Celebrating Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton & Independence

Free to Act as One Pleases!"

Today is Independence Day! Independence means being "free to act as one pleases," according to the Oxford English Dictionary. This means the president, if he so chooses, can "bow" and be polite to another country's leader. This means that the First Lady can go to England and cosy up to the Queen, put her arm around her, and have a friendly chat.

Independence means women can vote. Independence means there shall not be schools that are segregated. Independence means a person born as a female can change their gender. Independence means a minority of people can do what they want, regardless of the opinions of people with differing views.

At http://www.saintsforsinners.com/, our First Lady of Independence is a Doctor of the Church, the late, great, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. Things hardly ever "went right" for Elizabeth but that never slowed her down. Her husband was murdered, her babies died, she was discarded by her family, but she kept on keeping on.

Elizabeth Ann Seton's story is free and available on our web site.

Celebrate our differences today. Do as you please! Live and let live. There's no reason "why we can't all just get along." And, in conclusion, as a First Generation American, with my father, Heinz Hellmut Clemenz, born and raised in the tiny province of Sylt, Germany and with my Grandfather, Robert Byrnes, a man who defied Prohibition and ran a "Speak Easy" in the Boroughs of New York City, I say "Thank you America, for letting these men live their lives, and later, letting me be me. God Bless America!"

P.S. - The Deviled Eggs were a huge hit. I never realized how hard it is to peel an egg ("ayyyg")! Thank you, Melisa Clark and the New York Times

Bereavement...

On Death and Dying...

Yesterday afternoon we got another one of "those calls." It was from Jessica, a long-time member of the "saintsforsinners.com family." She asked for a saint Elizabeth Ann Seton http://www.saintsforsinners.com/stories/saint_elizabeth_ann_seton_medal_story.htm medal package, so I suspected she was looking for comfort after the loss of a loved one, and sad to say, I was right. A 4 year old boy had died and Jessica wanted Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton because she thought Saint Elizabeth could help a Mom grieving the loss of her child. I agreed with her wholeheartedly. The Roman Catholic Church does not yet proclaim Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton as a Saint who can help with bereavement but at http://www.saintsforsinners.com/ she is most definitely our "go to gal" for help with dealing with tragedy.

Elizabeth Ann Seton is the first American born saint. She enjoyed a life of wealth; her father was a doctor and professor at Kings College ( now known as Columbia University ) and her grandfather was an Episcopalian Minister. Elizabeth married and had 5 children but her daughters, Anna and Rebecca, died long before Elizabeth. She obviously knew what is was like to lose a child. Her mother died when Elizabeth was 3 years old so she knew what it was like to lose a Mom at a very young age. Her husband died when Elizabeth was only 29. Her father also died early in her life. Elizabeth Ann Seton experienced many tragedies early in her life. And she faced rejection and ostracism when she chose to become a Roman Catholic.

Through all of her tragedy and sadness, Elizabeth found the will to persevere. She carried on and did many remarkable things. Elizabeth founded the Daughters of Charity of Saint Joseph and was a brilliant educator, though not only through "book" learning. Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton also teaches all of us by the example of her storied life. She always carried on and put her best foot forward in the many faces of adversity that were continually being presented.

If you go to our testimonial page you can read a lovely, heartbreakingly candid story from another saintsforsinners.com family member who has been able to "channel" some strength from the life of Elizabeth Ann Seton. And if you ever find yourself in the difficult position of needing to comfort someone as they endure the loss of a child, or if you experience this tragedy yourself, try to rely on saint Elizabeth Ann Seton for help, guidance, and perseverance. Should you wish to touch her image and grasp her strength with her medal, simply ask for one and it will be on its way to you without delay.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Jessica and her family today and we know saint Elizabeth Ann Seton will soon be doing her important work, helping those who must endure painful tragedies in life.