4 Helpful Catholic Resources…

There are many, good, online and offline resources available for us to further our lives, to grow in faith, and to heal after we have fallen so that we can get back up. Below are just four, good, Catholic resources that may be of help to you or someone you know. Before I describe them in detail, they cover the following topics: homosexuality, abortion, healing, and the Word of God. Please read their brief descriptions below. Again, if any or a combination of the four resources apply to you, I invite you to respond in going to the website to get more information. While some or all may not apply to your interests at this time, you may know someone who could benefit from any one or a combination of them. If so, send it along! They are as follows:

1. Courage: www.couragerc.org > Is for adults and young adults who experience Same-Sex Attraction (SSA). The ministry is designed to help individuals gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the Church’s teachings, especially in the area of chastity. Courage also extends the Church’s invitation to a life of peace and grace in order to grow in Christian maturity. The closest Courage chapter is at St. Joan of Arc Parish in St. Clair Shores. In addition, there is a program called Encourage which can also be accessed at the above site. This is for parents, friends and family members of loved ones who have same-sex attraction.

2. Rachel’s Vineyard: www.rachelsvineyard.org or www.detroitrachelsvineyard.org > Offers a weekend retreat of healing primarily for post-abortive women/mothers. But it also offers healing to married couples, fathers, grandparents and siblings of aborted children, as well as persons who have been involved in the abortion industry who have come to Rachel’s Vineyard in search of peace and inner healing. The retreats have been endorsed by St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Cardinal Justin Rigali, and the late, Fr. Benedict Groeschel. The retreats are also offered in both Catholic and interdenominational settings and assisted by Fr. Frank Pavone’s religious order of priests, Priests for Life.

3. Elizabeth Ministry International: www.elizabethministry.com > Named after St. Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin, this ministry offers hope and healing for women and their families on issues related to childbearing, sexuality and relationships. More specifically, this ministry offers counsel to women on fertility/infertility, pregnancy, birth, adoption & blending; prenatal, infant, or child crisis; and miscarriage as well as infant/child loss.

4. Daily Catholic Gospel: dailycatholicgospel.com > Is a brand new resource from Bp. Robert Barron, auxiliary bishop from Los Angeles, founder of Word on Fire Ministries (www.wordonfire.org) and host of The Catholicism Series. Daily Catholic Gospel allows one to receive short, daily reflections (a mini-homily) from the Gospel readings read at Mass each day. Click on the website, dailycatholicgospel.com to sign up! It’s FREE!

In the Healing, Peace, and Inspiration of Jesus,
Fr. Jeff