Please ACT today and spread the word!

From: One Nation Under God. org...
Dear Friends,

Given the holdout of 40 pro-life Democrats, and intense pressure by pro-life groups and the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) over the federal funding of abortion, last night Speaker Pelosi conceded that she did not have the votes to push a vote on the Rule. After hours of negotiations Congressman Bart Stupak was given permission by the House Rules Committee to offer his pro-life amendment. A vote will occur this afternoon.

Pro-abortion leaders left Speaker Pelosi's office last night upset with the news that the Stupak amendment will get a vote. Planned Parenthood of America president Cecile Richards isn't happy with the U.S. Bishops efforts, and holds them responsible for this new development. The following email was sent to Planned Parenthood supporters this morning:

Late yesterday, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops met with leaders in the House of Representatives in their bid to eliminate women's access to abortion care under health care reform.

We have just received news that their efforts are working, and Representative Bart Stupak has introduced an amendment to the health care reform bill that will result in women losing health care coverage for abortion.

We urgently need you, and your friends and family, to call your representative...and ask him or her to reject the Stupak amendment that will remove abortion coverage from health care reform.

If the bishops and their anti-choice partners in the House succeed, they'll permanently alter health care in America, even taking away benefits from women that they have today. The bishops want to effectively eliminate abortion coverage in both private plans and the public option. We simply cannot stand for such a discriminatory, mean-spirited attack on women.

Warning to Congress from Fr. Frank Pavone

This morning Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, warned the members of Congress that he would distribute the voting records of members of Congress on the Stupak-Pitts amendment to HR 3962 (and other abortion-related votes) to every Catholic parish in America, with instructions to each pastor on how to make clear to his congregation the implications of how that congregation's representative voted. "Whatever one's position on abortion itself," Fr. Pavone commented, "the vast majority of Americans have always opposed the idea that taxpayers should fund it. Our plan to inform pastors of these voting records is phase one of a year-long effort to activate Churches as never before regarding what they can legally do in preparation for next year's midterm elections. Publishing voting records in a non-partisan fashion is certainly one of those activities."

President Obama is making a rare Saturday appearance to Democrats on the hill to rally support. Democrats need 218 votes.

Ask your Representatives to Support the Stupak-Pitts amendment

What the Stupak-Pitts Amendment Would Do

The Stupak-Pitts Amendment would remove the two major pro-abortion components from H.R. 3962: (1) The amendment would permanently prohibit the new federal government insurance program, the "public option," from paying for abortion, except to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape or incest; and (2) the amendment would permanently prohibit the use of the new federal premium subsidies ("affordability credits") to purchase private insurance plans that cover abortion (except to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape or incest).

Note: The Stupak-Pitts Amendment explicitly allows private insurance companies to sell insurance policies that cover abortion (either abortion alone, or abortion coverage along with other coverage) to persons who pay for such policies entirely with their personal funds. Some pro-abortion groups have claimed that the Stupak-Pitts amendment would prohibit private companies from selling abortion coverage even to a person who receives no government subsidy, but this is false. - NRLC

1.) Contact your Representative and ask them to vote "YES" on the
Stupak Amendment. Contact your Members here.
or call the House switchboard at: (202) 224-3121

2.) Spread the word to 10 people.

3.) Continue to pray for our elected officials. Pray that our
nation -- founded on the inalienable right to life --
does not allow its government to fund the destruction
of human life at its most vulnerable stage.

That Congress will act to ensure that needed health care reform will truly protect the life, dignity and health care of all and that we will raise our voices to protect the unborn and the most vulnerable and to preserve our freedom of conscience.
We pray to the Lord.

Sincerely,


Lisa Correnti
Founder and Director
OneNationUnderGod.org

Check this link for more information.

Beautiful lanterns!

Go on over to that faithful and crafty woman Anne's blog. You'll be amazed! Here you go!

Excited!

I am very excited! I just saw the new cover image of Mother Teresa and Me: Ten Years of Friendship! It's just beautiful! I'll be able to share it with you very soon. I don't mean to keep you in suspense.:)

God bless!

Donna-Marie

Please don't sit back

Finding EWTN

Check Out EWTN's new Channel Finder –

From EWTN:

"Traveling? Want to share the good news about EWTN with a friend in another part of the country?

Then you'll love EWTN's handy new Channel Finder, an online gadget that easily lets you find the channels on which EWTN is airing in any part of the United States. Just look for the “Channel Finder” icon on our home page.

You'll also find it on our television page, and the What's New page and on . Try it! Just enter a zip code and up pops all the channels on which you can view EWTN in that area."

Prayers

Not too long ago I asked for prayers for a woman in a Kansas hospital who was on a ventilator and fighting for her life. She had two sets of twin children at home. You all prayed and she is now completely fine! Thank you!

I have another favor, in addition to the prayer requests in the column of this blog, please pray for someone I know who just found out this morning that her cancer has come back after a ten year remission. She will need a double mastectomy and treatment. She has two small children and is hoping for many prayers to pull through all of it to be here for her children. Thank you in advance for your generous and powerful prayers.

God bless you and keep you!

Hugs!

Donna-Marie

Hey! Did you hear about this?

Lisa Hendey at Catholic Mom.Com is running an amazing contest...

"Bringing new life into the world is a profound miracle; but for some women, pregnancy itself isn’t easy. To show our support, celebrate the blessing, and pamper our pregnant friends, we decided to offer a pregnancy giveaway during the month of November. Leave a comment on this post, and you’ll be entered to win one of two pregnancy prize packages.

Prize Pack 1:

1 copy of Erin O’Brien’s Complete Pregnancy Fitness DVD set
1 Bella Band
1 copy of the complete Laugh and Learn DVD package including Laugh and Learn about Childbirth, Breastfeeding, and Newborn Baby Care; 1 Laugh and Learn T-shirt; 1 copy of Sheri Bayles’ Laugh and Learn about Childbirth book
1 copy of Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine-Month Novena for Mothers to Be by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle
1 copy of Margo Smith’s CD “Sending Up A Prayer”
Prize Pack 2:

1 copy of Erin O’Brien’s Complete Pregnancy Fitness DVD set
2 boxes of Organic Preggie Pop Drops
1 copy of the complete Laugh and Learn DVD package including Laugh and Learn about Childbirth, Breastfeeding, and Newborn Baby Care; 1 Laugh and Learn T-shirt; 1 copy of Sheri Bayles’ Laugh and Learn about Childbirth book
1 copy of Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine-Month Novena for Mothers to Be by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle
1 copy of Margo Smith’s CD “Sending Up A Prayer”
Visit Kate Wicker at Momopoly for a detailed review of the Complete Pregnancy Fitness DVD set. Visit Anne McClure at Catholic Mommy Brain for reviews of the Bella Band, Laugh and Learn package, and Prayerfully Expecting."

So, go over to Catholic Mom.Com and see how to enter!

New Review of my book Prayerfully Expecting

Anne McClure at "Catholic Mommy Brain" has just reviewed my book: Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine Month Novena for Mothers to Be:

"Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle is a Catholic wife, mother of five, author, speaker, and Lay Missionary of Charity. Inspired by the idea that pregnancy spans nine months, Donna Marie created a guide to using this period of time for a novena of prayers and reflection on the blessing of new life.

This reflective journal helps you pray through your pregnancy, using beautiful meditations on all the mysteries of the Rosary and asking the intercession of Saint Anne and Saint Gerard Majella in particular. Interspersed with these prayers are descriptions of the baby’s development and quotes from wonderful models of love such as Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta (a personal friend of Donna-Marie’s). These nuggets of wisdom will deepen your experience on the incredible dignity of life.

I am praying through this book myself and am so grateful for the peace I am finding. It can be so difficult to simply appreciate pregnancy. After all, everything about a pregnancy is oriented towards its conclusion. We can’t help but ponder names, prepare for labor, and dream about cuddling a new baby. These thoughts can be fun, but they can also prevent us from enjoying the experience of pregnancy itself. Prayerfully Expecting allows us an opportunity to slow down and find God in the process and not just the product. It offers a window into how God sees pregnancy– as a gift of self and an act of love.

Donna Marie is an inspiring witness to the joy of mothering. Prayerfully Expecting seeks to help every mom deepen that joy. To purchase this book, or to learn more about Donna Marie’s other writings, visit her website. You can also find her blogging at View From the Domestic Church, Moments of Inspiration From Your Favorite Saints, Embracing Motherhood, and Daily Dose of Donna-Marie. Her new TV series, “Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms” will soon premiere on EWTN as well."

Visit Anne's blog here.

Support a Catholic Speaker Month

Favorite Catholic Speaker Nominee Fr. Phillip Chavez

Fr. Phillip Chavez, SOLT, leader in Men' Ministry is a priest in the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity. You may be familiar with this Society because it is the same Society as Fr. John Corapi's.

Fr. Chavez is the director of the Amator Institute which is a men's ministry based in south-central PA. He has been encouraged by his superiors to establish an outreach to men so that they can be helped through the many challenges and struggles that they face in modern times. Fr. Chavez concentrates on Masculine Spirituality.

Fr. Chavez has said, "Men often find themselves isolated, profoundly dissatisfied, unfulfilled, and desperately seeking answers." Fr. Chavez encourages men to see and assume their supernatural calling to emulate Christ as Priest, Prophet, and King. He strives to awaken and strengthen the identity and mission of young men and fathers. He summons them to realize their natural longing to be a Leader, Protector, and Provider in their homes, churches, and community.

He strives to help men find the answers through seminars and parish missions that he offers. He often works with the Knights of Columbus who sponsor many of his appearances. Many of his recordings are published through St. Joseph's Communications.

Fr. Chavez stated, "I strive to call men toward their natural duty to mentor younger men and adolescents, inspire then to sacrificially honor their commitments, coach them to assemble and work in small teams, and summon them to defend their family, Church and society. All my work finds its basis upon sound theological and human principles, so that men may realize the secure promise of Christ: "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). A few of Fr. Chavez's talk titles are: "Masculine Identity," "Faith Challenges and the Man," "Marriage, Parenting, and Family Life."

I am pleased to be a sponsor and promoter of Fr. Chavez to the nation’s top and favorite Catholic Speakers’ List for 2009.

Fr. Chavez's contact information is:
Rev. Phillip Chavez, Solt
The Amator Institute
Post Office Box 278
Glen Rock, PA 17327

www.AmatorInstitute.org

Email: info@AmatorInstitute.org

Check out the entire list of Catholic speakers Support a Catholic Speaker Month here.

A great reflection on All Souls Day

Mary De Turris Poust gives us a great reflection on All Souls Day and Purgatory.

Never a dull moment...

Never a dull moment! I had to chase a coyote out of my yard today. It was trying to pick a fight with my dog, Sweetpea at around lunch time. A pack of coyotes will send one coyote out to try to get your dog or other animal and entice him or her to another spot. Then, the whole pack will attack and kill the poor animal. They'll just go ahead and attack and kill smaller animals on the spot without a problem.

My dog is beginning to lose her hearing so I had to yell for her to come in and then go closer so she could see me and hear me. I didn't want to get too close to the coyote. Brave Sweetpea was barking and inching towards her to chase her out of our property. I yelled at the coyote to "GET OUT OF HERE!!!" And it did leave. It took a little bit. It turned around and meandered out of our driveway and down the road. Sweetpea still wanted to protect me by barking and inching towards the wild animal and I had to get her safely in the house. It was scary since just last week I read in the news about the poor nineteen year old who was hiking in Canada and was attacked by two coyotes. Unfortunately, she couldn't be saved and she died. Let's pray for her soul. I have been.

Incidentally, the pictures here are not of the actual coyote that visited us today. The photos are from the Internet.

Praying for the Holy Souls in Purgatory

Karen Edmisten asks and answers the question: Why bother praying for the souls in Purgatory.

All Souls Day

The Commemoration of All Souls

"We know our union with the brethren who have died in the grace and faith of Christ is not the least weakened or interrupted by their death. On the contrary it is strengthened by our conveying spiritual goods for their benefit."

Second Vatican Council n Gentium, 49

All Saints Day celebration

A beautiful family's All Saint's Day costumes.

Happy All Saints' Day!

God is the glory and joy of all his saints, whose memory we celebrate
today.

May his blessing be with you always.
Amen.

May the prayers of the saints deliver you from present evil;

May their example of holy living turn your thoughts to the service of
God and neighbor.
Amen.

God's holy Church rejoices that her children are one with the saints
in lasting peace.

May you come to share with them in all the joys of our Father's house.
Amen.

May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

[Solemn blessing, Mass, Solemnity of All Saints]

A game for your kiddies...

This is from Anne in Australia...

"Here is my Early Christian Martyrs Muscial Chairs. The images and stories I have made and written (anyone is welcome to click on the images to enlarge and download to use) are the crux of this game. It is set up like a normal musical chairs game EXCEPT, have a chair for each child, rather than having one short.

There should be an image attached to the back of each chair and when the music is played the children walk around, as soon as the music stops they sit on a chair. Then the adult reads aloud one the saints stories. I've written them to be short and sweet, this is important or you will loose your little audience, but they will learn even those these stories are short.

As they hear the story they need to work out whether it is connected to the symbols attached to the chair. If it is, they are out of the game! Their chair is removed, the music continues. It goes on like that until only one chair and child is left standing. If you have say 30 children, allow children to pair up for this game holding hands..."

Continued here at Anne's beautiful blog.

Line up of shows on the saints on EWTN

WEEKLY FEATURE

Learn How To Be a Saint – from the Saints and Theologians
Plus Two Other Programs of Interest

Fire up your DVR for a season's worth of saint movies, which can all be recorded in one day. In honor of All Saints' Day, EWTN will air the following on Sunday, Nov. 1:

• “Brother André” – Blessed Andre, the Holy Cross Brother who has been credited with thousands of cures, was the founder of St. Joseph's Oratory in Montreal, Canada, perhaps the world's principal shrine in honor of St. Joseph. In this drama, he speaks with his niece, who is discerning a vocation, about the struggles and perseverance it took to obtain approval for the Shrine. (2 a.m. ET). Read More


PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK
TERESA DE JESUS
An eight-part mini-series on the life of the great saint and mystic Teresa of Avila that airs every Saturday in October.
PT 7: Part seven is set in Seville during the summer of 1575, and finds Teresa troubled by illness and the Inquisition. Spanish with English subtitles.
Sat 10/31/09 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT
PT 8: This episode finds the aging Teresa continuing her great work of reform and ends with her death. Spanish with English subtitles.
Sat 10/31/09 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT


FRANCISCAN UNIVERSITY PRESENTS
Atheists and Believers
What accounts for unbelief? How can Christians talk with atheists about God? And why is that conversation so necessary? Join Fr. Michael Scanlan, TOR, Dr. Regis Martin and Dr. Scott Hahn as they tackle those questions and more with special guest Michael Novak, author of “No One Sees God: The Dark Night of Atheists and Believers.”
Tue 11/03/09 1:00 PM ET / 10 AM PT
Fri 11/06/09 4:00 AM ET / 1 AM PT

UNTOLD BLESSINGS:
THREE PATHS TO HOLINESS
In this series of lectures, Fr. Robert Barron provides concrete, practical advice on how to become a saint, marking out three specific paths to holiness.
Wed 11/04/09 10:00 PM ET / 7 PM PT
Sat 11/07/09 5:00 AM ET / 2 AM PT

Is Halloween a pagan holiday?

Putting the Hallow Back in Halloween
By Bethany Hudson

"The air is getting chilly. The leaves are beginning to turn. Pumpkins and Indian corn are cropping up at all the local farms. And Christians across America are beginning to grow uneasy as Hallowe’en approaches. The day of the Great Pumpkin has become an occasion for the Great Debate about whether or not to celebrate this increasingly secularized—and increasingly macabre—holiday. Sometimes though, in the “to dress as a witch or not to dress as a witch” debate, we lose sight of the fact that whether or not we celebrate Hallowe’en in a secular or pseudo-secular manner, we Christians are meant to celebrate it together as a holy vigil!

Many people make the mistake of thinking that Hallowe’en is a pagan holiday. While it is true that many Northern European countries held pagan celebrations on or around October 31st, the holiday of Hallowe’en, or All Hallows Eve, is actually of Christian origin. In the 9th century, Pope Gregory IV moved the Christian feast days of All Saints and All Souls from May to November so that they could be celebrated simultaneously on the first of November. The final night of October became the vigil or Eve of all the Hallows. (Today, All Souls’ Day is celebrated on the 2nd of November as its own holiday.) Since All Hallows’ Eve happened to coincide precisely with Samhain, the Celtic festival of the dead, it was natural for the Celts to incorporate their ancient customs into their celebration of this new holiday which also focused on those who had preceded them in death.

It is natural to want to confront those things, like death, which frighten us most. Hallowe’en gives us ample opportunity to scare and to be scared. Besides, how often do we get the chance to play dress up? And, of course, who doesn’t look forward to the treats of Hallowe’en—the candied apples, toasted pumpkin seeds, doughnuts, caramel corn, and the tons of candy?..." Read the full article here.

Saints in November on EWTN!

A wonderful line up of saints stories coming up on EWTN in November!

More Saints...

Take alook at this awesome blog for some ideas on the saints. I'll be back later to post some games and things.