In the hands of an experienced physician, the ultrasound is a tool of truth for an expectant mother. As the image of baby Noah, 23 weeks in the womb, came into focus, Rachel Bracey’s world stopped. The truth hurt.

I am pleased to provide a brief summary of the meeting of the U.S. bishops last week. Thanks to those who remembered us in prayer. At the end of this report (below), I have included the bishops’ full statement on the Health and Human Services mandate: 1.

Academy of the Sacred Heart senior Caroline Brinson signed to play tennis with University of Georgia on Nov. 13 in the school gymnasium, surrounded by the entire Upper School. Brinson was named a National High School All-American by the National High School Tennis All-American Foundation.

Archbishop Rummel senior pitcher Kaleb Roper is headed to the University of Arizona. The right-hander signed his name to a scholarship on Nov. 13

Basketball phenom Jenna Deemer of Ursuline Academy, pictured with workout buddy Jordan Cornish of Brother Martin, signed a a grant-in-aid to LSU on Nov. 13. Deemer, a 5-7 senior, is the school's all-time leading scorer and a returning All-State player.

2017

I’m the proud mommy to two baby girls – Lilia, now 2 1/2 years old, and Eleny Rose who is 4 months old. Lilia ended up being delivered via an unexpected Cesarean section that left me wounded for some time, so I was overjoyed after having a natural delivery, using a water tub and helpful hands providing counter-pressure as my only pain therapy, for the recent delivery of Eleny Rose.

Everyone is familiar with the slogan that declares, “The family that prays together, stays together.” A newer slogan offers the observation: “Life is fragile: Handle with prayer.” Both slogans express great wisdom.

I think most parents would agree that raising kids can be difficult. But when you are trying to raise your children as faithful Catholics in today’s culture, it can seem close to impossible. One example is the commercialization of the Advent season.

Devastated. That is all I remember feeling when we found out we were not going to be able to have children. I experienced so many emotions. In my mind, I had failed as a wife and partner. I felt broken; like “damaged goods,” so to speak.

Before processing into Corpus Christi-Epiphany Church for the Nov. 9 Black Saints Celebration, participants paraded from Hardin Park to announce their dedication to the fight against murder, violence and racism.

“We educate one child at a time,” said School Sister of Notre Dame Paulette Tiefenbrunn, principal at Holy Rosary School, a co-educational, Catholic school in New Orleans that serves students with learning challenges through 12th grade.

Faith leaders from dozens of churches, synagogues and mosques gathered Nov. 6 at Dillard University to sign a “covenant” pledging they will work individually and together with city officials to provide mentoring programs, spiritual resources and neighborhood outreach to fight the epidemic of violence and murder in the City of New Orleans.

One of Archbishop Gregory Aymond’s specific responses to the epidemic of violence in the Archdiocese of New Orleans was to establish the Isaiah 43 program to offer parenting classes and mentoring programs that would help strengthen family life.

Actividades en Español en la Arquidiocesis de New Orleans ➤ Noviembre 16, 10 a.m. a 4 p.m., Feria de la Salud, servidios gratuitos., Centro Hispano, 2525 Maine Ave., Metairie. ➤ Noviembre 25, 7 p.m., Hora Santa Mensual.

Deadline: Submissions due Thursday (10 days before each issue) calendar@clarionherald.org (504) area code unless noted Nov. 16-24 EVENTS OUR LADY OF HOLY CROSS COLLEGE, Fall Festival, free music, food, arts and crafts, Nov. 16, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 4123 Woodland Drive, Algiers.

Whether it is an offshoot of the growing trend among young adults to “go green” and be more conscious of the environment, more young couples are keeping an open mind about using Natural Family Planning (NFP) in their marriages, those teaching NFP across the Archdiocese of New Orleans say.

La Consagración del obispo Fabre, la semana pasada, como el cuarto Obispo de Houma-Thibodaux, fue una experiencia llena de júbilo y de oración. Sinceramente, lo extrañaremos muchísimo, y a su ministerio en la Arquidiócesis de Nueva Orleáns.

The first federal legislation since Roe v. Wade that would protect an unborn child after 20 weeks in the womb – already passed in June by the U.S. House of Representatives – was introduced in the U.S. Senate Nov. 6 by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. At a press conference in front of the federal courthouse on Poydras Street, Louisiana Right to Life executive director Benjamin Clapper called on Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., who is seeking re-election in 2014, to support and co-sponsor the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.

Many of Pope Francis’ sentiments have expressed the need to care for the poor. These messages should come as no surprise, considering his background as a Jesuit. The Jesuit mission’s famous opening statement by St. Ignatius ends with such service to the poor: “Moreover, he should show himself ready to reconcile the estranged, compassionately assist and serve those who are in prisons or hospitals, and indeed, to perform any other works of charity, according to what will seem expedient for the glory of God and the common good.” Recently, news outlets and social media have gone viral with the images and story of Pope Francis’ embrace of a man suffering from neurofibromatosis.