We’ll be talking about identity and witness during our chat session on Sunday. Here are some questions that will guide our discussion: Given the most recent legislation on marriage, how might we see that such a decision from the supreme court is opposed to religious freedom? How can we witness to (with love and humility) God’s plan for marriage? The various institutions of the Church are intended ultimately to lead people to Jesus. How can we avoid having our works fall prey to merely a material support of humanity? For example, how can one’s service to the poor remain focused on someone’s spiritual as well as physical well-being?
As you read above, we see that there are greater efforts to infringe upon the freedom of the Church in how she operates. How can we keep religious freedom alive in the United States of America?
How can we achieve a greater harmony between the truths we profess and how our words and actions express those truths?
MSusanMarie (guest): So I was thinking- if we are excited about our faith and Jesus- isn’t this the best way to preserve our religious freedom- by passing on that wonder to others?
Lisa C: Mother, how do we pass on the wonder without being called a Zealot
Jul 5 2015, 7:18 PM
Lisa C: Not that I mind, since God has zeal for us, but people do not want to hear
8 PM
Jul 5 2015, 7:20 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Zealot seems rather strong for the way I was thinking- have you ever been drawn by another’s excitement for something- they make it so interesting/ Rather than persuasive
Jul 5 2015, 7:20 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Hi Dawn
Judy K: Our religious freedom is really in jeopardy now. I really had to think hard to answer this week’s questions. We can see that the decision is opposed to religious liberty by the very fact that a couple who refused to bake a cake for a same sex wedding has been fined $135,00 and silenced. Such refusals are classified as discrimination and there will be repercussions.
MSusanMarie (guest): Maybe we need to find common ground, say… in the Pilgrims, who came here for religious freedom- some of our history needs to be highlighted
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Judy K: We must continue to uphold the reality of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. We can never waiver from this truth. We cannot support same sex unions, but we must treat these couples with kindness. 15, 7:24 PM
Judy K: But we had better be prepared for persecution for our position. 7:24 PM
Lisa C: There is a Rabbi who did that…..He talked to Congress about how this Country was founded with a relationship to God and that we need to get back to it….https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI3Wdp2T3yQ
Jonathan Cahn Addresses Congress Repent! – YouTube
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Lisa C: This Rabbi also gave talks about how we have to save the Christians who are being killed by ISIS
Jul 5 2015, 7:26 PM
Anne M: Fr. Joe Esper talks about it in his book, On the Brink. very good
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Judy K: I find it hard to believe that I have lived these 70 years to have the world become such a frightening place in which to live. I mean, who really thought that such thinks would happen in our country!
Jul 5 2015, 7:28 PM
Lisa C: He also talks about how Christians are taught to turn the other cheek so it is so easy to persecute them
Jul 5 2015, 7:28 PM
Judy K: Such things.
Jul 5 2015, 7:28 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): But effectiveness and the grace needs to come from the Holy Spirit ultimately. Because if the dissenting vopices on the Supreme Court could not persuade, then only grace will do it. and prayer and sacrifice will bring that grace, maybe even those very martyrs of ISIS
Jul 5 2015, 7:28 PM
Dawn L: neither have I read Harbinger…but will. thank you
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Anne M: It is scary…when people’s culture is ripped out from under them… not good results in general, but this– “the cup is overflowing”
Jul 5 2015, 7:29 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): The world is upside down it seems and we are in an era the mystery of which only God knows fully
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Judy K: My prayer at 9 PM every day is for the Lord Himself to touch the hearts of all in this country who favor the evils of the day and the hearts of all terrorists to let them know that this is not pleasing to Him. 0 PM
Anne M: However, Jesus has already won this.
Jul 5 2015, 7:30 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): True Anne
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MSusanMarie (guest): And a good number on the Supreme Court have Catholicism in their background, no
Jul 5 2015, 7:31 PM
Anne M: Yes, in name only apparently. At least those who caved.
Jul 5 2015, 7:32 PM
Lisa C: The world has destabilized due to a lack of will by the leadership of the USA to stand up to evil in other countries and in the US itself
Jul 5 2015, 7:32 PM
Judy K: But the forces of evil are getting stronger and pushier. And while the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against the Church, there is going to be much suffering in the future.
Jul 5 2015, 7:32 PM
Jul 5 2015, 7:32 PM
Judy K: Hi Amy!
Jul 5 2015, 7:32 PM
Amy Cochran: I agree, Judy, the world does seem to be getting darker
Jul 5 2015, 7:32 PM
Amy Cochran: Hi Judy
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L
Jul 5 2015, 7:33 PM
Anne M: A lot of people do seem indifferent.
Hi Judy
Jul 5 2015, 7:33 PM
Jul 5 2015, 7:33 PM
Anne M: A lot of people do seem indifferent.
Jul 5 2015, 7:34 PM
Amy Cochran: but that story of Jesus sleeping in the boat, but not really sleeping, is one of my favorites. Be not afraid!
Jul 5 2015, 7:34 PM
!
Jul 5 2015, 7:34 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Me too Amy- I always feel drawn to that scene of Jesus
Jul 5 2015, 7:34 PM
my Cochran: it’s refreshing to hear priests speaking out about this injustice from the pulpit. I have heard so many homilies, it’s an awakening time, too
Jul 5 2015, 7:35 PM
Amy Cochran: what happened, Anne?
Jul 5 2
JsanMarie (guest): Hello Kathy
Jul 5 2015, 7:37 PM
Anne M: as I understand they wanted to release colored smoke and the chemicals caught a spark and ignited the whole place. there are clips online. 500 people were burnt.
Jul 5 2015, 7:37 PM
Dawn L: Hi Kathy
Jul 5 2015, 7:37 PM
Kathy Ford: Hi everyone.
Jul 5 2015, 7:37 PM
Judy K: How do we serve the poor without becoming a material support of humanity? It is necessary to meet the physical needs of people before we can hope to share the Gospel with them. They will be unable to hear the Good News if they are hungry,sick, homeless, etc.Assuring them of our care for their basic needs must be accompanied by concrete efforts to do so. They will then be more open to and capable of receiving our message.
Jul 5 2015, 7:37 PM
Anne M: Hi everyone
Jul 5 2015, 7:37 PM
Amy Cochran: hello,
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Judy K: In other words, meeting basic needs is the teaching of the Church in action and an inroad to reacing the people.
Jul 5 2015, 7:38 PM
Judy K: Hi Kathy! Welcome aboard!
Jul 5 2015, 7:38 PM
Kathy Ford: Hi Judy.
Jul 5 2015, 7:38 PM
Dawn L: As you said Mother, only grace will do it. I thought Fr Jonathans response could help us if we are approached this way
Jul 5 2015, 7:39 PM
Guest3285 (guest): Hi Kathy, Judy , Amy , Lisa , Dawn , Anne , and Sr Susan ! God Bless You All! Brian
Jul 5 2015, 7:39 PM
Judy K: Hi 3285! I kind of figured it was you, Brian.
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MSusanMarie (guest): There are levels of poverty but all people need acceptance- and spirituality begins there, with charitPM
Kathy Ford: I think people need to respect a person’s faith commitment. They think it’s OK for them to have their beliefs. But we’re wrong if we have different opinions.
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Lisa C: I noticed that sometimes people who do not know God well are very afraid of HimPM
Lisa C: How do we get them past the fear
Jul 5 2015, 7:42 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): It’s the love and kindness they see in us, hopefully, that helps.
Jul 5 2015, 7:42 PM
Guest3285 (guest): We had agreat meeting last Sunday at Wende with the Men ! Excellent meeting very encouraging to all the Men . Our Ladies group goes into Albion . Keep all the Ladies also in your prayers very tough in all the prisons in New York right now after the recent escape !
Jul 5 2015, 7:43 PM
Amy Cochran: I think prayer for those people who feel God’s tug but are afraid. conversion is a gift of God’s grace
Jul 5 2015, 7:43 PM
Anne M: The faithful are made to look like haters, and that could not be any farther from the truth. It’s because of love that the warnings come
7:43 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): God is a the greatest lover and people need to experience God that way
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Jul 5 2015, 7:44 PM
Kathy Ford: And people who don’t have the same opinion need to respect us people of faith.
Jul 5 2015, 7:44 PM
Anne M: If I was going to fall into a hole I would appreciate the fact that someone warned me to look out!
Jul 5 2015, 7:44 PM
Lisa C: St. Francis de Sales is the greatest explainer of that love, and St. T of L is the greatest simplifier of it
Jul 5 2015, 7:45 PM
Judy K: Given the climate in the US today, it will be extremely difficult to keep religious freedom alive. Attempts to do so may well be seen as discrimination or violation of the law. We must continue to speak about religious liberty as part of the foundation stones of the country. We must constantly appeal to our legislators to protect our freedoms–life, freedom of speech and religion.
Jul 5 2015, 7:45 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): We need to walk the talk as my Principal here is always saying- fits in with this question:How can we achieve a greater harmony between the truths we profess and how our words and actions express those truths?
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Kathy Ford: There is even a Star Trek concept called IDIC which is Infinate Diversity in Infinate combinations. But that doesn’t seem to include people of faith, for the most part. M
Dawn L: we could pray for this grace Mother
Jul 5 2015, 7:46 PM
Kathy Ford: I need to learn to do more of that myself.
Jul 5 2015, 7:47 PM
Anne M: Exactly, Sister. I guess it’s in the delivery. Compassion. Like Jesus with the woman caught in adultery. “Nor do I condemn you”
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Kathy Ford: You’re right Anne. Love the sinner, hate the sin. PM
Guest3285 (guest): We must continue to shine no matter how dark the world gets around us ! The world is always watching us !
Jul 5 2015, 7:49 PM
Judy K: Harmony between the truths and the words by which we express them can be helped by insuring that our words and actions are not insulting, punitive, or belittling, or condemnatory. Rather we should only encourage acceptance of the truth by emphasis on the positive effects of the truths–reinforcement of family life, providing children with both a mother and father, getting to know the stats regarding this and the necessity of having both gendered parents. Not easy to do.
Jul 5 2015, 7:49 PM
Kathy Ford: So it seems. They’re always pointing a finger at us and claiming that we don’t love simply because we have a different view of what marriage is all about.
Jul 5 2015, 7:49 PM
Dawn L: yes, it is an act of will on our part, but mostly I think it is in our closeness with Jesus..I felt the readings today touched on what we speak of here..
Jul 5 2015, 7:49 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): How so Dawn?
9 PM
Kathy Ford: You’re right Dawn. I’m going to have to read them again tonight. , 7:50 PM
Dawn L: 2 Cor 12:7-10 my grace is sufficent for you
Jul 5 2015, 7:50 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Ah Yes
7:50 PM
Dawn L: for POWER is made perfect in weakness. this really spoke to me in terms of the world situation 51 PM
Anne M: Yes, and they say civilizations have always had DIED OUT long ago.
Jul 5 2015, 7:51 PM
Amy Cochran: Elijah, St. Paul, and of course, Jesus, were all persecuted for speaking the truth. why should we be different?
Jul 5 2015, 7:51 PM
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Judy K: And when we are weak, it is then that we are strong. And we appear to be the weak ones now, But our weakness (and maybe even helplessness) makes in possible for Jesus to intervene and take over where we cannot succeed.
Jul 5 2015, 7:52 PM
Judy K: Hi Sister Mary Roberta!
Jul 5 2015, 7:52 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Hello!
Jul 5 2015, 7:52 PM
Jul 5 2015, 7:52 PM
awn L: Hi Mister Mary Roberta!
Anne M: Of course the secular media isn’t picking that up. Nor are they showing the lighting storm around the castle at disney, which displayed colored lights in celebration
Guest3285 (guest): We must strengthen our marriages and our single life so that we truly display our relationship with Jesus !
Jul 5 2015, 7:53 PM
Anne M: Hi Sister
Jul 5 2015, 7:53 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, as Blessed Teresa of Calcutta said: We’re called to be faithful, not necessarily successful.
Jul 5 2015, 7:53 PM
Lisa C: Hi Sr. Mary Roberta
Jul 5 2015, 7:53 PM
Jul 5 2015, 7:53 PM
Anne M: Only the Lord can change hearts.
Jul 5 2015, 7:53 PM
Judy K: I am wondering if maybe we need to own our weakness and step back and let the Lord take over. Truly, the situation is such that only He can bring about the changes needed.
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MSusanMarie (guest): HI Sister!
Jul 5 2015, 7:54 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: so much weirdness – seems like a Fellini film!
Jul 5 2015, 7:54 PM
Guest3285 (guest): Amen Judy !
Jul 5 2015, 7:54 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Yes for all our strivings only the Lord has the power
Jul 5 2015, 7:54 PM
Dawn L: thats funny
Jul 5 2015, 7:55 PM
Lisa C: Judy, I was thinking that too, but I also think there must be things He wants us to do to help Him with
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Mary Roberta Viano: true, like standing firm in our faith1
Jul 5 2015, 7:55 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): It’s like the “Emperor’s New Clothes” story. Only the child saw the truth
Jul 5 2015, 7:56 PM
Anne M: The Lord is always in control, even though we THINK we may be. But we cannot just not say anything. Kind of like the first reading at Mass today. whether they heed or not…
Jul 5 2015, 7:56 PM
Guest3285 (guest): We speek the loudest when we serve others !
Jul 5 2015, 7:56 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): We need to be firm yes and truthful
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Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, it does seem like apocalypse time, but then it has seemed like that before… M
Anne M: The Lord is always in control, even though we THINK we may be. But we cannot just not say anything. Kind of like the first reading at Mass today. whether they heed or not…
Jul 5 2015, 7:56 PM
Jul 5 2015, 7:57 PM
Anne M: Yes, Sister. People seem to be making their choices for eternity
Jul 5 2015, 7:57 PM
Dawn L: the priest today at Mass said….you could have thousands or more people performing the greatest miracles, and there still would be people who did not see or believe.
Jul 5 2015, 7:58 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: I’m going to have to be in and out because Mother B. wants us to watch the end of the women’s championship soccer game. Our girls here in school are city soccer champs, so we’re esp. interested.
Jul 5 2015, 7:58 PM
Guest3285 (guest): Our enemy wants us to get angry and argue with each other ! God wants us to Love everyone where they are !
Jul 5 2015, 7:58 PM
Kathy Ford: I just read something on Facebook today that Sr. Lucia made a prediction about the end times having something to do with the definition of marriage.
Jul 5 2015, 7:58 PM
Dawn L: amen Brian
Jul 5 2015, 7:58 PM
Anne M: Yes
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Dawn L: Kathy, is this from Fatima?
Jul 5 2015, 7:59 PM
Judy K: There is a time to speak and a time to be silent. Maybe we need to be silent on both sides of the issue. Except for working behind the scenes by writing to the legislators and letting them know that we expect more from them in the area of protecting our freedoms. If we are silent, we will not inspire anger and hostility and perhaps clearer minds will begin to prevail.
Jul 5 2015, 7:59 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: so I’ll be praying for each of you this week. Please pray for me and our sisters. Thanks!
Jul 5 2015, 7:59 PM
Kathy Ford: Yes Dawn. I don’t know if it’s something Mary said to her or a prediction she made. But I do remember reading it toda.
Jul 5 2015, 8:00 PM
Anne M: I’m re-reading the memoirs of Sr Lucia now. I think that is included in the back of the book
Jul 5 2015, 8:00 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): the final battle between the Lord and the reign of Satan will be about marriage and the family. Don’t be afraid, she added, because anyone who works for the sanctity of marriage and the family will always be fought and opposed in every way, because this is the decisive issue. And then she concluded: however, Our Lady has already crushed its head.
Jul 5 2015, 8:00 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Sr Lucia said that to a priest I think
Jul 5 2015, 8:00 PM
Dawn L: prayers for you Sr….enjoy the soccer!
Jul 5 2015, 8:00 PM
Kathy Ford: Thank you Mary Roberta.
Jul 5 2015, 8:00 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Cardinal: http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2015/06/cardinal-what-sister-lucia-told-me.html
Jul 5 2015, 8:00 PM
Judy K: Good night Sister! have a peaceful week.
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MSusanMarie (guest): Do any of you teach? I know Amy has CCD right?
Jul 5 2015, 8:04 PM
Anne M: God will not be mocked. I taught CCD
Jul 5 2015, 8:06 PM
Anne M: People have their own free will and will do what they want, regardless of anything, even God. If they won’t listen to God, what will they listen to?
Jul 5 2015, 8:07 PM
Judy K: I wonder if there are same sex couples who are some schooling. In such cases there would be little hope of the children learning the truth. If they attend regular schools, they may have a better chance.
Jul 5 2015, 8:07 PM
Lisa C: there are articles all over the internet of children raised by same sex parents who are advocating against gay marriage
7 PM
Lisa C: Maybe these children will be the ones who turn it around
Jul 5 2015, 8:07 PM
Judy K: Um, that should be
Jul 5 2015, 8:07 PM
Judy K: “home” schooling, not some schooling.
8:08 PM
Lisa C: Another concept I read about is that the US will have to pay reparation to the children who will be damaged by this supreme court ruling and that there should be a huge lawsuit requesting it in the future
Jul 5 2015, 8:09 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Ultimately each one of us and other believers need to be faithfu
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Kathy Ford: But I’m not so sure the Supreme Court would admit to that. So I doubt it would ever come to tha PM
Dawn L: So, Mother, this being faithful means in the midst of a situation….to be strong and pray very much and witness? not to let our self become full of fear….which the world is working on right now
Jul 5 2015, 8:11 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Ok Anne- do you want to continue with Cardinal Wuerl? we can switch to another topic next week
Jul 5 2015, 8:11 PM
Lisa C: I think the biggest fear of children is losing a parent…what must it be like to never have either a father or mother
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Judy K: Oh my, my brain is beginning to feel overloaded. So many angles to consider, so many solutions to try to find. Good night Anne. Yes it is a distressing topic, but we do need to be aware of all the ramifications of it.
Jul 5 2015, 8:11 PM
Dawn L: good nite Anne. prayers
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MSusanMarie (guest): Yes
Jul 5 2015, 8:13 PM
Kathy Ford: I’ve been praying the rosary a lot lately. My primary prayer is for families.
Jul 5 2015, 8:13 PM
Dawn L: it is important to be aware so we know how and for what to pray….but part of the tactic here is to instill fear and over reaction. yes Mother, the best way is stay very close to Jesus and Mary
Jul 5 2015, 8:13 PM
Lisa C: I ask St. Joseph to fill in for absent Fathers
Jul 5 2015, 8:13 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Excellent! The Rosary wins wars- on every level
5 PM
Guest3285 (guest): There is many young people moving up the ranks in the media who will be able to stand for Christ ! Let us support them in prayer and action ! They will make a difference !
Jul 5 2015, 8:15 PM
Kathy Ford: I get up early in the morning. First I begin with one set of mysteries and it leads to another and another, till I’ve prayed all 4 sets.
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MSusanMarie (guest): And the Sacred Heart of Jesus- whose love is the pinnacle of al PM
Kathy Ford: And also the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. That’s another favorite of mine.
Jul 5 2015, 8:16 PM
Dawn L: there is http://www.comepraytherosary.org/ you can pray the rosary with others all around the world.
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Judy K: Maybe it would be good to take a break from the Cardinal’s letter and focus on something positive for a while. The situation sometimes seems almost hopeless that it becomes a heavy load to consider.
Jul 5 2015, 8:17 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Yes I agree
Jul 5 2015, 8:17 PM
Lisa C: Yes, I agree a new topic
2 viewers
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Dawn L: thats great to hear Brian
Jul 5 2015, 8:19 PM
Anne M: Me again! Yes, prayer. But this whole thing is just one more attack on the Sacraments in Our Lord’s church. Even Catholics have caved on the issues. Confession, Eucharist, Marriage, the priesthood…
Jul 5 2015, 8:19 PM
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Kathy Ford: I’m always especially inspired by the abortion converts.
Jul 5 2015, 8:20 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): We need to balance our lives with many good examples. I keep reading the saints- their virtues are inspiring
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Guest3285 (guest): The testimony of the young teenagers on our bus was incredible ! Many future and present leaders THAT WILL STAND FOR CHRIST !
Jul 5 2015, 8:20 PM
Anne M: I guess we need to start there. In our own parishes. I have seen people huffing and puffing during sermons about these issues
Jul 5 2015, 8:20 PM
s
Jul 5 2015, 8:21 PM
Judy K: I watched part of the March and I was greatly impressed by the large number of young people who were participating. In fact, I think that the young people were in the majority. And they are courageous about speaking out.
Jul 5 2015, 8:21 PM
Dawn L: so good to hear Brian!
Jul 5 2015, 8:21 PM
Kathy Ford: My sister and her husband adopted a lovely girl three years ago. She’s the joy of our whole family.
8:25 PM
Judy K: Why not take a look at people, married, single, consecrated men and women, and priests who are doing wonderful things and celebrate them in our chats.
Jul 5 2015, 8:25 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Good idea
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Lisa C: We have more Saints than Supreme Court Justices PM
Kathy Ford: We have a whole cloud of witnesses.
Jul 5 2015, 8:26 PM
Judy K: Ah, that wonderful “cloud of witnesses!
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Lisa C: We have God 26 PM
Lisa C: We have Blessed Mother
Jul 5 2015, 8:26 PM
Guest3285 (guest): All three of our children are adopted ! What a blessing to us ! Lian 20 now from China , Mitch is 17 from Vietnam , and Maria is 13 from Guatamala ! Praise God !!!
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Dawn L: having received sufficent information to understand what is going on….I agree it is time to rejoice in the Lord and how he is working so much good in people, esp young people! PM
Kathy Ford: We also have a whole array of Catholic converts who inspire us as well, like Scott and Kimbery Hahn.
Jul 5 2015, 8:27 PM
Dawn L: thats wonderful 3285
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Kathy Ford: It is wonderful.
Jul 5 2015, 8:28 PM
Judy K: Let us plunge ourselves into the heart of that loving God and find strength to carry on in spite of the troubles that surround.
Jul 5 2015, 8:28 PM
Lisa C: We have the Church Triumphant and the Church Militant we are God’s Army we have all the Angels too
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Kathy Ford: That’s true Lisa.
Jul 5 2015, 8:28 PM
Lisa C: We are so much bigger than all this
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Lisa C: St JP II said DO NOT BE AFRAID
Jul 5 2015, 8:28 PM
Guest3285 (guest): Praise God from whom all Blessings Come !!!
Jul 5 2015, 8:28 PM
Dawn L: Yes Judy! it is the work of the enemy to draw us into dispair and to lose hope.
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MSusanMarie (guest): I’ll be praying about the topic precisely but if you have a specific one e mail me at srsusanvhm@aol.com
Jul 5 2015, 8:30 PM
Kathy Ford: John Paul the Great is becoming one of my favorite modern day Saints.
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Kathy Ford: One topic that might be good would be growing in the spiritual life. I start off OK then I get lazy.
Jul 5 2015, 8:31 PM
Judy K: Good night all, and remember that it is when we are weak that we are strong.
Jul 5 2015, 8:31 PM
Kathy Ford: Good night Judy.
Jul 5 2015, 8:31 PM
Lisa C: Kathy you said you pray so many rosaries….you don’t sound lazy
Jul 5 2015, 8:31 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Thanks all for this night and for your honesty! God bless!