Catholic Fire

Mother's Day, which is celebrated the second Sunday in May, is remembered by most Catholic parishes. In some parishes, women receive flowers. At my former parish, following the weekend Masses, our pro-life group sold beautiful long-stemmed roses for a few dollars and donated the money to an organization which provided counseling and assistance to pregnant mothers. We rarely had any left. When we did, they were placed in front of the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God and our Mother. Sometimes the Sunday homily will include a discussion of Our Blessed Virgin Mary, the model for mothers to emulate. The parish may also recite special prayers for mothers and mothers will receive a blessing from the priest. At home, family members may pray a blessing for mothers and grandmothers around the family table. Here is one you can use: God of love, listen to this prayer. God of holy people of Sarah, Ruth, and Rebeekah, God of holy Elizabeth, mother of John, of holy Mary, Mothe...

"Mother's Day came early for thousands of Kansans today because criminals who attack pregnant women can no longer get away with murder--literally--in Kansas. Alexa's Law, which obtains justice for unborn victims of violence,was signed into law today by Gov. Sebelius as part of a larger crime bill, HB 2062. Alexa's Law allows prosecution for both victims when pregnant women and their unborn children are criminally harmed and killed. Kansas law now joins 34 other states and federal law in providing more protection for mothers-to-be. The Brooks family of Wichita engaged in a public campaign to pass this law, along with Rep. Steve Brunk,(R-Bel Aire) and successfully delivered over 6,000 petitions to the legislature to obtain unborn victim of violence protection. A brutal murder-for-hire in June 2006 had taken the lives of the Brooks family's daughter Chelsea, and nearly-born granddaughter, Alexa. The Wichita prosecutor is only able to prosecute for one death--that of C...