Support Life - attend Castlebar Mayo Rally on 3rd November



Let us protect precious lives

Lumiere Charity has received a letter from Mr Tim Jackson of Youth Defence, asking us to announce the forthcoming Rally for Life.

On 3rd November at 1pm Irish time in Castlebar County Mayo, Mayo Life Network will host a vitally important Pro-Life Rally. A few days ago Lumiere had the privilege of supporting the people of Belfast in promoting life - please consider attending this vital rally in County Mayo.
For bus information call; 0877020255.

Let us affirm the sanctity of life within the womb throughout our life until natural death.
Only God has the right over our life.

Many people and representatives from religious denominations steadfastly stood and witnessed to the sanctity of life which has been so courageously upheld in Ireland until the present day.
Below please see photographs showing some of their banners and support.

Please consider attending this important rally.
Blessings,
Rev Catherine Nicolette Whittle

Please click into the following link for more information
http://www.youthdefence.ie/

The people of Ireland pray together
for protection of the unborn

Cars Beep for Life

Abortion is the killing of innocent life

Special rosary prayers for the unborn

How Sacred Your Life is - Lumiere remembers Belfast

Today in Belfast there were scenes of protest as 

people made their voices heard for the innocent unborn

People from all parts of Ireland and from different countries made their way into the beautiful city to stand outside the premises where an abortion clinic was due to be opened today.

Fifty protesters and children in one bus alone
Lumiere Charity was invited to come to add our dedication to the sacredness of each person's individual life, gifted by God. Our one bus from Dublin brought fifty protesters and their families to the event. As we arrived, buses and cars were streaming in from all over Ireland.
So many protesters packed the pavement and road in front of the proposed clinic, with more arriving throughout the day, that the courteous and efficient police had to constantly keep moving the overflow of people to other areas such as over the road where the pavement became packed too. The police had to clear single pathways for passersby on both sides of the road through the peaceful and praying protesters, who carried placards and banners.

Many nationalities from all over Ireland
Throughout the day, I was privileged to speak with many of the protesters. 
Protesters to whom I spoke were from Counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh. Londonderry and Tyrone, Dublin, Cork; from the UK, Dundalk and elsewhere.
Parishioners, clergy representatives of many denominations, fathers and mothers with their babies and children packed the sidewalks.
Different nationalities had come to make their protest at the proposed clinic. 


'Beep for Life'
People were encouraged to beep their car horns if they were in support of the Pro-life protest.  At one stage I was on the phone to South Africa speaking to the South Africans who were holding an all-day prayer vigil for all the protesters in Belfast, when one of the praying group asked me,
"What's that deafening noise?" It was the ongoing sound of the cars registering their protest against the proposed new clinic. So many cars supported the protest that we arrived home with ringing ears from the constant noise of car horns hour after hour, as they passed our protest area.

General public consensus at protest
The general consensus of the public was that 
We fully support the right of the woman within the woman to her life.
We fully support the right of the unborn man within the woman to his life.
Life, according to the Holy Law of God, is sacred and not to be taken.

Lumiere Charity is dedicated to equal rights for all. The basic and first right of each man and woman is the right to live out his or her personal life, once that life has been called into being.  Ireland has always been greatly admired on the international stage for her noble history of deep spirituality and respect for life. 

Stormount investigation
During the day we were informed that a Stormount investigation is to be carried out into the legality of the clinic.
In the spirit of Lumiere, why not write an email/ post a letter/ phone your protest against the opening of the clinic in Belfast?

Can you help?
Also, in the spirit of Lumiere, why not help a teenager/woman in pregnancy crisis? If a woman is considering availing of the service, it means that she is in dire need of assistance. Perhaps she cannot afford to continue her schooling or education while being pregnant, or afford other needs for the newly pregnant mother. Perhaps she needs emotional support during this vulnerable time. As a member of our global human family, let us help her to make a decision which will not have the power to haunt her in years to come, either with physical illness, possible infertility problems, regrets or emotional sadness.

If you are a counsellor, why not offer your services gratis for a period of time each week to a pregnancy crisis/group and/or helpline?

If you are a mother in pregnancy crisis
If you are a mother in pregnancy crisis reading this post, please consider contacting a pregnancy crisis centre for the assistance you need. There are many people who dearly wish to adopt a little one - if you are anxious about your pregnancy, why not consider carrying your little one to birth, while exploring the adoption option.
The following link will lead you to a crisis pregnancy programme
http://www.positiveoptions.ie/unplanned_pregnancy/

Candles have been lit
Candles have been lit by Lumiere Charity in remembrance of Belfast, and for
Mothers in pregnancy crisis

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19990900

 "Not In My Name"

Stop Abortion

Precious Life

Keep Ireland Abortion Free - Protect Life

Protesting the clinic

So sad

Mary of Nazareth, Patron of the Innocent

The sad reality 

*Photographs taken by Rev Catherine Nicolette with permission
*With thanks to www.positiveoptions.ie and 
*With thanks to www.bbc.co.uk northern ireland

Happy Harvest Celebration

Today is the blessed day on which we thank Almighty God for the blessings of the Harvest.
Fruit and vegetable, grains and our needs are provided for by our Great Creator.
Men and women work throughout the year, toiling in the fields and on the farms, working together with the creative forces of Nature blessed by God to bring forth the food which nourishes us and keeps us healthy and strong.

May we remember all those who selflessly work in agriculture, dairy farming and the provision of food; it is a vocation, and essential for our community. May blessings and strength be yours, and may your families be blessed.

Many places of worship today are decorated with the colourful beauty of vegetables and fruits; plums, apples, pumpkins and turnips; wheat, tomatoes, carrots and corncobs. 

Thanks to our Heavenly Father for giving us the health and strength over the past year to bring forth this beautiful Harvest, which will keep us safe through the winter months. Let us pray for our farmers and food providers, that strength and health be theirs as they carry out their work which benefits us, the community.

In celebration of this wondrous harvest, why not click into the following link and rejoice with the glorious song 'We plough the fields and scatter' with the beautiful vocal talents of the Northallerton Methodist Choir.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E07_d_1ig9Y

*With thanks to the Northallerton Methodist Choir and Youtube

English Resources from Kenneth Beare

So; you are working in Charity work, on a shoestring budget. You need to deliver the best teaching. From personal experience I have taught students from India, Africa, Europe and Ireland while making use of the resources from the wonderful website of Kenneth Beare.

Kenneth Beare
Kenneth Beare offers a website on About.com, English as Second Language (ESL) which shows mastery of English in all its forms. There are a wide variety of English learning resources on this site especially designed for English as a Second Language or English as a Foreign Language learners and teachers.
http://esl.about.com/contact/Kenneth-Beare-2205.htm

Beginners in English
Beginning English learners have the opportunity to start with the 25 lesson basic English section.
http://esl.about.com/od/beginningenglish/ig/Basic-English/

English Learners; Beginning Level
English learners find help in categories such as grammar, reading, speaking and listening in
http://esl.about.com/od/beginningenglish/Learning_English_for_Beginners_Beginning_ESL_EFL.htm

English Learners; Intermediate Level
Intermediate English learners have great resource pages in
http://esl.about.com/od/intermediateenglish/Learning_English_for_the_Intermediate_Level.htm

English Learners; Advanced Level
Advanced English learners can use the resources offered in
http://esl.about.com/od/advancedenglish/Learning_English_for_the_Advanced_Level_ESL_EFL_Advanced_English.htm

Teaching English
English Teachers, TEFL and TESOL Teachers find a wide variety of materials including ready-to-go lesson plans which can also be printed for in-class use at
http://esl.about.com/od/englishlessonplans/English_Lesson_Plans_for_ESL_EFL_Classes.htm

ESL/EFL teaching technique
There are a wide range of resources for English teachers on ESL/EFL teaching technique at
http://esl.about.com/od/teachingenglish/Teaching_English_Techniques_Resources_Certificates_Employment.htm

TEFL/TESOL employment resources
TEFL/TESOL employment resources can be found at
http://esl.about.com/od/esleflteachingemployment/ESL_EFL_Job_Opportunities_and_English_Employment_Sites_and_Resources.htm

Guide to study English
Further resources; Guide to study English can be found at
http://esl.about.com/od/intermediateenglish/a/study_english.htm

ESL Forum
The ESL Forum can be visited, see
http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=messages&webtag=ab-esl&lgnF=y

Guide for teaching English for non-professionals
A guide for teaching English for non-professionals is available at
http://esl.about.com/od/esleflteachertraining/a/t_enonpro1.htm

ESL/EFL e-mail course
The eight week ESL/EFL e-mail course dedicated to the basic of teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language; see http://esl.about.com/c/ec/34.htm

Free English as 2nd Language Newsletter
You can sign up for the Free English as 2nd Language newsletter, see the end of the webpage
http://esl.about.com/contact/Kenneth-Beare-2205.htm

Pronunciation resources
Pronunciation resources are available at
http://esl.about.com/od/speakingenglish/Speaking_English_Pronunciation_and_Conversation_Skills.htm

Job-related English
Job-related English; Extensive resources such as vocabulary help, job-specific dialogues and more can be found in the English for Work section of the website at
http://esl.about.com/od/englishforbusinesswork/English_for_Business_Work_and_other_Special_Purposes.htm

This powerful resource offered by Mr Kenneth Beare has directly helped many people in the experience of Lumiere Charity, for which we are deeply grateful.

*With thanks to Mr. Kenneth Beare and About.com
*Photograph taken by Rev Catherine

Breast Cancer and Breast Care - for Women and Men; Good Health Lesson 7

Breast Care - for your positive appearance after breast surgery

Both women and men can get breast cancer. It is vital to examine your breasts regularly for any untoward signs such as change in size, lumps, pain, discolouration, discharge from nipples. See your GP or Breast Care Clinic and get a mammogram - a procedure to check if there is any sign of breast cancer starting.
Please click into the following link if you are a woman to find how to examine your breasts;
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-check-for-breast-cancer.navId-397625.html

Please click into the following link if you are a man to find how to examine your breasts;
http://www.idph.state.il.us/menshealth/selfscreening.htm

Illness and treatment bring changes in their wake, including appearance related side effects.
After a mastectomy (removal of breast) and treatment, as a woman you may feel more comfortable not to have a flat area on your chest which is unequal in size to the appearance of your other breast.

It is great to know that there are options to bring you confidence with this issue.
After a mastectomy, a breast form can be fitted. These are forms made of materials which resemble the weight, movement and feel of the natural breast tissue.
There are partial breast forms (such as wedge or shell shapes) for those whose surgery has only altered the shape or size of the breast only slightly. This evens out the profile.

Full breast forms are available for those whose surgery has left a flat area on the chest.
The breast forms come in various sizes/ shapes and profiles. The colour of the breast form can be ordered to match your skin tone.
The breast forms are held against the chest by a fitted pocketed bra.
Alternatively, there are also contact breast forms which stick directly onto the skin and which do not require a special pocketed bra.

Mastectomy bras can be purchased, and they need to be well fitted.
Another option is to adapt an ordinary brassiere by sewing in a pocket.
A breast form can be placed in a pocketed nightie for wearing at night.
Swimsuits with pockets for comfort and confidence while swimming can be purchased.

If a bra is too constricting in feel after surgery, a pocketed cami top or cotton vest can be worn.

Roches has assisted women for many years with breast forms and guidance. Please click into the following link;
http://www.roches.ie/portfolios/prosthesis-breast-forms/#

*With thanks to www.dummies.com, Menshealth screening and Roches websites

Good Shepherd Church Seminary; Practical guidance for the new priest



Jesus Christ - Son of God

Dear Reverend/ Minister/ Pastor,

It is natural to feel 'lost' at the beginning of a new ministry - you have received the call, answered it, and then there may be a feeling of panic and 'what now?'

There are certain possibilities which may be of assistance to you in your new ministry
1) When starting a new ministry, it is helpful to sit down with pen and paper and make a concrete plan

2) Break down the plan to a time frame and the finances needed

3) Pray and discern the following; what type of ministry do you feel called to?
    There are different possibilities, such as;
      - A church in your neighbourhood
      - Prison ministry
      - Hospital ministry/ chaplaincy
      - Community ministry
      - Online Internet ministry

4) Once you have decided after guidance from the Holy Spirit of God what type of ministry you wish to prepare yourself for, you need to register your church with your local Revenue and enquire about tax free status for your church

5) Research and learn all the rules surrounding the governance of a church in your area, e.g. if you buy or build a small church, what rules do you need to abide by with regards to e.g. health and safety issues.
If you wish to conduct marriages, do you need a local marriage officer qualification in order to do so?

6) Gain accreditation by doing a training course in a seminary as a pastor/ priest/ minister. Gain community accreditation by qualifying as e.g. a local marriage counsellor or chaplain if this qualification is needed for practice in your community

7) Start saving up for, or fundraising for, e.g. a graduation robe as a vestment, a stole, a chalice, paten so you may be appropriately attired for your ministry. Make a list of what you will need for your particular ministry and then build the needs up over time

8) Explore the option of renting an area for church use if you judge this best for your ministry need

9) Work out what work you will continue to do in the meantime to provide your daily financial needs as you slowly build up your ministry.
I call this the 'Paul model of ministry' - Paul of Tarsus earned his daily living as a tentmaker, and ministered after his work hours. He was thus financially independent and able to fund his ministry needs from his earnings*

10) Plan out how much time you will allot weekly to your church ministry. Do you plan to minister full time? Part time? How will you ensure a healthy work/ life balance to spend sufficient time with your family/ loved ones to maintain happy and strong relationships?

Good Shepherd Church Seminary offers practical training for Christian pastors called to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Feel free to make use of our modules as part of your training at http://lumierecharity.tripod.com/gsc-training-modules.html.
Full training is offered through the Universal Life Church; contact can be made with Rev. Amy Long at http://www.ulcseminary.org/

Blessings
Rev. Catherine

*St Paul of Tarsus - with thanks to About.com. See the following link;
http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/christians/p/PaulTarsus.htm
*Photograph of beautiful sculpture of Jesus Christ taken by Rev. Catherine.
With thanks to the talented sculptor

The smile says it all - a little boy is given a new life

Lumiere Charity rejoices with Mark van der Walt and all at Marike de Klerk Children Fund, as they celebrate the successful operation to the legs and feet of this little angel in South Africa. 

Mark has been dedicatedly transporting and assisting the family and this little boy for a long time, as he needed urgent medical and surgical care. 

His future would have been limited ability to walk, and compromised legs. 

Now through the miracle of dedicated selfless care from Marike de Klerk Children Fund Organisation, and the intervention of tireless and talented Doctors and Health Personnel, this little one looks forward to a future where he will be able to walk normally.

This story of success and happiness has great personal meaning for me. As a small child, I had malformed feet which pointed inwards and would have meant a compromised future. 

My mother took me to an Orthopoedic surgeon, who prescribed special boots for me to wear for years as my young feet grew, to train them to grow straight. I do remember it was a painful and long process. 

My Dutch grandmother would take over when Mom was out of the house. 

I remember her walking me up and down the old South African wooden block floors. 

I had to try to point my feet straight; with malformed feet, it was an almost impossible task, but Ouma and Mom persevered. 

Dad laboured away at work to pay for all the costly fees, and all at the hospital did what they could to help.

One day my little growing feet in the strapped boots hurt so very, very much. I was near to tears, and I whispered to Ouma as I stopped at the old black oven range just how much it hurt.

'I can't', I said to her, the tears dropping on my lashes. 

Ouma knelt down to me, put her arms around me and her face close to me, and in her Dutch and broken English said to me, 'Tinks, listen to me. You must. It is for your future. 

For some pain now, you will have a long future ahead of you where you will walk and be healthy. 

You must be brave. Trust me. Do your practice now, and one day you will be healthy and strong.' 

I listened to Ouma, my heroine, and started struggling along the wooden paving blocks again, pushing my feet in the direction they had to be trained in.

Today I have perfectly straight feet. I have worked twelve to fifteen hours straight with no problem or pain in my feet or legs. 

If it had not been for my family and the dedicated Hospital staff, I would have been a cripple today. 

And so the smile of the little boy in his boots after his successful operation has made my heart fill with joy at his blessings, and the remembered blessings in my life. 

God sets angels along our way - and Mark and his team have been family to this little boy.

At present Mark and the Marike de Klerk Children Fund team are desperately in need of funds. 

Severe weather conditions at Coronation Park have people living amongst slush and mud. 

People are hungry, and the children are in need. 

Is there anything you can do to help Mark with his dedicated work?

Please contact Mark at markvanderwalt@telkomsa.net

or contact lumierecharity@yahoo.co.uk

*Previous blog post about Mark and the work of Marike de Klerk Children Fund at

http://lumierecharity.blogspot.ie/2012/09/heartrending-poverty-at-coronation-park.html

*Photograph from Mark used with permission