If we strive to set one standard, old fashioned as it may sound, “The Golden Rule” will build a culture of respect within our family. Treat others as you want to be treated in speech, in action and in attitude. Often we model this outside the home, but the ones we love and live with deserve our respect as well. From young children to teens to parents, we can all practice this.

First, let’s take a look at the definition for the word Dignity.

dignity/ˈdignitē

1 the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect

origin Middle English: from Old French dignete, from Latin dignitas, from dignus 'worthy'.

And now, let’s look at the meaning of the word Manners.

One of the most pernicious lies of the modern world is that life is supposed to be easy and comfortable. There is even a sense in which moderns believe they are entitled to this comfort and ease—that it is some sort of fundamental human right.

One year, Hal Urban put up a sign in his high school classroom: "No one ever went wrong by being polite." He had always enjoyed a good rapport with his students, who were college-bound and typically from affluent families. But he was troubled by what he saw as a decline of basic courtesy.

Prayer changes us and changes circumstances. Just read about the miraculous Battle of Lepanto when the war against the Moslems was won against all odds with the recitation of the Rosary. We too, can change our country and our world by praying the Rosary. As Saint Padre Pio said, “The Rosary is the ‘weapon’ for these times.”

WOULD YOU LIKE TO START A ROSARY GROUP? EMAIL US

There are no easy answers to the choices we face in this upcoming election which will affect our nation for a long time to come. We offer resources and wisdom from some of our shepherds of the Church. And above all, we invite you to pray, be informed and share these resources with family and friends.  

Philadelphia, Pa., Aug 15, 2016 CNA.- In his latest column for the Philly Catholic Archdiocesan paper, Archbishop Chaput shared some of his personal thoughts on the upcoming presidential election, and implored Catholics to take the time to pray and form their consciences before voting.

These are the words that echo through my mind as I reflect upon my week with the Missionaries of Charity. At the beginning of July, I travelled with twelve of my students to spend a week helping the sisters put on a day camp for neighborhood kids. The camp was an afternoon event every weekday, consisting of food, catechesis, play time and more food.

1. There Is Only "One Thing Necessary."   The first happened when I was about six or seven, I think. It was the first important conscious discovery I ever made, and I don't think I have ever had a more mature or wiser thought than that one. I remember to this day exactly where I was when it hit me: riding north on Haledon Avenue between Sixth and Seventh Streets in Paterson, New Jersey after Sunday morning church with my parents.

I’ve often reflected on why the Lord Jesus, when He ascended to the Father, left behind His holy Mother at the start of the Church? Her presence, prayer, encouragement, wisdom, and exhortation; her feminine love must have strengthened the Apostles. Her maternal holiness and prayer helped to form the first clerg

Pornography isn’t “someone else’s problem;” it’s our problem. It’s my problem and your problem and the guy across the street’s problem. It’s your barista’s problem and the 2nd grade teacher’s problem, and it might just be your spouse’s problem, too.

Pornography is now more popular than baseball. In fact, it has become America’s pastime, and we are awash in it. Porn is on our computers, our smartphones, and our cable or satellite TV. It’s common in our hotels and even in many retail stores and gas stations. For many men — and, increasingly, women — it is part of their daily lives.

Let’s talk about porn. I know it it’s an uncomfortable subject, but ignoring it will do no good. The fact is, pornography addiction is a massive and growing problem—especially for men. If you don’t believe me, here are some shocking statistics:

• 12% of websites online are pornographic
• Every second, over 28,000 people are looking at porn
• 40 million Americans are regular porn viewers
• 70% of men aged 18-24 regularly look at porn

God made men. Men are good. Men are very good.

Men, it’s good that you want to lead and protect. It’s good that you have a streak of assertiveness that some would label aggression. It’s good that you are bold and daring. It’s good that you want adventure and take risks, and that you’re even sometimes a bit reckless. And that boisterous energy and stubbornness that got you into trouble as a kid? It’s a good thing that can be harnessed for greatness.

Harbor of Hope is a spiritual support group for family and friends that have a loved one who is experiencing same sex attraction. As family and friends, we meet with charity and compassion to seek understanding and support. We follow the teachings of the Church and choose to love and share the Truth with compassion as Jesus taught.

I now believe there were many reasons I have struggled with this confusion. I was hurt by a girlfriend early in high school. This betrayal led to me not having trust in girls and turning towards guys for affirmation and intimacy. I was subjected to gay porn at the age of 8 years old and I believe this really messed with my brain and formed attachments. I often “feel” like I’m gay but “believe” I am straight.

My relationship with Christ helped create my “mother heart.” And Jesus did just that. He prepared my heart for something I never thought that I would have to face as a mother. Several years ago, my son shared with my husband and I that he has same-sex attraction, or as our world terms it, homosexual. At first, I thought it was all about me. I cried and thought to myself, “what did I do wrong” ... “What will out family and friends think?” But, it did not take me long to figure out that it definitely WAS NOT about me. My son has the biggest cross to carry. 

“Know that the Lord is God! It is He that made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture” (Ps 100:3). In many ways, this short verse sums up my – and every – vocation story. Whenever I consider how it is that I wound up entering the Franciscan Sisters, T.O.R. of Penance of the Sorrowful Mother, the answer is always the same: God made me for Himself, and has spent my whole life drawing me back to Him.

O Holy One O Perfect Source and Cause of all life Open me to your will. You are great, and highly to be praised O Most High LORD, Father of all that is. You created my mouth to praise You, my heart to love You, my soul to sing in Your love. Do not look upon my many sins and faults, O LORD, but only see what good I bring today. The Yes and No of my first parents brings me here: Their Yes brought me to existence. Their No brought me to that inherited sinfulness, that also brings me here in supplication and repentance. 

My vocation story is a story of my walk with the Lord.  I grew up in a Catholic family, but it wasn’t until high school that I started really taking my faith seriously.  In high school, I began to make prayer a regular part of my day, and my relationship with the Lord began to deepen.  Prayer is nothing but communication with the Lord.  The more I kept in touch with God throughout the day, the better I came to know Him.  I also came to know myself more – who I am in God’s eyes.

The gift of presence is not easy to come by, you cannot pay for it, and few people have it naturally. When I say the gift of presence I do not mean personality - many people are 'personalities', rather, the 'gift of presence' is that amazing ability some people have, and foster, to really be present to another. We all know someone I hope who is really aware of others, who listens to others when they talk and remembers what they say, who looks others in the eye, who encourages with words and in their gestures, who wishes the best for them. 

"It is so important for us to remember our elders – they are the ones who brought us into this world and nurtured us for so many years. They are our parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. They are our teachers, our farmers, our servicemen, and beloved religious. They taught us right from wrong, led us in the right direction when we were lost, they picked us up when we were down. They fed us, clothed us, put a roof over our heads, and kept us in good company when we needed it.