New Ulm Diocese Council of Catholic Women

Emergency Prayer Alert
Friends,

Priests for Life urges you to pray that the current health care reform bills being debated in Congress do not result in an expansion of abortion. Please use the prayer below, and sign up to let us know that you are saying it each day! For more information on the pro-life implications of the current health care reform debate, see www.priestsforlife.org/legislation. Read my column on this issue – “Stealth” Care.

Thanks!
Fr. Frank Pavone

Novena of Reparation for Roe vs. Wade, January 14-22
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.

Therefore, we at Priests for Life invite you to prepare spiritually for that day by joining a Novena that starts on January 14 and concludes on the 22nd. We invite you to say the prayer below each of those days, and to let us know through this form that you have committed to say it.

Prayer for our Nation’s Health Care Reform
Lord Jesus, you are the Divine Physician,
And the source of all life and health.

Guide our nation at this critical moment,
As our government seeks health care reforms.

Give our elected officials the humility to know
That they are servants, not masters.
Give them the wisdom to realize
That every life has equal value.
Give them the strength to resist the idea
That some lives can be sacrificed to save others
Or that killing the unborn is a part of health care.

Give your people the courage to speak up
And to hold public officials accountable for their actions.

Save us, Lord Jesus, from a culture of death,
And let every reform in our public policy
Be based on the reform of our hearts and minds
In the light of your Gospel,
For you are Lord forever and ever. Amen.

USCCB Action Alert

Protect Conscience 

Ensure Affordable Health Coverage 

Allow Immigrants to Purchase Private Health Insurance 

As long-time advocates of health care reform, the U.S. Catholic bishops continue to make the moral case that genuine health care reform must protect the life, dignity, consciences and health of all, especially the poor and vulnerable. Health care reform should not advance a pro-abortion agenda in our country.

• On November 7, the U.S. House of Representatives passed major health care reform that reaffirms the essential, longstanding and widely supported policy against using federal funds for elective abortions and includes positive measures on affordability and immigrants.
• On December 24, the U.S. Senate rejected this policy and passed health care reform that requires federal funds to help subsidize and promote health plans that cover elective abortions. All purchasers of such plans will be required to pay for other people’s abortions through a separate payment solely to pay for abortion.
• Outside the abortion context, neither bill has adequate conscience protection for health care providers, plans or employers.
• These two bills must now be combined into one bill that both the House and Senate will vote on in final form. Provisions against abortion funding and in favor of conscience protection, affordability, and immigrants’ access to health care must be part of a fair and just health care reform bill, or the final bill must be opposed.

ACTION: Contact your Representative and Senators today by e-mail, phone or FAX.

• To send a pre-written, instant e-mail to Congress go to www.usccb.org/action.
• Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: 202-224-3121, or call your Members’ local offices.
• Contact info can be found on Members’ web sites at www.house.gov & www.senate.gov.

MESSAGE-HOUSE:

“I am pleased that the House health care bill maintains the longstanding policy against

federal funding of abortion. I urge you to work to uphold essential provisions against

abortion funding, to include full conscience protection and to assure that health care is accessible and affordable for all. Until and unless these criteria are met, I urge you to oppose the final bill.”

MESSAGE-SENATE:

“I am deeply disappointed that the Senate health care bill fails to maintain the longstanding

policy against federal funding of abortion and does not include adequate protection for

conscience. I urge you to support essential provisions against abortion funding, similar to

those in the House bill. Include full conscience protection and assure that health care is accessible and affordable for all. Until and unless these criteria are met, I urge you to oppose the final bill.”

WHEN: Votes in the House and Senate on the final bill are expected in January.

Act today! Thank You! 

On January 22, 1973, in its Roe vs. Wade decision, the United States Supreme Court legalized the practice of abortion, and since that date, our nation’s most vulnerable citizens have been at risk. On Friday January 22, 2010, the 37th anniversary of that decision, there will be a “March For Life” held at the Minnesota State Capitol. Several members of our congregation are organizing a bus trip so that concerned Christians may attend the march and make their voices heard.
The structure of our nation’s government takes the abortion question out of the hands of the voting public. Many then are dissuaded from making their voices heard on this critical issue. This trip to the “March For Life” is intended to give Christians an opportunity to stand up, out of love for God and love for neighbor, and allow their voices to be heard. Only by proclaiming God’s clear word of Law and Gospel can those who are caught up in the sin of abortion be called to repentance and the reception of the grace of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. We believe that this event is an opportunity for members of our congregation, our community, and surrounding communities to be reminded of the value that human life has – since human lives are created by God, and it was for all humans that our Lord Jesus lived and died. It is our prayer that participation in the march will create and strengthen a desire to defend our weakest brothers and sisters.
Pastor Christopher Lieske

Details of the march are printed on the bulletin inserts. We hope you will print these off, pass them out to your congregation, and encourage them to join us in making their voices heard.
We will be eating lunch in the Cities but will not be stopping on the way home so it may be a good idea to bring snacks and/or something to drink.
In case of cancellation please listen to KDMA 1460 AM
If we can be of any further assistance to you or if you have any questions, please contact KeEtta Enevoldsen by email at  kcenevoldsen@mvtvwireless.com or by phone at (320) 226-6304.
Thank you and I hope to see you on the 22nd.
KeEtta

You knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalms 139:13-14
…when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Luke 1:41-44
…fan into flame the gift of God which is in you…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord…but share in the suffering. 2 Tim 1:6-8

Let us stand up and defend God’s Word and will for His children.

 Join us on a bus ride to the State Capital to proclaim that word at the March for Life Friday, January 22
Bus departs promptly from the Wal-Marts at:
* 7 a.m. from Montevideo
* 7:50 from Willmar
* 8:20 from Litchfield
We will return to Monte at approximately 6 p.m.
Reservations must be made before January 15th at
St. Paul Lutheran Church @ 320-269-7145

Bus departs Marshall - NE corner of Market Street Mall parking lot at 6:30 a.m.
attending the 10:30 a.m. prayer service and march to the Capital for 12:00 p.m. rally and speeches.
Departing at 1:30 to return home – bring a sack lunch.
Seating limited to 46 – please call Shirley Timmerman (320)855-2311 by Thursday evening January 14th.

Bus departs from Happy Chef on Hwy 169 in North Mankato at 8 a.m.   It will pick up in St Peter & LeSueur.
We will attend the ecumenical prayer service at 10:30 and the march and then tour the capital and speak with legislators 1-2pm.
It is recommended that you bring a bagged lunch and a suggested donation for the bus ride, & snacks of $13.00 per person. For information and reservations, call Tom Hoehn at (507)388-7741 or (507)381-2544.

Additional Pro-Life information:
* President Obama’s stand on abortion www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHnJy0CK4UI
* “Roe” of Roe vs. Wade (she is now ProLife) www.leaderu.com/norma/
* The Silent Scream A ultrasound video of an 11th week abortion.
* ProLife.com A website dedicated to Pro-Life issues and news
* MCCL Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life: www.mccl.org
* Lutherans for Life http://lutheransforlife.org/

Printable version for handouts:
MarchForLifeInsert (1)
MCCL Flyer