Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
The world is reacting with shock and grief at the tragic story of a Dutch teen who never recovered from being raped and chose to end her life through state-sanctioned suicide.
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Hey Mom – Want Your Daughter To Have Good Friends? Then Give Her the Tools She Needs to Make Good Choices!
Attendees of the first Young Women of Grace Retreat held at Malvern in July, 2018
What is a BFF? How do you find one? And – What does it mean to BE one? are just some of the topics this Young Women of Grace retreat will discuss with Catholic teens on July 13 at the Malvern Retreat House in Malvern, Pennsylvania.
Study: Trendy Meditation Retreats May Be Bad for Your Mental Health
Research by the University College London (UCL) has found that more than a quarter of people who regularly attend residential meditation programs such as Vipassana or Koan experience “unpleasant” episodes including feelings of fear and anxiety.
Judge Rules Against Atheist “Prayer” in U.S. House
Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
A decision rendered on Good Friday by a D.C. federal appeals court has ruled that Father Patrick Conroy, chaplain at the U.S. House of Representatives, does not have to allow an atheist to deliver their daily prayer.
Lenten Journey with the Saints: Day 31
April 5
“It is better not to fast and be thereby humbled, than to fast and
to be self-satisfied therewith.”
-Pascal: Pensees (17th century)
Today’s Reflection
We must always be on the lookout for wrong intentions. They can creep into everything we do, even spiritual exercises. Take a moment today to renew your intentions for this Lent and remember to do so from time to time throughout this holy season.
A human person
February 7
“A human person…as we know, cannot be an object for use.”
– Karol Wojtyla (St. John Paul II)
Today’s Reflection:
Are there times when our focus on material possessions diverts our energy away from the people God has placed in our lives? Seek to find one way to focus less on things and more on people today.
Daily Gracelines ADVENTure Day 24
December 25
Day 24: Daily Gracelines: ADVENTure with Mary
Theme: The third Sunday of Advent is all about JOY. The third week of Advent begins on Guadete Sunday. We are reminded of His birth and coming, and we await rejoicing!
Grace: I pray for the grace of joy as I await my Lord! Regardless of what happens this week, I will rejoice in God.
Reflection:
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appear’d and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from the Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, to our weaknesses no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
– O Holy Night by John Sullivan
Challenge: Ponder the holy moment of Christ’s birth when the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. What does it mean to you this year? How will you carry Jesus Christ anew in your heart throughout 2019?
The Lord is One
August 25
“The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
-Mark 12:28-31
All Suffer Together
Teen Vogue Thinks Abortion Ought to Be Funny
Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
If there was ever a perfect example of why I decided to sit down and write Young Women of Grace for our young women, it’s an op-ed appearing in a recent issue of Teen Vogue that glorifies a group of potty-mouthed feminists whose life work is to make the destruction of innocent unborn human life into a big joke.
