Sister Marilyn Lacey, RSM is the founder of the nonprofit organization Mercy Beyond Borders and the author of This Flowing Toward Me: A Story of God Arriving in Strangers, a wonderful book based on her years of working with refugee populations around the globe.

Matthew Baute is a Catholic recording artist who travels across the US as a full-time lay “music missionary” sharing God’s message of mercy and love through prayer concerts and diocesan events. He strives to lead a simple, contemplative life in the midst of the busyness of the secular world, giving witness to the reality that God is continually whispering an invitation of love to every heart.

Deacon Tom Fox shares a wonderful Easter season celebration entitled “Pay it Forward”.

Please consider SQPN during this year’s Giving Campaign and help us share the faith with new media.  Also, don’t forget to register for SQPN’s upcoming Catholic New Media Celebration.  Deacon Tom and I will be there and would love to meet you!  Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

Links for this Episode:

• Marilyn Lacey, RSM:
  • Mercy Beyond Borders
  • This Flowing Toward Me: A Story of God Arriving in Strangers
• Matthew Baute – River of Grace
• Immaculée Ilibagiza at St. Patrick’s Parish in Merced, California
• Catholic Parish Media Liaison Kerry Madden – Dynamic Catholic Speaker:  Anna Scalley, Cornerstone Media and Kitty Cleveland
• Catholic Spotlight Podcast Voting and Review Page
• SQPN Giving Campaign
• SQPN Star Teams
• CatholicMom.com Book Club
• The Catholic Company
• Lisa’s Facebook Profile, Plurk, Twitter
• Catholic Mom Logo Store

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The conference had listed so many good sessions and to pick two was difficult but I was very pleased with the ones I had chosen.  One in particular was about pay day lending and credit cards.  This session was of particular interest because as voters in Ohio, we recently passed a bill to limit the interest rate of these pay day lenders to a maximum – 28% as opposed to their 300+% interest rates.  It was a first step in regulating such practices and the man who was presenting the session was from the Catholic Social Action office of the Cleveland diocese and was instrumental in helping put this bill on the ballot for voting.    The bill was passed but unfortunately, the vulnerable are still at risk with predatory financial practices.

This is of interest to me because I have grown so tired of the judgment by others regarding those who go to such places – as though they are the low-lifes of our society.  They are not and I know because I’m one who found herself in a position of using their services.  As the session progressed I heard comments and wonderings of others as to why anyone would go to such places.  Well I finally raised my hand and shared my story and in so doing I wanted to put a face to those who feel they have no other resource but to go to such places for financial assistance.

In many ways we have become a society that judges people on their credit score.   At least once during the evening a young man comes on TV and asks me if I know my credit score!  Then continues on about how important this score is for my future life which includes buying homes, cars, or even just a credit card.  Apparently my credit score defines my humanity.   Most of my life my credit score has been less than admirable.  As a matter of fact, when I go into a bank, I feel like the president of the bank is a Mr. Potter from It’s a Wonderful Life, sitting in his office and sneering to himself as he watches me walk in with my paperwork in hand.

When a person finds themselves in a place in their life in which they are a single mom, have had a home foreclosed on them and had to face bankruptcy their self esteem is quite low – as a matter of fact it’s the pits, not only the pits, but the bottom of the pits.  I know, because I’ve been that woman – that mom.   As one struggles to regain their own self respect oftentimes life hits them again and they find themselves needing some cash to keep the electricity on, to pay the rent, or to have a car fixed.  The concept of going to the bank for help is out of the question.  There is no financial institution who would consider such a person because they are considered high risk at that moment.    So imagine having a place where a person in such a situation can go and such an establishments tells you, we can loan you $500 – no questions asked – all you have to have is proof of income and a checking account.

I remember walking into such a place and walking out of it with my needed financial assistance with a sense of ‘okay, I can deal with life a bit better now.’    Two weeks later the money is taken out of my checking account along with a huge interest payment and thus the cycle begins because then another loan is needed to help with the next set of bills.  Fortunately for me I was not caught up in the cycle of constant returning week after week but so many are and the amounts skyrocket and it becomes then a source of endless cycles in which money becomes the focus and relief and independence is lost.   Such choices can only feed the already low self esteem of needing assistance and having no where else to go.   When I stopped in at such places I talked with the people in line.  Each with their own story, each with their own needs and I could easily relate to them.  Most of the people I encountered were there not to be able to spend frivolously but to pay bills or keep themselves afloat one more day, one more week and then deal with the next need later and hope for the best.

As our economy continues to be hit with unemployment, more people on social security, the uncertainty of keeping the family home and mounting pressure and bills and the ever present credit card debt, my fear is more and more people will fall victim to a practice that does not in the long run help them but hurts them.  If such establishments wanted to help those who are in need they could easily turn their establishments into places where people who need a loan to get through a situation can have the opportunity to pay back through payments over 6 months to a year with reasonable interest rates.    There is nothing wrong with such places so long as they provide a service that treats people as people and not victims of their predatory practices.  Right now our country is hurting and we all need to be on board for each other – not pick and choose victims to prey upon but to reach out to people to help keep them afloat.

I believe as children of God we need now more than ever to be conscious with our spending, to purchase with a  wisdom inspired by the gospels.  It is time we look outside our “selfs” and look at our neighbor, our community, our elderly, our children, ultimately our world  – those most vulnerable and ask what we can do to make a difference.  As mothers and fathers we are our children’s first and foremost teachers.  What lessons do we want our children to learn and carry with them?  To me it is best stated in Micah 6-8:   What does the Lord ask of us but to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God.

On that final judgment day I don’t think God will ask us about our credit score but I believe God will ask how we acted justly with each other, what mercy did we give and was God pleased to walk with us.

Copyright 2009 Susan Handle Terbay

Here is the tour schedule for the Franciscan & Friends 2009 Music Mission :

Wed. Nov. 4 Depart for Barbados/Westjet
Thurs. Nov. 5 Orientation/Barbados
Fri. Nov. 6, 9am School/2pm Verdun/6pm Street Ministry
Sat. Nov. 7,6pm Benefit Concert, St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Sun. Nov. 8, Depart for St. Vincent, Bequia
Mon. Nov. 9, 9am Schools Bequia
Tues. No.10, 9am Schools, 6pm Street Concert, Bequia
Wed. Nov.11 Depart for Kingstown St. Vincent, 2pm Mental Home,
Thur. Nov. 12 St. Benedict’s Orphanage, Georgetown
Fri. Nov. 13, 10am Lewis Punnett Home,7pm Street Concert
Sat. Nov.14 Depart for Carriacou via St. George’s, Grenada/Flight
Sun. Nov. 15 Carriacou
Mon. Nov. 16 Carriacou
Tues. Nov. 17 Carriacou
Wed. Nov. 18 Depart for St. George’s via Ferry
Thur. Nov. 19 St. George’s
Fri. Nov. 20, 7pm Blessed Sacrament Concert, St. George’s
Sat. Nov. 21 6pm St. Martin’s Crochu
Sun. Nov. 22 6pm, St. Andrew’s, Grenville
Mon. Nov. 23 Depart for Barbados
Tues. Nov. 24 Depart for Home

Please contact Denis Grady at Denis.Grady@shaw.ca for more information and if you are interested in receiving an official invitation to join this tour.

Copyright 2009 Susan Bailey

Since their founding, the Sisters of Life have been dedicated to providing practical assistance and spiritual and emotional support to pregnant women in crisis. Many of these women have had abortions in the past and want to give their unborn child life but are unsure of how to cope and move forward. The sisters state that “we strive to bring His peace, the gift of hope and a ‘beginning joy’ to each of these women God sends our way, even amidst what the women themselves readily admit are ‘non-ideal circumstances.’ We have witnessed the truth that ‘life is always a good’ as we have watched it slowly but surely blossom forth in so many of these courageous women with a heart faithful to the call to love.”

At the Holy Respite, located in the heart of Manhattan, New York, pregnant women “most vulnerable to the pressure of abortion,” whether Catholic or not, are invited to come and stay. A woman is welcome not only through the birth of her child, but up to six months after so that she may get back on her feet and begin to create a life for herself and her child.

The Sisters also help those who are suffering from the pain of abortion. The “Entering Canaan” program takes its name from the Exodus experience of the Jewish people crossing the desert to reach the Promised Land. This program takes women “on a Sacramental journey into the true Promised Land of the Heart of Jesus.” Each retreat is directed by women who experienced both the pain of abortion and the healing found in Christ. Retreats are also offered for men who are experiencing pain as a result of an abortion.

Education is yet another mission of the Sisters of Life. Thanks to the generosity of the Knights of Columbus, Villa Maria Guadalupe in Stamford, Connecticut became a reality. “The retreat house hosts Evenings of Recollection, educational seminars on life issues and retreats for everyone (themes include Theology of the Body, Young Adult Retreats, Post-Abortion Healing, and retreats on the Dignity and Vocation of Women). “ It is “a spiritual home for the pro-life community.” The Sisters also staff the Family Life Office of the Archdiocese of New York, supporting marriages and families.

A more recent addition to the Sisters’ outreach has been the creation of an organized group of laity known as Co-workers. These volunteers work out of local or parish communities to provide help to women in need. Some open their homes to pregnant women; others work to help women find resources in their local communities. Men involved as co-workers help move furniture or build cribs or mentor fathers.  Health professionals, college contacts, business professionals, counselors, and lawyers are all offering their talents to this effort.

For more information on any of the programs offered by the Sisters of Life, please visit their website at www.sistersoflife.org.

Copyright 2009 Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur

Deacon Tom Fox shares a “healing” reflection on the life of Blessed Andre Bessette.

Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

Links for this episode:

• Tim Warneka
• Catholic Servant Leader
• Black Belt Leader, Peaceful Leader: An Introduction to Catholic Servant Leadership by Tim Warneka
• Paul’s Men Podcast
• God’s Doorkeepers: Padre Pio, Solanus Casey And Andre Bessette
• The Catholic Company
• Lisa’s Facebook Profile, Plurk, Twitter
• Catholic Mom Logo Store

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Deacon Tom Fox shares a reflection on being of service to others.

Be sure to enter this month’s contest – your chance to win two adorable Christmas Bracelets. To enter, email lisa@catholicmom.com with “Christmas Bracelets Giveaway” in the subject line and be sure to include your complete mailing address. Enter by November 30, 2008. Share your feedback at 206-339-9272, comment here on the blog or email lisa@catholicmom.com.

Links for this episode:

Catholic Charities USA
Bryan Murdaugh
modernPSALTER.com
The Catholic Company
Lisa’s Facebook Profile, Plurk, Twitter
Catholic Mom Logo Store

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