Articles For Heart Mind Soul

In 1858 the Immaculate Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous near Lourdes in France, in the grotto of Massabielle.  The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on February 11, commemorates this wondrous event.  Every year thousands of pilgrims make their way to the grotto to see the site of Our Lady's apparition.

Catholic Teaching On Organ Donation   Organ and tissue donation is heroic and praiseworthy.   As an act of charity, organ and tissue donation have repeatedly received magisterial support and encouragement.  Indeed, Pope John Paul II in the encyclical  Evangelium Vitae  lists organ donation among "heroic acts," stating that, "A particularly praiseworthy example of such gestures is the donation of organs, performed in an ethically acceptable manner."

WASHINGTON, DC (January 28, 2012) - The March for Life on Monday, January 23 saw half a million people take to the streets of the nation’s capital to share their pro-life convictions and join together for the common cause of stopping abortion. According to LifeNews, an estimated 500 thousand people attended the 2012 March for Life once again breaking the record for the largest human rights demonstration of its kind . This year the majority of marchers were under the age of 25.

Bishop Oscar Cantu, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, alongside other priests, will celebrate a Mass for Life, renewing our commitment in raising the awareness of the tragedy of abortion and the compelling need to continue the struggle of building a culture that respects the human dignity of every human person, from the moment of conception to natural death. Since 1973, for almost 40 years, more than 53 million unborn children have been aborted in the United States. This weekend, the Archdiocese of San Antonio joins in spirit with all national pro-life leaders to pray for the men and women who have chosen abortion and for an end to abortion in our country. (Click here to read Bishop Cantu’s homily)

The Annual Right to Life Rally was held at Milam Park on Sunday, January 22. Archbishop Gustavo encouraged all people of good will to, "continue the fight to protect the greatest gift that each child gives us, the opportunity to love. For the power and reality of love is God’s supreme truth." (Click here to read the Archbishop's remarks.)

Venerable Thecla Merlo (1894-1964) Venerated January 22, 1991 by Pope John Paul II Meditation on Sacred Scripture and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament have been the foundation of prayer for many women destined to be great spiritual mothers. Such was the case with Maestra Thecla, first Superior General of the Daughters of St. Paul founded by Father James Alberione. As she told her sisters, “Our Master dwells in the Tabernacle. From there he preaches to our mind and heart by means of the Gospel…We must always live united to Jesus. The Holy Trinity dwells in those persons who are united to Jesus.” In notes she wrote, Maestra Thecla outlined the three main characteristics of her spiritual life. They provide a spiritual tripod upon which the interior life can rest secured: 1. Listening: A simple and life-oriented meditation of the Word of God. 2. Imitation: On-going contemplation of Jesus the Master, encouraged by the biblical phrase: “Learn from me for I am meek a...

(Received in email) As the mother of a grown daughter with severe developmental disabilities, this article about Archbishop Chaput 's address brought tears to my eyes and chills to my soul. It is a very powerful call to defend life. In Jesus, who is the Life, Cami Access: Archbishop Chaput: “Accepting A Child With Special Needs Is A Choice Between Courage And Cowardice!” “The real choice in accepting or rejecting a child with special needs is between love and un-love; between courage and cowardice; between trust and fear,” he said.

Written by Pope John Paul II, this prayer asks for the intercession of Mary  to bring an end to evil in all its forms and to reveal the light of hope to all the world. Immaculate Heart of Mary, help us to conquer the menace of evil, which so easily takes root in the hearts of the people of today, and whose immeasurable effects already weigh down upon our modern world and seem to block the paths toward the future. From famine and war, deliver us. From nuclear war, from incalculable self-destruction, from every kind of war, deliver us. From sins against human life from its very beginning, deliver us. From hatred and from the demeaning of the dignity of the children of God, deliver us. From every kind of injustice in the life of society, both national and international, deliver us. From readiness to trample on the commandments of God, deliver us. From attempts to stifle in human hearts the very truth of God, deliver us. From the loss of awareness of good and evil, deliver ...

Use this Scripture-based, Christ-centered prayer for spiritual refreshment along the way of your life's journey. As Jesus sought the quiet of the desert Teach us to pray. As Jesus washed the feet of his disciples Teach us to love. As Jesus promised Paradise to the thief on the cross. Teach us to hope. As Jesus called Peter to walk to him across the water Teach us to believe. As the child Jesus sat among the elders in the temple Teach us to seek answers. As Jesus in the garden opened his mind and heart to God's will Teach us to listen. As Jesus reflected on the Law and the Prophets Teach us to learn. As Jesus used parables to reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom Teach us to teach.

Read it now! — February 2012 Charisletter online Read the latest news from the Catholic Center For Charismatic Renewal and find out about upcoming events to add to your calendar! Access: February 2012 Charisletter

Video website: http://www.spiritjuicestudios.com/ Fr. Pontifex Music: http://www.phatmass.com/music/ordained-by-fr-pontifex/

Initial Victory: Texas Sonogram Law   Ruled Constitutional Read More... Bishop Flores Discusses Exorcism in Latest Texas Catholic Podcast   It is available either via the Texas Catholic Podcast on iTunes or on the   Texas Catholic Conference’s website at the Audio Archive . Read More... Political Ethics Read More... A System of Fifty State Immigration Laws Is Untenable Read More... Pope Urges U.S. Church to Counter Secularism, Protect Religious Liberty Read More...

(Received in email) Access: Courageous Priest

(Received in email) Knights of Columbus Bible Study Tuesday Evenings:   7 Feb – 27 Mar 20012 7:00 p.m. Knights of Columbus Hall (Hwy 90 east) Lent 2012 – “Come and See…” (Jn. 1:46) Bible Study Introducing the Biblical Worldview Presenter:   Fr. Antonio O. Moreno Bible course description:   “Covenant” is the master concept that unlocks the meaning of the Bible.   The Bible tells the story of God, the Father’s love for His children and His plan to fashion all people into one holy family.   God unfolds this plan of salvation through a series of covenants, culminating in the New Covenant He makes in Jesus.      We will look at God’s plan.   We will study the five key covenants God makes in the Old Testament in order to see how they are fulfilled in Jesus and the Church. Registration:   Free!   “Come and See…” (Jn. 1:46) Bible series is sponsored by the Knights ...

What better way to kick off the New Year than to focus our attention on saving the lives of innocent babies whose lives continue to be in danger due to abortion. There are many ways to get involved this month and take a stand for LIFE. Take a look at recent video blog series on those where were “Almost Aborted”: Gianna Jessen , abortion survivor and pro-life advocate and speaks on the debate to decriminalize abortion. Claire Culwell , survived an abortion but her twin did not. Melissa Ohden was never supposed to make it out of the womb, but today, she is happy and healthy, having survived her own abortion. Bryce Daniel escaped the doctor's suggestion of an abortion after telling his parents that he was missing part of his brain and would die after birth. Tim Tebow was almost aborted after doctor's encouraged Pam, Tebow's mother, to have an abortion. They said that her life as well as th...



Tuesday Evenings Beginning February 7, 2012 7:00 p.m. Knights of Columbus Hall Hwy 90 East Lent 2012 Bible Study "Come and See" (John 1:46) Presenter: Father Antonio O. Moreno

(Received in email) This is in regard to a special “free” presentation on the subject of effective communication.  I have personally heard Sid Hurlbert speak and can attest to the fact that He will keep your attention as he pointedly shares techniques and tools of communication that get people to respond in a positive way.  This presentation will be this next Tuesday evening at the Civic Center’s Pecan Room beginning at 6 PM. This is open to the community at no cost and is being sponsored by the hospital and includes a light meal. Please consider attending – I believe you will be inspired. Marvin Rev. Marvin D. Wood Pastoral Care Coordinator Val Verde Regional Medical Center 801 N. Bedell Ave. Del Rio, TX 78840 830-775-8566 ext. 2253 marvin.wood@vvrmc.org