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These reflections and readings from the Vatican II document Declaration on Religious Liberty (Dignitatis Humanae) are intended for daily use during the Fortnight for Freedom, a national campaign designated by the U.S. Catholic bishops for teaching and witness in support of religious liberty. The readings and the questions that follow can be used for group discussion or for personal reflection.

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These reflections and readings from the Vatican II document Declaration on Religious Liberty (Dignitatis Humanae) are intended for daily use during the Fortnight for Freedom, a national campaign designated by the U.S. Catholic bishops for teaching and witness in support of religious liberty. The readings and the questions that follow can be used for group discussion or for personal reflection.

Read the rest

We will be reprinting portions of the following reflections from the USCCB website in honor of the Fortnight for Freedom campaign.

These reflections and readings from the Vatican II document Declaration on Religious Liberty (Dignitatis Humanae) are intended for daily use during the Fortnight for Freedom, a national campaign designated by the U.S. Catholic bishops for teaching and witness in support of religious liberty. The readings and the questions that follow can be used for group discussion or for personal reflection.

Read the rest

This Sunday we celebrate the beautiful Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, known as Corpus Christi.

A feast established through the efforts of St. Juliana of Liège, a thirteenth-century Augustinian who had a deep longing for a feast to honor the Blessed Sacrament, it is a day on which Christians are encouraged to celebrate the Eucharist in processions and adoration. In days gone by, entire towns would line the streets as the Sacred Host was held high for all to see. Sadly, since Vatican II, these types of processions have largely fallen out of practice.

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Dear Friends,

Here is the prayer to the Holy Spirit that I prayed today on Women of Grace Live (M-F, 11:00 AM ET). As I mentioned, I can offer no attribution as it has none on the card I received. I hope it truly blesses you.

Blessings,

Johnnette

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Come, Holy Spirit, fill my heart with your holy gifts.

Let my weakness be penetrated with your strength this very day,

that I may fulfill all the duties of my state conscientiously,

that I may do what is right and just.

Let my charity be such as to offend no one, and hurt no one's feelings;

so generous as to pardon sincerely any wrong done to me.

Assist me, O Holy Spirit, in all my trials of life,

enlighten me in my doubts,

strengthen me in my weakness, help me in

all my needs, protect me in temptations

and console me in afflictions.

Graciously hear me, O Holy Spirit, and pour your light

into my heart, my soul, and my mind.

Assist me to live a holy life and to grow in goodness and grace.

Amen

 

 

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Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has designated May 24th as the World Day of Prayer for the Church in China.  Join us in praying for our brothers and sisters in the China, especially those who are being persecuted for the beliefs and for standing up for freedom.

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St. Catherine of Genoa (1447 – 1510)

The life of St. Catherine of Genoa confirms that spiritual renewal, virtue, holy reflection, and spiritual direction lead to wisdom and discernment. Born into an illustrious Italian family that was connected to two popes, Catherine was known as a quiet and pious child, being both prayerful and obedient.

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From the very beginning of pregnancy, each and every human life is the result of a special act of creation by God.

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Get this. In 1971, the UK Medical Research Council refused on ethical grounds Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe, the first scientists to successfully use IVF, long-term support for their medical and scientific research on “Studies on Human Reproduction”. The Council was concerned with “patient safety and offspring abnormality”. However, the team moved forward with a large amount of private money and made history with the birth of the first “test-tube baby," Louise Brown.

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This poem, written in 2008, expresses my philosophy of life and was one of my mother's favorite poems. Being responsible stewards of God’s gifts of time, treasure, and talent are essential to my husband, Tim and me, as exemplified by our parents. Our 36 years of marriage have been spent providing for our family and volunteering in worthwhile programs. This was especially important when we were raising our sons and continues today as we are proud grandparents.

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