By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
The office of the General Counsel for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has joined a host of other groups from across the country who are decrying the president's decision on Wednesday to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) because he personally believes it to be unconstitutional.
Read the rest
Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Even though Planned Parenthood always uses the "we provide access to other services such as mammograms" excuse for needing government funding, pro-life blogger Jill Stanek recently revealed that the organization doesn't perform mammograms at all but merely refers women elsewhere for these services.
Read the rest
"It is good when a soul loves solitude; it's a sign that it takes delight in God and enjoys speaking with Him."
St. Jane Frances de Chantal
For Reflection:
On a scale of one to ten - one being complete unrest and ten being utter solitude, where does my soul rank? What does this tell me about the level of my "delight in God?"
(See tomorrow's Grace Line to see the gift that comes with quiet.)
Read the rest
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Norma Jean Coon, who believed herself to have been ordained to the diaconate in 2007 has had a change of heart and has publicly posted a document of renunciation.
Read the rest
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
A retired couple from St. Monica Catholic Church in Santa Monica who were among four Americans shot to death by Somali pirates on Feb. 22 are being remembered as a "wonderful part" of their parish community.
Read the rest
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake that struck ChristChurch, New Zealand on Feb. 22 and left at least 75 dead, seriously damaged the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament and put the diocese of Christchurch "out of action."
Read the rest
By Susan Brinkman, OCDS
Staff Journalist
The Obama Administration announced yesterday that is has pulled its legal support for the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) because it believes the law is unconstitutional.
Read the rest
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick issued what some are calling the most extreme executive order in the history of the U.S. when he signed into law a mandate forcing acceptance of "gender identity and expression" - including cross-dressers and transsexuals - throughout state government, and ordered immediate "diversity training" for all employees.
Read the rest
"Very well, I will be saint. I will provide a patron for those who bear my name."
Blessed Dina Belanger
For Reflection:
At age eight, Dina Belanger stated the quote above in response to a teacher who told her the Church had no St. Dina. Am I willing to "provide a patron" for those who bear my name? What positive step can I take today to make that happen?
Read the rest
Typically, we are very careful about sending out requests like this one unless they come from reliable sources. This one has been confirmed by a friend of Women of Grace® and she writes the following:
"Hi Johnnette, Please unite in prayer for Stephen Maszczak who is a 7 year old boy that has been diagnosed a High Grade Diffuse Pontine Glioma which is a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer and is in much need of prayers for a miracle. If you could please share with your global prayer community it would be greatly appreciated.
I do know the family and they are also very good friends of Fr. Bill Halbing, who visited Stephen in the hospital last week and can verify it all.
Pete Maszczak, who is Stephen's grandfather, is the leader of the Refuge Music Ministry that I am a member of; and we play at the Charismatic Conferences and Tent Revivals in NJ. I am sure you have met him over the years and remember us. We are all devastated about this and are praying for a miracle. On top of everything else, we also lost one of our members Tricia DiMeglio, who was Stephen's aunt and is shown in this picture, back in November. She died suddenly of a seizure.
Please keep everyone in prayer. This little boy is just so precious, and it's hard to believe that he could be "taken" from us at so young an age. 
This website provides all the details but basically what the doctors are saying is that this beautiful little boy only has two months to live. We believe in the miracle healing power of Our Lord Jesus Christ and are asking for everyone to storm Heaven in prayer for a miracle. Thanks so very much and blessings for your ministry.
Blessings always,
Mary Anne"
Friends, my heart aches for this family. I ask that you do pray for this precious little boy, Stephen, that if it is God's will, he may be healed. If they should be asked to continue to bear this cross, I ask that the Lord would provide them with EVERY spiritual blessing in the heavens that it might be embraced with the peace and joy that is beyond our understanding.
Read the rest
Typically, we are very careful about sending out requests like this one unless they come from reliable sources. This one has been confirmed by a friend of Women of Grace® and she writes the following:
