Author: msdyogi

The Brave Little Soul

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I’m going to post this email I got from my sister Emeline last night, exactly as she sent it.  I read the news article…I read the blog and it tugged at my heartstrings like nothing else ever has before.

Sometimes I think I have hard days with my kids when they are fighting, crying, or just not doing what they are supposed to do.  Now that I have read Courtney and Tripp’s story, I realize that I have no reason to complain or be frustrated.  I need to be grateful for every moment that I have…every opportunity I am blessed with…and even every challenge that I encounter.

Thank you, Emeline, for sharing this with me.  You have always been one of my guiding stars, and I’m so thankful that you are leading me closer to the heart of God.

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If you have time, read this article and check out this blog before reading the story below.

It makes you appreciate all your blessings and change your perspective on the difficulties in life, especially with children.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/tripp-roths-tears-reveal-pain-epidermolysis-bullosa-strikes/story?id=15173125

http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/

A story on suffering…
 
The Brave Little Soul
By: John Alessi

Not too long ago in Heaven there was a little soul who took wonder in observing the world. He especially enjoyed the love he saw there and often expressed this joy with God. One day however the little soul was sad, for on this day he saw suffering in the world. He approached God and sadly asked, “Why do bad things happen; why is there suffering in the world?” 

God paused for a moment and replied, “Little soul, do not be sad, for the suffering you see, unlocks the love in people’s hearts.” The little soul was confused. “What do you mean,” he asked. God replied, “Have you not noticed the goodness and love that is the offspring of that suffering? Look at how people come together, drop their differences and show their love and compassion for those who suffer. All their other motivations disappear and they become motivated by love alone.” 

The little soul began to understand and listened attentively as God continued, “The suffering soul unlocks the love in people’s hearts much like the sun and the rain unlock the flower within the seed. I created everyone with endless love in their heart, but unfortunately most people keep it locked up and hardly share it with anyone. They are afraid to let their love shine freely, because they are afraid of being hurt. But a suffering soul unlocks that love. I tell you this – it is the greatest miracle of all. Many souls have bravely chosen to go into the world and suffer – to unlock this love – to create this miracle for the good of all humanity.”

Just then the little soul got a wonderful idea and could hardly contain himself. With his wings fluttering, bouncing up and down, the little soul excitedly replied. “I am brave; let me go! I would like to go into the world and suffer so that I can unlock the goodness and love in people’s hearts! I want to create that miracle!” 

God smiled and said, “You are a brave soul I know, and thus I will grant your request. But even though you are very brave you will not be able to do this alone. I have known since the beginning of time that you would ask for this and so I have carefully selected many souls to care for you on your journey. Those souls will help you create your miracle; however they will also share in your suffering. Two of these souls are most special and will care for you, help you and suffer along with you, far beyond the others. They have already chosen a name for you”. God and the brave soul shared a smile, and then embraced.

In parting, God said, “Do not forget little soul that I will be with you always. Although you have agreed to bear the pain, you will do so through my strength. And if the time should come when you feel that you have suffered enough, just say the word, think the thought, and you will be healed.” Thus at that moment the brave little soul was born into the world, and through his suffering and God’s strength, he unlocked the goodness and love in people’s hearts. For so many people dropped their differences and came together to show their love.
 Priorities became properly aligned. 
People gave from their hearts. 
Those that were always too busy found time. 
Many began new spiritual journeys, some regained lost faith – many came back to God. 
Parents hugged their children tighter. 
Friends and family grew closer.
 Old friends got together and new friendships were made. 
Distant family reunited, and every family spent more time together. 
Everyone prayed. 
Peace and love reigned. 
Lives changed forever.
 It was good. 
The world was a better place. 
The miracle had happened. 
God was pleased.

A Renewed Purpose

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Some time has passed since I last touched this blog, and much has happened – to say the least. I cannot go back over the last year and a half and recap details for you, but I can pick up from this very moment and say that being HOME has inspired me to return to my roots…to reflect on the things and people who have touched my life…and to work for the causes that have shaped my calling and vocation.

The one event that moved me to start posting again was a recharge like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. This past weekend, we attended the 2nd annual Mother of Life Conference at the University of San Diego, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus San Diego Chapter. I saw the powerhouse line-up of speakers and knew I wanted to attend; however, I just didn’t think it was possible for various reasons. But I couldn’t stop thinking about it for weeks. Finally at the last minute, I mustered up the courage to ask Gary if we could go. Of course, he said yes.

I’m so glad we made it out.

I’ve been to a lot of conferences and conventions over the years. This one, though, was incredibly special because everyone there was united in the one mission and purpose all of humanity is called to fight for: LIFE. Preserving and celebrating the dignity of the human person – from the moment of conception to natural death. And it only made sense that the greatest of pro-life speakers were present to share their stories and give witness to the Great Commandment of Jesus Christ…to “love one another as I have loved you.” We couldn’t help but be touched by the Spirit of Love that permeated the Pavilion. As we walked around the exhibits meeting both speakers and participants, there was an inexplicable joy in their smiles and the peace in their hearts no money could ever buy.

We had the three kids with us, and I was a little nervous about the girls’ laughter and pitter-pattering feet during the talks, hoping that people wouldn’t be irritated that we were disturbing their conference experience. Elderly ladies would only turn around and glow with appreciation because Gary said that our kids reminded them of what it was they were fighting for. It was so beautiful to see the oohs and ahhs from admirers young and old as we walked Kali around the plaza, and to hear the words, “How wonderful that you were able to bring your children to this conference.”

Kali meeting Fr. Frank Pavone

Do you see the expression on Fr. Frank’s face? This is a man who labors every day for the lives of unborn children, and the smile on his face as he is looking at Kali captures the love he has for babies everywhere. Never having naturally fathered any of his own children, this holy priest has – through his work – adopted the world’s unborn as his family.

The Dyogi family w/ Fr. Frank

“We do not stand on the platform of Democrats…we do not stand on the platform of Republicans. We stand on the platform of JESUS CHRIST!” he exclaimed during his talk. This statement resonated in both my heart and Gary’s as well because we know that Life is not a political issue. It’s a human issue. And we felt sad that it was even an issue to begin with. Praise God that there are good and courageous people committed to the movement, but it’s so unfortunate that we should have to rally to defend a God-given human right. Nevertheless, we move forward together – led by the Spirit to speak for those who have no voice.

The talks were so encouraging and convicting, full of reminders to us who needed that extra push to not only speak fearlessly in defense of life, but also to get down on our knees and truly intercede for our nation. They couldn’t have had a better program.

Dr. Alveda King (niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) – civil rights activist and pro-life warrior

The one speaker I was quite excited to hear was Dr. Alveda King. She is the pastoral associate of the African-American Outreach with Priests for Life and gives a powerful testimony of her journey from abortion to the pro-life work she does today. Her witness and the videos she shared touched me deeply because I have taught in African-American communities for the last 7 years. Knowing that more awareness must be raised regarding the reproductive health and right to life of all people has encouraged me to at least expose my students to the Maafa21 trailer and eugenic history of Planned Parenthood. It is my prayer that the truth be spread and our communities will be truly empowered to choose life for their children, rather than succumb to fear and the culture of death.

Our heroes: Crystalina & Jason Evert – world-renowned chastity speakers and authors

It was a most wonderful surprise to meet Jason and Crystalina Evert at the conference, and to see them fill in for Eduardo Verastegui who was not able to make it that weekend. These two have transformed us as a married couple and also have strengthened us as speakers/teachers because they share an understanding of chastity and marriage incomparable to anyone we have ever known. What is so encouraging is that they are young parents, like us, trying their best to raise their family in a God-centered home. I really enjoyed talking to them about NFP and our kids…hearing Crystalina ask me, “So are you going to have anymore?” and Jason playfully holding Baby Kali’s hand as he shared a little about their plans to move closer to Crystalina’s family soon after they return from World Youth Day.

Of course it would have been great to have thousands upon thousands of people pouring into the Jenny Craig Pavilion at USD that Saturday, but I am secretly happy it was relatively easy to approach the very people I have always wanted to meet! God is so good to me….

Marianne, Kali Damien, and Jason Jones (producer of Bella)

Now this guy was super-cool to talk to! Pictured above is Jason Jones, one of the men who brought us the beautiful pro-life movie Bella, starring Eduardo Verastegui. He hails from Hawaii (hence the “shaka”) but God brought him here to evangelize the world through Hollywood filmmaking and to organize one of the greatest human dignity campaigns called I Am Whole Life. Again, another conversation that started off with the intention of networking yet joyfully made its way into the parenting realm. Jason will be having his 6th child in about three weeks, and we were able to meet three of them at the Movie to Movement booth. He’s such a humble, down-to-earth soldier of Christ who scales the planet as far as Sudan to spread the living Gospel through his humanitarian efforts. Must be that Aloha spirit!

The many connections we also made with the conference participants were priceless. My favorite was a married couple – Jerry and Joan – who we met just outside the restroom. Jerry shared that he and Joan had 5 children, 9 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. It was obvious that they loved each other, their family, and their Church. Jerry was a Knight and he asked Gary if he ever thought about being one. I told him that I never knew how involved in the pro-life movement the Knights of Columbus were until I looked up the history of the organization. The work they do is absolutely phenomenal. I pray that more men will answer God’s call to join such an inspiring brotherhood – to serve the Church in her greatest needs – because they sure do A WHOLE LOT more than host the weekly Lenten fish fries!

To learn more about the amazing pro-life leaders and their work, please visit the following sites:
Fr. Frank Pavone – National Director of Priests for Life
Dr. Alveda King – Founder of King for America
Jason and Crystalina Evert – The Chastity Project
Jason Jones – producer of Bella and I Am Whole Life Movement
Knights of Columbus – “In Service to One. In Service to All.”

If you’re interested in ordering the talks for this year’s Mother of Life Conference, or if you would like to attend next year, make sure you bookmark this link:
Mother of Life Conference

40 Days for Life Kick Off Rally

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Monday, February 15, 2010

Come prepare, be inspired, share your heart for God’s mandate for life.

Where:
St Cornelius Catholic Church
5500 E Wardlow Rd
Long Beach, CA

Starts at 5:00 PM with mass.

5:00 PM Mass
5:30 PM Move to hall
5:35 PM ACTSM prayer (Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, Supplication, Mother Mary) A beautiful, powerful and meditative prayer! Lori Rae Martin of AudioGirl Ministries will accompany and support the prayer with inspriational music and song .
5:50 PM Refreshments
6:00 PM Introduction to 40 Days For Life Campaign
6:15 PM First Speaker – Ma’May Faucher is the Director of CBR donor support. She’s known to give powerful speeches and testimonies. She really has a gift.
6:25 PM Second Speaker – Paul Kim is the MC for Catholic Underground, and is positively upbeat and exciting when it comes to rallies! He is a prayer warrior and a sidewalk counselor as well! He is very musically talented, and will give us a fun, upbeat inspirational performance as well as a short speech to get us rallied up!

How great is Your love

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May we always move and live and have our entire being immersed in the love God has for us. He truly sets us FREE…

…free from all fear
…free from all doubt
…free from all sin
…free from death itself

Our God reigns supreme, and it is He alone who we must look to for everything we need here on earth.

+AMDG+

Prayer for Families

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Let us pray
[as the family of God who share in his life]
Father in heaven, creator of all,
you ordered the earth to bring forth life,
and crowned its goodness by creating the family of man.In history’s moment when all was ready
You sent your Son to dwell in time,
obedient to the laws of life in our world.
Teach us the sanctity of human love,
show us the value of family life,
and help us to live in peace with all men
that we may share in your life forever.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

New Saint Joseph Sunday Missal

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Faith and Perseverance
Saints Anne and Joachim are powerful intercessors for all married couples, expectant mothers and married couples who are having difficulty conceiving, as well as all who have grown old.

NOVENA
Good parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
Grandparents of our Savior, Jesus Christ,When life seems barren,
help us to trust in God’s mercy.
When we are confused,
help us to find the way to God.
When we are lost in the desert,
lead us to those whom God has called us to love.
When our marriage seems lifeless,
show us the eternal youth of the Lord.
When we are selfish,
teach us to cling only to that which lasts.
When we are afraid,
help us to trust in God.
When we are ashamed,
remind us that we are God’s children.
When we sin,
lead us to do God’s will.

You who know God’s will for husband and wife,
help us to live chastely.
You who know God’s will for the family,
keep all families close to you.
You who suffered without children,
intercede for all infertile couples.
You who trusted in God’s will,
help us to respect God’s gift of fertility.
You who gave birth to the Blessed Mother,
inspire couples to be co-creators with God.
You who taught the Mother of God,
teach us to nurture children in holy instruction.
You whose hearts trusted in God,
hear our prayers for . . . (mention your requests here)

Pray with us for the ministry of Catholic family life.
Pray with us for the ministry of Natural Family Planning.
Pray with us for all who give their time,
talent and treasure to this good work.

Hail Mary. . . Our Father. . . Glory to the Father. . .

1. Collect from the Roman Missal. © 1973, ICEL.

Jan. 23 Women’s Health Seminar

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Mark your calendars for a very informative FertilityCare Seminar…
Come and explore how the Church’s teaching on the sanctity of love and life has led to a new science revolutionizing women’s health. During the seminar, we will review the beauty of women’s physiology, the harms of artificial birth control and the incredible health benefits of NaProTechnology. NaProTechnology can be used to aid couples with infertility and recurrent miscarriages as well as helppremenstrual symptoms such as migraines. It can also identify women at increased risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. An introductory session to the Creighton Model of FertilityCare will be given so women can start to chart their biomarkers after the seminar. Married couples and single women are encouraged to attend.

This seminar is sponsored by the Holy Family Young Adult Ministry (HFYA).
_______________________________________________

When: Saturday, January 23, 2010
Time: 11:30am – 2:00pm
Location: Holy Family Church, St. Joseph Center
18708 Clarkdale Avenue
Artesia, CA 90701

Light refreshments will be served.
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Natural Family Planning (NFP)…

  • is based on sound scientific knowledge;
  • helps the couple understand their mutual fertility;
  • enables couples to achieve or avoid a pregnancy;
  • promotes the mutual love of the couple;
  • is morally acceptable;
  • does not require regularity of the menstrual cycles;
  • can be successfully applied during breastfeeding, premenopause and discontinued use of the birth control pill;
  • is invaluable for infertile couples, both for achieving pregnancy, and as a tool in the diagnosis and treatment of reproductive disorders;
  • is simple to learn.

Lynn Keenan, MD is an Associate Clinical Professor at the UCSF/Fresno Internal Medicine Residency Program. She is Board Certified in sleep and internal medicine and is a Certified FertilityCare Medical Consultant.

Marianne Soratorio Dyogi, MA is a FertilityCare Practitioner Intern who is trained to provide services in the Creighton Model System. She has been using the method for four years and has gained innumerable benefits for her own reproductive health and natural family planning.

To pre-register for the seminar or for more information regarding FertilityCare, please contact Marianne Dyogi at msoratorio@yahoo.com / (714) 803-4775 or visit the Creighton Model of FertilityCare website.  For all other inquiries, please contact Micah De Mesa at (562) 858-9543 or e-mail us at hfya.ministry@yahoo.com.

Abortion, Social Justice and Health Care Reform

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By Jason Jones and Eduardo Verastegui – FOXNews.com

Health care reform is an issue of social justice. One of the primary issues, if not the primary issue of social justice, is the fundamental right to life

During the past few days we have heard two cries regarding the health care debate in the Senate.

One, health care reform is an issue of social justice and not a referendum on abortion, as noted by both Senators Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Barbara Mikulski (D- Md.)

Two, Sen. Barbara Mikulski’s statement that she is “whole life” and that a vote for the health care reform bill is a vote as “pro-life or whole life as anyone can cast.”

Whole Life America, America’s premier whole life resource, takes issue with both these assertions.

Health care reform is an issue of social justice. One of the primary issues, if not the primary issue of social justice, is the fundamental right to life. If you claim to be concerned with “social justice” you cannot, at the same time, be for the right to end the life of an unborn human being.

Social justice, if we listen to Senators Mikulski and Reid, concerns the whole of the human being—including his or her health care and access to that health care. Whole Life America recognizes and applauds the cry for human dignity that is inherent to the cry for social justice within the health care reform debate.

However, nothing could be further from social justice than an act which has robbed over 46 million Americans of their lives since 1973. If, as the senators would have us believe, this health care reform debate is in fact an issue of social justice then any part of it that sanctions stripping any member of our society of his or her fundamental rights—terminating someone’s life is such an act—cannot in good conscience be truthfully called social justice.

Furthermore, Sen. Mikulski’s claim that she is whole life based on her determination to provide universal health care begs the question—what does it mean to be whole life?

To be termed ‘whole life’ is rooted in one criterion: you must be dedicated to promoting human dignity for all people. As the Whole Life Mission states: “The mission of the Whole Life initiative is to promote a respect for the intrinsic dignity of the human person regardless of ability, age, status, ethnicity or sex.”

The fundamental principle of the whole life ethic is the incomparable worth of the human person. The Whole Life Ethic seeks to protect human dignity from the embryo to the streets of Iran, from the unborn child to the child in Darfur, from the young woman facing a crisis pregnancy to the old man confronted with insurmountable health care fees.

To be whole life means you understand that a human being is recognized as a person at the moment of his biological beginning and that he is worthy of respect from that moment and through the entirety of his life until it reaches its natural conclusion.

To be whole life means you are willing to stand up and defend human dignity from the child in the womb to the child in Darfur, from the embryo to the elderly no matter the cost to yourself.

For some—like Neda Agha Soltan, who lost her life in June on the streets of Iran—defending human dignity comes at a very high cost. Others—like the leaders of this country—only risk losing their political capital or house seat.

If you are not willing to stand up to the abortion industry on the floor of the senate, in the oval office, at work, at school or with friends, then the idea that you would be willing to stand up to the Janjaweed in Darfur, the Taliban in Afghanistan, or the regime leaders in Iran is absurd.

The biggest threat to human dignity in the United States is abortion—it shows no mercy to unborn children and it breaks the hearts of women and men. Around the world there are many threats to human dignity, however, echoing a great promoter of human dignity who risked his freedom and gave his life: a threat to human dignity anywhere is a threat to human dignity everywhere.

People who are whole life disagree on many issues and policies.

While we all agree that we want everyone to have access to quality health care we can disagree on how that is best achieved.

In order to identify yourself as whole life you must promote human dignity unilaterally—you cannot pick and choose who has human dignity and who does not. That is not your decision and that is certainly far above anyone on earth’s pay grade.

To date those who have cried for social justice have been markedly silent on fundamental social justice issues including the assault on freedom in Iran, the slaughter of innocents in Darfur, the suspension of the death penalty in the United States, and last, but not least, the right to kill one out of every five unborn children worldwide.

Do not be silent on human dignity—whatever your occupation—but rather, stand with the greats, and tell the world, “From the child in the womb to the child in Darfur, from the embryo to the elderly, I am whole life.”

Jason Jones is a producer, human rights activist and founder of Whole Life America. Eduardo Verastegui is a producer, humanitarian and actor.

A nice surprise!

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Once upon a time, I made it a habit to pray a Hail Mary whenever I passed a particular “Gentleman’s Club” billboard on the junction from the 405 to the 105 freeway.  Of course I wanted the place itself to close, but I at least wanted that billboard to be taken down because it was not helping anybody.

Since I moved here to Culver City, I have prayed every day that we’ve driven by it.  I have asked my students to pray also.  Today as we were driving home from the hospital, Gary shares with me that the stripper billboard has been changed to a lupus awareness billboard!

I have lupus.

Obviously God is trying to show me how clearly he heard my prayer because now THIS billboard can help so many people – people like me!  Not only did it make me feel personally connected to the answered prayer, but it also confirmed the importance and effectiveness of praying for purity in all aspects of our society.

What wonderful news!  Praise the Lord!

+AMDG+

Finding Christ in the Advent Season

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I see him, though not now; I behold him, though not near:
A star shall advance from Jacob, and a staff shall rise from Israel.

(Num 24:17)

“The Good News of Christ continually renews the life and culture of fallen man; it combats and removes the error and evil which flow from the ever-present attraction of sin. It never ceases to purify and elevate the morality of peoples. It takes the spiritual qualities and endowments of every age and nation, and with supernatural riches it causes them to blossom, as it were, from within; it fortifies, completes, and restores them in Christ.” (CCC #2527)

As long as there are people choosing Christ, there is hope for our world…

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us

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“Hear me and understand well, my son the least, that nothing should frighten or grieve you. Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything.”

– Blessed Mother to Juan Diego, 1531