate. Your prayer requests will remain confidential. And your need will be prayed for every day by women called be intercessors for the children. © AmmaKate 2006
Thursday, September 27, 2012
From 40 days for Life
--
DAY 2 of The 2012 Fall 40 Days for Life
Pray for those who work in the abortion industry, and
for those who have repented of committing abortions
and have resolved to defend
SCRIPTURE
Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man."
-- Luke 23:46-
REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life
"Those of us who have participated in the killing of
unborn children are the Centurions of today. We have
dropped our swords against the unborn child. Now we must recognize the depth of our guilt and deal with the ramifications... To revitalize our humanity we need to forgive and be forgiven, to reconcile and be healed."
These words come from a brochure of the Society of
Centurions, an organization for former abortion providers. These words convey in a beautiful and moving way what is happening across the nation as hundreds of abortionists and their staff members experience repentance, conversion, and healing.
How does this conversion begin? Dr. Philip Ney
writes, "The factors that changed their opinion on
performing abortions, in the following order of frequency, were: evidence of the infant's humanity, a spiritual experience, personal distress, evidence of the mother's distress, scientific articles, being accepted as a person, a personal relationship with a
pro-lifer, pro-life pickets." (The Centurion's Pathway, p. 77).
The journey is not easy. But the Jesus who heals us calls us to face the truth of what we've done, make restitution where possible, and engage in the hard work of mending relationships. Let's pray for the
Centurions; may their numbers increase!
PRAYER
Lord, we thank you for those who have repented of
committing abortions and have resolved to defend life. We too repent and resolve.
We repent of every instance in which fear has made us
silent when we should have spoken. We repent of the
ongoing bloodshed in our land, and for thinking that we can deprive the unborn of protection but keep it for ourselves.
We resolve that we will advance the cause of righteous candidates for public office, and that we will be more afraid of offending you by our silence
than of offending others by our speech. We resolve that we will proclaim your name to the nations, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
DAY 2 of The 2012 Fall 40 Days for Life
Pray for those who work in the abortion industry, and
for those who have repented of committing abortions
and have resolved to defend
SCRIPTURE
Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man."
-- Luke 23:46-
REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life
"Those of us who have participated in the killing of
unborn children are the Centurions of today. We have
dropped our swords against the unborn child. Now we must recognize the depth of our guilt and deal with the ramifications... To revitalize our humanity we need to forgive and be forgiven, to reconcile and be healed."
These words come from a brochure of the Society of
Centurions, an organization for former abortion providers. These words convey in a beautiful and moving way what is happening across the nation as hundreds of abortionists and their staff members experience repentance, conversion, and healing.
How does this conversion begin? Dr. Philip Ney
writes, "The factors that changed their opinion on
performing abortions, in the following order of frequency, were: evidence of the infant's humanity, a spiritual experience, personal distress, evidence of the mother's distress, scientific articles, being accepted as a person, a personal relationship with a
pro-lifer, pro-life pickets." (The Centurion's Pathway, p. 77).
The journey is not easy. But the Jesus who heals us calls us to face the truth of what we've done, make restitution where possible, and engage in the hard work of mending relationships. Let's pray for the
Centurions; may their numbers increase!
PRAYER
Lord, we thank you for those who have repented of
committing abortions and have resolved to defend life. We too repent and resolve.
We repent of every instance in which fear has made us
silent when we should have spoken. We repent of the
ongoing bloodshed in our land, and for thinking that we can deprive the unborn of protection but keep it for ourselves.
We resolve that we will advance the cause of righteous candidates for public office, and that we will be more afraid of offending you by our silence
than of offending others by our speech. We resolve that we will proclaim your name to the nations, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Today's devotional was prepared by Carmen Pate, a member of the 40 Days for Life board of 40 Days for Life
PRE-KICKOFF INTENTION
"For God's blessing upon all participating in the coming 40 Days for Life campaign.
-------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
-------------------------------------------
"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from
their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land."
-- 2 Chronicles 7:14
REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life
"Not unlike God's chosen people of Israel, we must humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from
our wicked ways, if we expect God to hear from heaven, forgive our sin, and heal our land. The need for repentance has not been greater since the Supreme Court decision of Roe vs. Wade in 1973.
The number one cause of death in America is the needless sacrifice of our children at the altar of convenience called abortion. Conservative estimates
put the number of deaths at nearly 52 million.
And lest we think this is an issue outside the church
walls, 43 percent of women obtaining abortions identify themselves as Protestant, and 27 percent
identify themselves as Catholic. One in four women has at least one abortion by the age of 45 -- both
non-Christian and Christian alike. Where was the voice of Truth -- the church?
Mary Comm of In Our Midst Ministries, Inc. sums up the issue best as she writes, "We (the church) have
been an unintentional accomplice to the millions of lives lost and to the multiplied millions of lives
devastated by abortion. We didn't want them to abort. We didn't mean for them to abort. But, because of our
lack of knowledge, because of our fear, we have continued to stand by and do nothing. We, God's hands and feet in this dark and hurting world, have been
unintentional, unknowledgeable accomplice, but an accomplice nonetheless."
May today mark the beginning of change within the church, as God's people, in unity, seek His forgiveness.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, we have turned our backs on you and your principles in your Word. We have allowed man to
usurp Your role as God over life and the number of our days. But we come to you in brokenness and repentance over our sin.
We cry out for Your mercy and ask you to remove the scourge of abortion from our land.
Use us as your vessels, Lord, to bring the light of Your Truth to our nation once again. Because of Christ we pray, Amen"
PRE-KICKOFF INTENTION
"For God's blessing upon all participating in the coming 40 Days for Life campaign.
-------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
-------------------------------------------
"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from
their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land."
-- 2 Chronicles 7:14
REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life
"Not unlike God's chosen people of Israel, we must humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from
our wicked ways, if we expect God to hear from heaven, forgive our sin, and heal our land. The need for repentance has not been greater since the Supreme Court decision of Roe vs. Wade in 1973.
The number one cause of death in America is the needless sacrifice of our children at the altar of convenience called abortion. Conservative estimates
put the number of deaths at nearly 52 million.
And lest we think this is an issue outside the church
walls, 43 percent of women obtaining abortions identify themselves as Protestant, and 27 percent
identify themselves as Catholic. One in four women has at least one abortion by the age of 45 -- both
non-Christian and Christian alike. Where was the voice of Truth -- the church?
Mary Comm of In Our Midst Ministries, Inc. sums up the issue best as she writes, "We (the church) have
been an unintentional accomplice to the millions of lives lost and to the multiplied millions of lives
devastated by abortion. We didn't want them to abort. We didn't mean for them to abort. But, because of our
lack of knowledge, because of our fear, we have continued to stand by and do nothing. We, God's hands and feet in this dark and hurting world, have been
unintentional, unknowledgeable accomplice, but an accomplice nonetheless."
May today mark the beginning of change within the church, as God's people, in unity, seek His forgiveness.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, we have turned our backs on you and your principles in your Word. We have allowed man to
usurp Your role as God over life and the number of our days. But we come to you in brokenness and repentance over our sin.
We cry out for Your mercy and ask you to remove the scourge of abortion from our land.
Use us as your vessels, Lord, to bring the light of Your Truth to our nation once again. Because of Christ we pray, Amen"
Monday, April 13, 2009
Easter People
Now that we all have changed out of our Easter clothes, eaten our family dinner and celebrated Easter 2009, is it over?
Not on our life!
As Christians that are Americans...contrary to our President who told the world we were not a Christian Nation.... Easter lives on. As Christ is (not was) Risen, so should we be RISEN. Love comes anew to us again through the Resurrection. And with our religious devotions of the last week comes a renewed CALL to live into the Resurrection.
Easter Sunday is not a one day a year party. It is a renewal of our Baptismal Vows. Resurrection Sunday should make us better people....individuals, as members of a couple, as a Mom or Dad or Nana or Papa, as a community member and as an American. The better American we are..the better world citizen we become.
Christianity builds up not waters down. The empty Tomb means the Lord is among us.
And among us, He continues to redeem, recreate and re-instruct us to be more.
What is your Call for this Eastertide?
Not on our life!
As Christians that are Americans...contrary to our President who told the world we were not a Christian Nation.... Easter lives on. As Christ is (not was) Risen, so should we be RISEN. Love comes anew to us again through the Resurrection. And with our religious devotions of the last week comes a renewed CALL to live into the Resurrection.
Easter Sunday is not a one day a year party. It is a renewal of our Baptismal Vows. Resurrection Sunday should make us better people....individuals, as members of a couple, as a Mom or Dad or Nana or Papa, as a community member and as an American. The better American we are..the better world citizen we become.
Christianity builds up not waters down. The empty Tomb means the Lord is among us.
And among us, He continues to redeem, recreate and re-instruct us to be more.
What is your Call for this Eastertide?
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