“It is the Spirit that Gives Life”
John 6:63   

“Moving Forward with Faith and Joy”

All Catholic women are encouraged to attend;
especially Parish and Region CCW Officers and Commission/Committee Coordinators.

5:30 p.m. Registration
6:00 p.m. Holy Mass
followed by dinner and information

Church of St. Anastasia, Hutchinson – Wednesday, June 9th
Church of Our Lady of Victory, Lucan – Tuesday, June 15th

Please register with your Parish President
Resource and Guidance Evening

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.

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! 

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

The U.S. Senate is preparing for a vote on its health care reform bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590). A final vote on cloture is expected December 23 and the vote on passage is expected on December 24.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) introduced his Manager’s Amendment to H.R. 3590, which represents the health care reform bill which will be presented to the Senate for a vote. This proposal is not acceptable. It violates the longstanding federal policy against the use of federal funds for elective abortions and health plans that include such abortions. It also fails to provide adequate conscience protection. This bill should not move forward at this time. Senators should continue to discuss and approve changes that would make it morally acceptable. If this does not occur, the bill should be opposed.

Please contact your Senators and Representative today! Please click on the link below to send your messages.

Thanks for all you do in support of life! May you and your families have a Blessed Christmas!

Sincerely,

Michael Taylor
Executive Director

Click the link below to log in and send your message:

http://actions.nchla.org/link/target/nchla39300370.aspx

Reid Seeks Critical Votes to Bring the Bill to the Senate Floor

Marjorie Dannenfelser
President, Susan B. Anthony List
www.sba-list.org
P.S. We are focusing all of our resources on sinking Reidcare. To help us in that endeavor, please donate today.
   

Talking to Congress
By Tom Grenchik

October 30, 2009

On October 8, the U.S. Bishops’ Conference wrote to Congress about health care reform stating: “No one should be required to pay for or participate in abortion. It is essential that the legislation clearly apply to this new program longstanding and widely supported federal restrictions on abortion funding and mandates, and protections for rights of conscience. No current bill meets this test…. If acceptable language in these areas cannot be found, we will have to oppose the health care bill vigorously.”

The bishops have made it very clear that they strongly support genuine health care reform that protects the life and dignity of all, from the moment of conception until natural death – including unborn children, immigrants and the poor.  And they keep reminding Congress that health care reform should be about saving lives, not destroying them.  But is Congress listening?

Congressional leaders are attempting to put together final bills for floor consideration, and votes could come as soon as early November. The bishops have asked each of us to contact our Representative and Senators immediately, urging them to fix these bills with pro-life amendments.  Parishes across the country will be invited to make use of educational materials, including a web address that allows parishioners to send an e-mail message to Congress with a click of a button. The bishops have asked for our swift action in contacting our congressional members through e-mail, phone calls or faxed letters.  We can:

• Send a pre-written, instant e-mail to Congress at www.usccb.org/action.
• Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121, or call our Members’ local offices.
• Find our Members’ contact information at http://www.house.gov/ and http://www.senate.gov/.

When contacting senators, tell them: “During floor debate on the health care reform bill, please support an amendment to incorporate longstanding policies against abortion funding and in favor of conscience rights. If these serious concerns are not addressed, the final bill should be opposed.”

When contacting congressional representatives, tell them: “Please support the Stupak Amendment that addresses essential pro-life concerns on abortion funding and conscience rights in the health care reform bill. Help ensure that the Rule for the bill allows a vote on this amendment. If these serious concerns are not addressed, the final bill should be opposed.”

Our nation is at a crossroads. Policies adopted in health care reform will have an impact for good or ill for years to come.  And so our bishops have one more very important request of each of us.  They want us to pray.  Pray that Congress will take action and ensure that needed health care reform truly protects the life, dignity and health of all.  Pray that each of us will raise our voices to preserve our freedom of conscience and protect the most vulnerable, especially unborn children.

Through our prayers and actions, we can help make sure that health care reform will be about saving lives, not destroying them.  

To learn more about the bishops’ advocacy for authentic health care reform, visit www.usccb.org/healthcare.

Email us at prolife@usccb.org
Pro-Life Activities | 3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington DC 20017-1194 | (202) 541-3000 © USCCB. All rights reserved.

Volume 12, Number 45
October 22, 2009

UN Petition for the Unborn Child Re-Launched, Seeks One Million Names
By Austin Ruse

(WASHINGTON, DC – C-FAM) An international coalition of pro-life and pro-family groups has re-launched a petition that is expected to gather one million signatures in support of the unborn child and the traditional family.

Groups from the United States, Poland, Spain and other European counties launched the petition last fall and at that time gathered nearly 500,000 signatures, which were presented to selected Ambassadors at the United Nations (UN) and at a UN press conference that was broadcast throughout UN headquarters. The groups included C-FAM [publisher of the Friday Fax], Concerned Women for America, United Families International, all from the United States, along with the Polish Federation of Pro-life Groups and the Spanish Institute for Family Policy. A prominent parliamentarian from Honduras also participated in the press conference.

The purpose of the petition is to persuade UN Member States to begin interpreting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as protecting the unborn child from abortion and also to recognize traditional marriage and the right of parents to educate their children.

Organizers launched the petition partially in reaction to efforts by pro-abortion groups last year to use the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration to promote a right to abortion.

The pro-life petition, which can be signed at www.c-fam.org/campaigns/lid.2/default.asp in one of 19 languages, specifically references portions of the Universal Declaration that can be interpreted by States in pro-life and pro-family ways. For instance, the Universal Declaration says, “Everyone has the right to life.” Though it is not clear that the drafters meant to include the unborn child in this formulation, States may interpret the document this way.

The Universal Declaration also says, “Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family.” In recent years social radicals have pushed the UN to call for an international right for homosexuals to marry. Social conservatives point out this is in direct opposition to the intention of the drafters of the aspirational Universal Declaration and its binding implementing covenants promulgated in 1966.

Family-rights proponents also highlight the Universal Declaration’s recognition that “Parents have the prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.” There is a push in the West to allow homosexual propaganda in schools even against the wishes of parents. This would be in violation of the Universal Declaration.

Additionally, the petition cites the Universal Declaration where it says “The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection from society and the State.” In recent years efforts have been made to undermine the natural family by redefining it to include homosexual couples, efforts that have been repeatedly defeated in the UN General Assembly.

Organizers were also inspired by efforts of the Catholic St. Egidio Community of Rome who gathered one million signatures calling for a moratorium on the death penalty that resulted in a successful UN resolution calling for a ban on executions.

European Union Parliamentarians Anna Zaborska of Slovakia and Carlo Casini of Italy led similar efforts to the UN pro-life petition in Europe. Their petitions were presented to the European Parliament last year.

You can find this online at:  http://www.c-fam.org/publications/id.1483/pub_detail.asp
Copyright 2009 © Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute
866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 495, New York 10017 – (212) 754-5948 – info@c-fam.org

Volume 12, Number 45
October 22, 2009

UN “Alternative Care” Guidelines Scrutinized for Pitting Children Against Parents
By Piero A. Tozzi, J.D.

Co-authored by Marie Connelly

(NEW YORK – C-FAM) The United Nations (UN) General Assembly (GA) will consider a document on alternative, non-parental care of children this fall in conjunction with the twentieth anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Certain delegates are expressing concern, however, at one provision in particular that appears to pit the rights of children against their parents.

The Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children call upon States to implement policies aimed at “empowering youth to face positively the challenges of everyday life, including when they decide to leave the parental home.” They further call for governmental programs aimed at youth as “future parents” to make “informed decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health.”

While the Guidelines also reference promoting “family-oriented policies” and “family strengthening services” to avoid alternative care, critics see the youth emancipation provision as calling for state intrusion into the parent-child bond. They also express concern at the linkage to programs concerning “sexual and reproductive health,” querying whether such youth empowerment programs would exclude parental oversight.

Such concerns are getting more attention with approach of the CRC anniversary, with a number of voices questioning the “child’s rights” approach evident in both the treaty and the Guidelines. They see an emphasis on the rights of the child, as opposed to one emphasizing “best interests,” as pitting children against parents who should be their natural guardians, with the State as guarantor of rights intervening at the expense of the familial bond.

This tension between a rights-of-the-child and a family-centered approach is the subject of a recent article in the New York International Law Review by Professor Lynne Marie Kohm. She criticizes the CRC as ineffective in addressing global exploitation of children, such as curbing sex trafficking. Kohm explains that this is because “the CRC has essentially worked to set the child as his or her own rights advocate, or at best a direct adversary to those whom he or she would normally rely on, parents and state actors, for protection and provision because of the rights framework it has adopted.”

Instead of advocating a “child’s rights” paradigm, Kohm advocates a return to a “best interests of the child” approach, adding that “[c]hildren are protected only when adults have a duty to provide that protection, rather than cloaking children with the right to do so themselves.”

This has led to certain delegations calling for greater recognition of the role of parents. A recent intervention by the Holy See at the UN, for example, clarified that when promoting the protection of the rights of the child “all legislation regarding children must take into account the indispensable role of parents, for children are born of a mother and father, and into the fundamental community which is the family.”

The Guidelines were forwarded to New York for consideration by the full GA following adoption of a Brazilian-sponsored resolution annexing the Guidelines this summer at the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council. Brazil is seen as the chief promoter of the Guidelines.

You can find this online at:  http://www.c-fam.org/publications/id.1484/pub_detail.asp 

Copyright 2009 © Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute

866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 495, New York 10017 – (212) 754-5948 -  info@c-fam.org

Email RSS Print