Maureen Pratt, Author and Speaker

I'm delighted to say I'll be back on Relevant Radio's Morning Air Program with Sean Herriott on Thursday, April 11, 2013, at 8 AM Central/​6 AM Pacific. We're going to talk about the art of mentoring and working with a mentor throughout life. Hope you can tune in - either at www.relevantradio.com, or on one of the Relevant Radio Stations throughout the US.

I have two new Galleries on Beliefnet.com, in addition to those already posted. You'll find the links below - Enjoy!

As part of the activities throughout February, I have written several articles for Beliefnet.com's "Cause of the Month," dedicated to heart health awareness and education. Click on the link above to see all the content for this important cause, and click on my blog link to read more information about all things of the heart.

...so, if you missed it, you can click on the link, above, and then on "Virtual Conference," to access my workshop. There are also other workshops you might want to watch, and you can do so at anytime, too.

If you live with an invisible illness, you know the challenges we face. If you care about of for someone with an invisible illness, you, too, experience challenges. The workshops during IIAW will be chock-full of information, support, insight, humor, prayers and encouragement. Enjoy!

Peace in Christ,
Maureen

Back to school. Back to work. Back to "life." This month is one where we take up once again our daily routines that always seem to turn out to be not-so-routine. Why? Perhaps, when we think we know what our schedules will hold and then we find our knowledge was imperfect and our plans change, it's because God has other things in mind for us.

I bring this up now from a perspective of having lived with serious illness nearly all of my life, and with the diagnosis of lupus for almost 16 years. Truly, there is nothing so humbling as to have a disease that can wax and wane seemingly with a "mind of its own." One day is good. The next day...not so good. The third day is a blur. The fourth day, sharp and keen and vital once again. We lupies learn to appreciate the good days (and, sometimes we overdo on those days, making the tougher days all the more tough....we know who we are!)

But, even with the unpredictability of chronic illness, we people of faith know one thing is certain each day, each night, every moment - God's unwavering love and presence.

This is particularly important to remember in those dark times, when we think that we'll never feel even a little bit better again. Or, when a new symptom arises and we're thrown in to another round of tests, meds, and pain. Indeed, we can ever more cling to the knowledge that God does not forsake us. Not now, not then, not ever.

But, he might have other plans for us than those that we so painstakingly set forth on our calendars.

This month, as September unfolds, I think I'll be more mindful of plans that change and purpose that is tweaked, even a little, so that I can more resolutely affirm my faith, discern His way, and forge ahead with the delight of discovery and new horizons!

May you, too, have a faith-graced month!
In Christ Our Lord,
Maureen

Many people have asked me if they can read my syndicated column, "Living Well," online. The column is distributed by Catholic News Service and published in English-language, Catholic publications throughout the English-speaking world. From time-to-time, one or more of my columns can be found online in the electronic versions of the publications that pick them up. And, periodically (pardon the pun!), I will include links to these columns here, on my website.

There are two such links that I'd like to share this month, and they can be found in my "Links" column to the right of my home page.

Enjoy!

Many of you will remember my feather article on the Immaculate Heart of Mary Children's Choir and their inspiring and unlikely journey to their first-ever international competition at the World Choir Games in Cincinnati, Ohio.

They did it!

Not only did the choir compete, but they were placed in the Champions Category, the highest possible category, and came back to Los Angeles with TWO Silver Medals!

This wonderful ending to their journey is really only the beginning, and I look forward to including much more about their development as the months and years move ahead. For now, though, if you missed the story, I've included a link to the Saint Anthony Messenger website. New footage of the choir's visit to the SAM offices is also running there, so even if you've read the article, check it out!

Congratulations, IHM Children's Choir and director Cristopher "Pete" Avendano, and the whole IHM family - well done!

When healthcare gets political, I have to speak out. Below is a link to a column that I wrote earlier this year about the way women's health is being co-opted for political purposes - and how we have to be vigilant so that real help will reach the real needs of women who are truly suffering.

As we approach another Lenten season, it would be easy to feel overwhelmed by the things in our world that seem to pick away at our serenity, peace, and very relationship with God. Pain, physical and emotional, can do this. So, too, can outside influences whether from the personal or political realm. As we fight to stay true to our convictions and Christian conscience, stress bubbles up - and those of us know live with chronic illness and pain know only too well how much stress can exacerbate our symptoms and drive us further down. On the verge of "What's the use?" or "I cannot go another step?" You're not alone.

But, wait.

All around us and inside us, too, is a resilience we have yet to fully tap into. A strength that can and does stand its ground. A courage that can be tested, but does not need waiver. A faith that can see clearly, truly, and act accordingly.

By its very darkness, negativity can obscure goodness. But we have light on our side, and the more we nurture it, the more we will be able to rise above and bring peace to the stress.

How do we nurture light, goodness, peace, and faith?

There are simple ways that can pack a powerful punch against darkness and negativity. We can practice them now, before Lent, and throughout the year. They include:

1) Covering quiet with prayer. In those times of struggle, lifting up our cares to God and resting in blessed quiet can bring us serenity like no other activity can.
2) Perfuming the air with inspirational music. Rhythm, notes, different tonal qualities can touch the spirit in places that words and actions cannot. If we fill our air with beautiful music that moves us gently toward God, we can breathe in His awesome greatness.
3) Seeking right knowledge and information. We need not blindly accept what others say when it goes against what we, in our good conscience, know to be right. Vigilantly seeking truth is vital to defending our faith and human dignity, and there is no time like the present, when information is so readily available in many corners, to do just that.
4) Studying the Word. I'm still working my way throught the Bible. Although I've read it cover-to-cover several times before, nearly 3 years ago I began again by reading one chapter a day and truly studying it. What a difference this has made in my understanding! And what a revelation about how much more God can bestow wisdom when we slow way down to receive it!
5) Strengthening fellowship. Sometimes, it can seem as if we collect friends for the sake of the numbers (social networking sites do tend to bring this to mind). But strong bonds are not forged in superficiality. They touch our hearts, encourage our ministries, and walk with us as we walk with them. Strong fellowship is crucial to facing the challenges of today - and the more we work to nurture these bonds, the more we will rise above.

There is a gospel song with the refrain, "I shall not be moved." It has been going through my mind and heart a lot, lately, and I know that it will be one of the themes running through this Lenten season. I pray that, whatever your stresses and challenges, you, too, will find a way to be resolute in your faith and that your light will flourish now and always!

Peace and joy
Maureen

Many times, people say, " What can I do?" The truth is, plenty! And here's one opportunity - Although it has already begun, it's not too late to join others in Relevant Radio's daily Rosary focused on praying for pro-life values to prevail in our country and in our world. The Rosary will be prayed every day live on the Morning Air Radio Program on Relevant Radio for 54 days in the 7:30 AM Central/​5:30AM Pacific time zones. This began earlier in the month, but you can join in the prayer at anytime; the daily Rosary is archived on RR's website (link on my home page). You can also contact the Morning Air team and let them know that your state is represented in the prayer. More information is available at www.relevantradio.com

I'm delighted to announce that my friend Marvin Evans has just released his first CD - City Rhythms Suite. Marvin was the accompanist and arranger at St. Eugene Church when I directed the gospel choir there, and most recently we worked together on the music for the television program, "Peace in the Storm," at Loma Linda Broadcasting Network International.

Marvin is one of the most gifted composers, arrangers, and pianists I've ever had the honor to work with, and he is a wonderful person and devoted family man, too (his family is terrific!). If you'd like some new, good-listening music with an eclectic and inspired heart, I recommend you take a listen to City Rhythms Suite. It's available on iTunes and CDBaby, as well as Amazon.com, and there's a link on the right of my Home Page to take you directly to Mavin's webpage on CDBaby.com. Enjoy! And, congratulations, Marvin!

The Christmas tree is back in its box, but the creche is still settled on a bookcase in my living room. Yes, it's Christmas-becoming-New Year's - time to still keep Christ's birthday close while looking ahead to fresh beginnings...and a few leftovers.

Oh, not leftovers of an edible kind, although there are plenty of those, too. But leftovers of the things that we thought we'd accomplish in 2011. Whether they are resolutions that went unresolved or midstream to-dos, we all have things that are being carried over from one year to another. And yet, we also have new things that we want to add.

How to do them all?

Well, perhaps we are best to rethink that very question. As tempting as it might be to heap "hope to" upon "hope to," in lives punctuated by pain and illness, it's just not realistic to think that we'll be able to accomplish absolutely everything on our 2012 list AND finish up 2011's items. As we well know, illness has a way of cropping up unexpectedly, and pain can ebb and flow completely outside any well-planned schedule.

This year, instead of adding to my weekly list of tasks, I'm paring down. Giving myself more breathing room. Prioritizing those activities that remain so that I can more fully enjoy (and do justice to) them. I guess you could say I'm resolved to put myself on an activity "diet," adding in only a very few things as I pare back other activities.

It's important to understand that, when we hone down the things we are engaged in, we are not giving up nor are we giving in to our health challenges. Rather, we are allowing ourselves to be less stressed and less stretched. And, something even more wonderful - we're allowing God to reach into the "blank spaces" and fill our lives with more light, peace, joy, rest, mini miracles, and stupendous surprises.

As we move into 2012, I'm reminded of this part of a Robert Frost poem, "May something go always unharvested!
May much stay out of our stated plan,
Apples or something forgotten and left,
So smelling their sweetness would be no theft." ("Unharvested")

May you, too, experience many unexpected blessings in 2012!

Joy and peace in Our Lord Jesus Christ,
Maureen

The Bookstore at St. Monica's Catholic Church, 725 California Avenue, Santa Monica, CA, is kindly offering to give a 10% discount on "Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness" and "Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy" if you mention this announcement at the time of purchase. With independent bookstores quickly disappearing, I hope that, if you are in the Los Angeles area, you can support St. Monica's Bookstore in its very worthy mission. Thank you!

An awful lot of people throughout the world are in tremendous pain these days. Whether from external forces - natural disasters, war, economic troubles - or from internal problems regarding health, emotional challenges, and general fear and angst, many feel as if a dark cloud is hovering over them, obscuring the sun and light of happier, brighter times.

My heart goes out to all who are suffering - and my hope goes out, too, that in the midst of the pain, something powerfully positive will take hold.

I think of it this way - Darkness is erradicated by illumination. In the same way as we consciously decide to flip a switch to turn on a light, if we consciously decide to approach pain from a different, more empowering perspective, we can take hold of it, take charge, and rise above it.

Sometimes, we need help reaching the switch - and we can ask for that help through invention from God, friends, counselors, medical professionals and by educating ourselves on our particular situation. And we certainly need to acknowledge that, as we move to turn on the light, we are also acknowledging the Power, the One whose energy moves through it all - we are very surely saying "yes" to God. But the decision to take action, positive action, rests with us.

Does it take energy to want to move from helplessness to more control? Certainly.

Is it scary to budge from where we're sitting to someplace more productive, more active? Oh, yes!

But each step we take to live well, grace-fully and joyfully, is a step forged in strength, courage, and growth. We appreciate ourselves so much more, and this gift of precious life that God bestows, if we do all we can to make the most of it - to shine!

Pain in life is inevitable. But what is not carved in stone is our response to it. Even if, today, the obstacles to a better life seem insurmountable, God's enegy is present, and His love moves all around us, encouraging us to reach up, reach out, re-act - and turn on the light for all to see!

Joys and peace!
Maureen

Now that my new book is out, I am especially eager to let you know that YOU can make a difference!!!

You?!?!

Yes, YOU!!!

I'm calling upon you to be a positive influence for someone you know. Here's what I mean:

If you (1) are or have a pastor, preacher, support group leader, or other organization or individual who reaches out to people in pain and/​or living with illness adn (2) feel they might benefit from "Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy," I invite you to let me know who they are (or contact me yourself). I would be delighted to see how we can work together to help those who live with horrible pain feel more peace and, of course, joy!

Each creative endeavor seems to build upon another. As I was writing "Peace in the Storm" and "Beyond Pain," I began to craft gemstone and pearl jewelry. After a very positive response to the designs, I've opened a little shop online. It's a work in progress, and over the next few months I'll be adding to the pieces already there, but I invite you to visit and let me know what you think of my "Simply Lovely Jewelry." (the website is: www.simplylovelyjewelry.etsy.com) Thank you and enjoy!

My interviews on Relevant Radio's Morning Air Program are archived on the Relevant Radio website: www.relevantradio.com. You can search for my name and then click on a particular interview to listen in, if you weren't able to hear the segments real-time.

Yes, I finally took the plunge and established myself on Facebook and Twitter. On both, you'll find me as Maureen Pratt. In the coming days, I hope to post more frequently - and make full use of these venues. Stop by and say hello!

The episode of The Word in the World, on which I was interviewed, is now available for viewing online at www.wordnet.tv. In this almost half-hour show, I talk about life with lupus and other chronic illnesses and pain, and how our faith can help us overcome isolation, sadness, and hopelessness -- and how we can help others, too.

I'm honored and delighted to say that "Peace in the Storm" has been picked up again by Global Ministries (www.new.gbgm-umc.org) and is on the UMW Reading Program list for 2011 and 2012, too. What a wonderful way to bring "Peace" to more places where, I pray, it can be of service!

The interview I did on blogtalkradio at the end of June 2007 is archived on: http:/​/​www.blogtalkradio.com/​hostpage.aspx?show_id=29936
It was a wonderful experience, and the questions were some of the most enjoyable to answer that I've had. Hope you can check it out!

The segment featuring me on the Hallmark Channel's show "New Morning" was repeated in March. Both airings are now posted for viewing at www.newmorningtv.tv. When you go to that site, click on "Past Shows," then go to "February 2007" or "March 2007." Specific air dates are February 5, 2007, and March 1, 2007.

In my column, "Living Well," I explore topics related to spirituality and health -- all designed to encourage readers to take charge of as much of their health as they can and deepen their spiritual lives, too. Columns are posted on Catholic News Service's subscriber page and have so far been picked up by newspapers in Brooklyn, St. Paul/​Minneapolis, Nashville, Baton Rouge, Los Angeles, Texas, Florida, and Australia (to name a few). If your diocesan publication doesn't run "Living Well," encourage them to do so -- and let me know what you think!

The folks at beliefnet.com have asked to excerpt some of the prayers from PEACE IN THE STORM for their section on prayer. Beliefnet.com is a very interesting site devoted to introducing people to all faiths, as well as providing spiritual support to the faiths' followers.

The first few prayers are posted now at:

http:/​/​www.beliefnet.com/​prayeroftheday/​prayer_one.asp?pid=3405
http:/​/​www.beliefnet.com/​prayeroftheday/​prayer_one.asp?pid=3407
http:/​/​www.beliefnet.com/​prayeroftheday/​prayer_one.asp?pid=3408
http:/​/​www.beliefnet.com/​prayeroftheday/​prayer_one.asp?pid=3409
http:/​/​www.beliefnet.com/​prayeroftheday/​prayer_one.asp?pid=3410
http:/​/​www.beliefnet.com/​prayeroftheday/​prayer_one.asp?pid=3411
http:/​/​www.beliefnet.com/​prayeroftheday/​prayer_one.asp?pid=3412
http:/​/​www.beliefnet.com/​prayeroftheday/​prayer_one.asp?pid=3413
http:/​/​www.beliefnet.com/​prayeroftheday/​prayer_one.asp?pid=3414
http:/​/​www.beliefnet.com/​prayeroftheday/​prayer_one.asp?pid=3415
http:/​/​www.beliefnet.com/​prayeroftheday/​prayer_one.asp?pid=3416
http:/​/​www.beliefnet.com/​prayeroftheday/​prayer_one.asp?pid=3417

Other prayers will follow!

Tu companero catolico, a nationally syndicated Catholic radio program, did an interview with me in Spanish a few months ago -- and it aired in late October! The link to the program is on my website; you can listen on the web. (I apologize for the lack of accents in my Spanish here -- I'm just figuring out a new keyboard and hope to add them soon!)

Let me know what you think! Gracias.

Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus) is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system turns on its own organs and tissues. It is much like being allergic to oneself.

The diagnosis of lupus is complicated, and involves a comprehensive physical and hemotological examination of the patient, as well as an extensive look at a patient's past medical history. The American College of Rheumatology has established a list of criterion, and a patient needs to fulfill several of the criterion in order to be diagnosed with lupus.

Because there is no one "lupus test," or easy way to diagnose the disease, patients often go years between flares and before they are diagnosed. Lupus patients with internal manifestations of the disease often look very healthy, and can be subject to discrimination on that basis.

There are no definitive numbers of how many people in the United States actually have lupus, but recent studies indicate that there might be as many as 1.5 to 2 million women, men and children with the disease in the U.S. Lupus can strike at any age, but most of the diagnoses are made to women in their childbearing years.

Lupus symptoms can vary from fevers, joint pain, extreme fatigue, brain fog, and photosensitivity to kidney, lung, heart, and central nervous system involvement. There is not cure for lupus; doctors try to treat the symptoms with various medications, some of which have short- and long-term side effects that can also be debilitating. Disease progression and severity are different in each patient; approximately 50 percent of lupus patients will have major organ involvement. Each year, lupus patients die from the disease or from complications such as infection or cardiovascular involvement.

The psychological toll of life with lupus is immense. Because of its unpredictability, the hopes and dreams of many lupus patients are shattered, and their personal relationships, career aspirations, and spiritual wellbeing can be severely eroded, if not destroyed. The divorce rate among lupus patients is above the national average, and many lupus patients are, at one time or another during the course of the disease, treated for depression and anxiety. Lupus patients must avoid exposure to sunlight, so even normal daily activities can be impacted and in some cases done away with completely. Outdoor sports, trips to the beach, hikes, and even shopping expeditions are all questionable at best. We sometimes feel like moles!

But although lupus patients must live with lifelong, daunting physical and emotional challenges, many are very resilient and develop coping skills within the parameters of their disease involvement. Lupus patients can be everyone's heroines and heroes!

There is a great need for more research into the causes of and treatments for lupus. There is also a huge need for more public awareness of the disease, both because it will enable people to be diagnosed more rapidly and because it will help others understand what lupus patients struggle with on a daily basis.

For further information, please see my book, TAKING CHARGE OF LUPUS: HOW TO MANAGE THE DISEASE AND MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR LIFE, and Dr. Daniel Wallace's book THE LUPUS BOOK. Also, contact the Lupus Foundation of America: www.lupus.org

Thank you!