A Model Soldier of Love and Life
Greetings! I hope this email finds each of you in a spirit of gratitude as we approach Thanksgiving Day. I would like to take a moment to share how grateful I am to have known a very holy woman who I believe is now a saint in heaven.
Sue Lopez was a loving wife and mother to her husband Roger and her four beautiful children Johnny, Laura, Marie and David. She was also a shining light to many of us in the San Diego community. Few of us knew fully of her battle with cancer because she carried her cross so valiantly. On November 23rd, the feast day of Christ the King, her suffering ceased and Sue returned to the Father.
If ever there was a need to pray and to act on the behalf of the defenseless, Sue was there and normally leading the pack. Among her leadership efforts, was a monthly prayer procession from Our Lady of the Rosary Church to the local Planned Parenthood on First Street in San Diego. She understood that public prayer was a most powerful way to build a culture of life and love. Far from the media’s twisted image of “an angry pro-lifer,” she exhibited great joy and compassion for the mothers she sought to help, as well as their children who, in some cases, lived on because of her intervention.
This past Saturday, I spent just a couple of hours praying in front of Planned Parenthood and speaking to a dozen or so women who stumbled in to have abortions. I would like to share a few of the details with you in an effort to honor the work Sue has begun.
Brokenness. That is the word I would use to encapsulate the experience. Not a single woman who entered or left the abortion-mill was happy to be there. They were all broken-hearted. Several of the couples paused while I showed them the sonogram of my daughter whose heart stopped beating at ten weeks gestation. I shared the loss I experienced in hopes that they would avoid similar pain. Some were receptive, some were hardened and some were downright hateful. Sue spent a good portion of her life receiving such hatred in return for her Christ-centered love. When I once thanked her for being such a servant-leader in our community, she down-played her role and shifted recognition elsewhere.
Today is a day of recognition for you Sue. You have taught us how to live, how to suffer and how to die. You have run the good race and fought the good fight. Now, let the good and faithful servant receive her crown of righteousness, and with it, the gratitude of the many unborn children who surely must have greeted you in heaven. We love you and we will miss you. Until we meet again…
~Angela Santero
Please visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/suelopez to read the beautiful last written words of Sue Lopez, as well as hope-filled sentiments from her children.
The New Marriage Movement
By Chris Morales
Congratulations to all who voted to protect marriage. Thank you to all who actively participated in getting others to vote too!
In this effort to pass Proposition 8, we encountered many difficulties but never lost hope in what is in the heart of men and women. There is a natural desire for union in a wedded relationship and for the procreation and education of children. Furthermore, there is a natural desire for every child to have a mother and father in the loving unit we have long known as the family.
Greetings! I hope this email finds each of you in a spirit of gratitude as we approach Thanksgiving Day. I would like to take a moment to share how grateful I am to have known a very holy woman who I believe is now a saint in heaven.
Sue Lopez was a loving wife and mother to her husband Roger and her four beautiful children Johnny, Laura, Marie and David. She was also a shining light to many of us in the San Diego community. Few of us knew fully of her battle with cancer because she carried her cross so valiantly. On November 23rd, the feast day of Christ the King, her suffering ceased and Sue returned to the Father.
If ever there was a need to pray and to act on the behalf of the defenseless, Sue was there and normally leading the pack. Among her leadership efforts, was a monthly prayer procession from Our Lady of the Rosary Church to the local Planned Parenthood on First Street in San Diego. She understood that public prayer was a most powerful way to build a culture of life and love. Far from the media’s twisted image of “an angry pro-lifer,” she exhibited great joy and compassion for the mothers she sought to help, as well as their children who, in some cases, lived on because of her intervention.
This past Saturday, I spent just a couple of hours praying in front of Planned Parenthood and speaking to a dozen or so women who stumbled in to have abortions. I would like to share a few of the details with you in an effort to honor the work Sue has begun.
Brokenness. That is the word I would use to encapsulate the experience. Not a single woman who entered or left the abortion-mill was happy to be there. They were all broken-hearted. Several of the couples paused while I showed them the sonogram of my daughter whose heart stopped beating at ten weeks gestation. I shared the loss I experienced in hopes that they would avoid similar pain. Some were receptive, some were hardened and some were downright hateful. Sue spent a good portion of her life receiving such hatred in return for her Christ-centered love. When I once thanked her for being such a servant-leader in our community, she down-played her role and shifted recognition elsewhere.
Today is a day of recognition for you Sue. You have taught us how to live, how to suffer and how to die. You have run the good race and fought the good fight. Now, let the good and faithful servant receive her crown of righteousness, and with it, the gratitude of the many unborn children who surely must have greeted you in heaven. We love you and we will miss you. Until we meet again…
~Angela Santero
Please visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/suelopez to read the beautiful last written words of Sue Lopez, as well as hope-filled sentiments from her children.
The New Marriage Movement
By Chris Morales
Congratulations to all who voted to protect marriage. Thank you to all who actively participated in getting others to vote too!
In this effort to pass Proposition 8, we encountered many difficulties but never lost hope in what is in the heart of men and women. There is a natural desire for union in a wedded relationship and for the procreation and education of children. Furthermore, there is a natural desire for every child to have a mother and father in the loving unit we have long known as the family.
Californians reasserted that marriage is between man and woman as they did with Proposition 22 eight years ago. They saw a redefinition of marriage by the California Supreme Court and returned the definition to “only marriage between man and woman is valid or recognized” in the State of California. This time the passage of the marriage law is enshrined in the California State Constitution. Despite frivolous lawsuits brought against Proposition 8, the Californians decision remains that marriage is only between man and woman for the good of children and for the good of society.
The power to amend the California State Constitution is reserved by the people of California. No state entity grants this power to the people because it is reserved by the people. Californians exercised their fundamental right to vote and said what kind of society they want to live in.
Californians also protected every citizen's first amendment rights to the freedom of speech and the free practice of religion. No one can accuse Christians and many others of hate speech for expressing what we believe: that there is something special about the union of one man and one woman. At the heart of this battle is an understanding of the dignity of each person and a universal call to chastity. Chastity is driven by the reality that our bodies speak a powerful language in the marital embrace. It is thus foundational to marriage and thus foundational to the family and society. Given that 47% of Californians voted no on Proposition 8, there is plenty of opportunity to clarify this reality.
The power to amend the California State Constitution is reserved by the people of California. No state entity grants this power to the people because it is reserved by the people. Californians exercised their fundamental right to vote and said what kind of society they want to live in.
Californians also protected every citizen's first amendment rights to the freedom of speech and the free practice of religion. No one can accuse Christians and many others of hate speech for expressing what we believe: that there is something special about the union of one man and one woman. At the heart of this battle is an understanding of the dignity of each person and a universal call to chastity. Chastity is driven by the reality that our bodies speak a powerful language in the marital embrace. It is thus foundational to marriage and thus foundational to the family and society. Given that 47% of Californians voted no on Proposition 8, there is plenty of opportunity to clarify this reality.
The Goretti Group was happy to send speakers where they were requested to help clarify the pro-marriage position. We spoke through our eNewsletter, on the radio and at local parishes and prayed right alongside many of you at rallies to protect marriage. But the long term solution to this problem is not an urgent race to gain political votes. Rather, it is an urgent need to educate and transform hearts to the joy and freedom gained in a lifestyle rooted in purity. Please keep The Goretti Group in your prayers as we continue the work of building up marriage and the culture of life and love.
To support or get involved in rejuvenating our efforts to heal and rejuvenate society send us an email at speakers@thegorettigroup.org.
Manning Up for Christ!
By Angela Santero
Over the past five years, the Goretti Group has served youth by delivering gender-focused retreats highlighting our identity as men and women in the kingdom of God. This year, over eighty five young men rallied at Green Oak’s Ranch in Vista, Ca to learn what it means to “Man Up for Christ”. Goretti Group mentors teamed with parish mentors at St. Mark’s in San Marcos to deliver a powerful retreat on November 7, 8 & 9th. Talks, music, activities, sacraments including Nocturnal Adoration worked together to offer a powerful experience of Christ for these young men. At one moment, speaker Felipe Barajas invited each of the young men to give their lives over to Christ. It was very moving to see a room full of men strengthening themselves to “Man-up” for Christ.
In the end, 97% of the guys said that they felt more comfortable about living God’s plan for sexuality and a few others had these things to say about the retreat.
“I liked the games and when we prayed in the little room.” (this was Nocturnal Adoration)
“I liked the bonding and the food.”
“I really got touched by this retreat.”
“I would definitely tell a friend about this retreat because it enlightened me and helped me get closer to God.”
“I liked that we accepted living the life of chastity.”
“I liked the music that was played, also everybody opened up to each other about becoming men.”
Thank you, St. Marks, for entrusting to us the souls of your young men. We inevitably receive more than we ever could give.
St. Mark Girls Retreat – A Holy Spirit Success
By Peggy Tacchino
To support or get involved in rejuvenating our efforts to heal and rejuvenate society send us an email at speakers@thegorettigroup.org.
Manning Up for Christ!
By Angela Santero
Over the past five years, the Goretti Group has served youth by delivering gender-focused retreats highlighting our identity as men and women in the kingdom of God. This year, over eighty five young men rallied at Green Oak’s Ranch in Vista, Ca to learn what it means to “Man Up for Christ”. Goretti Group mentors teamed with parish mentors at St. Mark’s in San Marcos to deliver a powerful retreat on November 7, 8 & 9th. Talks, music, activities, sacraments including Nocturnal Adoration worked together to offer a powerful experience of Christ for these young men. At one moment, speaker Felipe Barajas invited each of the young men to give their lives over to Christ. It was very moving to see a room full of men strengthening themselves to “Man-up” for Christ.
In the end, 97% of the guys said that they felt more comfortable about living God’s plan for sexuality and a few others had these things to say about the retreat.
“I liked the games and when we prayed in the little room.” (this was Nocturnal Adoration)
“I liked the bonding and the food.”
“I really got touched by this retreat.”
“I would definitely tell a friend about this retreat because it enlightened me and helped me get closer to God.”
“I liked that we accepted living the life of chastity.”
“I liked the music that was played, also everybody opened up to each other about becoming men.”
Thank you, St. Marks, for entrusting to us the souls of your young men. We inevitably receive more than we ever could give.
St. Mark Girls Retreat – A Holy Spirit Success
By Peggy Tacchino
On the weekend of November 14, eighty-five beautiful young women from St. Mark’s Parish in San Marcos, CA, left everything behind for three days to attend a chastity-centered Confirmation retreat at the Green Oak Ranch in Vista, CA. The young women were poised with hearts open wide to receive the message of their true identity -- daughters of the King of Kings. Five powerful talks were delivered on topics ranging from the backward portrayal of beauty and sex in the media, to personal witnesses of healing from sexual abuse. One man was even brave enough to enter this foreboding flock of females and share with them how they deserve to be treated like princesses by the guys in their lives, as well as the qualities of true beauty that each real man of God seeks in a woman. In addition, volunteer adult leaders and junior leaders led small group members into deeper friendships with one another, with our Lord, and with His mother, providing them with a solid foundation on which to build a life of purity.
Not only did the talks and small groups reveal the truth of their dignity and beauty, but each girl was beyond blessed by the opportunity to receive Christ’s forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and to commune with His very Body and Blood at two Masses over the weekend. We are so grateful to Fr. Gerry and Fr. Al for sacrificing their time to bring Christ to us. Through them, God certainly did His part to bring healing, peace, and hope that He really will “make all things new.” And, as each girl walked out of the final Mass on Sunday with a rose in her hand, the truth in her heart, and a crown on a head held up a little higher than it was on Friday, the Holy Spirit proved Himself to be working as mightily as ever.
Praise God for an awesome and transforming retreat, after the conclusion of which one girl noted: “It made me truly believe I am worth more than what I am told. God loves us, and will help us live a good life.” Amen, sister, Amen. We pray that each one of the girls from St. Mark’s will continue to live in the light of the truth that she is created perfect by her Heavenly Father who will do anything for His precious daughter.
Not only did the talks and small groups reveal the truth of their dignity and beauty, but each girl was beyond blessed by the opportunity to receive Christ’s forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and to commune with His very Body and Blood at two Masses over the weekend. We are so grateful to Fr. Gerry and Fr. Al for sacrificing their time to bring Christ to us. Through them, God certainly did His part to bring healing, peace, and hope that He really will “make all things new.” And, as each girl walked out of the final Mass on Sunday with a rose in her hand, the truth in her heart, and a crown on a head held up a little higher than it was on Friday, the Holy Spirit proved Himself to be working as mightily as ever.
Praise God for an awesome and transforming retreat, after the conclusion of which one girl noted: “It made me truly believe I am worth more than what I am told. God loves us, and will help us live a good life.” Amen, sister, Amen. We pray that each one of the girls from St. Mark’s will continue to live in the light of the truth that she is created perfect by her Heavenly Father who will do anything for His precious daughter.
Kathya Canale
Kathya Canale is from Mexico and comes from a large catholic practicing family, being the second of eight brothers and sisters. She has a Bachelor degree in Pedagogy and a Master degree in Educational Science from the University of Navarre (Spain), where she studied courses in Philosophical Anthropology, Ethics, and Theology. Also, she took courses at the Institute of Family Sciences of the same university.
During her stay in Spain, beside studying, she worked at a center of sexual education and natural family planning, where she gave courses and conducted talks about sexuality and affectivity.
For many years she lead a discussion group of young adults to talk about current pro-life issues from the point of view of bio-ethics and she has been involved in many pro-life activities. The experience of living in Spain for almost 7 years gave her the chance of meeting people from different cultures and knowing different ways of thinking which has been very helpful for her profession.
For many years she lead a discussion group of young adults to talk about current pro-life issues from the point of view of bio-ethics and she has been involved in many pro-life activities. The experience of living in Spain for almost 7 years gave her the chance of meeting people from different cultures and knowing different ways of thinking which has been very helpful for her profession.
She volunteers in a pro-life association and works as a family/adolescent counselor as well as a speaker giving conferences to children, teenagers, young adults and to married couples about several topics. Among the most frequent topics Kathya talks about are those related with the education of sexuality, psychology of the affectivity (emotions, feelings, passions, desires, etc.) and the nature of loving and dating.
Her particular style invites one to think and to reflect about the true sense of sexuality and love from a perspective founded/sustained/based on human nature; thus, her talks might be easily understood by every people independent of creeds or beliefs.
