Catholics
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What a beautiful prayer to the Holy Spirit. Thank you for sharing.
Ronnie
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August 10th is the feast of St. Lawrence. Last year, on his feast day was my first stereotactic biopsy. I asked for his intercession, and as I was undergoing the procedure, I contemplated his martyrdom (which I reasoned was far, far worse than anything I was enduring). St. Lawrence helped me get through it. St. Lawrence, ora pro nobis!
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Good morning ladies! I have never posted on this thread before but felt I might get some helpful insights. Let me preface by saying I was baptized Catholic and married in the Church, but do not consider myself Catholic. But I am married to a wonderful man who IS a practicing Catholic. We’ve been married four years, and were using NFP prior to my diagnosis. We were about to start trying for another child when I was diagnosed.☹️ Being well away from menopause, My hormone treatment for the past year has been Lupron for ovarian suppression plus Tamoxifen. I have no periods and no cycles and all my bloodwork shows the Lupron is keeping me in menopause, so we were not having to chart or use contraceptives. However...I’m looking at having to come off Lupron due to side effects and the fact that my MO is likely switching me to a ten year plan as opposed to five. I could get my ovaries out, which is a rational treatment option as I was 100%ER positive, and I am still considering this, but I’d really like to keep them. New studies show a significant increase in dementia risk for women entering menopause before 45, In addition to the other protective benefits. I’m considering getting my tubes tied. I KNOW that is against his religion, but im not willing to risk my life or the life of an unborn child for the Catholic Church. Im really struggling with this. Thoughts?
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Cpeachymom,
I'm sorry to hear that Lupron has been so awful. I'm getting Zoladex for ovarian suppression, and the side effects gradually disappeared. (Of course, I've been on it for 3.5 years.) I've also decided that I'd rather keep my ovaries. Re: tubal ligation -- my Dad is Catholic; my Mom is Lutheran. They used NFP after the birth of my brother, and weren't very good at it because my Mom quickly got pregnant again, with me! After I was born, my Mom went on birth control pills. My Dad didn't care because he wasn't the one using birth control. Have you talked about tubal ligation with your husband? How does he feel? I'm also in a mixed marriage; I'm Catholic, and my husband was raised Methodist. He let me make the birth control decisions.
Good luck!
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Elaine- thanks for the reply! We have started talking about it, and he does understand the position I’m (we’re) in. He knows in the end he can’t Tell me what to do. But I did agree to this marriage knowing the limitations. Let’s just say that if I were to have them tied, and have to answer for that in the afterlife, I’m okay with that. It’s the part about having him compromise on his beliefs that is troubling me.
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Cpeachymom - I am Catholic but I’m certainly not a theology expert. What about having your tubes removed, not tied? There is mounting evidence that most ovarian cancers start in the tubes so it could be done to decrease your risk for ovarian cancer. A side effect would be not being able to conceive. I don’t know if you could get a doctor to do it unless you have a proven genetic mutation that increases your ovarian cancer risk, but you could ask about it.
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I am Catholic too but rarely post on this thread. I would suggest contacting the Pope Paul VI Institute in Omaha NE. They are very compassionate and knowledgable. They may be able to help you. They know all about hormonal manipulation. I'm just saying that it's worth a phone call. www.popepaulvi.com
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I wish I could help, but I converted to the RCC five years ago while in my 40s. I guess at that point, even though I hadn't reached menopause (and still haven't) NFP wasn't a huge concern of mine. I always figured I'd take children as God provided and we only have three. He must have known I lack patience to have a large family. ;-) So aren't there allowances for something like a tubal ligation when it's deemed medically necessary? I honestly have no idea but would investigate further. Corky60 offered great advice to contact the Pope Paul VI Institute. I wish you the very best in your decision!
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lekker- interesting thought. I didn’t know that, but my genetic testing came back with no known mutations, despite strong family history of various cancers. I’ve never heard of just having your tubes removed. Same end result though.
Corky- thanks for the recommendation, I did check out their website and will keep them in mind. I’m not entirely comfortable with even attempting NFP while on Tamoxifen because even IF it were possible, the chance of failure and subsequent harm to a fetus seems too great.
Redemptivesufferer- There’s the kick in the gut for me, We actually Want to have another child. Yet thanks to cancer I’m faced with all these sucky choices! My husband knows I want to do the right thing, we just don’t know what that is yet.
I posted here because I knew you ladies would be able to understand from the breast cancer perspective of hormones and fear of recurrence and making tough choices for our health and futures.
Thanks!
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I actually am shocked I find myself here. I was raised Catholic, but not in a traditional regular way. My mother pushed me along in CCD classes even though I didn't really learn much. Baptized, communion, and confirmation all obtained. I think it was for her own guilt to alleviate what she could of our horrible childhood. Here I sit with so many questions that no one is able to answer for me. I cry empty tears of fear that just dry up and the cycle starts all over again. I don't understand how this even happened. Super athletic, ran 6 miles in an hour the day of diagnosis. Then a strange door opened and I have not been allowed back the way I have come. I can't find myself. I am a lost person who is searching for peace and safety suffering with real fear of stage four disease. Loosing friends, young friends, friends with children... young beautiful women that would not hurt a fly. I don't understand if we are taught that god is a loving god and savior. Then why is there so much suffering to good people. I am not perfect. Not by far. But I tried to do good. Tried to find my place in this world. Trying to find my happiness. I find it finally. And wham. This happens. Distraught, frozen in place terror. To me this doesn't represent peace at all. Why would a god we are taught to love allow this.?? I am at such a loss.... to find myself here. Only questions never any answers. Struggles everyday. Not just health... but since I even knew what a breath was my life has been hard. It certainly isn't getting any easier. 💔🤕 I pray someone is listening. Somewhere. ~M~
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Micmel,
Suffering is a mystery, and no, you didn't do anything to deserve your cancer. None of us did.
A particularly Catholic way to think about suffering involves the cross. "Whoever wishes to come after me, must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me," says Jesus. The cross is a burden, an unwanted burden that stems from the suffering, sorrows and adversities of daily life. We are not alone in carrying the cross; God is with us and helps us carry it. He also sends others to share our burdens and helps us accept the painful reality of life's trials. Just because we are suffering does not mean we have to choose misery. We can use our crosses as a source of renewal, a way to reorient ourselves to life, God and others.
That's not much of an answer, I know. I do hope you find peace and consolation in your life, even though it involves so much pain and suffering.
Peace.
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micmel- ((Hugs to you)) I understand where you’re coming from. God and I parted ways back when I was a teenager and couldn’t reconcile those questions. And to my surprise, even some of the most religious people I know seem to waver when s#!t happens to them. Keeping you in my thoughts. ❤️
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This week, I had a diagnostic mammogram and follow-up ultrasound on the one healthy breast that I have remaining , after having the one removed due to triple negative breast cancer diagnosed last year on August 14th. The diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound were negative! I am so very grateful! Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes and the Immaculate Conception, thank you for your intercession!! Ora pro nobis.
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Happy to hear your news, XXXGGGYYY! I'm triple positive, not triple negative; it's scary to have one of the aggressive types. It is a blessing to have Mary in our lives.
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Here are some photos from an incredible week
World Meeting of Families 2018 in Dublin from 21 - 26 Aug.
The first photos are from the 3 day congress.
A delegation from a parish in Zimbawe, turning heads in their beautiful, custom-made, WMOF logo-patterned clothing
DD jumping for Joy in St Damien's Monastery which was part of the Campus for the 3 day Congress in the middle of the week
Laudato Si and our duty to protect and care for the environment were a big part of the congress, these photos are from an exhibition on tree planting to create a green wall across the continent of Africa, a joint initiative of the UN and SMA (Society of Missionaries in Africa) The nun is taking a turn wearing a Virtual Reality headset (they were amazing) to see some of the work in action,
Erinn the Galway sheep with DD. Erinn was the children's mascot for WMOF 2018. The other actors in costume were part of a team teaching children about our responsibility to care for God's creation. The actors of the clownfish and bee are friends of DS.
Learning about Celtic sprituality in the monastery garden.
having fun.
Preparing for mass for 20,000. This was the centre of each day at congress.
The Thursday Mass about to begin, This is what a crowd of 20,000 looks like when you do not have an ariel view. This was the largest mass I had ever attended at that point. The reason for the word MASS begins to become clear. The sense of community, worship, togetherness, unity in such a large gathering is incredible.
Thursday evening, the wonderful Christian band Rend Collective (from Northern Ireland) brought us through a 2 hour fist pumping. full-on, get up and dance and shout your Joy to the Lord. (If you or anyone you know anyone enjoy(s) Christian folk-rock, they are the best Irish Christian band in the biz and tour regularly in the US). DD ecstatic at this stage! People shouting Joy to the Lord in every language imaginable all around us. Rend Collective also played before the Papal Mass on Sunday.
Very much at the heart of the message of the week.
Icon written (created) for WMOF 2018 in a prayer space.
Total silence in this area and people in perpetual adoration at all times. Outside this temporary structure was quite a busy food area, but you heard no sound once you went in.
THE DUBLIN CAMINO - A WMOF PILGRIMAGE (Friday was our Pilgrimage Day):
Friday and DS and I are on the "Dublin Camino" . This is a pilgrimage visiting 7 churches around Dublin. A different intention at each stop. Such as prayers for grandparents, for parents, for children, for forgiveness within family etc. Pilgrims aim to plan pilgrimage so that it culminates in mass at the final destination church. It was a wonderful day, taking us to churches many of which we had never visited, and involving meeting other pilgrims from all over the world. Each person or group making their own route at their own pace. You could do it in one day during WMOF week or over a number of days. We had decided to dedicate Friday to making this pilgrimage. In each church there was a welcoming committee and a small momento such as a prayer card, book mark or magnet as well as a beautiful custom stamp in your pilgrim passport. (A different stamp at each church so no cheating!) At the final Church you also receive your certificate of completed pilgrimage. We finished our pilgrimage at St. Teresa's in Dublin city centre, with a 6 pm mass followed by prayer and music.
SATURDAY - FESTIVAL OF FAMILIES IN CROKE PARK STADIUM
Saturday evening and a Festival of Families with much music and dancing, but also reflection. This was in Croke Park stadium and we were in an upper stand. Gathering was around 80,000. Many fabulous performers gave so much to the occasion. The event was beautifully choreographed and so moving when the flags of all the countries represented were brought out. The beautiful graphics, lighting and stage design were a credit to the production company. However it was Pope Francis' talk that was the showstopper. He talked about the wedding of Cana, the importance of celebration, of stepping away from the inauthentic, never go to bed angry .... his words came across to me as simple, homely, easy to understand and yet the talk was full of depth, plenty of substance and practical tips which can be acted on daily. It was wonderful. (Pope Francis is standing on the round platform projecting out in front of the stage.
SUNDAY. The final Day of WMOF 2018
View of the altar from our exact seats. Since there would be around 250,000 present, (a very large crowd by Irish standards) can you imagine our absolute delight and astonishment when we find that we are in ROW 5 DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE ALTAR. Until we arrived we had no idea. Tickets just said block 2, row E. We had NO IDEA. We have just won the Papal Mass lottery!
DD and I at Phoenix Park on Sunday for the Papal Mass, the culmination of the week.
As there will be a 6.5 hours wait, there is plenty of music from different performers, ranging from Christian rock bands, traditional Irish music, medieval hymns, a cappella groups, gospel choirs, other choirs etc. Despite the on and off rain this is the biggest pre-mass party imaginable. By the time a gospel group perform Oh Happy Day everyone is dancing in the aisles You just grab the hand of the nearest nun or some other complete stranger and dance and praise the Lord. The refrain of the day was definitely "Lord it is wonderful to be here".
The altar, with the icon written (created) for WMOF 2018 on right. The relics of Saints Louis and Zelie Martin and their daughter St.Therese of Liseux, which have been visiting every diocese in the country, are also on the altar.
Rear view of bishops from all over the world in their vestments and raingear. The guys on the altar are press photographers.
The Pope arrives and these guys are just as excited as we are. The one on the left is wearing an earpiece for language translation.
My Pope Francis drive-by moments:
A Papal blessing from the back of the Popemobile, which went all around the crowd for 30 mins. My two photos were taken
30 minutes apart. One is Pope Francis on his way out into the crowd and the other is on his way back about to go into the sacristy to get ready for mass. That's why it is raining in the first photo and brighter in the second.
Finally (With added arrows), screen grab from TV coverage.
Arrows are to DD and I, shown as the congregation stood for the gospel (John) at the closing mass of the 9th World Meeting of Families. Me in yellow rain coat PLUS the WMOF pilgrim rain poncho. Not taking any chances.
Final hymn was Jesus Light of the World.
We have this week met faith filled pepople from all over the world. I have never hugged so many strangers in my life as I have in this last week.
We were so lucky to have had this incredible charismatic celebration within travelling distance of where we live.
WMOF's take a lot of planning, they only happen every 3 years!
Next WMOF is in Rome in 2021.
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Thanks for sharing your pictures, feelingfeline. You have a beautiful family. It sounds like you had an awesome spiritual experience!
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Thank you for the beautiful Thread of Faith. Hugs and Peace to you
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Welcom JoE777! Guessing from your avatar that there is a chance you have a cat in your life? Might see you on the Cats Cats Cats thread as well as here !
One of my all time fav cartoons
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Thanks Elaine Therese, it was indeed wonderful. I feel like I should write down a lot of it as I want to remember every bit!
keep noticing typos and having to go in and correct.
I wrote Robert Martin instead of Louis Martin! (Aromasin brain!!! )0 -
Micmel--I agree with ElaineTherese that suffering is a mystery, but as a lifelong practicing Catholic we were always taught to "offer it up". I too--having been recently diagnosed just this year--sought answers to "Why?" Why me? Why this? Why suffering? etc. etc. . . I don't have any concrete answers, but I did find Fr. Zlatko Sudac's (he is a stigmatic priest) talk on "Why God Permits Suffering and Illness" very informative. It is very long, but here is the link to it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2eWky9HWLc. I do want to assure you I fully believe God is listening always. Read Scripture. I do believe God can and will bring healing. try to find the book "Healed of Cancer" by Dodie Osteen--she is not a Catholic author, but I found her book very comforting. She had great Scripture references in the chapter "Healing Scriptures". Those helped me find a great deal of peace with this cross that God has given me/us. I will hold you close in prayer that the Holy Spirit will enlighten you with answers and peace and that God will bring you healing. 0 -
Micmel--we also have to pray for the researchers doing work to combat breast cancer and other cancers. Here is very promising research being done at Stanford and I am praying every day for Dr. Levy's success: https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2018/01/cancer-vaccine-eliminates-tumors-in-mice.html. http://www.fox2detroit.com/health/cancer-injection-eliminates-tumors-in-mice
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Feeling Feline, I'm so glad you shared those pictures! What an amazing experience!! I feel that through your pics I got a small taste of what it was like to be present for the WMOF. I can't get over what great seats you had!! By any chance do you know if the group Rend Collective is Catholic? Just curious. Until recently I worked for a Christian radio station and we played their music.
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Hi Redemptive,
thank you. I so am glad I could give you a little taste! Rend Collective are from an evangelical background, not sure what tradition and may evn be from more than one as there are a number of group members. Thay are not Catholic but volunteered to play one of the concerts at the 3 day congress and also played at the pre-mass party in the Phoenix Park during the hours before the papa; mass began. They are really popular with young people all across different Christian traditions here. There is a Christian radio station here Spirit Radio, that is largely Catholic and they play them a lot My kids got me into them. How lovely that you used to work at a Christian Radio station. I find Christian Radio such a valuable antidote to the rest of the media. It is so good to tune in an here people of faith. XX0 -
thanks for the belly laugh re the cartoon.
So funny and sweet too. 😀🕊💖
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thanks for the belly laugh re the cartoon.
So funny and sweet too. 😀🕊💖
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PS Redemptive you might well know US/Syrian Christian singer Audrey Assad from your radio days, she also was one of the many Christian bands and singers at both congress and the pre mass party. It was quite a week of Celebration, Praise and Worship music!
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HAPPY SAINT FRANCIS FEAST DAY
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and to you feline! I had the great privilege to visit Assisi for a 2nd time at easter this year...and to make a retreat at La Verna mountain..now a monastery where St Francis received the stigmata. The photos from top show1/the porciuncola..little orignal chapel where the brothers prayed... now inside the church of mary of the angels.
2/ walking down toward the monastery entrance at La Verna
3/ inside the basilica of St. Francis.
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What beautiful pictures, Astrid! Thanks for sharing. St. Francis is one of my favorite saints, mainly because of his humility and his willingness to give up everything for God.
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