Live Your Catholic Life

Category Archives: Live Your Catholic Life

LifeTeen.com Blog

Men and Abortion

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I asked a handful of men some questions about abortion and I was deeply moved by their answers. It convinced me that it’s not just women who are hurt by abortion. Men have strong feelings about it and want to stand up for life. They are affected too.

Read for yourself.

“11 years ago my girlfriend at the time told me she was pregnant, but because she already had one fatherless child and I was a drunk and an addict she told me she was going to abort the baby. I was not practicing my faith back then but I knew it was wrong. I fought for her to keep the baby but in the end I gave up . . . “

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Video

It’s her body. Why can’t a woman have an abortion if she wants? [Video]

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“It’s her body, can’t a woman have an abortion if she wants?” Brooke Burns, Education Director for Arizona Right to Life, gives us the true and Catholic answer to this argument about abortion. She reminds us that besides the woman’s body, she has the responsibility of a completely new person (with it’s own body) inside of her own. The baby isn’t a “part” of her body like a kidney or lung. It is separate and unique with it’s own rights.

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Video

Can the baby feel anything in an abortion? [Video]

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“Can the baby feel anything in an abortion?” Brooke Burns, Education Director for Arizona Right to Life, gives the Catholic answer to this question about abortion. She talks about the recent laws regarding fetal pain. She also discusses whether the pain really matters when we talk about the “right” to kill a person.

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Is a fetus in the womb a baby? I’ve heard it’s just tissue. [Video]

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“Is the fetus in the womb a baby? I’ve heard it’s just tissue.” This is something you hear a lot and Brooke Burns, Education Director for Arizona Right to Life, answers this question. She discusses how the unique DNA every fetus has from the moment of conception makes it a human baby, not just a clump of cells.

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What about if the woman is raped? Shouldn’t she be allowed to have an abortion? [Video]

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In this video, Brooke Burns, Education Director for Arizona Right to Life, answers the question: “What about if the woman is raped? Shouldn’t she be allowed to have an abortion?” She tells us that the Catholic answer to this common question about abortion is that in these situations, the last thing the woman needs is to experience more violence and pain; she needs love, support, and healing.

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I agree abortion is wrong, but who am I to tell someone else not to have an abortion? [Video]

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Have you ever heard someone say: “I agree abortion is wrong, but who am I to tell someone else not to have one?” We’ve got the Catholic answer to this question. Brooke Burns, Education Director for Arizona Right to Life, talks about how she felt this way too at one point. She challenges us to not take this “easy way out” of the abortion discussion and to stand up for something as fundamental as life.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

March For Life: Changing Laws, Changing Souls

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When we attend the March for Life, we stand in the streets of our Nation’s capital to protest a law that is unjust. To take a day to gather and give a very public witness – to “shout” that we are Pro-Life, and that the law of our land is unjust. But as Catholics – as humans – we know that at the heart of the pro-life movement it is not a question of laws but of souls. The souls of babies, the souls of mothers and fathers, and the souls of those with whom we disagree.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

“Dear Mommy”: A Letter From an Aborted Baby

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Dear Mommy,

I want you to know how much I love you even though I’m not with you anymore. I was really scared the other day, but I’m ok now.

I woke up to your crying and all of a sudden I felt a force like no other. I gripped my tiny hands into your flesh, but I was no match. I felt like I was being sucked away. And then came the pain. Mommy . . . it really hurt. The doctor tore me from your womb and placed my body like garbage on the cold table. I hoped you would hear me, but my cries were not enough. I needed you Mommy. I know that all the pain I felt yesterday is nothing compared to the pain you must feel. I’m sorry you’re hurt too . . . I love you.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

What If I Told You The Truth

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Editor’s Note: Can you see the truth through the Religion vs. Jesus debate? We’re praying for you as you talk about this issue and the viral video with your friends. We loved how well Peter Kreeft articulates this question about “church” in his book Before I Go: Letters to Our Children about what Really Matters. Here is the truth, boiled down to the basics without any fancy distractions. “What’s the Big Deal about Church? Why is she so important? Because she is how we Read more [...]

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Torn Up Inside: The Truth About Abortion

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I think we can agree on a lot of things that are wrong. No one is going to say that abuse of any kind is okay. Or that starving children in third world countries should remain hungry. We can all agree that school shootings are terrible. And that no person, young or old, should have to deal with the pain of cancer.

But what about abortion?

It’s confusing. Especially when you hear so many conflicting voices. It can be hard to see clearly whether it’s right or wrong. I understand it’s difficult to make that judgment. In my own mind, I know that a woman, especially in a crisis situation, deserves what is best for her. She deserves to be cared for.

But when I think about the baby, I want the baby to be loved and cared for too. What is best for both of them? Is it the same in every circumstance?

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LifeTeen.com Podcast

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday: 01/15/2012

Are you listening to the call of Christ? Readings for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time: 1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19; Ps 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10; 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20; Jn 1:35-42 Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

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LifeTeen.com Blog

A Love Letter From a Martyr to His Girlfriend

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Yesterday, December 26th, we celebrated the feast of St. Stephen. He was the first martyr. Isn’t it interesting how the Church has placed the feast of Christmas and the feast of this saint right after one another? I feel like we’re supposed to learn something here . . .

Accepting Jesus as our Savior and following Him costs a lot. Blessed Bartolome knew that and wasn’t afraid of death even though it meant leaving his beloved behind.

Below is a letter that Bartolomé Blanco Márquez wrote to his girlfriend from prison the day before he was executed during religious persecution in Spain in the 1930′s.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

“I Boldly Beg You to Pray for Our Service Men and Women”

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I boldly beg you to pray for our servicemen and women, veterans and all their families. Christmas is the occasion when we remember the Gift of the Father to us. Each of us tries to respond by giving something we have received to those in need. Those who serve our country in uniform need and deserve our prayers.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

“Under the Mistletoe” by Justin Bieber [Review]

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I’m not ashamed to say it: selections from Justin Bieber’s latest album, Under the Mistletoe, have definitely been creeping their way up on my iTunes’ most played list. As a lover of music and all things Christmas, I thought I’d share my reflections on one the year’s hottest Christmas albums.

Under the Mistletoe is Justin’s first Christmas album. In it, the 17-year-old pop star comes together with some of the biggest names in music, including: Usher, The Band Perry, and Boyz II Men. Aside from the classics like Silent Night, and The Christmas Song, I’d have to say my favorite songs on the album are Mistletoe, Drummer Boy, and Pray.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Fun Activities for Your Christmas Break

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year! (Or so I’ve heard about 1000 times a day on my radio.) But seriously, who doesn’t love this time of year? Advent calendars are up, Christmas decorations are all over and the first semester of school is winding down. While that means finals are coming up, it also means that Christmas Break is right around the corner. Whether you’re going on vacation or staying home this Christmas, grab a delicious cup of eggnog and read on as I break down my top 5 favorite Christmas break activities.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Creative Gift Ideas for Christmas

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One of the biggest stresses of the Christmas season is gift giving. It can be difficult to find the right gift for a person. Or the stores you shop in are incredibly busy or your wallet isn’t keeping up with your heart (especially for students and others on tight budgets). Gift-giving should be joyful though!

To help you out we have a list of a few meaningful, inexpensive and homemade presents you can give to your friends and family. You can easily put your own spin on each of these ideas. Some of them might take longer to make than others but it’s still a great way to show someone how much you appreciate the gift of their life!

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Life Teen Staff Picks: Breaking Dawn

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I just want to be sure we’re clear – I’m not on “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob.” But because Breaking Dawn is coming out today, here’s a hilarious spoof that SNL did. I thought you might enjoy this. If you don’t get it – maybe it’s time to read some classics.

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LifeTeen.com Blog

'Til Death Do Us Part?: Kim & Kris vs. Danny & Annie

If you’ve been “Keeping up with the Kardashians” you know that Kim is getting divorced. She and Kris Humphries have been married 72 days. I’ve done the math for you and it’s not even three months! It leaves the question in my mind, “Is true love possible? Is it real? Can two people stay together ‘til death do us part’?” See for yourself. Take a look at this real couple, Danny and Annie, and their 27 year love story; and believe God has something amazing planned for your life. (Jeremiah 29:11)

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LifeTeen.com Blog

What the Hallow is Going On?

Consider our current American culture. Pornography is the highest-grossing industry in America, by far, eclipsing the gross revenues of all professional sports and major television networks. The highest-grossing movies amongst American teenagers over the past several years have been “slasher” horror films, followed by sex “comedies” at a close second. Music becomes more profane and suggestive. Video games become increasingly violent and graphic. Divorce rates climb. The gay marriage debate continues to grow in intensity. Well over forty-five million babies have been legally killed since 1973.

In the face of all this insanity stands the Roman Catholic Church. Right?

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LifeTeen.com Blog

Is Your Halloween Costume Sexy?

It was 1999 and I had just entered my freshmen year of high school. The first school dance of the year was quickly approaching so I had to wear the perfect outfit. My goal was to look sexy because that’s what I thought I had to do to compete with other girls and to get attention from guys. The truth is I desperately wanted guys to find me attractive because I wanted to feel beautiful.

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