I.W.K. Doing Late-Term Abortions - Halifax

Julie Culshaw updates us on what the acclaimed 'children's hospital' in Halifax has been up to:

...A nurse who works in the IWK (I don't know who she is) revealed to someone that she was very shaken and disturbed by the fact that a 37-week old baby was aborted because it had a severe heart defect. The doctors and parents chose abortion over post-partum surgery.

We all know of wonderful cases where the most amazing surgeries have been performed on infants and they have survived to live long and fruitful lives. Yes, there are many, I am sure, who have to live with heart problems and don't live fully active lives, but are their lives any less valuable?

And who are we to make that judgment? We all only get one chance to be born. There is only one set of DNA that makes up you, a unique individual. Yet, abortion gives someone the power to decide that an individual won't get to enter this world. That person will never come to exist here; they are gone forever. Yes, God looks after the babies, I know that, but God also intends for them to live here in this world, not to be killed in the womb. One chance and one chance only - that baby with the heart defect was not given that chance. Whether the parents decided they couldn't face looking after a child with health problems or whether the doctors advised them not to spend all that time and money on a baby that wouldn't be healthy, or whether it was both, they decided to end that child's life. Did anyone consider how much that decision is going to cost those parents?...

...My oldest daughter, Rebecca, was born at 37 weeks gestation, weighing 4 pounds seven ounces - this one really hits home. At that point, she was moving around inside me, hiccuping, rolling over, sleeping and waking, trusting that she was perfectly safe within her mother. This baby also trusted that he was safe, but he wasn't. Someone else decided that he didn't deserve to live.

This is not an isolated incident. We have heard twice now that late term abortions are being done in the IWK, which is the Children's Hospital, a place that is synonmous with caring for children, especially children with special needs. Now it will be synonmous with a place to kill those who are too much trouble.

Keep on praying, our prayers are ripping aside the curtain of darkness that hides these evil deeds from the light. And God will expose the deeds done in darkness, He will cast light on those things done in the name of good, but which are evil in His sight...

I find this very disturbing. My two youngest children were born at the I.W.K. Its heartbreaking to think that bringing life and administering death are so closely linked in this hospital. They share some of the same equipment, and even some of the same staff. How can anyone feel secure bringing their loved ones to a place that can serve up life and death on the same plate?

Please pray for all those families, who due to the one-payer health system in Canada, have no choice but to trust the I.W.K. with their loved ones. Please also pray for my future daughter-in-law, who is studying to be a nurse in this unholy environment. May God keep her strong and safe.

Day 16 - 40 Days For Life

Intention:

Pray that as young couples or single moms choose life for their child, the church will come alongside them physically, emotionally, and spiritually to help bear their burdens.

Scripture:

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

-- Galatians 6:1-2

Reflection:

Restoring those who are broken from sexual sin and who desire to live life differently -- a life focused on Christ -- is a burden the church must share. What an awesome opportunity for a spiritually mature woman to come alongside a single mom as a mentor and friend.

A regular time together praying and studying God's Word will help her mature in her walk with the Lord. Allowing her opportunity to observe life as you live it --- meal preparation, family time, and providing wholesome conversation and wise counsel on a frequent basis --- can provide teaching moments that will benefit her for a lifetime. Introducing her to a small group or class in the church where she and her baby are welcomed and plugged in will be vital to her restoration.

These are just a few examples of things the body of Christ can do. Staying connected with young couples or single moms who have chosen life should continue beyond the celebration of the child's birth if we truly desire to fulfill the law of Christ in bearing one another's burdens.

You will find it is not a burden after all, but a tremendous blessing as your family line extends to include these precious souls as part of your own.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, as our Shepherd You so tenderly care for us -- pulling us from the miry pit, guiding and directing us safely along the path of life, protecting us from the dangers that are ahead and taking us to pastures that are green. Lord, use us as Your vessels to shepherd these young men and women who have honored you by choosing life for their child. Give us wisdom and discernment along with Your love and compassion so that we are never a stumbling block but rather a guide that always takes them to You, the true Shepherd. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Carmen Pate
Co-host, "Point of View" Talk Show

40 Days For Life

Fr. Corapi On Leadership and Corruption

Does anyone yet doubt the catastrophic results the Winnipeg Statement has had on the life of the Church in Canada, and the life of Canadians in general? Or even on the number of lives ? Fr. Corapi of S.O.L.T. speaks bluntly :





Our little parish in Grand Cayman has three young parishioners with S.O.L.T. and one with the diocese of Detroit. Vocations come from Truth revealed, not corrupted. We've been very fortunate here, only fifty years into our mission in Cayman, to have good solid priests and a core of faithful, prayerful families. We depend heavily on the graces provided through the daily offering of Mass, and our Adoration Chapel.

God is Good.

"Defend Belmont Abbey College" - Sen. Rick Santorum

The Obama Administration is working to erase respect for conscience from health insurance and the law in general…

Don’t believe me?

In his address at the University of Notre Dame, Obama talked a good game about respecting conscience on abortion rights. He did the same thing when he met the Pope. But that was all it was -- talk.

The Obama Administration’s attack on Belmont Abbey College proves that.

Belmont Abbey College is a small, private, Catholic college located in North Carolina. For 130 years, it and the Benedictine monks who run it have been dedicated to handing on the Catholic faith.

But the Obama Administration is now trying to force them to abandon that faith or go out of business.

You see, the Administration at Belmont Abbey College removed contraception, abortion, and voluntary sterilization from its faculty's health care policy after discovering it had accidentally been a part of existing plans.

Employees of the school who objected to this change in policy brought a complaint against the school accusing them of “gender discrimination.”

This accusation against Belmont Abbey College couldn’t be further from the truth.

Belmont Abbey College was not discriminating against women. Unlike many “believers in name only” the college was adhering to the principles of its faith.

At first, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) found no evidence of gender discrimination by Belmont Abbey College…..

After a few weeks, the EEOC mysteriously reversed course and announced, in effect, that the college had better toe the Administration’s line, or else.

They are now demanding the school go against the very principles it exists to serve.

Don’t be fooled.

Killing or funding the killing of unborn children has nothing to do with promoting human health. And including these atrocities in every “health care” plan -- no matter how shrewdly hidden or diplomatically stated – violates the consciences of Catholics everywhere.
No Catholic college or other religious institution should ever be required by the government to violate its moral beliefs ...

... Which is why I’m asking for your help today.

Your immediate support for the defense of Belmont Abbey College is VITAL, not only for Belmont Abbey, but for all religious institutions in America.

Too many were silent when Obama went to Notre Dame. As a result his Administration has been emboldened to attack all Catholic institutions. Now, they are shamelessly picking on a small Catholic college – Belmont Abbey.

Tomorrow it could be your local church, the parochial school you send your kids to, it could be the Jesus bumper sticker on your car…

If Obama is given the opportunity to attack even the oldest and most respected religious establishments across the country, what will be next?

The President of Belmont Abbey College has bravely stated that he would rather close the school than go against the church’s most fundamental teachings ...

I commend him for his moral conviction, but I’m afraid for the future of religious freedom in our country.

… Think I’m overreacting?

The impact of even one Catholic college knuckling under or closing would be a catastrophe for all religious institutions.

Which is why I am asking for your help.

Will you stand with me against the Obama Administration’s war on conscience?

Luckily, the Belmont Abbey College has enlisted the help of a law firm that specializes in defending against this type of travesty. It’s called the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.

The Becket Fund has a solid reputation for being the best in the business.

I know first hand how effective the Becket Fund is in preserving our freedom of religion. I’ve known them for years.

Way back in the Clinton Administration when Clinton threatened to court-martial military chaplains who followed their consciences by preaching against Clinton’s veto of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban, it was the Becket Fund that filed suit in federal court and got that gag order struck down.

And just this past week, when the Freedom from Religion Foundation sued to strike “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance, it was the Becket Fund that intervened in the case and successfully defended the Pledge.

In between they have successfully defended all sorts of believers and religious institutions.

Archbishop Chaput knows them well too. As he likes to say, “The work of The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty is more than ‘good.’ It’s vital.”

By contributing to the Becket Fund, you can directly support religious freedom — for Belmont Abbey — and every other religious school or institution in the country.

Make no mistake, this will not be easy. The Obama Administration is relentless about silencing religious believers.

Will you do me a personal favor, in the name of religious freedom, and contribute – today -- to the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty’s fight for Belmont Abbey College and for all other religious institutions?

Time is of the essence. Belmont Abbey College stands for the moral teachings and principles of the Catholic Church -- it stands for life.

... You and I simply cannot allow the radical leftists in this country to succeed in demanding Belmont Abbey College turn its back on the most basic and fundamental teachings of the church or else close.

Belmont Abbey President William Thierfelder recently said, "All of us need to have moral courage in today's world." He added. "We are so resolute in our commitment to the teachings of the Catholic Church that there is no possible way we would ever deviate from it, and if it came down to it ... we would close the school rather than give in ...”

.... Will you exercise your moral courage and help me defend Belmont Abbey College with an urgent and immediate contribution of $500, $250, $100, $35, or whatever you can afford, to prevent religious freedom from becoming a thing of the past?

I’m counting on you to act TODAY!

God Bless,

Hon. Rick Santorum
United State Senator 1995-2007

P.S. I’m tired of hearing outsiders and insiders tell Catholics and other devout religious believers to keep quiet about our religious and moral views in society. That's a kind of bullying. And I don't think Catholics or persons of any faith should accept it....
For the sake and the right of religious liberty for all, I urge you to contribute to the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, and support the Belmont Abbey College, TODAY!

Excellent coverage of this issue can be found at Deliberate Engagement

Day 15 - 40 Days For Life

Intention:

May God's people awaken to the fact that we are our brothers' keepers.

Scripture:

Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" And He said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground."

-- Genesis 4:8-10

Reflection:

"Methinks he doth protest too much ..."

The Bible is filled with passages that speak to our obligation to care for our fellow human beings. From the many commands in the books of Moses enjoining love of family, neighbors and even strangers, to Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan, the injunction to care for others is inescapable.

In this account, the guilt-stricken Cain tries to shrug off his obligation to his own kin by dismissing it as an unreasonable duty. A la Shakespeare, though, "methinks he doth protest too much." Cain's objection doesn't stem from his sense of proper boundaries of responsibility, but from his own self-centered sense of self-preservation.

Christ said, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13). This is the standard of divine love. It required God to sacrifice what was most precious to Him for the temporal and eternal well being of all humankind (see John 3:16). Though on a much-reduced scale, he expects us to do the same.

Trying to duck our obligation to others is futile. We can't get away with simply dismissing others, especially the most vulnerable among us: the pre-born, the disabled, the sick and the aged. As with Cain, God sees and hears their suffering and will call us to account for what we do -- or do not do -- for them.

Prayer:

Father, help us to embrace the fact that we are our "brother's keeper." When, due to selfish motives, we try to cast off this responsibility please call to us to account. We would be pleasing to you and to our "brother." Through the help and grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Rev. Rob Schenck
President, Faith and Action

40 Days For Life

Day 14 - 40 Days For Life

Intention:

Abortion is the great "no." May all of God's people have the freedom and grace to say "yes" to His marvelous plans.

Scripture:

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed and in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.

-- Psalm 139:13-16

Reflection:

Unlike the rest of creation, we are capable of a personal relationship with God. Not only did God create us, but created us according to a plan devised from all eternity. No matter how far back we go in our imagination, there was never a time when God did not know each of us, in every detail of our being.

There was not a particular time when God decided to make us. The decision to make us has been in the mind of God from all eternity. All our days were written in His book.

To dare to say that a human being, developing in the womb, should not be born is as wrong as to say that a born person should not continue to grow and live. In each case, an attack on human life is an attack on the God who formed and made us. Jesus Christ is the great "yes" to the promises of God; abortion is the great "no."

Prayer:

Lord, I pray today for every unborn child. The beauty of the bodies and souls of these children flows from your hands and your eternal plan. Awaken in every human conscience a profound reverence for human life, and grant us grace to defend our smallest and most defenseless brothers and sisters, those still being formed in the secret places of their mothers' womb. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life

40 Days For Life

Pain and Suffering in the Diocese of Antigonish

The past several weeks has been heart wrenching and traumatic for many in the Diocese of Antigonish,Nova Scotia - including the faithful. The recent settlement of a class action suit against the Diocese - which holds a possibility of healing for the Church, the victims, and the faithful - brought the past sins of betrayal and neglect to the forefront. This week's arrest of Bishop Raymond Lahey on charges concerning child pornography has devastated everybody. Catholics and non-Catholics alike are in shock.

Archbishop Anthony Mancini of Halifax issued an initial press release on September 30, followed by a pastoral letter. He is now the Administrator of the Diocese of Antigonish.

The last few days I have personally received several e-mails asking me "what do you think about this?"

I think its horrible. I shudder to remember that only last summer two of my kids went to a Catholic camp in the Diocese of Antigonish, with Bishop Lahey serving Mass and hearing confessions.

I regret the victims abused in the making of the pornography, and the souls lost in the consuming of it.

I fear the consequences for those with a struggling faith.

My heart aches for the extra suffering of the good and faithful priests serving Our Lord with humility and love.

I think that now more than ever, we must remember who to turn to for the comfort, love, forgiveness and redemption we need.

God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

In their unitive love rests the healing of all our pain,shame,confusion and despair.



Catholics United To Peter has published a Novena for the Diocese of Antigonish:

THIRTY DAYS’ PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH

Ever blessed and glorious Joseph, kind and loving father, and helpful friend of all in sorrow! You are the good father and protector of orphans, the defender of the defenseless, the patron of those in need and sorrow. Look kindly on my request. My sins have drawn down on me the just displeasure of my God, and so I am surrounded with unhappiness. To you, loving guardian of the Family of Nazareth, do I go for help and protection.

Listen then, I beg you, with fatherly concern, to my earnest prayers, and obtain for me the favors I ask.

I ask it by the infinite mercy of the eternal Son of God, which moved Him to take our nature and to be born into this world of sorrow.

I ask it by the weariness and suffering you endured when you found no shelter at the inn of Bethlehem for the holy Virgin, nor a place where the Son of God could be born. Then, being everywhere refused, you had to allow the Queen of Heaven to give birth to the world’s Redeemer in a cave.

I ask it by the loveliness and power of that sacred Name, Jesus, which you conferred on the adorable Infant.

I ask it by that painful torture you felt at the prophecy of holy Simeon, which declared the Child Jesus and His holy Mother future victims of our sins and of their great love for us.

I ask it through your sorrow and pain of soul when the angel declared to you that the life of the Child Jesus was sought by His enemies. From their evil plan you had to flee with Him and His Blessed Mother into Egypt. I ask it by all the suffering, weariness, and labors of that long and dangerous journey.

I ask it by all your care to protect the Sacred Child and His Immaculate Mother during your second journey, when you were ordered to return to your own country. I ask it by your peaceful life in Nazareth where you met with so many joys and sorrows.

I ask it by your great distress when the adorable Child was lost to you and His Mother for three days. I ask it by your joy at finding Him in the Temple, and by the comfort you found at Nazareth, while living in the company of the Child Jesus. I ask it by the wonderful submission He showed in His obedience to you.

I ask it by the perfect love and conformity you showed in accepting the Divine order to depart from this life, and from the company of Jesus and Mary. I ask it by the joy which filled your soul when the Redeemer of the world, triumphant over death and hell, entered into the possession of His kingdom and led you into it with special honors.

I ask it through Mary’s glorious assumption and through that endless happiness you share with her in the presence of God.

O good father! I beg you, by all your sufferings, sorrows and joys, to hear me and obtain for me what I ask. (For the recovery of Bishop Lahey; and also that the Pope will send a very saintly, obedient Bishop to shepherd the Antigonish Diocese, who will obey Redemptionis Sacramentum (March 19, 2004), Motu Proprio (of 7 July 2007) and all church teachings)

Obtain for all those who have asked my prayers everything that is useful to them in the plan of God. Finally, my dear patron and father, be with me and all who are dear to me in our last moments, that we may eternally sing the praises of

JESUS, MARY and JOSEPH

“A blameless life, St. Joseph, may we lead, by your kind patronage from danger freed.”

Day 13 - 40 Days For Life

Intention:

For all fathers who are terrified of being fathers.

Scripture:

A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation.

-- Psalm 68:5

Reflection:

I had a friend many years ago who confided in me that he was terrified of being a father. He and his wife already had two children when this revelation came forth. "I never knew my father," he explained, "and I have no idea what a father is supposed to do." We continued to share about this, as well as pray together. He began to see he had a father's heart for his children. His biggest problem was not a limitation on love but not knowing how to act out this love.

One day we talked about the verse quoted at the top of this page. I shared that he did know his Father… not his biological father but his Heavenly Father, who had rescued him from a life of destruction not many years before. "How did your Heavenly Father guide you?" I asked. He talked about the ways he had seen God's love offered to him and the way the Lord had used circumstances and the Scriptures to mold him and mature him. "Well, the Lord wants to do the same thing through you for your children. Be available to His love and available to your kids. You'll do fine."

How wonderful it is to know that God takes a personal interest in each of us, many times using His faithful people - the Church - as channels of this love. No one is fatherless who lives in the Lord. His fatherly care begins at the moment of our conception, as it is written, "you knit me together in my mother's womb" (Psalm 139:12), and continues to be poured upon us throughout our lives.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank you for caring about each of us so deeply. Help us to see and know you as our Father in heaven each and every day of our lives. Your loving hand also rests on every child today carried in its mother's womb. May they be born into this world and come to know fully and personally your endless love. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Randolph Sly
National Pro-life Religious Council

40 Days For Life

Love In Action - Ottawa

Desspite 30 + years of the media and politicians telling us that the subject is closed, folks continue to discuss abortion. People of faith continue to pray for babies , mothers and fathers killed and damaged by abortion.

Deborah Gyapong has the latest from Ottawa:

...What a joy of course to see Ottawa's Roman Catholic Archbishop Terrence Prendergast standing in front of the Civic with an "Abortion hurts women" sign, he was praying silently as were the others who lined both sides of the street.

My Anglican Catholic Bishop for Ontario and Quebec was standing on the median with an "Abortion kills children" sign. Lots of folks from our mightly little Annunciation parish were out in force...

(h/t big blue wave)

Day 12 - 40 Days For Life

Intention:

May the King of the Universe, who entered this world as a helpless infant, give us the humility to be healed.

Scripture:

My power is made perfect in weakness.

--2 Corinthians 12:9

Reflection:

The great mystery of the Humility of God is very near and dear to the mission of those serving in pro life and in a special way, post abortion ministries across this nation. For those wounded by their participation in abortion, the door to healing often feels like crossing an abyss of great fear: fear of judgment, fear of being torn apart by the pain, by self hatred and rage at those who hurt and abandoned you, and manipulated you in your time of temptation. For men in particular, entering the unknown waters of emotional vulnerability, so necessary to healing calls for a different kind of courage that feels deceptively like weakness.

The door to healing is humility. It is born in the inability to no longer control the pain, to live with the consequences of that tragic decision to reject life. The hearts cries out, "I have committed a grave offense against my Creator and I am consumed by regret, grief and sorrow!"

During these forty days let us pray for all who have participated in abortion and with love call them to healing and reconciliation. With healing these women and men can become as John Paul II proclaimed in the Gospel of Life, "the most eloquent defenders of everyone's right to life."

Jesus proclaimed, "I am the Vine, you are the branches" (John 15:5). To bear the greatest fruit, the branches must be pruned. Each level of pruning of the vine requires a deeper level of humility so that we can abandon ourselves to His will. This is not a lofty theological concept as much as it is an earthy experience of pulling weeds, tilling rocky soil, pruning and healing the vines. "If a man wishes to come after me, he must deny his very self, take up his cross, and begin to follow in my footsteps" (Matthew 16:24).

Prayer:

Lord, during these forty days, we ask that with each day of this sacred vigil, everything in us that separates us from your perfect will would be pruned from our hearts and souls. In this blessed freedom may we experience a powerful anointing of your Holy Spirit. Filled with confidence and trust may we proclaim with the mother of Jesus, "Let it be done to me, according to your Word."

Kevin Burke
Executive Director, Rachels Vineyard Ministries

40 Days For Life

Day 11 - 40 Days For Life

Intention:

Pray that when those representing Planned Parenthood and other abortion groups see volunteers for 40 Days for Life, they see ambassadors of Christ, and may each volunteer be consciously aware at all times we represent Him.

Scripture:

I...beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness, and gentleness, with long suffering, bearing with one another in love.

-- Ephesians 4:1-2

Reflection:

When a former abortionist and post-abortive woman, Carol Everett, was asked what turned her heart from death to life in Christ, she replied, "It was unconditional love" shown by a man who prayed daily for her in front of the facility where she worked.

He told Carol that "God had sent him" because there was someone in there that God wanted out. She left 27 days later and now serves as Christ's ambassador to help others. We too have been sent by Christ as an ambassador to love unconditionally those God seeks to "get out" of their bondage and sin.

In his book, "Fishers of Men," Dr. Sumner Wemp describes what it means to be an ambassador of Christ, the King of Kings:

* God has chosen us (John 15:16)
* We are sent into a world that is not our home (1 Peter 2:11)
* Our walk must match our talk (1 Timothy 3:7)
* We must abide in Him for daily instruction (John 15:5)
* Know our purpose -- to seek and to save that which is lost (Luke 19:10)
* We are to reconcile others to God with His authority (Matthew 28:19-20)
* Our service is to be grounded and rooted in love (Ephesians 3:17)

Pray that we each will walk worthy of the calling with which we were called!

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we are humbled that you have called us and appointed us to be ambassadors of Christ in a world that is not our home. It is a calling much higher and grander than our finite minds can imagine.

We pray that your Holy Spirit will empower us to walk worthy of the calling. We pray that Your unconditional love will flow through us onto those who desperately need Your saving grace. In the name of Christ who is worthy, amen.

Carmen Pate
Co-host, "Point of View" Talk Show

40 Days For Life

Day 10 - 40 Days For Life

Intention:

Let us affirm the unborn by our language.

Scripture:

Anyone who says to his brother, "Raca," is answerable to the Sanhedrin; anyone who says, "You fool!" will be in danger of the fire of hell.

-- Matthew 5:22

Reflection:

Before the schoolyard bully beats up his victim, he calls him names. This is a way to dehumanize the victim, and therefore make it easier to justify attacking him.

In this verse from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says that using dehumanizing language is sinful. "Raca" was an Aramaic term of contempt. The respect and love we are called to have for other human lives is not limited to action alone; it also has to manifest itself in language.

Professor William Brennan, in his book Dehumanizing the Vulnerable: When Word Games Take Lives, traces the dehumanizing language used to oppress various groups of people in history, such as our African-American brothers and sisters, or our Jewish brothers and sisters in the Holocaust.

He then shows that the same kind of dehumanizing language is used against the unborn, who have been called "parasites," "tissue," and "medical waste," among other things.

What are we to do instead? We are to affirm one another, including the unborn, with ennobling language that inspires respect and love. The unborn are precious children, they are our brothers and sisters, they are the image of God. Let us multiply the language of affirmation, as we hasten to the day of their protection!

Prayer:

Lord, we ask your forgiveness for any times our words have dehumanized our brothers and sisters. We also ask you to send your grace to those who speak and write in degrading terms about the children in the womb. Convert those who do not see the dignity of these children. Loosen the tongues of those who do not know how to acknowledge the humanity and sacredness of these tiny lives. Keep us all aware of the power of language, and help us to use it rightly in the cause of life and justice. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life and President, National Pro-life Religious Council

40 Days For Life

Day 9 - 40 Days For Life

Intention:

May we grow in joy, knowing we serve a living God.

Scripture:

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

-- John 1:14

Reflection:

The Word of God came to us in human form in Jesus Christ. Every time I contemplate this fact I get chills! And I think it is something that we, as Christians, tend to gloss over. I can only imagine how the first disciples felt when they were looking into the eyes of the one and only Almighty God who created them.

The first disciples developed a close relationship with Him as they daily walked and talked with Him. They ate with Him, prayed with Him and rested when He rested. As they listened to the Word of God, who was and is Jesus….they believed and "beheld His glory."

Today, this is something we can still do because we serve a living God. Remember, Jesus died on the cross but rose from the dead in victory! Jesus is every bit as real and alive for all of us as He was to the first disciples. He wants us to develop a close relationship with Him in the very same way. Jesus wants us to know Him personally. He wants us to walk with Him and talk with Him on a daily basis.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for your love and saving grace in Christ Jesus. Help us to realize every day the great blessing we have in our Savior. I pray that we will rise every morning with excitement and zeal, looking forward to walking another day in your footsteps fully knowing that you continue to dwell among us. Amen.

Day Gardner
President, National Black Pro-life Union

40 Days For Life

Day 8 - 40 Days For Life

Intention:

May the spirit and example of the Good Samaritan fill the hearts and minds of all our citizens.

Scripture:

Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So, too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

-- Luke 10:30-37

Reflection:

Here Jesus commands us to show mercy to the victims of the culture of violence and death.

But why did the priest and Levite fail to show mercy? Perhaps they feared that the robbers were hiding just around the next corner to attack them. They asked themselves, "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?"

The Samaritan, however, reversed the question, and asked, "If I don't stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"

In working to save the unborn, let's not worry about what will happen to us if we act; let's worry about what will happen to the unborn if we don't.

Prayer:

Father, we are moved by the lesson of the Good Samaritan, who allowed compassion to influence him more than fear. Give us the same heart. Grant that we may never count the cost of standing up and speaking out for the unborn. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life

40 Days For Life

Where Do Catholics Find The 'Beef' ?

Remember those 'Wendy's' commercials asking "Where's the beef"? Catholic prolife writer Suzanne Fortin has an answer for Canadian (and other) Catholics:

Serious Catholics have come to trust blogs and websites – and not the church elite – because they deliver the real goods: the spiritual heritage of the Church, a heritage that most priests won’t touch: The encyclicals, the Fathers, the Doctors, the Councils, and the razor-sharp insights of St. Thomas Aquinas, whose philosophy is essential in properly understanding Church teaching. When Magisterial Catholics are challenged on what they say, they prove with authority. What they say does not rest on their opinion, but on the doctrine of the universal Church....

...The Church’s efforts to convert souls and to ultimately establish the culture of life will always be undermined by the culture of dissent that is permitted to flourish in the chanceries, in the seminaries, in the offices of pastoral animators and in official church publications. As the Bible says, the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. When the elites contradict divine precepts, they’re not being righteous. Their prayer for a growing church and the right to life will be hampered by their own spiritual alienation. If the Church wants to grow, it must stop treating the Word of God as if it’s tentatively true. It must embrace it, and then live by it, and act like the salvation of souls is at stake. So long as it does not take its primary job seriously – that of Guardian of Truth – it will never be able to come out of its spiritual crisis. And Catholics who want the meat of true faith will continue to ignore them as credible sources of Catholic doctrine.

(h/t SoCon Or Bust)

Canadian Prolifers Disappointed By CCCB - Again

I am 48 years old. Since I was 8 or 9, I have known that UNICEF supports the promotion of abortion. My children have known this all their lives. Why does the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops not know this?

The CCCB has reaffirmed their support of UNICEF, in spite of the Vatican's example, in spite of good information about UNICEF's abortion promotion activities, in spite of the good work of many of their parishioners to battle abortion in Canada,perhaps just in spite, decided that they have the special ability to 'earmark' funds given to UNICEF. Everyone else knows this is not really possible. The CCCB is clearly not concerned that it is collecting funds that ultimately kill babies.

This is not to say that Canadian Bishops should all be tarred with the CCCB brush. Some Bishops know their responsibility to their flock, and they do not rely on the non-authority of the CCCB . Perhaps these good shepherds could find a way of stifling the ill caused by the CCCB as it digs a deeper and deeper hole for itself with backwardness and dissidence.

The only way I can think of to respond, is to never put a dime into a 'second collection' that the CCCB would get their hands on. My donations go directly to reputable groups.

Day 7 - 40 Days For Life

Intention:

May we have a heart and a zeal to save the poor and release the oppressed.

Scripture:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.

-- Luke 4:18-19

Reflection:

This passage is a very familiar one. It has been preached on many occasions, even made popular in books and songs. Though the quote is about Jesus, all Christians take this commission seriously as a directive on how to reach the world with the gospel. We, like our Savior, are to bring the good news to the poor, the broken hearted, those in captivity, those who cannot see, and the oppressed.

The commission given to us in this passage is clearly a charge to care for those for whom God cares the most. I wonder though, whom do we look for to be touched by the Holy Spirit as we go out into the world?

Who are the poor, if not those unborn children who have been abandoned by their parents before they ever leave the womb? Who are the broken hearted, if not those unborn children whose only example of love is having their mother take them to an abortion clinic to be destroyed, or the mother of a child who has been deceived by everyone around her into believing that what she is doing is best for her and her child? Who are the captives, if not those unborn children who are bound over to death by the "choice" of abortion? Who is more blind than an unborn child in the darkness of a womb that has become a waiting room for their death? And who is more oppressed than those unborn children whose oppression has been legitimized by their government, their church and even their family and loved ones.

Prayer:

Lord, You empower us with Your Spirit to do your will in the earth. Send us to the poorest, the most broken, the most captive, the most blind and the most oppressed in the world, the innocent pre-born children in their mother's wombs that are scheduled for destruction. Help us to bring them healing, liberty, sight and justice through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Fr. Terry Gensemer
National Director, Charismatic Episcopal Church for Life

40 Days For Life

Day 1 - 40 DAYS FOR LIFE

Intention:

That we may use these 40 Days for Life to plead for God's mercy and grace upon all those involved in the sin of abortion.

Scripture:

Blow the trumpet in Zion! Proclaim a fast, call an assembly. Gather the people, notify the congregation. Assemble the elders; gather the children and the infants at the breast… Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep and say, "Spare, O Lord, your people."

-- Joel 2:15-17

Reflection:

The toll of abortion cannot be measured. We hear estimates of almost 50 million innocent victims, but that's only one aspect of the harm that has unfolded in abortion's wake. There are also the mothers and fathers of these millions, as well as the grandparents, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins. Unborn lives destroyed. Lives of the living shattered.

It's overwhelming and depressing, but even in the midst of such unfathomable darkness, the church teaches us to have hope. Yes, it was indeed Calvary that followed Christ's 40 days in the desert, but without Calvary there would have been no Resurrection - His victory over death that opened the gates of heaven to those who believe in and follow Him.

The psalmist encourages us to go humbly before God as we seek His will: "A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me… Give me back the joy of your salvation and a willing spirit sustain in me… O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise" (Psalm 51:12, 14, 17).

We are called to be God's messengers; or as the Apostle Paul told the Corinthians: "We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20). That is the true message to all we encounter at the abortion centers and in our communities who have been deceived by the Culture of Death. We don't bring condemnation; we bring God's good news.

Prayer:

Lord, we ask for the strength, courage, wisdom, determination and stamina to carry out this mission according to Your will. Guide us, we pray, as we go forth and proclaim Your truth, always doing so with a spirit of love and compassion, as was demonstrated to us by Your Son, Jesus Christ. In His name we pray, amen.

David Brandao
Communications Director, 40 Days for Life

"The EU Loves Control..."

Coir is a grassroots volunteer organization campaigning to educate people about the power lust of the EU and the risk to democracy and Irish independence in a vote for the Lisbon Treaty. You may recall that the Irish already, recently, voted against this treaty. Apparently the 'new age' democracy is little more than 'vote until you get it right'!

Of special note on Coir's webpage is an article explaining the threat to Irish independence regarding abortion.

Americans know the power of grassroots movements, and everyone knows how the Irish love a cuppa...

GO IRISH!

College Bound Catholics

The new Newman Guide is out . Those going to college and seeking an authentic Catholic environment need to read this list. Just because a college has a history of being Catholic doesn't mean its current incarnation is faithful. Many universities have a Catholic 'tradition' yet they promote secular philosophy, even anti-catholic dogma, while marketing themselves as 'Catholic'. Buyer beware!

For the young college bound Catholic, Matthew Warner has some very sensible tips at 'Fallible Blogma'.


Here are a few suggestions for participation on campus. Of course, each group is only as good as its members...

The Cardinal Newman Society

College Student Prolife Websites

Catholic Campus Ministry

Heroes in Our Neighbourhood

The poster (shown left) that Jim Pouillon was holding was an affirmation of Life. Mr. Pouillon held human life to be sacred, in even measure for everyone. He was a hero from our neighbourhood, someone known and respected for his persistent loving message of our own value. He valued us ALL. He quietly gave his life in the hope that we would value ourselves and each other. A neighbourhood Hero.



We all need to be 'neighbourhood heroes' in our own way. We need to know our own value and that of every other human life, and defend it. A great opportunity to do so is just around the corner with this season's '40 Days For Life'. This fall's campaign from Sept 23 - November ,will be carried our by 'neighbourhood heroes' in at least 212 cities internationally.

More than 200 cities in 45 American states, 5 Canadian provinces ... plus Denmark ... are poised to launch 40 Days for Life campaigns... [David Bereit, 40 Days for Life's national director] "Last fall's campaign was conducted in 177 cities. This shows that support for the pro-life message is spreading — and that 40 Days for Life continues to have a positive international impact."

Find a way to reaffirm the value of LIFE. EVERY life. ALWAYS.

Intolerance at SMU Re-Dux

The students' union at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, hosts a 'society fair' each fall, the purpose of which , is to give their members the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the various student groups on campus. This year's event was marred by the theft of ALL the materials from the 'Students For Life' display.

It may seem like a small thing, but looking around society today, I'm pretty sure its indicative of an underlying problem with veracity. Liars are intolerant. The truth is an inconvenience they cannot bear.

Here is a letter from a student regarding the unfortunate disruption of the student event :

Crime & Drama at the Fair - Students For Life:
Last Thursday at the SMU Society Fair, one small display was targeted. Someone secretly watched the table, and at the first opportunity, tore down the sign, and stole clip-boards sign-up sheets, pens, and personal documents. You might be thinking... what could possess someone to go to such extreme (not to mention illegal) lengths to prevent students from seeing, hearing or thinking about something? It’s a mystery to me, and I was manning the display, but maybe it was the name that set them off...
Name: “Students For Life”.
Right... the same as the name of the article, and since you’re reading this it doesn’t seem to be as offensive to you as it was to the thief. On the other hand, maybe it was the idea behind the group that was so terrifying and offensive...
Founding Principal: “Every human life has equal value”

Uh... that’s pretty much of the foundation of civil society. Not scary stuff. Maybe the society was planning dangerous and offensive activities of some sort. What is the society going to do?...

Planned Activities: 1. Come together as a group.
2. Provide volunteer opportunities.
3. Discuss value-of-life issues.

I take it you’re still reading, and have somehow managed to avoid destroying and /or stealing anything. You may even want to consider participating in some way down the line. We aren’t completely up and running, but if you send an email with your first and last names to smu.studentsforlife@gmail.com we’ll give you a heads-up when we’ve got something on the go. Students are busy people, so participation will be on an event-by-event basis. Show up when you can, and make Saint Mary’s University (and the world) a better place.

Note: Students who have already signed up are asked to re-submit their names by email.

Thank you for your time,
Paul Mullen
SMU student & member of Students For Life

The usual suspects (see this post on SMU's 'free-speech' travails last winter) were reminded by campus police ahead of time to follow 'rules of good behaviour', sat themselves directly beside the 'Students For Life' table, and left as soon as the display had been stolen. Witnesses say that as soon as Paul Mullen had stepped away a few feet to the trashcan, a man in a 'hat' came and took everything and left. Apparently he had been waiting for his chance!

Mr. Mullen has a very good point in his letter. What exactly is so disturbing and scary about 'Students For Life'? Can it be that the mere idea that everyone have access to the truth, is so threatening to some that they can't allow it? Can people really be rationalizing their actions this way? Knowing that a group exists that cares whether babies, elderly, handicapped and...well, everyone, lives or dies, is REALLY a threat to ...whom?

To liars. Only those protecting their own lies are threatened by the truth.

Father McBrien, Notre Dame and Eucharistic Adoration

My daughter's birthday shares Our Lady's feast on September 8. In dismay I read Fr. Richard McBrien's gift to Our Lady in the form of an article in the National Catholic Reporter. In dismay I read that not all the commentors are dismayed by his article! Such is the state of the Catholic church in America today. Dissident, incorrect and heretical priests are given forum in a magazine put forward as Catholic.

Lukewarm Catholic? American Catholic? Not quite Catholic?

(Anyone looking for a more reliable source of faithful Catholic articles might try National Catholic Register.)

Ah well. Someone else to add to my prayer list, to offer up to the mercy of God during Mass and before the Blessed Sacrament.

I am grateful for those faithful Catholic universities that never compromise Truth for expediency or popularity. Places like Ave Maria University in Florida, Franciscan University in Ohio, and Our Lady Seat of Wisdom in Ontario. They are welcome respite from confusing and confused institutions with questionable leadership and mixed loyalties. (Yes, I mean Notre Dame)

I am grateful for the opportunity that I have to worship, pray, think, find peace in the Real Presence of God. Many Americans share this wonderful opportunity.

I am thankful for all the faithful priests and bishops, their many hours of prayer and devotion on our behalf, their inspired instruction and their faithful service to Christ in the Eucharist.

God help those who work against Him.


More at Te Deum

Words To Live By : Ted Kennedy

Of course, Edward Kennedy did not actually live by these words, and these words contain only a portion of the Catholic belief in the sanctity of life.

While the deep concern of a woman bearing an unwanted child merits consideration and sympathy, it is my personal feeling that the legalization of abortion on demand is not in accordance with the value which our civilization places on human life. Wanted or unwanted, I believe that human life, even at its earliest stages, has certain rights which must be recognized - the right to be born, the right to love, the right to grow old.

On the question of the individual's freedom of choice there are easily available birth control methods and information which women may employ to prevent or postpone pregnancy. But once life has begun, no matter at what stage of growth, it is my belief that termination should not be decided merely by desire....

When history looks back to this era it should recognize this generation as one which cared about human beings enough to halt the practice of war, to provide a decent living for every family, and to fulfill its responsibility to its children from the very moment of conception.

(Ted Kennedy, April3,1971)

HT Jill Stanek

Ah Yes...'Catholic' Charities!

Fresh from battle with the inconsistencies of Canadian Catholic charity, Development and Peace, Catholics may feel weary and discouraged. I do. Everywhere we turn, news breaks of one or another Catholic charity or institution supporting distinctly un-Christian endeavors.

American Life League

Three of the top lay Catholic organizations have divorced themselves from Catholic teaching by supporting the Obama health-care plan, which would foster a culture of mandatory abortion coverage, contraceptive services, and permissive sex education, euthanasia and eugenics.

Catholic Charities USA, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Catholic Health Association are joining together to push the current version of the plan through Congress.

"There is no social justice in rationing charity," said Judie Brown, president of American Life League. "Millions of taxpayers will be forced to subsidize abortion, contraception, euthanasia and bureaucratic denial of health care to the poorest of the poor."

Many Catholics are used to trusting these institutions as being ACTUALLY charitable, full of the substance of God's love, along the lines of Pope Benedict's latest encyclical. If only those making decisions for Catholic charities WOULD read 'Caritas Veritate' , and take its core message to heart. The entire fullness of God's vision is our goal...not to be traded off time and time again for temporary relief in one area or another.

THE WHOLE TRUTH . Working to uphold the whole truth, we can TRUST GOD to ameliorate our temporal sufferings in a way that benefits us eternally.

ETERNITY. Something Catholics believe in, and Catholic institutions should have in their sights.


(h/t Catholic Fire)