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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Building Blocks

Happy feast of Sts Peter and Paul!

This is over the hump day, and I have been looking at sites as I plan to expand the blog. But today I want to give a brief status report. I had a great meeting with a friend of mine this week, who has been trying to think of ways to bring me into his practice and merge our common interests in offering Catholic Based women's health care. I can promise nothing, but patience

Second, I am following the advice of the administrators I have met where I work now and a proposal is slowly circulating. I will be forwarding this proposal soon to the highest levels of the company and then following up for support. The recent amazing support I have received from several people is moving this ball forward.

You know, Michael Voris is in Dublin this week. Over the last two days, he has laid out in his inimitable style the severe erosion of the faith that is occurring in the land where so many can trace their lineage. I, for one, can attest that while the materialism and new age thinking are well rooted here in America, that there is a growing campaign of believers that is sparking a revival! And God Bless you all!

St Gianna Pray for us!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Time to come out of the woodwork

Three posts in a day seems just surreal to me....but I could not stay silent. I just had one of the most amazing conversations I have ever had on the subject of God's will and fertility. She told me that there are people out there who are interested in knowing more about the natural alternatives to the evils present in the three pillars.

There is a movement beginning, that I can feel, that may very well bring the St Ann Center for Reproductive Health to life....and may God be praised!  If you are someone that sees this too......tell someone!  If you want more info.....that will be posted over the next few days!

AMDG

St Gianna, pray for us
Mary, seed of wisdom, pray for us

Islands of Plenty

In my reading this morning, I saw this article which puts far more eloquently than I can the global problem. These forces are at work here in the United States too. It is amazing the lengths that governments will do to "fix" a perceived problem that does not truly exist.

Islands of Plenty

Daily reflections

I am currently waiting for a response to my most recent proposal to begin a clinic that brings the Catholic perspective to women's health care and fertility treatment.

I have found that ibreviary helps me stay focused and have added a link here

More soon!


Wednesday, June 15, 2011

An Indication of the Scope of the Problem

Today, I began putting together some research in preparation of posting some information that might be readily available. When I entered the search term "Natural Family Planning" on the National Library website, I found a very interesting article from the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology from February 2011.

Entitled "Obstetrician-gynecologists' view on contraception and natural family planning: a national survey" Dr Lawrence et al mailed 1800 surveys to OB/GYNs all across the country. They asked if whether these physicians might have a moral or ethical objection to, and whether they would offer 6 common contraceptive methods

Oral Contraceptives
Progesterone implants and/or injections
Intrauterine devices
Diaphragms/Cervical caps
Condoms
Tubal ligation

What I found interesting, and somewhat sad about the result was the attitude of the 262 Catholic OB/GYN's who answered the survey

Overall 4.9% of all US OB/GYN's  who answered have a moral or ethical objection to a contraceptive method

2% (20) Catholic OB/GYNs objected to one or more method

8% (23) would not offer 1 or more contraceptive methods

To be fair, the survey found that those doctors who stated that they were more religious (went to church twice a month or more) or that religion was more important to them were more likely to object to contraception.

more telling was the attitude of the Catholic physicians when asked if natural family planning was a poor option for most women.   56% (145) of the Catholic respondents agreed that NFP was a poor option.

The authors actually single out the Catholic physician response in their. They quote Humanae Vitae, and then later comment " ...Among Catholic physicians, who belong to an organization (emp added) that teaches that all birth control except natural family planning is "intrinsically evil", a large percentage had no objections and would provide birth control if requested.

They cite other reports that include a statement that Catholic clients were over represented at early  birth control clinics and a catholic news agency article from 2010 that found that 63% of US catholics believe church teachings on condoms should change. Then the kicker statement:

"People who endorse a particular religious affiliation do not necessarily endorse all of that religion's teachings."    REALLY?!?

People have to realize that the heresies in the days of King Henry the VIII were created because Martin Luther did not endorse "all of his religions teachings." While I am no theologian, does it take a lifetime of learning to see that the many protestant denominations that have developed over time all come about from the same basic process?

There is an uphill battle convincing people of the dangers of Contraception. Despite recent reports that the FDA is looking at the risk of venous thrombo-embolism, there is no slowing the tide at present. The paper concludes with the statement."Although controversy about contraception has by no means disappeared, it does not appear to be a significant source of division among obstetrician gynecologist physicians in the United States.

An objection to contraception is euphemistically joked about in my institution, where just about, if not all of the OB/GYN offices openly prescribe contraceptives. I see physicians wearing crucifixes around their necks and have IUD pins on their lab coat lapels....

But good news....I recently had a frank discussion with someone who had been on OCP's for 12 years. Due to her "social status" she stopped taking the pills. What she could not believe was how much better she felt. She is sleeping better, has more energy, and overall, feels great! Wouldn't it be wonderful if more people would give themselves the opportunity to feel this way!

St Gianna Pray for us

Monday, June 13, 2011

Perhaps a call

Last week, at the recommendation of a friend, I was contacted by a reporter for the Catholic News agency. We had a wonderful discussion about my conversion and its impact on me and my life. I will be commenting on more of this during the week, but wanted to give a link to the story

EWTN News June 9, 2011

And it was picked up today on Lifesite news

Lifesite news June 13, 2011

St Gianna Pray for us