| LMF News |  October 2010 | |
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Dear friends,
Welcome to the October edition of LMF News and a special welcome to new subscribers! Of course it has been an exciting month in Australia with the canonisation of St Mary of the Cross and we have a little tribute article to her below.
The Life, Marriage and Family Centre (that is us) have two upcoming events which we (of course) really recommend , the first is an evening for couples about prayer and the value of praying together. As the saying goes 'the family that prays together, stays together' and that certainly goes for couples as the cornerstone of their family. That evening will be held on 28 October in Hurstville. There also a retreat day for divorced women being held in November. The flyers for both events are in the articles below. We would be most grateful if you could let family and friends know who you think might be interested. Often the greatest gift we can give to those we love is to connect them with events that will support them in the various aspects of their life. You will also see a whole list of other upcoming events in this months newsletter.
We'll let you have a look at the contents of this month for yourself, the topics are to the left. And don't forget there are now close to 100 recommended websites on many topics in the side bar to the left. Have a great month and if you have any comments or feedback, or to register for one of our events email us at lmfnews@sydneycatholic.org or phone us on 02 9390 5290. God Bless you and your family. Life, Marriage and Family Centre Team |
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Pornography: Sexual Obesity | | The Killing of a Society
Mary Eberstadt - As the impressively depressing cover story "America the Obese" in the May issue of The Atlantic serves to remind us all, the weight-gain epidemic in the United States and the rest of the West is indeed widespread, deleterious, and unhealthy-which is why it is so frequently remarked on, and an object of such universal public concern. But while we're on the subject of bad habits that can turn unwitting kids into unhappy adults, how about that other epidemic out there that is far more likely to make their future lives miserable than carrying those extra pounds ever will? That would be the emerging social phenomenon of  what can appropriately be called "sexual obesity": the widespread gorging on pornographic imagery that is also deleterious and unhealthy, though far less remarked on than that other epidemic-and nowhere near an object of universal public concern. That complacency may now be changing.
The term sexual obesity comes from Mary Ann Layden, a psychiatrist who runs the Sexual Trauma and Psychopathology Program at the University of Pennsylvania. She sees the victims of Internet-pornography consumption in her practice, day in and day out. She also knows what most do not: Quietly, patiently, and irrefutably, an empirical record of the harms of sexual obesity is being assembled piecemeal via the combined efforts of psychologists, sociologists, addiction specialists, psychiatrists, and other authorities.
Young people who have been exposed to pornography are more likely to have multiple lifetime sexual partners, more likely to have had more than one sexual partner in the last three months, more likely to have used alcohol or other substances at their last sexual encounter, and-no surprise here-more likely to have scored higher on a "sexual permissiveness" test. They are also more likely to have tried risky forms of sex. They are also more likely to engage in forced sex and more likely to be sexual offenders.
Read the complete article
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Couples' Prayer Evening | | |
The most important task of every couple is to guide one another and their family on the path to heaven.
 The Life, Marriage and Family Centre invites all couples, married, engaged or dating, to hear from three married couples, who will share their personal insights on prayer.
They will speak on the importance of commitment to daily prayer in their marriage and what effect prayer has had in their lives. The evening will be help at Mater Dei Catholic Church in Blakehurst on Thursday 28 October. For full details and to RSVP, view the flyer here. Forward to a Friend Back to top |
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Hello Baby Pregnancy App | | |
If you or someone you know is expecting, why not download this app for your iphone/ipad. It's just another way to witness to the miracle of new life! Click on the image to view the promo video.
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Retreat Day for Divorced Women | | |
Saturday 6 November
The Life, Marriage and Family Centre warmly invites women who have experienced the pain of divorce, to a day of reflection and prayer.
The day will be held in the beautiful grounds of the Mount Schoenstatt  Shrine & Retreat Centre at Mulgoa. The program will begin at 10:00am and conclude at 4:00pm. The day will include two talks and time for personal reflection, together with Confession and spiritual guidance if desired. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will provide an opportunity for fellowship with other women. The day will conclude with Mass.
The day will be guided by Bishop Terry Brady and Sister Lydia Allen RSM. Bishop Brady is an auxiliary bishop of Sydney with many years pastoral wisdom. Sr Lydia is a licensed psychologist who has worked with both adults and children in their times of need.
Please extend this invitation to any women you know who have gone through the difficulty of divorce.
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Canberra Declaration | | |
Upholding Life, Liberty and Marriage
The Canberra Declaration is a call to our national leaders to protect life, defend marriage, support family, secure our religious freedom and safe  guard our children. The values listed in the Canberra Declaration are under threat. They are being attacked and undermined on many fronts, by dedicated and devoted enemies. The Canberra Declaration was drafted by a number of Christian leaders from many denominations with a heart for the nation and was released on 23 July 2010. The authors and foundation signatories were both encouraged and inspired by recent similar declarations in Westminster and Manhattan.
The Canberra Declaration hopes to:
~ Awaken a greater awareness of the issues Australians face.
~ Encourage prayer and action to address these issues.
~ Unify the Christian community to make a stand for Christian values.
~ Educate the Christian community to enable it to defend Christian values.
~ Equip by sharing resources for the greater good of the whole community
The elements in the Canberra Declaration concern religious freedom, marriage and family and life. They are timeless principles, relevant both for Australia's short-term and long-term future.
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The Dignity of Human Work | | |
A Catholic Vision of Work
A Catholic vision of work views it in light of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. The entirety of our human experience was assumed by Jesus, including our labour, our human work, no matter what form it takes. All work was transformed by Christ the worker! The Son of God worked. Even as a child he learned from Joseph, the carpenter, and worked with wood, with His Holy hands. Certainly he sweated, got dirty and even experienced tedium at times, but because He was in communion with His Heavenly Father all of his work was joined to the Father's work. That is the same relationship we now have with the Father through Baptism.
Deacon Keith Fournier - It is a day on which families gather for cookouts and parades march through our town squares. It is a day when we all get  to sleep in a bit later than usual and we relax from what is so often a frenzied pace in our contemporary existence. The United States Department of Labor tells us of this National Holiday, "Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country." However, for Christians, Labor Day can be much more. It presents us with an invitation to examine how we view our own labor in the light of what the Church proclaims about the meaning of human work, precisely because it is done by human persons who are created in the Image and Likeness of God.
Read the complete article
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Spiritual Adoption of the Unborn | | |
Giving New Hope to the Unborn
Each year in Australia it is estimated that there are approximately 90,000 abortions. As disturbing as this is, that figure pales in comparison to the current estimation of around 40 million abortions worldwide annually. That is 40 million babies, in just one year, that are missing. That is 40 million less brothers and sisters, that is 40 million less husbands, wives and friends.
When confronted with a tragedy of such massive scale we can easily fall  into despair. Yet our faith shows us that God is constantly working to bring good forth from evil. You can participate in God's plan by spiritually adopting an unborn child who is in danger of abortion. The unborn are unable to pray for themselves, it may be your prayers alone that allow them to live out the gift of life that God has given them.
Spiritual adoption is a very simple and personal endeavour. It involves committing yourself to pray a very short prayer each day for the period of one year.
The website below has a little more information on spiritual adoption abd includes a 'How Do I Adopt' tab with the daily prayer and spiritual adoption certificate that you print out.
Visit the website to find all you need
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Should I be Flirting More? | | |
By Anthony Bruno
Dear Anthony: I feel that I am competing with women who are more flirtatious than me. A nice man I am seeing likes to look at women who dress a little more provocative and who flirt. I am not like that; I'm just myself. I dress modern and pretty, but I don't really like to show too much flesh or wear things that make certain parts of my body stand out. Is that so wrong? I'm not "prudish", but I respect myself and believe God expects women to behave appropriately. Do I need to be more flirty, or should I just continue being the way I believe I should be?
First, I want to applaud you. It is very important for women to be sensitive and mindful to the way they dress and behave in public, particular with men. You are obviously a conscientious Christian woman who loves God  and does not want to offend Him, and want to attract a normal, upright Catholic man with strong faith and who respects women.
You have answered your own question just by the way you are presenting your concern. You don't want to change, nor should you. Anyone who betrays who they are just because it will get them in better with another person is only causing harm to themselves and anyone whom they interact with. So you have to faithful to yourself and your beliefs. Obviously, you don't want to dress provocatively, nor do you want to be a shameless flirt. I applaud that.
It is alarming how much of an issue this has become among Catholics, of all people, who should be wiser than to be suckered into this mentality. I have addressed this subject on my blog before. I am sure I will be addressing it again in the future.
It's important to point out that flirting has its place in a relationship. Is flirting necessary? Technically no, though most people find flirting to be a sign that they are with a normal person. I guess if two people who don't flirt all, nor like to, nor know how to, are able to meet and interact without any need of what flirting provides, then it is not necessary. But most people need flirting to help them relax and gain confidence as they develop a relationship. Married couples find it important, too, for making each other feel good and special. It does have its place in relationships.
Read the complete article
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Euthanasia: Myths and Reality | | |
Respect Life Sunday 2010
Respect Life Sunday was held in the Archdiocese of Sydney on Sunday 3 October and the theme for this year was euthanasia. The Life, Marriage  and Family Centre produced a brochure for all parishes which looked at some of the common reasons given for allowing euthanasia and then corresponding realities taken from the euthansia experiences around the world.
Now that the push is on again in Australia to legalise euthanasia, we have been receiving brochure orders from praishes and dioceses across the country who wish to inform their people about this crucial issue.
Please read the brochure (and pass it on) and make sure you are equipped to adequately respond next time a friend says to you 'we should legalise euthanasia'.
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Foster Carers Needed! | | |
Have you ever thought about opening up your home and your heart to a foster child? If you have, now would be a really good time.
Currently there are more than 16,525 children in out-of-home care in NSW. That number is expected to rise to more than 24,000 by 2012. So you can see why more foster carers are needed to meet the urgent demand for care.
Foster carers play a vital role and by giving these children safe and caring homes, either short or long-term, help to change their lives for the better.
While fostering isn't easy - it takes patience, understanding and a sense of humour - the rewards can be huge. With training and support, you will be equipped to weather the odd emotional storm and give every child the childhood they deserve.
People become carers for a variety of reasons, but the main motive is that they love and enjoy the company of children, and have the time and energy to provide a caring home for them. Watch the video below to hear about John and Lynn's experience of being foster carers.
Visit Fostering NSW or CatholicCare Sydney to find out more information.
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Saint Mary of the Cross | |
In honouring our first Australian Saint, Mary of the Cross, Gary Pinto has written a beautiful song commemorating the life and legacy of this holy woman. Gary Pinto is a Catholic singer/songwriter from Melbourne and co-wrote the World Youth Day 2008 theme sing with Guy Sebastian. Click on the image to watch the video.
To find out more about the life and ongoing works of Mary Mackillop visit the official website www.marymackillop.org.au.
St Mary of the Cross - Pray for Us
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Being Friends With Your Spouse | | |
Paul Leingang - They go out to a movie. She likes this one better than the one they saw two weeks ago. He doesn't say much about it. They are husband and wife, young enough in their relationship to find occasional surprises in the likes and dislikes of each other, and not realising it will always be this way. They are good friends, coaxing each  other to openness. What do you really think about that movie? Come on...I really want to know. Thinkers and singers have explored friendship and love for thousands of years. There is the pursuit and the passion, and oh, yes, the steadfast promise. "I want a woman, I want a lover, I want a friend," sang Jackie Wilson in a 1959 rhythm and blues classic, naming in simple terms the multiple relationships of husband and wife. It is reality: male and female we are created, and we seek out each other, to be lovers and friends, to reveal and to be revealed. "What can be more delightful than to have some one to whom you can say everything with the same absolute confidence as to yourself?" Cicero wrote. "Is not prosperity robbed of half its value if you have no one to share your joy? On the other hand, misfortunes would be hard to bear if there were not some one to feel them even more acutely than yourself."
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Chastity Means Saying Yes | |
Robert Colquhoun - Chastity is the virtue of finding and living love in the context of sexuality. The virtues point us towards the perfection of will that controls our actions and passions. These point us towards happiness, endurance, spontaneity and security. John Paul once said that "Chastity can only be thought of in association with the virtue of love."[1] At the crossroads between the culture of life and a culture of death, the virtue of chastity points towards purity, creativity and certainty. As chastity and self control are one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:23-4), God gives us a gift of purity of heart if we love and keep his commandments (John 14:15). This purity is can be given as the fruit of prayer, especially when asked with humility.
In promoting the virtue of chastity, it is vital to communicate that the  virtue of purity is not first of all a "no" to illegal sex, but a yes to authentic love. It first and foremost affirms and celebrates the goodness of our bodies and the gift of sex. It is not a repressed repetition of "no" but a continual "yes" to Jesus. Mary offers the perfect example of love and obedience by saying "Let it be done to me according to thy word." (Luke 1:38). The more we imitate her "yes," the more joy and peace we will let into our lives. If we are unable to say "no" to sex, what is our "yes" really worth?
Living a life of authentic chastity means that it will be easier to cherish your future marriage more than passing pleasures. Living a chaste life within a relationship helps couples to express intimacy in a way that is not necessarily physical. This intimacy helps people to be themselves. An unhealthy intimacy makes couples feel as if they were losing their identity.
Read the complete article |
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The Four Phases of Parenting | | |
Your role changes as your child grows. What's your right now?
Bob Hostetler - It came as a shock. In the course of telling a story to my friend Jon, I mentioned that I had gone into my son's room to wake him up. Jon interrupted me.
"How old is Aaron?"
We both knew very well how old he was, but I told him. "Sixteen," I said.
"Why are you still getting him up in the morning?"
I had no answer. I felt like a bald man who's just been asked why he  carries a comb in his pocket. Somehow, in the busyness of parenting two teenagers, I had held on to a habit that made sense when my children were preschoolers but now was far from appropriate.
That's when I decided to give more careful attention to the different phases of parenthood and to acknowledge areas where I'd lagged behind in parenting my daughter, Aubrey, and my son, Aaron. In doing so, I not only introduced a little more sanity to my life, but also prepared them - and me - for their fast-approaching independence.
Read the complete article
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Coming Events | | |
There are always plenty of events happening in and around Sydney. If your parish, school or group is planning an event for families, couples, singles etc then let us know about it so we can share the news! Here are some events that we know about...
Retreat with the Dominican Sisters of St Cecilia. This retreat is for single Catholic women aged 18-35 and will take place on 22-24 October. Click here for further information.
Celebrate Love Seminar. 30 & 31 October, Mulgoa. Be reinvigorated in your marriage. The Jeweler's Shop. A Play by Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II). University of Notre Dame, Broadway. Sunday 31 October.
Post Abortion Healing Retreat, run by Rachel's Vineyard. 19-21 November. Spiritual and psycholigical healing for women and men suffering the effects of a past abortion experience.
iWitness 2010. 9-12 December 2010. Join 250 young adults for an amazing conference with great talks and great friends.
Retreats are essential for those who wish to make real progress in the spiritual life and in learning to love. They are opportunities to step back and listen to what God is saying. The Carmelite Friars at Varoville have 28 different retreats on offer in 2010. See which might be calling you. Catholic Adult Education Centre. Term 4 Courses. Including 'Scripture and the End Times' to be held in the city.
Share the Dream. 3rd National Family Gathering. Melbourne, Friday 15 April to Sunday 17 April 2010.
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