Nobel Prize winner, humanitarian, and foundress of the Missionaries of Charity in Calcultta, India, Mother Teresa has often said, “Of all the diseases I have known, loneliness is the worse.” So how do we, as people of pro-life conviction, battle this epidemic of loneliness? How do we live out our pro-life conviction in the midst of a crisis requiring us to love one another by separating ourselves physically?
You see, sometimes it’s tough to remember that God’s plan is bigger than our own. That if we just let go of our own control, He has something way better planned. And do not be surprised when He shows up and possibly “wrecks everything.” The apostles’ vision for their lives were wrecked at the crucifixion, but when Jesus returned to them and then sent His Spirit upon them, the world was never the same.
In this time, we must pray that our missionaries are “all in” for the entire season. No matter the inconvenience and no matter the cost. Not because we wish hardship on our missionaries, but because we know all too well that the Devil will try to make us bow out. He will try and make us fear for the comforts our missionaries are forfeiting.
It is time for the “maybe” generation to say “yes” and mean it. It is what Christ asked of His earliest disciples and it should not shock us that He is asking us the same thing now.
This time of year we find ourselves full of hope: we just experienced the birth of our Savior and celebrated joyfully with our families with rich food, generous gifts and special time. It’s “the most wonderful time of the year” and we try to remember that as we run around searching for the best gift or making that treat someone loves. It truly is an extraordinary season that seems to fill our spiritual cups for the ups and down of the year that will follow.
This Christmas season, I am so grateful for the gift of counselors, medical staff, and volunteers at pregnancy resource centers who help moms find support and resources to answer their immediate “hows.” My heart is filled with joy at the thought of women being able to put aside significant fears and concerns in order to enjoy their pregnancy because of these centers.
If we invite the Lord into our finances, it naturally shifts us from thinking about ourselves, to thinking about others. Giving Tuesday is a good day for all of us to take an honest look at our finances. Have I ever actually calculated what 10% of my income is?
If you have family members that you do not see often, you know the routine: a lot of hugs, a lot of laughs, a lot of discussions, no sleep, and leaving feeling like you could’ve spent a whole week with those people. It was no different for the Executive Team’s meeting this past month. As a former long-time missionary, this sentiment does not stay at the level of the Executive Team but penetrates throughout the entire organization and it is this Christian family model that makes it possible for each missionary to cross the finish line in St. Louis every year.
[On the ride,] I was able to see each of the other missionaries love these women and babies so much that they would make sacrifices, and offer up their time and sufferings to battle the culture of death and work to renew the culture of life. If you want to be able to experience the love of Christ in a deeper way and learn how to put your own needs and desires aside to love others more like Him, then being a Biking for Babies missionary is for you!
“I don’t remember how many water bottle drops we did or what all the scenery was like on the many miles between Tylertown, MS and St. Louis, MO, but when I think about Biking for Babies, I remember the community and the laughs we shared.” Connor invites you to reflect on the joys and trials in your everyday life.
In this first period of formation, the young adults:
With eyes now opened to the need and Christ-centered solutions of problems, these young adults are sent forth as “missionaries” into the rest of the formation program and into the rest of their lives, committing to live with the truth of the Gospel of life as the lens through which they see every relationship, every decision, and the world at large.
In this second period of formation, the missionaries
In this last period of formation, after the National Ride, missionaries
