Lumina - a ray of light after abortion

Conquering the heart of God

"We conquer the heart of the Good Shepherd only with our trustful abandonment to Him."

(In the Arms of Mary, pg. 81)

Willing abandonment? Now that is a tough one. especially if abandonment is one of the issues you have surrounding your abortion.

So, He wants me to willing give up everything, even myself, my safety, my possessions, everything if He asks for it and trust that He will always take care of me? That is how I conquer His heart?

It is not easy. We take "possession" of things countless times during each day. even when we know we do not, we think we have all of the answers. Most times we probably do not even recognize how much control we are taking by following our will without a thought of His.

Yet it is in this abandonment that we find our peace and our healing. This "letting go" allows Him to work in us, perhaps send us tot he right place to get the help we need and learn what we need to do on an emotion and spiritual level to heal.

Hard? You bet? even impossible in this life for most, but it is our faithfulness He sees and that which conquers HIm and brings us His Mercy.

Rev Benedict's 50th

Great video for the 50th anniversary of Rev Benedict Groeschel, CFR, Chairman of the Board and co-founder of Good Counsel of whom Lumina is a program...

a tear jerker for me....

Reactions to abortion and subsequent mental health

A new study on abortion and subsequent mental health is out in The British Journal of Psychiatry. It is about time the women themselves were given a voice!

New Study Shows 85 Percent of Women Say Abortions Cause Mental Health Issues
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
November 3, 2009

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A new report from researchers at a university in New Zealand indicates 85 percent of women who had abortions report negative mental health issues as a result. The report is the latest from professor David Fergusson and his team showing abortions cause problems for women.

The University of Otago team examined the medical history of over 500 women and concluded having an abortion generally “leads to significant distress in some” women who have them.

It noted women reporting adverse reactions to their abortions were up to 80 percent more likely to have mental health problems and risk of mental illness was “proportional to the degree of distress” associated with the abortion.

The study, which appears in the latest issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry, examined data from women who had been interviewed six times between the ages of 15 and 30 and who were asked if they were pregnant and, if so, the outcome of the pregnancy.

More than 85 percent of women reported negative reactions to their abortions including sorrow, sadness, guilt, regret, grief and disappointment.

read the rest here: http://www.lifenews.com/int1371.html

Or if you want, you can purchase a copy of the actual report here:

http://bjp.rcpsych.org/cgi/content/abstract/195/5/420

Lumina Media

We just added a new page to our website with articles about or written by Lumina as well as some radio and tapes...

check it out when you have a chance: http://postabortionhelp.org/media/media.html

An abundance of works

As a post abortion ministry I have always referred and publicized the many different ways that God has brought about to heal post abortive women and men through many different ministries. When I was seeking healing from my own abortion there was nothing out there, so it is a joy to me to see the many ways post abortion healing has grown over the years. God is so good!

Although I am the co-developer of "Entering Canaan "with The Sisters of Life,http://www.sistersoflife.org/ec.html I recognize that God has raised up many wonderful ministries and I truly believe they each have their unique gifts and were created to meet the  needs of different people. No one way fits everyone.

Some people in fact, may find it helpful to go to more then one ministry...whatever works....ultimately, God is the only true healer working in each. They all belong to Him.

So, if one thing does not work for you, try another, but most importantly, don't give up. Whether, individual therapy, a ministry or pastoral help, there is something out there for you...how do I know, because God loves you and created so many great things for your healing!

for a list of ministries check out here: http://postabortionhelp.org/Resources/resources.html

for a referral to a therapist call us 877-586-4621

Gospel of Life

Every once in a while I like to post #99 from The Gospel of Life, the encyclical letter by Pope John PAul II. In so few words he reminds us of all we need to know for healing. The Church, while abortion is always wrong can understand how it can happen. Don't lose hope, face what you did and present yourself to Gods Mercy. Through your healing you can be the most eloquent defender of human life...how true and how beautiful! Thank you JPII!

Gospel of Life #99

I would now like to say a special word to women who have had an abortion. The Church is aware of the many factors which may have influenced your decision, and she does not doubt that in many cases it was a painful and even shattering decision. The wound in your heart may not yet have healed. Certainly what happened was and remains terribly wrong. But do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope. Try rather to understand what happened and face it honestly. If you have not already done so, give yourselves over with humility and trust to repentance. The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. You will come to understand that nothing is definitively lost and you will also be able to ask forgiveness from your child, who is now living in the Lord. With the friendly and expert help and advice of other people, and as a result of your own painful experience, you can be among the most eloquent defenders of everyone's right to life. Through your commitment to life, whether by accepting the birth of other children or by welcoming and caring for those most in need of someone to be close to them, you will become promoters of a new way of looking at human life.

Planned Parenthood Leader Resigns

Planned Parenthood leader resigns after seeing ultrasound...so, because she has had a change of heart, they are bringing her to court....pray for this woman...

http://www.breitbart.tv/planned-parenthood-leader-resigns-after-watching-ultrasound-of-abortion-procedure

All Souls Day

Today is All Souls Day in the Catholic church. At Mass this morning, the immensity of all the souls of the aborted unborn struck me profoundly, and I could not help but think of what a powerful intercession they are for us...pray for those you love who have died today, but also pray for and to the millions of unborn children to intercede for us and bring countless more souls to His mercy....

The Prayer for the Holy Souls

O God, the Creater and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of thy servants and handmaids departed, the remission of all their sins; that through pious supplications they may obtain the pardon they have always desired. Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

Illinois Parental Notification

A Parental Notification Law begins today In Illinois for girls 17 or younger. Having been 17 and forced by my dad to abort, some may think I would consider this law bad, however, I always have felt that at least our decision was made by someone who loved me in spite of how wrong it was...in the end , we worked through the dynamics and impact on our family.

I say hooray for Illinois...these girls are too young to make an life altering decision like abortion on their own...I know, I know, the old story about fearing to tell parents or safety...and again I would say, do we do that with anything else, with addiction, with drunk driving, etc etc. Because we fear for them would we want our teens being sent to a "legal" drug dealer?

We all know the answer...

Illinois parental notification law takes effect Tuesday

November 1, 2009 10:32 PM | No Comments

Physicians in Illinois this week must begin notifying a parent or guardian when a girl 17 or younger seeks an abortion -- a rule abortion opponents long have sought, but which critics say could keep minors from seeking safe procedures.

The state parental notification law, scheduled to take effect Tuesday, has been subject to legal challenges and revisions for more than 30 years. In July, a federal appeals court in Chicago lifted a federal injunction on a 1995 version of the law, clearing it for enforcement. In August, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation granted doctors a 90-day grace period before the law would go into effect.

Read more on chicagotribune.com.

Abortion EVERYWHERE...

I don't like to get political on here, but you have to admit, with the new health care bill, abortion is front and center in the news. For something that was suppose to be freeing it has divided our nation like no other issue. Talk about abortion connectors and the inability to remain in denial!

here are just a few of the stories...

10/29

Foreign adoptions -- Agency unfairly demonized Minneapolis Star Tribune

How to Burn a Pro-Choice Halloween Effigy In 10 Easy Steps Washington City Paper

Channeling Oprah: The One Thing I Know for Sure  Blog for Choice

NARAL Pro-Choice NY Mails For Dede  New York Daily News

Misremembering Dr. Tiller: How Law & Order Got It Wrong HuffPo

Birth Control Used to Be Utterly Terrifying Gizmodo.com

The History of Birth Control Newsweek

Unexpected pregnancies researched Etownian

Intrauterine contraception most popular long-term solution for Europeans World News

Limited access to emergency contraceptives Cherwell Online

A look back at natural family planning BusinessWorld Online

Pro-Life Democrats Hold 40 Votes to Help Pass Health Care Reform in House Christian News Wire

Three Pro-life Advocates Arrested at Unveiling Christian News Wire

Pro-Life or Anti-Choice? Amador Ledger-Dispatch

Pro-life group calls for boycott of cosmetics company  Catholic News Agency

Pro-Life News: House Health Care Bill Pro-Abortion, Obama, Gallup, New Jersey ... LifeNews.com

Pro-life supporters gain strength Suffolk News-Herald

Graphic Obama-Themed Abortion Display Clashes Catholic News Agency

I am not trying to kill health reform; abortion remains key concern The Hill

Pro-abortion news misleading Tulsa Beacon

Package evacuates abortion clinic WTNH

Stupak Town Hall Video: I Would Ultimately Vote for Abortion-Expanding Health Bill Catholic Online

Bishop Tobin asks Rep. Kennedy to Talk after Abortion/Healthcare Remarks Lifesite

Kan. medical board won't say why top staffer left The Associated Press

Planned Parenthood sues over abortion, stem cell petitions St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice Supports Maintaining Status Quo Reuters

Lawmaker Tries to Have It Both Ways on Health Care Reform and Abortion? FOXNews

Barriers to abortion rise, even in Brookline Boston Globe

Choice: Late Term Abortion Feminists for Choice

Judge puts off start of abortion-information gathering Tulsa World

10/30

Campaign urges more adoptions in Tennessee The Tennessean

Battle of Ideas: a matter of choice Times Online

Flathead Family Planning still open Daily Inter Lake

White House Changes Its Rhetoric on Abortion Funding in Health Bill  CNSNews.com

Teen Mother Speaks Out WSET

House Faces Fight With Industry, Abortion Foes Over Health Plan Bloomberg

Abortion: Debates on Sproul Plaza Daily Californian

It is hard sometimes, not to get pulled in to the craziness of the debate.

IN the end the important thing is to connect with a post abortion recovery ministry or therapist and concentrate on your personal healing. God will lead you step by step if h e is asking something else of you, so do not pressure yourself. When and if the time comes, you will know.

The new health care bill contrary to what it claims, does pay for abortion. I personally do not want to be forced to pay for another baby dying and another woman /family suffering.

Let's pray that we can come up with a new health care bill that truly serves to the good of all people.