An OUTRAGEOUS case of BULLYING! ------> MySpace Suicide Case -- Updated

Lori Drew Indicted in MySpace Suicide Case -- Updated
By Kim Zetter

"Lori_drew_3"
A federal grand jury issued an indictment against a woman in Missouri accused of creating a fake MySpace page to bully a 13-year-old girl. The girl committed suicide as a result of the bullying.

Lori Drew was indicted this morning in Los Angeles on federal charges for fraudulently using an account on MySpace. The indictment charges Drew in four counts -- one count for conspiracy and three counts "for accessing protected computers without authorization to obtain information to inflict emotional distress," according to a press release. The latter charge relates to the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

The indictment alleges that Drew and her co-conspirators violated MySpace's terms of service, which require registrants to provide truthful registration information and refrain from soliciting personal information from anyone under 18 or using information obtained from MySpace services to harass or harm other people, among other terms.

If convicted on all four counts, Drew could face up to 20 years in federal prison.

“This adult woman allegedly used the internet to target a young teenage girl, with horrendous ramifications,” said United States Attorney Thomas P. O'Brien. “After a thorough investigation, we have charged Ms. Drew with criminally accessing MySpace and violating rules established to protect young, vulnerable people. Any adult who uses the internet or a social-gathering website to bully or harass another person, particularly a young teenage girl, needs to realize that their actions can have serious consequences.”

Drew's co-conspirators include her daughter and another teenager, Ashley Grills, who helped set up the MySpace account and sent comments to Megan Meier that contributed to her suicide. It was reported earlier this year that Grills was given immunity for her cooperation with the investigation.

When asked at a press conference what this might mean for other people who engage in similar behavior, O'Brien responded that, "Anyone who engages in harassment and violates the law similar to Ms. Drew is subject to investigation and prosecution on the right facts."

O'Brien said that Drew will be allowed to surrender to authorities and said he expected that would happen next month in St. Louis, Missouri.

(source: Wired.com)

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Saintly Prayers

“Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God.” -Catechism of the Catholic Church
"When we pray to the saints, the understanding is always clear that we are asking them to help us by praying to God, and not by their own power or actions apart from Him." -David C. Ford, Ph.D

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Prayer:

Great model for God-loving boys and cherished pupil of the famous Don Bosco, who died prematurely, humanly speaking, but you had already attained mature spiritual wisdom. Your kindness won you many friends but your love above all sought the Master who is present in our tabernacles. His praises you Eucharistically sang. Make choir boys be singers like you for the love of Jesus, our most loving Master. Amen.

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Secret UFO files released by UK government

Secret UFO files released by UK government

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LONDON, England (CNN) -- Britain's Ministry of Defense has released files on UFO sightings dating back to the 1970s, including witness accounts and the government's response.

The ministry on Wednesday released the files as part of a four-year project to transfer all of the UFO documents to the National Archives to make them available to curious members of the public.

The documents include hundreds of police reports taken from witnesses who describe seeing lights or strange objects in the sky, from southern England and Wales up to Northern Ireland.

The files released Wednesday cover 1978 to 1987. The rest, dating from the 1950s and covering recent history, will be released over the coming years.

Reported sightings typically describe various shapes and colors of lights, moving in formation or hovering in the sky.

Witnesses reported orange, red, white and green lights that were diamond-shaped, square, or cigar-shaped. They reported them to police, who have a standard 16-question form specifically for UFO sightings.

"The vast majority of them are just ordinary people who've seen something unusual and thought that they ought to tell someone about it," said David Clarke, a professor at Sheffield Hallam University and a UFO expert who worked with the National Archives on the project.

In one sighting in January 1985, a man near Cardiff, Wales, was closing his living room curtains when he saw an object in the sky. He said it moved "up and down like a bouncing ball," then disappeared behind a mountain.

Two police officers in Woking, south of London, reported seeing a white light in the sky on Christmas morning 1985. The light, they said, moved into the nearby area of Horsell, where author H.G. Wells had placed the Martian landing in his book, "War of the Worlds."

The person who took the report noted the officers were aware of the connection, writing, "Genuine report. Two competent officers slightly embarrassed (Horsell Common features in H.G. Wells)."

Two other police officers in Edgware, north London, reported seeing an object in the sky in June 1984. They viewed it with binoculars for an hour and sketched a picture, showing a white sphere with a ring of blue and red lights.

"The object moved erratically from side to side, up and down and to and fro, not venturing far from its original position," the officers wrote.

Other reports came from stunned members of the public, pilots, and members of the military.

The Ministry of Defense said it examined the reports and held onto the records solely to determine whether enemy aircraft had infiltrated British airspace. Once it was determined that no enemy aircraft were in the sky, it did not investigate further.

"The Ministry of Defense has no other interest or role regarding UFO matters and does not consider questions regarding the existence or otherwise of extraterrestrial life-forms," it said Wednesday.

That leaves many of the incidents simply unexplained, such as an April 1984 report made by a senior air traffic controller at an unidentified airfield.

The controller was bringing in a light aircraft for landing when he noticed a series of lights appearing to come down on another runway. The crew of the incoming plane radioed that they saw the lights, too.

All reported that they saw the lights come down "at speed," touch down, and disappear.

"They were so concerned about this, they filed an official report," Clarke said. "But what was the thing that they saw? There's no evidence from the papers that any further investigations were done and it remains a mystery."

In 1979, two years after Steven Spielberg's alien-visitation movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," reports of strange sightings had increased and the House of Lords decided to hold a debate on UFOs.

One of the documents released Wednesday is a detailed briefing prepared by the Ministry of Defense for the debate, and it sheds light on the military's position on the matter.

"There is nothing to indicate that ufology (the study of UFOs) is anything but claptrap and no evidence at all of 'alien space craft,'" read the briefing, prepared by the ministry for Lord Strabolgi, then government chief whip.

At least one report in the files has since been explained, however.

A report from August 1985 details the crop circles that two army officers found in a wheat field in Andover, in southern England. They noted one large circle surrounded by four smaller ones, all perfectly round with the wheat pressed down in a clockwise direction.

No tracks led up to the circles, they said.

The farmer called the army officers because he thought the Army Air Corps had created the circles, but the officers said they were stumped.

"None of us could offer any reasonable explanation," they wrote.

It is now known that the crop circles were some of many created by two hoaxers named Doug Bowers and Dave Chorley, according to Clarke.

"Doug and Dave," as they were called, came forward in 1990 to say they created the circles with a garden roller and planks of wood, Clarke said.

"We now know that this particular circle near Andover was one of the ones that was created as a hoax by these two men," he said.

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Watch why the ministry is revealing what it knows about UFOs »

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SAINT OF THE DAY -- May 11 - Saint Ignatius of Laconi

Ignatius is another sainted begging brother.

He was the second of seven children of peasant parents in Sardinia. His path to the Franciscans was unusual. During a serious illness, Ignatius vowed to become a Capuchin if he recovered. He regained his health but ignored the promise. A riding accident prompted him to renew the pledge, which he acted on the second time; he was 20 then. Ignatius’s reputation for self-denial and charity led to his appointment as the official beggar for the friars in Cagliari. He fulfilled that task for 40 years; he was blind the last two years.

While on his rounds, Ignatius would instruct the children, visit the sick and urge sinners to repent. The people of Cagliari were inspired by his kindness and his faithfulness to his work.

Vincent, from an early age showed signs of a religious vocation.  His father would not permit him to pursue this because the family depended on his help. As an adolescent, he fell gravely ill and made a vow that if he should recover he would become a Capuchin.

His father however, was still opposed Vincent's promise. But when he confronted his parents and told them of the vow he made to enter the Capuchin Order, and they quickly relented.

When Vincent approached the provincial minister to ask if he could enter the Capuchin Order, his request was met with a resounding, "No". The provincial judged that Vincent's frail appearance to be too much of an obstacle for living the austere, rigorous life of a Capuchin. Through persistence, Vincent was eventually accepted.

He was given the name Ignatius. For the last 40 years of his life, he served as questor. Ignatius was illiterate, his grammar poor and his dialect rough. However, he was recognized for his holiness.

He always set out on his quest with rosary in hand and eyes down cast. People often gave alms to this "apostle of the street", out of personal devotion than charity. He was always held in high esteem by others and was referred to as the "holy friar". He never sought personal prestige or recognition. His words, though unpolished, always reflected a faith perspective.

To those who came to him for comfort, he would advise, "Trust God". He had a great devotion to the Virgin Mary. For the last two years of his life, Ignatius was completely blind, although he was still actively engaged in ministry. He died on 11 May 1781. He was beatified by Pius XII on 16 July 1844 and canonized on 21 October 1951.

Comment:

Why did the people of Cagliari support the friars? These followers of Francis worked hard but rarely at jobs that paid enough to live on. Under these conditions St. Francis allowed them to beg. The life of Ignatius reminds us that everything God considers worthwhile does not have a high-paying salary attached to it.

Quote:

"And I used to work with my hands, and I [still] desire to work; and I firmly wish that all my brothers give themselves to honest work. Let those who do not know how [to work] learn, not from desire of receiving wages for their work but as an example and in order to avoid idleness. And when we are not paid for our work, let us have recourse to the table of the Lord, seeking alms from door to door" (St. Francis, Testament).

Prayer:

Lord God,
you led St Ignatius along the way of humility,
innocence and fraternal charity to the heights of sanctity.
Help us to imitate his virtues and to practice charity on earth
with word and deed.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

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Learn to pray the Rosary--The Joyful Mysteries 

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Learn to pray the Rosary--The Sorrowful Mysteries

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Learn to pray the Rosary--The Glorious Mysteries

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Learn to pray the Rosary--The Luminous Mysteries

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The National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1-800-799-SAFE OR (1-800-799-7233)

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SIGNS OF AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP

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Do you:

feel afraid of your partner much of the time?

avoid certain topics fear of angering your partner?

feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner?

believe that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated?

wonder if you’re the one who is crazy?

feel emotionally numb or helpless?

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Does your partner:

• humiliate, criticize, or yell at you?
• treat you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your friends or family to see?
• ignore or put down your opinions or accomplishments?
• blame you for his own abusive behavior?
• see you as property or a sex object, rather than as a person?

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Does your partner:

have a bad and unpredictable temper?

hurt you, or threaten to hurt or kill you?

threaten to take your children away or harm them?

threaten to commit suicide if you leave?

force you to have sex?

destroy your belongings?

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Does your partner:

• act excessively jealous and possessive?
• control where you go or what you do?
• keep you from seeing your friends or family?
• limit your access to money, the phone, or the car?
• constantly check up on you?

SAINT OF THE DAY -- May 10 - Blessed Damien of Molokai

When Joseph de Veuster was born in Tremelo, Belgium, in 1840, few people in Europe had any firsthand knowledge of leprosy (Hansen's disease). By the time he died at the age of 49, people all over the world knew about this disease because of him. They knew that human compassion could soften the ravages of this disease.

Forced to quit school at age 13 to work on the family farm, six years later Joseph entered the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, taking the name of a fourth-century physician and martyr. When his brother Pamphile, a priest in the same congregation, fell ill and was unable to go to the Hawaiian Islands as assigned, Damien quickly volunteered in his place. In May 1864, two months after arriving in his new mission, Damien was ordained a priest in Honolulu and assigned to the island of Hawaii.

In 1873, he went to the Hawaiian government's leper colony on the island of Molokai, set up seven years earlier. Part of a team of four chaplains taking that assignment for three months each year, Damien soon volunteered to remain permanently, caring for the people's physical, medical and spiritual needs. In time, he became their most effective advocate to obtain promised government support.

Soon the settlement had new houses and a new church, school and orphanage. Morale improved considerably. A few years later he succeeded in getting the Franciscan Sisters of Syracuse, led by Mother Marianne Kope, to help staff this colony in Kalaupapa.

Damien contracted Hansen's disease and died of its complications. As requested, he was buried in Kalaupapa, but in 1936 the Belgian government succeeded in having his body moved to Belgium. Part of Damien's body was returned to his beloved Hawaiian brothers and sisters after his beatification in 1995.

When Hawaii became a state in 1959, it selected Damien as one of its two representatives in the Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol.

Comment:

Some people thought Damien was a hero for going to Molokai and others thought he was crazy. When a Protestant clergyman wrote that Damien was guilty of immoral behavior, Robert Louis Stevenson vigorously defended him in an "Open Letter to Dr. Hyde."

Quote:

During the beatification homily, Pope John Paul II said: "Holiness is not perfection according to human criteria; it is not reserved for a small number of exceptional persons. It is for everyone; it is the Lord who brings us to holiness, when we are willing to collaborate in the salvation of the world for the glory of God, despite our sin and our sometimes rebellious temperament."

Prayer for the Canonization of Blessed Damien:

Our Father, while your Son Jesus walked among us on earth, He taught us by work and example to love one another. We pray that you glorify your servant Damien, in order that inspired by the example of his love for you, and for his fellow human beings, we too, might live your great commandment and reach out to our brothers and sisters in their spiritual and temporal needs.

Inspired by your love, Damien gave his life for the most wretched of his brothers and sisters.

May we, in your goodness, soon see him honored as Saint.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ your son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

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Learn to pray the Rosary--The Joyful Mysteries 

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Learn to pray the Rosary--The Sorrowful Mysteries

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Learn to pray the Rosary--The Glorious Mysteries

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Learn to pray the Rosary--The Luminous Mysteries

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---

The National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1-800-799-SAFE OR (1-800-799-7233)

---

SIGNS OF AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP

---

Do you:

feel afraid of your partner much of the time?

avoid certain topics fear of angering your partner?

feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner?

believe that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated?

wonder if you’re the one who is crazy?

feel emotionally numb or helpless?

---

Does your partner:

• humiliate, criticize, or yell at you?
• treat you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your friends or family to see?
• ignore or put down your opinions or accomplishments?
• blame you for his own abusive behavior?
• see you as property or a sex object, rather than as a person?

---

Does your partner:

have a bad and unpredictable temper?

hurt you, or threaten to hurt or kill you?

threaten to take your children away or harm them?

threaten to commit suicide if you leave?

force you to have sex?

destroy your belongings?

---

Does your partner:

• act excessively jealous and possessive?
• control where you go or what you do?
• keep you from seeing your friends or family?
• limit your access to money, the phone, or the car?
• constantly check up on you?

SAINT OF THE DAY -- May 9 - Saint Catherine of Bologna

Some Franciscan saints led fairly public lives; Catharine represents the saints who served the Lord in obscurity.

Catharine, born in Bologna, was related to the nobility in Ferrara and was educated at court there. She received a liberal education at the court and developed some interest and talent in painting. In later years as a Poor Clare, Catharine sometimes did manuscript illumination and also painted miniatures.

At the age of 17, she joined a group of religious women in Ferrara. Four years later the whole group joined the Poor Clares in that city. Jobs as convent baker and portress preceded her selection as novice mistress.

In 1456 she and 15 other sisters were sent to establish a Poor Clare monastery in Florence. As abbess Catharine worked to preserve the peace of the new community. Her reputation for holiness drew many young women to the Poor Clare life. She was canonized in 1712.

Daughter of a diplomat. Tradition says her father received a vision telling him of her birth. Maid of honour to the daughter of a marquis, receiving the same training and education as her mistress. Franciscan tertiary at age 14. Poor Clare nun. Mistress of novices. Established a Poor Clare convent at Bologna in 1456, and served as its abbess. Miracle worker. Prophetess. Mystic. Visionary. Painter and manuscript illuminator. Received a Christmas Day vision of Jesus cradled in Mary's arms.

Comment:

Appreciating Catharine’s life in a Poor Clare monastery may be hard for us. "It seems like such a waste," we may be tempted to say. Through prayer, penance and charity to her sisters, Catharine drew close to God. Our goal is the same as hers even if our paths are different.

Quote:

Catharine wrote a book on the seven spiritual weapons to be used against temptation. "Jesus Christ gave up his life that we might live," she said. "Therefore, whoever wishes to carry the cross for his sake must take up the proper weapons for the contest, especially those mentioned here. First, diligence; second, distrust of self; third, confidence in God; fourth, remembrance of the Passion; fifth, mindfulness of one’s own death; sixth, remembrance of God’s glory; seventh, the injunctions of Sacred Scripture following the example of Jesus Christ in the desert" (On the Seven Spiritual Weapons).

Prayer:

Dear saintly Poor Clare, so rich in love for Jesus and Mary,
you were endowed with great talents by God
and you left us most inspiring writings and paintings of wondrous beauty. You were chosen as Abbess in the monastery of Poor Clares at Bologna. You did all for God's greater glory and in this you are a model for all.
Make artists learn lessons from you and use their talents to the full.
Amen.

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Learn to pray the Rosary--The Joyful Mysteries 

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Learn to pray the Rosary--The Sorrowful Mysteries

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Learn to pray the Rosary--The Glorious Mysteries

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Learn to pray the Rosary--The Luminous Mysteries

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The National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1-800-799-SAFE OR (1-800-799-7233)

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SIGNS OF AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP

---

Do you:

feel afraid of your partner much of the time?

avoid certain topics fear of angering your partner?

feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner?

believe that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated?

wonder if you’re the one who is crazy?

feel emotionally numb or helpless?

---

Does your partner:

• humiliate, criticize, or yell at you?
• treat you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your friends or family to see?
• ignore or put down your opinions or accomplishments?
• blame you for his own abusive behavior?
• see you as property or a sex object, rather than as a person?

---

Does your partner:

have a bad and unpredictable temper?

hurt you, or threaten to hurt or kill you?

threaten to take your children away or harm them?

threaten to commit suicide if you leave?

force you to have sex?

destroy your belongings?

---

Does your partner:

• act excessively jealous and possessive?
• control where you go or what you do?
• keep you from seeing your friends or family?
• limit your access to money, the phone, or the car?
• constantly check up on you?

SAINT OF THE DAY -- May 8 - Saint Peter of Tarentaise

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Learn to pray the Rosary--The Joyful Mysteries 

---

Learn to pray the Rosary--The Sorrowful Mysteries

---

Learn to pray the Rosary--The Glorious Mysteries

---

Learn to pray the Rosary--The Luminous Mysteries

---

---

---

The National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1-800-799-SAFE OR (1-800-799-7233)

---

SIGNS OF AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP

---

Do you:

feel afraid of your partner much of the time?

avoid certain topics fear of angering your partner?

feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner?

believe that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated?

wonder if you’re the one who is crazy?

feel emotionally numb or helpless?

---

Does your partner:

• humiliate, criticize, or yell at you?
• treat you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your friends or family to see?
• ignore or put down your opinions or accomplishments?
• blame you for his own abusive behavior?
• see you as property or a sex object, rather than as a person?

---

Does your partner:

have a bad and unpredictable temper?

hurt you, or threaten to hurt or kill you?

threaten to take your children away or harm them?

threaten to commit suicide if you leave?

force you to have sex?

destroy your belongings?

---

Does your partner:

• act excessively jealous and possessive?
• control where you go or what you do?
• keep you from seeing your friends or family?
• limit your access to money, the phone, or the car?
• constantly check up on you?

SAINT OF THE DAY -- May 7 - Blessed Rose Venerini

Rose was born at Viterbo in Italy, the daughter of a doctor. Following the death of her fiancé she entered a convent, but soon returned home to care for her newly widowed mother. Meanwhile, Rose invited the women of the neighborhood to recite the rosary in her home, forming a sort of sodality with them.

As she looked to her future, Rose, under the spiritual guidance of a Jesuit priest, became convinced that she was called to become a teacher in the world rather than a contemplative nun in a convent. Clearly, she made the right choice: She was a born teacher, and the free school for girls she opened in 1685 was well received.

Soon the cardinal invited her to oversee the training of teachers and the administration of schools in his Diocese of Montefiascone. As Rose's reputation grew, she was called upon to organize schools in many parts of Italy, including Rome. Her disposition was right for the task as well, for Rose often met considerable opposition but was never deterred.

She died in Rome in 1728, where a number of miracles were attributed to her. She was beatified in 1952. The sodality, or group of women she had invited to prayer, was ultimately given the rank of a religious congregation. Today, the so-called Venerini Sisters can be found in the United States and elsewhere, working among Italian immigrants.

Comment:

Whatever state of life God calls us to, we bring with us an assortment of experiences, interests and gifts—however small they seem to us. Rose’s life stands as a reminder that all we are is meant to be put to service wherever we find ourselves.

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Learn to pray the Rosary--The Joyful Mysteries 

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Learn to pray the Rosary--The Sorrowful Mysteries

---

Learn to pray the Rosary--The Glorious Mysteries

---

Learn to pray the Rosary--The Luminous Mysteries

---

---

---

The National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1-800-799-SAFE OR (1-800-799-7233)

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SIGNS OF AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP

---

Do you:

feel afraid of your partner much of the time?

avoid certain topics fear of angering your partner?

feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner?

believe that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated?

wonder if you’re the one who is crazy?

feel emotionally numb or helpless?

---

Does your partner:

• humiliate, criticize, or yell at you?
• treat you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your friends or family to see?
• ignore or put down your opinions or accomplishments?
• blame you for his own abusive behavior?
• see you as property or a sex object, rather than as a person?

---

Does your partner:

have a bad and unpredictable temper?

hurt you, or threaten to hurt or kill you?

threaten to take your children away or harm them?

threaten to commit suicide if you leave?

force you to have sex?

destroy your belongings?

---

Does your partner:

• act excessively jealous and possessive?
• control where you go or what you do?
• keep you from seeing your friends or family?
• limit your access to money, the phone, or the car?
• constantly check up on you?

SAINT OF THE DAY -- May 6 - Saints Marian and James

Often, it’s hard to find much detail from the lives of saints of the early Church. What we know about the third-century martyrs we honor today is likewise minimal. But we do know that they lived and died for the faith. Almost 2,000 years later, that is enough reason to honor them.

Born in North Africa, Marian was a lector or reader; James was a deacon. For their devotion to the faith they suffered during the persecution of Valerian.

Prior to their persecution Marian and James were visited by two bishops who encouraged them in the faith not long before they themselves were martyred. A short time later, Marian and James were arrested and interrogated. The two readily confessed their faith and, for that, were tortured. While in prison they are said to have experienced visions, including one of the two bishops who had visited them earlier.

On the last day of their lives, Marian and James joined other Christians facing martyrdom. They were blindfolded and then put to death. Their bodies were thrown into the water. The year was 259.

(The Saint pictured above is Saint James.)

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Learn to pray the Rosary--The Joyful Mysteries 

---

Learn to pray the Rosary--The Sorrowful Mysteries

---

Learn to pray the Rosary--The Glorious Mysteries

---

Learn to pray the Rosary--The Luminous Mysteries

---

---

---

The National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1-800-799-SAFE OR (1-800-799-7233)

---

SIGNS OF AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP

---

Do you:

feel afraid of your partner much of the time?

avoid certain topics fear of angering your partner?

feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner?

believe that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated?

wonder if you’re the one who is crazy?

feel emotionally numb or helpless?

---

Does your partner:

• humiliate, criticize, or yell at you?
• treat you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your friends or family to see?
• ignore or put down your opinions or accomplishments?
• blame you for his own abusive behavior?
• see you as property or a sex object, rather than as a person?

---

Does your partner:

have a bad and unpredictable temper?

hurt you, or threaten to hurt or kill you?

threaten to take your children away or harm them?

threaten to commit suicide if you leave?

force you to have sex?

destroy your belongings?

---

Does your partner:

• act excessively jealous and possessive?
• control where you go or what you do?
• keep you from seeing your friends or family?
• limit your access to money, the phone, or the car?
• constantly check up on you?

SAINT OF THE DAY -- May 5 - Saint Hilary of Arles

It’s been said that youth is wasted on the young. In some ways, that was true for today’s saint.

Born in France in the early fifth century, Hilary came from an aristocratic family. In the course of his education he encountered his relative, Honoratus, who encouraged the young man to join him in the monastic life. Hilary did so. He continued to follow in the footsteps of Honoratus as bishop. Hilary was only 29 when he was chosen bishop of Arles.

The new, youthful bishop undertook the role with confidence. He did manual labor to earn money for the poor. He sold sacred vessels to ransom captives. He became a magnificent orator. He traveled everywhere on foot, always wearing simple clothing.

That was the bright side. Hilary encountered difficulty in his relationships with other bishops over whom he had some jurisdiction. He unilaterally deposed one bishop. He selected another bishop to replace one who was very ill-but, to complicate matters, did not die! Pope St. Leo the Great kept Hilary a bishop but stripped him of some of his powers.

Hilary died at 49. He was a man of talent and piety who, in due time, had learned how to be a bishop.

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Learn to pray the Rosary--The Joyful Mysteries 

---

Learn to pray the Rosary--The Sorrowful Mysteries

---

Learn to pray the Rosary--The Glorious Mysteries

---

Learn to pray the Rosary--The Luminous Mysteries

---

---

---

The National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1-800-799-SAFE OR (1-800-799-7233)

---

SIGNS OF AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP

---

Do you:

feel afraid of your partner much of the time?

avoid certain topics fear of angering your partner?

feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner?

believe that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated?

wonder if you’re the one who is crazy?

feel emotionally numb or helpless?

---

Does your partner:

• humiliate, criticize, or yell at you?
• treat you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your friends or family to see?
• ignore or put down your opinions or accomplishments?
• blame you for his own abusive behavior?
• see you as property or a sex object, rather than as a person?

---

Does your partner:

have a bad and unpredictable temper?

hurt you, or threaten to hurt or kill you?

threaten to take your children away or harm them?

threaten to commit suicide if you leave?

force you to have sex?

destroy your belongings?

---

Does your partner:

• act excessively jealous and possessive?
• control where you go or what you do?
• keep you from seeing your friends or family?
• limit your access to money, the phone, or the car?
• constantly check up on you?

SAINT OF THE DAY -- May 4 - Blessed Michael Giedroyc

Prayer:

Eternal Father, I wish to honor Blessed Michael Giedroyc, and I give You thanks for all the graces You have bestowed on him. I ask You to please increase grace in my soul through the merits of this saint, and I commit the end of my life to him by this special prayer, so that by virtue of Your goodness and promise Blessed Michael Giedroyc might be my advocate and provide whatever is needed at that hour. Amen.

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Learn to pray the Rosary--The Joyful Mysteries 

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Learn to pray the Rosary--The Sorrowful Mysteries

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Learn to pray the Rosary--The Glorious Mysteries