View from the Domestic Church: My daughter's volunteer work in Thailand

In addition to my books

I have written for the English edition of L'Osservatore Romano (Vatican newspaper)

The National Catholic Register, Catholic World Report, Our Sunday Visitor (national) newsweekly, Columbia Magazine, The Catholic Transcript, The News Times, The New Milford Times, Hearth magazine, Canticle magazine, Lay Witness magazine, Faith & Family magazine, CarbLite magazine, On the Web - many areas, including Catholic Exchange, Catholic Online, Catholic Lane, Catholic Mom, and a parenting column for Irish Family Press (print edition), a Catholic weekly newspaper published in Ireland as well as the online format. My work appears in many foreign publications as well (Nigeria, Singapore, Africa, Russia, and more).

A Catholic Woman's Book of Prayers

With all the mixed messages that women receive from society today, women can be distracted from--and even unreceptive to--the deep and abiding love that Christ has for them. Whether single or married, religious or consecrated, parenting children, or spiritually mentoring others, women need to know that the Lord understands the many challenges they face, their desire for inspiration, and, above all, their need to be affirmed as women.Through this book of original and traditional prayers from one of the top ten most fascinating Catholics of 2009 as rated by Faith & Family Live, women can realize God's divine Love, thrive in inspiration from Saints and the Church and rest in the affirmation of the "feminine genius." (order above by clicking book image at top of page)

First and foremost educator

"Since parents have conferred life on their children, they have a most solemn obligation to educate their offspring. Hence, parents must be acknowledged as the first and foremost educators of their children. Their role as educators is so decisive that scarcely anything can compensate for their failure in it. For it devolves on parents to create a family atmosphere so animated with love and reverence for God and others that a well-rounded personal and social development will be fostered among children. Hence, the family is the first school of those social virtues which every society needs."--Gravissimum Educationis (one of the documents of the Second Vatican Council)

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

My daughter's volunteer work in Thailand

While I am in Texas to be with my sister in her time of need, my dear daughter, Jessica is gearing up to leave for Thailand very soon to volunteer her time, talents, and heart to provide emergency support for women there on the Thailand/Burma border.

I'll share her words below and offer a link where you can see more and possibly donate a few bucks to help her reach her goal. Thank you in advance for your prayers and monetary help. God bless you!

Jessica says:

Starting in September, I will be volunteering for about 6 months on the Thailand/Burma border as an American Jewish World Service (AJWS) Volunteer Corps (VC) volunteer. AJWS is an international development organization motivated by Judaism’s imperative to pursue justice and dedicated to alleviating poverty, hunger and disease among the people of the developing world, regardless of race, religion or nationality. Through grants to grassroots organizations, volunteer service, advocacy and education, AJWS fosters civil society, sustainable development and human rights for all people, while promoting the values and responsibilities of global citizenship.

In Thailand, I will be working with a women's empowerment organization that works to increase young people's access to educational opportunities, as well as to promote positive political activism among women. This organization provides gender and human rights trainings for female victims of rights abuses, provides emergency support for women who have been trafficked, and builds their outreach capacities to help them participate in the political process.

AJWS coveres the cost of airfare to and from Thailand, but I am responsible for all living expenses, food, health insurance, visas, transportation, and all other costs. I'm hoping to raise $3,000 to cover the cost of living for 6 months so that I can learn from and work with these inspiring women. I'm hoping to raise enough money by Friday, August 24th.

The link to see more and to donate is here:

http://www.gofundme.com/tmhek

Thank you in advance! God bless you!