Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Novena Completed
I finished my novena to St Anne and St Joachim tonight. Hopefully they have heard my prayers and have prayed to God for me as well.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Painting Pictures of Egypt
Today's Old Testament reading was Exodus 32:15-24, 30-34.
Moses turned and came down the mountain
with the two tablets of the commandments in his hands,
tablets that were written on both sides, front and back;
tablets that were made by God,
having inscriptions on them that were engraved by God himself.
Now, when Joshua heard the noise of the people shouting,
he said to Moses, “That sounds like a battle in the camp.”
But Moses answered, “It does not sound like cries of victory,
nor does it sound like cries of defeat;
the sounds that I hear are cries of revelry.”
As he drew near the camp, he saw the calf and the dancing.
With that, Moses’ wrath flared up, so that he threw the tablets down
and broke them on the base of the mountain.
Taking the calf they had made, he fused it in the fire
and then ground it down to powder,
which he scattered on the water and made the children of Israel drink.
Moses asked Aaron, “What did this people ever do to you
that you should lead them into so grave a sin?”
Aaron replied, “Let not my lord be angry.
You know well enough how prone the people are to evil.
They said to me, ‘Make us a god to be our leader;
as for the man Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt,
we do not know what has happened to him.’
So I told them, ‘Let anyone who has gold jewelry take it off.’
They gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and this calf came out.”
On the next day Moses said to the people,
“You have committed a grave sin.I will go up to the LORD, then;
perhaps I may be able to make atonement for your sin.”
So Moses went back to the LORD and said,
“Ah, this people has indeed committed a grave sin
in making a god of gold for themselves!
If you would only forgive their sin!
If you will not, then strike me out of the book that you have written.”
The LORD answered, “Him only who has sinned against me
will I strike out of my book.
Now, go and lead the people to the place I have told you.
My angel will go before you.
When it is time for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin.”
And on Catholic Connection today, Teresa Tomeo tied in Sara Groves song "Painting Pictures of Egypt" with today's reading. Which is about longing for what we once had and what we were comfortable with. I thought it was interesting and wanted to share it.
Listen here for the discussion, she tells it better than I could relay it. The link is for the first hour and I believe that is where they discussed it.
In other news, I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow for my annual exam and I will ask to speak with my doctor. (I have my appointment with my nurse practioner) I'm excited to get the ball really rolling.
Moses turned and came down the mountain
with the two tablets of the commandments in his hands,
tablets that were written on both sides, front and back;
tablets that were made by God,
having inscriptions on them that were engraved by God himself.
Now, when Joshua heard the noise of the people shouting,
he said to Moses, “That sounds like a battle in the camp.”
But Moses answered, “It does not sound like cries of victory,
nor does it sound like cries of defeat;
the sounds that I hear are cries of revelry.”
As he drew near the camp, he saw the calf and the dancing.
With that, Moses’ wrath flared up, so that he threw the tablets down
and broke them on the base of the mountain.
Taking the calf they had made, he fused it in the fire
and then ground it down to powder,
which he scattered on the water and made the children of Israel drink.
Moses asked Aaron, “What did this people ever do to you
that you should lead them into so grave a sin?”
Aaron replied, “Let not my lord be angry.
You know well enough how prone the people are to evil.
They said to me, ‘Make us a god to be our leader;
as for the man Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt,
we do not know what has happened to him.’
So I told them, ‘Let anyone who has gold jewelry take it off.’
They gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and this calf came out.”
On the next day Moses said to the people,
“You have committed a grave sin.I will go up to the LORD, then;
perhaps I may be able to make atonement for your sin.”
So Moses went back to the LORD and said,
“Ah, this people has indeed committed a grave sin
in making a god of gold for themselves!
If you would only forgive their sin!
If you will not, then strike me out of the book that you have written.”
The LORD answered, “Him only who has sinned against me
will I strike out of my book.
Now, go and lead the people to the place I have told you.
My angel will go before you.
When it is time for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin.”
And on Catholic Connection today, Teresa Tomeo tied in Sara Groves song "Painting Pictures of Egypt" with today's reading. Which is about longing for what we once had and what we were comfortable with. I thought it was interesting and wanted to share it.
Listen here for the discussion, she tells it better than I could relay it. The link is for the first hour and I believe that is where they discussed it.
In other news, I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow for my annual exam and I will ask to speak with my doctor. (I have my appointment with my nurse practioner) I'm excited to get the ball really rolling.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Novena
Each year the Church venerates the memory of Saints Anne & Joachim on July 26th. An ancient story dating to the first centuries of the Church's life recalls how Saints Anne & Joachim, like Abraham and Sarah, were scorned by their neighbors because they had no children.
Years of longing did not weaken their trust in God, but grief eventually drove Saint Joachim into the wilderness to fast and pray. Saint Anne, remaining at home, dressed in mourning clothes and wept because she had no child of her own. Seeing her mistress distressed, a servant girl reminded Anne to put her trust in God. Saint Anne washed her face, put on her bridal clothes and went to a garden to plead with God for a child.
Angels appeared to Saint Anne in her garden and Saint Joachim in the desert, promising that, despite their old age, they would give birth to a child who would be known throughout the world. The new parents ran to meet one another at Jerusalem's Golden Gate, and with a kiss rejoiced in the new life which God had promised would be theirs.
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.
The Novena:
The Novena Prayer:
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 be...
God of our fathers, you gave Saints Anne and Joachim the privilege of being the parents of Mary, the mother of your incarnate Son. May their prayers help us to attain the salvation you have promised to your people.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
===============================================
I know it's a little late to start this novena, but I will be starting it today.
There are several other novenas that I want to do as well. Please join me in the above novena if you so choose. More prayer definately won't hurt!
God Bless.
Years of longing did not weaken their trust in God, but grief eventually drove Saint Joachim into the wilderness to fast and pray. Saint Anne, remaining at home, dressed in mourning clothes and wept because she had no child of her own. Seeing her mistress distressed, a servant girl reminded Anne to put her trust in God. Saint Anne washed her face, put on her bridal clothes and went to a garden to plead with God for a child.
Angels appeared to Saint Anne in her garden and Saint Joachim in the desert, promising that, despite their old age, they would give birth to a child who would be known throughout the world. The new parents ran to meet one another at Jerusalem's Golden Gate, and with a kiss rejoiced in the new life which God had promised would be theirs.
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.
The Novena:
The Novena Prayer:
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 be...
God of our fathers, you gave Saints Anne and Joachim the privilege of being the parents of Mary, the mother of your incarnate Son. May their prayers help us to attain the salvation you have promised to your people.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
===============================================
I know it's a little late to start this novena, but I will be starting it today.
There are several other novenas that I want to do as well. Please join me in the above novena if you so choose. More prayer definately won't hurt!
God Bless.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Depressed, Party of 1
My husband called our friend who is expecting tonight. They had a good conversation and I got to talk to him and his wife as well. It took a lot for me not to break down and cry in the course of our conversation. I'm overjoyed for them but I can't get past how crappy I feel. I just want to curl up in bed for a few days and bawl my eyes out. My husband is noticing how depressed I'm becoming. Well, I should hope he would. I thought going out for a bit tonight would take my mind off of it, but that did little to help.
So off to bed I go. God Bless.
So off to bed I go. God Bless.
Being Catholic and dealing with infertility
Guidelines for Catholics on the Evaluation and Treatment of Infertility
"On the part of the spouses, the desire for a child is natural: it expresses the vocation to fatherhood and motherhood inscribed in conjugal love. This desire can be even stronger if the couple is affected by sterility which appears incurable. Nevertheless, marriage does not confer upon the spouses the right to have a child, but only the right to perform those natural acts which are per se ordered to procreation. A true and proper right to a child would be contrary to the child's dignity and nature. The child is not an object to which one has a right, nor can he be considered as an object of ownership: rather, a child is a gift, "the supreme gift" and the most gratuitous gift of marriage, and is a living testimony of the mutual giving of his parents. For this reason, the child has the right, as already mentioned, to be the fruit of the specific act of the conjugal love of his parents; and he also has the right to be respected as a person from the moment of his conception." - Donum Vitae
"How do I know when a reproductive technology is morally right?"
General medical evaluation of both spouses for infertility. Post-coital test to assess sperm count and viability. These tests are undertaken after normal intercourse. Appropriate evaluation and treatment of male factor deficiency. Seminal fluid samples can be obtained from a non-lubricated, perforated condom after normal intercourse. Assessment of uterine and tubal structural competence by imaging techniques (e.g., ultrasound, hysterosalpingogram, etc.). Appropriate medical treatment of ovulatory and hormonal dysfunction. Appropriate (usually surgical) correction of organic problems underlying male or female infertility.
Borrowed from http://www.catholicinfertility.org/guidelines.html
"On the part of the spouses, the desire for a child is natural: it expresses the vocation to fatherhood and motherhood inscribed in conjugal love. This desire can be even stronger if the couple is affected by sterility which appears incurable. Nevertheless, marriage does not confer upon the spouses the right to have a child, but only the right to perform those natural acts which are per se ordered to procreation. A true and proper right to a child would be contrary to the child's dignity and nature. The child is not an object to which one has a right, nor can he be considered as an object of ownership: rather, a child is a gift, "the supreme gift" and the most gratuitous gift of marriage, and is a living testimony of the mutual giving of his parents. For this reason, the child has the right, as already mentioned, to be the fruit of the specific act of the conjugal love of his parents; and he also has the right to be respected as a person from the moment of his conception." - Donum Vitae
"How do I know when a reproductive technology is morally right?"
- Any procedure which assists marital intercourse in reaching its procreative potential is moral.
- Any procedure which substitutes or suppresses a need for marital intercourse is immoral.
- Obtaining a semen sample by means of masturbation
- Artificial insemination using sperm from a donor (AID) or even the husband (AIH) if obtained by masturbation
- In-vitro fertilization (IVF), zygote intra-fallopian transfer (ZIFT), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), ovum donation, "surrogate" uterus
* excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church explaining why these are immoral** Articles further explaining the problems with in vitro fertilization and artificial fertilization
Reproductive Technologies in Agreement with Catholic Teachings:
Resources:
- Donum Vitae (The Gift of Life), Instruction on Respect for Human Life in its Origin and on the Dignity of Procreation: Replies to Certain Questions of the Day, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
- Reproductive Technology (Evaluation & Treatment of Infertility) Guidelines for Catholic Couples , USCCB
- Catechism of the Catholic Church
=================================================
So, with my husband and me being Catholic we are limited in what technological advances in the reproductive field that we can use. My husband cannot get a sperm analysis because of the teachings of the Catholic Church. Yes, it does bother me sometimes, but I am totally in line with the Catholic Church’s teaching.
I haven’t always wanted children. With my first serious boyfriend I didn’t want kids. But as soon as I met my husband that changed. I want a large Catholic family!!
The Pope Paul VI Institute in Omaha would be the best place for my husband and I to get treatment. There they will actually find the cause of infertility instead of masking over everything. That is what my gynecologist wanted to do. She wanted to get my cycles regular by using birth control pills. Yes, I know I can use them if it is for medicinal purposes and not for contraception. But I still felt it was wrong. Plus, I hated being on the Pill. I was on the Pill for a few years before I was Catholic. Synthetic hormones just don’t seem right. Unfortunately, my insurance at work doesn’t cover the Pope Paul VI Institute. So I will have to make do with my gynecologist.
Borrowed from http://www.catholicinfertility.org/guidelines.html
Friday, July 20, 2007
First Post
It's true, infertility does hurt. I start this blog on the day I found out my friend and his wife are expecting. They got married at the end of June. I am extremely happy for them because they both are wanting to start a family right away.
Finding out this news has gotten me feeling very depressed. My husband and I have been married since October 2005. We haven't been trying, but we haven't been preventing. One would think we would have gotten pregnant by now.
I spoke with my gynocologist in May 2006. She did some preliminary blood tests and things came back perfect.
I don't know what all I can do. I just started my period after not having one since the beginning of March. I have crazy, irregular cycles. I have an appointment for my annual exam on the 31st. I really would like to get pregnant within the next year. We'll see what my husband says about that. We've been wanting to wait, but with my irregular cycles and not having gotten pregant in almost 2 years, my opinion is we better start actually trying now. I've always wanted to have a few kids before I turn 30, that's less than 5 years away.
Finding out this news has gotten me feeling very depressed. My husband and I have been married since October 2005. We haven't been trying, but we haven't been preventing. One would think we would have gotten pregnant by now.
I spoke with my gynocologist in May 2006. She did some preliminary blood tests and things came back perfect.
I don't know what all I can do. I just started my period after not having one since the beginning of March. I have crazy, irregular cycles. I have an appointment for my annual exam on the 31st. I really would like to get pregnant within the next year. We'll see what my husband says about that. We've been wanting to wait, but with my irregular cycles and not having gotten pregant in almost 2 years, my opinion is we better start actually trying now. I've always wanted to have a few kids before I turn 30, that's less than 5 years away.
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