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I wanted to share this with any fellow Catholics who would like to participate in a 9 day Novena for Faithful Citizenship. This Novena for Faithful Citizenship is based on the Novena for Justice and Peace. A novena is a 9 day period of private or public prayer to obtain special graces, implore special favors or make specific petitions. Novena is derived from the Latin "novem" meaning nine. Today is Day 1. The reading and Reflection will change each day. The Novena Prayer remains the same for the 9 day period. I will post a new reading and reflection on each day. This Novena will conclude on day 9, which is election day. First Day Read Psalm 8:2, 4-10 Reflection Upon the Reading How will I show respect for others, especially my neighbor or those in my community who are not like me? Prayer God of love, may we grow in our love for you by respecting the dignity of all people we encounter. Amen Novena Prayer Immaculate Heart of Mary, help us to conquer the menace of evil, which so easily takes root in the hearts of people today, and whose immeasurable effects already weigh down upon our modern world and seem to block the paths toward the future. From famine and war, deliver us. From nuclear war, from incalculable self-destruction, from every kind of war, deliver us. From sins against human life from its very beginning, deliver us. From hatred and from the demeaning of the dignity of the children of God, deliver us. From every kind of injustice in the life of society, both national and international, deliver us. From readiness to trample on the commandments of God, deliver us. From attempts to stifle in human hearts the very truth of God, deliver us. From the loss of awareness of good and evil, deliver us. From sins against the Holy Spirit, deliver us. Accept, O Mother of Christ, this cry laden with the sufferings of all individual human beings, laden with the sufferings of whole societies. Help us with the power of the Holy Spirit conquer all sin: individual sin and the "sin of the world," sin in all its manifestations. Let there be revealed once more in the history of the world the infinite saving power of the redemption: the power of merciful love. May it put a stop to evil. May it transform consciences. May your Immaculate Heart reveal for all the light of hope. Amen

For a review of Respect Life activities going on this month in the San Antonio area, here is the webpage for the Archdiocese of San Antonio:www.archsa.org/respectlife/ For more insight into the history of Respect Life Sunday, here is the Pastoral Letter from Bishop Martino to the Diocese of Scranton PA: Pastoral Letter on Respect Life Sunday

Only God truly knows if this man was of sound mind or what state his soul was in or what psychological sickness he might have suffered from. Yes, why didn't he just commit suicide instead of taking the lives of his entire family first? What degree of anger propelled him? The article said he was being charged with embellezment. Did he ever go to his Priest and confess his sins? Did he ever seek spiritual absolution for his sins? We may never know. But I think "There but for the grace of God go I," because in our sinful human condition we are ALL capable of anger. Perhaps not to the degree that he exhibited, but sometimes it only takes the right circumstance or chain of events to trigger it. Surely he had family members (perhaps parents, or siblings, or other extended family) who took comfort in the words of solace and hope that were given at the funeral. After all, funerals are for the living. It's ironic you should bring up this subject, because not long ago there was a discussion on Catholic Radio (on the Guadalupe Radio Network) concerning this very subject. In cases of suicide, medical science has acknowledged that most deaths (from suicide) are not instanteous. Even a gun shot directly to the heart or brain might not stop the functioning instantaneously, and how do we know that the person didn't cry out to God in their last moments of consciousness or brain function and ask for forgiveness? "Oh God....what have I done? What have I done? Please forgive me." I feel the Church acted with mercy and compassion by allowing the funeral. (And, I am pretty sure if he had been a family member of any of the other church members who were protesting or upset with this decision, they would have felt a funeral was appropriate.) I pray the extended family and friends of the Sueppel's were comforted.

There is a wonderful resource available now for those who want their Christian radio with a distinct Catholic flavor. The Guadalupe Radio Network now broadcasts in Texas (it can be heard in San Antonio on 89.7 FM and in Spanish on 1380 AM), and nationwide via the internet. I have been listening to this wonderful Catholic Radio station for a year now, and have been richly blessed by its programming. Along with a broadcast of the daily Mass and recitations of the Holy Rosary, there are call-in programs where listeners can call in with their questions about family life, marriage and parenting issues, as well as programs concerning the teachings of the Catholic faith. To learn more about this wonderful resource and its programming, or to listen on-line, click here: www.grnonline.com I recommend everyone give Catholic Radio on the Guadalupe Radio Network (GRN) a listen, and you will be able to understand so much more fully what it means to be "raised Catholic"! The following GRN stations can be heard in Texas and New Mexico. If you are outside of Texas/New Mexico, you can listen on-line by clicking on the website link above. 910 AM KATH Dallas-Ft Worth 850 AM KJON (Spanish) Dallas-Ft Worth 89.7 FM KJMA San Antonio 1380 AM KWMF (Spanish) San Antonio 1150 AM KLPF Midland-Odessa 90.9 FM KVDG (Spanish) Midland-Odessa 88.5 FM KBMD Marble Falls 91.3FM KBKN Lamesa 91.1 FM Morton 89.9 FM Van Horn 91.5 FM Kermit 91.7 FM Wellington 91.3 FM Clayton, NM

Our prayers go out to Priscilla's family, friends and loved ones. May Glenn find peace and comfort as he mourns her passing. Words are so inadequate at a time like this. Our thoughts and prayers are with you today.

John, I read it on Yahoo! Entertainment news. They had a picture of Connor Cruise, with the caption, "Connor Cruise, the adopted son of Tom Cruise, to have part in movie..." It was again stated in the accompanying article. Why not just say...."Connor Cruise, son of Tom Cruise...." I guess no one ever "outgrows" being adopted as far as the press is concerned. I remember when Carroll O'Connor's (best known as "Archie Bunker" in All in the Family) son died of a drug overdose, they kept reiterating that he was the adopted son of Carroll O'Connor. (As if that made the tragedy any less heart rending....Carroll O'Connor was devastated and heart broken. And I don't know he would have been any less devastated had this been his biological son.) Now if the media kept reporting..."Tom Cruise and his third wife Katie Holmes" over and over and over....

I just read where Tom and Nicole's son, Connor, has a part in an upcoming Will Smith movie (Will and Tom are reported to be good friends.) But the reporters just can't leave the fact alone that Connor is the adopted son of Tom and Nicole. (As if there is someone alive on the planet who doesn't already know!!!) It was mentioned several times that he was adopted, and they also had to add that Tom and Nicole had an adopted daughter. However, I don't see it mentioned constantly that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's daughter is illegitimate (born out of wedlock). or that Melissa Ethridge's daughter was conceived by the donated sperm of rocker (and former drug addict) David Crosby (of the 70's group Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young for those of you too young to remember). Or that in fact, Tom and Katie's daughter was also illegitmate, having been born prior to their marriage. So why, oh why, do we keep having to be reminded that Connor and Isabella are adopted? (and before anyone posts an angry response....I only use as an example the term "illegitimate" to ask why the media is so biased toward one and not the other?? A son is a son, and a daughter is a daughter...no matter HOW they joined your family! And that is how it should be reported.....period!!)

What amazes me is.......that people are not cognizent of a region's demographics before they make such calls and reveal their....for lack of a better word....ignorance. Hello.............San Antonio's population is over 50% Hispanic.......include Del Rio and El Paso to the West and Brownsville and Corpus Christi to the South and........ hello.........what does that tell you?????????? Even the city names San Antonio, Del Rio, El Paso and Corpus Christi are Spanish!! Get a clue!!! Sign us: Anglo parents to a beautiful 100% El Paso born Hispanic/Mexican-American gal!! And proud of it!!!

I just read the latest baby announcement.........and I am just wondering how a baby born in Colorado could be placed here in Texas? I thought the mother had to give birth in Texas, to be considered a Texas adoption. Does Colorado and Texas have some sort of reciprical agreement? How does this work?? I'm sure this could impact other couples...who are working with Abrazo but have a situation come up where they "find" their birthmother in their home state. (Don't know if I'm using the correct terminology here.) I wouldn't be asking but the story of the newest arrival piqued my interest....and I'm sure other PIW might be curious too how this could work if they find themselves in the same situation?

Please take a moment to watch this movie about a grocery store bagger named Johnny, who has transformed an entire community through a simple act of kindness. www.stservicemovie.com

If you wanted to carry the analogy further....the same could be said for children born through expensive fertility and IVF treatments...many not covered by insurance...with costs upward of $50,000 or more....versus babies conceived without medical intervention? A friend of mine conceived through multiple fertility treatments and IVF with her first child....then once she had carried a pregnancy to term, was able to conceive "naturally" about 14 months later with her second child. Would she say that one child was more valuable than the other, and had more worth just because a medical procedure was carried out by a doctor who specialized in fertility treatments, who used advanced medical technology to "mix" egg and sperm in a dish, then implant the fertilized egg in her womb....while the other was conceived through "plain 'ole" marital relations?? The first child's conception definitely carried a much higher price tag. Does that mean the first child will be expected to contribute more to society because of the elaborate means which were employed to create her? We don't intrude upon someone's personal privacy by asking "how much did it cost" of people who visit fertility clinics, why should we ask those same questions of those who choose to adopt?

Tina, as I see it.....it will take Mackenzie and all of our other Abrazo tots who are benefiting from openness to grow into adult hood and be able to say "See, look at me! I was once adopted...and I had a wonderful relationship with my first family...and I'm OKAY! See, I wasn't scarred for life, and I wasn't kidnapped, and nothing bad happened to me....and I wasn't confused about who my mom and dad were! And there is absolutely no need to live in fear!" (Sounds like you could use Grace Ann and Kayleigh's mommies there beside you....I know it would feel like a hurricane swept through that Sunday School class after they got done disspelling so many myths about open adoption!!!)

This statement is very, very true. I grew up in rural West Virginia (in the 50's and 60's), and in my county, at that time, I would estimate that probably 40% of the residents were on some form of welfare assistance. My best friend in high school was the oldest of 14 children. Her parents and growing family subsisted on welfare and food stamps. When the Dept of Welfare offered to pay for her father to have a vasectomy (after child #7 or 8?) his response was basically the same....I don't have much, but I'm going to keep what I do have! And that was his ability to father children. There were entire generations of families at that time drawing welfare, and it was a full circle effect. Entire generations of the same family would be on welfare, constantly having "one more child" in order to increase their benefits. I know with the welfare reforms of the 80's and 90's, that some of those programs are no longer in existence. And I realize that some people were truly in need of a helping hand, and received that help in the form of government assistance. But there were people who just manipulated "the system," and part of the way they did it was by having more children. Agree with me or not........that's just the way it was.

Just bumping up the Nursery Notes that accompany the picture now posted in the Gallery under "Team Abrazo." (Especially for those PIW or potential PIW who have specified "Anglo" as one of their criteria, please prayerfully consider this opportunity.)

Lighting candles for Brian and his parents, and Hayden and his parents, that the Lord may grant them wisdom and bless them with the peace that surpasses all understanding.

I discovered this prayer today and wanted to share it with you... A PRAYER FOR CHILDREN IN ADOPTION AND FOSTER CARE O God, we ask Your blessing... For children in foster care, may they adjust to the loss of their birth parents. Comfort them as they become aware that their mothers and fathers have difficult struggles to overcome. May the children feel the warmth of Your healing embrace as they begin to realize that going home may never be a possibility. Strengthen them as they live in a present that waits for an outcome beyond their control, beyond the "why's" of childhood understanding, and threatens to take away all that is known to them, even if the known may have been painful and lonely. Help them to move into their future, whether it be rejoining a birth family -- renewed in skills and spirit -- or becoming a part of a new family in adoption. For children in adoption, may they come to know that families are created in many ways. As a newborn grows into an understanding of the struggles, gifts and strengths of his/her birth heritage, may Your divine peace fill him/her in abundance. As a toddler, fifth grader or a teen transitions into his/her adoptive family, and as sisters and brothers meet their new siblings, we ask Your divine care over the bonds that form and the new roots that take hold. Let us remember that these children have been adopted into their families, as we have all been adopted by You, into one family. ....Catholic Charities' Prayer for Children in Adoption and Foster Care

Just catching up with this thread....and had to comment.... When Rosie had her own show, she was talking about her son Parker's adoption, and how she explained it to him. She explained to Parker that "God made a mistake" and put Parker in the "WRONG MOMMY'S" tummy, and that SHE (Rose) was really supposed to be Parker's mom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm definitely assuming hers was a closed adoption, because WHAT A STAB IN THE HEART those comments would be to ANY birth/first mother! Not only was that statement insensitive to birthparents, but adoptees as well have enough loss issues without having adoption simply explained away by being told it all happened because they were simply placed in the wrong woman's body (as a baby)!!

Going back to the topic title, "Is Parenthood A Human Right?" it would appear so from a human rights perspective. From protesting China's one-child policy to ending the forced sterilizations of the mentally retarded, the mentally ill and targeted racial groups (which occurred in the earlier part of the 20th century), it would appear that human rights organizations across the spectrum have said that, yes, parenthood is a right.

How about the comment "Why do you want to have (adopt) a baby anyway? You've got such a great life as it is, why do you want to mess it up?" usually said by stressed out relatives/friends, who are up to their own necks in diaper duty, or teenage rebellion, or homework hassles, or financial debt, or marital problems, or illness, and they just assume their lives would be more stress-free without the added responsibilities of parenthood (a little of the "grass is always greener on the other side" way of thinking!)

What a living doll! She is so gorgeous! And, to still be able to smile after all of the upheaval and uncertainly she has encountered in her young life. I really hope you can find that family within the Abrazo community, so that we can follow her journey to a forever home!

May God richly bless all of you!

I agree with you! We were all sent home with the thought that we were now "expecting" (at least in our hearts if not in our wombs.) I believe the term used was "psychological pregnancy"?? Perhaps those who adopt internationally are actually showing a healthier response to becoming parents. After all, international adoption involves children already born. Many of the children being adopted thru international agencies are already toddlers/preschool age (or older!) by the times they reach their new homes. Perhaps when everyone is sent home with the advice to get the nursery prepared, they should be advised to buy the crib that changes into a toddler bed....just in case.

I'll have to think about that one for awhile....sounds too much like one of Catherine's homework math problems!!!!!!!!!!

Not really. I am older than Catherine's birthgrandmother. Should I be confused??

Well, I guess you should at least be allowed to adopt them as close together as Mother Nature would allow you to reproduce them (which could biologically speaking be about every 10-11 months, right??? Nine months for the pregnancy, a month off to restart your cycle, then another 9 months of pregnancy....)