Reclaiming Our Children

Fr Tansi/Nani Chineke

I know I have not posted in a while, but you have to check out this song by newly ordained Fr Tansi, CFR. It is so beautiful...cannot wait for the album

https://www.facebook.com/renewalinmotion/videos/502429613422609/?comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22O%22%7D

 

Next Men's Day

Are you, or a man you know, suffering the loss of a child through abortion?  There is hope.  There is healing.  An Entering Canaan Men's Day of Prayer & Healing for men suffering from the aftermath of abortion is scheduled for October 7, 2017.  The day will be hosted by Lumina & The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.  Join us and begin your journey to healing. 

“The Post Abortive Men’s Retreat enabled me to confront the reality of what I had done many years ago.  At the end of the retreat, the facts had not changed, but I  had.  A recurring nightmare of more than 30 years, in which the police kept arresting me for a murder I couldn’t remember, suddenly stopped and has  never returned.  The Men’s Retreat was a day of grace and  redemption for me.”  ~Martin

To register or for more information please call 1-877-586-4621 or email lumina@postabortionhelp.org.  Visit the Men's Page for stories of healing and information for your journey. 

The Condemning Crowd

So, last night I saw a post on face book by a Catholic saying all women who have abortions should get the death penalty. A statement like this is disturbing on so many levels, but mostly in thinking that those who are seeking forgiveness will see it, and truly believe Gods mercy is not for them.

 

It is not the first time I have heard something like this, unfortunately, it can be quite common. There have been many times when even people I know have made statements condemning those of us who have participated in abortion.  I personally cringe when I think of the despair it can throw someone into who is already hating themselves and at the cusp of despair.  Statements like this take away all hope. That is a very dangerous thing to do to someone.

 

 

Yes, abortion is always wrong, but only God can know how responsible each person is. Even if they were truly responsible if they have repented and have true sorrow God longs to forgive them. That is why Jesus came to earth, to die for our sins and open heaven to us, even the sin of abortion.

 

The other level of that statement that is so sad  is that the person who made it, obviously does not know Gods mercy . We are all sinners in need of it.

 

Judge the sin, not the sinner, only God can do that, and we all need to be careful because we never know what sins we ourselves have caused.

 

So, if you have had an abortion and happened to see that post, do not despair. I promise you there are countless numbers of us who have found God's love, forgiveness and mercy and we can promise you it is there for everyone who desires it!

 

Jesus we trust in You!

The Voice of a Sibling

Abortion: The Crime Against Humanity

There are a lot of things wrong with the world. Drug and alcohol abuse are rampant, cities are becoming increasingly violent, and human on human crimes are becoming more and more common.

What do you think of when I say "human on human crimes?" Maybe you think of things like human trafficking or abuse. While both of these things are greatly wrong, there is another issue that needs to be more urgently addressed. Abortion.  Abortion is a a great crime against humanity. Science tells us that abortion is certainly a human on human crime, but the people who call themselves "pro-choice" would have you believe otherwise. They claim that abortion is a human right belonging to pregnant women, but I challenge that claim. I say that abortion is a clear moral tragedy that needs much more attention than it currently receives.

As of 2009, 51% of Americans considered themselves to be pro-life, or anti-abortion, while 42% of Americans considered themselves to be pro-choice, or pro-abortion. 51% of Americans being anti-abortion is something worth celebrating, but unfortunately it isn’t enough. Abortion still isn’t seen as something appalling. Not enough people recognize the growing urgency to challenge pro-abortion views. Over 3,000 abortions will have occurred today in the United States alone. That’s over 3,000 lives lost. Most of these abortions occur at around 7 week’s gestation. At 7 weeks, the pre-born child has brain waves and a heart-beat. The child at this age has little developing hands, feet, and ears. While all of these things provide some validation to the humanity of pre-born children, they do not give them their value. Their value lies in the fact that they are tiny human beings made in the image and likeness of God.

As if it is not enough that abortion takes the lives of developing pre-born babies, it also does a great deal of harm to mothers, fathers, and even siblings. Post abortion syndrome or "PAS" affects women who have had abortions and is a form of post-traumatic stress disorder. A person with PAS may experience feelings of guilt, anxiety, numbness, and depression among many other things.

Post-abortion survivor syndrome or "PASS" affects people who have lost pre-born siblings, especially those who have had siblings aborted. These surviving siblings often feel that someone is missing from their family, even if they do not know about any past abortions in the family. If a surviving sibling does someday find out about an aborted sibling, they may face feelings of depression and guilt. The loss of the sibling is often felt acutely. Many will question why they are alive and their sibling is not. The need to grieve for the lost sibling is also common. Although they are very few, there are fortunately some places that provide healing programs for post-abortive parents and siblings. Even though these programs exist, more light still needs to be shone on the issue, as these syndromes are not well recognized.

Another thing that is not well recognized is the humanity of the pre-born child. Children in the womb are often given terms and called names that disgrace and dehumanize them in a shameful way. It is absurd that some should be led to believe that the pre-born baby is not a human. From the point of conception, this new individual has human DNA and resides in a human womb. To call it anything else besides a human being is not scientifically justifiable. 22 days from conception the heart chambers of the pre-born baby are developing. At 32 days, a primitive vertebrae is forming. At 45 days, the child’s heart is beating two times as fast as its mothers. At 52 days, the retina of the eye, the nose, and the fingers are developing quickly. A little being growing this fast is obviously alive.

Some may argue that a person has a right to do with their body what they see to be fit. Specifically, that a woman has the right to extinguish the life she created, if it so pleases her. This is typically called bodily autonomy in the abortion debate. It may sound learned to say that a woman has a right to her bodily autonomy, but in reality, it is a quite unfounded claim. Putting restrictions on the things we may do with our bodies is something very common. Our bodies are a part of our beings, we use them to carry out tasks. The things we do with our bodies may be moral, or immoral. Typically, there are laws set to make sure that no immoral act is carried out with our bodies, and these acts are punishable due to the laws that have been set. There are some thing we cannot do, and there are also certain things we have a duty to carry out. For example, it is legally punishable for a person to starve their child. Parents are responsible for the well-being of their children. I believe that a woman who partakes in a procreative act and becomes pregnant, has a duty to carry her child and decide to either raise it or give it up for adoption. The child she is carrying has its own body, and the only place it will thrive is in its mother’s womb. It is only fair to let it grow until the time comes for the woman to give birth. Now, if the bodily autonomy claim was carried out to its logical extent, all laws and guidelines would have to be abolished, otherwise people would not be able to carry out their free will and make the choices they want to make. This is, obviously, a very dangerous conclusion to come to, and fortunately the only people who give much credit to bodily autonomy is the pro-abortion crowd.

With 42% of the population being pro-choice, it raises the question of what we are to do to change the hearts and minds of these people, so that pre-born babies will finally have a chance. In short, I believe that the best way to change the public’s mind is to educate them and wake them up to reality.

As we have already established, abortion is clearly a moral tragedy that needs more attention. When I say that abortion needs more attention, I don’t mean dressing it up in hot pink and calling it a choice. I mean displaying the cold hard facts - boldly. We cannot, and must not, be afraid to stand up for pre-born children. These babies have no voice of their own. Their families who are supposed to protect them, are being deceived into believing that there is nothing to protect. Remind them of what pregnancy really means! It’s a new human being! It’s exciting and natural!  But, most of all, it is something to be respected. Pregnancy is not a disease so we need to stop treating it that way. An unplanned pregnancy is not the end of the world. There are people who can and will help anyone in a crisis situation, without doing something that will result in severe emotional trauma for everyone involved.

The steps to be taken are really very simple. All you need to do is dive head first into the whole mess of the abortion debate. This may sound scary, but what I mean by saying this is that you must educate yourself. Educating yourself these days is easy. We have the internet, and easy access to libraries so there is no excuse for ignorance of the facts of abortion. This world is full of people who are dedicating their lives to saving babies, and these people are publishing books, and writing great articles exposing abortion. These same people are going and spending their days sitting outside of abortion clinics praying for the women who are about to have a simple medical procedure done that will quite possibly ruin their lives. There are websites used for the sole purpose of educating people about abortion and the abortion industry. Learn your facts, and know them well. Know what the pro-abortion side believes, and learn to refute their arguments in a way that will make them want to be a part of the growing 51% of anti-abortion people in this country. We all have the power to end abortion, we just need to use it!

My goal is to have at least one person reading this to be righteously angry about abortion. So angry, that as soon as you finish reading this, you begin educating yourself about it, so that you can make a real effort to end abortion once and for all. I want you to be so passionate about ending abortion that you empathize with the scared mothers who feel that the only path they can take is the path that will cut off her child’s life.

The benefits are clear. You can be a voice to the voiceless. You can save lives. But the question is, will you?

Ally Warmoth

Click here to visit Ally's Blog. 

 http://alexandrawarmoth.wordpress.com/2014/05/08/abortion-the-crime-against-humanity/

The Grace of Staying Still in Healing

We live in a very busy world. I feel I am often outside of myself catching up to where I think I should be. There just seems to be so many expectations, not only from others but those I place on myself! No wonder so many people feel stressed and under pressure! What exactly are we racing to?

We are busy, busy, busy, even periods of quiet contemplation become sources of the noise in our heads instead of the peaceful refuge they are suppose to be. I am embarrassed to admit it, but there are days when I shop during the consecration, or I am planning the events of the day in my head while the biggest miracle of the world is taking place. Most times I do not even notice I am doing it until it is over, and then I am filled with the sorrow of distraction, but also the joy of knowing I will soon receive the One who saves me from myself.

The noise of the world sometimes never seems to go away. Some days, I need to make a concerted effort to pull myself back to where I am suppose to be, in the presence of Jesus Christ.

I think we often do that in healing as well. I want to be here! Why aren’t I there yet? We can be everywhere we think we should be except for the place we really are!  We are sure we know the best location for ourselves, we grow impatient with our healing, and even bargain with God filling our prayers with “If only’s…”

The rush of the world,  instead of the peace of Jesus Christ.  But, race as we might, we will not find our healing here or there. Contrary to what the world tells us, we will not get to “be” by running around and doing all it seems to call us to do. No, healing is in the present. It is also in the presence! It is the grace of staying still and listening to His word and His will for us. It is stopping the motion so that He can reach out to touch us and give us His grace. It is in the trusting in His love for us. Healing is here and now, not down the road because this is where he calls us to be.

That of course, does not mean that we do not do what He asks us to do, to learn, to pray, to attend places that will help us, but there is a difference many times, in doing what He asks and what we want.

The Fourth Little Pig - Me!

We’re all familiar with the children’s story of “The Three Little Pigs”. They all thought that they were pretty self sufficient. After being sent out to seek their fortune by an old sow, they each went about the business of building their own house.

The first was made of straw. As the tale goes the wolf came and sought to enter, when the pig refused, he was met with this chant, “I'll puff, and I'll huff, and I'll blow your house in”.

Blew it in he did, consuming the little pig!

Pig number two did not fare much better having built his house with sticks. Once again the wolf approached;” I'll puff, and I'll huff, and I'll blow your house in”. Sadly, the house collapsed and pig number two was added to the menu.

The third little pig was much smarter and built his house with bricks. When the wolf approached with his threats of puffing, he found that this house would not come down, and so he tempted the pig by enticing him with vegetables  from the garden thinking he would be able to devour him when they met there, however the third pig was on to him, and went to the garden and back before the wolf showed up. And so the story continues as the wolf tries various plots to consume the pig, but the pig in the end is the victor as he sets a trap for the wolf that comes down the chimney into boiling water.

This children’s tale reminds me of my journey to God. I always thought I knew what was best and instead of looking for direction from God, I set out on my own only to have the “wolf” and my own personal weaknesses cause havoc in my life. I often speak of how I built my house on straw and lost everything, because God wanted me to build my house on the rock which is Him!

It took much suffering before I learned and trusted Him with my life. At times it appeared that I would never survive and that He was stripping me of all I held dear, but I grew to know what He did was for my salvation and my road map to Him.

Jesus tells us a story similar to the Three Little Pigs in Matt 7:23-27

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them
will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.
And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them
will be like a fool who built his house on sand.
The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
And it collapsed and was completely ruined.” Matt 7: 23-27

May we each build our houses  on the Rock, Jesus Christ, knowing that by doing so, we are safe from the prowling of the wolf and from our own weaknesses.

A Journey to Healing

Theresa Bonopartis, in her book A Journey Toward Healing, offers keen insight into the effects of abortion, the real struggle to find healing, and the hope that one can be healed, as well as reunited with their aborted children. As I read her book, I felt my pain and grief was understood, in a way that only Theresa could pen because she has been there. Theresa breaks open her own wound to help others heal through her deep spiritual insights into the Merciful Love of Jesus. This book is a gift to the body of Christ, as it offers hope to those who's abortions have plunged them into self hatred and isolation. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand the post abortive and to all those who are ready to take the Journey toward healing with Theresa. This book offers the Hope!  Anonymous

Congratulations, prayers and blessings to the CFR's !

Tuesday will be a very special day here in the Bronx, New York, as we celebrate in thanksgiving to God for the gift of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal who have been recognized as a religious institute of pontifical right.  After a Mass at Sts. Peter and Paul, there will be a block party at St. Crispin’s Friary, sure to be filled with music and joy!

I am very blessed to have known the Friars since the late eighties in their beginnings, when they numbered eight men. Many a Saturday morning, Father Benedict Groeschel, CFR, and Father Herald Brock, CFR, were on hand to pray with us in front of the Women’s Medical Pavilion, an abortion clinic in Dobbs Ferry, New York. Those were days filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit as faithful pro lifers and wonderful clergy like the CFR’s, Bishops Vaughn and Lynch and, of course, Monsignor Philip Reilly, joined us in prayer and protest.

In the years of Operation Rescue, it was not uncommon for the Friars to speak at our rallies and face being arrested with us, or visit those thrown in jail for blocking the doors of the clinic. I can still remember to this day when Father Fidelis Moscinski, CFR, and Bishop Lynch were arrested at the same clinic.

I have also been very blessed to work closely with many of the friars for many years as we reach out to those hurting because of a past abortion (too many to list but, you know who you are!). I can never thank them enough for the support in the work, always asking what they can do to help. To this day, they are faithful to the ministry and I am so grateful for their love and presence to the women, men, and sibling we serve.

They have also been instrumental in the direction of the ministry as they provided guidance in the development of “Entering Canaan” and so many other works I have been involved in. I am convinced the work would not be where it is, if not for the spiritual guidance of Fr. Conrad Osterhaut, CFR and Fr. Mariusz Koch, CFR, over the past more than twenty years. Fr Marius’ generosity in the men’s ministry has been a tremendous gift, as well as his assistance in trainings for clergy in post abortion healing.

Just one look at the church packed with youth for Catholic Underground, or their response to those in need at the door of a Friary , not to mention their many other ministries, can make any heart fill with hope.

It has been amazing to watch the Friars grow from eight men to well over one hundred. Admittedly, I don’t even know most of them anymore, they come from and are from all over the world now, and as I get older they get younger!

Last week as I attended the first mass of some of the newly ordained, I sat in awe and truly wept tears of joy and gratitude to God for this great gift to His Church.  

Many blessings and prayers on you Friars.  Thank you for the gift of yourself to us all. We love you!

Chasing Grace

I am looking forward to reading the memoir of Sanya Richards Ross, Chasing Grace: What the Quarter Mile Has Taught Me About God and Life .

Sanya is a five time Medalist, who shares in her book her decision to abort a pregnancy just weeks before the 2008 Olympics.

I have only read a couple of short interviews she has given prior to the books release next week, but there is no doubt both she and her husband Aaron Ross, a former Gaints Quarterback, feel remorse for their decision (they were not married at the time).

Sanya makes no secret of the fact that her abortion hurt her. 'I made a decision that broke me, and one from which I would not immediately heal,' she said. 'Abortion would now forever be a part of my life. A scarlet letter I never thought I'd wear.'  She also shares how it impacted her relationship with her husband leaving her feeling resentful and abandoned. Thankfully they seem to have worked through this.

I don;t know if Sanya has been through a healing program. She does share about her faith in God however, and she and Aaron are now expecting a child.

With almost 60 million abortions in the United states I have no doubt that many more athletes made this devastating choice for their careers.

I thank Sanya for her courage and wish many blessings on her and her family as they embrace this new gift of life.

 

 

Gifts of the Holy Spirit in Healing from Abortion

Fear of the Lord

The gift of Fear of the Lord helps us to know our dependence on God and His great love f r us. In our human pride we often do not want to be dependent on anyone and so we reject Christs teachings . This gift enables us to know His great love for us and His desire for our good. It also encourages us to meet Him in the Sacraments where we receive His body and forgiveness.

Lord, give us the gift of fear of the Lord, that we may be grateful for our dependence on you knowing you desire our forgiveness and healing.