Monthly Archives: October 2019

Healing within Marriage from an Abortion

When Susan’s* husband, Juan, told her about the abortion he was involved in when he was in college, she finally understood why he was so depressed and had trouble bonding with their children. However, she wanted him to just get over it, without seeking help from a post-abortion healing ministry. It bothered her to think of him dealing with this in relation to another woman and child.

During Steve’s premarital preparation with his (now) wife, the topic of her past abortion never arose. Now married and participating in a post-abortion healing ministry, Steve notes, “It is one of the questions you never think to ask during premarital preparation.”

Lancaster Catholic Goes Three Love to Win at District 3 Girls’ Tennis

For the first time in the school’s illustrious sports history, the Crusaders of Lancaster Catholic girls’ tennis team swept all three competitions at the District 3 championships.

Success in Class 2A girls’ tennis usually means beating the Spartans of Wyomissing, who have won 15 of the last 21 District 3 team titles. So when the Spartans were upset by Hamburg in the semifinals at Hershey Racquet Club on Oct. 17, the Crusaders seized the day by easily dispatching Kennard–Dale in their semifinal and then denied Hamburg any chance at two stunning upsets. Lancaster Catholic soundly beat the Hawks, 3-0, behind the play of their number one singles’ player, Riley Smith, and number two, Anna Millen, who both lost only two games in their matches against Hamburg. The Crusaders move on to the PIAA state team tournament with a record of 16-2.

Project Rachel Offers Healing to Those Suffering in the Aftermath of Abortion

“I couldn’t get over what I had done. I was so broken. I begged God for forgiveness for what seemed like a million times, but never knew how to forgive myself.”

Becky Biter was in the throes of post-abortion traumatic stress, suffering from two abortions she’d had as a teenager. She knew what she had done. In the years that followed, she cried constantly, struggled to function as a stay-at-home mom, lost hope for her future, and contemplated suicide.

Conference Upholds ‘Women of Light’ against Destruction of Sexual Revolution

“You are women and this revolution has mostly been conducted in your name. We have the credibility to say, ‘It’s not working. It’s a failure.’”

This is the message Helen Alvaré shared with nearly 700 women who attended the annual Diocesan Women’s Conference, Women of Light, Sisters in Christ, on Saturday, Oct. 12 at Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg.

At Red Mass, Parable of Rich Man and Lazarus Offers Message on Using Gifts from God

What does a holy lawyer look like?

Bishop Ronald Gainer posed this question in his homily at the Diocesan Red Mass, celebrated Oct. 7 at St. Patrick Cathedral in Harrisburg.

The annual liturgy takes place as the U.S. Supreme Court begins its new session, and invokes the wisdom of the Holy Spirit on behalf of judges, attorneys, legislators and all who are involved in public service.

Advance Medical Directives: Planning for Your Future

Rosa* knew from experience the difficulties and expenses of watching a loved one die. She was totally devoted to her husband as he suffered and died from cancer eight years earlier. The idea of high medical bills, “tubes” and pain upset her, and even though she had not viewed her husband as a burden, she feared being one to her family.

Then, Rosa was hospitalized with a terrible urinary tract infection which made her dehydrated, weak and confused. Her daughter Teresa had been appointed as her health care agent. Teresa met with the medical staff, who helped her understand that the proposed treatments would not cause an undue burden to her mother. In fact, they would be temporary and appropriate care in Rosa’s situation. Teresa was grateful that the medications, nutrition and hydration that Rosa was given, all through “tubes,” cured her infection. Rosa is now as active as she has ever been and realizes that there are certain situations that can’t be anticipated when illness comes. It’s best not to refuse future care that may turn out to be very welcome.

A Celebration of Hispanic Faith and Culture

More than 500 faithful gathered at Corpus Christi Church in Chambersburg for the annual Hispanic Cultural Mass on Sept. 29. Bishop Ronald Gainer was the main celebrant and homilist for the Mass in Spanish. The faithful joined the bishop for a social, featuring various Latino ethnic foods, costumed festive dances and family-oriented drama productions. Father Luis Rodriguez, pastor, and Father Richard Lyons, parochial vicar, concelebrated Mass and hosted the celebratory event.

The Mass is an annual activity of the Diocesan Hispanic Apostolate, which provides spiritual and pastoral services to the Hispanic community of the diocese. It recently hosted a Couples Retreat in Spanish, focusing on the healing power of forgiveness and how to live a Christ-centered life as a family.

Listen with Your Eyes

The newness of the school year had finally worn off. The morning rituals of getting everyone ready for school and work, and the evening rituals of preparing a meal started to become a chore rather than just a part of life.

In the midst of these doldrums, an eight-year-old boy became a prophetic influence to his mom.

The two stories I shared are stories that are very close to my heart. Stories that make you wonder and reflect. Stories that demand to be told or to be read to by someone, rather than just reading them. A good story told to us by a skilled storyteller makes us actually listen.

Bishop Malesic Visits Former Parish

Members of Holy Infant Parish in Manchester were overjoyed to welcome a former pastor, Bishop Edward C. Malesic of Greensburg, on Sept. 29. The bishop visited his former parishioners during a potluck dinner before leading them in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament as part of the parish’s Eucharistic Day.