Key Resources

Professional Catholic Nursing Organizations

  • National Association of Catholic Nurses, U.S.A (NACN-USA) traces its origin to the St. Radegund Catholic Nurses Guild founded in Boston, MA in 1909, the first Catholic Nurses Guild in the USA. CatholicNurses@nacn-usa.org

  • International Catholic Committee of Nurses and Medico Social Assistants (CICIAMS) traces its origin to 1928 when nurses from 10 countries met in Basil, Switzerland and formed a Study Committee. The 1st World Congress was held in Lourdes in 1933. www.ciciams.org; ciciamsinternational12@gmail.com;

    • CICIAMS XXII World Congress. Theme: Human Dignity and Peace: Time for Global Transformation. 11-13 November 2026 with optional excursion 14 November 2026; Executive Board meeting 9 Nov 2026; General Council Meeting 10 Nov 2026 at the Baan Phu Waan Pastoral Training Center, 2/4 Moo 6, Petkasem Rd., Tha Kham, Nakhonpathom 73110 Thailand. Early Registration Fee until 31 January 2026. Abstracts accepted until 1 November 2025. Email Questions to: info@ciciams2026.com; Facebook: CICIAMS.2026; Program, Registration & Call for Abstracts at:  www.ciciams2026.com/

Abortion

  • Abortion Pill Reversal Hotline – 24/7 Helpline: 877-558-0333; If you’ve started a chemical abortion but now regret it, IT MAY NOT BE TOO LATE TO SAVE YOUR PREGNANCY. Abortion Pill Reversal* is a safe and effective process that gives your baby a second chance at life.

  • Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats – For Hope and Healing after Abortion.

  • Sisters of Life – Hope & Healing after Abortion – Support from the Sisters of Life – 866-575-0075; E-mail: hopeandhealing@sistersoflife.org

  • Abortion and Breast Cancer Risk – American College of Pediatricians report the Induced Abortion, Delayed Childbearing and not breastfeeding are major risk factors for the dramatic increase in breast cancer.

  • The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is “morally unacceptable” because it separates the marriage act from procreation and establishes “the domination of technology” over human life (CCC 2377). More children are discarded and aborted through the IVF procedure either from the petri dish in the laboratory or through an abortion procedure called “selective reduction.” In addition, there is no ethical solution for the care of the millions of children frozen as unimplanted fertilized embryos. (See “Infertility” “St. Paul VI Institute Infertility Program” below for ethical resources).

Addiction

  • Comunita Cenacolo – Established by Mother Elvira in Italy, Comunita Cenacolo – America provides community life and healing for those recovering from addiction.

Care for the Caregiver

  • The Curatio Apostolate of Catholic Health Care Professionals — Curatio helps healthcare workers to grow in holiness through the grace of the sacraments, to live out our Catholic faith in healthcare.

  • Nourish for Caregivers Ministry provides a proven curriculum and resources for churches to support caregivers’ practical, emotional and spiritual needs so that they can experience the many blessings that come from caregiving.  info@nourishforcaregivers.com

Chastity

  • Chastity Project – Help spread the good news of chastity around the world! As a Missionary of Chastity, you’ll equip men and women of all ages with the resources they need to embrace chastity.

  • Teen STAR – Sexuality Teaching in the context of Adult Responsibility. Teacher Training Workshop, Contact Sr. Hanna Klaus, M.D., hannaklaus@earthlink.net; Phone: 301-897-9323

  • Universal Chastity Education (UCE) is dedicated to promoting to the youth a lifestyle of respect for sexuality and saving sex only for a faithful marriage. UCE is also committed to helping other countries achieve the same success by applying the Uganda AB (Abstinence, Be faithful) model in youth education in a manner sensitive to their unique culture. Chastity is an inexpensive prevention for the worldwide HIV/AIDS/STD pandemic.

  • Economics of Sex by the Austin Institute – the secular effects of “The Pill” [VIEW VIDEO]

Children

Contraception (See Natural Family Planning for healthy ways to space children)

  • Letter to ANA regarding Margaret Sanger [READ HERE]

  • Economics of Sex by the Austin Institute – the secular effects of “The Pill” [VIEW [VIEW HERE]

  • Reproductive Choices of Young Women affecting Future Breast Cancer Risk [READ HERE]

  • Emergency Contraception Not Best for Adolescents [READ HERE]

  • Open Letter to Melinda Gates from Obianuju Ekeocha – What Africa Really Needs – Not Ideological Colonization with Abortion and Contraception. [READ HERE].

Clinics, Catholic

  • Catholic Physician Search sponsored by the Catholic Medical Association.

  • Catholic Health Care Leadership Alliance (CHCLA) – is an alliance of faithful Catholic organizations which supports the rights of patients and professionals to receive and provide health care in accordance with the moral, ethical, and social teachings of Jesus Christ and His Church through ongoing evangelization, education, advocacy, and mutual support.

  • Position Openings at Authentically Catholic Clinics. These clinic comply with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Ethical and Religious Directives (ERDs) (COMING SOON)

Dementia

  • Embracing Dementia – Practical help and resources FOR THOSE AFFECTED personally or professionally by Alzheimer’s and other dementia diseases written by Ellen Marie Edmonds sharing her firsthand experience navigating her husband’s vascular dementia, offering support and encouragement for those impacted by Alzheimer’s and related diseases. [Also online]

Divorce

  • Beginning Experience – Peer grief support for separated, divorced and widowed persons.

  • Surviving Divorce – Hope and Healing for the Catholic Family. Self-paced program online or on CD/DVD from Ascension Press.

Education – Religious

  • Augustine Institute, Exceptional programs: Online and in residence Masters in Theology, Bible studies online, CD/DVD; Lighthouse Media CDs; Formed Platform (Movies, Daily Readings for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with Commentary by Dr. Tim Gray, Children’s stories and drama)

  • Ascension Press produces excellent Bible Studies, Church History and other studies. Two particularly excellent studies all Catholics should complete are The Bible Timeline with Jeff Cavins and EPIC: A Journey through History with Steve Weidenkopf.

  • Boethius Institute. The Boethius Institute is a fellowship of Master Teachers of traditional liberal education devoted to continuing and deepening that tradition through teaching, mentoring, speaking, writing, providing resources, and collaborating with like-minded institutions.

  • Cardinal Newman Guide for Choosing a Catholic College – Since 2007, The Cardinal Newman Society has recognized model Catholic colleges in The Newman Guide and has earned a trusted reputation for vigorously vetting Catholic colleges, ensuring they have strong policies and standards that uphold Catholic identity from academics and athletics to faculty hiring and campus life. In 2023, they expanded The Newman Guide to include faithful Catholic elementary, secondary, and graduate school options for Catholic families.

  • ENDOW – Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women – Inspired by the writing of Pope St. John Paul II on the new feminism, three visionary women recognized that every woman deserves to understand her God-given dignity and the unique gifts she brings to the world. ENDOW is dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of womanhood through study and community. (8 week studies for busy women – these will transform your life and world view).

  • Institute for Catholic Liberal Education (ICLE). The Institute for Catholic Liberal Education (ICLE) is dedicated to preserving and renewing our treasured Catholic K-12 school system which is ever more vital in an increasingly “post-Christian” culture. The Institute for Catholic Liberal Education inspires and equips Catholic educators to renew today’s Catholic schools by drawing on the Church’s tradition of education, which frees teachers and students for the joyful pursuit of faith, wisdom, and virtue.

  • iPieta is a free Catholic app that contains many classic Catholic prayers and works for the Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. The content can be downloaded from the internet and will remain on the device unless the user removes it. The content includes: Prayers, Bible, Church Calendar, and Veritas. Veritas, which is latin for “truth”, contains many classic doctrinal works (full text original books). Although the extent of content is vast, particular data can be accessed quickly and easily by efficient navigation techniques including tabs, bookmarks, indexed tables, and search bars.

  • Marian Catechist Apostolate – was established by Servant of God Fr. John Hardon, SJ. His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, D.D., J.C.D. now serves as the International Director. The apostolate provides excellent basic and advance courses for catechists and individuals who want to know the truths of Christianity. Courses are self-paced, and done in your own home. A great refresher for all Catholic.

  • St. Paul Center – Dr. Scott Hahn and colleagues – The St. Paul Center is a nonprofit research and educational institute that promotes life-transforming Scripture study from the heart of the Church. For publications by Dr. Scott Hahn [SELECT HERE]

  • Word on Fire Catholic Ministries is a nonprofit global media apostolate that supports the work of Bishop Robert Barron and reaches millions of people to draw them into—or back to—the Catholic faith

End-of-Life

  • Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick – To Die Is Gain, Dr. Roger Nutt seeks to bring greater attention to and appreciation for the Anointing of the Sick. Reviewed with the author in the online NACN-USA Book Study.

  • The Art of Dying: A new annotated translation by Brother Columba Thomas, OP, MD. – This widely influential fifteenth-century text was designed to guide dying persons and their loved ones in Catholic religious practices at a time when access to priests and the sacraments was similarly limited. This book serves as a valuable resource for Catholics today, encouraging their full participation in the rich sacramental and liturgical tradition of the Church and challenging them to keep their eyes fixed on Christ and the promise of eternal life with him. To join the book study (16 Sep; 21Oct & 18Nov) email: NACNbookclub@gmail.com

  • Memento Mori Ministry is a Parish Outreach Ministry designed by Parish Nurse Leaders Gwenn Baer, RN, and Bonnie Blachly, MN, RN, CEOLD (current president National Association of Catholic Nurses, U.S.A. – www.nacn-usa.org) with objectives to 1) provide and train volunteers, 2) provide parish members a Catholic-based roadmap to eternal life, 3) recruit volunteers to participate in a “Prayer Brigade” and 4) provide support to families and friends of loved ones.
    To reserve a spot or learn more about Memento Mori, email: MementoMoriMin@yahoo.com or call the parish at 425-353-1211

  • Establishing a Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care consistent with Catholic Moral Teaching (COMING SOON)

  • Redemptive Suffering in the Life of the Church: Offering Up Your Daily Suffering to Cooperate with Christ in Redeeming the World by Diana Ruzicka, MSN, MA, MA, RN – addresses the concept and practice of redemptive suffering. While caring for and chronicling the death of a dear friend, Diana describes the origin of suffering, types of suffering, salutary repentance and discusses some end-of-life decisions. The suffering of Our Lord Jesus Christ, St. Paul and Job are explored followed by how to practice redemptive suffering, effects of redemptive suffering and modern examples of suffering. Two chapters are dedicated to Care for the Caregiver and Interventions for Suffering.

Ethics

Eucharistic Miracle

Euthanasia

  • The Church, in its 2000-year history, has always defended human life from conception to natural death, with particular attention to the more fragile stages of existence. The rejection of both euthanasia and “over-zealous” treatment constitute an affirmation of the rights of persons. “Intentional euthanasia, whatever its forms or motives, is murder. It is gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator” (CCC 2324)

  • Hope and Dignity: A Catholic Response to Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide is a pastoral initiative to equip Catholic to be effective witnesses in their families, parishes,  workplaces and communities. In response to the pro-MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) messages we hear from the secular media, government and even our highest court (of Canada), the Catholic Church offers real hope and true dignity to those who are suffering and dying. (The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton, Canada).

Fertility Awareness / Fertility Health

Financial Assistance for those in Need

Gender Ideology

Health & Healing

Homebound Ministries

  • Ministry of Praise at St. Gerard’s Parish unites the elderly, sick, handicapped and homebound parishioners into a body of prayerful people who support their parish as well as the universal Church, and also aid their own spiritual growth by offering their prayers, works, sufferings and sacrifices as a perpetual gift to God.

  • Apostolate for Redemptive Suffering – This apostolate would promote the sanctity and value of redemptive suffering through prayer, advocacy and education with a specific focus on illness, the physically challenged and end-of-life care. Any portion of this template may be duplicated and/or modified for use.

  • Redemptive Suffering in the Life of the Church: Offering Up Your Daily Suffering to Cooperate with Christ in Redeeming the World by Diana Ruzicka, MSN, MA, MA, RN – addresses the concept and practice of redemptive suffering. While caring for and chronicling the death of a dear friend, Diana describes the origin of suffering, types of suffering, salutary repentance and discusses some end-of-life decisions. The suffering of Our Lord Jesus Christ, St. Paul and Job are explored followed by how to practice redemptive suffering, effects of redemptive suffering and modern examples of suffering. Two chapters are dedicated to Care for the Caregiver and Interventions for Suffering.

Homosexuality and Same Sex Attraction

  • Courage International. An Roman Catholic apostolate for men and women who experience same-sex attraction (Courage) and relatives, spouses and friends of persons with same-sex attraction (Encourage)

  • Making Marriage Meaningless by the Austin Institute – the effect of same sex unions [VIEW HERE]

Infertility (Alternative to In Vitro Fertilization)

  • Novena for the Intercession of St. Philomena patron saint for couples experiencing difficulty conceiving. More things are brought about by prayer than this world knows.

  • The Saint Paul VI Institute Infertility Program is a disease-based approach which recognizes that “all infertility (or other reproductive problems) are caused by some type of organic or functional disease process.” Patients at the Saint Paul VI Institute receive a complete evaluation and a sound explanation as to why they are having problems achieving or maintaining a pregnancy. The organic or functional causes of infertility can be relatively easily diagnosed and treated.  An appointment with the physicians at the Saint Paul VI Institute can be made by calling (402) 390-6600.

  • FertilityCare Centers of America (FCCA) is a non-profit corporation founded by the developer of the CREIGHTON MODEL FertilityCare System (CrMS), Thomas W. Hilgers, MD, in 1999. The purpose of FCCA is to unite and promote CrMS educational services through local FertilityCare Centers in North America and Canada. To ensure the quality control and standardization of all CrMS services provided, each FertilityCare Center affiliated with FCCA must have a Responsible FertilityCare Practitioner who is formally trained in CrMS and certified through AAFCP. FIND A CENTER NEAR YOU.

  • The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is “morally unacceptable” because it separates the marriage act from procreation and establishes “the domination of technology” over human life (CCC 2377). More children are discarded and aborted through the IVF procedure either from the petri dish in the laboratory or through an abortion procedure called “selective reduction.” In addition, there is no ethical solution for the care of the millions of children frozen as unimplanted fertilized embryos.

Legal Resources

Marriage

  • Engaged Encounter… A Marriage preparation experience. “A wedding is a day, a marriage is a lifetime”

  • Marriage Encounter … A weekend to bring a husband and wife closer together.

  • Retrouvaille …a lifeline for Marriages. A time for healing for couples with marital problems. Hope for a better marriage; To talk to someone now: 1-800-470-2230

  • Beginning Experience – Peer grief support for separated, divorced and widowed persons. Find a group

Mental Health – Catholic Resources

  • Catholic Mental Health Resources: This website gathers together and freely shares Catholic resources that combine mental health and faith in ways that have helped us and other people we respect.

  • Veterans Crisis Line – A Lifeline for Mental Health Crisis Response for Veterans: Dial 988 then PRESS 1 or Text 838255. To Chat online: [SELECT HERE]

Natural Family Planning

New Age “Therapies” (Reiki, Therapeutic “Touch”; Healing “Touch” etc.)

  • Reiki – Guidelines for Evaluating Reiki as an Alternative Therapy, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), March 25, 2009. Conclusion: §12. “Since Reiki therapy is not compatible with either Christian teaching or scientific evidence, it would be inappropriate for Catholic institutions, such as Catholic health care facilities and retreat centers, or persons representing the Church, such as Catholic chaplains, to promote or to provide support for Reiki therapy.” [READ HERE]

  • Meditation. Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on some Aspects of Christian Meditation, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, 1989. [READ HERE]

  • Is the Practice of Yoga Consistent with the Christian Faith?
    AUDIO: A dramatized yoga related exorcism by Fr. Carlos Martin – Season 2, Case 12 – Awakened Part 1     |     Season 2, Case 12 – Awakened Part 2
    “Her case illustrates that sometimes, you don’t even realized you have opened a door until something terrible has slipped in. As we leave this case, I want to say a word about yoga. I am a priest, sharing my experiences. I know that many people do yoga apart from having any religious intention. And, I don’t want to leave listeners with the impression that if they did yoga 10 years ago, that they are now oppressed. The point of my sharing this case is simply to say, that it is my belief as a Catholic priest born out by my experience as an exorcist that to do yoga is to roll the dice. And friend, take it from me, you don’t want to gamble when it comes to demons.”

  • Yoga – NACN-USA website: “Yoga is considered one of the six branches of classical Hindu philosophy. Its goal is to reach “Kaivalya” (ultimate freedom) by releasing the soul from the chains of cause and effect (karma) which tie the person to continual reincarnation. Yoga uses physical exercises, powers of concentration and breathing techniques as well as meditation to achieve these ends and attain union with Brahman. You can’t take a Hindu practice, throw some Christian music in the mix, and call it worshiping the one True God…This isn’t the way God asked us to worship Him (Deut. 12:31).” (Source: NACN-USA website).

  • Yoga – Christian Alternatives: For children: Recess (more than “walk & talk”), soccer, basketball, softball, volleyball, gymnastics, jungle gym, pull-ups, tag, “red light green light,” stretching etc.; For adults: Yard work, running, jogging, walking, swimming, soccer, basketball, softball, volleyball, street hockey, gardening, helping a friend move, stretching, isometric exercises etc.

  • The Vatican on New Age. Jesus Christ – The Bearer of the Water of Life: A Christian Reflection on the New Age, Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue, 2003 [READ HERE]

  • Christian Yoga is Syncretism – Women of Grace blog

Organ Donation

  • Address of His Holiness Benedict XVI to Participants at an International Congress Organized by the Pontifical Academy for Life, Pope Benedict XVI, November 7, 2008Organ donation is a peculiar form of witness to charity. Individual vital organs cannot be extracted except ex cadaver. The principal criteria of respect for the life of the donator must always prevail so that the extraction of organs be performed only in the case of his/her true death. The sale and trafficking in organs and destruction of embryos for therapeutic purposes is illicit.

  • Organ Donation and Brain Death – Catholics United on Brain Death and Organ Donation: A Call to Action, 27 February 2024. 1) There is no moral certainty of death when following the AAN guidelines for a determination of BD, 2) Patients can expect that the existing, inadequate AAN guidelines—something even less rigorous—will be applied in clinical practice, 3) There is no reasonable expectation that the existing guidelines will be revised any time in the near future in such a way as to ensure moral certainty of death, 4) A person considering organ donation does not have good reason to expect that he or she will be truly dead at the time of vital organ procurement.

Pregnancy & Parent Support

Religious Orders for Nurses

  • Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR). The Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR) is composed of the major superiors and their vicars of 112 communities of women religious (approximately 5,700 sisters) in the United States. The Council was founded on June 13, 1992 in response to the Second Vatican Council’s call for the renewal of religious life based on discipleship to Jesus Christ. Its purpose is to serve the major superiors of women religious and their communities by providing mutual support in sustaining among its members the transcendent nature of religious life and the centrality of common life, common prayer, community-based apostolates, religious obedience, and the witness to consecration and poverty by a garb that is both common and simple. CMSWR is a vital resource for the ongoing revitalization of religious life, serving to promote and support the new evangelization and guide newly established communities. The Council is a collaborative body of life-bearing women religious committed to the full flowering of religious life in the United States.

  • Institute for Religious Life (IRL). Founded by Servant of God Fr. John Hardon, S.J., the mission of the Institute on Religious Life is to strengthen religious life in our country, to guide it on the path to authentic renewal, to educate religious, to support their works, and to inspire vocations in their service to the Church and their consecration to Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Their website has a search for traditional religious orders.

Suicide

  • Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 Lifeline is for everyone. Through the 988 Lifeline, you have access to free, quality, one-on-one assistance. Our skilled judgment-free counselors are here to provide compassionate support. You deserve to feel heard and cared about anytime, anywhere, 24/7/365 – Civilian, Veterans, Military

  • Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 then PRESS 1 or Text 838255. To Chat online: [SELECT HERE]

Suicide Survivor Assistance

  • T.A.P.S. – The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors offers compassionate care to all those grieving the loss of a military loved one. Since 1994, TAPS has provided comfort and hope 24/7 through a national peer support network and connection to grief resources, all at no cost to surviving families and loved ones.

Vaccines

Volunteer

  • Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) – Since the first medical missionary was sent in 1914, inspired by the example of Jesus, CMMB continues to work in partnership globally to deliver locally sustainable, quality health solutions to women, children, and their communities. Remote, hybrid and in-person long-term (3-12 months) service overseas opportunities currently in Haiti, Peru, Kenya, South Sudan or Zambia.

  • Catholic Volunteer Network – Catholic Volunteer Network fosters and promotes full-time domestic and international faith-based volunteer service opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds, and skills.

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    “In the twilight of our life, God will not judge us on our earthly possessions and human success, but rather, on how much we have loved”.

    – St. John of God