Monthly Newsletter Issue #91
NEWS FROM GRATIA PLENA
Blessing and Dedication of Aquinas Office: Tuesday, January 28th
In 2019 we enlarged and moved our centrally located office from Midtown about three miles west to 3100 Richmond Avenue in the Upper Kirby area. Because of the proximity to the university campus, we have referred to this office and named it for St. Thomas Aquinas. When we put a new space into use for mental and spiritual health services, we have an office blessing by a priest and dedicate the space into the Lord's service. The blessing and dedication of this office will be held on the Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas at 11am on January 28th with Fr. David Hust from nearby St. Vincent de Paul parish officiating. Please join us for this small but important ceremony. We are in suite 210 at the far right end of the hallway.
Mil Gracias: A Thousand Thanks
We received a good response to our annual "end of the year campaign." About 75% of our funding comes from fees paid by those receiving our services. Although we adjust our fees generously, nearly all clients pay something for their services. 25% of our funding comes from donations and grants. The community support of Gratia Plena allows it to continue operating, so that thousands of hours of healing services may be provided each year.
Holy Bears Fundraiser
Just in time for Valentine's Day, Gratia Plena is giving away a variety of Holy Bears for a small suggested donation of $10. It's better than candy or flowers! Buy a Holy Bear for someone you love, and help support the services of Gratia Plena! Bears are available at the Mother Cabrini Office in the NASA area, and at the Thèrése Office in the Stafford/Sugar Land area.
Bilingual Office Assistants
We continue to search for bilingual (English/Spanish) administrative help in our offices. These are part-time positions that can be volunteer or with some pay. Young or older adults are welcome to apply. College degree is not required, but a letter of reference from your parish will be necessary. For more information, call our office.
Welcome UST Student!
We welcome Bianca Escamilla to the staff of Gratia Plena. She is an undergraduate student of Psychology at the University of St. Thomas, doing an internship with us until her graduation in May. She will be helping with administrative work at our main office, and will be quite valuable as a bilingual office assistant.
Confessional Booklets for the Development of Chastity/Purity
We are starting to hear that the booklets distributed last year have been used up, and parishes or priests are needing a new supply. Lent is approaching. To stock up again, parishes may contact the printer directly to order them: see Bubba Arnim at Remedy Graphics (281) 391-8555 Office (281) 391-8556 Fax. Parishioners are also invited to purchase a stack and give to their priests as a gift for their ministry of mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Gratia Plena makes no money from the printing of these booklets that we helped to develop at the request of a priest.
SPIRITUAL LIFE
Word of God Sunday
What is this? Perhaps you missed the publication of the brief apostolic letter of Pope Francis issued "Moto Proprio" in September last year, entitled "Aperuit Illis." The title of the letter refers to Luke 24:45, which is contained in the passage in which two disciples were walking the road to Emmaus on Easter Sunday, and encountered the Risen Christ walking with them, who explained the references to the Messiah in the Old Testament prophecies from Moses onward to the recent ministry and prophecy of John the Baptist. In doing this, Jesus "opened their minds." In this letter, Pope Francis declared that the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time each year (January 26 in 2020) would be set aside and given over entirely to the Word of God, to the riches in the Scriptures for our everyday life and so that we may be better equipped to share the Good News with others. It is a good time to renew a study of the Bible individually, but also in our families, to share with our children an appreciation of the Bible as well as to teach them how to read and pray with it. It is the voice and revelation of God, and a central source through which we come to know Him. As we read, pray, reflect, and write on our study of the treasures in the Bible, let us ask the Holy Spirit to allow our minds be opened, expanded, and invigorated by what we learn. Make reflection on the scriptures a key part of your spiritual growth this year, as we walk with the Resurrected Jesus. One way to do this easily is to simply read and pray with the scriptures for each daily Mass, which can be found by selecting the day from the calendar on the USCCB website. The readings are on a three year cycle, covering a significant portion of the New and Old Testament. Readings from the Word of God have been a part of Christian worship for nearly 2000 years, ever since the early Church came together in regular devotion to celebrate the Eucharist.
The Veil Removed
This little video has become quite popular among Catholics. It suggests a mystical view of the Mass that is emotionally moving, and illustrates what we believe about the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist according to our Catechism.
RAISING AWARENESS
Prediabetes in US Teens
About 20% of US adolescents are now prediabetic, largely because about a third of US teens are overweight. The old standards remain true: weight will decrease with healthy eating (reducing or eliminating junk and fast food) and some exercise. Stress management including appropriate amount of sleep will also help keep our teens more physically and mentally healthy and less tempted to overeat. Read more in this article.
RESEARCH
Effects of Birth Control on Women's Mood
Studies continue to find negative consequences on women's mental and physical health with artificial contraception. This brief research abstract yields some information. A large study in Denmark published in JAMA Psychiatry found that among 15 to 19 year-old females, those taking oral combination birth control pills were diagnosed with depression at a 70 percent higher rate than non-users. The patch and vaginal rings posed a particular risk to young women, tripling the rate of depression. The Houston Chronicle recently published an article on this same topic. Note that the rate of depression among American female teenagers has been skyrocketing in the past 10 years. Could there be a connection? Secular commentary on these contraception studies sometimes lament in a puzzling manner that the benefits of artificial contraception outweigh an unwanted pregnancy. What? We might note that the natural family planning techniques recommended by the Catholic Church are quite effective for planning pregnancy, and have none of the negative side effects described in the above research, and help to educate the husband and wife about the reproductive beauty of our bodies in human sexuality as designed by our Creator.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Upcoming Events of Interest
- Tuesday, January 28: Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas (Priest/Doctor)
- Thursday, January 30: Dr. Ken presents on "Anxiety" for parents of St. Helen Catholic School
- Friday, February 7: Embrace Life Banquet benefiting the Matagorda County Women's Pregnancy Center, featuring speaker Abby Johnson author of "Unplanned"
- Weekend of Feb 14-16: Married Couples Retreat at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center
- Saturday, February 15 Steps for Students Run/Walk downtown Houston
- Wednesday, February 26: Ash Wednesday (Beginning of Lent)
- Saturday, February 29: Dr. Ken presents "Finding God in Our Addictions, Attachments, and Afflictions" at St. Clare of Assisi
- Saturday, February 29: Gulf Coast Catholic Men's Conference
- Saturday, March 23 Priests vs. Seminarians Basketball Game
- Sunday, March 29: Mother Cabrini Office counselors present on "Children's Mental Health" at St. Mary Catholic Church (League City)
JOIN OUR MISSION OF MERCY!
We are always welcoming people who desire to show love and mercy to others in a real and practical way, just as the Good Samaritan did, though assisting Gratia Plena. We joyfully and gratefully accept financial donations, office supplies, furniture, and even people who are interested in serving on our Board of Directors. We also have a private prayer team that you can join, that connects via email. Please contact Melanie or Dr. Ken for more information on any of these opportunities.
MONTHLY RECOMMENDATION
Book of the Month
Understanding the Scriptures is by Dr. Scott Hahn, professor at Franciscan University and prolific speaker and author. This book for teens presents a Catholic approach to Scripture, highlighting the theme of covenant. Tracing a path through salvation history, the book explains the various books of the Bible and the importance of each event in salvation history. Understanding the Scriptures will provide an understanding of Sacred Scripture so critical to the Catholic Faith.
The Didache Complete Course Series is a series of four high school textbooks, teacher’s manuals, and student workbooks published by Midwest Theological Forum. Each title spans one academic year. As of 2009, they were being used in about one-third Catholic high schools.
This textbook is published with ecclesiastical approval from the Archdiocese of Chicago, and it has been granted conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church by the USCCB Subcommittee on the Catechism. It is a great investment for helping the Word of God come alive in your teenager.
As always, if you purchase books or movies on Amazon, be sure to log in to "AmazonSmile" with your charity set to “Gratia Plena” and we will receive a portion of the sale as a donation. Thank you!
Disclaimer: Gratia Plena and its staff do not receive any compensation or earthly benefits from recommending books, movies, music, websites, blogs, apps, et cetera...
