St. Maria Goretti Parish: Respect Life

Tea & Talk

2011-04-15T13:50:00.001-04:00

Tickets are still available for our Tea & Talk! Contact Michele at smgrespectlife@gmail.com or 267.263.2668 to register! You can purchase your ticket ($10 donation requested) at the door!

St. Maria Goretti Parish Center

1601 Derstine Road, Hatfield

Tea Service begins promptly at 2pm, with guest speaker, Marie Joseph, taking the podium at 2:30pm.

Reconciliation will take place, beginning at 3:30pm, in the Chapel at the Main Church, prior to the 5pm Vigil Mass.

Come and enjoy freshly baked goods and sandwiches, with bread donated by Bakers on Broad in Souderton, and made with love by members of the SMG Respect Life Committee!!!

February 2011 RLC Meeting

2011-02-09T09:35:00.000-05:00

The meeting came to order at 7:30am and began with discussion on the recent abortion and life issues in the news. Ron and Nancy Boak, Peter and Michele Haytko, Barbara Smith, and Jody Villalba were in attendance. Ron opened the official meeting with a prayer and Scripture reading.

Michele shared that, with her work in bereavement and promoting life from the moment of conception, she is working as a moderator of the Philadelphia Suburbs Chapter of Faces of Loss, Faces of Hope, found online at www.facesofloss.com. The Chapter can be found via facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Face2Face-Philadelphia-Suburbs/181325135234768?v=wall

Ron and Nancy updated everyone on the March for Life: 52 of the 54 person bus was filled and included 18 people from Mary, Mother of the Redeemer parish in Montgomeryville. SMG parishioners paid $16pp or $32pf (as the bus was subsidized by the Parish); MMR parishioners paid the full $41pp, however the Knights of Columbus subsidized their parishioners. We received a total of $1046 in donations, which covered the costs of dinner, METRO passes, the parking pass, and paid a little over $200 towards the $1450 cost of the bus rental.

The Committee discussed the 40 Days for Life campaign and SMG's participation in the vigils at Collegeville. To help promote parish involvement, Committee members have agreed to do 2 weekday evening, 2 weekday morning, and 2 weekend afternoon carpools during the 6 weeks. Committee members will agree to dates that the will "lead" the group and will meet in the Church parking lot to both drive and lead people to the Collegeville Planned Parenthood site. They will be in charge of leading the Rosary and the devotions that will take place for an hour. This is to encourage parishioners to attend (as well as to attend alone). During Fridays, members have discussed going to the Warminster site (where actual abortions take place); Nancy volunteered to lead a group out there on Good Friday for the procession and prayer service organized by Nativity of Our Lord parish. 40 Days begins March 9th and runs through April 17th.

The 2011 Annunciation through Christmas parish education program was discussed. Candles have been ordered. We were given a discount through the company and paid $2 per candle; we will request a $3 per candle donation, to help fund our Ladies Tea & Talk (see below). We will need people to man the table on the last weekend of February and the first weekend of March. An email will be circulated for sign-ups. We also need to make 100 "prayer cards" with the prayers parishioners are being asked to say weekly/daily as we remember the time of Christ's life in the womb of the Blessed Mother.

The first Tea and Talk planning is underway! Marie Joseph of the Bucks Co. Women's Center is our guest speaker (more information on Marie can be found on her website, http://firedupcatholics.com/). The parish library has been reserved from 1pm-6pm for our April 16th event. The plan is to set up from 1pm-2pm, have the program run from 2:30pm-3:45pm, and then give participants an opportunity for Reconciliation prior to the Vigil Mass. Gary has agreed to make Scones and Michele will make Irish Soda Bread. Carmen has agreed to lend her teapots and the group will be providing china tea cups/saucers. Jody has purchased high end paper plates and Barbara has purchased nice napkins. Michele will contact local businesses about donating food for the event, however if that is not possible, members will get together the morning of the event to make tea sandwiches and desserts. We will provide baskets of tea per table and Peter & Ron will be responsible for keeping tea pots of hot water on the tables, as well as serving the courses of the tea itself. Michele will contact Cheryl regarding having 6 circular tables set up in the library and where to get linens for the tables. Each table will have 8 chairs, for a total of 48 possible. Our priests will be invited to attend; prayer warriors and special supporters from the parish will receive a handmade invitation from Jody. The suggested donation per ticket is $10.

Disciples in Mission: the booklets are in. Peter and Michele will be hosting the DIM gathering at their home during the Sundays of Lent from 3pm-4:30pm, with a potluck meal immediately following. Booklets are $6 per book and couples are encouraged to share a book.

First Saturday Rosary for Life: beginning in March, the group will alternate homes for a 20 Mystery Rosary for Life on the First Saturday of each month. The morning cycle will take place at 10am, followed by a potluck lunch; the afternoon cycle will take place at 3pm, followed by a potluck dinner. The Haytko's will host the March afternoon Rosary and provide the 20 Mystery format.

The meeting ended at 10:15pm.

March for Life 2011 Pictures

2011-01-25T09:05:00.001-05:00

Rosary for Life: January 24, 2011

2011-01-24T12:27:00.000-05:00

How to pray the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (After the Fatima Prayer, the recitation of "Jesus, Protect and Save the unborn." transforms a regular rosary into a Rosary for Life to end abortion.)

JOIN US, today, at 1:22pm, for a 20 Mystery Rosary for Life, in memory of all those who have died since the Roe.v.Wade decision 38 years ago. We will meet in the main church at 1:15pm. Afterwards, there will be an opportunity for Adoration in our chapel, until 5pm Benedictions.

March for Life 2011

2011-01-24T00:24:00.000-05:00

Be in the SMG parking lot, ready to leave for D.C. by 6:15am. The bus is LEAVING at6:30am. We expect to return by 9:30pm.

God bless you!!!

Pray To End Abortion (PFL)

2011-01-20T19:40:00.003-05:00

The Catholic bishops of the United States have designated January 22 as a special day of prayer and penance in reparation for the massive killing that has resulted from the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision (handed down January 22, 1973) which permitted abortion throughout pregnancy.

Prayer is the foundation of all we do in the pro-life movement, and Priests for Life invites you to join tens of thousands of others who are offering, each day, a prayer of commitment to build a culture of life. We urge you to pray, throughout the year, the daily prayer to end abortion. You can find the prayer at www.prayercampaign.org and at the end of this email.

We ask not only individuals to commit to saying this prayer but entire congregations in churches of all denominations. The pro-life movement is ecumenical and consists of men and women of every religious persuasion. We also encourage families and schools to say this prayer together.

In addition, please join our Pray to End Abortion cause on Facebook atwww.prolifeprayers.com . There are already over 72, 000 people signed on to this cause. Let’s get that number into the millions!

Please spread the word about the daily prayer to end abortion to your email lists, from your websites, from your social networking accounts and in any way possible.

This weekend and early next week will hold many pro-life events from Coast to Coast. Seewww.priestsforlife.org/marchforlife for more information. I hope to see you in the next few days!

God bless you,

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life

Respect Life Meeting: January 2011

2011-01-13T09:15:00.000-05:00

Due to inclement weather and illness, the January 2011 meeting was conducted via teleconference. Ron & Nancy Boak, Peter & Michele Haytko, Barbara Smith, and Jody Villalba were present. The meeting was called to order around 7:40pm with an opening prayer by Peter.

The March for Life: the Boak's updated the group on the status of the March for Life. Our 54 passenger bus is full, and includes 14 parishioners from MMR. Ron will be heading up the March, as he will be on the bus, and will coordinate getting to and from D.C., trying to keep the group together, and dinner on the way home. The bus leaves SMG at 6:30am and will return around 9:30pm. Unfortunately, neither priest is able to journey to the March this year. Michele talked with Fr. Peterson, who felt that fundraising was not needed this year, since SMG will fully cover the funds needed. To accomidate the prayer warriors who cannot attend the March, Michele will host the 2nd Annual 20-Mystery Rosary for Life in the Church, at 1:22pm. Participants are asked to arrive by 1:15pm, to get settled. There will be an opportunity for time with the Blessed Sacrament in the Chapel after the Rosary. JANUARY 24, 2011
Lawn Crosses: (from Sept. 2010) Fr. Peterson gave permission for the Pro-Life Union of SE PA to display the white crosses, in memory of babies killed through abortion, on the parish lawn. Michele has called and left a message for John, who is in charge of this project for PLU. An update on the date of said display will be emailed at a later date. JANUARY 2011
Jody updated the group on the status of "congratulation" cards mailed to new parents. She was also concerned that she is not receiving all the baptismal forms. She will contact Cheryl to double check the procedure.
Pro-Life Tea: As both a possible fundraiser, but more as a parish event to bring out new ears for the pro-life cause, it was decided to host a Tea Party with guest speaker Mary Joseph. Barbara contacted Mary post the meeting and she was up for the challenge! Michele has contacted Cheryl for a list of possible April dates. It was decided to suggest a donation for ticket prices, but to affirm that no one will be turned away for an inability to pay. We will do a traditional tea service, with crudite, finger sandwiches, and desserts, during which Mary Joseph will light a fire and awaken participants to the pro-life cause. There will be an opportunity for Reconciliation and Mass after the program. This has been discussed for APRIL 2011.
40-Days Carpooling: It was discussed that many parishioners may feel out of their comfort zones in driving to a Planned Parenthood and praying alone. To try and encourage parishioners to attend this important vigil of prayer, as well as to give them experience so that they may find the strength to attend alone, the group has decided to organize several carpools, at different times, approximately one per week of the 40 Days prayer cycle, to get parishioners to the Collegeville PP site. LENT 2011
Disciples In Mission: Jody brought up the idea of small group faith sharing to try and encourage more active participation of parishioners not always reached. The group discussed a lenten Bible study. Michele has ordered a 10-pack of the Disciples in Mission. It was discussed to meet on a Sunday afternoon for prayer time and DIM study. We will promote in the bulletin. If enough people sign up, we may have to order more materials and split up into multiple groups. Cost will be $5/couple (family) to cover the cost of the booklet. This is not a fundraiser. LENT 2011
Life of Christ Parish Participation Activity: for the last few years, the RLC has sponsored an informational life of Christ participation activity for parishioners. This year, we have decided to continue the bulletin notices of "this week in Christ's life" as we did in 2010, and pair it with pro-life candles and the prayer used in 2009's Tree of Life Spiritual Adoption program. Michele will order candles and organize a time around the Annunciation to start the activity. She will also coordinate with Fr. Peterson. MARCH-DECEMBER 2011

The meeting ended just prior to 9pm with a closing prayer by Ron.

Additions or corrections to these minutes can be submitted to Michele.

Safe, Legal, and Rare??? (SBA)

2011-01-12T19:38:00.001-05:00

Abortion advocates (especially politicians) like to talk about keeping abortion“Safe, legal, and rare.”

However, recently released statistics show the grave inaccuracy of this statement.

The New York City Health Department reported that abortion ends 41% of pregnancies in New York City.

And just yesterday, the Guttmacher Institute, a research arm of the abortion lobby, announced that the national abortion rate rose for the first time since 1990. Nationally, 19.6% of all pregnancies end in abortion.

And sadly, you and I were complicit in many of those abortions. In the past fiscal year, Planned Parenthood received a whopping $363 million in government grants and contracts—our tax dollars—and killed 324,008 unborn children.

We’ve already reached a milestone in ourStop Abortion Funding campaign: Pro-life stalwart Rep. Mike Pence just introduced his “Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act” with 123 bi-partisan co-sponsors. This bill would stem the rampant flow of our tax dollars to Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers, which have received more than a billion dollars in taxpayer funds over the past eight years alone.

Laws save lives. We must ensure Rep. Pence’s bill and other upcoming pro-life bills, like Rep. Chris Smith’s “No Taxpayer Funding of Abortion Act,” are passed by this pro-life Congress.

Data shows that the Hyde Amendment, which prevents taxpayer funding of abortion in the Health & Human Services Appropriations bill, saves over 130,000 lives a year—but it is not a permanent law.

Rep. Chris Smith’s “No Taxpayer Funding of Abortion Act,” would make the Hyde Amendment and other pro-life amendments (riders) permanent. These lifesaving additions would no longer have to be fought for year after year.
Abortion is not rare—nor is it safe. If you didn’t get a chance to tune into the pro-life webcast with Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood clinic director, I hope you’ve been able to read some of the news coverage.

Abby bravely shared her story—the one Planned Parenthood lawyers have been trying to silence—with over 20,000 listeners on Monday night.

She explained how Planned Parenthood set a goal to increase the number of abortions because “non-profit is a tax status, not a business status.” Planned Parenthood knows abortion is where the money is.

Abby even saw the abortion pill being distributed without doctor involvement, saying “We had no physician on-staff to help them. If something went wrong, the women would either have to go to the emergency room, or drive two hours away to Houston. If they were septic or hemorrhaging, two hours could be too late.”

We need pro-life legislation now more than ever. We need laws that save the lives of unborn children and protect women from the violence of abortion.

Our electoral victories will be meaningless if we do not turn them into legislative victories in this new Congress.

The SBA List will never stop fighting until every child, woman and taxpayer across our country is protected from the tragedy of abortion.

Marjorie Dannenfelser
President, Susan B. Anthony List
www.sba-list.org

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

2010-12-25T07:23:00.020-05:00

Happy Birthday, Jesus!!!

This year, we ask that you consider making a donation of baby items to a local maternity home or crisis pregnancy center in your area, to complete your nine months of prayer for a child with a "Christmas present". We hope that your child receives the greatest gift: the gift of life with the salvation of Christ.

Thank you for praying for your spiritually adopted child from Annunciation through Christmas. We encourage you to spend the months from Christmas 2010 through Annunciation 2011 in prayer for abortionists and pro-choice politicians, asking that God will convert them and turn them from their lives of child killing. Offer Rosaries on their behalf, with the intent of their conversion.

Lord God, I thank You today for the gift of my life and for the lives of all my brothers and sisters. I know there is nothing that destroys more life than abortion, yet I rejoice that You have conquered death by the resurrection of Your Son. I am ready to do my part in ending abortion. Today I commit myself never to be silent, never to be passive, never to be forgetful of the unborn. I commit myself to be active in the pro-life movement, and never to stop defending life until all my brothers and sisters are protected, and our nation once again becomes a nation with liberty and justice not just for some, but for all, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

This week in Christ's life… (40)

2010-12-19T07:23:00.000-05:00

Although Jesus was officially full term 2 weeks ago, babies are considered “full term” any time between 38-40 gestational weeks/40-42 LNMP weeks. He is 280 days old and can function outside the womb. In 14 states, babies can be aborted at this age. Jesus, our Savior, inspire in the hearts of all people a love of life. Touch the hearts of our elected officials and open their hearts to the sanctity of all life.

This week in Christ's life… (39)

2010-12-12T07:21:00.002-05:00

Although Jesus was officially full term last week, babies are considered “full term” any time between 38-40 gestational weeks/40-42 LNMP weeks. He is 273 days old and can function outside the womb. In 14 states, babies can be aborted at this age. Jesus, our Savior, inspire in the hearts of all people a love of life. Touch the hearts of our elected officials and open their hearts to the sanctity of all life.

This week in Christ's life… (38)

2010-12-05T07:21:00.000-05:00

This week, Jesus is 38 weeks old and officially full term. He is 266 days old! His chest is more prominent and his abdomen is round, due to the size of his liver. A kick from him can knock a book off of Mary’s lap! He can fully function outside the womb. In 14 states, babies can be aborted at this age. Jesus, our Savior, inspire in the hearts of all people a love of life. Touch the hearts of our elected officials and open their hearts to the sanctity of all life.

This week in Christ's life… (37)

2010-11-28T07:20:00.001-05:00

This week, Jesus is 37 weeks old. His skin has become thicker and pinker. His lungs are increasing their production of surfactant, to help keep the air sacs open. His fingernails extend beyond his fingertips and his umbilical cord is approximately 2 feet long! Infant Jesus, help us to give of our time, talent, and treasure to encourage all parents to carry their children to term and give them the gift of life.

Truth Unmasked

2010-11-22T20:48:00.000-05:00

Truth Unmasked video

Assuring, through education, equal protection under the law for all living humans from the beginning of their biological life
at fertilization until natural death.

According to most recent polls, almost half of Americans remain uncertain or confused regarding their position on abortion.

Since 1990, pro-abortion forces have been financing a very effective national campaign to convince these conflicted middle people that the most important consideration is whether a woman has the right to choose abortion, and that this right to choose overrides the right of the child to live.

We must counter this "who decides" and "pro-choice" mentality in American society.

We must emphasize our compassion to women much more than in the past. The rights of women and the rights of the unborn can be joined. We must reach out to every woman faced with the agony of abortion and say to her: Your life and the life of your baby are both important, and we will not desert either one of you. We want to love you both.

Our research has determined that 87% of this conflicted middle believe that adoption is a loving alternative to abortion. And so, loving alternatives like adoption can now be the focus of part of our debate.

We must change their hearts and minds on abortion. The opposition is using the most effective marketing tools that money can buy. Our days of guesswork are over. We must be sure that we are proceeding wisely.

Life Issues Institute recognizes this crying need and is leading the way in reinvigorating and coordinating a major new educational campaign nationwide.

The teaching that is desperately needed is best described as "back-to-basics." Until people are also convinced that this is truly a baby in the womb, no other arguments will be successful.

Life Issues Institute is leading a new nationwide effort that will involve all pro-life groups, state and local chapters, pregnancy help centers and churches in a common educational effort.

To be successful, this new effort must reach out to stimulate and educate the millions of people who have not yet made up their minds on the abortion issue. These people are the ones who ultimately will determine if your children and grandchildren will be protected in the years ahead.

Vice is a monster of so frightful mien, as to be hated, needs but to be seen; yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, we first endure, then pity, then embrace.
--ALEXANDER POPE

This poetic prophet couldn't possibly have imagined, in his worst nightmare, this accurate description of abortion today.

Shortly after the 1973 Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, the early pioneers of the pro-life movement put forth a strategy; demonstrate the humanity of the unborn child, then raise abortion's ugly head for all to see, the broken and dismembered bodies, and America would soundly reject it.

Thus the pro-life movement began its slow, laborious undertaking of educating Americans to the reality of the beauty of the baby growing in the womb and the horror of abortion. Volunteers addressed countless church, school and civic groups, sharing the pro-life message. Their unselfish labor began to bear fruit. America was slowly waking up to the fact that abortion kills unborn babies.

Then came the first major Supreme Court breakthrough, the Webster decision in 1990. With it came the era of market research, opinion polls, media sound bites and print advertising. Education of the masses had taken a contemporary twist. Using such tools, the pro-abortion movement began to reach millions of Americans with researched phrases, through massive media buys and with the help of a sympathetic press.

Slowly, progressively, they changed the focus of the debate from the tiny victim being killed, to a question of women's rights, of ``who decides." With this there developed a change in public opinion that would both condemn abortion but still allow it as a woman's right.

We came to the conclusion that pro-life education had to change. Abortion had become too familiar. America was showing signs of enduring it.

We had to update and alter the way we disseminated our message. Choice, for those yet undecided, was a concept they had begun to feel comfortable identifying with.

Life Issues Institute was founded to reverse this alarming trend and to rejuvenate and reinvigorate a nationwide educational awakening. For several years we dedicated most of our resources to determining what new educational methods were needed in order for pro-lifers to again regain the initiative. We did polling, focus groups, market research, and finally extensive market testing of our new themes and approaches. Since then, we have dedicated ourselves full-time to promoting and providing effective educational tools for the pro-life movement.

Central to these new approaches was a continuing emphasis on the fact that a majority of people, working in the pro-life movement, spend their time and efforts helping the woman during and after an unexpected pregnancy or after an abortion. Stopping abortion and protecting unborn babies remains a central thrust. However, assisting women in crisis occupies the efforts of more than half of those involved in the pro-life movement.

We encourage you to examine the groundbreaking publications and radio efforts of Life Issues Institute, as well as the new and more effective educational publications. Our goal is to retrofit and retool the educational efforts of the pro-life movement. We hope you will share our excitement and optimism, and help support our efforts in changing the hearts and minds of Americans on abortion.

CONTACT US
Life Issues Institute, Inc
1821 W. Galbraith Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45239
Phone: (513) 729-3600
Fax: (513) 729-3636
Email: info@lifeissues.org

A Celebration of Life

2010-11-22T20:44:00.001-05:00

This week in Christ's life… (36)

2010-11-21T07:18:00.000-05:00

This week, Jesus is 36 weeks old. His intestines have accumulated considerable meconium. His head roughly matches the circumference of his shoulders and hips. He weighs approximately 6 pounds and measures almost 14 inches. Infant Jesus, help us to give of our time, talent, and treasure to encourage all parents to carry their children to term and give them the gift of life.

Abortion/Breast Cancer link

2010-11-18T14:26:00.002-05:00

Dear Friends:

Readers of our newsletter know that use of oral contraceptives (the birth control pill) has been implicated as a risk factor for breast cancer by: 1) the World Health Organization; 2) a 2006 meta-analysis in the journal, Mayo Clinic Proceedings; and 3) a 2009 study in the journal, Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention, which linked the pill with the deadly triple-negative breast cancer [1-4]

Our readers are also aware that National Cancer Institute branch chief Dr. Louise Brinton was a co-author in that 2009 study and that she and her colleagues had included in their study both abortion and the pill as "known and suspected risk factors" for the disease. [4] They concluded in unambiguous terms that abortion and oral contraceptives were associated with the disease and that their results "were consistent with the effects observed in previous studies on younger women." Approximately four dozen epidemiological studies, biological evidence and animal research implicate abortion as a risk factor for the disease. [4-15]

Planned Parenthood, nevertheless, remains steadfast in its denial of these cancer risks. It is behaving in much the same way that the anti-science tobacco industry did during the last half of the 20th century.

The Dayton Daily News reported yesterday that a panel of three physicians told an audience at a conference on November 13, 2010 in Oakwood, Ohio that the pill puts women at risk for breast cancer. Lou Grieco, a reporter for that newspaper, quoted Becki Brenner, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio. She called the breast cancer risks of the pill and induced abortion "scientifically baseless."

Brenner's denial of the scientific facts in the face of staggering evidence to the contrary reminds us of Monty Python's Dead Parrot skit. Actor John Cleese made repeated, frustrated efforts to persuade an indifferent pet shop owner that a parrot he had purchased was undeniably deceased until, finally, an exasperated Cleese declared,

"Look, matey.... This parrot has passed on. This parrot is no more. It has ceased to be. It has expired and gone to meet its Maker. This is a late parrot. It's a stiff, bereft of life. It rests in peace. If you hadn't nailed it to a perch, it would be pushing up daisies.... It's joined the choir invisible. This is an ex-parrot!"

The pill and induced abortion are clearly risk factors for breast cancer, but the risk of massive medical malpractice lawsuits may be motivatingPlanned Parenthood and others in the medical establishment to adopt an anti-science position of denying the evidence. Even worse, Planned Parenthood is damaging the health of thousands of women.

To read the story in the Dayton Daily News, click on the link below in our Abortion-Breast Cancer News Headlines.

Sincerely,
Karen Malec
Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer

ABORTION-BREAST CANCER NEWS HEADLINES

"Doctors link contraceptives, breast cancer / Planned Parenthood chief says the claim is a 'distortion of science'"
By Lou Grieco
Dayton Daily News
November 15, 2010
http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/doctors-link-contraceptives-breast-cancer-1002948.html

References:

1. Cogliano V, Grosse Y, Baan R, Secretan B, El Ghissassi F. Carcinogenicity of combined oestrogen-progestagen contraceptives and menopausal treatment. Lancet Oncology 2005;6:552-553.

2. Press Release No. 167, "IARC Monographs Programme Finds Combined Estrogen-Progestogen Contraceptives (the "pill") and Menopausal Therapy Are Carcinogenic to Humans," World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer, July 29, 2005.

3. Kahlenborn C, Modugno F. Potter D, Severs W. Oral contraceptive use as a risk factor for premenopausal breast cancer: A meta-analysis. Mayo Clinic Proceedings 2006;81(10):1290-1302. Available at: <http://www.polycarp.org>.

4. Dolle J, Daling J, White E, Brinton L, Doody D, et al. Risk factors for triple-negative breast cancer in women under the age of 45 years. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(4)1157-1166. Available at: http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/download/Abortion_Breast_Cancer_Epid_Bio_Prev_2009.pdf

5. Brind J, Chinchilli V, Severs W, Summy-Long J. Induced abortion as an independent risk factor for breast cancer: a comprehensive review and meta-analysis. J Epidemiol Community Health 1996;50:481-496.

6. Brind J. The abortion-breast cancer connection. National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly Summer 2005; p. 303-329. <http://www.AbortionBreastCancer.com/Brind_NCBQ.PDF>.

7. Brind J. Induced abortion as an independent risk factor for breast cancer: A critical review of recent studies based on prospective data. J Am Phys Surg Vol. 10, No. 4 (Winter 2005) 105-110. Available at: <http://www.jpands.org/vol10no4/brind.pdf>.

8. Carroll, P. The breast cancer epidemic: modeling and forecasts based on abortion and other risk factors." J Am Phys Surg Vol. 12, No. 3 (Fall 2007) 72-78. Available at: <http://www.jpands.org/vol12no3/carroll.pdf>.

9. Naieni KH, Ardalan A, Mahmoodi M, Motevalian A, Yahyapoor Y, et al. Risk factors of breast cancer in North of Iran: A case-control in Mazandaran Province. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2007;8;395-398. Available at: http://www.apocp.org/cancer_download/Volume8_No3/395-398%20c_Naieni%204.pdf

10. Ozmen V, Ozcinar B, Karanlik H, Cabioglu N, Tukenmez M, et al. Breast cancer risk factors in Turkish women – a University Hospital based nested case control study. World J of Surg Oncol 2009;7:37. Available at: http://wjso.com/content/7/1/37.

11. Xing P, Li J, Jin F. A case-control study of reproductive factors associated with subtypes of breast cancer in Northeast China. Medical Oncology, e-publication online September 2009. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19771534.

12. Dolle J, Daling J, White E, Brinton L, Doody D, et al. Risk factors for triple-negative breast cancer in women under the age of 45 years. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(4)1157-1166. Available at: http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/download/Abortion_Breast_Cancer_Epid_Bio_Prev_2009.pdf

13. De Silva M, Senarath U, Gunatilake M, Lokuhetty D. Prolonged breastfeeding reduces risk of breast cancer in Sri Lankan women: a case-control study. Cancer Epidemiol 2010;34(3):267-73. Abstract available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20338838

14. Lanfranchi, A. Normal breast physiology: The reasons hormonal contraceptives and induced abortion increase breast cancer risk. The Linacre Quarterly 2009;76:236-249. Available at: http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/download/LQ_76_3_2_Lanfranchi.pdf

15. Russo J, Tay TK, Russo IH. Differentiation of the mammary gland and susceptibility to carcinogenesis. Breast Cancer Res Treat 1982;2:5-73.

This week in Christ's life… (35)

2010-11-14T07:17:00.000-05:00

This week, Jesus is 35 weeks old. His grasp is firmer and he now turns towards light, as he prepares for birth and to orient himself to his surroundings. Infant Jesus, help us to give of our time, talent, and treasure to encourage all parents to carry their children to term and give them the gift of life.

Prayer for Abortion Victims

2010-11-11T19:38:00.000-05:00

Holy Mother of God and of the Church, our Lady of Guadalupe, you were chosen by the Father for the Son through the Holy Spirit. You are the Woman clothed with the sun who labors to give birth to Christ while Satan, the Red Dragon, waits to voraciously devour your child.

So too did Herod seek to destroy your Son, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and massacred many innocent children in the process. So today does abortion killing many innocent unborn children and exploiting many mothers in its attack upon human life and upon the Church, the Body of Christ.

Mother of the Innocents, we praise God in you for His gifts to you of your Immaculate Conception, your freedom from actual sin; your fullness of grace, your Motherhood of God and the Church, your Perpetual Virginity and your Assumption in body and soul into heaven.

O Help of Christians, we beg you to protect all mothers of the unborn and the children within their wombs. We plead with you for your help to end the holocaust of abortion. Melt hearts so that life may be revered!

Holy Mother, we pray to your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart for all mothers and all unborn children that they may have life here on earth and by the most Precious Blood shed by your Son that they may have eternal life with Him in heaven. We also pray to your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart for all abortionists and all abortion supporters that they may be converted and accept your Son, Jesus Christ, as their Lord and Savior. Defend all of your children in the battle against Satan and all of the evil spirits in this present darkness.

We desire that the innocent unborn children who die without Baptism should be baptized and saved. We ask that you obtain this grace for them and repentance, reconciliation and pardon from God for their parents and their killers.

Let there be revealed, once more, in the history of the world the infinite power of merciful love. May it put an end to evil. May it transform consciences. May your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart reveal for all the light of hope. May Christ the King reign over us, our families, cities, states, nations and the whole of humanity.

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary, hear our pleas and accept this cry from our hearts!
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Protectress of the Unborn, Pray for us!

This week in Christ's life… (34)

2010-11-07T07:16:00.000-05:00

This week, Jesus is 34 weeks old. His limbs have dimpled at the elbows and knees; creases have formed around his wrists. His gums are ridged. Infant Jesus, help us to give of our time, talent, and treasure to encourage all parents to carry their children to term and give them the gift of life.

2010-11-02T23:12:00.002-04:00

VOTE PRO-LIFE!!!!

Babies are depending on you!!!

GVH 25th Annual Memorial Service

2010-11-02T10:34:00.001-04:00

Please RSVP by November 20, 2010 so that your baby's name is included in the Memorial Service program. If you did not name your baby, but would still like to include your baby in the service, we encourage you to use "Baby (last name)".

____ Will be attending the service (___ #)
____ Will bring ___hors d'oeuvre ___dessert
____ Would like to participate musically
____ Would like to read a short poem or remembrance to the group
____ Enclosed a short message to be printed in the program
____ Cannot attend but would like our baby remembered
____ Would like to make a donation in memory of __________________________
(Please make check payable to Grand View Hospital)

Baby's Name: ________________________________________
Parent's Name: _______________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

___Please remove my name from the mailing list
___I cannot attend the service but would like to remain on the mailing list.

Please respond to:
Diane Carp
221 Kingfisher Court
Harleysville, PA 19438

This week in Christ's life… (33)

2010-10-31T07:16:00.001-04:00

This week, Jesus is 33 weeks old and his mother, Mary, has entered her ninth lunar month of pregnancy. He weighs approximately 4.5 pounds and is about 13 inches long. He is settling into a head-down position, in preparation of birth. Infant Jesus, help us to give of our time, talent, and treasure to encourage all parents to carry their children to term and give them the gift of life.

This week in Christ's life… (32)

2010-10-24T07:15:00.001-04:00

This week, Jesus is 32 weeks old. He opens his eyes when he is awake, will turn away from bright lights, and will close his eyes when he sleeps. His immune system is beginning to develop immune reaction. Infant Jesus, help us to give of our time, talent, and treasure to encourage all parents to carry their children to term and give them the gift of life.

Obamacare=Abortioncare

2010-10-19T09:44:00.002-04:00

Why It's Absurd to Deny Obama's Healthcare Bill Contains Abortion Funding

Deal W. Hudson
With the decision of the Ohio Elections Commission to allow a hearing to decide whether the Susan B. Anthony List has falsely represented the voting record of Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-OH), the question is again raised: Was abortion funding authorized by the health care legislation signed into law by President Barack Obama?

The complaint arose from the SBA List's use of billboards declaring that Representative Driehaus of Ohio's 1st Congressional District had voted for taxpayer-funded abortions by voting for the health care bill. If Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA, is found guilty, she could go to jail. Supporting Driehaus's effort to imprison Dannenfelser are James Salt, policy director of Catholics United, and Kristen Day, president of Democrats for Life of America.

Driehaus, by the way, had made essentially the same characterization of the health care legislation as made by Dannenfelser. On March 19, Driehaus was an original co-sponsor of H. Con. Res. 254, an "enrollment correction," introduced by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI). That resolution would have removed abortion funding from the Senate version of the health care bill.

The language of the final health care bill -- "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" (PPACA) -- had not changed when both Stupak and Driehaus voted for it and Obama signed it into law. Now, Driehaus is trying to send Marjorie Dannenfelser to jail for precisely the same view of the health care bill as expressed in his support for H. Con. Res 254 -- that it authorizes federal tax dollars to be spent on abortion.

Three members of the Ohio Elections Commission voted 2-1 to find "probable cause" to send the Driehaus complaint to a full hearing of the seven commissioners. The date has not yet been set.

The evidence supporting the SBA List is undeniable. In addition to the witness of Driehaus himself (and Stupak), there are the multiple provisions of the legislation itself that authorize the funding of abortions. The best summary is found in the affidavit submitted for last week's meeting of the Ohio Elections Commission by Douglas Johnson, legislative director of National Right to Life.

As Johnson points out in his affidavit, the provisions of the Senate version of the bill, ultimately signed into law, contained many of the same abortion funding mechanisms that the Stupak-Pitts amendment of the House bill removed. (There were new, additional problems in the Senate bill.) Stupak, Driehaus, and all those who supported the Stupak-Pitts amendment in the House had full knowledge that those provisions had not been removed. Driehaus and Stupak also knew of a similar amendment, offered by Sens. Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT), which was defeated soundly in the Senate. Interestingly enough, when the Senate bill passed (without removing the abortion authorizations), Stupak and Driehaus, along with Kristen Day, fought hard against its passage in the House. They worked diligently from the time Congress returned in January until March 19th when their objections suddenly, and inexplicably, vanished.

Here, Johnson provides an overview of the abortion funding in the 906 pages of PPACA:

It contained multiple provisions that authorize new programs or expand authorizations for existing programs that are authorized to cover abortion, either explicitly or implicitly. Some of these provisions are entirely untouched by any limitation on abortion in existing law or in the PPACA itself, and others are subject only to limitations that are temporary or contingent.

Those who deny this characterization must have been surprised when three states -- Pennsylvania, New Mexico, and Maryland -- began the implementation of Section 1101 (42 U.S.C. § 18001) creating the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP), also known as the "high-risk pool" program. Abortion coverage was explicitly included by these three states in this $5 billion program that provides coverage for up to 400,000 people.

(Click Here to Continue Reading)

This week in Christ's life… (31)

2010-10-17T07:14:00.000-04:00

This week, Jesus is 31 weeks old. As fat has accumulated under his skin, it has changed from red and transparent to pink and translucent. Infant Jesus, help us to give of our time, talent, and treasure to encourage all parents to carry their children to term and give them the gift of life.

Fr. Chris & End of Life Issues

2010-10-12T21:28:00.002-04:00

Where: St. Maria Goretti Parish- Drexel Hall
When: TOMORROW!!! Wednesday, Oct 13th @ 7pm
What: End of Life Issues, presented by Fr. Chris Walsh

Last year's program had over 80 people. Dont miss out on this outstanding speaker and important topic!

This week in Christ's life… (30)

2010-10-10T07:14:00.000-04:00

This week, Jesus is 30 weeks old. He can register information from all of his senses. His nostrils are full formed and his hair is growing longer. He is 210 days old. Infant Jesus, help us to give of our time, talent, and treasure to encourage all parents to carry their children to term and give them the gift of life.

This week in Christ's life… (29)

2010-10-03T07:13:00.000-04:00

This week, Jesus is 29 weeks old and his mother, Mary, has entered her eighth lunar month of pregnancy. Because he has grown so large, he is now curled up in the fetal position. His brain continues to rapidly develop, increasing the number of interconnections between individual nerve cells and identifying groups of cells that will perform complicated functions. Infant Jesus, you raised us to heaven by taking on manhood. Open all hearts to this truth and teach the world to reject the evil of abortion

Pray for Us, Our Lady of Guadalupe

2010-10-01T19:37:00.000-04:00

Our Lady of Guadalupe, we turn to you who are the protectress of unborn children and ask that you intercede for us, so that we may more firmly resolve to join you in protecting all human life. Let our prayers be united to your perpetual motherly intercession on behalf of those whose lives are threatened, be they in the womb of their mother, on the bed of infirmity, or in the latter years of their life. May our prayers also be coupled with peaceful action, which witnesses to the goodness and dignity of all human life, so that our firmness of purpose may give courage to those who are fearful and bring light to those who are blinded by sin. Encourage those who will be involved in the March for Life; help them to walk closely with God and to give voice to the cry of the oppressed, in order to remind our nation of its commitment to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all people. O Virgin Mother of God, present our petitions to your Son and ask Him to bless us with abundant life. Amen.

This week in Christ's life… (28)

2010-09-26T07:12:00.000-04:00

This week, Jesus is 28 weeks old. His bone marrow takes over the production of red blood cells and his lanugo has disappeared. He is about the length of a standard ruler and weighs almost 3 pounds. Infant Jesus, you raised us to heaven by taking on manhood. Open all hearts to this truth and teach the world to reject the evil of abortion

This week in Christ's life… (27)

2010-09-19T07:12:00.002-04:00

This week, Jesus is 27 weeks old. He can see light and dark through the walls of the womb. His brain can direct rhythmic breathing and control his body temperature. His eyes move in their sockets and he is practicing seeing. He can see shades of reds, greens, and yellows. Infant Jesus, you raised us to heaven by taking on manhood. Open all hearts to this truth and teach the world to reject the evil of abortion

This week in Christ's life… (26)

2010-09-12T07:11:00.001-04:00

This week, Jesus is 26 weeks old. His eyelids have completely unfused and can open and shut. His eyelashes are present. In two weeks, he has grown so much! He is almost 10 inches long and weighs over 2 pounds! Infant Jesus, you raised us to heaven by taking on manhood. Open all hearts to this truth and teach the world to reject the evil of abortion

Prayer for the Helpless Unborn

2010-09-10T19:36:00.000-04:00

Heavenly Father, in Your love for us, protect against the wickedness of the devil, those helpless little ones to whom You have given the gift of life. Touch with pity the hearts of those women pregnant in our world today who are not thinking of motherhood.
Help them to see that the child they carry is made in Your image - as well as theirs - made for eternnal life. Dispel their fear and selfishness and give them true womanly hearts to love their babies and give them birth and all the needed care that a mother alone can give.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son, Our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever, Amen.

Morningstar Ministries Annual Dinner

2010-09-06T22:51:00.001-04:00

Morningstar Ministries of the North Penn Area, Inc. is a local (Souderton) Christian Maternity Home that provides a loving and supportive environment for women (age 13-25) in crisis pregnancy. They have helped over 200 women and babies over the past 22 years.

This is their annual fund raising dinner ... the cost is a free will offering ... the key note speaker this year is a former Planned Parenthood Clinic Director, Abby Johnson .. she observed an ultrasound of an abortion and quit.

The Table is #22 ... and if you can join me, please either call me on my cell 215-285-4837 or, send an email to rosettabuss@comcast.net if you are interested in coming to dinner on Saturday evening, September 11th. The dinner will be held at the Family Worship Center on Troxel Road in Lansdale and will be served promptly at 6:pm. There are ten seats at the table, please join me. We can always get a second table if we need it; unfortunately, that's not usually the problem. Hope you can join me! Please let me know by Monday evening, September 6th.

Thank you for your consideration. God Bless,

Terry Prykowski

215-285-4837

This week in Christ's life… (25)

2010-09-05T07:10:00.001-04:00

This week, Jesus is 25 weeks old and his mother, Mary, has entered her seventh lunar month of pregnancy. His lungs are capable of breathing room air. His brain wave patterns are similar to that of a newborn. Infant Jesus, you raised us to heaven by taking on manhood. Open all hearts to this truth and teach the world to reject the evil of abortion

This week in Christ's life… (24)

2010-08-29T07:09:00.004-04:00

This week, Jesus is 24 weeks old. His permanent teeth buds have come in beneath his baby teeth. His nostrils are open and he is practicing breathing. Air sacs have developed in his lungs. Auditory and visual brain waves have started, so that he will be able to input and process data after birth. He is now 168 days old, 9 inches long, and 1.25 pounds. Infant Jesus, you raised us to heaven by taking on manhood. Open all hearts to this truth and teach the world to reject the evil of abortion

Prayer for the Right to Life

2010-08-24T19:35:00.000-04:00

O heavenly Father, strengthen us against the mounting forces of anti-life; enlighten those who walk in this deadly way that they may see the enormity of their sin and return to the generous observance of the divine law. We pray, too, for mothers, that they may prize the great privilege of motherhood; and that they may bring up their children in the holy love and fear of God, thus saving their own immortal souls and furthering the honor and glory of their Maker. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Pray for us, St. Gerard, protector of the mother and her unborn child,
that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ!

This week in Christ's life… (23)

2010-08-22T07:08:00.002-04:00

This week, Jesus is 23 weeks old. He daily hears the beating of Mary’s heart, the sound of her voice, and the muffled sounds of the voices around her. He will startle and jump if he hears a loud noise. Blood vessels have developed in his lungs, so that when he is born, oxygen will be able to circulate to his vital organs and systems. Infant Jesus, you raised us to heaven by taking on manhood. Open all hearts to this truth and teach the world to reject the evil of abortion.

This week in Christ's life… (22)

2010-08-15T07:07:00.000-04:00

This week, Jesus is 22 weeks old. Even though this is the period that babies are considered viable outside the womb (22w gestational/24w LNMP weeks) with a 50% survival rate, every state allows abortion at this age. Infant Jesus, you raised us to heaven by taking on manhood. Open all hearts to this truth and teach the world to reject the evil of abortion.

This week in Christ's Life… (21)

2010-08-08T07:06:00.001-04:00

This week, Jesus is 21 weeks old and his mother, Mary, has entered her sixth lunar month of pregnancy. The bones of his inner ear have hardened, making hearing possible. Child Jesus, growing in the womb, give us the strength to protect all people, especially the tiniest of growing babies.

This week in Christ's life… (20)

2010-08-01T06:59:00.000-04:00

This week, Jesus is 20 weeks old. His lungs are beginning to produce surfactant, which will allow them to inflate to breathe oxygen. He can blink and he can grip his hands with force. Child Jesus, growing in the womb, give us the strength to protect all people, especially the tiniest of growing babies.

Another Abortion Pill??? (SBA)

2010-07-26T16:45:00.000-04:00

Another abortion pill?It appears the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is moving quickly towards approving ella (Ulipristal Acetate), to be marketed in the in the U.S. as an emergency contraceptive, even though it is similar to RU-486, the chemical abortion pill, which has caused severe injury to women—even causing deaths. Like RU-486, ella functions by blocking progesterone receptors which prevents an embryo from implanting in the uterine wall and could prevent an already implanted embryo from receiving proper nutrition—causing an abortion.

Congressman Joe Pitts (R-PA) has written a letter urging the FDA to do additional research on ella and emphasizing that the drug should NOT be approved at all if it could end the life of an unborn child.

If ella is deceptively marketed as an emergency contraceptive, women will be misled into thinking the drug will prevent pregnancy, when it could actually result in an abortion of their unborn child.

Ask your Representative to co-sign Rep. Pitts’ letter to the FDA, urging them to do further research on ella. We only have until Wednesday to get as many co-signers as possible.

The FDA is supposed to exist to protect Americans from harmful drugs—which is why they must do more research before approving ella—as they risk approving a drug which could end the lives of the youngest, most vulnerable Americans. When the abortion pill RU-486 was approved, it was done so without enough research—a mistake which has resulted in thousands of women injuring themselves—and some even dying. The fight to end the use of RU-486 continues, but now there is an additional battle to be waged.

We can’t let another abortion pill make its way into pharmacies across the country.

Please ask your Congressman to co-sign Rep. Pitt’s letter today, and insist the FDA do more research before approving ella.

With you in this fight for Life,

Marjorie Dannenfelser
President, Susan B. Anthony List
www.sba-list.org

This week in Christ's life… (19)

2010-07-25T06:58:00.002-04:00

This week, Jesus is 19 weeks old. He can move however his brain directs, including spinning, jackknifing, turning, and somersaulting. He looks like a miniature newborn and can suck his thumb at will. (This is the earliest that a preterm baby born in modern times has been able to survive. Born at just 21w6d LNMP/19w6d gestationally, a little girl born in 2006 survived and is doing well.) Child Jesus, growing in the womb, give us the strength to protect all people, especially the tiniest of growing babies.

We're Paying for Abortion-On-Demand (SBA)

2010-07-18T08:16:00.000-04:00

Well, the “gift” of health care reform keeps on giving. Since Wednesday, when Marjorie wrote to you with the horrific news that $160 million of our federal tax dollars were sent to establish a high risk insurance pool in Pennsylvania, a new program established by the health care bill, with no restrictions on abortion funding, New Mexico has also been added to the list of states receiving this blood money—unwillingly given by citizens from across the country.
Our hard earned tax dollars are being used by the federal government to fund high-risk insurance pool programs that cover abortion on-demand.

Taxpayer dollars--from every American across the country--being used to end the lives of innocent, unborn children in Pennsylvania, and now New Mexico. We must act now.

When those so-called pro-life Democrats like Bart Stupak and Kathy Dahlkemper voted for health care reform, they said our tax dollars would not be used to end unborn lives. President Obama said that his executive order would protect the conscience of the American taxpayers.

But I can think of 160 million reasons why that’s not true.

From the beginning, the Obama Administration hasn’t tried to hide their radical abortion agenda. First the repeal of the Mexico City Policy, then so-called “health care” reform, and an Executive Order that wasn't worth the paper it was printed on. Now, $160 million taxpayer dollars from across the country can end the lives of unborn boys and girls in Pennsylvania and New Mexico.

With you in this fight for Life,

Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave
Director, Votes Have Consequences
Susan B. Anthony List
www.sba-list.org

P.S. Before defying the will of her constituents, Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper (PA-3) said she would represent the pro-life majority in her district. But now Pennsylvanians, and all Americans across the country, are being forced to pay for abortions with their own money. Rep. Dahlkemper and the Obama administration said the executive order would prevent taxpayers from having to pay for abortion, but the high risk insurance pool programs in Pennsylvania and New Mexico prove that this was a false promise.

This week in Christ's life… (18)

2010-07-18T06:57:00.001-04:00

This week, Jesus is 18 weeks old. Heat-producing brown fat begins to form at the base of his neck. His eyebrows have formed, and he sleeps and wakes as much as a newborn. Hair has formed on his scalp. He now weighs about 11 ounces and measures about 6 inches long. Child Jesus, growing in the womb, give us the strength to protect all people, especially the tiniest of growing babies.

Obama's phony assurance (NRL)

2010-07-13T22:35:00.000-04:00

H.H.S. Approves Pennsylvania Plan
to Use Federal Funds to Subsidize Coverage of
Nearly All Abortions in New “High-Risk Pool” Program

WASHINGTON (July 13, 2010) – The Obama Administration will give Pennsylvania $160 million to set up a new “high-risk” insurance program under a provision of the federal health care legislation enacted in March — and has quietly approved a plan submitted by an appointee of Governor Edward Rendell (D) under which the new program will cover any abortion that is legal in Pennsylvania.

The high-risk pool program is one of the new programs created by the sweeping health care legislation (the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) that President Obama signed into law on March 23. The law authorizes $5 billion in federal funds for the program, which will cover as many as 400,000 people when it is implemented nationwide.

“The Obama Administration will give Pennsylvania $160 million in federal tax funds, which we’ve discovered will pay for insurance plans that cover any legal abortion,” said Douglas Johnson, legislative director for the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of right-to-life organizations in all 50 states. “This is just the first proof of the phoniness of President Obama’s assurances that federal funds would not subsidize abortion — but it will not be the last.”

An earlier version of the health care legislation, passed by the House of Representatives in November 2009, contained a provision (the Stupak-Pitts Amendment) that would have prevented federal funds from subsidizing abortion or insurance coverage of abortion in any of the programs created by the bill, including the high-risk pool program. But President Obama opposed that pro-life provision, and it was not included in the bill later approved by both houses and signed into law. An executive order signed by the President on March 24, 2010 did not contain effective barriers to federal funding of abortion, and did not even mention the high-risk pool program.

“President Obama successfully opposed including language in the bill to prevent federal subsidies for abortions, and now the Administration is quietly advancing its abortion-expanding agenda through administrative decisions such as this, which they hope will escape broad public attention,” Johnson said.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has emphasized that the high-risk pool program is a federal program and that the states will not incur any cost. On May 11, 2010, in a letter to Democratic and Republican congressional leaders on implementation of the new law, DHHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius wrote that “states may choose whether and how they participate in the program, which is funded entirely by the federal government.”

Details of the high-risk pool plans for most states are not yet available. But on June 28, Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Joel Ario (a member of the appointed cabinet of Governor Edward Rendell, a Democrat) issued a press release announcing that the federal Department of Health and Human Services had approved his agency’s proposal for implementing the new program in Pennsylvania. “The state will receive $160 million to set up the program, which will provide coverage to as many as 5,600 people between now and 2014,” according to the release. “The plan’s benefit package will include preventive care, physician services, diagnostic testing, hospitalization, mental health services, prescription medications and much more, with subsidized premiums of $283 a month.”

Examination of the detailed Pennsylvania plan, reveals that the “much more” will include insurance coverage of any legal abortion.

The section on abortion (see page 14) asserts that “elective abortions are not covered.” However, that statement proves to be a red herring, because the operative language does not define “elective.” Rather, the proposal specifies that the coverage “includes only abortions and contraceptives that satisfy the requirements of” several specific statutes, the most pertinent of which is 18 Pa. C.S. § 3204, which says that an abortion is legal in Pennsylvania (consistent with Roe v. Wade) if a single physician believes that it is “necessary” based on “all factors (physical, emotional, psychological, familial and the woman’s age) relevant to the well-being of the woman.” Indeed, the cited statute provides only a single circumstance in which an abortion prior to 24 weeks is NOT permitted under the Pennsylvania statute: “No abortion which is sought solely because of the sex of the unborn child shall be deemed a necessary abortion.”

As a result, “Under the Rendell-Sebelius plan, federal funds will subsidize coverage of abortion performed for any reason, except sex selection,” said NRLC’s Johnson. “The Pennsylvania proposal conspicuously lacks language that would prevent funding of abortions performed as a method of birth control or for any other reason, except sex selection — and the Obama Administration has now approved this.”

A group of Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives who initially withheld support from the federal health care bill, because of concerns about pro-abortion effects, cited President Obama’s March 24 executive order in justifying their votes to pass the bill over objections from NRLC and other pro-life groups, which argued that the executive order did not contain effective barriers to federal subsidies for abortion. As USA Todayreported on March 25, “Both sides in the abortion debate came to a rare agreement on Wednesday: The executive order on abortion signed by President Obama, they said, was basically meaningless. ‘A transparent political fig leaf,’ according to the National Right to Life Committee’s Douglas Johnson. ‘A symbolic gesture,’ said Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards.”

National Right to Life, Inc.
512 10th St., NW
Washington, DC 20004-1401

This week in Christ's life… (17)

2010-07-11T06:56:00.001-04:00

This week, Jesus is 17 weeks old and his mother, Mary, has entered her fifth lunar month of pregnancy. Lanugo hair appears on his head and body. Vernix caseosa is forming on his skin. He can hiccup so forcefully that the Blessed Virgin Mary can feel it on the outside of her belly. Child Jesus, growing in the womb, give us the strength to protect all people, especially the tiniest of growing babies.

Ending Abortion- NOW!

2010-07-07T07:30:00.001-04:00

This Saturday, July 10th, you are invited to be part of "Ending
Abortion": a huge, day-long, webcast mega-conference
uniting the entire pro-life movement to ...

1. Educate, equip, and empower pro-lifers to have a
  greater life-saving impact right where they live

2. Increase involvement in the fall 40 Days for Life
  and other local pro-life activities

3. Dramatically increase the prominence of pro-life
  concerns prior to the fall elections

Get all the details now at:

http://www.EndingAbortion.com

Dozens of leading national pro-life organizations --
and more than 30 of the top pro-life leaders and
experts -- are joining forces with us for this
landmark event.

Here are just a FEW of the confirmed speakers:

* SCOTT KLUSENDORF, Life Training Institute
* DR. TONY LEVATINO, former abortionist
* MARK CRUTCHER, Life Dynamics
* LOU ENGLE, TheCall
* PEGGY HARTSHORN, Heartbeat International
* WENDY WRIGHT, Concerned Women for America
* THERESA & KEVIN BURKE, Rachel's Vineyard
* MARJORIE DANNENFELSER, Susan B. Anthony List
* KRISTAN HAWKINS, Students for Life
* ALVEDA KING, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

And that isn't even ONE-THIRD of the speakers!

With some of the groups and leaders participating in
this unprecedented event, I suspect there could be
thousands of attendees ... including YOU!

Join the excitement at:

http://www.EndingAbortion.com

The event will break the pro-life message up into ten
different hour-long focused topics (in Eastern time):

* 10 AM: The Case for Life
* 11 AM: The Abortion Crisis
* 12 Noon: Planned Parenthood's Abortion Empire
* 1 PM: The Power of Prayer
* 2 PM: Pregnancy Help Centers: Compassion in Action
* 3 PM: Saving Lives Outside Abortion Facilities
* 4 PM: Hope & Healing for Post-Abortive Women & Men
* 5 PM: Legislative & Political Efforts
* 6 PM: Pro-Life Youth Advocacy
* 7 PM: Influencing the Culture

During each topic, you will hear from 3 or 4 of the
top pro-life leaders/experts in that subject area.

If you can't participate in the live webcast, the
entire event will be recorded and made available
afterward -- so be sure to register now even if you
have a schedule conflict this Saturday:

http://www.EndingAbortion.com

Here are the three things I would ask you to do:

1. PRAY.

Pray for God to guide this event, pray for the
speakers to share the right messages, pray for
all attendees to be inspired to take action.

2. PARTICIPATE.

If possible, attend some (or all) of the sessions
yourself -- either live on Saturday, July 10, or by
listening to the recordings afterward.

3. PROMOTE.

"Word of mouth" is the most powerful form of
advertising in the world, and the key to the success
of this event will be YOU. Please forward this e-mail
to everyone you know so they can also participate.

This event could have a profound impact on
pro-life work in communities across North America --
and around the world -- and I can't wait to see what
God has in store for this effort!

This week in Christ's life… (16)

2010-07-04T06:56:00.001-04:00

This week, Jesus is 16 weeks old. All the major elements of his lungs have formed, except those involved with oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange. Meconium begins to form in his bowel. His has primitive finger and toe prints. Myelinization begins and Jesus now measures approximately 5.5 inches long, big enough to be cradled in his mother’s hand. He has lived for 112 days. Child Jesus, growing in the womb, give us the strength to protect all people, especially the tiniest of growing babies.

Prayer for the Dignity of Human Life

2010-07-02T19:34:00.001-04:00

Lord and giver of all life, help u s to value each person, created in love by You. In Your mercy, guide and assist our efforts to promote dignity and value of all human life, born and unborn. We ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

This week in Christ's life… (15)

2010-06-27T06:55:00.000-04:00

This week, Jesus is 15 weeks old. With the help of his placenta and umbilical cord, his circulatory, digestion, respiratory, and waste systems are operating as they will after he’s born. His reflexes have developed. Child Jesus, growing in the womb, give us the strength to protect all people, especially the tiniest of growing babies.

ALL Babies Deserve Life

2010-06-24T19:47:00.003-04:00

‘Miracle baby' celebrates first year of beating odds

---A happy birthday for Joey---Bruce and Lisa Pagac with their “miracle baby,” daughter Joey. (Staff photo/MATT AIKEN)

By Matt Aiken

Published:

Wednesday, June 23, 2010 10:40 AM EDT

Joey Pagac's first birthday is much more than a milestone.

To her parents, Bruce and Lisa, it's a miracle.

“I brought her home from the hospital expecting that I'd only have maybe a few more days with her,” says Lisa. “And here we are.”

Where they are is the maternity ward of Chestatee Regional Hospital, where little Joey is wearing a tiny birthday hat as she's passed back and forth between adoring nurses and cooing doctors.

It was a little more than a year ago that Joey beat the odds by emerging into the world despite her diagnosis of Trisomy 18.

“Trisomy 18 children generally have a whole host of issues,” said Lisa. These issues can range from holes in the heart to non-functional kidneys. The disease is so severe that approximately 95 percent of babies that are diagnosed with it don't make it through delivery. Others rarely live more than a few hours after birth.

Naturally, when the young Murrayville mother found out her child had the vicious disease, she was crushed.

After trying for eight years to conceive, Lisa and Bruce had turned to in vitro fertilization and watched Joey develop from an egg. So when the results of an early test came back, Lisa felt as though she already had a daughter.

“I had seen her look like an egg, then I saw her look like a frog, and then I saw her look like a porpoise,” says Lisa. “I mean, I watched her stages of development, and I was already attached. I couldn't bear the thought of losing her. And I wasn't going to make the decision to end her life. I would leave it up to God. And I'm glad that I did.”

Chestatee nurse Ellen Wren says the gutsy move of Lisa and Bruce is to be admired.

“I think what was so amazing was she was given a choice,” said Wren.

Joey's pediatrician Dr. Stephanie Corn agrees.

“Their plan was ‘I want to hold this baby for 30 seconds, for 60 seconds, maybe a day, maybe two days,'” she says. “They lived in the moment.”

Joey arrived two weeks late. And the delivery process was brutal, says Lisa. She credits Dr. Robert Brown for getting her child through it.

“We almost lost her twice,” she says. “... But she came out crying. She didn't require anything special.”

Normally Trisomy 18 babies need breathing and feeding tubes to live. Joey requires nothing like this. Instead she has spent the past year growing and developing with very few complications.

And, in turn, Lisa, Bruce and Joey have grown into a family.

“I'm just happy,” says Bruce.

Joey is too, adds Lisa.

“She's really a very happy baby,” she says. “I'm so lucky. She's so good natured.”

After returning home from the hospital, Lisa says she learned that she wasn't alone in her plight when she met up with other parents of Trisomy 18 children on Facebook.

“After connecting with a bunch of people I found out, ‘Gosh, I'm not the only one.' There's so many other people out there,” she says.

In turn, Lisa says she hopes she can provide comfort to any parents-to-be who find themselves in a similar situation.

“It's an individual decision, and I would never criticize somebody over choosing the opposite of what I chose,” she says. “But I would hate for someone to choose that path, thinking there was no hope.”

As she says this, proof of this hope is still wearing a small pink birthday hat and making the rounds among a beaming hospital staff.

“She's a year old,” says a smiling Lisa. “A year and a day. And tomorrow will be a year and two days.”

This week in Christ's life… (14)

2010-06-20T06:54:00.000-04:00

This week, Jesus is 14 weeks old. His eyes begin moving under closed lids. His skeleton is actively ossifying. His toenails are growing from their nail beds. His head sits upright. He is almost 5 inches long and weighs almost 4 ounces. Child Jesus, growing in the womb, give us the strength to protect all people, especially the tiniest of growing babies.

Pro-Life America (SBA)

2010-06-15T15:48:00.000-04:00

Have you heard about the Republicans' newly launched website called “America Speaking Out”? Members of the Republican leadership created the site to give the American people a chance to share their national policy ideas with Members of Congress by telling them which issues matter most.
As we’ve seen in the recent healthcare debate, the cost of disengagement is dire. This is your opportunity to become engaged and to help set the priorities for your Representatives in Washington. As a former Representative who has fought hard for Life, I can’t tell you how important it is to have the back-up of pro-life citizens across the country when speaking out on the issue that matters most—protecting innocent unborn children. While most Republicans agree that Life is precious at all stages, they need encouragement and support from us. It is our job as constituents to keep the pressure on Congress to ensure that protecting unborn children is at the top of the legislative agenda.

The America Speaking Out website contains forums where citizens can voice their ideas and concerns. Currently in the “Life” section, radical, pro-abortion groups have taken it upon themselves to submit suggestions, such as: “the sanctity of life should support whatever of woman wishes to do with her body. Without this right freedom is meaningless.”

the majority of Americans are pro-life, so we need to make sure our voices are heard. Stand up for the values of the pro-life American majority and unborn boys and girls across this nation by supporting Life on the America Speaking Out website.

Right now, the number one policy goal for pro-lifers is to ensure that the healthcare bill protects Life. Click here to send this message loud and clear to Republicans.

Abortion is not healthcare. Any bill that replaces or changes the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act must ensure that no federal funds go toward elective abortion, must prevent any federal agency from mandating abortion, and must protect the conscience of healthcare workers.

To support this idea and make your voice heard click the link to the site, then click the “thumbs up” on the website. You will be asked to create an account if you do not already have one. Then you can place a final “thumbs up” vote to take abortion funding out of health care. You can also comment on our post, send a link to your friends, and put it on your Twitter and Facebook. (If you create an account and are having trouble finding the comment, just click here to give a "thumbs up" for Life.)

now is your chance to tell Republican leadership that we must continue to fight the expansion of abortion through healthcare reform. Don’t let the pro-aborts out-vote us on our pro-life post. Click here now and vote for Life. It is important to vote as soon as possible so that, together, we can send the clear message that protecting unborn American lives should be a legislative priority. The Republican Leadership cannot help but pay attention if our idea gets overwhelming support in a short span of time. Vote Now!

Let’s speak up and let Congressional Republicans know what’s important to us. Vote today and stand strong for Life.

For Life,

Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave
Susan B. Anthony List

www.sba-list.org
P.S. Don’t miss my friend and SBA List President Marjorie LIVE tomorrow (6/16) on Fox and Friends at 8:15 AM Eastern Time on the Fox News Channel. She’ll be discussing the wonderful pro-life women in this year’s elections.

Prayer to Abolish the Death Penalty

2010-06-14T19:33:00.003-04:00

God of compassion, You let Your rain fall on the just and the unjust. Expand and deepen our hearts so that we may love as You love, even those among us who have cuased the greatest pain by taking life. For there is in our land a great cry for vengeance as we fill up death rows and kill the killers in the name of justice, in the name of peace. Jesus, our Brother, You suffered execution at the hands of the state, but You did not let hatred overcome You.

Help us to reach out to victims of violence, so that our enduring love may help them heal. You strengthen us in the struggle for justice. Help us to work tirelessly for the abolition of state-sanctioned death and to renew our society in its very heart so that violence will be no more. Amen.

(remember that Jesus Himself was a victim of the death penalty)

Your tax dollars at work (NRL)

2010-06-13T18:44:00.002-04:00

Conference sponsored by UN agencies tramples on citizens' rights.

Every day it seems Americans lose more and more of their rights. Political speech is limited in ways that would be unimaginable to our Founding Fathers. Bills are passed that slash life-saving medical treatment for the elderly and disabled. Unborn babies are denied the basic right to life.
Now several taxpayer-funded groups have done the unthinkable: censoring even information about unborn babies.

At the “Women Deliver” international conference held in Washington D.C. June 7-9, National Right to Life volunteers passed out information in pink bags proclaiming the message “Celebrate Motherhood.” The conference was supposedly dedicated to exploring ways to decrease the mortality of mothers delivering their babies. But pro-abortion groups have all but taken over United Nations affiliated organizations, and have no intention of hearing from anyone “Celebrating Motherhood.”

The conference hosts stood inside the entrance of the Washington Convention Center, confiscated the bags and threw them into the trash. The Conference attendees were told that the information inside the bags – including beautiful pictures of unborn babies – was “anti-human rights,” “anti-life” and “anti-woman.”

Sponsors of the conference included the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the U.S. government’s USAID program, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Planned Parenthood, all of which receive funding from U.S. taxpayers.

That is taxpayer-funded censorship right in our nation’s capital!

Please help us fight the international movement to legalize abortion and to abolish pro-life dissent. National Right to Life has worked long and hard on this issue, which is a quiet but world-wide war on the unborn.

This week in Christ's life… (13)

2010-06-13T06:54:00.000-04:00

This week, Jesus is 13 weeks old and his mother, Mary, has entered her fourth lunar month of pregnancy. His head rests on his neck and his scalp hair pattern is determined. He can turn his head, open his mouth, and press his lips together. He can make a fist, move his thumbs, bend at the wrist, and grasp. His heart pumps about 25 quarts of blood a day. He can kick, turn his feet outward and inward, and curl and fan his toes. Child Jesus, growing in the womb, give us the strength to protect all people, especially the tiniest of growing babies.

She Won!!! (SBA)

2010-06-09T08:48:00.001-04:00

"She won!" was the message of tonight's primary elections, a resounding confirmation of the resurgence of authentic feminism across America.

In fact, tonight's victories are the greatest affirmation of our mission in the history of the Susan B. Anthony List and are the first of many victories to come in what will be the year of the pro-life woman.

With the victories of pro-life leaders Carly Fiorina in California and Sharron Angle of Nevada, the void of a pro-life woman's voice in the Senate could finally be filled this November.

we're up against pro-abortion groups like Planned Parenthood and EMILY's List whose views of feminism are out of sync with the majority of Americans, yet are well-funded by a wealthy, powerful minority.

They'll do everything they can to defeat pro-life advocates like Carly and Sharron because they know what's at stake, the very underpinnings of their movement, which advances the rights of one group on the broken backs of another.

They know that a Senator Carly Fiorina and a Senator Sharron Angle mean the voice of authentic feminism is strengthened and their outdated views are left in the dust.

Besides powerful pro-abortion groups, we're up against two well-funded foes Senator Barbara Boxer, the poster child for pro-abortion feminists, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the key proponent for Obama's health care plan that included taxpayer funding of abortion.

They may be well-connected and funded in Washington, but Carly Fiorina and Sharron Angle can win with the full weight of the pro-life community behind them.

Tonight is proof that pro-life feminism has electoral power. Now let's carry that momentum into November and elect leaders who will protect unborn children in Congress.

Onward to Victory,

Marjorie Dannenfelser
President, Susan B. Anthony List
www.sba-list.org

This week in Christ's life… (12)

2010-06-06T06:53:00.000-04:00

This week, Jesus is 12 weeks old and his mother, Mary, is ending her first trimester of pregnancy. He can move his thumb in opposition to his other fingers, and he practices inhaling and exhaling, sending amniotic fluid in and out of his lungs. His spleen begins to work and his salivary glands are functioning. He is making sucking and swallowing motions. At the end of his second month of life, he measured about an inch and weighed about one gram; now, he is 3 times as long and more than 50 times as heavy! Precious heart of Jesus, teach us to love all people, especially the newly developing baby.

June 2010

2010-06-01T15:46:00.000-04:00

Parish Center Board Room

Tuesday, June 8th @ 7:30pm

RSVP to smgrespectlife (at) gmail (dot) com

This week in Christ's life… (11)

2010-05-30T06:51:00.001-04:00

This week, Jesus is 11 weeks old. His intestines are in his abdomen and his vocal cords have formed. All 20 of his baby teeth and their sockets have formed in his gums. Precious heart of Jesus, teach us to love all people, especially the newly developing baby.

This week in Christ's life… (10)

2010-05-23T06:50:00.001-04:00

This week, Jesus is 10 weeks old. His fingernails are growing from the nail beds and he is urinating to help create his amniotic fluid. His brain has the same structure it will have at birth, albeit in a smaller size. When his face is touched, he will open his mouth with a primitive rooting reflex. His pancreas is secreting insulin. Precious heart of Jesus, teach us to love all people, especially the newly developing baby.

Countdown to the Convention! (NRL)

2010-05-22T07:10:00.000-04:00

June 24, 25, & 26, 2010 in Pittsburgh

The National Right to Life Convention is the premiere pro-life grassroots organizing event in the country. Right-to-life leaders from every part of America gather annually to discuss a wide-range of topics, get educated with the latest information, and get inspired for the battles ahead.
What will you get out of attending? It doesn’t matter whether you are a state or chapter leader or a pro-life individual interested in becoming more active and better informed, the Convention provides three full days of an incredible variety of topics: organizing, new media, fundraising, post-abortion healing, the United Nations, religious outreach, debating, euthanasia, rights of the disabled and many more!

If you have children, bring them along. We offer inexpensive childcare throughout all three days.

National experts, seasoned community activists, and fellowship with pro-lifers. Come learn why the pro-life grassroots movement continues to make the difference!

To contact us by mail:
National Right to Life, Inc.
512 10th St., NW
Washington, DC 20004-1401
Questions about the Convention? Call (202) 378-8842 or email: luis@nrlc.org

3%=37% (LA)

2010-05-17T18:21:00.000-04:00

DATA: 36.7% of Planned Parenthood’s “Health Center Income” is from Abortions
by David Schmidt on May 14th, 2010 at 4:11 am
http://liveaction.org/blog/data-36-7-of-planned-parenthoods-health-center-income-is-from-abortions/

Planned Parenthood likes to talk about how only 3% of their services are abortion.

A simple example of how they come to this calculation would be Planned Parenthood aborting 3 children and giving out 97 condoms. They would say that out of 100 services, 3 or 3% were abortion when in reality the significance and cost of the 3 abortions is much higher than 3% of their efforts.

Planned Parenthood’s accounting of 3% is misleading and not consistent with the rest of the business world. In college I interned at the airline manufacturer Boeing, which sells a lot of airplanes and also a lot of spare parts for those airplanes. For every airplane they sold for tens of millions of dollars, they also sold lots of spare parts for as little as 25 cents. By looking at TOTAL number of sales, you could conclude that 1% of their business was selling airplanes and 99% was spare parts, which is totally ridiculous. The reality was the value of the airplanes sales was close to 99% of their business and the spare parts 1%. Looking at the cost and effort of what is being offered is a much more accurate way to measure. Let’s apply this industry standard measure to Planned Parenthood:

THE TRUTH
All numbers are from the latest (2008) Planned Parenthood annual report:

Annual abortions performed at Planned Parenthood: 305,310
Average cost of abortion: $450 (This is based on what Planned Parenthood across the country has told Live Action staff, although it is slightly higher or lower depending on what part of the country it is.)
Total income from abortions: $137,389,500
Total health center income: $374,700,000
This means that fully 36.7% of Planned Parenthood health center income comes directly from aborting unborn children.

This is a far cry from the 3% number that they try to dupe the public with. Doesn’t it say something that even Planned Parenthood, the leading abortion chain in America, tries to downplay their role in ending the lives of unborn children? Someone feeling a little guilty?

This week in Christ's life… (9)

2010-05-16T06:44:00.001-04:00

This week, Jesus is 9 weeks old and his mother, Mary, has entered her third lunar month of pregnancy. His fingernails, toenails, and hair follicles have appeared and he is displaying a more upright posture. He measures approximately 2 inches long (5cm) and his skin is less transparent. His proportions resemble a newborn baby’s. He weighs between a quarter and half an ounce (7.6g). Precious heart of Jesus, teach us to love all people, especially the newly developing baby.

Prayer for Aborted Babies

2010-05-14T19:32:00.002-04:00

Heavenly Father, Thou hast given us the gift of freedom to love and to follow in Thy ways and commands. Some parents choose to abuse this freedom by destroying the gift of life which Thou hast given to their offspring. Please forgive those who destroy human life by aborting their unborn babies. Give these unborn children the opportunity to enjoy Thee for all eternity, if it according to Thy ordinance. Assist me in being one in solidarity with Thy little ones by taking to heart the words of Thy Son, "whatever you did for one of these least brothers of Mine, you did for Me." (Mt. 25:40) Therefore, allow me today, Father, to adopt spiritually an unborn child and to offer my prayers, works, joys and sufferings for that little one, so that child will be able to be born and live for Thy greater honor and glory. We pray this in Jesus' name, in union with the Holy Spirit one God forever and ever. Amen.

May Meeting Minutes

2010-05-12T01:12:00.003-04:00

Breaking News: Mollohan Learns Votes Have Consequences (SBA)

2010-05-12T00:48:00.002-04:00

Just moments ago, Rep. Allan Mollohan of West Virginia, a Democrat who abandoned the pro-life principles of his constituents and supported the biggest expansion of abortion since Roe, learned that Votes Have Consequences and was defeated in the Democratic primary by pro-life challenger Mike Oliviero!

Mollohan’s loss comes as a direct result of his vote for healthcare reform that included federal funding of abortion.

Who deserves all the credit for this major pro-life victory? You!

Thanks to the continued financial support of pro-life activists like you, the Susan B. Anthony List spent over $78,000 in television ads, radio ads, and robo-calls informing pro-life West Virginians that Rep. Mollohan betrayed their values by supporting ObamaCare.

Our next targets are Rep. Brad Ellsworth, who is running for Senate in Indiana; Rep. Steve Driehaus of Ohio; and Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper of Pennsylvania, all of whom abandoned their principles for party and chose death over life for unborn children, funded by your tax dollars.

Tonight, President Obama and his pro-abortion allies saw the strength of the Pro-Life Movement. They saw that Votes Have Consequences. We unseated a Congressman who had been in office for 28 Years!

The Wall Street Journal noted our efforts and quoted Marjorie, saying:

"Outside groups also played a role in the race, including the Susan B. Anthony List, which opposes abortion rights. The group targeted Mollohan for his vote in favor of the Democrats’ health care overhaul. 'Congressman Mollohan now fully realizes that votes do have consequences,' the group’s president Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a statement."

Congressman Mollohan isn't the first to learn that votes have consequences, as Congressman Bart Stupak announced earlier this Spring that he wouldn't seek re-election. And these two Congressman won't be the last!

Onward to Victory for Life,

Emily Buchanan
Executive Director, Susan B. Anthony List
www.sba-list.org

Komen's Dark Side

2010-05-12T00:13:00.000-04:00

Komen's Dark Side (video)

Eve Silver once worked for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, America’s largest breast cancer awareness and prevention organization. Eve sat on the board of Komen’s Latino Advisory Committee, which focused on educating Latino women to lower their rate of breast cancer diagnosis. As a two-time breast cancer survivor, Eve had a personal connection to this cause. Then she found out that the abortion she had years earlier increased her risk of a breast cancer diagnosis. Not only did Eve become aware of the 36 scientific studies supporting this link, but she realized the money being raised by Susan G. Komen was funding Planned Parenthood; the number one provider of abortions in America.
Eve sought out the research of physicians on the east coast, also aware of the link between abortion and breast cancer. The Breast Cancer Prevention Institute ,co-founded by breast surgeon Dr. Angela Lanfranchi and her colleagues, has been studying the link for years. She stands firm on the research supporting an increased risk of breast cancer in post-abortive women. Dr. Lanfranchi says it is an injustice to hide such a risk from women, yet this is indeed the case. She continues to say that women will make their own decisions regarding their health, but if they do not know the facts they cannot make informed choices.
Making informed choices is the mission of Karen Malec’s organization. As the president and co-founder of The Coalition on Abortion and Breast Cancer, she speaks out against the funding being given to Planned Parenthood by the Susan G. Komen foundation. Malec says records show during 2007 the Susan G. Komen Foundation gave 700 thousand dollars of funding to Planned Parenthood. Women deserve to know their risks, Malec says, and abortion should be on the list of breast cancer risks.
All three women ask the question: Why fund a breast cancer organization that is providing services to women which will increase their risk of breast cancer? Eve, Karen, and Dr. Lanfranchi classify breast cancer research money, which is in turn given to fund abortion services, as “pink money”. They urge you to consider where your money is going and how it is impacting generations of women.
For more information on the abortion and breast cancer link and alternatives to funding Susan G. Komen click on a link below:
www.abortionbreastcancer.com
www.bcpinstitute.org
stopabortionbreastcancer.org
www.lifeissues.org

(from http://www.facinglife.tv/episode/season_3/episode_11/episode_311.html)

Want More???
(from http://www.lifenews.com/nat4827.html)

February 10, 2009

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A new video released by a group that serves as a watchdog for information on the link between abortion and breast cancer exposes the relationship between Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion business.

Karen Malec, the head of the Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer tells LifeNews.com that the video, "Komen's Dark Side," exposes the irregular relationship between the breast cancer organization and Planned Parenthood.

In 2007 alone, Komen chapters gave $711,485 from April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006 to Planned Parenthood affiliates.

The amount of the grants from Komen affiliates to Planned Parenthood appears to be on the rise and 25 Komen affiliates now have a partnership with the abortion business.

The video reports on the cover-up of the abortion-breast cancer link and, with an airing soon on TBN, could explain the link and the relationship to millions of households.

"Komen's officials have no right to keep women in the dark about a breast cancer risk, while at the same time giving funds to Planned Parenthood, a primary cause of the breast cancer epidemic," Malec says.

The video explains the biological explanation behind the abortion-breast cancer link and how abortion advocates and cancer groups are preventing women from getting the information.

"The cancer fundraising industry is covering up the link, in part, because it is not good for fundraising to tell donors their abortions may be responsible for their breast cancers," Malec added.

The video features television host Brad Mattes along with Malec; Eve Sanchez Silver, president of Clear Research and former Latina adviser for Komen; and Dr. Angela Lanfranchi, clinical assistant professor of surgery at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center and a breast cancer surgeon.

Help Expose Kagan (SBA)

2010-05-11T10:52:00.001-04:00

President Obama has picked Elena Kagan to replace Justice Stevens on the Supreme Court.

Kagan, a longtime Obama ally with a paper-thin legal record, having never served as a judge, is a strong supporter of abortion. If confirmed to sit on the Supreme Court, Kagan will serve as a rubber stamp for President Obama's radical pro-abortion agenda.

No matter what President Obama and his allies will claim, abortion was a litmus test in nominating Kagan to the Supreme Court. Obama recently said "...I want somebody who is going to be interpreting our Constitution in a way that takes into account individual rights, and that includes women's rights, and that is going to be something that is very important to me."

Kagan publicly opposed Rust v. Sullivan, a Supreme Court decision that upheld the right of Health and Human Services to restrict funding for groups that performed or promoted abortion. Additionally, Kagan strongly believes that pregnancy resource centers should be barred from counseling teens in crisis pregnancies.

Obama and his allies in Congress will say and do anything to try and cover Kagan's tracks. Obama misled the American people about abortion funding in health care, so have no doubt he will use more smoke-and-mirrors tactics to protect his pro-abortion friend in her nomination battle.

Kagan's nomination is a critical opportunity to remind Americans that Elections Have Consequences. We need to educate Americans that by electing President Obama, they also empowered one of Obama's pro-abortion friends, Elena Kagan, to sit on the Supreme Court for a lifetime appointment if confirmed.

For Life,

Marjorie Dannenfelser
President, Susan B. Anthony List
www.sba-list.org

This week in Christ's life… (8)

2010-05-09T06:44:00.001-04:00

This week, Jesus is 8 weeks old. At 22-24mm in length, he is now four times as long as he was just one month ago. His tongue is fully formed. His toes are unwebbed, and, for the first time, his limbs are capable of purposeful movement. His scalp has appeared and his neck region is established. Precious heart of Jesus, teach us to love all people, especially the newly developing baby.

May RLC Meeting

2010-05-08T17:36:00.000-04:00

Parish Center Board Room

Tuesday, May 11th @ 7:30pm

RSVP to smgrespectlife (at) gmail (dot) com

The Pill Kills

2010-05-05T08:38:00.002-04:00

In addition to the One Million Rosaries For Unborn Babies prayer event, May 7th - May 9th, please mark your calendars to attend the following protest the pill day sponsored by American Life League:

EVENT:      THE PILL KILLS
                        This Year's Theme - The Pills Kills The Environment
DATE:         Saturday, June 5, 2010
WHERE:   Collegeville Planned Parenthood, Rt. 29 - parking is available at the Collegeville Shopping Center and on Chestnut St.
TIME:         10:00am - 12:00pm

American Life League encourages us to gather with our friends and witness outside of facilities that distribute birth control products, especially Planned Parenthood facilities.
Interested in GOING GREEN? There are many studies that show that the birth control pill, the patch, the IUD and similar birth control products cause great harm to the environment. Go green and say no to the pill!

It's not to late to order T-Shirts or Signs!

For more information go to: www.ThePillKills.com

Attached pictures from last year's Protest the Pill Day - Road Crews were working on widening the street and sidewalks Saturday, June 6, 2009 - The Norristown's Times Herald photographer took quite a few pictures but were expensive. Unfortunately, none of them were ever published in an article that year.

& Pope Paul VI's Encyclical Humanae Vitae http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae_en.html

The most important person

on earth is a mother. She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral - a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby's body. The angels, have not been blessed with such a grace. They cannot share in God's creative miracle to bring new saints to heaven. Only a human mother can. Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creature. God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation. What on God's good earth is more glorious than this: to be a mother?
                                                                          Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty

May is for Mary!

2010-05-05T06:43:00.000-04:00

While the month of May is dedicated to Our Blessed Mother, we would like to continue to pray and have a peaceful witness at Collegeville's PP.

Whenever you have time to stop by at PP to publicly witness and pray would honor Our Lady and Our Lord to usher in the "Culture of Life!"

Call Your Mother

What do you call your mother? "Mommy" or "Mom"? "Mama" or "Ma"? The Church has many names for the Blessed Mother, too. Unscramble these phrases to discover seven poetic titles for the Mother of God. If you're stumped, ask your family or a friend to help you solve the puzzle. Or, scroll to the bottom of the page!

1) EWORT FO RIVOY

2) SHOUE FO LOGD

3) RORRIM FO CEJSUTI

4) TYMLACIS SOER

5) TAGE FO VEAHEN

6) GRONNIM RATS

7) NEQUE FO LESGAN

The following website is the Association of the Miraculous Medal:

https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox/12841008f0a78738

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

This is just a friendly reminder that May 18th is primary voting day and to please consider asking someone who cannot go to the voting polls that you could drive them to cast their vote.

The following website regarding voting guides from Family Pa's Institute:

https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox/128406c23d266a0b

"All it takes for evil to triumph, is for good people to do nothing"

Pennsylvania Family Council website:

https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox/1284a23e1c591fff

Please pass on to family and friends.

Tower of Ivory
House of Gold
Mirror of Justice
Mystical Rose
Gate of Heaven
Morning Star
Queen of Angels

God bless you.

Peace and Blessings,

Rita Smith, M.E.V. (Missionaries of the Gospel of Life)

This week in Christ's life… (7)

2010-05-02T06:43:00.000-04:00

This week, Jesus is 7 weeks old. His cartilage is hardening into bone and the ridges on his hands and feet clearly define where his fingers and toes will be. He now displays a reflex to touch. His trunk and limbs make spontaneous movement. His eyelids have formed, and the structures of his eyes are well developed. His arms can begin to bend at the elbow. Precious heart of Jesus, teach us to love all people, especially the newly developing baby.

Battle in Congress (SBA)

2010-04-29T09:25:00.001-04:00

I know you may still be recovering from the deep disappointment of the passage of pro-abortion healthcare reform. The pro-life Democrats’ decision to accept President Obama’s meaningless Executive Order was heartbreaking and the SBA List has vowed to see true pro-life leaders elected in those districts at the midterm elections. While we have refocused much of our energy on changing the balance this November, we absolutely cannot forget the fight that continues in Congress.

Laws save lives! Only a legislative solution can undo the damage the healthcare bill has created. Congressman Joe Pitts, co-author of the pro-life Stupak-Pitts amendment, has proposed such a solution. Congressman Pitts’ Protect Life Act (H.R. 5111), would prohibit, clearly and concretely, taxpayer funding of abortion in the healthcare bill and address problems with conscience protections. Please contact your Member of Congress and ask them to join Rep. Pitts and co-sponsor the Protect Life Act (H.R. 5111)!

Some may continue to tell you that Rep. Pitts’ Protect Life Act is unnecessary because there is no taxpayer funding of abortion in the healthcare bill. This is simply not true and the Executive Order signed by President Obama does nothing to stop your tax dollars and mine from going to fund abortion. Here’s why:

--The Executive Order does not have the full force of law and will not hold up in court. As stated by the United States Council of Catholic Bishops: “The statutory mandate construed by the courts would override any executive order or regulation.” A law passed by Congress will always trump an Executive Order and as it stands, the healthcare law allows for federal funding of abortion.

--The Executive Order does not change the accounting gimmick in the healthcare bill through which federal subsidies will be used to pay for plans that cover abortion.

--The healthcare care bill directly appropriates nearly $11 billion in taxpayer funds for co-ops and high risk insurance pool programs—which are unregulated by the Executive Order and allow for taxpayer funded abortion.

-The Executive Order does not address the fact that the Department of Health & Human Services could consider abortion a preventative service, therefore mandating that every individual and group health plan be required to cover it.

Only legislation enacted by Congress has the power to save innocent lives, which is why the Protect Life Act is essential. carol, you and I must continue to be vigilant and make our voices heard on Capitol Hill. Please contact your Member of Congress and ask them to support Rep. Pitts and sponsor the Protect Life Act (H.R. 5111)! An entire generation of unborn boys and girls are depending on us.

For Life,

Marjorie Dannenfelser
President, Susan B. Anthony List
www.sba-list.org

This week in Christ's life… (6)

2010-04-25T06:41:00.000-04:00

This week, Jesus is 6 weeks old. His cerebellum is forming, as is his mouth palate. His hand and feet plates have formed and his primitive ears are present. There is pigment in his retina. His baby teeth are forming under his gums. Precious heart of Jesus, teach us to love all people, especially the newly developing baby.

This week in Christ's life… (5)

2010-04-18T06:40:00.001-04:00

This week, Jesus is 5 weeks old and his mother, Mary, has entered her second lunar month of pregnancy. His brain has differentiated into the three main parts and the division between the cerebral hemispheres is well defined. The tube protecting his spinal cord has closed. His nasal passages are prominent and his permanent set of kidneys have formed. Precious heart of Jesus, teach us to love all people, especially the newly developing baby.

Mary, Mother of the Preborn

2010-04-14T19:31:00.005-04:00

O Father in Heaven. Thou art the Creator of life. Protect all expectant mothers and the babies they carry in their wombs. We pray that those who suffer from the evils of abortion will be open to Thine Infinite mercy and love. We ask for the conversion of all who fail to respect the gift of human life. Heavenly Father, guide our actions to help restore in the hearts of all people the sanctity of human life. Amen.

Mary, Mother of the Preborn, have mercy of the unborn and grant them your protection.
Mary, Mother of the Preborn, have mercy of the unborn and grant them your protection.
Mary, Mother of the Preborn, have mercy of the unborn and grant them your protection.
Amen.

April Meeting Canceled

2010-04-13T13:26:00.001-04:00

There will be NO Respect Life meeting tonight.

Pro-Life Victory!

2010-04-13T12:28:00.001-04:00

A pro-life victory!

On Friday afternoon, the pro-life movement scored a major win when Dawn Johnsen, President Obama’s radically pro-abortion nominee for the Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Legal Counsel, withdrew her name from consideration.

Susan B. Anthony List activists have been fighting Johnsen’s nomination for over a year now—and with good reason. Not only has Johnsen called pregnancy “slavery,” this pro-abortion radical served as the legal counsel for National Abortion & Reproductive Rights Action League and also worked on the ACLU’s Reproductive Freedom Project.

Johnsen once said that women are “the inevitable losers in the contraceptive lottery,” and “no more ‘consent’ to pregnancy than pedestrians ‘consent’ to being struck by drunk drivers.”

It was the sustained opposition of Susan B. Anthony List activists that kept up the intense pressure. Over 26,000 letters expressing outrage over Johnsen’s nomination have been pouring into Senate offices from across the country since we began. Special thanks to Indiana Right to Life for taking the lead to generate pressure from back home on Indiana Senators.

Johnsen admitted Friday that it was the “strong opposition” that led her to withdraw her nomination. Today, ABC News reported that the reason for Johnsen’s withdrawal was that the White House "didn't have the stomach for the debate."

Thank you so much for your dedication to protecting Life. Without your perseverance, we would never have succeeded in this effort to stop Dawn Johnsen. I hope that this good news sustains you as we gear up for another Supreme Court nomination and the mid-term elections.

For Life,
Marjorie Dannenfelser
President, Susan B. Anthony List
www.sba-list.org

Guess Who's Coming to Breakfast? (SBA)

2010-04-11T20:39:00.000-04:00

Have you heard our exciting news?

Governor Sarah Palin will be the keynote speaker at our Celebration of Life Breakfast coming up in May! We are honored that Governor Palin is taking time out of her busy schedule to benefit the pro-life work of the Susan B. Anthony List.

I am proud of our longstanding relationship with Governor Palin. She is a woman much like Susan B. Anthony herself—a trailblazer who sees the value, necessity and joy inherent in every human life. Since emerging on the national scene, Governor Palin has been a consistent and passionate spokesperson for women and unborn children.

Our Celebration of Life Breakfast is being held at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC on Friday, May 14, 2010 at 9:30 AM. After long fought efforts to keep abortion funding out of healthcare, this event will serve as an opportunity for the SBA List to rebuild our war chest heading into election season.

Tickets are available for purchase online at www.sba-list.org/breakfast. Because of the Reagan Building’s policies, all tickets must be bought and paid for in advance. Time is short, so please RSVP now and invite all your friends and family.

I hope to see you there.
Marjorie Dannenfelser
President, Susan B. Anthony List
www.sba-list.org

Ending on a Low Note (SBA)

2010-04-11T20:30:00.000-04:00

A lot has happened today in the world of politics that will surely affect the pro-life community, and I want to give you an update.
Congressman Bart Stupak today announced his retirement from the U.S. House of Representatives. It is unfortunate that, after years of pro-life leadership, Rep. Stupak caved during the final hours of the healthcare debate and voted to fund abortions with taxpayer dollars. In the days leading up to the healthcare vote our polling in the first district of Michigan showed that seventy-eight percent of his constituents said they opposed taxpayer funding of abortion. Votes have consequences and he understands now what the polling revealed: a vote for that bill was a vote against the will of his constituents. Yet he chose to do it and is suffering the consequences. Rep. Stupak’s retirement now opens up the opportunity for the pro-life majority in his district to elect someone who will stand firm for Life and uphold the principles the voters elected them to uphold.

In other retirement news, Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens announced his departure when the Supreme Court recesses in early summer. This paves the way for a second Obama appointment to the Supreme Court. Obama’s nominee will surely be an ardent pro-abortion supporter and will continue to uphold Roe v. Wade. It is necessary to reach out to Members of the Senate and urge them to vote against the confirmation of any nominee with a pro-abortion past.

These two retirements cause us to look to the future and focus on the fact that votes have consequences. It is essential to elect a solidly pro-life candidate into Bart Stupak’s now open seat. We also need to let our voices be heard and encourage President Obama to nominate a Justice that will uphold the right to "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness," as well as encourage Senators to vote against the confirmation of any nominee whose record shows they will not hold up these principles.

We’ve made sure that Representative Stupak knows that votes have consequences; let’s make sure that the President and Members of the Senate hear this same message loud and clear.

For Life,

Marjorie Dannenfelser
President, Susan B. Anthony List
www.sba-list.org

This week in Christ's life… (4)

2010-04-11T06:40:00.000-04:00

This week, Jesus is 4 weeks old. His facial features are forming and his jaw has appeared. His tiny arm and leg buds have formed , as has his aorta. His liver begins working and eye depressions are visible in his head. Precious heart of Jesus, teach us to love all people, especially the newly developing baby.

April RLC Meeting

2010-04-09T17:35:00.000-04:00

Parish Center Board Room

Tuesday, April 13th @ 7:30pm

RSVP to smgrespectlife (at) gmail (dot) com

Tell Stupak That Votes Have Consequences (SBA)

2010-04-08T09:47:00.000-04:00

I hope you and your family had a blessed Easter and are enjoying the beautiful spring weather!

I am feeling rejuvenated in the battle to defend the unborn and I hope that you are as well.

For the past year, you and I joined hundreds of thousands of pro-life Americans in working to protect innocent human life in the healthcare bill. Our consciences were betrayed when key pro-life Democrats caved and voted for the largest expansion of abortion on-demand since Roe v. Wade.

Each Democrat that voted for the pro-abortion bill made a career-defining vote in deciding that Americans should finance the largest expansion of abortion on-demand and it is up to us to make sure that this vote has a consequence.

Before the vote, we were prepared to defend and support pro-life Democrats in primary and general elections, including Bart Stupak. It is with immense disappointment that we must now go back to their districts to tell voters that their vote ushered in the greatest expansion of abortion since Roe.

Thanks to a worthless executive order preceded with untruths by President Obama and his pro-abortion allies, many Americans do not understand that the healthcare bill uses our tax dollars to fund abortion.

We need to get the word out immediately to ensure that each Representative that voted for the pro-abortion healthcare bill understands that Votes Have Consequences -- which they will find out fast when their constituents learn the truth and demand answers.

Rep. Bart Stupak and his allies betrayed the conscience of Americans by putting Party above Principle -- Listen to the Radio Ad we are running in his Congressional district and others.

Marjorie Dannenfelser
President, Susan B. Anthony List
www.sba-list.org

Happy Easter from SBA

2010-04-08T09:42:00.000-04:00

The way of the cross has been unusually tough in these last few weeks, hasn't it? In our efforts to save and restore the lives of children and their mothers, we surely have groaned under the weight of the cross together. But looking back from the vantage point of the victory of Easter, just think of what we have to celebrate. The ranks and visibility and power of our movement have grown so dramatically, we are an army that cannot be ignored. Since last summer, when we started fighting abortion in healthcare, you exercised that power--rooted in love--that increased our contacts to congress by 600 percent! Our SBA List family has tripled in membership.
We have a blessed system of government rooted in liberty that allows us to use our power to correct the injustice of abortion through elections and legislation. We are poised for a springtime of pro-life victories built upon the pain of defeat.

Every single child--loved by God and sent here for a unique job only He can know--needs us. Every single mother facing isolation, confusion, fear or need is relying upon us.

They CAN rely on us. We are stronger, more focused, more effective.

And, most importantly, our strength and strategy is rooted in the most powerful force on heaven and earth--love.

Let the love of this day overtake you and those around you. You yourself are a reason for celebration.

Peace and Blessings,
Marjorie Dannenfelser
President, Susan B. Anthony List
www.sba-list.org

This week in Christ's life… (3)

2010-04-04T06:38:00.001-04:00

This week, Jesus is 3 weeks old. His primitive brain and spinal cord have formed and the tissue from which all his cells and organs will form is present. His tiny heart is forming and, at 22 days old, begins to beat. Precious heart of Jesus, teach us to love all people, especially the newly developing baby.

Why Abortion Breaks All the Commandments: Part 1 (PFL)

2010-03-31T08:17:00.000-04:00

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life

Abortion does not only break the Fifth Commandment, “Thou shalt not kill.” It breaks all the commandments. In this and following columns, let’s reflect on how each Commandment illumines and strengthens our pro-life commitment.

The First Commandment is “I am the Lord your God; you shall not have other gods besides me.” There are many ways of having false gods. Pope John Paul II once wrote that to think we are the ones who decide whether a child should be created is to say that God is not God. At the root of the contraceptive mentality, and at the root of the so-called “pro-choice” mentality, is idolatry. We place our choices before God’s choices. We break the first of all the commandments. In the Old Testament, we read that God’s people committed idolatry when they sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire to demons. Until we end the child sacrifice of legal abortion, we are guilty of the same kind of idolatry. We are called instead to worship the Lord of Life!

The Second Commandment is “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” This does not only mean that we shouldn’t use the Lord’s name in cursing when we are angry. It also means that we should not use God’s name or His Word to justify actions that he abhors.

There are religious groups and individuals in our society who do exactly that when it comes to abortion. They say they are “prayerfully pro-choice.” Groups like the “Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice” claim that God’s word allows abortion. They hold “pro-choice” Bible studies, and they even carry out pro-choice liturgies to bless the “choice” of those who abort.

This is a distortion of God’s word and an abuse of his name. It is a direct violation of the second commandment. We are called instead to honor the name of God by honoring the lives he creates.

The Third Commandment requires us to Keep Holy the Lord’s Day. Scripture tells us the Lord rested on the seventh day. This was not because he was tired, but rather because he was foretelling the Sabbath day that Jesus would rest in the tomb after his work of offering the sacrifice of his passion and death. On that day the Lord preached to the dead and bid them to leave the place of death and to come with him into life eternal.

Keeping holy the Lord’s Day, then, reminds us that God is on the side of human life. It also reminds us that he is Lord of life. All our activities and choices are under him, which is why we pause on the Lord’s Day to worship him in Church.

We will continue our reflections on the Commandments in the next column. Meanwhile, those who want to nourish their pro-life spirituality with reflections like this for every day of the year can obtain my book Pro-life Reflections for Every Day at priestsforlife.org/store.

This column can be found online at http://www.priestsforlife.org/articles/document.aspx?id=2874

Comments on this column? Go to AskFrFrank.com

Fr. Frank's columns are podcast. See PriestsForLife.org/Podcast

Easter Prayer for Life (PFL)

2010-03-31T08:16:00.002-04:00

Want to join me in making pro-life progress?

Besides passing along the column below (in English and Spanish) to as many as you can, please consider the following practical notes:

1. This Wednesday, March 31, marks the fifth anniversary of the death of Terri Schiavo. I will be at Ave Maria in Naples, FL and will be the celebrant and homilist at the Annual National Mass for “Terri’s Day.” Please make “Terri’s Day” a day of prayer and remembrance for Terri and a day of prayer for all whose lives are threatened in the same way that hers was. See www.terrisday.org for more information.

2. We invite you to join with Priests for Life in praying an "Easter Prayer for Life." This is part of our year-long prayer campaign(www.PrayerCampaign.org) through which we help people pray with the Church by praying for a Culture of Life in a way that reflects the themes of the various liturgical seasons and feasts.

You can find the brief Easter prayer at www.priestsforlife.org/novenas/easter.htm. On that page you can also order prayer cards for your parish. These cards contain the Easter prayer and some helpful resources for pro-life activity. We will send you as many cards as you want, free of charge. Please hurry, however, as the supply is limited! Please also publicize our prayer effort in your Church bulletin and website!

During the Easter Season you can find helpful Easter resources on our website – my homilies, writings, and television and radio shows for example. Find them at www.priestsforlife.org/preaching/lent-easter.htm.

3. Please inform any clergy you know about my monthly “Mobilizing the Clergy for Life” teleconferences. The next two are on Monday, April 19, with Fr. Mitch Pacwa and Tuesday, May 11 with, Msgr. James Lisante. Both calls will be from 3-3:45pm ET. Priests, deacons, and seminarians can sign up at www.priestsforlife.org/clergy.

4. Priests for Life has formed a “Vote Pro-life” Coalition of national ministries. These groups work together to advance non-partisan activities to help the People of Life to engage the electoral process in an informed and responsible way. The Coalition has been sponsoring monthly teleseminars that can be followed online or by phone, and that offer training for effective political action. Our next teleseminar will be on April 22, from 9-10pm ET. To listen to the call on the web go to http://attendthisevent.com/?eventID=12157518. To listen by phone, call (712) 432-1001 and enter the access code: 488561733#. You may listen to past calls and encourage others to sign up at www.priestsforlife.org/conferencecall.

The groups in the Coalition include but are not limited to the following: American Values, Anglicans for Life, CatholicVote.org, Citizens for a Pro-life Society, Democrats for Life, Good Counsel Homes, Gospel of Life Ministries, The Heidi Group, The Justice Foundation, Life Coalition International, LifeNews, National Clergy Council, National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA), National Pro-life Religious Council, Operation Outcry, Priests for Life, Susan B. Anthony List, and Wallbuilders.

5. Gospel of Life Ministries, our interdenominational outreach, has a new partner as part of its ministry: The Parliamentary Network for Critical Issues (PNCI), headed by Marie Smith (wife of Congressman Chris Smith). The PNCI does exclusively international work, equipping pro-life advocates to engage in the political process and ensure that elected and appointed officials uphold their obligations to protect life. Read more about this new initiative at www.priestsforlife.org/pressreleases/document.aspx?id=3115

After my column below you will find this week’s media schedule.

Blessings,

Fr. Frank Pavone

Praise for our work

I want to take this time to express our gratitude to Fr. Scott Daniels, [Susan] and Priests for Life. Fr. Scott is awesome. His message was powerful and on target. He is inexhaustible. I wish all priests were as strong a proponent for life as he is. He is Scriptural. He does not mince his words yet speaks with love; and that is his secret. [Susan] thank you for your kindness, thoroughness and diligence in making sure this weekend happened… and doing it in a seemingly effortless manner... - Alex

Baby Saved!

2010-03-29T20:21:00.000-04:00

***TODAY, MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2010

PRAISE GOD!!!

A BABY WAS SAVED THIS MORNING, PER A BABY'S BREATH COUNSELOR!

The 40 Days for Life participants were praying the rosary at the Collegeville's Planned Parenthood this am. Pina McLaughlin, Carolyn Stenger and her mother, Eleanor Kunz were given the wonderful news from A Baby's Breath counselor that her client decided to keep her baby.

We are all giving thanks and praise to God and grateful for this blessed news as we begin Holy Week! We will continue to have a prayerful presence at PP all through Holy Week and beyond!

David, you may recall when you visited Collegeville's PP last 2009 Spring 40 Days for Life, that the Crisis Pregnancy Center is located in the same bldg.

To conclude our 40 Days for Life, my church is having a parish mission for this most blessed Holy Week with Fr. Donald Miniscalco.

God bless you and all the 40 Days for Life leadership team and wishing you and everyone a very blessed holy week and joyous Easter!
Gratefully in Christ,

Rita Smith, M.E.V. (Missionaries of the Gospel of Life)

This week in Christ's life… (2)

2010-03-28T06:37:00.000-04:00

This week, Jesus is 2 weeks old. He is snug in the Virgin Mary's womb and the two of them are intimately joined. The amniotic sac and fluid are forming, as are what will become the physical body of Christ. Lord, teach us to love and protect all people, especially the newly growing, preborn baby.

An Interview with Abby Johnson

2010-03-28T00:05:00.000-04:00

Abby Johnson, a former Director of Planned Parenthood, shares the truth about the abortion industry.

Who is Abby Johnson and why is she a former director of a PP clinic? Find out here and here.

Plea to the Everlasting God for the Preborn

2010-03-26T19:30:00.003-04:00

Lord God, our Eternal Father, we come to Thy Throne full of awe and reverence at Thy saving power. Through our Savior Jesus Christ, we beg Thee to help us stop the widespread slaughter of unborn babies in our land. May our love for our innocent brothers and sisters closely resemble the love that exists in the Holy Family. Help us provide all human life with protection under our civil laws. We know that through the intercession of our Mother Mary, chosen Spouse of the Holy Spirit, our request will be granted. Amen.

This week in Christ's life… (1)

2010-03-25T00:35:00.001-04:00

By the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus has been conceived in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Even though he is as small as a grain of sand, already his first cell divisions are occurring. Lord, teach us to love and protect all people, especially the newly growing, preborn baby.

John Paul II's Homily for the Feast of the Annunciation (2000)

2010-03-25T00:29:00.001-04:00

HOMILY OF JOHN PAUL IIMASS IN THE BASILICA OF THE ANNUNCIATIONIsrael Nazareth Saturday, March 25, 2000

"Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to your word" (Angelus Prayer).
Your Beatitude,
Brother Bishops,
Father Custos,
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
1. 25th March in the year 2000, the Solemnity of the Annunciation in the Year of the Great Jubilee: on this day the eyes of the whole Church turn to Nazareth. I have longed to come back to the town of Jesus, to feel once again, in contact with this place, the presence of the woman of whom Saint Augustine wrote: "He chose the mother he had created; he created the mother he had chosen" (Sermo 69, 3, 4). Here it is especially easy to understand why all generations call Mary blessed (cf. Lk 2:48).
I warmly greet Your Beatitude Patriarch Michel Sabbah, and thank you for your kind words of presentation. With Archbishop Boutros Mouallem and all of you Bishops, priests, religious women and men, and members of the laity I rejoice in the grace of this solemn celebration. I am happy to have this opportunity to greet the Franciscan Minister General, Father Giacomo Bini, who welcomed me on my arrival, and to express to the Custos, Father Giovanni Battistelli, and the Friars of the Custody the admiration of the whole Church for the devotion with which you carry out your unique vocation. With gratitude I pay tribute to your faithfulness to the charge given to you by Saint Francis himself and confirmed by the Popes down the centuries.
2. We are gathered to celebrate the great mystery accomplished here two thousand years ago. The Evangelist Luke situates the event clearly in time and place: "In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph. . . The virgin's name was Mary" (1:26-27). But in order to understand what took place in Nazareth two thousand years ago, we must return to the Reading from the Letter to the Hebrews. That text enables us, as it were, to listen to a conversation between the Father and the Son concerning God's purpose from all eternity. "You who wanted no sacrifice or oblation prepared a body for me. You took no pleasure in holocausts or sacrifices for sin. Then I said. . . ?God, here I am! I am coming to obey your will'" (10:5-7). The Letter to the Hebrews is telling us that, in obedience to the Father's will, the Eternal Word comes among us to offer the sacrifice which surpasses all the sacrifices offered under the former Covenant. His is the eternal and perfect sacrifice which redeems the world.
The divine plan is gradually revealed in the Old Testament, particularly in the words of the Prophet Isaiah which we have just heard: "The Lord himself will give you a sign. It is this: the virgin is with child and will soon give birth to a child whom she will call Emmanuel" (7:14). Emmanuel - God with us. In these words, the unique event that was to take place in Nazareth in the fullness of time is foretold, and it is this event that we are celebrating here with intense joy and happiness.
3. Our Jubilee Pilgrimage has been a journey in spirit, which began in the footsteps of Abraham, "our father in faith" (Roman Canon; cf. Rom 4:11-12). That journey has brought us today to Nazareth, where we meet Mary, the truest daughter of Abraham. It is Mary above all others who can teach us what it means to live the faith of "our father". In many ways, Mary is clearly different from Abraham; but in deeper ways "the friend of God" (cf. Is 41:8) and the young woman of Nazareth are very alike.
Both receive a wonderful promise from God. Abraham was to be the father of a son, from whom there would come a great nation. Mary is to be the Mother of a Son who would be the Messiah, the Anointed One. "Listen!", Gabriel says, " You are to conceive and bear a son. . . The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. . . and his reign will have no end" (Lk 1:31-33).
For both Abraham and Mary, the divine promise comes as something completely unexpected. God disrupts the daily course of their lives, overturning its settled rhythms and conventional expectations. For both Abraham and Mary, the promise seems impossible. Abraham's wife Sarah was barren, and Mary is not yet married: "How can this come about", she asks, "since I am a virgin?" (Lk 1:34).
4. Like Abraham, Mary is asked to say yes to something that has never happened before. Sarah is the first in the line of barren wives in the Bible who conceive by God's power, just as Elizabeth will be the last. Gabriel speaks of Elizabeth to reassure Mary: "Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son" (Lk 1:36).
Like Abraham, Mary must walk through darkness, in which she must simply trust the One who called her. Yet even her question, "How can this come about?", suggests that Mary is ready to say yes, despite her fears and uncertainties. Mary asks not whether the promise is possible, but only how it will be fulfilled. It comes as no surprise, therefore, when finally she utters her fiat: "I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let what you have said be done to me" (Lk 1:38). With these words, Mary shows herself the true daughter of Abraham, and she becomes the Mother of Christ and Mother of all believers.
5. In order to penetrate further into the mystery, let us look back to the moment of Abraham's journey when he received the promise. It was when he welcomed to his home three mysterious guests (cf. Gen 18:1-15), and offered them the adoration due to God: tres vidit et unum adoravit. That mysterious encounter foreshadows the Annunciation, when Mary is powerfully drawn into communion with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Through the fiat that Mary uttered in Nazareth, the Incarnation became the wondrous fulfilment of Abraham's encounter with God. So, following in the footsteps of Abraham, we have come to Nazareth to sing the praises of the woman "through whom the light rose over the earth" (Hymn Ave Regina Caelorum).
6. But we have also come to plead with her. What do we, pilgrims on our way into the Third Christian Millennium, ask of the Mother of God? Here in the town which Pope Paul VI, when he visited Nazareth, called "the school of the Gospel", where "we learn to look at and to listen to, to ponder and to penetrate the deep and mysterious meaning of the very simple, very humble and very beautiful appearing of the Son of God" (Address in Nazareth, 5 January 1964), I pray, first, for a great renewal of faith in all the children of the Church. A deep renewal of faith: not just as a general attitude of life, but as a conscious and courageous profession of the Creed: "Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine, et homo factus est."
In Nazareth, where Jesus "grew in wisdom and age and grace before God and men" (Lk 2:52), I ask the Holy Family to inspire all Christians to defend the family against so many present-day threats to its nature, its stability and its mission. To the Holy Family I entrust the efforts of Christians and of all people of good will to defend life and to promote respect for the dignity of every human being.
To Mary, the Theotókos, the great Mother of God, I consecrate the families of the Holy Land, the families of the world.
In Nazareth where Jesus began his public ministry, I ask Mary to help the Church everywhere to preach the "good news" to the poor, as he did (cf. Lk 4:18). In this "year of the Lord's favour", I ask her to teach us the way of humble and joyful obedience to the Gospel in the service of our brothers and sisters, without preferences and without prejudices.
"O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen" (Memorare).

Prayer for life by Pope John Paul II
O Mary, bright dawn of the new world,
Mother of the living,
to you do we entrust the cause of life:
Look down, O Mother, upon the vast numbers
of babies to be born,
of the poor whose lives are made difficult,
of men and women who are victims of brutal violence,
of the elderly and the sick killed
by indifference or out of misguided mercy.
Grant that all who believe in your Son
may proclaim the Gospel of life
with honesty and love to the people of our time.
Obtain for them the grace
to accept that Gospel as a gift ever new,
the joy of celebrating it with gratitude
throughout their lives
and the courage to bear witness to it resolutely,
in order to build,
together with all people of good will,
the civilization of truth and love,
to the praise and glory of God,
the Creator and lover of life.
~~ Pope John Paul II
Encyclical Letter "The Gospel of Life"
Given in Rome, on March 25,
the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord,
in the year 1995.

Following the Journey of Christ...

2010-03-24T18:28:00.000-04:00

To celebrate the journey of our Savior through life in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we will have a weekly "This Week in Christ's Life" post. Consider praying for a baby due to be aborted from Annunciation through Christmas. Name your baby and, each day, ask the Holy Family to watch over your adopted baby and to touch the hearts of the baby's parents, giving them the strength to carry their child. "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph; I love you very much. I beg you to spare the life of the preborn child that I have spiritually adopted who is in danger of abortion." Weekly, pray a Rosary of the Unborn, with the intention of your child. (Mysteries can be found here) Over your nightly meal, consider adding a prayer for the unborn.

Weeks are listed in gestational weeks. (2 weeks behind LNMP weeks, which is how pregnancy dates are commonly known. Gestational weeks correlate to the actual days of a child's life and do not include the first two week's of a woman's cycle leading up to ovulation.) Information on development is taken from The Visible Embryo and The Pregnancy Journal.

Pro-Life Amendments (SBA)

2010-03-24T15:28:00.000-04:00

I know you are worn down from this battle, but the last word has not yet been spoken on healthcare reform. We cannot allow Washington to think our voices have gone silent for even one moment. Later this week, the Senate will vote on the reconciliation package to the health care bill passed by the House on Sunday, which includes federal funding for abortion. During this process, Senators will be able to offer an unlimited number of amendments.

Senator Coburn plans to offer two amendments in regard to the Life issue. One amendment will prevent funding for RU-486, the abortion pill, and the other will ensure conscience protection for doctors who do not want to be involved in abortion. The amendments could be voted on as early as this evening!

Please click here to contact your Senators and encourage them to vote in favor of these two amendments.

Senator Coburn’s amendments are essential to ensure that your tax dollars do not go toward the purchase of the dangerous abortion pill and to allow doctors to practice medicine without the fear of being forcibly involved in an act that goes against their conscience.

Make sure your Senator knows where you stand on these pro-life amendments and contact your Senator today.

Please contact your Senators to vote in favor of these pro-life amendments!!!

NOW is the perfect time for you to take action (PFL)

2010-03-23T21:27:00.000-04:00

Dear Friend of Life,

Believe it or not, the all-important 2010 elections are rapidly approaching.

And based on the pro-abortion fanaticism of those who control the powers of government – an anti-life extremism that has been on full display throughout the “heath care reform” debates ...

... it is imperative that you do everything in your power to help advance the protection of life through this year’s electoral process.

That said, here are your marching orders from now until Election Day November 2:

· PRAY! As David tells us in Psalm 127: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”

Not only does Priests for Life need your prayers, but so does our entire pro-life movement.

So click here and make a commitment to say the “Prayer to End Abortion” every day from now until November 2!

The prayer emphasizes your personal commitment to speak and act on behalf of the unborn child. If all pro-life Americans say this prayer with a sincere heart every day, it won’t be long before we batter down the gates of the abortion fortress and set free all who are held captive within!

But that’s not all.

Rather than simply asking God to do something, your prayer acknowledges that God wants to accomplish His will through you ... and me ... and every member of our Priests for Life family.

Which leads me to the second action I’m counting on you to take over these next several months:

· Provide Priests for Life with the financial support we need in order to carry out our “Political Responsibility” efforts!

Just as in the spiritual life we can do nothing without God, so in our pro-life work, Priests for Life can do nothing without you.

Without question, the most important pro-life work you can do over these critically important next few months is to help Priests for Life convince your fellow Americans to vote this November ... and to VOTE PRO-LIFE!

That being the case, I am going to write to you often from now till Election Day.

I will do so because your self-sacrifice, constancy and perseverance are the key to winning pro-life victories this November!

So I will be exhorting you to go the extra mile and do more than you think you can.

To give more of yourself than you think you are able.

To stretch yourself further than you think possible.

To die to yourself for the sake of the youngest members of our human family.

All that while you are giving your all and making sacrifices, so am I ... and so is every single member of our hard-working Priests for Life staff.

We are doing so because there is so much we must do to end legalized abortion in America.

In my last email I told you how Priests for Life is working to recruit more priests and train them how to lead our pro-life movement. That work is incredibly important and a vital part of our overall mission.

But that’s only one part of our current focus.

Along with recruiting and training priests,

... Priests for Life is working tirelessly to energize the people of life and inspire them to allow their pro-life convictions to be the determining factor of their every action ...most especially when they go into the voting booth and cast their ballot!

Several weeks ago I emailed you the “Action Steps for 2010 Elections” that Priests for Life began implementing in January. You can click here to go to our election headquarters where the various elements of that plan are spelled out in detail.

This new project is exceedingly important and, once completed, will play a vital role in allowing us to win our battle to end abortion.

Let me explain.

As you no doubt know by now, America is becoming increasingly pro-life. All the major polling services – from Gallup to Rasmussen to Pew – reveal that to be true.

What we need to find out about our new-found pro-life comrades is this:

· How strong is their pro-life commitment?

· How vibrant is their pro-life activism?

· Have they ever prayed outside an abortion clinic or taken part in a pro-life event?

· How motivated are they to vote in the 2010 elections?

· How important is a candidate’s pro-life or pro-abortion position when they decide whether or not to vote for him or her?

· How much does their priest or pastor influence their voting decisions?

In other words ...

... are these millions of Americans who say they are pro-life as passionately and ardently committed to the cause of life as you and I are?

In order to find out, Priests for Life is going to hire a professional independent company to do a comprehensive study of Americans who say they are pro-life. The purpose of the study is twofold:

1. Once we know how many pro-life Americans intend to vote this November, Priests for Life will alert candidates to the political reality that their position on abortion will be a key factor in whether or not they win election in November.

2. The results of the research will show us how we need to fine-tune our “Political Responsibility” projects in order to maximize their effectiveness in convincing pro-life Americans – and especially those who are Christian – of their moral obligation to vote pro-life this November.

Right now we are in the process of formulating, with the help of polling experts, the precise questions that have not been answered adequately by previous polling.

This research study is one more example of how Priests for Life is thinking “outside the box” in order to bring about the end of abortion.

If we’re serious about saving the youngest members of our human family, then one of the first things we have to do is end the tyrannical control of our government which pro-abortion extremists now have. In other words, we have to change the status quo.

Well, Priests for Life is doing everything in our power to bring about that change.

But we desperately need your help in order to succeed!

The penitential season of Lent is upon you. This is the time of year when you are invited to use the traditional practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving to die to yourself so that you might live for God and His kingdom.

Allow me to recommend that you make Priests for Life a recipient of your Lenten prayers and almsgiving.

In so doing, not only will you begin the process of detaching yourself from the things of this world in order to build up treasure for yourself in heaven – “where neither moth nor rust consumes, nor thieves break in and steal” – but it will also provide you with the opportunity to follow the command Our Lord gave us in Matthew’s gospel when He told us to serve the needs of the least of His brethren.

After all, in our present culture, there is no one who is considered more “least” among us than the unborn child in the womb.

If you will do this, then I am certain that on that inevitable day when you stand trembling before the throne of Almighty God, you will see Him look upon you with love and hear Him say to you:

“Come, blessed of My Father,
take possession of the kingdom prepared for you
from the foundation of the world;
for I was abandoned in My mother’s womb, and you rescued Me!”

Thank you for your help today and for all that you do for our pro-life cause. May God bless you. And know that in heartfelt appreciation for your many sacrifices on behalf of the youngest members of our human family, myself and all the priests of Priests for Life remember you at each Mass we offer.

And if I may ask you one more favor. Each year I survey our supporters to learn how we can serve their needs more effectively. After giving your donation, would you take a moment and fill out the short survey I've placed at www.priestsforlife.org/survey. It is very important to me to know what you're thinking about our ministry!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests For Life and Gospel of Life Ministries