The Catholic Defender: Tour Of Duty

Today, I was watching an old episode of "Tour of Duty" that really brought back some memories to me.

In this episode, one of the stars was about to ETS out of the Army and was preparing to go home to the United States.

In the end, he would re-enlist and thereby rejoin his unit.

 I couldn't help but think back to my guys, most of them re-enlisted while still in Iraq.

I lost only a hand full of Soldiers due to leaving the Army.

I did much to encourage them to stay in the Army and to continue to perform at a high professional rate.

I am proud of the accomplishments that our Platoon accomplished as we were held highly by the Division, Brigade, down to the Battalion.

It was great to go back into time and relive those days and think about my troops. Many of them have advanced in the Army doing great things.

Combat can be very stressful as everyday can be your last. It is hazardous even to those who stay on the JSS (Joint Security Station).

When the enemy wants to download mortars inside your sector that can be very alarming. We saved a lot of lives, the wounded, as well as through preventive medicine.  This helped kept the fighting force on the field of operation. 

The Battle Focus was always front and center, for every Soldier we were able to save through our direct action,
there was a family waiting for them back home.

As Catholics, we are also on a "Tour of duty" as we are on point. There are many walking wounded among us. There are many suffering from Battle Fatigue. What do you do when you know someone is wanting to "tap" out, to give up?

It is important to be able to diagnose this early, to see and understand combat stress, to know when someone is "shell shocked". The first spiritual condition is knowing if their was a Father and Mother both strong in the practice of their faith. If they have been on the ready with their children, preparing them for the spiritual battles that lay ahead, that is most important.

It is also important that young people be given the firm foundation that prepares them for the battle of life. Talk about a "Tour of duty", that is tough, peer pressure is very difficult for parents to combat, especially when both parents work.

It is important to offer good training, have good friends, good family activities. It is also important to be faithful in going to Mass. To pray together as a family unit. That is the best weapon to fight trench warfare in protecting the family from the influences of sin.

Trench warfare might seem rather radical but it is a good expression of what is happening in the "real" world. Demons are at work attempting to penetrate a families defenses. They will continuously and tirelessly take the fight to you. You can never really let your guard down. The moment you do evil is hitting you like a chicken on a June bug.

The stats show that Children hold on to the Faith when both parents are living and standing up for the faith. Consider what the Lord told St. Faustine concerning the Divine Mercy Devotion:

"Today bring to Me the Meek and Humble Souls and the Souls of Little Children,and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly Angels, who will keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence.

Most Merciful Jesus, You yourself have said, "Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart." Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy and they are the heavenly Father's favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek souls, upon humble souls, and upon little children who are enfolded in the abode which is the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by the delight You take in them: Bless the whole world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen."

How tragic it is when a child is not given any kind of foundation? To never give children the foundation of faith? Many are given a poor image of God the Father because their earthly Fathers did not or were not there to teach them about the truth of God.

This is the major battle ground today as the family has been under attack for a long time.  The family unit has been taken for granted by a hostile force trying to eradicate Christianity.

This is a most important "Tour of duty" because we are seeing casualties of war everywhere.  Addictions of all kind are at epidemic numbers.

Pornography and Abortion are multi-billion dollar industries, gay marriage is picking up steam as the liberal Government seek to change America.  The legalization of drugs, all these things are having a far reaching impact on society.

This upcoming semester at Texas A&M, I am taking a class "Sociology of Sexuality" and I look forward to defending the Catholic position on human sexuality.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) are the most common illness next to the common cold and flu.  That is incredible.  Something like 33,000 people a day are being diagnosed with an STD.

This is spiritual warfare to the max, we are in a fight for the future of America, will we fall from within because we did nothing to stop the rising tide of evil?

To be a true Catholic today, you have to be ready to embrace this "Tour of duty" because we must be equal to the task given.  The Saints expressed their hopes to see and witness these times we are in.

This is our time, our opportunity to serve God.  It is time to accept this cross today to save a generation and lead many to salvation.  This includes family, lets not wait until they are teenagers to think about it, we need to get back to the basics! Defend Life!

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They've lost everything, must they also lose the Sacraments?

Hosted at Camp Patton this week!

#1 

An Appeal

I am in a bit of a rush today, trying to transform my copious notes on the need for Catholic foster families into a publishable form in various formats: a blog post, several guest blog posts, and articles for national Catholic family magazines. Therefore this 7 Quick Takes will be quick and dirty! Retweet me anyway! Help me spread the word!

Please read on and please help me spread the word. I am not shy. I write well. I interview well. Also pray that the article I'm writing gets picked up by a national publication. Oh, and yes, I will guest blog for you if you ask (if I don't ask you first).

#2

The Mission

I am sparse on the blog lately because I have hit the road, the microphone, and the keyboard working with CPS to recruit foster families. Let me give you the briefest of brief reasons why I am recruiting people, especially Catholics, to consider foster care:

The largest group of practicing Christians in this country is Catholic. It stands to reason that this means a large portion of foster children will also be Catholic. Regardless of the stats, there are children in my community who have lost everything when their family fell apart, including access to the comfort of their beautiful religion. The more bold of them are complaining that their foster families are not taking them to any church or are refusing to take them to a Catholic Church. My heart breaks for all those children who ache for their spiritual home but who are too shy or traumatized by the loss of their actual home to say a word. My answer to that is to say it for them and to invite you, John and Jane Q. Public, to consider foster care at every opportunity.

I first discussed it here on my Podcast with Deeper Truth.

Listen to internet radio with Deeper Truth on Blog Talk Radio

Next I was interviewed by Stephanie Frausto on her Catholics in Action show on our local radio station KDJW 1360 AM this past Wednesday. It will be re aired on Saturday, April 20, from 5 to 6 p.m. Central and on Sunday, April 21, from 3 to 4 p.m. At those times, you can listen in here.

To be brief: I am on a mission here. Although several people at our local department hinted that they want me to apply for the upcoming vacancy in the paid position of a Faith Based Recruiter, my husband and I have elected to forgo that in order to have the freedom to be a bit more raw and real in our appeal. I am volunteering instead and will gladly work with the person they hire. I am writing articles, visiting churches, and going on the radio! Please help me spread the word?

If you can't foster, you can pray! Can I get an AMEN?

#3

The House Qualified!

Our house is now certified once again as a foster/adoptive home for our local agency. We will still have to finish the few odd jobs before our next child is placed with us, but the paperwork is finished! Finally! Thank you for all your prayers and thank you, God!

Saint Joseph, pray for us!

#4

Things are Changing!

My parents are selling their home and purchasing a home to move onto our property. That way we can have my father settled in and “home” before he declines to the point where the move will only lead to confusion and fear. We have a few years before that, pray God. It will also lesson their financial and physical burden of caring for a home, as we will take over that.  We have the privilege to have the means to do this for them. As I’ve joked with them, they get to be our guinea pigs. “Andy’s parents are about 10 years behind you guys, so we get to make all our mistakes on you first!”

I’m letting you all know this so you can understand why there has been a break in the blogging. The move is coming in a few weeks and we’ve had to rearrange the goat yard and build new fences in order to accommodate the new building. They will have a nice yard and a great view of the chickens, the goats, and the kids playing.

#5

Perspectives are Changing...

The neurologist who is helping my parents’ learn and cope with my father’s dementia has described a condition that begins in the late 30s. One of the signs of the disease process is a loss of the sense of smell and tone deafness. Both of these events happened before I was born. My father’s illness may have been affecting him my entire life.

I can not tell you, can not begin to tell you, how this changes my perspective on my childhood. It’s a game changer, I tell you. I feel a bit like Paul, the scales are off and my eyes are seeing a whole world for the first time.

#6

Can't We Bury Our Dead First?

The bombing in Boston has already been turned into political fodder by the extreme Right and extreme Left. I know that I am facing chastisement for saying such a thing, but people have died, a city is traumatized. Can we not get along for a few days more or shall we let the bombers’ next intention, that of furthering division in America, be another notch in their bomb belt?

#7

The Blogger in Sweatpants and a Ponytail

I’m also sick with yet another fevery bug, so I’m keeping it brief today. Not only are the pretty pictures missing, I’m also not using my God given talent of humor to keep readers reading. Sorry, folks. I hope you will be forgiving.

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The Catholic Defender: I Love My German Shepherd

Pope Benedict XVI continues to show himself to be approved, we want to pledge our love and support for the Holy Father who needs much prayer. Our Country and the world are at a pivital time in human history and we need to pray for the Church. There is much confusion and the young people are crying out for true direction. They do not need the nickle and dime answers to maky them feel good. They want the truth to give their life for. The past two decades we have seen rebellion never seen before, causing untold misery and sickness. The Popes intentions for the Month of May are:

General Intention: The Family. That initiatives which defend and uphold the role of the family may be promoted within society.

Missionary Intention: Mary, Guide of Missionaries. That Mary, Queen of the World and Star of Evangelization, may accompany all missionaries in proclaiming her Son Jesus.

The Pope is calling us to pray for the family, this is very important, this is a main petition of the Rosary Patrol. Let us pray for families as this is the bedrock of society. Children certainly need the values of the Gospel. No family can do this withour the Lord. The family who invites the Mother of Jesus into their home is truly blessed.

Lord God, from You every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. Father, You are love and life. Through Your Son, Jesus Christ, born of woman, and through the Holy Spirit, the fountain of divine charity, grant that every family on earth may become for each successive generation a true shrine of life and love. Grant that Your grace may guide the thoughts and actions of husbands and wives for the good of their families and of all the families in the world. Grant that the young may find in the family solid support for their human dignity and for their growth in truth and love. Grant that love, strengthened by the grace of the sacrament of marriage, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass. Through the intercession of the Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that the Church may fruitfully carry out her worldwide mission in the family and through the family. We ask this of You, Who is life, truth, and love with the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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*BEST OF DTB #54* The Knights of Columbus- the strong right arm.

My big spiritual brother, the Catholic Defender, is a brother of mine in a different respect. We are brother Knights. In fact, to be specific, we are brother Sir Knights.

A Sir Knight is a knight of the 4th and highest degree. The 4 degrees embody the 4 basic principles of knighthood in our storied order; Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.

The Knights of Columbus are a Catholic, Family, Fraternal, Service organization. The Knights are open for membership to any practical Catholic at least 18 years of age.
However, The Knights are committed to the whole family. There are Ladies auxiliaries, Squires and all manner of other ways for the family to participate.

The Knights are what Pope John Paul II called "The strong right arm of the church".

The Knights pray together, work together, have fun together and serve the Church and the community.

I challenge you to see what the Knights have to offer you. The Knights of Columbus site.

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*BEST OF DTB #48* The Catholic Defender: Rise of the Fatherless

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breath and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:14-19).

In the United States between 1960 - 1990, children being raised without fathers went from 17% to 36%, by the year 2,000, nearly 50% of all children are being raised without their fathers.

The days of "Leave It To Beaver", "My Three Son's", and "Father Knows Best" have long been gone.

The average father was reported to spend about 7 seconds a day with their children. The spiritual and moral leadership is not present.

Marriage is the divine institution created by God for which children are to be raised. Rebellion has had it's price.

The results are staggering. The rise in drugs and alcohol use, gang violence, disregard for authority and the value of human life has become the trend. Pornography and abortion plague our nation both being multi-billion dollar industries.

This seriously impact society and culture. It impacts girls being raised without fathers.

It impacts Black families, nearly 70% are being raised without a father. There is a rise in premarital relations and children being born in a one parent family.

You have the case of "dead-beat dads" who can care less about their children. Then you have fathers who have no control for their children because mom's and other family members make it impossible.

With the return of ancient Paganism and hedonism, the very fabric of society is being distorted as the family unit is being changed to recognize homosexual unions and transgendered relationships causing confusion at the Government's expense.

Children are commanded to "obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother. This is the first commandment with a promise, that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on earth" (Ephesians 5:1-3).

Pope Pius XII warned the world in 1950 at the canonization of St. Maria Goretti that to be a Christian in the latter half of the 20th century and beyond you would have to be a living martyr. The attack on the family would become so great. His words were prophetic.

The divorce rate has had a dramatic impact on the American Family. Let us pray for the return of God in our Country, that He will restore common sense and heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). The following Statistics come from "Teens and Toddlers: children without fathers":

- 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes (US Dept. Of Health/Census) – 5 times
the average.

- 90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes – 32 times the average.

- 85% of all children who show behavior disorders come from fatherless homes – 20 times the average. (Center for Disease Control)

- 80% of rapists with anger problems come from fatherless homes --14 times the average. (Justice & Behavior, Vol 14, p. 403-26)

- 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes – 9 times the average. (National Principals Association Report)

- 75% of all adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers come from fatherless homes – 10 times the average. (Rainbows for All God’s Children)

- 70% of youths in state-operated institutions come from fatherless homes – 9 times the average. (U.S. Dept. of Justice, Sept. 1988)

- 85% of all youths in prison come from fatherless homes – 20 times the average. (Fulton Co. Georgia, Texas Dept. of Correction)

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