All posts by Carrie Clemens

Respect Life Month – Changing Sides

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Changing Sides


Can hearts really be changed on the issue of abortion?
This film (https://watch.formed.org/changing-sides/videos/changing-sides) tells the powerful true story of the conversion of a dedicated Planned Parenthood director to a leading Pro-life Activist. Abby Johnson was the director of the abortion facility that was the launching pad of the bold new pro-life effort – 40 Days for Life.
Abby believed that she was helping women by working for the nation’s largest abortion operation, Planned Parenthood.  She quickly rose in the ranks to become the director of an abortion facility and was even given an “Employee of the Year” award.  
But one Fall morning everything changed.
Abby suddenly she found herself on the other side of the fence, facing the truth about abortion.  The real question now was, in her time of crisis, what would she do and who would help her?
This film reveals what happens when people pray, fast, sacrifice, love their enemies and take a stand on the most controversial issue of our time – abortion.  Fences come down, hearts change, and the love of God shines light in the darkest, most unexpected places.  And the evil of abortion is exposed and defeated.
The film includes exclusive interviews with those Abby encountered while she was on both sides of the fence including – the activists who prayed for her daily, the secular media who broke the big story of her conversion, the attorney who won the massive lawsuit that Planned Parenthood tried to silence her with and more.
Plus great “bonus” material featuring Fr. Frank Pavone, David Bereit, Shawn Carney, Peter Kreeft and former abortion provider Carol Everett!

Respect Life – Euthanasia and Suffering; Pro – Life Weekly

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Euthanasia and Suffering

…The word “euthanasia” literally means “good” or “easy death”. It’s not surprising then to see such a practice referred to as “merciful”, but this is plainly a case of false mercy in light of the gospel. The Fifth Commandment, “You shall not kill” (Exodus 20:13), extends to ourselves, and Jesus spoke to this at several points in the Gospel (see Matthew 5:21; Mark 10:19). As the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s (CDF) “Declaration on Euthanasia” said:
“No one is permitted to ask for this act of killing … For it is a question of the violation of the divine law, an offense against the dignity of the human person, a crime against life, and an attack on humanity.” …

Please go to the link below to read more

Stewardship Reflection for this Sunday

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“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.”                – Matthew 22:37 

Do you put other “gods” before God?  Is your love of money, power, status, comfort or some personal possession greater than your love for God?  Do you really recognize that everything you have and that everything you are is a gift from God?  The good news – it’s not too late to put God first in all things in your life.

https://www.archstl.org/about-stewardship/bulletin-inserts

Respect Life Month – Why Christians are Pro-Life?  Is it OK to Hate Someone?

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7 Reasons Why Christians Are Pro-Life

Jackie and Bobby give seven reasons why Christians are pro-life, and they are all rooted in scripture.
1. Genesis 1:27 – “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”
2. Exodus 20:13 – “You shall not kill.”
3. Psalm 139 – “For thou didst form my inward parts, thou didst knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise thee, for thou art fearful and wonderful. Wonderful are thy works! Thou knowest me right well; my frame was not hidden from thee, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth. Thy eyes beheld my unformed substance; in thy book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me…”
4. Jeremiah 1:4-5 – “Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’”
5. Luke 1:41-42 – “And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!’”
6. John 10:10 – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
7. 1 Corinthians 6 – “The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body … Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

Abortion is an emotionally charged issue, but if you’ve had an abortion, or helped someone procure an abortion, know that there is no sin that God cannot forgive.

Please watch this short video from Ascension Press Media:

2020 Election Novena

News

Bearing in mind our nation’s challenges and the need for wise, moral, civic leadership, the USCCB is offering an electronic Election Novena to help Catholics form their consciences as they prepare for the upcoming election.

For nine consecutive days, Monday, October 26 through Tuesday, November 3, participants will be encouraged to pray one Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be for the day’s intention. A closing prayer for elected leaders will be offered on day 10, Wednesday, November 4.  Additionally, you can find even more resources to help you and your community learn more about responding to our call to be faithful citizens.

Election Novena Prayer Intentions Monday, October 26 through Wednesday, November 4
Each day’s intention is followed by one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.

Day One: Monday, October 26
As we prepare for the national & local elections, in the midst of a global pandemic, may our political engagement be guided by our Catholic faith.

Day Two: Tuesday, October 27
In this month of the Holy Rosary, may Our Blessed Mother guide us in confronting racial inequalities and restoring peace in our communities.

Day Three: Wednesday, October 28
May all Americans recall the necessity of dialogue, civility, and humility in this election season.

Day Four: Thursday, October 29
May all people understand the moral and ethical dimensions of political decisions and decide accordingly.

Day Five: Friday, October 30
May voters & elected leaders uphold the dignity of every human life in their political engagement.

Day Six: Saturday, October 31
May Catholics recall all aspects of Catholic social teaching as they consider their votes.

Day Seven: Sunday, November 1
May there be a transformation of politics to focus on the dignity of the human person and the common good.

Day Eight: Monday, November 2
May we keep in mind the gift of religious freedom and our duty to defend and exercise it as faithful citizens.

Day Nine: Tuesday, November 3
Today, as we approach the polls, may we understand & embrace the principles of our faith that guide our political engagement. Closing: Wednesday, November 4 May the leaders elected this week be guided by the Holy Spirit as they fulfill their positions.

https://www.usccb.org/2020-election-novena

Poinsettia Sale

News, Uncategorized

SMM Council of Catholic Women’s
Annual Poinsettia Sale

EVEN THOUGH IT DOESN’T FEEL LIKE CHRISTMAS…
The Council of Catholic Women invite you to participate in our annual poinsettia fundraiser!  Available varieties are red, red glitter, white and pink, in either 6 ½” or 10” pots.  These are high quality plants from Coweta Greenhouses ready for pickup on December 5, 9 am – 10 am, in the church parking lot.

This year, we will not be taking orders in the narthex.

To order online, click here. 

 If you prefer a manual order form, contact Kathy Holcomb.

The last day to order is November 23.  This sale supports the charitable works and operating expenses of SMMCCW.  For more information about the sale, or to get a form, call or text Kathy Holcomb at 513.850.1888 or email kaholcomb75@gmail.com.

Thank you in advance for supporting our sale!

Respect Life – Catholic Teaching

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Live the Gospel of Life
Respect Life Reflection

Twenty-five years ago, Pope St. John Paul II wrote that the Gospel of life is at the heart of Jesus’ saving message to the world (Evangelium vitae 1). In taking on human flesh, dwelling among us, and sacrificing his very life for our redemption, Christ reveals the profound dignity of every human person. This God-given dignity does not change with our stage of life, abilities, level of independence, or any other varying circumstance.

Rather, it is rooted in the permanent fact that each of us is made in the image and likeness of God, created to share in the very life of God himself. The human person is a “manifestation of God in the world, a sign of his presence, a trace of his glory” (EV 34). And we must reflect this truth in how we act and how we treat one another. 

The truth of the Gospel of life is at the foundation of who we are as followers of Christ. In his earthly life, Jesus provided the perfect model for how we are to love our neighbor and live out the Gospel call: “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Mt. 25:40). 

Jesus calls each of us to “care for the other as a person for whom God has made us responsible” (EV 87). The Gospel of life is intrinsic to the whole Christian life and foundational to the decisions we make on a daily basis. For, “the Gospel of God’s love for man, the Gospel of the dignity of the person and the Gospel of life are a single and indivisible Gospel” (EV 2, emphasis added).

In his encyclical on the Gospel of life, Pope St. John Paul II recognizes the full range of threats against human life, from poverty and malnutrition to murder and war. He places particular emphasis, however, on threats to life at its beginning and end—precisely when it is most in need of protection. In modern times, children in their mothers’ wombs and those approaching the end of their lives are certainly among the “least of these” in our world’s estimation. Practices such as abortion and assisted suicide tragically reject the truth that human life is always to be cherished and defended with loving concern. 

As the Church celebrates the 25th anniversary of Pope St. John Paul II’s prophetic encyclical, let us reflect on how we personally live out the Gospel: Do I talk about and act towards others as I would talk about and treat Jesus himself? Do I inform myself of the Church’s teachings and engage in the civic arena as first a follower of Christ? Do I support and advocate for laws and policies that protect and defend human life? Do I help pregnant and parenting mothers in need? Am I ready to support a loved one nearing death?

Through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, may Our Lord grant us the grace to truly and courageously live his Gospel of life.

Excerpts from Evangelium vitae, © 1995, Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Scriptural excerpts from Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2020, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.