How to Save a Life

It makes me sick to my stomach to think that abortion is LEGAL in Canada throughout ALL  nine months of pregnancy.




Did you know that?

Did you know that Canada has had no abortion law since 1988?

So, right up until the day of delivery, a woman can 'choose' to abort her baby. I don't know what you call that -- but I call it crazy. 

                           I call it totally insane.

We have laws to enforce seatbelts, alcohol consumption, heights of fences, emissions from cars, laws to control noise levels, garbage disposal and use of cellular phones. We have laws to protect drug addicts.

But absolutely no laws to protect babies about to be born.

 Isn't that just completely insane?

I am not an academic, a politician, nor a  theologian, but I sure do know something is wrong with a country that doesn't protect babies. Heck, even trees, pets, parks, businesses and the good old fashioned hot dog vendors have hundreds of bylaws to protect them, but not not babies, not in Canada.

Did you know that there are even laws that protect penguins?

Just doesn't make sense if you ask me.

When I discovered that there were 100,000 abortions in Canada each year,  one out of five pregnancies, I came to the conclusion that I should appreciate my mother in a radical way. On a very basic level,  her "yes" gave me my life.

No matter what she does from this point on -- I forgive her. I now really do look at her in an entirely new way. I guess it comes with age, really appreciating your mom for actually giving birth to you.

Can you imagine if your mother decided to abort YOU?

This year on my birthday I gave my mom a bouquet of flowers and said,

"Mom, thanks for the gift of life."

In Canada there are several players working to protect the sacredness of life,

The Sisters of Life, a contemplative active group of Sisters who have taken a vow to protect the sacredness of life,

Campaign Life, a politcal lobbying group,

Lifesite News an online news wire service that keeps folks informed,

Priests for Life Canada inform Catholic clergy about the issues,

 Physicians for Life Canada and

Toronto Right to Life, who is the prolife education arm in our Toronto (GTA) classrooms.


So there are folks working behind the scenes, on the forefront trying to confront this national albatross and to save lives.

But what about the average Canadian?

What are we doing? What are YOU doing? Anything?

If you are, my hats off to you! But, if you are not doing anything,

 I want your attention. I want it now.

For many years, my heart ached to help the cause, but I honestly didn't know what to do.

I wanted to help, but how?

I want to suggest a few ways YOU might help.

Choose one thing and do it!

1.  Pray for the unborn. Pray for the unborn daily.
2.  Participate in Life Chain
3.  Talk openly to your children, co-workers, friends and family about the issue openly.

                          You might save a life.

4.  Write letters to politicians, newspapers, to anyone who will listen.
5.  Start a prolife club
6.  Get this FREE curriculum guide for your child's school
7.  Donate money and get a tax deductable receipt.
8.  Consider giving a Gift Membership to Toronto Right to Life .

9. Spiritually adopt a child for nine months daily pray for the child.
10. Volunteer for the Sisters of Life -- become a Co-worker of Life

Blessed Pope John Paul ll invested in youth, and that's exactly what Toronto Right to Life does. They have a a focus on education. Not just online, but face to face presentations in classrooms. They recently hosted a conference for students.

Since September 2011 TRL has educated 5,896 students and 793 adults.

Now that makes sense.

I am going to ask you to consider something right now.

 I am going to suggest that you become a member of

Toronto Right to Life. 

It's really simple, you can do it online or visa vis Canada Post.

For twenty bucks you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are doing something! There is no greater deal than that. How about joining right now?

You will know in your heart of hearts, that you are doing something -- because afterall, talk is cheap. Please don't procrastinate, get online right now and become a member.

I promise you will be happy you did. 

As a business person, I was thrilled to learn that both donations and memberships have more than one priviledge.......

I got an income tax deductible receipt! Sweet!

You want to be blown away? Watch this...

"The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works great things. But when it ceases to act, it ceases to exist."   – Pope St. Gregory the Great

How to Behave at Mass

        I don't know if I am getting old, but have you noticed that people don't seem to know how to behave at mass anymore?

 I will never forget the day I was at Sunday mass, when a well meaning dad, pulled out a very large plastic bag from the Dollar Store. In it, he had a big new toy for his little son Johnny. Something to keep him entertained at mass. I can still remember how awkward it was seeing that big that green logo come out from behind the kneeler, interrupting my attempts to pray.

Some parishioners were of course stunned watching the big garish neon plastic toy for little Johnny. Since the toy was brand new, of course it had to be opened, unwrapped, right in the middle of mass. I was mortified.



I fought all my motherly instincts to go over to that man and give him a good motherly scolding! I really wanted to give the dad a good tug to his ears, pulling him out of the church and say…


“What are you teaching your child? Do you want teach little Johnny, that no matter what is going on around him, he is entitled to be entertained to have fun?”

With the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation upon us, most parishes are seeing an influx of visitors to mass. I think most people would agree that the experience is both joyful, but at times extremely frustrating for two specific reasons.

First, as a parish community we are all wondering, will we ever see these kids and their families at mass again? Secondly, it often becomes abundantly clear that many people just don’t know how to behave at mass. As a society in general, we have seen a loss of decorum and civility in behaviour.

Not to long ago, the entire world watched the Royal Wedding. Part of the fascination with the Royal family, is that it represents era of dignity and civility, wherein a modicum of civil of behaviour is not only expected but demanded.

My father in law often takes me to the Toronto Symphony perform at Massey Hall. I am inspired by the pages at the back of the program that outline clearly defined standards of behaviour for folks attending the symphony. Sections under several categories define the expected etiquette and courtesy to be extended to others at the symphony.

Why can’t we do the same for mass?

 I am thinking of publishing a booklet and a poster to distribute to parishes. It would read something like this:

Mass Etiquette:
How to behave during a Catholic Mass


Remember you have entered into the house of God for the purpose of prayer, adoration, reflection, or  to celebrate a sacrament. Now is not the time to talk to your friends, but to talk to God. Please do not bring in any cups of coffee!

In order to help you enter into a sacred space we ask you to remember,

1. Turn off cell phones. Do not text messages or check your Facebook account from the pews or the back of the church. Leave your social media devices in the car. It’s time to focus on God. It’s distracting for others who are trying to pray. If you are waiting for an important phone call, consider going to mass at another time. Cameras, likewise should be left in the car, unless you are coming for a tour of the church and you have checked with the tour guide.


2. Do not chew gum during mass or put it in your side cheek, to chew on it later. Spit it out before entering into a church. Did you know that you are supposed to be prayerfully fasting for an hour before mass? There is a possibility that if you keep the gum in your mouth and resume chewing after receiving the Eucharist, you may unintentionally spit out a bit of the body of Jesus. That would be sacrilegious.


3. Dress with dignity for Mass. It seems that many women, many girls in this day and age have a need to always have a ‘sexy’ look. Mass is not a cocktail party. Mass is not a hockey arena. Come dressed with decorum, an aura of dignity. Consider teaching your children the different types of dress are important for different occasions. For everything there is a time. Please remember to dress modestly and ensure sure your daughters do too-, bare shoulders and visible bra straps are not a good idea. They are highly distracting..


4. Do not bring children’s activity bags, granola bars, cheerio’s, juice boxes, water bottles, toys including a child’s DS, play station, game boy, iPod touch or similar types of amusements to church. Mass is only one hour long. Children would grow in virtue if their parents expected them to detach from these things for at least an hour a week. For little toddlers there are beautiful is a series of little Catholic books put out by Father Lovasik. There are plastic rosaries or books about saints. Immerse your children in spiritual treasures during mass.

5. Parents have a duty give their children ongoing, on the job training, all the time. That includes the obligation to train their children in the appropriate times to kneel, sit, stand and face the altar If children are engaged in playing with toys, eating, and drinking, they are surely not being taught about the fact that Jesus is really up there on the altar, significance of prayer, self control, and the importance of participating in the mass. Parents themselves get distracted with managing the dispensing of food and toys. On top of that it is a distraction to others in the pews who are hungry themselves, or who are trying to fully participate in mass.


6. Do not drink bottled water in a house of worship. If an adult, for some reason needs to drink water to take some medication, please leave the church premises or at least the mass and drink the water, if you must outside the celebration of the Eucharist.



7.  If you are late for mass, please do not walk down the aisles looking for a seat until it’s appropriate. You are disrupting others. The Toronto Symphony does not allow late comers to waltz in at ‘whatever’ time. Church ushers should be trained to enforce this. Please do not leave mass before it ends. You will be missing the supernatural graces of the final blessing. Besides it’s a bad example for your kids



8. Do not be an observer of the mass, but a participator. Don’t ask yourself, ‘What is this mass doing for me?” Instead, ask yourself, ‘What can I do to participate in the mass more fully?” Make an effort to listen, follow the readings, the homily, read scripture passages before mass, learn the prayers of the mass, follow along in the misslette and sing! You will become an outstanding role model for your kids.



9. Do not have conversations during the mass. You would never have a conversation, during a performance of the symphony. If you did, you would be asked to correct your behaviour or leave. Quite simply it’s rude.

10. It might be useful to ask ourselves, Who am I? Why am I here? The answers: To know God, to love him and serve Him especially at Mass!

"When you are before the altar where Christ reposes, you ought no longer to think that you are amongst men, but believe that there are troops of angels and archangels standing by you, and trembling with respect before the sovereign Master of Heaven and earth. Therefore, when you are in church, be there in silence, fear and veneration." 

St.John Chrysostom

We think nothing of dress codes for those visiting people in jail! 
http://www.bop.gov/inmate_locator/procedures.jsp
We do we balk at the thought of a dress code in Church?

A little levity...

Strange Happenings & Russian Folk Singer

Last week, something very strange happened. Come to think of it, it was mystical not strange. I can't help but share it.


As I was heading out the door for weekday mass, I was torn, as I often am, with the thought,


Maybe my commitment to daily mass .....

         .......   is just over the top?

            How did I become this way?

 Plagued with self doubt, thousands of thoughts flooded my mind.... and pulled at my soul......

"Why go to daily mass?... ... I have so many more important things to do.... business calls to return, emails to answer, articles to write... and then of course there's deciding what to make for dinner, Facebook, picking up groceries, laundry, housework and tons of other stuff just like that.....


The kids will be home before you know it and then I will never get anything done!



Time is so precious, there never seems to be enough of it..... If I don't go to mass I will have more time... I will save time. I will save money. The drive and back costs me money.... gas is so expensive these days .... and besides I am tired and exhausted, I don't feel that well....... Forget it, don't go to daily mass the Church doesn't require it..... Dad didn't do it .... and my mom only started the habit after she retired. Why am I going to daily mass anyway? Maybe it's just spiritual pride, this obsession of mine. Oh God, do you want me to go to daily mass? Please send me a sign!"


With all of these thoughts running through my mind, I am not sure why I didn't give in.


Seemingly out of no where, a tiny little divine spark helped me marshall my spiritual energy and walk out that door. On a spiritual level I could literally feel myself being torn away from all of the things that were being demanded of me, in my world and in my mind.


My responsibilities as a wife and mother, my business and all of those things I just had to do -- They were pulling me at me to stay.


I walked out my front door with this sense that I had to just leave everything behind and go to noon mass. I had to detach.


A couple of different thoughts began to make there way in. From somewhere else, other thoughts reminded me,


"When you say "yes" to one thing, you are saying "no" to another. By saying 'yes' to daily mass, of course you will have to say 'no' to the other.... What could possibly be more important than meeting Jesus, receiving Him, giving thanks for all that He has given you? All that he has done for you?



What could be more important than giving God an hour of your time and asking him for the strength to accomplish all that has been set before you? God, please send me a sign...


Am I crazy even trying to get to mass daily? Is this really what you want me to do? Am I demanding the impossible of myself? Please send me a sign!"


Oh, I know it's probably wrong to ask for a sign, but on so many levels I am a bit stubborn and just a kid.


As I drove along Burhamthorpe towards Sts. Peter and Paul Church, I was still feeling uneasy. For some reason as I approached the church, I decided to turn on the radio, perhaps to distract my mind from all of its inner chatter. I was completely stunned when

right at that moment

I heard the voice of a Russian folk singer,

not just any Russian folk singer,

but my dads favourite singer.


My father has been dead for thirty years.

What are the chances?


Suddenly I could feel my father's presence. It was consoling, reassuring, it filled me with laughter and with tears. I couldn't believe my ears, I was stunned, I hadn't heard that voice in years... I turned it up a little louder just to be sure it was him.


Now to most people Ivan Rebroff is just a name, but to me his bellowing voice, played so often in my home, represents a spirit of living ... a spirit of joy... of laughter....a spirit of celebrating God's given gifts. He shared so many of my dads characteristics a musician forever singing, surrounded by balalaikas, pianos, violins and of course accordions...
How is it that I had forgotten about him?


I was tempted to forget about mass, and just sit in the car and relish in the moment. But seemingly from out of know where, I was joyfully reminded -- I could listen to Ivan at anytime.


I relished in my fathers presence consoled I could offer him this mass. What a precious gift I was given, to feel his presence once again. What a precious gift I could give him, one that will surely last. I prayed for my father, thanking Him for all I he had taught me, the gifts he continues to shower upon me.


As I sit here at my kitchen table I relish in the thought that my father is probably singing up a storm in heaven, playing the violin, accordion and he's probably dancing too... I praise God for all of His wonderful graces that miraculously weave things together into a spiritual bouquet that this week delighted me, reminding me of the wonders of my past.

 If you are interested in hearing a little bit of Ivan yourself, please do click here... It will be a joy and an honour knowing that you did,

Gutsy Palm Sunday Decision

Palm Sunday is a memorable day.

I want you to go back with me twenty seven years if you can.

I was single.

A girlfriend of mine was having her baby shower that day. I was a lector at St. Michael's Cathedral and for years had read on Palm Sunday. I had to choose between being a faithful friend, or a faithful lector.

It was a heart wrenching decision, because she was my best freind from elementary school and I loved her very much, but I was internally torn because I really felt God calling me to remain faithful to my calling as a lector. The scheudle had been set months out. Reading at the Cathedral involved many workshops, preparation and practice.  It felt like a sacred schedule.
So, after much

                    contemplation and prayer

 I decided to remain faithful to my duties as a lector on Palm Sunday.

Deciding to read on Palm Sunday instead of going to the baby shower had two sets of consequences.

My girlfriend was hurt and very disappointed in me. I had prayed much about the decision and was prepared to take any fallout, I had a strange peace about the whole thing. I knew I was going to be judged as being "too religious" and not faithful enough to my duties as a good friend, but everything in me directed me to keep my commitment at St. Michael's Cathedral. http://www.torstm.com/StMikes/

So, I went ahead and did my reading and

 on that very day.....

another lector reading happened to be very handsome.

For some strange reason, he asked me to help him button the top button on his lectors gown. After mass, he asked me out for a coffee. The coffee turned out to be a dinner.


I talked to him for hours about everything under the sun. I was vulnerable, a little unsteady about the upcoming consequences of my decision.

Well ladies and gentlemen, we eventually got married. That Palm Sunday mass was our first date! We got married in the chapel of St. Michael's Cathedral -- just so happened to be exactly the same place his parents got married too!

As for my girlfriend? She ended up being the maid of honour at my wedding. She is still my very very good friend. God has blessed me in so many different ways...

So, please do tell me,

How did you meet your husband?