Last week we were visited by two groups of sixth year students from St Aloysius College as part of a series of visits that included Barlinnie Prison and <a href=”http://www.starterpacks.org.uk/” target=”_blank”>Starter Packs</a> in Govan.  Over two visits we played host to thirty seven pupils and four teachers, who were introduced to the work of the Initiative.
<p style=”text-align:center;”><a title=”P1010013 by gospeloflife@btinternet.com, on Flickr” href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/9579423@N07/4000101531/”><img src=”http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3437/4000101531_f609c96d61.jpg” alt=”P1010013″ width=”400″ height=”300″ /></a></p>
Each group was given two talks, first from Sr Amanda on the history and work of the Initiative and how they themselves can contribute to the building of a culture of life.  After a tour of the office, Sr Andrea gave a talk on the Catholic vision of love and sex.  There was a good discussion afterwards and it was great to have the opportunity to field some questions and talk to the students about these issues.

At the moment (as for the last few terms) we have a group of St Aloysius students visiting weekly as part of the Arrupe Service scheme and generally pitching in. They’re a great wee group and very tolerant of the slightly unpredictable nature of the work w’ve been getting them to do. Groups are likewise visiting other charities, schools, etc and hopefully the scheme will have great fruits among the students.

We were very excited the other day to recieve a visit from Sr Amada, Regional Superior of the Missionaries of Charity, and Sr Inocencia from the M.C.’s Edinburgh house. The sisters came to have a look around the Initiative and discuss different aspects of crisis pregancy work. The Missionaries do amazing work across the world and it was really great to have Sr Amada and Sr Inocencia with us in the office.

Also pictured is our friend Johnny Wilson from Holyrood Secondary. Earlier in the day, Srs Andrea and Amanda visited Holyrood to speak to their new pro-life group, a very impressive group of young people who have lots of interesting plans for the coming months. We’ll be keeping their group in our prayers.

The Confraternity resumed last night after the summer break and the fruits of their labour are quite evident! The garden is looking wonderful and we’ve got big plans for the coming months!

The programme for the rest of 2009 is as follows:

• 29^th September – Meet @ hall 6-9pm
• 13^th October – Meet @ hall 6-9pm
• 27^th October – Meet @ hall 7.30-9pm – Talk to commemorate the 42^nd anniversary of the Abortion Act
• 10th November – Meet @ hall 6-9pm
• 24th November – Meet @ hall 6-9pm
• 8^th December – Meet @ Convent, 106 Dixon Avenue, 7.30-9.30pm – PrayerEvening for Feast of the Immaculate Conception
• 22nd December – Meet @ hall 7.30-9pm

Summer is, as ever, a very busy time for us. We have a numer of women and families in need of various pieces of equipment, and we’re running very low.

If you’re in the Glasgow area, and can spare any of the items below, please contact us on 0141 433 2680.

We are in need of:

• Buggies
• Cots
• Baths
• Highchairs
• Baby Toiletries (not wipes)

We really appreciate any help you can give. However we know that times are hard for many people, so if you’re unable to offer us material support, please do keep us in your prayers.

Thank you and God bless.

Chen Guangcheng, the Chinese human rights activist has served more than one thousand days in prison for his opposition to China’s vile one-child policy. A petition to ask the Prime Minister to act on Chen’s behalf has been launched at the Number 10 website.

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to take whatever action he can to put pressure on the Chinese authorities to secure the release of Chen Guangcheng, a Chinese prisoner of conscience who, on 20th May 2009 has served 1000 days in prison since being sentanced for highligting abuses of the one-child policy of the Chinese authorities, including forced abortions and sterilisations.

Chen Guangcheng is a blind lawyer, currently imprisoned in China for “damaging public property and gathering people to block traffic”. However the real reason is more likely to be to prevent him from carrying out his peaceful and legitimate human rights activities, including his efforts to bring local officials to justice for conducting a campaign of forced abortions and sterilisations, possibly affecting thousands of women.

Some reports say that Chen Guangcheng is in extremely poor health, is allowed very little food and drink, has been beaten, and been denied medical treatment as well as stopped from having family members and friends visit.

If you’re a British citizen or resident, please do go and sign the petition. If you’re of Facebook, you can join ‘ACT NOW to help Chen Guangcheng!’.

Please pray for Chen, his wife, family and supporters, who’ve been repeatedly victimised for their efforts to protect Chinese women and families.

Raymond de Souza will be speaking at the Initiative tomorrow…

“Rising to the Challenge of Secularism”

A talk by Raymond de Souza

EWTN host, international lay apologist,founder and director of Saint Gabriel Communications (Australia), Program Director for Portuguese-Speaking countries for Human Life International (HLI) and Chairman of the Sacred Heart Legion (USA).

www.RaymonddeSouza.com

When: Monday 18^th May 2009 at 7.30pm

Where: Pro-Life Initiative, 104 Albert Road, Crosshill, Glasgow, G42 8DR

Entrance is by ticket only – for a free ticket, please contact us:

0141 433 2680 or gospeloflifesisters(at)googlemail(dot)com

Vicki Thorn, who will be speaking on the effects of abortion at the Initiative this evening, also gives a fascinating talk entitled ‘The Biology of the Theology of the Body’. Here’s a short clip from a previous talk.

The Cardinal Winning

Pro-Life Initiative

is delighted to host two talks:

“Society Wounded by Abortion: the Road to Healing”

by Vicki Thorn

founder of the worldwide

post-abortion healing ministry,

Project Rachel

http://www.healing-after-abortion.com/

When: Wednesday 13^th May 2009 at 7.30pm

AND

“Rising to the Challenge of Secularism”

by Raymond de Souza

EWTN host, international lay apologist,founder and director of Saint Gabriel Communications (Australia), Program Director for Portuguese-Speaking countries for Human Life International (HLI) and Chairman of the Sacred Heart Legion (USA).

www.RaymonddeSouza.com

When: Monday 18^th May 2009 at 7.30pm

Both talks will take place at the Pro-Life Initiative, 104 Albert Road, Crosshill, Glasgow, G42 8DR

Entrance is by ticket only – for a free ticket, please contact us:

0141 433 2680 or gospeloflifesisters(at)googlemail(dot)com

The Cardinal Winning

Pro-Life Initiative

is delighted to host two talks:

“Society Wounded by Abortion: the Road to Healing”

by Vicki Thorn

founder of the worldwide

post-abortion healing ministry,

Project Rachel

http://www.healing-after-abortion.com/

When: Wednesday 13^th May 2009 at 7.30pm

AND

“Rising to the Challenge of Secularism”

by Raymond de Souza

EWTN host, international lay apologist,founder and director of Saint Gabriel Communications (Australia), Program Director for Portuguese-Speaking countries for Human Life International (HLI) and Chairman of the Sacred Heart Legion (USA).

www.RaymonddeSouza.com

When: Monday 18^th May 2009 at 7.30pm

Both talks will take place at the Pro-Life Initiative, 104 Albert Road, Crosshill, Glasgow, G42 8DR

Entrance is by ticket only – for a free ticket, please contact us:

0141 433 2680 or gospeloflifesisters(at)googlemail(dot)com