Mary Grace & Brendan -- happy to have Our Lord in their hearts!

Two of our first graders and one guest from out-of-town made their First Holy Communions this past May 22. Here are some pictures.

Sister Mary Peter and Cecilia help Maria Pilar

As the weather warms up, we are watching the snow and ice on our ponds, streams, and roads melt away. Last month, right before the rink closed, we took the entire school ice skating (at a “real rink”). You will notice that this is a very practical lesson in physics! Here are a few pictures.

May Procession 2010

We had a beautiful day yesterday with five First Holy Communions and our annual May Procession. The school children have central roles in the procession, during which four statues are crowned. Our Lady is truly the Queen of our Hearts! Keep “reading” for pictures from this event.

“Use your discretion and common sense when visiting each site and selecting clothing for your family. I only offer these websites as a service. I do not guarantee the sites, nor do I promise anything about them, endorse them, or recommend any one website [sic] or business over another.”  “  . . . and not all the clothing on each website will pass the Outfit Guidelines, either!” Colleen Hammond

Swimwear

HydroChic (about $70 per piece) – see especially “Breezy Yoke Swim Skirt”            women/teens

Alex and Me ($30-70) – has some options for “swimshirts”

Swim Modest ($50-75) — family business — much better than regular swimsuits, but still pretty tight/short (one piece) – also has a swim shirt for boys/men (www.greatlengthsshorts.com Has knee-length men’s swim trunks)

Simply Modest Swimwear ($15-100) – family business — patterns, material, ready made and custom-made swimwear for girls of all ages (two-piece: leggings/dress)

Wholesome Wear ($60-100) – (one-piece/two layer in three styles, little girls to ladies)

Below the Knee ($44) – one style (looks like a dress)

Lydia of Purple ($22-50, you provide the material and notions) – old-fashioned dress/bloomer combination (can be ordered with a nursing option) **This business is currently for sale & not taking orders**

Lilies of the Field ($47-63) – for girls & ladies (two-piece) – similar to Simply Modest, but looser fit (and shorter sleeves)

Works of the Heart ($57-81) – for girls & ladies (two-piece: swimdress plus leggings)

Modest Kini – A British Web site with lots of options for men & women of all ages (Moslem)

Other Resources for Modest Clothes

Hannah Lise – “Modest fashion without the frump” – really nice clothing for girls & ladies with a very high standard of modesty and quality (a direct merchant – family owned and operated)

4 Modesty – skirts, jumpers, and tops for ladies and teens

Phyllis Jean – clothes for women, young ladies, little girls, and maternity. Made in the US and ready to ship.

Cotton Tops – a British company providing modest blouses & tops

Shukr Islamic Clothing – men & women– a high quality clothing by a company with an excellent work ethic (read their “About Us”) The skirts are particularly lovely and the tunic tops could fix those hip-hugging skirts you don’t want to get rid of!

Yana Nurse Everywhere – an Israeli company with clothing for nursing mothers

Modest Clothing – scarves and ladies’ clothing

Modest Apparel USA – Ladies’ and girls’

Macabi – a fun “transformer” skirt

Dressed in White – white clothing for the whole family            (Mormon)

Custom/Hand Sewn (see also some of the companies under Swimwear)

Works of the Heart – for ladies of all ages; also sells fabric by the yard (and other items)

The King’s Daughters – for ladies of all ages (including slips)

Sew Original (Morman)

Seams Like Yesterday – maternity and baby clothes

Ringger Clothing – clothing for the family (This company works with independent contractors – and also sells patterns)

Modest Seamstress at Modest Prices

Made with TLC

Anna Bouche Christening etc. (Baptismal, First Holy Communion, and other little girl’s dresses)

Formal/Bridal

Modest by Design – Clothing your father would approve of  (Morman)

Beautifully Modest

Eternity

Simply Elegant

and others!

Foundations

ModesTee

Aliza’s Boutique (and clink on Layering Shells, etc.)

Kosher Casual (“Sleevies”, “Teenecks”, “Bolero Shrug”, plus clothes for the whole family — although the women’s/girls’ options tend to be tight/slinky, there is coverage; good for layering)

Funky Frum (Layering Shells, plus other clothing – just avoid the pencil skirts)

Cotton Tops

CoverMeModest (A simple neckline fix)

Patterns

Common Sense Patterns

Ringger Clothing

Baker Lane – Dressmaking & Design            (patterns)

Candle on the Hill – Modest Sewing Patterns            (for the whole family)

Free Period Clothing Patterns

Sense & Sensibility Patterns

Harper House – Vintage Costuming Pattern Catalog

In Timely Fashion (patterns, hairstyles, articles, etc. – a very fun site)

Veils/Head-coverings

Modesty Veils

Modest Clothing

Immaculate Heart Mantillas

She Maketh Herself Coverings

Halo-Works

Plain-n-Simple Headcoverings (Mennonite)

Christian Coverings (Protestant – also has a few clothing options)

Tznius (Jewish – beautiful scarves and also some clothing) For instruction on neat tying designs, click on “How do I tie my scarf?”

Some mainstream companies that include modest clothing in their selections:

Appleseed’s April Cornell Blair Christopher and Banks

Coldwater Creek French Toast Land’s End Orvis

Talbots Travelsmith Vermont Country Store Willow Ridge

[And then, because the questions of modesty-in-dress tends to become a negative series of "do nots", here are a few quotes from winners of the Modest By Design Clothing Company’s Prom Dress Contest. These are teen-age girls for whom modesty is something positive.]

Why I Make the Choice

by Leslie Gerber (Viewmont High, Centerville, Utah)

A wise man once appraised the value of modesty.  He declared, “When virtue and modesty enlighten her charms, the luster of a beautiful woman is brighter than the stars of heaven, and the influence of her power it is in vain to resist.”  The weight that modesty carries is absolutely incredible, but to live modestly is a lot more than just dressing appropriately; it is a living, breathing, principle that demands nurturing and constant attention.  That nurturing comes by the way you live your life; what you say and do, and how you treat others in the world around you.  Modesty shows a person’s love and respect for their God, themselves, and the people they are around.  Although the price of living modestly is difficult to pay, I wouldn’t choose to live any other way.

Dress Like Royalty

by Tomoko Goddard (Orlando, Florida)

You are my child, my princess

Wear the things of royalty

And seeing you wear anything less

In my sight I would hate to see

Cover yourself in holy things

That would be righteous in my sight

Dress like the daughter of a king

For this is my delight

The clothes that you wear defines

How people see and perceive you

To them it is like a sign

Of your should that they can view

Your body is my house

The temple that I live in

Not the color of a blouse

That matters, but the attitude within.

Confidence

by Krista Purser (Murray, Utah)

There is power in confidence.

Confidence is the charisma to draw people in.

Confidence is the assurance to look in the mirror and love.

Confidence is the courage to act on the faith in heart and mind.

Confidence is the ability to change through sheer conviction and determination.

Immodesty is no part of confidence. It is, instead, the mask of confidence, an outward appearance that hides insecurities.

Immodesty is a distraction from the honest beauty of soul and body.

Modesty is courageous. It is, quite simply, laying bare in a different sense. It does not conceal who you are, but instead allows your beauty to shine.

That is confidence: the knowledge of the divinity in the human soul and the belief that who you are will always be enough.

Modesty declares this knowledge to the world.

I owe myself nothing less than that.

For that is confidence.

Table of contents for Hands-on Civics Lesson

1. American Civics and Economy (Current)
2. Letter to President Obama – On Life
3. Letter to President Obama – On Climate Change
4. Letter to President Obama – On Education

Mary Catherine - Class of 2013

February 17, 2010

Dear Mr. President,

Thank you very much for reading this letter. I respect the fact that you take your time to read the letters of concerned persons and give them some thought. The education provided by public school is a subject that has been on my mind, and I think it needs some improvement. I would like to bring up some of the problems I see and suggest solutions. This is America, and she deserves to be among the best in everything, especially education.

Mr. President, I have heard that there is discussion about imagination classes being taught in public schools. As silly as this is, kids and teens don’t know how to use their imagination because of all of the electronics around them. Schools really can’t teach imagination, but they can certainly give kids an opportunity to use their imaginations by simply not allowing electronics in schools. Then there would be no need for unnecessary subjects such as imagination class! This would also solve other problems, like texting in class, not paying attention to the teachers, sexting (which is illegal, anyway), and other things that would involve a cellphone with a camera and Internet service.
The behavior of teenagers in school is usually very poor. More than a few get away with being disrespectful, arrogant, ditching classes, and swearing. I think that schools need to have a lot more discipline than just getting a little talk from the principal. Discipline is something we all need, especially this generation, in order to ensure the better future of our country.

Mr. President, I don’t know how you feel about sexual education being taught in public schools, but I think that it should be a special parent-child conversation. I strongly oppose Planned Parenthood teaching teens sex and encouraging the use of contraception through the public school system. The effects following abortion and contraception are not even mentioned (women are physically and emotionally damaged by these “procedures”). Not only that, but other useless subjects like evolution and homosexuality cause divisions between children and parents. It is very important for students to have a good and healthy relationships with their parents. I’m sure you, as a parent yourself, want a good relationship with your daughters.

Mr. President, I heard that you are thinking about shutting down private schools and making homeschooling illegal. I think that, by reducing the education competition of our nation, the level of education will decrease. If parents have real options about which schools their kids go to (and a voucher system is a big incentive), then schools will try to meet the parents’ requirements in order to maintain enrollment and this will eventually remedy all the problems I’ve mentioned. Parents know what’s best for their children’s educational future, not the government. My adoptive parents have tried hard to find the right school for me. When I first came to the United States from Russia four years ago, I tried out a public school, but it was the wrong fit for me. Then I was home-schooled for about two years until it was decided that I needed something more. Now, at the age of fifteen, I go to a very small private Catholic school that seems to be a good fit. While my parents are making a big sacrifice by sending me to school miles and states away from them, they know it’s for my own good. And they aren’t the only ones making a sacrifice; the people I am boarding with are also making one. I guess what I’m trying to say is: since your own daughters go to a private school, please don’t take away this opportunity from the rest of the American children.

There are many other issues I’d like to discuss with you, but I do understand that you are a busy man. Please consider handing parents’ jobs back over to them. I think that they should be the ones choosing and monitoring schools for their children, not the government. Thank you very much for your time.

Sincerely,

Mary C. [last name removed for privacy]

Variations of this letter were sent to NH Representative Barbara Richardson, NH Senator Molly Kelly, US Congressman Paul Hodes, US Senator Jeanne Shaheen, and US Senator Judd Gregg.

Representative Richardson sent the following handwritten response (postmarked 3/1/2010):

2/25/10

Dear Mary Catherine,

I appreciate your thoughtful letter. It does seem that cell phones and the various electronic means of communication and activities are taking up more and more time of adults and children. I too [sic] wish that people would spend more time in other ways. I also feel badly that school and teachers do not receive the respect they should from students (and sometimes even the students’ parents!).

Regarding sex education: most children and their parents have a good, trusting relationship and can have questions answered truthfully and thoughtfully. However, some parents are not as open and honest as they ideally should be, and those children need honest, thoughtful information about many issues including sex education.

I do not believe the president is considering shutting down private schools and making homeschooling illegal. I think more and more charter schools are opening for students who have difficulties in learning in the regular public schools. Homeschooling is certainly flourishing in many parts of the country. one of my daughters homeschooled her three children and another neighbor child for a number of years. And homeschooled youngsters have proven very successful in college admittance and careers. I doubt there would be any successful legislation to remove the opportunity for school choice.

You ask about current legislation in New Hampshire. [Kate asked her to support current legislation in the House on this topic, including: HB 1523 (with amendment), HB 1580, CACR 29, and HB1555.] HB 1523, having to do with pupil bullying, is certainly needed. The homeschooling bill (HB 1580) will not, I believe, make any changes in the current system. CACR 29 has already been declared “Inexpedient to Legislate” in committee, so if that position remains when presented to the full House of Representatives, it will not go on to the Senate. I was a co-sponsor of HB 1555, allowing an exemption from immunization for conscientious beliefs. Many, many people came to that public hearing. I certainly hope it passes both the House and the Senate and is signed by the Governor to become law.

I wish you success in your schooling and in your future. It is important to keep an open mind and to be willing to listen to various points of view. Respect for differences is important, in my view.

Sincerely,

[signed] Barbara Richardson

Received 4/12/2010

March 25, 2010

Dear Mary:

Thank you for contacting me with your concerns about public education. I appreciate hearing from you.

Like you, I believe it is important that our nation’s public schools teach students the knowledge and skills they need to become productive members of our society. I also recognize that parents play a profound role in educating their children and that it is important for their views to be taken into account when a public school’s curriculum is developed. Hence, I understand your concerns about the educational curriculum being taught in your child’s public school.

I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with me. As you may know, the federal government does not play a role in developing the educational curricula taught in New Hampshire. Instead, curricula development and implementation are the responsibility of the New Hampshire Department of Education and your local educational agency. Though the federal government does provide some funding to public schools through the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001) P.L. 107-110), curriculum development is the responsibility of state and local officials. I would encourage you to contact your local education officials to express your concerns about the curriculum at your public school.

That said, I appreciate knowing your thoughts on this important issue. Please be assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind should legislation regarding this matter come before the Senate for debate.

Again, thank you for contacting my office; I appreciate the opportunity to respond to your concerns. If there are other issues of importance to you, please do not hesitate to get back in touch with me.

Sincerely,

[signed] Judd Gregg

U.S. Senator

Received May 10, 2010

Dear Ms. [name removed],

Thank you for contacting me about public education. I truly appreciate hearing from you, and I am working hard to stand up for New Hampshire’s interests in Congress.

As a parent, I understand the importance of a quality education. I am committed to providing every child with the best education possible so that they can prepare to become productive members of our society.

I commend you for taking an active role in the civic process at such a young age. Contact between citizens and their elected officials is an important part of our democracy. I also appreciate your concern about each student having access to the education system [sic] that is right for him or her. There is no legislation to abolish homeschooling or private schools.

The federal government should help our public education system by increasing funding to provide our teachers with the resources they nee. It is vital that our teachers and children have the support and resources to strengthen our schools, fully fund special education, and modernize our classrooms. Please know that I will continue to support education.

I encourage you to continue to contact me about the issues that are important to you. Please feel free to visit my website [sic] at www.hodes.house.gov where you can share your ideas with me, learn about the services I can provide to you, and sign up for my periodic e-mail updates on what I am doing to help New Hampshire.

Sincerely,

[signed] Paul W. Hodes

Member of Congress

Received June 14, 2010

The White House

Washington, DC 20500

June 9, 2010

Dear Friend,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on education. I appreciate hearing from you. I am committed to providing the best possible education for our Nation’s students because our children deserve it and because, today more than ever, America’s prosperity rests on how well we educate them.

Across the country, we have many great schools and dedicated teachers. We should be proud of these successes, and eager to discover and support what makes them great. We must also realize that not all children get the education they deserve, and many schools need urgent reform to better help our students reach their full potential.

Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), my Administration had made a [sic] historic investment toward improving public education and providing greater access to a complete and competitive education for every child. This investment will make high-quality, early learning programs available to more young children. ARRA will also help strengthen the teaching profession by recognizing talented teachers who improve learning and by encouraging them to stay in the schools that need them most. We are committed to exploring innovative approaches that advance teaching and learning through high standards and expectations for all students, and developing meaningful assessments. These steps can ensure our graduates are prepared for success both in their higher education and careers.

A child’s education does not begin and end with a school bell, and responsibility must extend beyond a school’s walls. Our future success depends on a greater level of engagement between parents, communities, and schools on behalf of children. We all share the duty to educate our students, and if we hold them to the highest standard, they will meet them. Please join me online at: www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/education.

Thank you again for writing to me about this important issue.

Sincerely,

[signed or stamped] Barack Obama

Table of contents for Hands-on Civics Lesson

1. American Civics and Economy (Current)
2. Letter to President Obama – On Life
3. Letter to President Obama – On Climate Change
4. Letter to President Obama – On Education

Cecilia Bryan - Class of 2012

February 10, 2010

Dear Mr. President,

I am an American girl and a citizen, who, like you, believes our country is wonderful. I also feel that it needs some changes. I really respect the fact that you are a president who believes in being a man of the people, and you want to make America better for future generations. Mr. President, this is a serious something I’ve had on my mind almost everyday, which involves the future of our country, and me personally as a teenager. I would sincerely appreciate it if you would be willing to give it some thought.

Are you glad to be alive? I am glad my parents made the decision, seemingly uncommon today, that I was worth something, or good enough to keep. “If we are alive, we can change things.”1 Abortion is a decisive refusal to let all those babies have a chance to life, to change things.

A baby’s life starts at conception, when the sperm cell fertilizes the egg, and, when this occurs, this tiny human’s hair, eye, and skin color, their gender, facial features, intelligence and personality are all present within their genetic code. Implantation usually happens five to seven days after conception. By the seventh week, all pain sensors are in place, the baby can feel pain, and will try to avoid it. By two months, all the organs are present and functioning. All nine months are devoted to the growth and development of this little miracle’s body. I believe that the unborn deserve the same rights that belong to the humans visible to the naked eye.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
➢Equality: You and every other American want equal rights, so please change America’s present policy, and give them to the helpless, unborn babies, who can’t even fight for them.
➢Unalienable: This means, as I’m sure you know, that their rights can’t be taken away. Contained within this is the fact that abortion takes away a baby’s rights, especially those pertaining to their right to life.
➢Life: Abortions (I’m sure you know the many types and procedures) end life.
➢Liberty: Liberty is the freedom to do the right thing. We, as a country, are killing millions of babies a year, and all the while American couples are adopting foreign babies. I think this is an irony that needs consideration. Maybe, if a mother cannot keep her own child, a qualified American family could adopt the baby. Then the baby would have the liberty to live and the mother could be free from the guilt and trauma accompanying an abortion.
➢Pursuit of Happiness: Abortion not only doesn’t give the babies a chance to pursue happiness, but the women suffer mentally and physically from it.

Sir, as a Christian, I’m sure you believe in the truth of the Bible. There is a commandment that God gave to man: “Thou shalt not kill.” The American Heritage Dictionary defines “kill”as: “1.a. to put to death; slay. b. to deprive of life.” Murder is defined as, “1. The unlawful killing of one human being by another, especially with malice aforethought.” I think, after thoughtful consideration, one will come to the realization that abortion kills babies.

I have eleven beautiful nieces and nephews, and one on the way. I can’t imagine, now that I’ve seen and held and played with most of them, that their parents could even think about killing them. Mr. President, you have two gorgeous daughters. You have lived with them for more than seven years. If you could go back in time, do you honestly think you would (or could) slaughter them by abortion?

Mr. President, I’m a fourteen year old girl, and I ask you on behalf of all the people of my generation, to please end abortion in this country. You swore, Sir, to uphold the Constitution, and defend it against foreign and domestic enemies. Abortion is an enemy of our country. It has changed for the worst our country’s outlook on the respect shown to human life. It is annihilating the babies which would make our beautiful country flourish and continue to be “The Land of the Free and The Home of the Brave”. Mr. President, please do the duty you swore before God to perform, change the course we as a country are set on, and end abortion now.

Respectfully yours,
Cecilia Bryan

1) (my italics added) from movie “I Am David”

Variations of this letter were sent to NH Representative Barbara Richardson, NH Senator Molly Kelly, US Congressman Paul Hodes, US Senator Jeanne Shaheen, and US Senator Judd Gregg.

Received 3/3/10 – handwritten (with a pamphlet entitled “Steps Toward Inner Peace” by Peace Pilgrim):

2/24/10

Dear Cecilia Bryan,

Thank you for your letter. I am a pacifist, believing that disputes between nations should and can be settled peacefully; opposing war or violence as a means of resolving disputes and refusing to participate in military action. Many years ago I met Peace Pilgrim, a woman who walked across the country many times — more than 25,000 miles — spreading her message: “This is the way of peace: overcome evil with good, falsehood with truth, and hatred with love.” She wore a tunic with pockets that contained her only possessions. I’m enclosing a pamphlet put out by her friends that describes her travels and beliefs. She was an amazing person who accomplished much good. As the result of meeting her I extended my pacifism to include animals and became a vegetarian, eating no meat or fish. I’ve been a vegetarian for almost 50 years. However, I do not expect nor do I pressure anyone else to become a vegetarian. Regarding abortion — I personally would not choose to have one but I believe that choice is up to each woman and her physician, depending upon individual decisions and circumstances. Adoption is a wonderful way for children to be cared for in the event their own parents cannot properly care for them. I am a social worker who has worked with children who were abused and neglected and were placed in foster care until their parents could improve conditions so they could be reunited as a family, or if that was not possible the children could be adopted. It is fine to help a woman through her pregnancy but then it is important to follow through and be sure she has sufficient help to care for her child in an appropriate and caring way.  Some parents, unfortunately, are unable to raise and care for their children. If society provided the proper resources for families — jobs at living wages, appropriate services to deal with mental illness, substance abuse and other difficulties, children would have a better chance at growing up as happy, productive persons.

I believe each of us has our personal beliefs and way of life, but I do not believe we must expect everyone to believe and act as we do.

I wish you well in your life and trust you are open to listening to people who do not necessarily believe as you do.

Sincerely,

[signed] Barbara Richardson

Received 3/4/10

Judd Gregg, New Hampshire
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510-2904

March 2, 2010

Dear Miss Bryan:

Thank you for contacting me to express your thoughts and concerns regarding abortion. I appreciate hearing from you.

Like you, I do not support abortion. Abortion is the taking of a life, and, as such, I would oppose any legislative attempts to ensure abortion on demand. As Governor, I vetoed legislation that would have dramatically liberalized New Hampshire law governing abortion. As United States Senator, I will continue to oppose attempts to make abortion widely available.

Again, thank you for contacting my office; I appreciate the opportunity to respond to your concerns. If there are other issues of importance to you, please do not hesitate to get back in touch with me.

Sincerely,

[signed] Judd Gregg

JG/dh

Received 3/10/10

Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510-2906

February 25, 2010

Dear Cecilia,

Thank you for taking the time to contact my office regarding public funding of reproductive health care. I appreciate hearing from you about this important issue.

In 1976, Congress passed a law called the Hyde Amendment, which, in general, prohibits Medicaid from covering abortion services as part of the comprehensive health care provided to low-income people by the federal government. In addition to low-income women receiving Medicaid, the Hyde Amendment denies access to federally funded abortions for multiple other groups, including federal employees and their dependents, Native Americans, low-income residents of Washington, DC, military personnel and their dependents, and disabled women receiving Medicare.

I support a repeal of the Hyde Amendment as a crucial step toward ensuring equal access to health care for all women. Bans on abortion funding for low-income women are discriminatory and have dangerous public health implications. While the Hyde Amendment makes exception for lifesaving abortions, women with non-fatal cancers, diabetes, heart conditions or other serious medical risks are denied coverage despite having had the legal right to abortion for over thirty years. In addition, many Medicaid-eligible women are forced to postpone their abortions until late in their pregnancies or seek self-induced or illegal abortions, further jeopardizing their health.

The decision to end a pregnancy is a complicated and deeply personal choice for many women. While I strongly support efforts to reduce the number of abortions, I also believe that each woman must be trusted to make the right decision for herself and her family. Please know that as we debate health care reform, I am committed to preserving access to reproductive health care services for all women.

Thank you again for sharing your thoughts with me, and please do not hesitate to contact my office with any future concerns.

Sincerely,

[signed] Jeanne Shaheen

Received 3/11/10

The White House

Washington, DC 20500

March 8, 2010

Dear Friend,

Thank you for taking the time to share your views on abortion. This is a heart-wrenching issue, and I appreciate your input and thoughts.

I am committed to making my Administration the most open and transparent in history, and part of delivering on that promise is hearing from people like you. I take seriously your opinions and respect your point of view on this issue. Please know that your concerns will be on my mind in the days ahead.

Thank you again for writing. I encourage you to visit WhiteHouse.gov to learn more about my Administration or to contact me in the future.

Sincerely,

[signed or stamped] Barack Obama

Received April 26, 2010

April 22, 2010

Dear Ms. Bryan,

Thank you for contacting me to express your thoughts about a woman’s right to choose. I truly appreciate hearing from you, and I am working hard to stand up for New Hampshire’s interests in Congress.

I know that the issue of abortion is one that engenders very strong emotion from both its supporters and opponents. Whether or not to have an abortion is an extremely intimate decision that speaks to a woman’s conscience. I do not assume that passing judgment on a woman who has made this difficult choice is my responsibility as a person or as a legislator. Choosing to have an abortion is a difficult enough decision for any woman. Government should respect a woman’s right to choose. That said, I believe abortion should be safe, legal and rare. One way to cut down on the number of abortions is to place a very strong emphasis on comprehensive education and pregnancy prevention. As a society, we can demonstrate family values by truly valuing and supporting families.

A woman’s choice to have an abortion is a freedom, which is protected by the Constitution of the United Stated. I believe in a woman’s right to make this very personal choice in consultation with her physician, based on her individual circumstances and beliefs, and oppose any efforts to weaken that right.

I encourage you to continue to contact me about issues that are important to you. Please feel free to visit my website [sic] at www.hodes.house.gov where you can share your ideas with me, learn about the services I can provide to you, and sign up for my periodic email updates on what I am doing to help New Hampshire.

Sincerely,

[signed] Paul W. Hodes

Member of Congress

Table of contents for Mother Love

1. The Christian Training of Children – Early Cares
2. The Christian Training of Children – New and more Difficult Cares
3. The Christian Training of Children – Admonition to Mother
4. The Christian Training of Children – Combating Concupiscence of the Flesh
5. The Christian Training of Children – Combating Concupiscence of the Eyes
6. The Christian Training of Children – Combating Pride
7. The Christian Training of Children – Rewards and Punishments
8. The Christian Training of Children – The Father’s Role
9. The Christian Training of Children – Prayers
10. The Christian Training of Children – Maxims and Sayings
11. The Christian Training of Children – Co-operation with Pastor and Teacher
12. The Christian Training of Children – Catechetical Instruction
13. The Christian Training of Children – Preparing a Child for Confession
14. The Christian Training of Children – Preparation for Holy Communion
15. The Christian Training of Children – Care of Young Adults
16. Mother Love

The Six Truths which all must know and believe to gain eternal salvation:

1)    There is but one God, who created, preserves and governs all things.

2)    God is a just Judge. He rewards the good and punishes the wicked.

3)    In God there are three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.

4)    The Son of God became man, and died on the Cross to save us.

5)    The soul of man is immortal.

6)     Grace is necessary to salvation.

The five Joyful Mysteries are to be said form the first Sunday in Advent, until the Feast of the Purification; the five Sorrowful Mysteries, from Ash-Wednesday until Easter Sunday; the five Glorious Mysteries, from Easter Sunday to Trinity Sunday. During the remaining part of the year, the Joyful Mysteries are said on Mondays and Thursdays, the Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesdays and Fridays, and Glorious Mysteries on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

The Seven Sacraments were instituted by Jesus Christ, for the salvation of sinners, and the perseverance of the just. They are: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.

The Baptismal Vows are fourfold:

I. I believe all that the Holy Catholic Church believes and teaches.

II. I renounce Satan.

III. I renounce all his works.

IV. I renounce all his pomps.

The three principal parts of the Mass are:

I.       The Offertory

II.     The Elevation

III.   The Communion of the Priest

I.   Devout prayer to the Holy Ghost.

II.  A careful examination of conscience.

III. A sincere contrition and a firm resolution.

IV. A sincere confession of, at least, all mortal sins with their number and any

circumstances that materially change their nature.

V. Satisfaction, or the performance of the penance imposed by the Confessor.

O Blessed Jesus, come to me!

O make me burn with love for Thee,

That I may live and die in Thee!

Act of Faith:

My God, I believe in Thee and in all that Thy Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed it, and Thy word is true.

Act of Hope:

My God, I hope in Thee for grace and for glory, because of Thy promises, Thy mercy, and Thy power.

Act of Love:

My God, because Thou art so good, I love Thee with all my heart, and for Thy sake I love my neighbor as myself.

Act of Contrition:

My God, because Thou art so good,

With sorrow I deplore

That I have ever offended Thee.

I’ll never offend Thee more.

The Corporal Works of Mercy

I.       To feed the hungry.

II.     To give drink to the thirsty.

III.   To clothe the naked.

IV.  To ransom the captive.

V.    To harbor the harborless.

VI.  To visit the sick.

VII. To bury the dead.

The Spiritual Works of Mercy

I.       To admonish the sinner.

II.     To instruct the ignorant.

III.   To counsel the doubtful.

IV.  To comfort the sorrowful.

V.    To bear wrongs patiently.

VI.  To forgive all injuries

VII.        To pray for the living and the dead.

The Eight Beatitudes (Matt. V):

I.   Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

II.  Blessed are the meek; for they shall possess the land.

III.  Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.

IV.  Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice; for they shall be filled.

V.  Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.

VI. Blessed are the clean of heart; for they shall see God.

VII. Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.

VIII. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Benignity, Goodness, Long-Suffering, Meekness, Fidelity, Modesty, Continency, Chastity.

I.    To serve God, by keeping His commandments.

II.   To imitate Jesus Christ, by practicing the Christian virtues.

III.  To honor the angels and saints and invoke them.

IV.  To save his soul.

V.    To avoid hell.

VI.  To gain heaven.

VII. To despise the vanity of the world.

VIII. To atone for his sins.

IX.  To overcome evil inclinations.

X.  To perform good works.

XI. To edify his neighbor.

XII. To die, and to stand before the judgment-seat of Christ.

Table of contents for Mother Love

1. The Christian Training of Children – Early Cares
2. The Christian Training of Children – New and more Difficult Cares
3. The Christian Training of Children – Admonition to Mother
4. The Christian Training of Children – Combating Concupiscence of the Flesh
5. The Christian Training of Children – Combating Concupiscence of the Eyes
6. The Christian Training of Children – Combating Pride
7. The Christian Training of Children – Rewards and Punishments
8. The Christian Training of Children – The Father’s Role
9. The Christian Training of Children – Prayers
10. The Christian Training of Children – Maxims and Sayings
11. The Christian Training of Children – Co-operation with Pastor and Teacher
12. The Christian Training of Children – Catechetical Instruction
13. The Christian Training of Children – Preparing a Child for Confession
14. The Christian Training of Children – Preparation for Holy Communion
15. The Christian Training of Children – Care of Young Adults
16. Mother Love

Little Book of Instructions for Christian Mothers [continued]
(from Mother Love – A Manual for Christian Mothers – by Rev. Pius Franciscus, O.M.Cap., 1926)

On the Christian Training of Children

Chapter X. – Maxims and Sayings Which a Mother Might Teach Her Child.

Pithy, pregnant maxims and sayings are wise thoughts expressed tersely and strikingly. Watchwords we might call them. The Saints were partial to such little sayings. St. Francis is renowned for his “My God and my All,” St. Ignatius for his “All for the greater honor and glory of God,” and there is hardly a saint who did not have a special predilection for some particular expressive saying. It would be wise if all of us would profit by their example and also choose one or the other for our guidance. Every mother should have a storehouse of them, and should on suitable occasions quote them. The evident truth and wisdom of them cannot fail to impress the tender hearts of your little ones. These proverbs will in later life frequently occur to them, and may prove for them a source of strength in temptation as well as in the fulfillment of duty. The most valuable ones are those taken from Sacred Scripture, in particular, from the New Testament and directly from the teachings of Jesus Christ Himself. Next to these are the sayings of the Saints and, finally, proverbial sayings which are in daily vogue among the common people. Mother should be well acquainted with a number of them, and should, when occasion offers, not only quote them but also explain them.

In the following pages some few of each kind are recorded with the intention of making our mothers acquainted with a choice selection for daily use. There are no doubt better ones than those recorded and any mothers knowing such may confidently make frequent use of them; but we would earnestly warn against the use of worldly ones which though fairly expressive, are couched in vulgar or rude terms. Mothers must faithfully avoid silly, sinful and unchristian expressions which children are apt to remember much more quickly.

My Child, gain heaven and you have gained all, lose heaven and you have lost all.

If you do only what you please, can you be considered a servant of God?

We are in the world not to win money, but to win heaven.

Remember, Child, where’er thou art,
God sees into thy very heart.

Where’er you be and whate’er you do,
Remember ever: God sees you.

Do unto others as you would
That others should do unto you.

God will bless with happy days,
With store of precious good,
The child that honors and obeys
Its parents as it should.

My Child, I would rather see you dead at my feet than in mortal sin. (Words of St. Blanche, the mother of St. Louis.)

First the necessary, then the useful, and finally the pleasant.

Lying is a fatal evil,
Liars server their lord, the devil;
And no one every will believe
The child that once did dare deceive.

On Sunday rest and love to pray,
For Sunday is the Lord’s own day.

Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Lost innocence and wasted time are never found again.

Little strokes fell great oaks.

Constant dropping wears away the stone.

Never leave till tomorrow what you can do today.

Judge not and you shall not be judged.

Diligence is the mother of good luck.

You will never lose by doing a good turn.

No Cross, no crown.

Many words are not without sin.

Seek first the kingdom of God and His justice, and all things else will be added unto you.

Fools make feasts and wise men eat them.

A small leak will sink a great ship.

It is head for an empty bag to stand upright.

God is merciful to them who love Him.

A fat kitchen makes a lean will.

Believe no wrong if you have not see it; narrate no scandal whether you believe it or not.

Famine means unmentionable pain and sorrow, but no famine of food or drink can compare with the loss of God’s grace.

There is just one fearful thing about death — the moment after.

My life is but the weaving
Between my God and me;
I may not choose the colors—
He worketh steadily.

Full of the weaveth sorrow,
And I, in foolish pride,
Forget — He sees the upper,
And I, the under side.

If now the Cross of Chirst I bear,
I may be sure His Crown to share.

More things are wrought by prayers than this world dreams of.

‘Tis easy to sigh, but ‘tis better to pray.

So nigh is grandeur to our dust,
So near is God to man,
When duty whispers low, “Thou must,”
The creature says, “I can.”

The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do.

Kind words are the music of the world.

There is so much bad in the best of us,
There is so much good in the worst of us,
That is hardly behooves any of us,
To rail at the faults of the rest of us.