NunEssential

Wishing you a most blessed and peaceful Christmas Season. We have received the best, most precious gift in the history of the world- the Son of God, born for us on this day. May we receive this newborn child ever more deeply into our hearts and souls. Merry Christmas- Nativity Scene at the Vatican 2012

The following is a timely and compelling article written by our General Superior, Sr. Anne Marie Walsh.      The Spirit of Herod and the Innocence of the Lamb This December 14, 2012, the spirit of Herod brutally intruded upon our world, upon a people in festive excitement and preparation for Christmas, many anticipating the birth of Our Savior and King.    In a little town in Connecticut, at a gradeschool where the approach of Christmas gave the children there special light and anticipation, 20 children and 6 adults trying to protect them, were suddenly and mercilessly mowed down for no discernible reason.   Just as the death of the Holy Innocents in Jesus’ time   must surely have involved the death of adults as well, mothers and fathers desperate to save the lives of their children, so in Newtown, 6 adults gave their lives to do the same. Jesus comes into our darkness this Christmas, into a world shocked by its own violence and ye...

here is the link to the website, Imagine Sisters, that is referred to in the video below. What an awesome movement this is! Their motto is: One Sister Can Change the World. check it out: http://imaginesisters.org/

someone just sent this to me! Very cute!

I want to HIGHLY recommend a brand-new series produced by Ascension Press called Oremus . This particular series on the study of prayer and living a passionate and life-giving relationship with God our Father is hosted by Fr. Mark Toups. Fr. Mark is an outstanding, holy and humorous priest from the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana. Check out the series here: http://ascensionpress.com/t/category/study-programs/catholic-prayer/oremus Here's the promo-

Check out this incredibly important new website by Dr. Miriam Grossman. After seeing brokenhearted students come into her office due to the misuse of their sexuality, Dr. Grossman became an outspoken critic of the failures of current "sex education" offered to children at schools and in society at large. She also speaks about the dignity of the human person and the need to tell the entire truth about sexuality to young people without caving into "political correcteness." her website is found here: http://www.miriamgrossmanmd.com/

Heard this song this morning. Really liked it. How beautiful.

check out this supercool new blog titled "Fortifying the Faithful" by my friend Becky. She covers current events and lives of the Saints in a fresh and timely way. Here's the link! http://www.fortifyingfaithful.com/

Love this scene. :)

Check out this article on how the use of contraception interferes with the natural attraction of man and woman. Interesting stuff! Dr. Janet Smith's website has more on this topic- http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/want-to-find-a-good-husband-and-have-a-family-dont-use-the-pill

I love Fr. Barron! So reasonable and wise! check it out-

If you are looking for a good book to read, I HIGHLY recommend a new memoir by Colleen Carroll Campbell titled, My Sisters the Saints.  The book chronicles the spiritual journey of Colleen as she investigates her own college "liberated" lifestyle the doesn't bring happiness, only deep emptiness. She begins to challenge the popular idea of femininity and discovers what it really means to be a woman. She finds deep hope and friendship with several  women saints. It's an honest and excellent read for you, your daughter or women who are dear to you (perhaps a great Christmas gift!) Read more here- http://www.amazon.com/My-Sisters-Saints-Spiritual-ebook/dp/B0083DJXQI/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1353602025&sr=1-1&keywords=my+sisters+the+saints Colleen's website:   http://colleen-campbell.com/books/my-sisters-the-saints/

I heard this song this morning and found this video that was made a couple of years ago. Obviously it is still as true today as it was then, even more so. How often in our "slumber" we forget why we are here and that the greatest gift God has bestowed upon the world is life. He is the Lord of Life. It's easy to get distracted and forget, all the while getting sucked into secular thought that bears death, not life. This is a very perceptive song by Casting Crowns. I love how through everything the human person faces, generation after generation, God is always faithful and true. He never gives up on us and He never leaves us. He gives His people freedom to choose. He is the author and finisher of life. On this Thanksgiving day, may we spend time in thanksgiving and praise to God, the Father of all. We don't thank Him just because things go our way or because we get what we want. We thank Him and praise Him for who He is, in His fidelity and love. May we open our h...

We all need a reminder of who we really are. We are not what the world says we are or a compilation of other people's opinions of us. We find out who we truly are when we turn to God and ask Him. He is delighted to tell his children who they truly are--deeply loved and cherished. Heard this song today- thought you might like it--

I had to write about a beautiful image I saw today. While at Mass this morning, I noticed a police officer in full uniform who had his son sitting on his lap. His son was turned and facing him and the officer eyed his son with deep delight and delicacy. While listening to the homily, his son was tracing the outline of the police decals on his father's shirt with his little hand and was lost in the strength of his father's protection and gaze. It was a tender and beautiful sight. I was thinking of how this man, bearing authority in his full uniform, sees some of the worst of humanity. He has probably seen things he would rather forget and this man most likely puts his life on the line very often to protect the safety of the community. And yet in all his strength, he gazes upon the son in his lap and holds him so tenderly and with great love. It reminded me of God our Father. Our Father, the Creator and Ruler of all, is not far and distant in His authority. He created eac...

A beautiful new song by Catholic artist Audrey Assad-

Here are a couple of blogs that are written by beautiful, young, dynamic and faith-filled women who have embraced their vocations as wife and mother. Do you have any favorites? Let me know and I will pass them along- Enjoy! http://teamdaunt.wordpress.com/ http://hiseyeisonthesparrowmom.blogspot.com/2012/02/bub-bee-friends.html

this made me laugh!!! :) An adult discussion on cake, pancakes and pies....

Thanks to whomever sent this to me! Loved it!

Perhaps many of us are still shocked over America's choice to re-elect President Obama. I still can't believe it. I can't believe America would willingly chose the agenda that he and his administration are implementing . But now we have made our bed and we will get to lie in it. All of us. It breaks my heart more than I can even describe. Life will not be easy. Difficult times are ahead of us, my dear brothers and sisters. Nothing will be the same. In the words of Thomas Paine written December 23rd, 1776: THESE are the times that try men's souls.  The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.  Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every...

 The following article was written by a beautiful friend of mine who has six young children and who is passionate about bringing the dignity and beauty of woman to the forefront of our hearts and minds. This article is more great affirmation that the Holy Spirit is speaking deeply to women and is speaking about their great role in bringing peace and life to this broken world. Contra de ception   “Why ain’t a boy in a hundred gets to whitewash an illustrious fence like this one,” The infamous Tom Sawyer spoke intently, baiting the first of many friends who passed by his lousy post, convincing them to exchange their prized possessions for an opportunity to do his dirty work.   Author Mark Twain narrates, “He had discovered a great law of human action, without knowing it -- namely, that in order to make a man or a boy, covet a thing, it is only necessary to make the thing difficult to attain.”   The rapidly approaching presidential election r...

this made me smirk! Who hasn't overheard these comments being made to single people!

I am posting the link to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops' document on political responsibility. As the election draws near and voting commences, we need to know what we are really doing when we cast a vote. You may also want to prayerfully consider some form of extra prayer and fasting in the three days before the election on Nov. 6th. As Queen Esther prayed and fasted for three days before approaching the king, her courage opened the king's heart and her people were spared from certain destruction. May our prayers to God be heard and may the grace from our sacrifices overflow to open the hearts of the American people. http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/upload/Forming-Consciences-for-Faithful-Citizenship-2011.pdf

God help us all. Talk about a "war on women". Abortion is pure evil. http://www.theblaze.com/stories/have-you-seen-the-2004-michelle-obama-letter-endorsing-partial-birth-abortion/ http://www.theblaze.com/stories/federal-court-blocks-indiana-from-cutting-funding-to-planned-parenthood/

The young singing sensation Bruno Mars is blazing up the charts with his new hit "Locked Out of Heaven." Why is this song popular? It's a rather crude but catchy tune about the desire to go out of oneself and enter into ecstatic union with another through the marital union. If you look closely at the lyrics, Bruno almost imitates the Song of Songs as he sings about becoming one with a woman in a deep way; asking her to "open the gates" so he "can see the light." Deep stuff for a Top 40 song. He sings that her love "could make a sinner change his ways." Of course, it becomes distorted and crude because he isn't singing about a marital union in a covenant relationship but more likely through a carnal union with whomever is available. Yet, the longing is there in his heart for something more. It seems to fit with another up and coming tune of his in which he sings about a desire for a wife and exclusive union but that he cant seem t...

Saw this commercial today. Read that it was produced a couple of years ago but deemed "too offensive" for many networks so it was pulled. Maybe we as Americans just dont want to face the facts?

Check out these two articles, both related in a very real way. One is about a formal model who now educates young girls on the illusions of pop culture and the other about a former reality TV star who regrets her plastic surgery. do I sense a trend?...... God bless them- http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/10/19/dont-be-kardashian-model-nicole-clark-teaches-teen-girls-to-navigate-dangerous/?intcmp=features http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/10/19/heidi-montag-regrets-g-sized-breast-implants-wishes-would-have-saved-her-money/?intcmp=features

ah, yes, the people who willingly murder children, cover up rape and work with sex traffickers now want us to believe that Mitt Romney will mislead the American people on the issue of abortion....*sigh* http://www.theblaze.com/stories/planned-parenthood-president-romney-trying-so-hard-to-mislead-people-on-abortion-stance/

This group of people who apparently have WAY too much time on their hands have put together their version of the debate from last week. Bad Lip Reading does voice over work with what it looks like people are saying and it can be completely hysterical and nonsensical. Some of their stuff can be a bit off-color and I am not recommending all their other stuff but this video of the debate made me laugh. Get ready for a few minutes of entire nonsense (outside of MSNBC)  :)

Below is another excellent reflection by our General Superior, Sr. Anne Marie Walsh. Please pass this on to all the women you know! We as women need to wake up to the lies of society and embrace our true and life-changing femininity. Letter to Women: A Word Regarding the Real War on Women Photo: anonlineindia   PBS recently aired a documentary on women in 6 different countries called, “Half the Sky,” based on the book of the same name, by Nicholas Kristof and his wife, Sheryl WuDunn.   Countries featured in the documentary were Sierra Leon, where rape as a weapon of choice during the civil war there has now become mainstream; Cambodia, where sex-trafficking brothels are filled with younger and younger girls who are locked up and even caged, made to take "clients" non-stop; Viet Nam where girls, especially from the countryside, are discriminated out of educations and left with little hope for much of a future;   Somaliland where genital mutilation still goes...

Featured below is an outstanding reflection by our General Superior, Sr. Anne Marie Walsh, on "the wine that dazes us." I think we can all agree that our country seems to be paralyzed in so many areas. What is really going on? Sr. Anne explains the crisis-- May God give us keen insight and awaken our sleeping hearts as this election draws near. Pass this on to everyone you know-- The Wine That Dazes Us Recently, while speaking with a dear friend, I found myself sharing some of my personal experiences of growing up during the 60’s and 70’s.   I lived my grade school, high school and college, during the great movements and turmoil of that time:   the civil rights movement with its urban riots,   massive and active anti-war, anti-establishment activity especially on the campuses, women’s liberation, changes in the Church with Vatican II and shortly thereafter, the exodus of thousands of Priests and Sisters from their vocations.   I vividly recall the assas...