Discerning the Priesthood. What is your Vocation?

Our family has a “first generation” cradle Catholic in the family on my uncle’s side. He is my uncle’s grandson and my uncle journeyed into the Catholic Church in 90’s.  I’m sure family history could back-up some family origins as being Catholic ……..  it would be many, many generations ago. Most likely before the Reformation or before our family ancestors came from Ireland and Germany to the United States. This cousin is a cousin on my father’s side of the family and his grandfather was my father’s younger brother. Family stories going back to my great-grandparents, who were mostly Methodist, spoke of a prejudice toward Catholics and an understanding that you did not date or marry a Catholic.  This cousin, a first generation cradle Catholic (born in the faith), is a junior in high school and is considering the Priesthood. WOW! This cousin is an honor student, good looking, has a beautiful girlfriend, excels in sports and could be anything he wanted to be in this world. This cousin is also very active in his Parish “Youth Group” and is a Lector for youth Mass and Regular Mass. He was invited recently, to speak at a Men’s Retreat on the Eucharist and was so well received that a Women’s group wanted him to speak on the Eucharist. Now every group wants a little of him to speak on the Eucharist. This led me to go for a visit to hear what he had to say about the Eucharist. I was amazed at his maturity and wisdom this young person has in the understanding of the Eucharist and this precious Sacrament. My time was limited in our visit and this young cousin asked me a question just as I was walking out the door to leave. It was a question that sparked this writing to him. Why share this on Blog? In hopes if you read this, you will keep him (my cousin) in your prayers as he discerns his vocation in this life.  What are God’s plans for him? To have a vocation in Marriage or the Priesthood? Also, putting this writing on my Blog in hopes that others who read this might see how my journey of faith has grown and continues to grow in the understanding of the Priesthood. It is such a small morsel of knowledge… But, it excites me to see a glimpse of what God orchestrated when it comes to the Priesthood.  The following is what I wrote my cousin, concerning a question he asked me;

Dear Cousin,

Enjoyed my short visit with you and was so inspired in seeing your Catholic faith growing and your desire to share with others. You are being a “great” witness to many who are seeking and trying to find God and Faith in this ol’ world.

Just want to share with you some thoughts that I did not have the time to express because of time.

You asked me what I thought of Joel Olsteen and I want to share with you what I have observed in many of these mega churches that lead many astray to the understanding of who “God” really is. Joel is a great communicator and knows how to keep one’s attention. He entertains many folks with his eloquent ways with words… his talks “A hope” to achieve anything through God you want… you can have it all, if you have faith. It is a great touchy, feely message and it does encourage many to not give up in the fires and trials of life. Is his message a “full” or “complete” teaching when it comes to the word of God and the life of a Christian? I am not going to be the judge or juror… only God knows. I just know that seeking God all my life in many, many denominations including churches that taught the “prosperity gospel”(name it and claim it gospel), God is our sugar daddy, that at the end of the yellow brick road it was dead for many, including us.

Now that we are Catholic, the fullness of Christianity in our lives cannot be explained with words. The teachings of the Church Fathers, the Saints and their lives truly show me what a Christian is and how they persevered all the way to eternal life. Did they have a life with no troubles? Many were martyred in the Early Church and up to this day many are still being martyred throughout the world for the faith. Where does this Gospel of “believe and have faith” fit into the lives of so many suffering in this world for the Gospel and have faith in the midst of their sufferings and death due to hunger and famine?

Have you ever read the history of the Church? Good and Bad? Did you know that in the beginning priests were married? Then corruption entered in with greed and building power and money for themselves and their families with the money of the poor. It is interesting to read the history and how the Church stumbled and got up again and again and again. How the Church learned from mistakes and is still learning from mistakes. For a man of God… to serve His people and live in this world can be very hard. Can a man of God love money and truly serve God’s people? That is something to ponder on. For all these Mega Churches and their leaders to be multi- billionaires…living in mansions… are they really living the gospel message? Why do they keep so much money for themselves when so many are poor… in their midst? Just think how much they could do… if they lived like a Catholic Priest. Needs are met… lived comfortably and gave to help feed and educate the poor. 

From what I have learned and observed since I have been around Catholic Priests… they truly give their whole life to God and the Church… just like Jesus. To become a Priest, for the Catholic Church, you will not have a life like Joel Olsteen… I’ve also surrendered myself to not being my own Pope. To find understanding to scripture and the things of God, I now search to see what the Church teachings are. I might not agree at times… but so far as I take it to prayer and seek wisdom from above I see… That Mother Church has grown in wisdom from her old age. Mother Church has also told me to be aware of the “prosperity gospel” that is being preached by many… including, Joel Olsteen and Joyce Myers. The Church does not judge them and neither do I… I just know that their message is not preached with the totality of scriptures and the Traditions in which the Catholic Church has held onto for 2,000 years. If, you become a Catholic Priest, you will have to be totally sold out to the Catholic Truth of Christianity. Many false truths have invaded Christianity… including new age and this prosperity gospel. Many of these false truths have invaded the Catholic Church and its people and many times those in authority have joined this bandwagon.

As an ex Protestant… I’ve been there and done that. I’ve seen the changes and growth over the years in the Protestant Churches (those who teach the prosperity gospel) that lead many to these false teachings…including Catholics. Are they harmful? That’s a hard question…. Because I have seen many lives be changed for the good…. In those circles, I’ve also seen many be deeply hurt and lose their faith… including me. I’ve witnessed parents who lose a child to cancer and blame themselves because they do not think their faith was strong enough to “Believe.” In time they stop believing and growing………

Cousin, you are a smart person and God has gifted you with many talents. You can be anything you want to be in this life. You are young and the possibilities are endless. If you want to find a career in which you make money with your hard work… go for it! God can use you in your profession and the vocation of marriage if that is His call for you.

If He is calling you to the Priesthood… you will find your peace and happiness in His call. Not many are called to this “High” of calling… it will require a total surrender to SELF… and you will be obedient to your superiors… so that the “deposit of truth” in which Jesus handed down to the Apostles, and the Apostles handed it down to the next generation… then the next… all the way to our time… this line has never been broken. To be obedient to your superiors is trusting the protection in which they protect the teachings (Jesus) of the Church.

The Protestant faith is only 500 years old and it started with one man, who was a Catholic Priest; Martin Luther who saw abuse in the church… and addressed it. In doing so he caused division… and this division continues to this day. Churches are splintering in this direction and that direction. Men and women interpreting the things of God… in light of themselves and what they think the Holy Spirit is teaching them. How can the Holy Spirit be so divided in its truth? That’s why God left us a teaching body to help us… the Magisterium. Have they done it perfect….using imperfect men? NO! But for 2,000 years “the deposit of faith” has been protected by the Holy Spirit and has not changed… God using imperfect men, to lead His people to eternal life. Scriptures tells us the gates of hell will not prevail against His CHURCH!

To be a Protestant Pastor you will be successful in today’s world if you create the right music, have a great speaking voice, great staff and tickle their ears with HOPE… even entertain them with your abilities to keep them from getting bored. If you do not do all these things, folks stop coming.

For Catholic Priest… it does not matter how good his homily is… if the music is good during worship… because a true Catholic that understands his or her faith is not there to be entertained. They are at church to receive the gift from above that gives the pilgrim so much grace and strength in this broken world. The Eucharist is our hope… not a man who gives a good sermon. The Eucharist shows us how much God loves us and gives us the vision of His eternal plan, of no more suffering. Without the Priest we have no Eucharist. Yes, many leave the Catholic Church because they just don’t get it… they leave to be entertained by many who use the things of this world to tickle their ears.

You cannot compare a Preacher to a Priest….

The following is something I just read and it really spoke volumes to me about many areas of the Priesthood I never thought about, the book Rekindle Eucharistic Amazement Healing and Holiness through the Mass and Holy Hour, Author Kathleen Beckman.

“St John Vianney is named the patron of diocesan priests and what a marvelous example he provides for every priest! On pilgrimage in 1992, I visited the towns of Ars, France. We toured the Saint’s parish and living quarters. His humble bedroom is preserved so pilgrims can venerate the holy ground. One can see the burn marks left from Satan’s attacks against the saint. It is easy to imagine spiritual battles that occurred in his room with the visible signs that confirm the devil’s assaults. Why did a humble priest in a remote village like Ars, France draw such intense retaliation from demons? St John Vianney’s devotion to the Mass and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is exemplary and known throughout the Church.

St Augustine exclaimed, “Marvelous dignity of priest! In their hands, as in the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary, the Son of God becomes incarnate.” St Paul said, “They are ministers of Christ and dispensers of the mysteries of God (1Cor. 4:1). Commenting on these words, the Cure of Ars said, “Without the priest the death and passion of our Lord would be no use; the priest has the key of the heavenly treasures; he is God’s steward and the administrator of His goods.” Let us ask the Holy Spirit to give us knowledge of these truths. It will inspire us with a religious veneration for the character of the priest, and a lively gratitude towards our Lord who has invested him with it. What is the priest? A man who holds the place of God, a man clothed with all the power of God! Go, our Lord, said to the priest, “As my Father has sent me, I also send you.” Behold the power of the priest! The tongue of the priest makes God from a morsel of bread! It is more than creating the world. How great is the priest! He will only rightly understand himself in heaven….. To understand it on earth would make one die, not of fear, but of love. The priest is everything, after God! Leave a parish for twenty years without a priest, and the beast worshipped there…. will be If I were to go away, you would say, “What is there to do in that Church? There is no Mass. Our Lord is no longer there, we may just as well pray at home.” When men want to destroy religion they begin by attacking the priest, because where the priest is no more, there is no more sacrifice; there is no more religion. The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus. When we see the priest, think of our Lord Jesus Christ” (St John Vianney, Eucharistic Meditations).

Dear Priest, in your singular dignity as ministers of God’s mysteries, you remind the laity of our own dignity, too. We need you to be a sign of contradictions in the world. We need your good, courageous example, and your light to shine brightly into our hearts and lives. Father, by pleasing God first, you will bless the people.”

God Bless you Cousin and praying for you and whatever your vocation in life will be… only God knows… seek His wisdom for your life and that is where you will find your happiness.

These are sites that I found among many, many others that might give you more understanding of the subject of;  “Prosperity Gospel”.. The Catholic Church tells us to beware….and I trust them over others opinions.  Love and hugs, Cousin Jewels

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ip4Jx92F94

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6Klu-BR_7E

http://www.integratedcatholiclife.org/2010/08/the-dangers-of-the-prosperity-gospel/

http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=172526

 

My cousin responded back to my answer to his question and I will conclude with what I responded back to him with another question he had;

Cousin,                                                                                                                           

 Would love to speak to you “more” about all we’ve learned. If you understood how committed we were… Jim and I.. to the Protestant faith and it’s understandings of scripture you will find out how deep we had to dig into the teachings and history of the Catholic Church to make sense of it ALL. Especially Jim being so educated and an engineer, he had to make sense of it all…. “Cross every t and dot every i.”  In the end he received enough grace from above to the understandings, that some things of God…are a mystery and He makes them a mystery to build up our faith. Just like air….we can’t see it, can’t smell it, can’t touch it…. But without air we have no life. At first I was upset Jim did not follow Jeanine and I into the Catholic Faith…. I felt like a lone wolf. But, he supported us, went to Mass every time we did…. In time, I began to thank my Lord for his hardened heart…because of his road blocks and questions, we both studied the Catholic Faith like theologians and historians (together) and journeyed “more” deeper than any RCIA class could take us. You would not believe all the books we have read together about Catholicism. You are more than welcomed to borrow any of them if you want to…if you can find the time to read them. We both “now” hope our journey will help bridge the gap of so many misunderstandings and wrong perceived concepts that Protestants have about the Church and also help Ex Catholics come home. Many Cradle Catholics today are in a rut and have no clue how awesome their faith is….So SAD.  Also, I do not know if you ever read my book I wrote? I know your Meme has a copy. Many of my early understandings of being Catholic are in those pages. I need to re-write it, because I need to add so much more to it, that I have learned since I wrote it. I had it self-published and hope one day when I get it just like I want it…. I will try to publish it. It’s called “Finding the One in His Time.” In the last part of the book I share about 3 Catholic Seminarians that visited our Parish one summer to help with Vacation Bible School. I had them over at our house for dinner and lunch several times and really got to know them and their stories about how God had lead them to become…or discern to be a Catholic Priest. What I shared in my book is a question I asked them; “Do all who enter the Seminary become a Priest?” This is what I wrote; “They informed me the percentage was very low. The good news is while they study to become Priest, they are pursuing God’s will in their lives and preparing for whatever their vocation may be in life; married, or a life dedicated to the Priesthood. They went on to say those who choose marriage for a vocation, after the experience of seminary, leave the seminary really understanding God’s purpose for their life and a good insight in understanding the meaning of sacrificial love that serves its place “in time” when they do marry. They were a precious young bunch, and it was refreshing to see young men really pursuing God with all of their hearts. I wish more young people had the opportunity to figure it out. It is sad one has to escape the world to get answers. I wish our modern world could be still for a day and give our young people an experience of silence away from cell phones, IPods, television and the materialism that keeps them from hearing God’s voice.” I wrote that almost 4 years ago…. And still keep up with those precious men. We were invited last spring to the “Ordination” to the Priesthood of one of those Seminarians.. Jim and I both cried through the whole service. We both had been praying for him, since we met him that summer, to complete, discern, and understand his God ordained call or vocation in this life… we felt like his parents. We even got to go to his first Mass at his home church. To be there was amazing to see the fruits of the Apostolic succession continue on… to see the miracle in which….the first time this young priest through the power of the Holy Spirit made present our Eucharist. We took part in a miracle of God and we witnessed the miracle of God in this young Priests hands, the wine and bread became His Body and Blood. For us and all his friends and family, to be a part of witnessing his first Eucharistic miracle at the Altar was awesome. He was not the one who performed the miracle; it was the Holy Spirit using a man who surrendered his life to this call…. a calling from God. We cried again. One of the other Seminarians is studying in Rome for 2 years and can’t wait to hear his story when he gets back. Wonder what his experience was when Pope Francis was installed? He got to witness all of that amazing history being made.

The book you asked me if I read it; “To Save A Thousand Souls”….. You will like it.. The author Fr. Branner was on EWTN… “Bookmark” with Dough Keck. The following link is the interview with Fr. Branner and a great discussion how the book came to being. Fr. Branner is affiliated at Mount Saint Mary’s in Maryland. When we lived in PA we use to pass by that place, many times, with our trips to DC. Wish we would have stopped, it is beautiful and we always admired the place… just did not know what it was back then.

God Bless, Cousin Jewels

P.S. Also, listen to all the other YouTube’s to the right of this link… Many discussions and areas in which you can use to discern this complex subject of the “calling” of the Priesthood.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vtg6_pTo62g

We've Got White Smoke!

Pondering the last few weeks and going through the events in my mind and drama that took place in our world from the announcement in which Pope Benedict stepped down as the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.

Being a new Catholic of 4 years and this being my first experience to lose a Pope (Papa) and walk through the process, with such a huge body of believers, in which the Catholic Church elects a new Pope was a first for me and my husband (also a new Catholic).

Our 50+ years of living a life in the Protestant world, we just never engaged in what was going on in the Catholic Church when a new Pope was elected. I can remember my mom, a Methodist who went to a Catholic school as a little girl (for a short time), always having a heart for the process in which a new Pope was elected. She would always call me on the phone when the Cardinals would be in conclave and be so excited in the “waiting” to see the white smoke. I would always listen to her enthusiasm and in many ways try to down play her excitement and say; “Who cares…..who they elect, this is something that does not impact my life and why does it yours? “ I would always hang up the phone with the thoughts that she was bored, needed to get more of a life away from the TV and events that did not matter to anyone, except maybe a Catholic. She always defended her position with how this event of the “white smoke” was a very old tradition and in many ways, she was getting to experience history unfold in the Catholic Church.  My mom had many questions for me when I was seeking and learning about the Catholic Faith and after I became Catholic. We would discuss it for hours and I think if she would have lived a little longer her heart would have been converted to the fullness of the Christian faith. I do not think she would have become Catholic, because she loved her little Methodist Church and the drive around the block was her routine. A few years before she passed away she wanted me to take her to a local Nursery, because she knew they had garden statues. She wanted a statue of Saint Francis in her prayer garden. She loved the story of Saint Francis and his love for animals. Mother was an avid birdwatcher and loved watching nature’s smells, growth, life, colors and sounds. The Seasons in her prayer garden entertained her for hours. I teased her when she suggested a statue of Saint Francis…. “That’s Catholic! You’re not Catholic.” Her reply; “Well, I love Saint Francis… you’re Catholic now, you have any statues…Catholic statues in your yard yet?” “No, mother I do not” was my reply. “Well, I can’t believe you are Catholic and your Methodist mother beat you to putting a Catholic statue in her yard. I’m sure you will get to it, soon.” Yes, she was right…. The first thing I did, when she went home to her Lord was purchase a statue of Saint Francis and put it in my yard. When I gaze upon it, I will always think of her and areas we connected in the Catholic faith. I also wonder if she has run into Saint Francis in heaven and if they are bird watching together or just conversing about their love of God’s creation in a simple weed.

I wish my ears would have been in tuned all those years ago to my mother and her excitement of the “white smoke.” Before Pope Benedict stepped down I had come to love this great man of Faith. He was more than the “Vicar of Christ” in my life. He had become my Papa and his deep teachings of the Christian faith inspired me to be a better Christian.  His stance on virtues and morals in a world falling apart each day, gave me a sense of security knowing he was standing firm and would not compromise the 2,000 year old teachings to the realm in which society is changing and going down a road that is not Scriptural in the teachings of Christ. The news of Pope Benedict in many ways to me was like a death, in knowing he was no longer going to be there for me. I also pondered my love for Pope John Paul II and what I now understand, in what many Catholics went through after his death. What a great man of the faith Pope John Paul II was. I did not learn about his life and teachings, until he was already gone from this world. Even though he is no longer with us, his works will forever impact this world. Pope Benedict had been in office for only a year, when I finally surrendered to the Holy Spirit and started my journey to discover the Catholic Faith. I missed out on the “white smoke” with the election of all the Popes in my lifetime until now. Strange, that I lost my mother to eternal life one year ago and on her one year anniversary of leaving me, I am experiencing the “white smoke.” I can hear her in heaven saying “I told you so!” I just wish I could have shared this moment with her and told her I now understand the excitement that she experienced in waiting and watching for the “white smoke.” Being a Catholic now and understanding the teachings of the “Communion of Saints”, it gives me hope that even though she was not with me bodily….she was in spirit and so entwined through the Holy Trinity, she with all the Church Triumphant  were praying for our Cardinals, that Christ’s Church not be left as orphans. The Church Militant (Visible), Church Triumphant and The Church Suffering, I truly believe were in “One” accord the last few weeks in prayer for the election on our next Vicar of Christ, our Pope, our next Papa that will be a “Peter” to oversee Christ’s Church and protect the “Deposit of Faith” that has been passed down from the Apostles, all the way down…. 2,000 years to little ol’ me.  The Apostolic Succession has never been broken with all that has risen up against it for 2,000 years. Through the good Popes, bad Popes, bad Priest, good Priest, bad Bishops, good Bishops, bad Cardinals and good Cardinals the “deposit of faith” has been protected by the Holy Spirit using imperfect men to preach the Gospel, “Good News”, to the ends of the earth. The Catholic Church can back up its Vicars of Christ all the way to Saint Peter. Just like the USA can back up their Presidents all the way to George Washington. The Pope is called the Vicar of Christ because he is Christ's special representative in a way that the other Bishops are not. This stems back to St. Peter whom Christ made the head of the Apostles and the head of the Church. The Catholic Church is the longest living body of authority… Magisterium…. that has survived the ups and downs of history and is still here today….after 2,000 years.  No country, government, monarchy or religion can claim this unbroken chain……. this chain that backs history all the way to Christ:                                                                                                                                Matthew 16:18; And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.                                                     John 20;  ¹⁹When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. ²⁰And when he had said this, he showed unto them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord. ²¹Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace be unto you: as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you. ²²And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit: ²³whosesoever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven unto them; whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained.                                                             

Acts 1: ¹The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, concerning all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, ²until the day in which he was received up, after that he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit unto the apostles whom he had chosen: ³to whom he also showed himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing unto them by the space of forty days, and speaking the things concerning the kingdom of God: ⁴and, being assembled together with them, he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, ye heard from me: ⁵for John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence.

Luke 10:16; He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and rejects him who sent me.

Luke 1: 1- 4; Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.                                                                                                           Hebrews 13: 7-9; Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their lives, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings.

During the process of waiting for the Cardinals to all arrive in Rome with the media and all the stories flying around about the latest gossip…..some true and some peoples imagination building bigger stories. I sat and listened and took it all in. I gave up Facebook for Lent and even television. Listening only to a Catholic radio station and occasionally would watch Catholic television (EWTN) to stay informed about the conclave of Cardinals coming together to elect out next Pope. Still with my limited time of staying away from the news I still got an ear full from friends and family…. Some Catholic, some not, how corrupt the Catholic Church is and was and always has been. I heard stories of the priest sexual scandals, the cover ups, stories of how the mafia has run the Vatican for years, laundering of monies that have taken place and etc. etc. etc. The biggest story I was told by a sincere friend was she truly believed that end time prophecies claim this will be the last Pope and he will claim the name Pope Peter and be the anti-Christ.  

All this chatter reminded me of Judas and how Christ himself chose a thief and a traitor. How Christ in His word has told us we will be planted among the tares. Matthew 13:24; the kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man that sowed good seed in his field: ²⁵but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away. ²⁶But when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. Interesting the plant “tares” are the bearded darnel or rye grass, and resembles wheat so closely that it can prosper in the cornfields and be almost indistinguishable until fully grown. It flourishes in quantities in countries along the Mediterranean Sea. To the farmer it is one of the most destructive of all weeds. Many reasons we are sowed among these weeds…. If you think about it…… this is nothing new. Judas was one of the disciples that Christ chose. Was this to teach us something?

Jim and I read a book together when we were learning about the Catholic Church. It was the history….starting right at the cross of Christ. The name of the book…… CHURCH HISTORY; by Fr. John Laux, MA. It is the history of the Church from the Cross until 1940. Hard book to read because it is boring at times and some of the complicated language with names throughout the centuries took us some time to spit out. It was an honest look at the history of the Catholic Church, good and bad.  What we came away with reading this book was the understanding of however bad the Church was or how bad a Pope was the “deposit of faith” was never tampered with or changed. The teachings of faith, virtues and morals are the same, just as they were when Christ passed them down to the Apostles and the Apostles passed them down to the next generation. The gates of hell will not prevail against His church. After reading it, the book reminded me of my life. All the mistakes I’ve made over and over and after a while I did learn from them. But, I am still making different mistakes… and in time I hope I will learn from them. My parents were good parents…. But, they did make mistakes and I tried not to make the same ones they did. I’m sure my son and his wife will strive to not make the same mistakes their parents did with them. I’ve learned in this world, wisdom comes with age and if we knew then what we know now, when we were young things would have been easier for all of us. That’s how I look at the Catholic Church (Mother Church). She has made many mistakes and for 2,000 years has learned from them. She has become a very old and a wise Mother. Her success does not depend on those who make the mistakes or caused the schisms. Christ promised the gates of hell would not prevail against His Church. Did the Catholic Church handle the sex scandals well? Probably not in the beginning, but I truly believe they are doing all they can so it will not happen again… Yes, there were some Judases among the flock. We are living in a world like no other time in history; computers, magazines, television, newspapers, advertisements that point society to world of sex with no boundaries. Available for all to see including our children and it’s not going to get any better. Society in the last 100 years has been changing rapidly and we as a society have compromised faith and morals. In the end we are going to pay for it. I was molested by a family member….. And guess what? My parents did not know how to handle it.  This family member was a trusted and much loved family member. This was a new issue for the 1960’s because it just did not happen that much…. It might have happened more than we thought, but folks just did not have the tools needed to make it right or try to fix it. It is a problem everywhere today; Schools, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, little leagues, families and the list goes on.

With all the chatter concerning the Pope and him stepping down and pointing out all the sins of the Catholic Church, I am reminded of my journey into the Catholic Church from the Protestant Faith.

My father stopped going to our Methodist Church in the 1960’s because of division and politics.

Jim’s father stopped going to the Presbyterian Church in the 1970’s due to something we never learned about.

Our experience with many Protestant churches we attended, almost made us stay home for good, just like our dads. Also, knowledge of other churches where we have lived that struggled with many areas of sin, discouraged us and almost made us give up in finding a church.  We’ve come to believe the worst enemy of Christianity is the “Christian”.

Every area that the Catholic Church has been judged, and with good reasons, happens in every denomination that claims to be CHRISTIAN. Why? Because the Judases will always be among the Flock. The Catholic Church is universal and it always makes front page headlines. Protestantism is only 500 years old and many divisions and splits among the faithful make them small remnants compared to the Catholic Church which is universal.  Why are they splitting and disagreeing? Every church in every land in the Protestant faith and all others has fallen into every area of “BAD” that the Catholic Faith has. It never makes world news…maybe local, but it is soon forgotten until it happens again.

When Pope Benedict stepped down I was so upset because I knew he was a good Pope. I’ve read his writings and he is a brilliant scholar when it comes to the history and teachings of the church. All the chatter I hear about him….. It is not for me to judge. I have a hard enough time keeping me in line. God is the final judge. I look to his fruits, his teachings and the sacrifices he made in serving God’s Church. He came against many Catholics, the US government and societies all around the world that are demanding change; change that is against the “deposit of faith” on faith, virtues and morals. If you Google many of the mainstream Protestant faiths you will notice they are in this same battle and many have compromised to a society that is following its own agenda. This is one of many reasons I am Catholic, and I trust Jesus’ words that he will protect His church and the gates of hell will not prevail. Sorry, folks the anti-Christ is not the Pope and never will be….it is a promise from Jesus.

When the “white smoke” announced to the world we had a new Papa that would be the next Vicar of Christ I was brought to tears with seeing the history being made before my eyes. I thought for a moment…what if this is a bad Pope? Then I was reminded of Christ promise to His Church…  “…Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” I knew that whoever it would be… It did not depend on the man… the Holy Spirit has protected Christ Church for 2,000 years and it is not going anywhere. If God allowed us a great leader to point us to the life of His Son, we would be thankful. If not… His Church would prevail.  I thought of my mother and how she would be so pleased that I had become Catholic and was now watching for the “white smoke.” The “white smoke” finally announced to the world that our new “Papa” would be Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio and his name will be Pope Francis! Wow! I felt like my mother was with me… not only did we have a new Pope….but he had chosen my Methodist mother’s favorite saint’s name. It was if God had given me a sign, that my mother was truly a part of this plan, with all the CHURCH.       

Pope Francis seems to be a humble Godly man and I look forward to getting to know him. My first impression of him reminds me of Blessed Mother Teresa from Calcutta, a Servant with a servant’s heart for the poor and needy. A man that will defend the “deposit of faith”, faith, virtues and morals to a world that wants to follow the hearts of men and women in their quest of doing it their way, not God’s way. Wow… What are you doing now Lord, in your Church? Makes me rejoice for Christ’s Church and the 2,000 year old journey continuing until He returns.   

             

The following are teachings of many of the Church Fathers, those who were taught by the Apostles or those from the following generation that were taught from those who were taught by the Apostles, and now  passing it down to the next generation;

 

“Peter, who is called 'the rock on which the church should be built,' who also obtained 'the keys of the kingdom of heaven...'” Tertullian, On the Prescription Against the Heretics, 22 (c. A.D. 200).

“And Peter, on whom the Church of Christ is built, against which the gates of hell shall not prevail...” Origen, Commentary on John, 5:3 (A.D. 232).

“By this Spirit Peter spake that blessed word, 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.' By this Spirit the rock of the Church was established.” Hippolytus, Discourse on the Holy Theophany, 9 (ante A.D. 235).

“'...thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church' ... It is on him that he builds the Church, and to him that he entrusts the sheep to feed. And although he assigns a like power to all the apostles, yet he founded a single Chair, thus establishing by his own authority the source and hallmark of the (Church's) oneness...If a man does not fast to this oneness of Peter, does he still imagine that he still holds the faith. If he deserts the Chair of Peter upon whom the Church was built, has he still confidence that he is in the Church?” Cyprian, De Unitate Ecclesiae (Primacy text), 4 (A.D. 251).

Peter, that strongest and greatest of all the apostles, and the one who on account of his virtue was the speaker for all the others...” Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 2:14 (A.D. 325).

“And Peter,on whom the Church of Christ is built, 'against which the gates of hell shall not prevail'” Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 6:25 (A.D. 325).

“...the chief of the disciples...the Lord accepted him, set him up as the foundation, called him the rock and structure of the church.” Aphraates, De Paenitentibus Homily 7:15 (A.D. 337).

“Peter, the foremost of the Apostles, and Chief Herald of the Church...” Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures,1 1:3 (A.D. 350).

“Blessed Simon, who after his confession of the mystery was set to be the foundation-stone of the Church, and received the keys of the kingdom...” Hilary de Poiters, On the Trinity, 6:20(A.D. 359).

“For the good of unity blessed Peter, for whom it would have been enough if after his denial he had obtained pardon only, deserved to be placed before all the apostles, and alone received the keys of the kingdom of heaven, to be communicated to the rest.” Optatus of Milevis, De Schismate Donatistorum, 7:3(A.D. 370).

“The Lord spoke to Peter a little earlier; he spoke to one, that from one he might found unity, soon delivering the same to all.” Pacian, To Sympronianus, Epistle 3:2 (AD 372).

"Simon, My follower, I have made you the foundation of the Holy Church. I betimes called you Peter (Kepha), because you will support all its buildings. You are the inspector of those who will build on earth a Church for me...I have given you the keys of my kingdom. Behold, have given you authority over all my treasures." Ephraim, Homily 4:1, (A.D. 373).

“The first of the apostles, the solid rock on which the Church was built.” Epiphanius, In Ancorato, 9:6 (A.D. 374).

“Peter upon which rock the Lord promised that he would build his church.” Basil, In Isaias, 2:66 (A.D. 375).

“As I follow no leader save Christ, so I communicate with none but your blessedness, that is with the chair of Peter. For this, I know, is the rock on which the church is built!” Jerome, To Pope Damasus, Epistle 15 (A.D. 375).

“Seest thou that of the disciples of Christ, all of whom were exalted and deserving of choice, one is called rock, and is entrusted with the foundations of the church.” Gregory of Nazianzen, Oration 32:18 (A.D. 380).

“We have considered that it ought be announced that although all the Catholic Churches spread abroad through the world comprise one bridal chamber of Christ, nevertheless, the holy Roman Church has been placed at the forefront not by conciliar decisions of other churches, but has received the primacy by the evangelic voice of our Lord and Savior, who says: "You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it..."...The first see, therefore, is that of Peter the Apostle, that of the Roman Church, which has neither the stain nor blemish nor anything like it.” Pope Damasus, Decree of Damasus, 3 (A.D. 382).

”It was right indeed that he (Paul) should be anxious to see Peter; for he was the first among the apostles, and was entrusted by the Savior with the care of the churches.” Ambrosiaster, Commentary on Galatians, PL 17:344 (A.D. 384).

“Number the priests even from that seat of Peter. And in that order of fathers see to whom succeeded: that is the rock which the proud gates of hades do not conquer.” Augustine, Psalmus contro Partem Donati (A.D. 393).

“But you say, the Church was rounded upon Peter: although elsewhere the same is attributed to all the Apostles, and they all receive the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and the strength of the Church depends upon them all alike, yet one (Peter) among the twelve is chosen so that when a head has been appointed, there may be no occasion for schism.” Jerome, Against Jovinianus, 1 (A.D. 393).

“The memory of Peter, who is the head of the apostles...he is the firm and most solid rock, on which the savior built his Church.” Gregory of Nyssa, Panegyric on St. Stephen, 3 (ante A.D. 394).

“Thou art Peter and upon this Rock I will build my Church,” Wherefore where

Peter is the Church is...” Ambrose, Commentary on the Psalms, 40:30 (AD 395).

“At length, after being tempted by the devil, Peter is set over the Church.” Ambrose, Commentary on the Psalms, 43:40 (AD 397).

“In order that he may show his power, God has endowed none of his disciples with gifts like Peter. But, having raised him with heavenly gifts, he has set him above all. And, as first disciple and greater among the brethren, he has shown, by the test of deeds, the power of the Spirit. The first to be called, he followed at once...The Saviour confided to this man, as some special trust, the whole universal Church, after having asked him three times 'Lovest thou me?' And he receive the world in charge...” Asterius, Homily 8 (A.D. 400).

"(Peter) The first of the Apostles, the foundation of the Church, the coryphaeus of the choir of disciples." John Chrysostom, Ad eos qui scandalizati 17(ante A.D. 407).

“Peter, that head of the Apostles, the first in the Church, the friend of Christ, who received revelation not from man but from the Father...this Peter, and when I say Peter, I mean that unbroken Rock, the unshaken foundation, the great Apostle, the first of the disciples, the first called, the first to obey.” John Chrysostom, De Eleemosyna, 3:4 (ante A.D. 407).

“This Peter on whom Christ freely bestowed a sharing in his name. For just as Christ is the rock, as the Apostle Paul taught, so through Christ Peter is made rock, when the Lord says to him: "Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church...” Maximus of Turin, Homily 63 (A.D. 408).

“...the most firm rock, who (Peter) from the principal Rock received a share of his virtue and his name.” Prosper of Aquitaine, The Call of All Nations, 2:28(A.D. 426).

“He promises to found the church, assigning immovableness to it, as He is the Lord of strength, and over this he sets Peter as shepherd.” Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on Matthew (A.D. 428).

“But that great man, the disciple of disciples, that master among masters, who wielding the government of the Roman Church possessed the authority in faith and priesthood. Tell us therefore, tell us we beg of you, Peter, prince of the Apostles, tell us how the churches must believe in God.” John Cassian, Contra Nestorium, 3:12 (A.D. 430).

“There is no doubt, and in fact it has been known in all ages, that the holy and most blessed Peter, prince and head of the Apostles, pillar of faith, and foundation of the Catholic Church, received the keys of the kingdom from our Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the human race, and that to him was given the power of loosing and binding sins: who down even to to-day and forever, lives and judges in his successors. The holy and most blessed Pope Celestine, according to due order, is his successor and holds his place...” Philip, Council of Ephesus, Session III (A.D. 431).

“Blessed Peter preserving in the strength of the Rock, which he has received, has not abandoned the helm of the Church, which he under took...And so if anything is rightly done and rightly decreed by us, if anything is won from the mercy of God by our daily supplications, it is of his work and merits whose power lives and whose authority prevails in his See...to him whom they know to be not only the patron of this See, but also primate of all bishops. When therefore...believe that he is speaking whose representative we are:..” Pope Leo the Great, Sermon 3:3-4 (A.D. 442).

 

“If Paul, the herald of the truth, the trumpet of the Holy Ghost, hastened to the great Peter in order that he might carry from him the desired solution of difficulties to those at Antioch who were in doubt about living in conformity with the law, much more do we, men insignificant and small, hasten to your apostolic see in order to receive from you a cure for the wounds of the churches. For every reason it is fitting for you to hold the first place, inasmuch as your see is adorned with many privileges.” Theodoret of Cyrus, To Pope Leo, Epistle 113 (A.D. 449).

“The Lord wished to be indeed the concern of all the Apostles: and from him as from the Head wishes His gifts to flow to all the body: so that any one who dares to secede from Peter's solid rock may understand that he has no part or lot in the divine mystery.” Pope Leo the Great, To Bishops of Vienne, Epistle 10 (A.D. 450).

“Wherefore the most holy and blessed Leo, archbishop of the great and elder Rome, through us, and through this present most holy synod together with the thrice blessed and all-glorious Peter the Apostle, who is the rock and foundation of the Catholic Church, and the foundation of the orthodox faith...” Council of Chalcedon, Session III (A.D. 451).

“Wherefore the most holy and blessed Leo, archbishop of the great and elder Rome, through us, and through this present most holy synod together with the thrice blessed and all-glorious Peter the Apostle, who is the rock and foundation of the Catholic Church, and the foundation of the orthodox faith, hath stripped him of the episcopate, and hath alienated from him all hieratic worthiness. 'Peter, the apostle, who is the rock and support of the Catholic Church.'” Paschasinus, Council of Chalcedon, Session III (A.D. 451).

“Peter is again called 'the coryphaeus of the Apostles.’” Basil of Seleucia, Oratio 25 (ante A.D. 468).

“The holy Roman Church is senior to the other churches not by virtue of any synodal decrees, but obtained the primacy from Our Lord and Savior in the words of the Gospel, 'Thou art Peter...'” Pope Gelasius, Decree of Gelasium (A.D. 492).

“[T]he statement of Our Lord Jesus Christ who said, 'Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church,'...These (words) which were spoken, are proved by the effects of the deeds, because in the Apostolic See the Catholic religion has always been preserved without stain.'” Pope Hormisdas, Libellus professionis fidei, (A.D. 519).

“To Peter, that is, to his church, he gave the power of retaining and forgiving sins on earth.” Fulgentius, De Remissione Peccatorum, 2:20 (A.D. 523).

“Who could be ignorant of the fact that the holy church is consolidated in the solidity of the prince of the Apostles, whose firmness of character extended to his name so that he should be called Peter after the 'rock', when the voice of the Truth says, 'I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven'. To him again is said "When after a little while thou hast come back to me, it is for thee to be the support of thy brethren.” Pope Gregory the Great, Epistle 40 (A.D. 604).

“The decrees of the Roman Pontiff, standing upon the supremacy of the Apostolic See, are unquestionable.” Isidore of Seville, (ante A.D. 636).

“For the extremities of the earth, and all in every part of it who purely and rightly confess the Lord, look directly towards the most holy Roman Church and its confession and faith, as it were a sun of unfailing light, awaiting from it the bright radiance of our fathers, according to what the six inspired and holy Councils have purely and piously decreed, declaring most expressly the symbol of faith. For from the coming down of the Incarnate Word among us, all the churches in every part of the world have possessed that greatest church alone as their base and foundation, seeing that, according to the promise of Christ Our Savior, the gates of hell do never prevail against it, that it possesses the Keys of right confession and faith in Him, that it opens the true and only religion to such as approach with piety, and shuts up and locks every heretical mouth that speaks injustice against the Most High.” Maximus the Confessor, Opuscula theologica et polemica (A.D. 650).

“Peter was pronounced blessed by the Lord...the duty of feeding the spiritual sheep of the Church under whose protecting shield, this Apostolic Church of his has never turned away from the path of truth in any direction of error, whose authority, as that of the Prince of all the Apostles, the whole Catholic Church and the Ecumenical Synods have faithfully embraced...” Pope Agatho, To Ecumenical Council VI at Constantinople, (A.D. 680).

"A copy of the letter sent by the holy and Ecumenical Sixth Council to Agatho, the most blessed and most holy pope of Old Rome…Therefore to thee, as to the bishop of the first see of the Universal Church, we leave what must be done, since you willingly take for your standing ground the firm rock of the faith, as we know from having read your true confession in the letter sent by your fatherly beatitude to the most pious emperor: and we acknowledge that this letter was divinely written (perscriptas) as by the Chief of the Apostles, and through it we have cast out the heretical sect of many errors which had recently sprung up..” Constantinople III, Council to Pope Agatho, (A.D. 680).

“For, although the devil desired to sift all the disciples, the Lord testifies that He Himself asked for Peter alone, and wished that the others be confirmed my him; and to Peter also was committed the care of 'feeding the sheep'(John 21:15);and to him also did the Lord hand over the 'keys of the kingdom of heaven'(Matthew 16:19),and upon him did He promise to 'build His Church' (Matthew 16:18);and He testified that 'the gates of Hell would not prevail against it' (Matthew 16:19).” Pope Pelagius II, Quod Ad Dilectionem (c. A.D. 685).

“'Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, and to thee I will give the keys of the kingdom of heaven'? When Wilfrid spoken thus, the king said, 'It is true, Colman, that these words were spoken to Peter by our Lord?' He answered, 'It is true O king!' Then says he, 'Can you show any such power given to your Columba?' Colman answered, 'None.' Then added the king, "Do you both agree that these words were principally directed to Peter, and that the keys of heaven were given to him by our Lord?' They both answered, 'We do.'” Venerable Bede, (A.D. 700), Ecclesiastical History, 3:5 (A.D. 700).

Scriptures to ponder;

Matt. 16:18; 18:18 - Jesus uses the word "ecclesia" only twice in the New Testament Scriptures, which demonstrates that Jesus intended a visible, unified, hierarchical, and authoritative Church.

Eph. 4:11 - the Church is hierarchical and includes apostles, prophets, pastors, and teachers, all charged to build up the Church. The Church is not an invisible entity with an invisible foundation.

Phil. 1:1 - Paul addresses the bishops and deacons of the Church. They can all trace their unbroken lineage back to the apostles.

1 Tim. 3:1; Titus 1:7 - Christ's Church has bishops ("episkopoi") who are direct successors of the apostles. The bishops can trace the authority conferred upon them back to the apostles.

1 Tim. 5:17; Titus 1:5; James 5:14 - Christ's Church also has elders or priests ("presbyteroi") who serve the bishops.

1 Tim. 3:8 - Christ's Church also has deacons ("diakonoi"). Thus, Jesus Christ's Church has a hierarchy of authority - bishops, priests and deacons, who can all trace their lineage back to Peter and the apostles.

Exodus 28:1 and 19:6 – shows the three offices of the Old Testament priesthood (1). high priest – Aaron (Ex. 28:1); (2). Ministerial priests – Aaron’s sons (Ex. 19:6; 28:1); and (3). Universal priests – Israel (Ex. 19:6). The New Testament priesthood also has three offices: (1) High Priest – Jesus Christ (Heb. 3:1); (2) Ministerial priests – the ordained bishops and priests (Rom. 15:16; 1 Tim. 3:1,8; 5:17; Titus 1:7); and (3) Universal priests - all the baptized (1 Pet. 2:5,9; Rev. 1:6).

Matt. 13:24-30 - scandals have always existed in the Church, just as they have existed outside of the Church. This should not cause us to lose hope in the Church. God's mysterious plan requires the wheat and the weeds to be side by side in the Church until the end of time.

Matt. 13:47-50 - God's plan is that the Church (the kingdom of heaven) is a net which catches fish of every kind, good and bad. God revealed this to us so that we will not get discouraged by the sinfulness of the Church’s members.

Matt. 16:18 - no matter how sinful its members conduct themselves, Jesus promised that the gates of death will never prevail against the Church.

Matt. 26:70-72; Mark 14:68-70; Luke 22:57; John 18:25-27 - Peter denied Christ three times, yet he was chosen to be the leader of the Church, and taught and wrote infallibly.

Mark 14:45 - Judas was unfaithful by betraying Jesus. But his apostolic office was preserved and this did not weaken the Church.

Mark 14:50 - all of Jesus' apostles were unfaithful by abandoning Him in the garden of Gethsemane, yet they are the foundation of the Church.

John 20:24-25 - Thomas the apostle was unfaithful by refusing to believe in Jesus' resurrection, yet he taught infallibly in India.

Rom. 3:3-4 - unfaithful members do not nullify the faithfulness of God and the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church.

1 Tim. 5:19 - Paul acknowledges Church elders might be unfaithful. The Church, not rebellion and schism, deals with these matters.

Jer. 24:1-10 - God's plan includes both good and bad figs. The good figs will be rewarded, and the bad figs will be discarded.

Angels That Are In Our Midst Are Dropping In Number

Our family just welcomed a new baby into our lives, and as we shared pictures with our family and friends through email and Facebook, I felt a need to share the whole story. The pictures of our first granddaughter are beautiful, but the story behind that “new life” tells an amazing story. This story is not to give any attention to ourselves or our new bundle of joy, but to those who our society has rationalized almost to extinction in our world.

I am pro-life and it is hard for me to understand how anyone could have an abortion. I understand it happens due to misinformed young and old immature people in today’s self-centered world who will not listen or learn the facts of “real truth” – this is a baby and the heartbeat of new human life can be heard after 6 weeks of development. Society tells us that unplanned pregnancy will ruin our lives if we keep the “fetus” and the best thing for unplanned pregnancies is to have an abortion. This is so far from the truth. Many options are available to the mother. Take for example adoption. There are many, many, many couples needing a baby that cannot have one on their own. As much as pro-choice folks preach” it is not a baby at conception”, medical science says it is and the reality of abortion is MURDER. This statement is a fact, but not the story I want to share. Rather, I want to share a journey that showed me how bad our society has truly come and how selfish we are. Through our selfishness we are missing out on understanding what true love really is.

Our daughter-in-law gave birth November 24, 2012, exactly one year after having a miscarriage at 6 weeks. When news of her second pregnancy was shared with us, it was shared with the hopes that she would not miscarry again. We were all informed to wait until we spread their news about the pregnancy,” just in case”…… At her 6-weeks check-up they heard a heartbeat and we were all so excited!

Our 30-something year old daughter- in-law had a sonogram of the baby at 4 months and learned we were having a baby girl. Because of her age they did a very thorough sonogram. The sonogram showed all her skeletal features seemed normal. BUT, the baby had a “bright spot” on her heart. The doctors informed her that all Down Syndrome (DS) babies have a “bright spot” on their hearts and recommended she have further testing to see if the baby had DS. The test is called amniocentesis and carries a risk of miscarriage. The risk ranges from 1 in 200 to 1 in 400. In facilities where amniocentesis is performed regularly, the rates are closer to 1 in 400. Miscarriages can occur because of infection in the uterus, the water breaks or labor is induced prematurely. Because of this factor the new expectant parents decided to not have this test for fear of a miscarriage. If she was DS, it would not matter. She was a life created by God and they would trust the Creator’s plan for them and their child.

Our daughter-in-law’s Midwife advised her to not worry, that her baby was fine and many healthy babies have a “bright spot” on their hearts. During her months of pregnancy I would always tell the new parents that the “bright spot” was a special “mark” from above. God had already marked her with a special calling on her life. To be honest with my story, it was hard at times to trust God and even though we would be prepared for “whatever” our Lord had in store for us, we worried and continually reassured each other “God is in control.   No matter what happens His Grace will carry us through.” It is easy to say, BUT putting it in “motion” is another story.

Four month… Five months… Six months… Seven months… Eight months and what a perfect pregnancy. Our daughter-in-law was beautiful pregnant and was textbook all the way. We visited them during her eighth month and seeing how well she was doing confirmed to us “we are having a baby” in a few weeks. Praise God! The wait was almost over. The excitement of these new parents was contagious and seeing all the labor of love they put into the nursery and the childproofing the house showed they were ready. With all this said, the “bright spot” still bubbled up fear from time to time. Trust God! It is so easy to say.

The end of the ninth month (the week she is due) we as grandparents started our 2 day drive in hopes we would arrive for the birth. It all worked out and we arrived at the hospital just in time. After a wonderful labor and delivery (no complication) our daughter-in-law, with the help of our son, gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. She was perfect and started nursing (she was hungry) within a few minutes.  A quick check of her lungs, heart, etc. revealed a healthy new life. We witnessed this beautiful baby (our granddaughter) who entered the world around 9:30 pm.

The next day we arrived early at the hospital to take a peek before church and witnessed two parents beaming from head to toe. We even discussed how all the worrying we did the last nine months was over and how textbook her pregnancy was, but also how the medical world puts so much fear in the “could happen” scenarios.

We (new grandparents) left the hospital and headed to Mass to give thanks to the Creator. Scripture readings at morning Mass were preparing us for the end of the Liturgical year, a “New Liturgical Year” was beginning the following Sunday. Advent was around the corner and as our year ended with the good news of Christ second coming, the start of the new liturgical year was a new beginning of the anticipation of His first coming. In so many ways this ending was so appropriate for a 9-months wait. There was new life in our midst; our granddaughter. I gave thanks to my Jesus and told Him I look forward to His birth in a few weeks (the first coming of the Messiah) and thanked Him for the life in which the Holy Trinity had created for our family to LOVE and CHERISH.

We returned to the hospital after Mass to see the baby and the new first time glowing parents we had left earlier, only to learn when we returned, the new parent’s world in such a short time, had been turned upside down. While at Mass, a Pediatrician entered their hospital room, and knowing about the sonogram and the “bright spot”, examined our little granddaughter. She informed the new parents that she suspects that this baby is Down Syndrome and most likely has a serious heart problem that is common in a DS baby. This doctor had left her art work on a white board indicating the problems she suspects with the baby’s heart. Our daughter-in-law is an RN and is a heart transplant nurse coordinator. She truly understands the heart problems of the DS babies and I am sure she had struggled with this knowledge since her sonogram. Our son was crying uncontrollably and really did not know how to process this information. We all had a hard time with it. We just could not see what this doctor was telling us. Was our love blind? We decided to leave them alone, so they could work through this as a family. The new parents did not need interference as they cried and sorted through this news together. When leaving our son said “I will be so mad if this is a CYA (cover your ass) because of her age and etc. To put us through these doubts and worries during her pregnancy was hard and now if it is a CYA, it’s not fair. I can accept it if she is Down Syndrome, but a heart problem…. the thought of losing her.. I cannot handle.”

We left the hospital emotionally drained and the “joy” of being first time grandparents was now shadowed with fears of an uncertain future. Immediately I started goggling information about Down Syndrome babies and this is what my story is really about; the message I want to relay to anyone who reads this writing from my heart.  As much as I googled and read, I still did not see what this doctor saw…. Our baby did not have the precious (small) features that DS children have. We even laughed at the first glance, when we saw how big our grandchild’s feet and hands were, thinking to ourselves she might make a good basketball player one of these days, when she grew into those hands and feet.  I read about the heart troubles DS babies have and I cried. I also read that 90-95% of Down Syndrome babies are aborted today and I cried. How selfish has our society become?  Only 5-10 % have a chance at life, because they are being murdered in the womb. I thought of the eagles and the whales and how animal activist fight so hard to save them from becoming extinct. These are animals…… and we are talking about special human beings shrinking in numbers because society does not understand what love truly means. I read stories of families who have chosen life for these precious children and how they are the APPLE of their EYES. They bring so much joy to their lives. My search brought me to the conclusion that if she is Down Syndrome, what a special package from above we had received. How blessed I felt that God the Father would put so much trust in this family to raise one of these precious children. How honored I felt that He would trust us with a life that so many do away with. I came to accept this wonderful gift and felt honored, if it was true. I still had a hard time with the heart issue and prayed that He would give us the graces we needed each day to walk through this, if we had to. We shared this with nobody until we got all the facts. I was tempted many times to call our Priest and our daughter, who is a Novice in the religious life, for prayer; to ask him, her and the Sisters to pray. We needed to wait until we understood all the facts, and we waited.

The first test was on her heart and the results came back that it is perfect! Praise our Lord! Another Pediatrician delivered the news about the heart the following day and also was not convinced in what the other doctor saw. Her advice was to do genetic testing  ”just to make sure.” When they gave the long awaited permission, they could finally take their beautiful baby home. Praise the Lord! 

What a joy it was to finally take her home! The next day she had an appointment for her first baby wellness check-up with the Pediatrician who had not met her yet. She examined the baby and was amazed at how perfect she was, how beautiful she was etc., etc., etc. Finally, her parents asked the doctor if she had read all the notes from the hospital. “No” was her reply. They asked her to please look them over. She retrieved the paper work and began reading. After a few double takes, she was shocked at what this one doctor had put them through. She could not see what this doctor saw, and did not understand. Her words: “Well I am 99.9 % sure the test will come back negative….. so sorry this happened to you!” 

The genetic testing came back yesterday and it is negative. I guess my son’s fears were right; “CYA” a doctor’s way of handling things in a most unprofessional way. We as a society think we have come a long way in medicine. Have we really? Through this journey, as hard as it was, I am thankful for the things I’ve learned. I have always been pro-life and even volunteered my time to help educate a world that does not know the facts. The Lord open my eyes to a reality that I knew about, only never knew how bad it was. I will continue to be an advocate for the unborn babies….. Now my heart cries for the Down Syndrome babies. Folks please learn the facts.  I pray that the Lord will open the door and show me and others how to make a difference for these precious families and their children. It is sad that medicine, the medical profession, that is supposed to be a vessel that God uses to heal mankind, is now a part of our society that kills, if it in any way seems to be an inconvenience to our existence and our pleasures. My husband calls it “child sacrifice on the altar of convenience”. I wonder if the doctor’s “Hippocratic Oath” has changed. Does it now say “heal” and “kill”? Just wondering?

In Closing:

Jeremiah 1:5

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

You remember the “bright spot” on our granddaughter’s heart? I was right. It was a special touch from above….. see how God used that spot to bring awareness to her grandmother for the precious little ones that are so loved by HIM! She does have a calling on her life.