Inspirational Quotes
This would be a good video to show a youth club, group of sceptical teenagers or just your own children…http://loveundefiled.blogspot.com/2010/06/famous-pro-life-quotes.html
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Sign of Freedom or Desperation?
“No woman wants an abortion as she wants an ice cream cone or a porsche. She wants an abortion as an animal caught in a trap wants to gnaw off its own leg. Abortion is a tragic attempt to escape a desperate situation by an act of violence and self loss. Abortion is not a sign that women are free, but a sign that they are desperate.” (Frederica Mathewes-Green).
By its very nature, abortion requires a violation of a woman’s body. Her cervix, which nature has designed to remain closed to protect the developing human fetus, must be forcibly opened. Then, her womb, which is designed to nurture life, must be penetrated, suctioned, and scraped. For many women, this experience is nothing less than their first intimate encounter with death. (Forbidden Grief, Theresa Burke, p 114).
“The building up of a culture of Life must flow first and foremost from a loving, courageous, and humble heart — yes, in imitation of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.”
– Archbishop Timothy Dolan
written by Robert Colquhoun
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March for Life
Here’s a glimpse of what can be achieved with fantastic organisation and a belief in standing up for what’s right. The American pro-life movement seem to have got the whole pro-life publicity show brilliantly executed and this short video http://www.lifesitenews.com/blog/the-rebellion-thousands-upon-thousands-of-youth-dominate-march-for-life shows the strength of feeling. It is heartening to see what can be achieved in the quest to speak up for those who have no voice through the U.S. March for Life.
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St Timothy & St Titus
“But when the kindness and generous love of God our Saviour appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our saviour, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life. This saying is trustworthy” (Titus 3:4-8).
Timothy (d. 97?): What we know from the New Testament of Timothy’s life makes it sound like that of a modern harried bishop. He had the honor of being a fellow apostle with Paul, both sharing the privilege of preaching the gospel and suffering for it.
Timothy had a Greek father and a Jewish mother named Eunice. Being the product of a “mixed” marriage, he was considered illegitimate by the Jews. It was his grandmother, Lois, who first became Christian. Timothy was a convert of Paul around the year 47 and later joined him in his apostolic work. He was with Paul at the founding of the Church in Corinth. During the 15 years he worked with Paul, he became one of his most faithful and trusted friends. He was sent on difficult missions by Paul—often in the face of great disturbance in local Churches which Paul had founded.
Timothy was with Paul in Rome during the latter’s house arrest. At some period Timothy himself was in prison (Hebrews 13:23). Paul installed him as his representative at the Church of Ephesus.
Timothy was comparatively young for the work he was doing. (“Let no one have contempt for your youth,” Paul writes in 1 Timothy 4:12a.) Several references seem to indicate that he was timid. And one of Paul’s most frequently quoted lines was addressed to him: “Stop drinking only water, but have a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent illnesses” (1 Timothy 5:23).
Titus (d. 94?): Titus has the distinction of being a close friend and disciple of Paul as well as a fellow missionary. He was Greek, apparently from Antioch. Even though Titus was a Gentile, Paul would not let him be forced to undergo circumcision at Jerusalem. Titus is seen as a peacemaker, administrator, great friend. Paul’s second letter to Corinth affords an insight into the depth of his friendship with Titus, and the great fellowship they had in preaching the gospel: “When I went to Troas…I had no relief in my spirit because I did not find my brother Titus. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia…. For even when we came into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted in every way—external conflicts, internal fears. But God, who encourages the downcast, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus…” (2 Corinthians 2:12a, 13; 7:5-6).
When Paul was having trouble with the community at Corinth, Titus was the bearer of Paul’s severe letter and was successful in smoothing things out. Paul writes he was strengthened not only by the arrival of Titus but also “by the encouragement with which he was encouraged in regard to you, as he told us of your yearning, your lament, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more…. And his heart goes out to you all the more, as he remembers the obedience of all of you, when you received him with fear and trembling” (2 Corinthians 7:7a, 15).
The Letter to Titus addresses him as the administrator of the Christian community on the island of Crete, charged with organizing it, correcting abuses and appointing presbyter-bishops.
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St Agnes
St. Agnes was a Roman girl who was only thirteen years old when she suffered martyrdom for her Faith. Agnes had made a promise, a promise to God never to stain her purity. Her love for the Lord was very great and she hated sin even more than death! Since she was very beautiful, many young men wished to marry Agnes, but she would always say, “JesusChrist is my only Spouse.”
Procop, the Governor’s son, became very angry when she refused him. He had tried to win her for his wife with rich giftsand promises, but the beautiful young girl kept saying, “I am already promised to the Lord of the Universe. He is more splendid than the sun and the stars, and He has said He willnever leave me!” In great anger, Procop accused her of being a Christian and brought her to his father, the Governor. The Governor promised Agnes wonderful gifts if she would only deny God, but Agnes refused. He tried to change her mind by putting her in chains, but her lovely face shone with joy.
Next he sent her to a place of sin, but an Angel protected her. At last, she was condemned to death. Even the pagans cried to see such a young and beautiful girl going to death. Yet, Agnes was as happy as a bride on her wedding day. She did not pay attention to those who begged her to save herself. “I would offend my Spouse,” she said, “if I were to try to please you. He chose me first and He shall have me!” Then she prayed and bowed her head for the death-stroke of the sword.
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What will you do?
As we settle ourselves into 2012 we would like to throw a challenge out to everyone out there who believes abortion is wrong and wants to help women. If we are ever going to change societys’ belief that abortion is a womans’ right then we have to stand up and do something about abortion! Martin Luther King who’s day we have just marked said,
Our Lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.
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Conscientious Objectors
I’m sure many of you will have seen this news item regarding two midwives who have taken a stand against the hospital authorities in the Southern General Hospital, Glasgow over their right to not be involved in abortions in the hospitals’ ward. John Smeaton from S.P.U.C. gives the correct story on his blog http://spuc-director.blogspot.com/ so you can follow how the story unfolds.
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St Hilary, Bishop & Doctor
St. Hilary
St. Hilary was one of those great Christian heroes who poured out their lives laboring and suffering in defense of Christ’s divinity. Scarcely had the days of bloody persecution ended (313), when there arose, now within the Church, a most dangerous enemy of another sort, Arianism. The heresy of Arianism denied the divinity of Christ; it was, in fact, hardly more than a form of paganism masquerading as the Christian Gospel. The smoldering strife soon flared into a mighty conflict endangering the whole Church; and its spread was all the more rapid and powerful because emperors, who called themselves Christian, proved its best supporters. Once again countless martyrs sealed in blood their belief in Christ’s divinity; and orthodox bishops who voiced opposition were forced into exile amid extreme privations.
Among the foremost defenders of the true faith stood Hilary. He belonged to a distinguished family and had received an excellent education. Though a married man, he was made bishop of Poitiers by reason of his exemplary life. It was not long before his valiant defense of the faith precipitated his exile to Phrygia. Here he composed his great work on the Blessed Trinity (in twelve books). It is a vigorous defense of the faith, which, he said, “triumphs when attacked.” Finally, after four years he was permitted to return to his native land. He continued his efforts, and through prudence and mildness succeeded in ridding Gaul of Arianism. Because of his edifying and illustrious writings on behalf of the true religion, the Church honors him as one of her doctors.
Here is an example of Hilary’s vigorous style: “Now it is time to speak, the time for silence is past. We must expect Christ’s return, for the reign of Antichrist has begun. The shepherds must give the warning signals because the hirelings have fled. Let us lay down our lives for the sheep, for brigands have entered the fold and the roaring lion is rampaging about. Be ready for martyrdom! Satan himself is clothed as an angel of light.” A favorite motto of St. Hilary was, Ministros veritatis decet vera proferre, “Servants of the truth ought speak the truth.”
— From Pius Parsch, The Church’s Year of Grace, Pius Parsch
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Prayers Please
Please pray for a girl who is 20 weeks pregnant and is in danger of losing her baby. She is in hospital at the moment. Thank you.
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Help!
Some people right now will be discovering that they are pregnant with a child conceived through their actions over the Christmas and New Year period.
They will go through a range of emotions often conflicting such as joy and wonder at what is happening in their bodies but also fear, sadness and depression about what the future holds.
Here at The Cardinal Winning Pro-Life Initiative we see so many girls and women of all ages and we try and help everyone with what ever they need so they can keep their baby and live the rest of their lives regretting a decision they believed was for the best.
It’s good to be reminded of how women can end up alone, pregnant and desperate and too often we are busy with our own lives or we simply don’t meet these women in the paths our lives take. Here is a story from Lifesitenews.com which reminds us that it is so easy for girls from all backgrounds to turn their backs on the values taught to them but also that God is always calling them back to him. Let us continue to pray for these women and their unborn babies that they seek the help that is out there for them.
It was the year 2000. Ma’May Faucher from southern California was just making ends meet. She had been raised with Christian values, but, as she told LifeSiteNews in a recent interview, had rejected her upbringing, feeling that it made her too “closed-minded and judgemental.”
Partying, experimenting with drugs, and making herself sexually available was how she had decided to make herself happy. Ma’May was living life in the fast lane. She had convinced herself to enjoy every moment of it. Becoming pregnant brought her life to a screeching stop.
She now felt like her world was crumbling apart. She knew she didn’t love the father of her child, and didn’t think it was possible to raise a child with him. She was now beginning to think that she could barely take care of herself. “How in the world am I going to take care of another person?” she remembers thinking.
The pregnant woman did not know where to turn for help. The father of the baby had already told Ma’May that it was ‘her life’ and that she could do what was best for her. She made a phone call to the only resource she knew, Planned Parenthood.
The receptionist was empathetic, telling Ma’May that an abortion was the only answer to her problems. It would free her from responsibilities and allow her to pursue the career she really wanted, she was told. Ma’May began to think that perhaps the receptionist was right: how could she possibly bring another person into the world?
The baby’s father agreed to pay for the abortion.
The night before the procedure Ma’May remembers feeling “overwhelmed with sorrow and deeply depressed.” She spent the night curled up in a ball crying inconsolably. She says she felt “alone and scared” and was “angry” that she had to make such a difficult decision. She didn’t understand why she was so upset. If the procedure really was her choice and the best option, why did she feel so terrible?
There were protesters outside the abortion clinic that morning. Ma’May remembers seeing baby dolls in their hands. She turned down their brochures and did her best to avoid their pleading gaze. She recalls that she was thankful at the time that they didn’t have any abortion pictures or posters.
The clinic lobby was packed with people, no one smiling. A nurse performed an ultrasound, telling Ma’May that she was 8 weeks pregnant. The technician asked her if she wanted to view the monitor, but told her that there was really nothing to see but a blob of tissue. “After I heard those words I felt so relieved,” she said. “Great, it’s just a ‘blob of tissue’. It will be just like picking a scab. No big deal,” she thought, trying to reassure herself.
Ma’May awoke from the procedure, feeling numbed in body and soul. She felt like the inside of her heart had been carved hollow. “I felt like something was wrong and I wanted to bury it,” Ma’May says she thought at that time.
The abortion, instead of helping her to recover her sense of freedom and ambition made her feel “worthless and unlovable, like a piece of useless garbage.” She says that she despised the man who had put her in that position.
“I fell deeper into self-medicating and abusing drugs. I was trying to kill the pain, the void, the reality of what I had done,” Ma’May recounts. She surrounded herself with people who supported her decision. But this only advanced her more swiftly down a destructive path. She hated herself and thought that no one could love her after what she had done. Bouts of depression left her feeling empty and suicidal.
“I got to the point in my addiction that I longed for death,” she said.
Even five years after the abortion Ma’May would wake up some mornings begging God to make it her last day on earth. She was now in a drug-plagued relationship with another man. They lost everything to feed their addiction. “We did not have a place to live and our families did not trust us,” she said.
Ma’May’s companion suggested that they seek refuge with his parents. Both parents were God-fearing Christians. She remembers well the day they knocked on the door seeking a place in which to continue their lifestyle. But something happened to them for which she will be forever grateful.
The father of the young man refused to let them cross his threshold.
The young man’s mother approached her son sorrowfully. “Son, can you imagine how this makes me feel knowing that your father will not let you come into our house?” she cried softly to him. Something suddenly stirred in Ma’May as she beheld the scene unfold between the mother and her estranged son.
A childhood religion lesson flitted through her mind about how Mary, the mother of Jesus, prayed for all God’s children to enter into the house of the Father. She had learned how sad Mary becomes when God’s children do not follow His plan for their lives. Her religion lesson was being acted out right before her eyes.
For a moment, she caught a glimpse of how far she had traveled from ‘home’. She suddenly realized how sorrowful her earthly mother must be on account of her choices.
Instead of giving the young broken man and woman a roof over their heads, the concerned father and mother offered to send them to a restoration and rehabilitation program that was based on Gospel principles. Ma’May remembers her heart leaping at their offer. “I knew it was my only chance. I was so sick of being sick and tired,” she said. She had come to a point where she knew beyond a doubt that her life choices had only worked against her. “What could it hurt to try it God’s way,” she reasoned.
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