Denver Catholic

Large families know that God provides BY NISSA LAPOINT Everyday Jim and Teresa Ma- jor do the impossible. They take their budget fit for two children and stretch it to provide for their brood of 12. The Majors place their open- ness to life first and budget sec- ond, having faith that God will provide. And he has. "Here I am everyday living the impossible," said Teresa, who attends St. Louis King of France Church in Englewood. "So I know God exists." They call finances the "boogeyman that the devil holds up" to scare a couple into restricting their family size. "Being open to having a big family is being open to faith from God," Teresa said. Families like the Majors, who are members of the Neocate- chumenal Way catechumenate, said they've overcome fears and found the joys of a larger-than- life family. Some are well aware of the secular world's opinion that it's financially irresponsible, may- be even negligent, to be open to more than one or two children. Kali and Lane Reagan, who also attend St. Louis, will get stares over their four children. Reagan is expecting their fifth child in September. "We get strange looks," Kali said. "People have asked us if they were accidents or if we had them on purpose. Others have asked 'Do you know what birth control is?'" The Reagans have a different view. "I think being open to life can mean so many different things," Kali said. "For us it means five children. We're happy to give up some of the things people think they can't live without to have these kids." Budgeting to meet the needs of a growing family requires a more intentional approach to their spending, they said. They look at their budget and deter - mine wants versus needs. They try to pay in cash. They won't buy a new car until it's a necessity. Going out to eat and the mov- ies is an infrequent event. When they buy something new, they INDEX Archbishop's Column ......................2 The Catholic Difference ..................4 Making Sense of Bioethics ............4 Catholic Schools ..............................8 Bulletin Board ................................. 16 Puzzle Page ......................................17 Nun of the Above quiz ...................17 Service Directory ...................... 18-19 BIG FAMILIES, BIG FAITH PHOTO BY TODD WOLLAM/DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER JIM MAJOR, center above, and his wife, Teresa, left of Jim in striped top, and 11 of their dozen children—one no longer lives at home—gather around their dining room table for breakfast May 24. The Majors say God has provided for them in caring for their large brood. MAY 28, 2014 114 Years of Service to the Gospel Volume XC - No. 21 www.DenverCatholicRegister.org I Follow us on INSIDE VATICAN NEWS TRUTH & BEAUTY PAGE 12 PAGE 6 Film shows same-sex attracted find real truth in Church LIOR MIZRAHI/GETTY IMAGES Pope prays at Western Wall Introducing the all-new, totally redesigned Archden.org PAGES 10-11 See The impossible, Page 3

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