RADIANT

RADIANT
SPRING ISSUE 2012
GIVE BACK
Spring
Issue 2012
In these turbulent times,
there is one thing that remains strong and true, our
faith, and our goal is to
empower, inspire and
encourage our peers to
live that out each day with
their thoughts, words and
actions and let them know
that their decisions will affect
themselves, society and the
course of history.
Contributers:
Pro Sanctity Camp Fun & Faith
is a Catholic summer camp for girls of all faiths
ages 3-18 run by the Apostolic Oblates, consecrated women who dedicate their lives to the
call to holiness. Our goal is to create a life-giving, faith-filled, safe, fun environment where
girls can grow in their faith, have lots of fun, and
encounter wonderful, young, faithful, Catholic
women who serve as counselors. For 21 years,
Camp Fun & Faith has served girls of all ages
and backgrounds with the help of numerous volunteers and generous benefactors, allowing us
to keep camp costs low and offer scholarships to
any girl in need. We invite you to participate in
our mission--become a counselor, offer financial
assistance, spread the word, and pray for the
safety and holiness of all who participate!
camp@prosanctity.org | www.prosanctity.org
Katherine Almon
Catherine Eduru
Daniel Miller
Julie Ann Monzi
Karla Kristine Nelson
Design:
Anna Liesemeyer
design@be-radiant.com
Publisher:
Rose Rea
rose@be-radiant.com
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Special thanks to Fr. Mike Murphy & Sacred Heart Church for
their sponsorship of this issue!
Cover photo by:
Jefra Linn Photography
jefrastarrlinn.com
“AS YOU WISH”
Have you seen “The Princess Bride?” It’s a film that pokes fun at fairy tales, dates with
destiny, and dealings with true love. At the start, the main character Westley is a servant
farm boy for the beautiful Buttercup. She orders him around, and all he says to her is, “As
you wish.” She realizes with time that he’s really saying “I love you.”
God wants our “I love you” to become our
“As you wish.” But how do we know what
God wishes? How can we be sure of life direction and vocation?
“SPEND TIME IN THE CLASSROOM OF
SILENCE. GOD DOES NOT PLAY GAMES
WITH THOSE WHO HONESTLY SEEK.”
First, we must seek to know. Spend time in
the classroom of silence. God does not play
games with those who honestly seek. Prayer comes first.
Submission comes second. “As you wish” doesn’t mean fully understanding, but it does
mean fully trusting in God’s wisdom despite doubts or suffering. “May it be done to me
according to your word.”
Only after we pray and submit can we listen. People around you may confirm your call.
You may hear God speaking through a priest’s homily, a passage of Scripture, or a mentor’s challenging words.
Last is obedience. If what you hear from God and from others is in line with Church
teaching, being obedient means action. Be diligent and thoughtful in your contemplation,
but be not afraid to act when the time arrives. Fear of the unknown should never prevent
our response to God’s infinite love: “As you wish.”
Daniel Miller
Photo by: jefrastarrlinn.com
O C TO B E R B A B Y
I S G O I N G T O AWA K E N
HEARTS WHEN IT HITS
T H E AT E R S M A R C H
23R D. L E A R N W H E R E
T H E M OV I E’S J O U R N E Y
B E G A N; H E R E W E S P E A K
W I T H J O N E R W I N,
T H E CO-W R I T E R,
CO-D I R E C T O R A N D
CO-P R O D U C E R O F T H E
M OV I E.
Yo u ment ion the f ilm wa s i n s p i re d b y a re a l l i fe s u r v i vo r o f a fa i l e d a b o r t i o n ,
G i anna Jessen. How did G i a n n a’s s t o r y d e ve l o p i n t o O c t o b e r B a b y ?
I heard Gianna speak at a banquet and was shattered by it. I had no idea there
was such a thing as abortion survivors. I was moved and thought, “I need to do
something about this.” I work in the business called entertainment and people
want to be entertained first and foremost, so I thought, “What if we do an engaging coming-of-age romantic story of a beautiful 19-year-old girl when she discovers she’s an abortion survivor who has to find herself and find the power of
forgiveness?” It would be entertaining, make people think about the sanctity of
life and about something that really happens. So, while the story and characters
are fictional, the reality of abortion survivors is very real.
Hannah, the abor t ion s u r v i vo r a n d m a i n c h a ra c t e r, d e a l s w i t h t h e s a m e i ss u e s
a l l o f us young women g o t h ro u g h : a n g e r, b e t ra yal , wa n t i n g t o b e l o n g a n d u l t im ately, forgiveness. You c a n fe e l e a c h e m o t i o n a l o n g w i t h h e r. W h a t wa s i t l i ke
wo rking wi th Rachel He n d r i x o n h e r f i rs t m o t i o n p i c t u re ?
It was kind of like listening to a young singer sing a song for the first time who
you had no idea could sing. To see her hit it out of the park every single day
was an honor, and I was so proud. We discovered her at the U. of Alabama a few
years ago and put her in a Michael W. Smith music video. We’ve been developing her ever since, and to see her nail this role and bring so much heart and humor to it was just amazing. That also goes for the entire cast. They really came
together in an incredible way, and I am so proud of them.
Ho w di f f i cult was i t to g e t t h i s m o v i e i n t o t h e a t e rs ?
Ha, it was more of an uphill battle making this movie than I thought. When we
were looking for a movie studio, we were rejected by everyone. We found out
very quickly this was an untouchable subject matter. The film was labeled polarizing. Nobody would help us. one step at a time, people passionate about the
movie came forth financially to support it.
Now, here we are, opening nationwide March 23, which is really a miracle in
itself. It shows that a lot of people care about this subject matter and want to
join a cause that supports the sanctity of every life. It’s really cool to see a film
that has completely gone around the system because the system rejected it. I
feel very blessed to be a part of it.
We love a romant ic st o r y, a n d t h e o n e p o r t ra ye d b e t we e n Ja s o n a n d Ha n n a h wa s
so honorable and re f re s h i n g ! W hy d i d yo u fe e l i t wa s i m p o r t a n t t o i n c l u d e t h a t
relat ionship?
I feel like in today’s culture there’s a big lie that is being promoted through TV
and entertainment – that you have to lay down your morality at the altar of popularity. In most movies, the Christian character is the nerd or misfit. I wanted to
make a story about a young girl who you fall in love with who has real values,
stands for them and is empowering. I think that’s why young girls are drawn to
her. They are like, “Finally! Someone who stands up for their convictions in a
cool way.” I wanted to do a good romantic love story that spoke to a different
set of values and an important issue.
W hat can our readers d o t o p ro m o t e t h i s l i fe - c h a n g i n g m o v i e ?
First thing they need to know is that your movie ticket is your vote. By doing
that, you’re joining your voice to a much larger voice saying that every life is
beautiful, every life is sacred. If a lot of people go and see the movie opening weekend and thereafter, the movie stays around and keeps playing. If they
don’t take action, it will be gone before you know it. It’s been my movie for
two years, and it’s your movie now. It’s up to you what happens next. The best
thing you can do is create awareness for the film in your spirit of influence:
Facebook, church, youth groups, etc. There’s an awakening to the value of life
in our culture and this is a way we can promote that.
Go to www.octoberbabymovie.net to find out where it’s playing, and if it’s not
playing in your city, read how to form an action squad and bring it to your
community.
Photos courtesy of: The Maximus Group
Quiz: Find Your Saintly BFF
Katherine Almon
1. You and your BFF are looking for an alternative Spring
Break trip. Which adventure do you choose?
a. Did someone say safari? It’s time for Africa with a trip to Ghana where your
mission will be to build a new church.
b. Your heart is set on skiing the Alps and assisting sick children at a pediatric
clinic in Northern Italy. Now that’s Amore!
c. Without reservations, you opt for canyon climbing and teaching catechism
classes to Native American communities in New Mexico.
2. Your prayer life needs some sprucing. What does your
BFF recommend?
a. Offer your daily activities up to God, even the most menial tasks, and
respond to requests with a smile “as the Master desires”.
b. View your life as a gift to God. Treasure every moment because you
never know how long it might last.
c. Recognize God in every person you meet, especially the poor and oppressed.
3. After a stressful week at school, your BFF announces the
following weekend plans to pick up your mood.
a. A morning of fun teaching cultural dance at a local women’s shelter.
b. Fresh air, hiking, and a picnic in the park.
c. Shopping trip to buy prom dresses and donate to girls in need.
4. Your BFF agrees to help out with a dinner party that you are
planning for a “certain” guy in your life. What appetizer does
your BFF bring to the table?
a. Sudanese yogurt and Tahini dip
b. Italian Meatballs, of course!
c. Mini-Philly Cheese Steaks…what guy doesn’t love football food?
5. You and your BFF want to organize a letter-writing campaign to
raise awareness about social injustices. What issue do you choose?
a. Human Trafficking, a modern form of slavery.
b. Destruction of Human Life by abortion, embryonic stem cell research,
capital punishment, and euthanasia.
c. Education as a necessity for all people – especially the poor,
immigrants and victims of racial intolerance.
Mostly A’s
Mostly B’s
St. Josephine Bakhita was born in
Sudan, located in Northern Africa.
At nine years old, she was captured
and sold into slavery. She survived
a life of torture, physical beatings,
and humiliations. One of her slave
masters brought her to Italy where
she discovered the Catholic faith
and eventually gained her freedom. Josephine Bakhita joined the
religious institute of the Daughters of Charity of Canossia in 1896
and died in 1947. Her feast day is
February 8.
St. Gianna Beretta Molla was a
wife, mother, and physician from
the Lombardy region in Italy. She
was known for her great zest for
life and her love of the outdoors.
While pregnant with her fourth
child, Gianna developed a serious
medical condition causing her to
choose between her own life and
the life of her unborn baby. She
passed away seven days after the
birth of her daughter. Her feast
day is April 28.
St. Josephine Bakhita
St. Gianna Beretta Molla
Mostly C’s
St. Katherine Drexel
St. Katherine Drexel was raised in a well-to-do family in Philadelphia.
She gained considerable inheritance from her family and used the fortune to serve the needs of the poor. Katherine established a religious
congregation, schools, and a university to educate Black and Native
American people in the United States. Her feast day is March 3.
Style Watch:
Finding your
Femininity
in Fashion
featuring:
Casey Weigand
3 Style Tips for Spring 2012:
This spring, brighten up
your look with colored
denim or tights.
Add texture with a scarf
or vest.
Pair a long, flowy maxi
skirt with a contrasting
color top for successful
colorblocking.
For more looks to love visit:
www.thewiegands.com
I had been going to church for 21 years before somebody
seriously challenged me to do something with the stack of
stale pages we call Scripture. I was uninterested. Did I mention I had been going to church for 21 years? Let’s be real, at
that rate, I had probably been through the Bible at least five
times. I believed in God, I knew he sent Jesus, and I knew
Jesus died for my sins. Done and done.
Regardless, I accepted the challenge, chalking it up to my
competitive nature. Now, I’m no expert, but I think there are
three reasons Christians refrain from reading the word:
• “It’s boring.”
•“I go to church; if there’s something I should know,
the Church will tell me.”
•“I believe in God, so what’s the point?”
Life’s a journey, especially when we walk it with the Lord.
It’s full of tons of triumphs and tragedies. I think of scripture
as the steps that lay before us. Not paved paths, made easy
and obvious, but the sort that require work and build endurance. Yes, sometimes Scripture is really quite heady, but we
live in a world abounding with resources. This can no longer
keep us from seeking what God summons us to see.
If we invest our time and energy into scaling the Scripture
steps, the perspective we’ll come to have will be that much
broader, richer, and all-encompassing. The stories in the Bible have more to say about our lives than the stuff we’re
surrounded by in our society. I promise you, God has hidden
a world of wonder in his Word that He wants us to explore.
Take the first step.
Karla Kristine Nelson
new & up Coming..
Audrey Assad’s new album Heart,
appropriately released this past
Valentine’s Day, is filled with the
intricacies of love and marriage
alongside her husband’s discovery he had a treatable form of
cancer. Her innate self-awareness,
emotional delivery and rich desire
to know and glorify the Creator’s
heart are evident on the album.
With influences drawn from the
iconic singer-songwriters of the
‘70s (Paul Simon and James Taylor), Heart radiates with Audrey’s
wisdom and stunning voice.
Gold, Britt Nicole’s third album,
hits stores March 26. The first
single from the album will have
you hitting repeat again and
again. ‘’All This Time is the story
of how I met Jesus,’’ says Britt.
“It’s a reminder that whatever
we face in life, we don’t have
to face it alone, because Jesus
promised to never leave us or
forsake us.’’ This album is hip
and fun, yet filled with reverence for the Lord and a vulnerability that will resonate with
you.
I had taken a home-pregnancy test that Friday, but I had been misled by these tests before, so my husband, Charles, and I wanted to
be sure. We went to Birthright to get tested,
and instead of two full lines, the test showed
one clear line and one dim line. Although we
were open to life, feelings of inadequacy and
anxiety swallowed me as I wondered, ‘Me, a
mother?’ We didn’t know what these test results meant. That Monday, we found out.
I was at home, and without notice, collapsed
onto the floor. I remember going in and out
of consciousness, at times hearing Charles repeating, “Jesus loves you!” I remember making
it to the hospital, and I remember hearing the
phrases “life threatening” and “we don’t have
time!” At that point, I surrendered to God.
We learned that the pregnancy was growing
in my fallopian tube, which is an ectopic pregnancy. In a healthy pregnancy, the embryo
makes it down the tube, into the uterus, where
it implants itself and develops. But, for some
reason, the embryo had gotten stuck, and my
fallopian tube had ruptured. I lost 3.5 liters of
blood. I barely had a pulse, and I immediately
needed surgery.
My mind went to saving the child.
I was told the child was lost.
REAL
WOMEN:
REAL LIFE
“
We learned that
the pregnancy was
growing in my
fallopian tube,
which is an ectopic
pregnancy.
“
My loss, His Grace
“
I knew it was a
special moment of
grace for me because my womanhood shone forth
like never before.
What a way to find out I was officially pregnant. I couldn’t process what was happening.
Now, it was a matter of life and death for me.
After the surgery, I was told that had I not
arrived at the hospital when I did, I would
have died. It took some time for me to truly
digest what had happened. But, then it sank
in. Charles and I did in fact, have a child and
lose a child.
We named her Rose. She was baptized of desire, which can be done in emergency situations when a priest is unavailable. We believe
and know she’s with our Father.
“
Two days after we lost Rose, Jesus entered my
heart, removed my feelings of doubt and fear,
and flooded me with love and peace. In one
moment, He freed my heart, renewed it and
prepared it to be the heart of a mother. Sitting
there in my hospital bed – un-showered and
covered in tubes- I felt like a beautiful woman.
I knew it was a special moment of grace for
me because my womanhood shone forth like
never before.
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for
you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more
gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s
power may rest on me.” - 2 Cor 12:9
Catherine Eduru
To read her full story visit:
http://charlesandcatherineeduru.blogspot.com
SPRING CLEANING
By Julie Ann Monzi
Imagine being Mary Magdalene on Easter morning. You peer
into the darkness of the tomb, finding it empty. Where is
Jesus?
We all ask that question at some point in our lives, especially when we are in the gloom of our self-made tombs of
sadness, anger, and regret. The good news is that because of
that first Easter, our hearts can become the home of our risen
Lord who wants to fill those musty graves with the fruit of
His Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
This Easter, roll away the stone from your own heart. It’s time
for spring cleaning! Dust out the cobwebs of old dreams and
embrace the new ones God is revealing to you. Sweep away
the dirt of sin from your life since we know with certainty Jesus paid that price on the Cross. Let the Lord shine His light
of hope on the sadness that paints the walls of your heart.
Life abounds with possibilities when we open ourselves to
Jesus, and our hearts can be full of the Savior of the world
who came to give us abundant life and a fresh start this Easter and every day.
Radiant Magazine
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Chula Vista, CA 91915