48 And Counting...

Results are pouring in from 40 Days For Life locals:

"..Michele in Colorado Springs reports a car drove up to the clinic and two young women got out — a woman scheduled for an abortion and her friend. The friend called out to the people praying outside the clinic, “I’m with you! Pray for her!” And of course they did just that. The two women went inside the clinic, then came back out and talked. They went back in again, and came back out and talked again.

This time, someone shared a scripture verse with them — Isaiah 49:15: “Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.” After reading this together, the two young women went home. The baby was saved!

Carol in Toms River, New Jersey was praying with a small group outside the clinic when a young couple walked out, quietly talking to one another. “She was crying,” Carol noticed. “He hugged her and then she began to walk down the steps with a smile on her face and tears in her eyes.”

The young woman looked at the vigil volunteers and said, “I could not do it. I just could not do it.” Still, she was afraid of her mother’s reaction, because it was her mother who was pushing the abortion. She also had concerns that her boyfriend might not be able to finish college. 'But she took the first step in conquering those fears,” Carol said, “and God will bless her.' ..."
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Keep up those prayers and sacrifices. God is listening!

All's Well at Home, as Gustav Moves On

Hurricane Gustav left Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands virtually unscathed as it heads through the Gulf of Mexico towards Louisiana . For Caymanians, unscathed is relative to the devastating damage perpetrated by Ivan in September 2004. The Islands have just finished recovering, and noone is taking hurricane warnings lightly .

We were nervous about having our son Edward alone at home during the storm, but his preparations on the house, and in the Adoration Chapel were well done. Although we made out o.k., we continue to pray for our neighbors in Jamaica and those who suffer in Haiti.

Horrific Bus Crash - Prayerful Response

A busful of Catholics headed to a Marian Days gathering in Missouri, lost control and crashed near Houston:

"As their charter bus approached a gradual turn in the early-morning hours, investigators say, a retreaded front tire blew. The bus sheared the guardrail off a bridge, then plunged about 8 feet onto a hillside above a creek.

At least 17 people have died from injuries suffered in the crash. About 30 more remained hospitalized, including six in intensive care at Sherman's Wilson N. Jones Medical Center..."

"...Back on the highway, pilgrims returning from the Missouri festival to honor the Virgin Mary stopped along the road to step on the dirt and grass where the bus came to a final rest.

Among the first to arrive was Theresa Thuong Pham, 14, and her family. On a patch of charred dirt, they placed a small bouquet of yellow, white and red flowers that earlier in the day adorned the Virgin Mary shrine in Missouri.

Moments later, other travelers pulled off the road and began to add to what quickly became a shrine that hundreds would visit before sunset." (h/t custos fidei)


Prayerful people have a way of dealing with tragedy that is incomprehensible to the secular world.

“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you (Isaiah 41:13).”

God, make me brave for life: oh, braver than this.
Let me straighten after pain, as a tree straightens after the rain,
Shining and lovely again.
God, make me brave for life; much braver than this.
As the blown grass lifts, let me rise
From sorrow with quiet eyes,
Knowing Thy way is wise.
God, make me brave, life brings
Such blinding things.
Help me to keep my sight;
Help me to see aright
That out of dark comes light.
(author unknown)