![Put It To Work 4]()
by Catherine | Nov 3, 2014 | Faith
It’s another Monday morning, so it’s time for Put It To Work, our weekly opportunity to swap prayer intentions. The goal of Put It To Work is to actively unite our intentions to the cross for one another, putting the prayer intentions “to work”–especially in times of suffering (no matter how small). Thank you for sharing your prayer intentions with me last week. I continue to bring your intentions with me to my prayer time.
My intentions this week:
- For continued healing as we commemorate the second anniversary of our baby Thérèse’s death
- For my patience as I learn how to coach Jane and Walt through the preschool years
- That Philip and I will continue to work everyday to further strengthen our marriage
- For the soul of Brittany Maynard, the 29-year-old with brain cancer who took her life yesterday
What about you? What prayer intentions can I start “putting to work” for you this week? It’s my turn to have a Holy Hour tonight. Do you have any intentions I can bring with me before the Lord on your behalf? I’ll add them to my prayer journal and bring them with me to my prayer time throughout the week.
Thank you for praying for us! You’re in my prayers this week, too!
![Creighton's Cacophony for Social Justice]()
by Catherine | Oct 28, 2014 | Faith
Creighton University, a Catholic institution, has decided to begin extending benefits to same-sex spouses of university employees. The proponents of this move are painting it as a civil rights victory, a matter of social justice, and a win for progress.
Kate Howard of the Omaha World Herald interviewed and quoted professors from Creighton’s theology department for her column on Creighton’s decision. I think these lines illustrate Creighton’s view on the matter:
Gail Risch, an adjunct faculty member who teaches the theology of Christian marriage at Creighton, said offering benefits is not a conflict with church teachings because it’s not a theological issue.
“Providing benefits is clearly a matter of respecting the dignity of the person, and the dignity of a person is not based on one’s sexual orientation,” Risch said.
Of course the same-sex attracted have dignity! Everyone has dignity! The Catholic Church has no interest in assigning or removing dignity because it has no power to do so. Instead, the Catholic Church is saying that those in same-sex relationships are not married. It follows then that those who are not married in the eyes of the Church should not receive marriage benefits from Catholic institutions.
Today, so-called “same-sex marriage” is illegal in Nebraska, and Creighton aims to extend marriage benefits to university employees’ spouses who have attempted marriage in states where “same-sex marriage” is legal. Even if “same-sex marriage” became legalized everywhere, this would not change Catholic Teaching on marriage. In the future event the government would try to force Catholic institutions to provide marriage benefits to same-sex couples, Catholic institutions would have a moral obligation to disobey the government. Providing marriage benefits to same-sex couples amounts to what we call “material cooperation with evil.” In other words, the Church would be providing money to something that the Church finds morally wrong. It is a great scandal to the Catholic Church that Creighton’s president, Rev. Timothy Lannon, S.J., has decided to disobey Archbishop George J. Lucas’ wishes that Creighton uphold the Church’s definition of marriage by extension of the University’s marriage benefits policy.
- Rev. Timothy Lannon, S.J. President of Creighton University
We should be wary when we see a Catholic institution go rogue in the name of “social justice.” Catholic Teaching and social justice are not at odds with one another. As Archbishop Lucas points out, a Catholic institution of higher education should be a pioneer in uniting the two together. Instead, Creighton is choosing to pit social justice against the Catholic Church, demonizing the Church’s teaching on marriage and the faithful who uphold it. Below is Archbishop George J. Lucas’ response to Rev. Timothy Lannon’s decision:
“I am disappointed in Father Lannon’s announcement that Creighton University will extend healthcare benefits to same-sex spouses of employees who have attempted marriage in states where this practice is legal. I disagree with the decision. Despite Father Lannon’s claim that this is not a statement of approval of same-sex marriages, this is precisely the message that the University is giving. I am dismayed that the recommendation of the University Benefits Committee is thought to supersede divine law regarding marriage. There is no tension between Catholic teaching and social justice. Both are grounded in the same truths about the nature of the human person, the complementarity of man and woman and the meaning of human life and love. When we experience tension in ensuring respect and just treatment for all persons, including those with same-sex attraction, we have a right to expect a Catholic university to help us see a just path forward, rooted in faith and founded on the rich Catholic intellectual tradition. Creighton has failed to fulfill this expectation in this expansion of benefits.” (Emphasis mine.)
Thank you, Archbishop Lucas, for upholding Church Teaching and for serving as a steadfast shepherd.
![Creighton’s Cacophony for Social Justice]()
by Catherine | Oct 28, 2014 | Faith
Creighton University, a Catholic institution, has decided to begin extending benefits to same-sex spouses of university employees. The proponents of this move are painting it as a civil rights victory, a matter of social justice, and a win for progress.
Kate Howard of the Omaha World Herald interviewed and quoted professors from Creighton’s theology department for her column on Creighton’s decision. I think these lines illustrate Creighton’s view on the matter:
Gail Risch, an adjunct faculty member who teaches the theology of Christian marriage at Creighton, said offering benefits is not a conflict with church teachings because it’s not a theological issue.
“Providing benefits is clearly a matter of respecting the dignity of the person, and the dignity of a person is not based on one’s sexual orientation,” Risch said.
Of course the same-sex attracted have dignity! Everyone has dignity! The Catholic Church has no interest in assigning or removing dignity because it has no power to do so. Instead, the Catholic Church is saying that those in same-sex relationships are not married. It follows then that those who are not married in the eyes of the Church should not receive marriage benefits from Catholic institutions.
Today, so-called “same-sex marriage” is illegal in Nebraska, and Creighton aims to extend marriage benefits to university employees’ spouses who have attempted marriage in states where “same-sex marriage” is legal. Even if “same-sex marriage” became legalized everywhere, this would not change Catholic Teaching on marriage. In the future event the government would try to force Catholic institutions to provide marriage benefits to same-sex couples, Catholic institutions would have a moral obligation to disobey the government. Providing marriage benefits to same-sex couples amounts to what we call “material cooperation with evil.” In other words, the Church would be providing money to something that the Church finds morally wrong. It is a great scandal to the Catholic Church that Creighton’s president, Rev. Timothy Lannon, S.J., has decided to disobey Archbishop George J. Lucas’ wishes that Creighton uphold the Church’s definition of marriage by extension of the University’s marriage benefits policy.
- Rev. Timothy Lannon, S.J. President of Creighton University
We should be wary when we see a Catholic institution go rogue in the name of “social justice.” Catholic Teaching and social justice are not at odds with one another. As Archbishop Lucas points out, a Catholic institution of higher education should be a pioneer in uniting the two together. Instead, Creighton is choosing to pit social justice against the Catholic Church, demonizing the Church’s teaching on marriage and the faithful who uphold it. Below is Archbishop George J. Lucas’ response to Rev. Timothy Lannon’s decision:
“I am disappointed in Father Lannon’s announcement that Creighton University will extend healthcare benefits to same-sex spouses of employees who have attempted marriage in states where this practice is legal. I disagree with the decision. Despite Father Lannon’s claim that this is not a statement of approval of same-sex marriages, this is precisely the message that the University is giving. I am dismayed that the recommendation of the University Benefits Committee is thought to supersede divine law regarding marriage. There is no tension between Catholic teaching and social justice. Both are grounded in the same truths about the nature of the human person, the complementarity of man and woman and the meaning of human life and love. When we experience tension in ensuring respect and just treatment for all persons, including those with same-sex attraction, we have a right to expect a Catholic university to help us see a just path forward, rooted in faith and founded on the rich Catholic intellectual tradition. Creighton has failed to fulfill this expectation in this expansion of benefits.” (Emphasis mine.)
Thank you, Archbishop Lucas, for upholding Church Teaching and for serving as a steadfast shepherd.
by Catherine | Oct 27, 2014 | Faith
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| Put It To Work |
It’s another Monday morning, so it’s time for Put It To Work, our weekly opportunity to swap prayer intentions. As I wrote last week, the goal is to actively unite our intentions to the cross for one another, putting the prayer intentions “to work”–especially in times of suffering (no matter how small).
My intentions this week:
- That Brittany Maynard will change her decision to end her life on November 1
- That our GodTeens will come to know and love Jesus
- That Jane and Walt’s second go around with swimming lessons goes well
- That I will keep working on patience with kids & words of affirmation toward Philip
What about you? What prayer intentions can I start “putting to work” for you this week? I’ll add them to my prayer journal and bring them with me to my prayer time throughout the week.
Thank you for praying for us! You’re in my prayers this week, too!
by Catherine | Oct 20, 2014 | Faith
Whoops! Sorry I missed a week on this new “regular feature” on the blog.
In case you missed it last time, this is a weekly opportunity (on Mondays) for us to swap prayer intentions. The goal is to actively unite our intentions to the cross for one another, putting those prayers “to work”–especially in times of suffering (no matter how small).
My intentions this week:
- Continued patience with the kiddos
- Being a better wife all around (generosity in time, focused attention, acts of service, using more words of affirmation)
- Our GodTeens (especially those unsure of God’s existence or why He matters in their lives)
What about you? What prayer intentions can I start “putting to work” tonight at adoration? I’ll add them to my prayer journal and bring them with me. I will continue to bring these intentions to my prayer time throughout the week.
Thank you for praying for us! You’re in my prayers this week, too!
by Catherine | Oct 9, 2014 | Faith
Yesterday, I shared the story of Brittany Maynard, a 29-year-old woman facing a terminal cancer diagnosis. Brittany plans to take a pill on November 1 that will kill her.
Praise God, the voices that object to suicide are getting louder, praying that Brittany will change her mind. Among those voices is Kara Tippetts. Kara, a young wife and mother of four, is also facing a terminal cancer diagnosis.
Kara embodies courage as she battles for her life, entering fully into whatever suffering may come, trusting that Christ can meet her in her suffering and bring blessing to herself and her family as she suffers well. Please read Kara’s letter to Brittany. You will know that you are reading Truth.
“Suffering is not the absence of goodness, it is not the absence of beauty, but perhaps it can be the place where true beauty can be known.”
I pray that Kara’s words can soften Brittany’s heart and help her to consider another option. Wouldn’t it be amazing if Brittany accepted Kara’s invitation to meet, talk heart to heart, and share one another’s stories? Please, God, open Brittany’s heart to hearing Kara’s beautiful message.
Kara Tippetts is facing her battle with cancer with the same courage and faith of Blessed Chiara Luce Badano. Chiara is on her way to becoming the first “Generation X” Saint.
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| Blessed Chiara Luce Badano, image from Life Teen |
Chiara was diagnosed with an osteocarcoma as a 17-year-old. She received the treatments and fought hard against the cancer. She accepted the diagnosis with great courage and faith. She said, “For you, Jesus…If you want it, I want it, too!” As the cancer progressed, Chiara put her suffering to work. Focolare.org recounts:
The more the illness progressed, the more the experience intensified for Chiara. At one point she refused morphine because “It takes away my lucidity” and “I can only offer my pain to Jesus. It’s all I have left.”
Finally, on 7 October 1990, her “departure”. One last smile for Ruggero and then a goodbye for Maria Teresa: “Mamma, be happy, because I’m happy!” There was a huge crowd at the funeral and, as she had requested, Chiara Luce was buried in a white dress, “like a bride going to Jesus”.
Shortly before dying, Chiara Luce exclaimed: “The youth are the future. I can no longer run, but I’d like to pass the Olympic torch on to them. The young people have only one life and it’s worth it to spend it well!” The 25,000 young people who attended her beatification ceremony in Rome on 25 September 2010, demonstrate that Chiara Luce Badano has given witness to a model of holiness that can be lived by everyone!
My friend, Emily, pointed out that the anniversary of Chiara’s death was just two days ago on October 7. Chiara’s feast, October 29, is just a few days before Brittany Maynard’s chosen date of death–November 1, All Saints Day. Please join me in praying that Chiara Luce Badano and all of the saints in heaven can intercede for Brittany. Pray that Brittany will hear the stories of heroic people like Kara Tippetts or Chiara Luce Badano. Pray that hearing their stories will help her to face her own battle with renewed courage and strength. God, please bless Kara, Chiara, and all those who have united their suffering to You abundantly in heaven. May we all follow their example and start putting our suffering to work, uniting it to the cross on behalf of Brittany Maynard and all of the other souls contemplating suicide.
Blessed Chiara Luce Badano, pray for us!
St. Michael, the Archangel, defend Brittany in battle!
Come, Holy Spirit! Be with Brittany, now and at the hour of her death.
Amen!
