The Apostolate of Hannah's Tears

We offer prayer support and comfort to the brokenhearted who suffer the pains of infertility at any stage of life, difficult pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth, the loss of a child and the adoption process.

The Apostolate of Hannah's Tears

The Saint Charles Children’s Home

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ST. CHARLES CHILDREN’S HOME
In 1913, the St. Charles Orphanage opened its doors in Rochester, NH, and welcomed the first group of children to come and live there under the care of the grey nuns. Over the years, the name has changed and the sisters nurturing the children have implemented innovative programs such as group runs in order to provide outlets for energy and room for healing. Below, listen to Mother Paul Marie of the Daughters of Mary, Mother of Healing Love talk about the running program and how the grey nuns of Canada began the work of an orphanage in New Hampshire.
Celebrating 125th Anniversary

Links:  
St. Charles Children’s Home Web site http://www.stcharleshome.org/

Longing for a Child, God has all the Answers

Video

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*Something that you may think about with infertility support groups is a Bible study, with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament or Mass/Benediction.  This may take time building such a support group but ask Our Lady to help you with opening the door of support with your priest/pastor and she will take care of the rest.  

Matthew 7:7-8

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.




Don’t stop seeking God’s presence, you will be surprised just what is waiting for you.


*Note to the reader, I’m not sure why this post is in all caps, as when I am typing this out I am not seeing it in all caps until it is posted.  Sorry if you think I’m shouting, as I’m not.  Blessings to you today and always. (Therese)

Have you ever imagined –

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… just who exactly is praying for you?  

Our little world within ourselves, is pretty small, but in comparison to God’s Church, there’s a mighty ARMY praying and interceding for us at all times.  

Can you actually imagine that?  Wow, it’s hard to comprehend what a treasure God has for His children.

If you are suffering, look to Jesus and quiet the depths of your soul and rest with Him.  He will bring you peace, hope and joy.




                        The Church Militant

These terms are often used in the context of the doctrine of the Communion of Saints; although Christians may be physically separated from each other by the barrier of death, they nonetheless remain united to each other in one Church, and support each other in prayer.
The Latin word militans has a primary meaning of “serving as a soldier, military“, but it acquired a secondary meaning of “to struggle, to make an effort”, which is the intended sense here. Christians on earth (the Church Militant) are still struggling against sin in order that, when they die, they might go to heaven and be members of the Church Triumphant, those who have triumphed over sin. However, if this struggle is successful, but not completely so, then after death they temporarily become members of the Church Suffering before ultimately joining the Church Triumphant.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Our Patron Saints, just to name a few..

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St. Luke, patron of doctors

St. Colette 
conceived when her parents were near 50.                                         
St. Catherine of Sienna above
St. Gianna, wife, mother suffered difficult pregnancy










St. Therese of the Holy Face (spiritual mother)
Her parents suffered the loss of many 
children and Therese had to have a wet nurse
due to her mother’s illness after her birth.


Servant of God Elisabeth Leseur & her husband Felix
suffered infertility throughout their marriage.
St. Hannah, old testament saint
                                                                                   Ven. Maria Louisa 
                                                                   Suffered infertility while married, 
                                                              husband died and she started an 
                                                                order of discalced  Carmelite nuns.


 St. Joachim & St. Anne


St. Elizabeth & Zechariah 



Rachel & Jacob



                                    
                                       Angels appear to Abraham & Sarah




Can you name them?

Can I even imagine…

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just how much Christ loves me?



Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.

This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,

“You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”

The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”
Mary Stevenson, 1936



Partners in a Divine Undertaking?

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‎”A man and woman joined in matrimony become partners in a divine undertaking: Through the act of procreation, God’s gift is accepted and a new life opens to the future.”  ~Pope John Paul II in his encyclical Evangelium Vitae, no. 43


Although, not all of us have the ability to conceive or our challenges are many, we must embrace Jesus throughout. What has helped me is being a part of the Carmelite community, it is good to find community support through the cross.  We are like soldiers of faith who are enduring the imperfections of this world.  Our answers to the question of pain and emotional suffering is to go to Our Lord in all of our weakness and ask for His guidance.  This is a challenge and depending on your health and situation, it may take a while to reach a place of peace.  Continue to pray, and seek God’s will for your marriage, and try to find joy in the little things of life.


As the Catechism states below, our openness to life does not always give us children but we can find ways of helping those God sends our way that He calls us to adopt spiritually.  Like the pain that St. Paul talks about a thorn in the flesh this is what we all endure in our cross, but let me tell you when we embrace it with Love then you will find the answers…


2 Cor. 12:8-10   Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.  Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.


Your peace may come and go throughout your life but relying on Our Lord is the answer that will get you through all of the many challenges  of married life.  Have peace and hope and you will be free.


Catechism of the Catholic Church
2379
The Gospel shows that physical sterility is not an absolute evil. Spouses who still suffer from infertility after exhausting legitimate medical procedures should unite themselves with the Lord’s Cross, the source of all spiritual fecundity. They can give expression to their generosity by adopting abandoned children or performing demanding services for others.


Truly, you will find that all your answers that you seek are within Holy Mother Church.  As God spoke to David “Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10.

Adoption: Heaven’s Gift

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Looking back on the heartache of infertility, I see that through all the pain and disappointment, God hadn’t forgotten us.  by Marlo Schalesky   Read more





Next Article in Series:

  1. Overview
  2. Infertility Causes and Treatments
  3. The Grief of Infertility
  4. Coping With Infertility
  5. How Could He Still Love Me?
  6. Am I Less of a Man?
  7. Adoption: Heaven’s Gift
  8. Next Steps / Related Information


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Miscarriage-Stillbirth-Pregnancy Loss-Infant Death

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  • Back In His Arms Again Ministry – During a time of grief and pain, Back in His Arms Again is a ministry of collaborative resources providing care, compassion, faith, guidance, and support to those experiencing loss as well as those providing care.
  • Be Not Afraid Ministry – an online outreach to parents who have received a poor or difficult prenatal diagnosis. 
  • Shrine of Holy Innocents (Eden Hill, Marians of the Immaculate Conception)  Our God is a God of Mercy who cares for our needs from the moment of conception. The Shrine of the Holy Innocents will honor the memory of the souls of all children whose lives have been lost, and it will provide a sacred place of prayer and healing for parents and others who have been touched by the loss of a child.
  • Faith’s Lodge – Mission Statement: the mission of Faith’s Lodge is to provide a place where parents and families facing the serious illness or loss of a child can retreat to reflect on the past, renew strength for the present and build hope for the future. Read Faith’s Story
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PHOTO SERVICES

**Note Some of the links below may be repeated.

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Grief Support Websites

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Bereavement & Healing Services

 

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MESSAGE BOARDS, SUPPORT FORUMS

DISCUSSION GROUPS


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Specific Causes