"How interesting!" I thought, as I reflected on these words of Psalm 139 . . .
"You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother's womb . . . . When I was being made in secret, fashioned as in the depths of the earth."
Are these words still relevant today, for a generation where so many are created in a petri dish? What will these words mean to them, knowing they were not "made in secret?"
There is, of course, still the mystery of life and our belief that God is the ultimate Creator, fashioning each of us in his way. But for those who might not be able to look beyond the laboratory, to the mystery of life, or who might think that man creates, these words will be empty.
I was watching a television show one day and was listening to a doctor talk about fertility treatments. In the discussion, he said something like, "We don't make twins as often today as we used to."
He stopped me dead in my tracks. "We" don't make twins? Since when does man create? I thought to myself.
We have simply gone too far. I will stick with the words of Scripture that emphasize that "God" has knit us so wonderfully!
God bless,
Janet
P.S. I have discontinued to CassidyComments for awhile . . .
Monday, April 6, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
CassidyComments, Issue #87, Infertility
I was listening to an interview with Liza Mundy on the National Public Radio show Fresh Air with Terry Gross. The discussion was based on Mundy’s book which takes up the current issues surrounding multiple births. She was well versed in the different procedures women use to conceive and the problems and extenuating circumstances that arise from assisted fertility. It was an interesting discussion, but, as often happens when I listen to these types of interviews, my blood begins to boil . . .
Mundy reasoned that if the embryonic research ban were lifted, parents would have less difficulty deciding what to do with their “extra” embryos. She rightly indicated that parents are not fully prepared for the emotional conflicts that result from having to make personal decisions about embryos they have created. From the very beginning, she said, parents have to make decisions about whether to keep, destroy or donate their embryos. Parents, once they have given birth, are often awakened to the reality that embryos will grow into human babies, and this makes their decision about what to do with their saved embryos very difficult.
What raised my ire was her rationale that the parents’ decision could be made easier if they could donate their embryos to science, as if donating an embryo to science changes the fact that a human life is being destroyed! Is it true that parents feel better if they can make their embryonic children martyrs for a scientific cause? When did martyrdom become something chosen for you? I believe all this truly does is massage the guilt of the parents. They have created a complex dilemma which lacks any real, moral solution.
A good read for anyone contemplating fertility treatments is Pope John Paul II’s The Gospel of Life. He warned us of the problems which are now being realized. Every time something comes up in the news about this, I ask myself, “Didn’t anybody listen to him?” If only they had.
Janet
Please visit my website at www.janetcassidy.com for more news and commentary.
Mundy reasoned that if the embryonic research ban were lifted, parents would have less difficulty deciding what to do with their “extra” embryos. She rightly indicated that parents are not fully prepared for the emotional conflicts that result from having to make personal decisions about embryos they have created. From the very beginning, she said, parents have to make decisions about whether to keep, destroy or donate their embryos. Parents, once they have given birth, are often awakened to the reality that embryos will grow into human babies, and this makes their decision about what to do with their saved embryos very difficult.
What raised my ire was her rationale that the parents’ decision could be made easier if they could donate their embryos to science, as if donating an embryo to science changes the fact that a human life is being destroyed! Is it true that parents feel better if they can make their embryonic children martyrs for a scientific cause? When did martyrdom become something chosen for you? I believe all this truly does is massage the guilt of the parents. They have created a complex dilemma which lacks any real, moral solution.
A good read for anyone contemplating fertility treatments is Pope John Paul II’s The Gospel of Life. He warned us of the problems which are now being realized. Every time something comes up in the news about this, I ask myself, “Didn’t anybody listen to him?” If only they had.
Janet
Please visit my website at www.janetcassidy.com for more news and commentary.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Issue #86
February 13, 2009
Is it Time for You to Start Over?
Over the past couple of weeks, I have had computer problems. Big problems. Reformat-your-hard-drive type problems. I’ve never had to do that before, but I am here to say that it is not a fun experience. Back and forth I went, carrying my CPU to the store. Trust me, you never want to hear your IT guy say, “Hmm. That’s weird. Haven’t seen that before.”
I can proudly say I now appreciate the difference between losing your hard drive and having your Windows program corrupted. The latter, which apparently is preferable, was my case. So, I didn’t have to buy a new computer, but I did have to spend days learning how to re-install a printer driver, re-establish Internet security, re-set program preferences, re-this and re-that.
Typically, when something like this happens, I say things like, “Well, it’s a quick way to unburden myself.” because, in the end, I am released from the guilt of not having categorized, dated, or deleted the cluttered bookmarks and files I have been collecting.
How freeing it is, really, when—all of a sudden—you have a clean slate! I suppose it is not unlike the Sacrament of Reconciliation, where the sins that have been cluttering up your life are gone. Forgiven. History. It’s a beautiful thing.
Interestingly, I’ve noticed that I am a little more careful about what I hold onto now, since I have seen how wonderful starting over can truly be . . .
God bless,
Janet
Please visit my website at www.janetcassidy.com for more news and commentary, including my blog!
February 13, 2009
Is it Time for You to Start Over?
Over the past couple of weeks, I have had computer problems. Big problems. Reformat-your-hard-drive type problems. I’ve never had to do that before, but I am here to say that it is not a fun experience. Back and forth I went, carrying my CPU to the store. Trust me, you never want to hear your IT guy say, “Hmm. That’s weird. Haven’t seen that before.”
I can proudly say I now appreciate the difference between losing your hard drive and having your Windows program corrupted. The latter, which apparently is preferable, was my case. So, I didn’t have to buy a new computer, but I did have to spend days learning how to re-install a printer driver, re-establish Internet security, re-set program preferences, re-this and re-that.
Typically, when something like this happens, I say things like, “Well, it’s a quick way to unburden myself.” because, in the end, I am released from the guilt of not having categorized, dated, or deleted the cluttered bookmarks and files I have been collecting.
How freeing it is, really, when—all of a sudden—you have a clean slate! I suppose it is not unlike the Sacrament of Reconciliation, where the sins that have been cluttering up your life are gone. Forgiven. History. It’s a beautiful thing.
Interestingly, I’ve noticed that I am a little more careful about what I hold onto now, since I have seen how wonderful starting over can truly be . . .
God bless,
Janet
Please visit my website at www.janetcassidy.com for more news and commentary, including my blog!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Cassidy Comments, January 14, 2009 Malaysia--how'd they do it?
I was reading about the singer Rihanna in the paper the other day. There was a report that she was going to do away with her skimpy clothes for her performance in
It was interesting to me that performers are willing, albeit unhappily, to alter their clothing because, as The Flint Journal reported, “Under government guidelines, a female performer must be covered from the top of her chest, including her shoulders, to her knees.”
Oh to be Malaysian.
I’m just kidding. I love the good ole' USA. Besides, they only have about 25 million people. But still, isn’t it amazing that they can get these performers to submit to their guidelines? It makes me wonder. If we held performers to a higher standard and refused to cooperate and attend concerts when they dressed inappropriately, could we have an impact as well? Would they listen if it affected ticket sales? Could enough like-minded people make such a difference in the United States?
Think about it the next time you put your money towards something you know has objectionable content. Who knows? Maybe some day, we, too, could be spared a little indecency.
God bless,
Janet
Sunday, December 28, 2008
On with life . . .
Yes, you are right, it has been over a month since I last posted on this blog. My apologies! I have been spending less time on the computer and more time in life! It's not that I don't enjoy working on my website and blog, it's just that I've come to realize that life is much too precious to spend in front of a computer screen!
I'm not sure how I came to that realization, but for those of you who may be addicted to the Internet, please listen carefully.
Those people around you, your family and friends that mostly see the back of your head these days, deserve to have more of your attention. You are not with your kids just because you are home, if you are otherwise occupied. You are not growing in your relationship with your spouse if you spend most of your time in virtual reality. And you are certainly not growing in your spiritual life if you are only researching or reading about spiritual things.
You see, to have a relationship with God is to spend time in communion with him. Sometimes that is resting quietly; sometimes it is being fully engaged with your family. But always, it is embracing life!
Have you checked out of life because you prefer sitting at a computer, staring at a screen? Do something with someone, in person, TODAY! You will be glad you did!
God bless,
Janet
I'm not sure how I came to that realization, but for those of you who may be addicted to the Internet, please listen carefully.
Those people around you, your family and friends that mostly see the back of your head these days, deserve to have more of your attention. You are not with your kids just because you are home, if you are otherwise occupied. You are not growing in your relationship with your spouse if you spend most of your time in virtual reality. And you are certainly not growing in your spiritual life if you are only researching or reading about spiritual things.
You see, to have a relationship with God is to spend time in communion with him. Sometimes that is resting quietly; sometimes it is being fully engaged with your family. But always, it is embracing life!
Have you checked out of life because you prefer sitting at a computer, staring at a screen? Do something with someone, in person, TODAY! You will be glad you did!
God bless,
Janet
Friday, November 7, 2008
After the Thrill is Gone
Okay prolifers, take heart! I know many of you are very discouraged and upset after the election, but now is NOT the time to give up! All is not lost if your candidate did not win. There were plenty of things to vote on--from judges to proposals, and obviously, the presidency--and we all have a variety of opinions about which were the best choices, but if your favorite did not win, do not waste one more minute grieving it.
I would like you to read a wonderful article by Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson. Even though it is after the election, his call to arms, if you will, is very encouraging. It can be found at Columbia.
Now, let's move forward. Think about how you can contribute some time or energy to the pro-life movement. If you are a writer, write. If you are a speaker, speak. If you can stuff envelopes and do mailings, pray or whatever, just do it. Call your local Right to Life office and ask them what they need. Maybe they need someone to staff phones. Maybe you can put some inserts in your church bulletin. Whatever. Do NOT wait any longer for someone else to do it!
You see, we have to get working so that the next election puts into place a body of people who will lead from a pro-life position. The moral fabric of our nation is at stake and it can be strengthened if we get to work. All too often we think of making a difference by putting together big events, etc., but the real movement comes one person at a time. Remember how President-Elect Obama called on people at a grassroots level? Perhaps he knew that it works!
Please let me know what you do . . .
God bless,
Janet
I would like you to read a wonderful article by Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson. Even though it is after the election, his call to arms, if you will, is very encouraging. It can be found at Columbia.
Now, let's move forward. Think about how you can contribute some time or energy to the pro-life movement. If you are a writer, write. If you are a speaker, speak. If you can stuff envelopes and do mailings, pray or whatever, just do it. Call your local Right to Life office and ask them what they need. Maybe they need someone to staff phones. Maybe you can put some inserts in your church bulletin. Whatever. Do NOT wait any longer for someone else to do it!
You see, we have to get working so that the next election puts into place a body of people who will lead from a pro-life position. The moral fabric of our nation is at stake and it can be strengthened if we get to work. All too often we think of making a difference by putting together big events, etc., but the real movement comes one person at a time. Remember how President-Elect Obama called on people at a grassroots level? Perhaps he knew that it works!
Please let me know what you do . . .
God bless,
Janet
Monday, October 6, 2008
The Image of God
Some of you who subscribe to my free e-letter CassidyComments (cassidycomments@yahoo.com) will be familiar with the following quote. My apologies for the duplication, but this is such a beautiful quote from Pope Benedict XVI that it warrants repeating.
It comes from his weekly General Audience of September 17, 2008. I am using the translation published in the National Catholic Register.
"Just as Caesar's image was stamped on Roman coins in order to indicate that they were to be given back to him, the image of of the Creator--the only Lord in our life--is stamped on the heart of man."
Yes, the image of God is stamped on our hearts. That is how inseparable we are from our Creator. We are permanently joined to God and formed by him. It is natural that the heart, from where our love grows and flows out to the world, would be the centerpiece of God's image.
It's interesting, also, to contemplate the idea that Caesar's coins were marked so as to be given back to him, and we, marked for God, are always claimed by him as well.
God bless,
Janet
It comes from his weekly General Audience of September 17, 2008. I am using the translation published in the National Catholic Register.
"Just as Caesar's image was stamped on Roman coins in order to indicate that they were to be given back to him, the image of of the Creator--the only Lord in our life--is stamped on the heart of man."
Yes, the image of God is stamped on our hearts. That is how inseparable we are from our Creator. We are permanently joined to God and formed by him. It is natural that the heart, from where our love grows and flows out to the world, would be the centerpiece of God's image.
It's interesting, also, to contemplate the idea that Caesar's coins were marked so as to be given back to him, and we, marked for God, are always claimed by him as well.
God bless,
Janet
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