LifeNet

American Life League coverage of Planned Parenthood at Holy Cross event

We previously posted about this here LifeNet: From Stop Planned Parenthood (STOPP): Holy Cross invites Planned Parenthood to Teen Pregnancy Institute here, LifeNet: More on Holy Cross hosting Planned Parenthood at on-campus Teen Pregnancy conference , and here LifeNet: Update on Holy Cross and it's Planned Parenthood fiasco. Counter-efforts in the works

American Life League has posted a video of interviews with various students at Holy Cross, with the responses running the expected gamut - from outrage to, we're OK with it.

YouTube - American Life League at Holy Cross

And here is a report on the counter-talk given at St. Paul's Cathedral in Worcester, MA, by Dawn Eden. Follow the links she provides - she expects the talk to be up on youtube shortly.

The Dawn Patrol

Along with the Sisters of Life and Seton Hall Campus ministry (at Seton Hall College in Northern New Jersey) Dawn Eden will be doing a Symposium on Saturday, November 17th at Seton Hall. Go here for infomation:

The Dawn Patrol

Preliminary results for Birthright of Westchester/Putnam Walk-A-Thon

Looks like the annual Walk-A-Thon has raised about $55,000, with a couple of thousand dollars in donations still to come in.

St. Theresa's in Briarcliff did a tremendous job, raising $19,600!!! St Mary's of Katonah came in at over $6,000.

Wonderful! Great work all around.

Legal assisted suicide in Oregon - on the tenth anniversary, what have been the results?

Great article on the Australian/NewZealand website, MercatorNet

MercatorNet - November marks 10 years of physician-assisted suicide in Oregon and the trends are sobering.

In the first four years (1998 to 2001) there were 91 deaths or about 23 a year. In the last five years (2002 to 2006) there were 201 deaths or about 40 a year. In 2006 there were 46 deaths; there were 65 prescriptions for lethal doses of secobarbital or pentobarbital written by 40 doctors. Currently about one in 700 deaths in Oregon is from assisted suicide.

Why have these Oregonians chosen to end their lives? Although the sponsors of the PAS law claimed that uncontrolled physical pain was the primary reason for legalizing assisted suicide, we have since learned that pain is not the main reason that some Oregonians have chosen it. The assisted suicide movement itself has acknowledged that physical pain is not the main reason for ending life. Oregon assisted suicide patients have been described by their doctors as being fiercely independent and controlling people. They fear dependency. Control and choice are the key words now used in the promotion of assisted suicide.

Less incentive to care

The arrival of "death with dignity" in Oregon has not created a health paradise. The national organization, Last Acts, issued a "report card" in November 2002 to states regarding their end-of-life care. Oregon was given a D grade for hospice care and an E grade for palliative care programs. There are concerns regarding pain management in Oregon. After four years of assisted suicide, an Oregon medical university study reported that there were almost twice as many dying patients in moderate or severe pain or distress as there had been prior to the law change.

Once a patient has the means to take his or her life, there is less incentive to care for the patient's symptoms and needs. A detailed report in the American Journal of Psychiatry in 2005 told of a depressed lung cancer patient in Oregon who had been committed to a mental hospital unit. During planning for his discharge, a palliative care consultant wrote that he probably needed attendant care at home, but providing for that additional care might be a "moot point" because he already had "life-ending medication" at home. His assisted suicide doctor did nothing for his pain and palliative care needs, but did offer to sit with him while he took the overdose. This seriously physically and mentally ill patient received poor medical advice and care because he had been prescribed lethal drugs.

An excuse for rationing care

Legitimising suicide for some can create danger for others. At a time of rising health costs administrators may build assisted suicide into their calculations.For instance, Oregon Medicaid covers the cost of assisted suicide, but not the cost of curative or local medical treatment for patients with cancer who have a less than a five per cent chance of living five years, even when that treatment can prolong valuable life. In 2003 Medicaid stopped paying for medicines for 10,000 poor Oregonians; this included patients with AIDS, those needing bone marrow transplants, people who are mentally ill and those with seizure disorders. In 2004 and the first half of 2005, an additional 75,000 Oregonians were cut from the health plan to keep the state budget balanced.

There's plenty more; hit the link above for the whole article.

Kansas abortionist "Tiller the Killer" trying to get Grand Jury investigation ended

Tiller is the King of second and third trimester abortions.

Abortion doctor wants grand jury stopped - Yahoo! News

Mary Kay Culp, executive director of Kansans for Life, said abortion opponents sought a grand jury because of Tiller's influence in state politics and because potential violations of the law have been ignored for years. Kansans for Life is the state's largest anti-abortion group and was heavily involved in the Sedgwick County petition drive.

"Nothing Dr. Tiller or any of his lawyers do surprises me — nothing," Culp said. "It makes you have to wonder just what it is they're so afraid of."

New York prolife attorney John Broderick recuperating from heart surgery

We are passing this along with the understanding that it is second hand information from someone who spoke by phone with John's wife. We have not spoken with John or his wife Jane. We decided to not call him, since he's supposed to be resting!

John returned home last week after surgery that included replcacment of a heart valve. The surgery went well, and John is under instructions to take it easy for the next several weeks. Anyone with further information, please leave a comment.

FOX news to show abortion documentary Saturday; Will Show an Abortion

Here's an article on this program, from lifenews.com. Looks like a mixed message:

Fox News Airs Abortion Documentary Saturday, Will Show an Abortion

The news channel interviewed Dr. William Harrison, who gave an indication of the kind of morally mixed program viewers can probably expect.

"It is a moral crisis for them ... this is not a black and white issue," he said. "It's not something that you can say, you know, 'This is good and this is bad.' It's a mix ... The woman who's making that decision is the only person that can make that moral choice for herself."

Excellent feature on stem cell research

Go here for the link to the article on MercatorNet -

Tom Faranda's Folly: Fine article on stem cell research

There's an excellent article/interview on MercatorNet (a website based in Australia and New Zealand) on adult stem cell research vs. embryological stem cell research. The interview is with an American physician and researcher.

Yonkers Procession to Planned Parenthood Honors Mary and All Humanity

Last Saturday the Advocates of Life celebrated the 90th anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun (go here - LifeNet: Feast of Our Lady of Fatima - 90th Anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun. Prolife Mass, Procession and Vigil this Sa... ).

Songs and prayers, all in Spanish. A wonderful public witness in the heart of Yonkers!

The young boy in red came upon the Vigil and asked if he could join! He said "I'm so glad I wasn't aborted." and is speaking with Advocates for Life Director Tony Felicissimo, who is also a Co-director of the Hudson Valley Coalition for Life.

Update on Holy Cross and it's Planned Parenthood fiasco. Counter-efforts in the works

We posted here LifeNet: From Stop Planned Parenthood (STOPP): Holy Cross invites Planned Parenthood to Teen Pregnancy Institute and here LifeNet: More on Holy Cross hosting Planned Parenthood at on-campus Teen Pregnancy conference on this issue.

To see what's going to go on as a counter to the Jesuit sell-out/cop-out, have a look at Dawn Eden's post. She is the author of "The Thrill of the Chaste: Finding Fullfillment While Keeping Your Clothes On". In June she left the newspaper business, and went to work for the Cardinal Newman Society (a group dedicated to strengthening and enhancing the Catholic identity of the 224 Catholic colleges).

The Dawn Patrol

October 23

Talk on "Preventing Teen Pregnancy: The Catholic Approach," a counter-event to College of the Holy Cross's NARAL/Planned Parenthood-affiliated teen-pregnancy conference. All are invited to show support for Bishop McManus, who has urged Holy Cross to be faithful to its Catholic
identity. The Cenacle at St. Paul's Cathedral, Worcester, Mass., 7 p.m., free.

Here are two other websites about the Cardinal Newman Society and Dawn. Follow these links for more comprehensive information.

Cardinal Newman Society > Home

Gaits of Eden

I used to work in the New York City newspaper world, as deputy news editor at the New York Daily News and, before that, a copy editor for the New York Post (one of my Post headlines won the 2004 New York State Associated Press Award). I left the Daily News in June 2007 to become the first director of the Cardinal Newman Society's Love and Responsibility Program, a multipronged effort to reestablish chastity as the cornerstone of Catholic campus culture. (See the society's press release on my hiring.)

Last minute reminder: Birthright Walk for Life is tomorrow

The annual walk to benefit Birthright locations in Carmel, Ossining, Peekskill and Yorktown is tomorrow, Saturday, October 13th.

The walk is from 8:30AM to 12:00PM, at FDR Park in Yorktown. If you'd like to participate, by walking, sponsoring someone, or just coming out to support, you can simply show up, or call Tom Davis at 914--945-0711.

Tom "accepts complaints and compliments"!

More on Holy Cross hosting Planned Parenthood at on-campus Teen Pregnancy conference

On October third we posted the following, which we'd gotten from STOPP (Stop Planned Parenthood) LifeNet: From Stop Planned Parenthood (STOPP): Holy Cross invites Planned Parenthood to Teen Pregnancy Institute

Bishop McManus of Worcester issued a statement yesterday (October 10th)

Teen Pregnancy Conference Statement

A controversy has arisen at the College of the Holy Cross that has resulted from the College’s renting space for a conference sponsored by the Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy.  The conference involves workshops presented by members of Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts.  Both organizations promote positions on artificial contraception and abortion that are contrary to the moral teachings of the Catholic Church.

            I have received numerous complaints from people who are shocked and outraged that a Catholic institution like Holy Cross would have anything to do with such groups.  They have appealed to me to ask Father Michael McFarland, president of the College of the Holy Cross, to revoke the College’s agreement to rent space to the Massachusetts Teen Alliance.  I have done so. 

            As Bishop of Worcester, it is my pastoral and canonical responsibility to determine what institutions can properly call themselves “Catholic.”  This is a duty that I do not take lightly since to be a Catholic institution means that such an institution conducts its mission and ministry in accord with Catholic Church teaching, especially in cases of faith and morals.

            The moral teaching of the Catholic Church on respect for life at all stages of its development is manifestly clear.  Life is a fundamental good that must be protected and respected from the moment of fertilization to natural death.  This teaching is so basic and important that it provides the foundation upon which much of the Church’s moral and social doctrine rests.  It is beyond modification and compromise.

            Both Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice are notorious for their policies and practices that directly reject the Church’s teaching on artificial contraception and abortion.   The College of the Holy Cross should recognize that any association with these groups can create the situation of offering scandal understood in its proper theological sense, i.e., an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil.  Certainly it is understandable how people of good will could interpret the college’s allowing presentations to be made by such groups as truly scandalous.

            I strongly contend that the confusion and upset to the Catholic faithful and others that flow from the perception that the administration of the College of the Holy Cross supports positions contrary to the fundamental moral teaching of the Church must be avoided.

Unfortunately the Bishop has no direct jurisdiction over Holy Cross; he cannot order them to cancel the event.

And as you might expect, Holy Cross has politely thumbed it's nose at his request:

Bishop Rebukes Holy Cross Worcester Telegram & Gazette News

Holy Cross officials stressed that the school, a Jesuit institution, is not affiliated in any way with the conference, but added that it will fulfill its contractual obligations.

“Holy Cross in no way supports or endorses Planned Parenthood, NARAL, or other organizations that engage in or promote practices contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church,” said the Rev. Michael C. McFarland, school president.

He said the college “fully affirms and promotes” Catholic teaching on abortion and “the sanctity of all human life,” but he added that the meeting organized by the Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy will help professionals address health matters affecting at-risk youth.

Meanwhile, Patricia Quinn, senior director of public policy and programs at Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy, said the organization was surprised by the uproar, considering that the group’s annual meeting has been held at Holy Cross since 2001.

The first link at the top of this post has addresses, including email, if you'd like to express your opinion to the Holy Cross administration.

Feast of Our Lady of Fatima - 90th Anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun. Prolife Mass, Procession and Vigil this Saturday, October 13th, in Yonkers

This Saturday is the actual 90th anniversary of the miracle at Fatima. The Journal News and Channel 12 are expected to cover this event.

MASS:  10:45 A.M. at St. Mary's Church on South Broadway in Yonkers (next door to St. Joseph's Medical Center).  Mass will be celebrated in English and Spanish by Fr. Juniper of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.

PROCESSION WITH THE IMAGE OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA: 11:45 A.M.  to the Planned Parenthood facility at 20 South Broadway (one block north of St. Mary's Church).

RECITATION OF THE ROSARY AND DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET in front of the Planned Parenthood facility.  We will return to the church by 1 P.M.

RAIN OR SHINE!!!!!

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO ALL INTERESTED CONTACTS.  THANK YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS US ALL AND MAY OUR BLESSED MOTHER PRAY WITH US AND FOR US TO HER SON.   For info call:   914-815-3009

Planned Parenthood Rally backfires on Pro Aborts

The prolife position got at least an equal billing in the press, helped out by a "Divine set-up" (to use a Fr. Norman Weslin term) when three young African-American women from Spring Valley showed up quite by accident and had their anti-abortion feelings covered by the Journal News (article and video links below) and Channel 12!

http://lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071008/VIDEO01/71008010

Heated debate on abortion in Nanuet

Columbus Day sure ain't what it used to be!

With temperatures nearing 90 degrees, advocates for life and promoters of abortion duked it out, figuratively and literally on a street corner in Nanuet on this 2007 Monday holiday. The day before had marked Respect Life Sunday and many participated in Life Chains taking place in several locations that day in Rockland County, Mt. Kisco, and Yonkers, to name a few. Thanks to this and Saturday's clinic witnesses including the 40 Days for Life witness, PP was feeling the heat.

Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic put out the call via their website Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, Inc to join the counter-demonstration near their Spring Valley abortion site to offset the 40 Days' witness taking place around the country in 89 cities and 33 states, from September 26 until November 4.

PP's invitation asks supporters to "convert your outrage into dollars" and send money to make "a pledge against the protesters".

Three of the Hudson Valley Coalition for Life co-directors, Tony Felicissimo, Tom Faranda, and Judy Anderson arrived at Route 59 and Middletown Road to see about fifty people holding signs to passing drivers who stared, looked away, honked horns, or shouted they were with or against them.  Pictures confirm the animated sight with protesters from both sides intermingled. At first glance it was difficult to tell who was for or against what. The Planned Parenthood signs were rather ambiguous; there were no signs with overtly pro abortion sentiments. As a matter of fact, the word "abortion" did not appear on their signs at all. The signs referred to women's health, building healthy families, protecting "choice" and family planning with "Planned Parenthood" in small print. Do we see a change in their media messages and tactics here? Oh, yes.

Three young woman (below) spoke on camera to the Journal News saying they were against abortion because "You don't need to kill the baby, if you feel you don't need them...It's not the child's fault...".

Among others on hand were Eileen Peterson, Peggy Beirne, the Downeys and Floyd Etienne; present to witness for life. The Rally had drawn a number of PP supporters from Westchester. Tom Faranda saw a man who had spat at him at the Dobbs Ferry clinic protests (center below, with sunglasses. His name is Robert Philipson, and his wife Daphne [holding the lap dog] is a big shot with PP in Westchester) - Oh, sweet prolife memories!

Eileen Peterson, back to the camera, speaks to the Journal News, while holding a child who'd been saved from abortion by sidewalk counselors.

Local news station Channel 12 was on hand to cover the events. (Gee, why can't we get them to cover the annual Women's Equality Day Reformed LifeNet: Women's Equality Day Reformed Redux in White Plains - too tame? too pro-life?) Interviewed by Journal News reporter Christina Jeng, Judy spoke to her about what she feels is one of the main differences between the two groups: "abortion is the ultimate hopeless act by (and to) a woman; we seek to give women before or, sadly, after an abortion, hope."

Two women ministers in clerical garb were present to support Planned Parenthood and represent the Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights (RCAR), one affiliated with the Presbyterian Church and the younger of the two with the United Church of Christ (Obama's denomination) in White Plains. Their support of PP was a double-edged sadness for us. Rev. Peggy, the older of the two and using a rolling chair/walker, got into a conversation with Tom, after he asked what church she belonged to. She mouthed the usual platitudes you expect from a 20 year old pro-abort - "You want to control women... it's their choice... you think you're right about everything... you think you have all the answers... (and then a new one) abortion is Jesus' gift to the world... choice, choice, choice..."

Tony Felicissimo did not fair as well. As the demonstration wound down, the same Reverend passed him and he said in a very calm voice, "Look we both have the same intentions, we both want to help women and children."  She glared back, "You want to control women..." at which point Tony said "You should take off that phoney collar" (she was wearing a velcro Roman collar) and she hauled off and punched him in the arm. Tony kept his cool and did not file a complaint, legally within his rights to do.

For the entire two-and-one-half hours Tony stood his ground and continued holding his sign of one of the more familiar, graphic anti-abortion images, the photograph of a dismembered fetal child. One policeman challenged him to put it away, but Tony said politely, "If it's not against the law and you make me take it down, I'll see you in court." The policeman left him alone. On a day when PP chose to hide the word "ABORTION," this photograph was a grim reminder of what the day's shouting was really about. It is what they would like you to forget.

Judy's sign (below) was from the recent New York City Silent No More witness LifeNet: Silent No More Speaks Out in NYC!. The message: Pregnant women deserve support, not abortion". She asked that people listen to the voices of post-abortive women; their stories tell the true facts of abortion's aftermath. Unfortunately, no one wants to hear. Instead, women tell other women that only a few have "bad" reactions, most women are relieved, they say. Grief? Regrets? Physical, mental, emotional damage? Tom asked the younger minister who said she has held the hand of women having abortions, "But are you there six weeks from now, six years?"

Judy then challenged the clinic representatives for not offering better care to women. For what other major surgical procedure do you not want an ultrasound, if helpful? Not want to be fully informed? Not get truthful answers to your questions or grief counseling if needed? She asked why clinics look the other way and involve themselves in criminal behavior of pedophiles and rapists? Why coerced abortions on minors who are victims of statutory rape go unreported? "They get referrals," was the answer. "You refer statutory rape?" "It's their choice," was the answer. "Statutory rape is a choice?" asked Judy. Silence. Quick end of conversation.

Members of our pro-life contingent tried to encourage the young women present to look at history and informed them that Planned Parenthood's founder was racist, a eugenicist and promoter of population control. One of the older women called Margaret Sanger "a saint". So, how has this organization managed to cloak itself in so much respectability? They are now welcomed into our schools and teach our children, while their clinics are in predominantly minority neighborhoods, wiping out the population of the "poor" they say they help. Planned Parenthood is being promoted overseas to countries where the poor's only real wealth is their children. PP's solution: Take even that away from them. Why are so few screaming at the sick irony and crime of it all?

A car drove by with a young, black male (below) leaning out the car window.

He shouted as he passed Tony that the picture gave him the creeps, then he shouted to the line of mostly young and some older women, "...a sixteen year old wants to get a piece of ass - you gonna help...?" There was silence on the street corner. Judy then asked the young women if that's how they see themselves - a piece of ass? Do they understand that PP is helping some men use women? "Women deserve more than this - you deserve more. Think better of yourself. A woman on her back on an abortionist's table is not the pinnacle of choice."

Life Chains this past Sunday in Rockland County and Mt. Kisco, NY inspire

Richard Fuerst who participated in Mt. Kisco's Life Chain tells a remarkably moving story of one young man's pro-life witness that day. Rich was holding the sign, "Pray for an end to Abortion," when a young man in his 20s or 30s with Down Syndrome was passing by. He knelt down in front of him and actually began saying a few prayers. Rich, who tells of choosing the sign after first considering several others, has a much-loved grandaughter who is a Down Syndrome child. Rich was so touched by the humble spirit of this young man, he shook his hand and said, "Thank you for doing that." The young man said, "Thank you for doing this." 

Here is the Sunday afternoon action in downtown Mt. Kisco

Richard Fuerst, Pam and Alan Mehldau and Pat Sterzen close the day with smiles and a message of hope. Life is a beautiful thing.

And here's the action in Rockland, along with a story and video on the Journal News website.

http://lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071007/VIDEO01/71007008

Review of "Lake of Fire", a "documentary" on abortion

Two stars out of four from Christianity Today.

Reviews: Lake of Fire | Christianity Today Movies

Lake of Fire, the much-anticipated abortion documentary from British director Tony Kaye (his first film since 1998's searing American History X), has been touted as the "definitive" film about abortion. It has also been heralded as being aggressively even-handed—a documentary fair to both sides of the debate. Both of these claims, as it turns out, are a bit exaggerated. Lake of Fire is a remarkable film in some respects, but it is not groundbreaking or particularly definitive. And it is certainly not a fair take on the debate.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Instead, we get a lopsided parade of talking heads in which well-mannered, intellectual liberals (Noam Chomsky, Alan Dershowitz, Peter Singer) represent the pro-choice viewpoint and firebrand country bumpkin fundamentalists represent the pro-life side. Defenders of the film might point out that the brunt of screen time goes to Christians and pro-lifers, which is true. But the majority of time devoted to the "pro-life" contingent centers upon the fringe extremists who picket and sometimes bomb abortion clinics, and occasionally assassinate abortion doctors. This is the face of the pro-life movement, as represented in Lake of Fire.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

The most effective sequence in the entire film comes at the very end of its exhausting, emotionally draining 160 minutes. Here we see an extended scene of a single woman in 1996, going through the whole process of getting an abortion (from check-in to pre-op counseling, through the actual procedure and finally the aftermath). Kaye's camera focuses intensely on this woman's scarred face (mangled from years of domestic abuse) as she explains why she is going through the abortion. We watch as a single tear falls down her cheek as the doctor sucks the baby out. Then we see her in the waiting room after it's all done, as she tries to keep it together but ultimately breaks down. The film ends here, appropriately, in a deeply complex, human moment that puts everything else into perspective.

Archbishop Burke would deny communion to Giuliani

My Way News - Bishop Would Deny Communion to Giuliani

Burke, the archbishop of St. Louis, was asked if he would deny Communion to Giuliani or any other presidential candidate who supports abortion rights.

"If any politician approached me and he'd been admonished not to present himself, I'd not give it," Burke told The Associated Press Wednesday. "To me, you have to be certain a person realizes he is persisting in a serious public sin."

>>>>>>>>>>>>

Burke says that anyone administering Communion - ordained priest or lay minister - is morally obligated to deny it to Catholic politicians who support an abortion-rights position contrary to church teaching.

Burke published an article in April in a church law journal that explored whether it is ever appropriate to deny Communion. Some U.S. bishops interpret church teaching to say that an individual examination of conscience, not a minister, should dictate whether a person is worthy to receive the sacrament.

Burke said denial of Communion is not a judgment. "What the state of his soul is is between God and him," he said.

From Stop Planned Parenthood (STOPP): Holy Cross invites Planned Parenthood to Teen Pregnancy Institute

To give them the benefit of the doubt, it's possible they didn't know who was invited. As we all know, unfortunately these issues are not on many of the Catholic University radar screens. It used to be called invincible ignorance.

Here's the info - call and write:

Scandal: Holy Cross College welcomes Planned Parenthood

On October 24, Holy Cross, a Jesuit Catholic college in Worchester, Massachusetts, is hosting the 2007 Teen Pregnancy Institute conference. Among those giving workshops are representatives from the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts.

Three of the workshops will be given by Planned Parenthood: “Supporting Parents as Primary Sexuality Educators of their Children,” “Beyond Pregnancy Prevention: How to Talk to Teens about HIV and STI Protection,” and “How Do I Protect Thee – Let Me Count the Ways.” These workshops will include “practical guidelines and techniques for including the topic of HIV and STI prevention in conversations about protection methods.”

To view the brochure for this conference, click here

Other workshops include information on birth control, Depo-Provera and emergency contraception. One will be given by a representative of NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts.

Please contact this college to tell them they are violating the teachings of the Catholic Church by allowing Planned Parenthood and these other organizations to speak at their college.

Contact:

Rev. Michael C. McFarland
President
College of the Holy Cross

One College Street

Worcester, Massachusetts 01610-2395

Tel: 508-793-2011

Contact information for the Jesuits’ New England Province:

Rev. Thomas J. Regan, SJ

Jesuit Provincial Superior
P. O. Box 9199
Watertown, MA 02471-9199
Tel: 617-607-2800
Fax: 617-607-2888

E-mail: [email protected]
Other NEP contacts: http://www.sjnen.org/contactus.htm

Contact information for the local bishop:

Most Rev. Robert J. McManus
Diocese of Worcester
49 Elm Street
Worcester, MA 01609
Main Tel: 508-791-7171
Fax: 508-753-7180
E-mail: [email protected]

For more information, view the LifeSite News story at:

http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/sep/07092808.html.

Rockland County 40 Days for Life going strong!

Comments on 40 Days for Life from around the country

This is from the National coordinators on day eight (8):

Late last night, weary -- but joyful -- local 40 Days for Life leaders from across America gathered on a conference call to review the amazing progress of the first week of the campaign.

Little did anyone know how inspired that discussion would be!

When I asked everyone to write-in the greatest blessing of the first week of their 40 Days for Life effort, the responses came pouring in! Here are excerpts from just a FEW of those comments, in their own words:

WEST CHESTER, PA:

Our single greatest blessing have been the new people who have stepped up to the plate with their individualcommittments to be at Planned Parenthood. One  example - a gentleman who is coming every day from 1:30 - 2:30 am before his paper route.

NORWICH, CT:

The greatest blessing has been how AWESOME our God is! It is wonderful to work along side so many devoted individuals with a singular purpose and voice and how he has melded all of our talents! Many new people have joined our prayer vigil that have NEVER prayed like this before...AND when we need to fill hours, people are coming forward. The excitement is building once they pray outside Planned Parenthood; they WANT to come back! It's just awesome. We had to cover some of the hours in the first few days and now that word is getting out, people are volunteering their time to return! God is SO GOOD! May he continue to grace all of us with his blessings!

PITTSBURGH, PA:

God is looking down and seeing His church as it should be. All denominations, all uniting for His purpose. That's the beautiful thing here in Pittsburgh.

LUFKIN, TX:

So many people are waving and honking...strangers bringing us water!...a man came and thanked us for being at PP because he knew the hurt of his wife's abortion...new or revived support of the ProLife movement.

SARASOTA, FL:

Through our kickoff with Alveda King, we made some great connections with African American pastors who are interested in fighting Planned Parenthood. It's been wonderful working with people of different faiths on such an important issue.

WILMINGTON, DE:

The number of people who have never prayed in front of a clinic who have come out numerous times already to participate.

DURANGO, CO:

The response from neighboring towns. People are driving 50 miles to fill our time slots.

WILKES COUNTY, NC:

The number of churches who have signed up to participate and the positive newspaper coverage

LUBBOCK, TX:

The single greatest blessing for our 40 Days for Life Lubbock campaign has been the mobilization of God's children to defend their brothers and sisters. Here in Lubbock, we haven't had any sort of coalition for life, only departmentalized groups of people who happened to share a purpose and a passion for life. With God's blessing upon 40 Days for Life, more and more newcomers and old-comers are joining us in prayer and helping change Lubbock and our nation for the better!

WASHINGTON, D.C.:

The babies that have been saved by the presence at 16th Street Planned Parenthood have been enormous. Two known on Saturday the 29th of September. Nothing can compare to that, but one thing I have to say is the outpouring of interest with 40 Days for Life is amazing! So many wonderful people I have spoken to. A real honor to be the campaign director here in Washington. Three couples drove up from Southern Maryland for a "date" on Sunday night to kneel and outside the door of Planned Parenthood before they went for a quick bite of dinner. 150 people processed from Farragut Square with candles singing "Onward Christian Soldiers," only to kneel on the sidewalks and grass. What an awesome sight. All for the love of the Lord.

CHICAGO, IL:

My greatest blessing: getting to know such wonderful people on a deeper, more spiritual level! I believe that 40 Days for Life is truly unifying the pro-life movement through these new friendships. Praise God for that!

MORRISTOWN, NJ:

The greatest blessing we have experienced, in addition to renewed interest in prayer vigils, are the miracles of grace that we see occurring among all of those who participate. I feel that very personally, but I also see it visibly all around me. One of the first churches to support our effort had been struggling to get people to attend Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament just one day a week. By Sunday, more than 400 parishioners had signed up for Adoration 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And it is not a large, wealthy parish. What seemed almost impossible has happened almost miraculously. God is lighting the way. Meanwhile, we are now up to 5 different clinic vigil sites in north Jersey -- not 24/7 but the breadth of coverage in just a week is unreal.

NORWICH, CT:

The single greatest blessing for this 40 Days for Life is working with and meeting new and reviving old friendships with the greatest, most dedicated and gifted pro-life people. The feeling of oneness in purpose and commitment has been both exhiilarating and tiring.

COLLEGEVILLE, PA:

Saying yes and stepping out in faith and trust in Jesus as the Campaign Director in much opposition from various sources. Many Miracles too numerous to mention with the most incredible being St. Eleanor's Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel opened 2 weeks before Sept. 26th the start day of "40 Days for Life" and 1 week into the prayer, fasting and vigil over 1100 scheduled adorers and visitors have visited Our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament in adoration, prayer, thanksgiving and petition! Yes, with God All Things Are Possible!!!

BUFFALO, NY:

The greatest blessing so far has been the hope and excitement that seeing young people show up at the clinic gives the veterans who have been there tirelessly for years.

GREENVILLE, SC:

The beautiful Christian people who have come together with overwhelming generosity of their time and talents to join together in this, especially the few good men covering the night hours. A shooting star appeared directly over our clinic as 4 men were praying there one night. A motorcycle roared up one night and the rider in full black Harley gear got off and sauntered over to the 2 men there. He huskily asked what they were doing. They told him. He responded, "Oh, yeah, I heard about that on Catholic radio." And he has since pulled two all-nighters! Our abortionist talked to us respectfully and we are praying hard for him.

COLUMBUS, OH:

A family came to pray from a church which I hadn't contacted anyone from. It told me the word is getting out. Also, local TV NBC's Chopper 4 swung by twice, reinforcing this thought.

TUCSON, AZ:

The most special day of our Tucson 40 Days For Life so far has been the fantastic turnout on Friday and on Saturday just last week. We were blessed with many young people, and several people new to the idea of public witness through fervent prayer. I am seeing the momentum build steadily. I believe we may have many repeat prayer warriors at the locations after the 40 Days is over. This has been one of the hardest, most time-consuming ministries I have done to date, but this is one of the most successful in terms of getting to the community with a positive message and a strong image of what pro-life is all about in Tucson. God bless you all, and may we all continue St. Paul's "Good fight."

FARGO, ND:

People's hearts are being converted. They have been called by name to be a witness for the unborn and they are answering that call from our Lord.

EVERETT, WA:

Single greatest blessing so far: Learning to trust in God, more completely, and not on my own strength, skills, or talent, nor fret about the lack thereof.

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX:

The greatest impact 40 Days For Life has in CorpusChristi, TX is to re-enkindle the zeal of many persons since our Rescue days in the early 90's, and for individuals who were not born then to join us in the greatest cause of this counry & the world, and that we will never stop our efforts to save innocent human life.

DALLAS, TX:

It has been awesome to see the powerful work of the Holy Spirit bringing so many people to prayer. At our kick-off candlelight procession and prayer vigil we walked a little over half a mile through a neighborhood adjacent to the Planned Parenthood abortion center tbe prayed-over during the 40 Days for Life. This neighborhood is predominantly all apartment complexes. We had thought maybe about 50 people would come because there wasn't much advance notice. To our great surprise over 100 persons participated along with a three-car police escort with lights flashing that were not expected. The silent candlelight procession was impressive and appeared to be about a half mile long that included parents walking with small children and strollers, teenagers, senior citizens and pregnant women. The neighborhood residents came out to see what all the commotion was. Little did they know that their neighborhood was in the process of being blessed and would continue to be for the next forty days. There were two Catholic priests accompanying the procession. Once at the Planned Parenthood site, we prayed, sang and heard testimonies. No one wanted to leave. A beautiful 40 Days for Life banner was held throughout our visit that gave the passing traffic our message. Thoughout it all, the police remained the entire time and escorted the remaining walkers back to the park where we had originally gathered. Thank you, Father God for all your blessings.

AKRON, OH:

The biggest blessing of this campaign has been the amount of people who are getting involved and fired up. In the past we have only had a handful of people who go out to pray and counsel at the clinics. Now people are taking notice of the need for this effort. One person wrote in an email to me, "Thank you so much for organizing this. It has put a fire under me to actually do more."

LONG ISLAND, NY:

Single greatest blessing: Reaching college students. Students on their way to class at the two nearby colleges have noticed us outside Planned Parenthood and stopped: among them - one doing a report that needed to include religion, one doing a report for the college radio station, and one post-abortive. The Catholic Campus Ministry is involved and some students joined the vigil!

SUN CITY, AZ:

I have been drawn by the Holy Spirit to pray and fast as never before.

***

WOW! God is good!

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China and demographics

From a Niall Ferguson column in the LA Times -

Will an aging population defang China? - Los Angeles Times

The rise of China is the single most important historical phenomenon of our time. A fifth of humanity is on the march -- or, rather, behind the wheel. Yet there is a need to look closely at Chinese power before concluding that it is all over for the West and our dreams of a free world with a stable climate. A few weeks ago, I wrote about the environmental damage China is inflicting on itself in the breakneck dash for industrialized wealth. Now let's consider the demographic side of the story.

On close inspection, China's population of 1.3 billion may not be as big a source of power as many commentators assume. According to U.N. projections, the world population will increase from 6.5 billion to 9.2 billion between now and 2050. But China will account for just 4% of that increase. The most rapid growth will be elsewhere. In sub-Saharan Africa and the Muslim world, the population will more than double; India's will be up 46%; and the United States, up by more than a third. India's population will overtake that of China around 2025.

As well as ceasing to be the world's most populous country, China will become almost as elderly a society as Europe. Today, less than 8% of China's population is 65 or older. By 2050, that proportion could rise to as high as 24%. The equivalent figure for Europe is 28%, and for the U.S., 21%. In sub-Saharan Africa, by contrast, the proportion will rise from 3% to less than 6%.

One way of understanding what this means for China's economy is to calculate a dependency ratio, conventionally expressed as the total number of elderly as a percentage of the working-age population. Right now, the figure for China is 11%, compared with 18% in the U.S. By 2050, however, the Chinese figure may be as high as 39%.

Westchester & Putnam Right to Life PAC Gala a Winner

The Davenport Club in New Rochelle was the gorgeous backdrop for a perfect evening filled with good food, libations, and friends united for life at this first annual gala and fundraising event.

Richard Fuerst, W&PRTL Committee and PAC Chairman, spoke words of welcome and thanks to all present.

Alan Mehldau of the Westchester and Putnam Center for Life in Katonah, New York acted as Master of Ceremonies for the evening, while Joy Dechiario was as charming and gracious a hostess as ever. Here they are (below) presenting Gertrude Keogh with her award depicting Mary's "Madonna of the Streets" image, a favorite of Gert's.

Eileen Kennedy (below) former Co-chairwoman of the Westchester and Putnam Right to Life Committee was also honored for her many years of work on behalf of the unborn and in defense of the sanctity of all human life. All agree these remarkable women are still voices to be reckoned with, now as then.

The Rev. Joseph W. Koterski, S.J., seen below, was the honored keynote speaker. Fr. Koterski, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Fordham University, spoke on Thomas More: Conscience Formation for Politicians. His presentation reminded us of the remarkable St. Thomas More, so perfectly portrayed by Paul Schofield in A Man for All Seasons. If you have not seen the movie based on the play, you must. Not all are asked to pay the ultimate price demanded of Thomas by his King - out of ego, not necessity. But a person of principle or politician with a conscience and love of his or her God cannot expect to avoid forever taking a stance on "non-negotiable" issues, especially when the inevitable confrontation is between right and wrong, good and evil.

Among the guests were New York State Assemblyman Greg Ball (with Alan, Pam Mehldau and Joy) who has been a greatly-needed prolife voice in Albany on several important issues already, including ethical umbilical cord blood use for treatments and stem cell research.

Robert Astorino, below with the Hudson Valley Coalition for Life's Co-director Tom Faranda, gave Andy Spano a run and a half for his County Executive seat in the last election. We hear Andy is still waking up screaming. We hope Rob, currently Program Director for the NY Archdiocese's Serius radio broadcasts, will keep his political options open. Like Greg, he is the real deal.

Theresa Bonopartis of Good Counsel's Lumina post-abortion program, chatting below with Rich, took time from her busy speaking schedule to join us. She arrived right after a presentation to seminarians, priests and religious on the need for compassionate outreach to post abortive women and men. She also is asking for our prayers at this time for an event in the works that will hopefully advance the cause of life.

Chris Slattery of EMC FrontLine Pregnancy Centers enjoys a good laugh, and he deserves some down time. He has been promoting maternal care for women and their children, born and unborn, through his centers for years, and now through his fully-operational mobile units. His prolife energy is astounding in the face of constant attack by pro-abortion opponents. Remember Attorney General Spitzer's threat to close down pregnancy care centers? This must have been a practice run for his draconian proposals for New York State as Governor!

The financial needs that go hand in hand with care for women who choose life for their unborn children and find no support elsewhere is daunting, but Chris has never flinched. He is one from the inspiring "cloud" of prolife witnesses present this night. Another is Elizabeth Rex of The Children First Foundation, on the right below with Sarah and Raymond Belair. CFF just recently hit the news again with their latest Alliance Defense Fund legal move that adds Governor Spitzer and his newly appointed DMV Commissioner David Swarts to the list of New York State officials (then Gov. Pataki, former DMV Commissioner Martinez, and Jill Dunn, Deputy Commissioner and DMV Counsel) also named in the federal lawsuit for trying to stop the "Choose Life" license plates from ever seeing a New York light of day. CFF supports adoption and the request for available organization specialty license plates drew a First Amendment attack/DMV department shut down. Read more about this on this LifeNet website. Good luck, Elizabeth and Alliance.

Below, Tony Felicissimo and Floyd Etienne of Advocates of Life and the W&PRTL Committee, network with Maria Litrenta of the Gabriel Project over hors d'oeuvres. Maria's prayer and activism in the upper Westchester and Yorktown areas is matched by Tony and Floyd's work in Yonkers and on the sidewalks in front of the Planned Parenthood clinics. Cenacles of Life is a recent prayer movement to help stop abortion that has Tony very involved these days. As the saying goes, "From your lips to God's ears," Tony, Maria and Floyd.

Next we see Brigid and Tom Faranda enjoying a well-deserved evening out. You can catch Brigid on the streets of New York with Theresa Bonopartis and Janet Morana at the Silent No More witness. Check out this website for some great pictures of that day.

Finally, some random photos from the festivities. Enjoy and see you next year!

NY Times waxes wow on science and cybrid embryos

This ran in the NY Times on the same day Ahmadinejad spoke at Columbia. Hitler would have solved this "vexing egg donor problem" with the same "magic". Wake up, people!

September 24, 2007

Editorial

Of Animal Eggs and Human Embryos

Stem cell research in the United States has been hobbled for years by severe and misguided restrictions on federal funding. But now a vexing additional problem is slowing even privately financed research. There are distressingly few women willing to donate their eggs for experiments at the frontiers of this promising science.

A respected team of stem cell researchers at Harvard spent nearly $100,000 over the course of a year advertising for egg donors. Hundreds of qualified women were interested enough to call but, after hearing what was entailed, not one was willing to donate eggs. Many were likely deterred by the time, effort and pain required — including daily hormone injections and minor surgery — to retrieve the eggs. And they were almost certainly discouraged by the meager compensation.

Although women can be paid thousands of dollars to donate eggs for fertility treatments, ethical guidelines and some state laws say they cannot be paid much for donating to research. These restrictions are meant to protect the women against exploitation, but they have created a dearth of egg donors for stem cell research.

Surplus embryos from fertility clinics can seldom be used to study specific diseases or develop treatments for them. Scientists need to develop new stem cell lines genetically matched to patients with diseases like diabetes or Parkinson’s. They typically take the nucleus of a patient’s skin cell and inject it into an egg whose nucleus has been removed. If all goes well, the desired stem cell can be derived from the result.

With few human eggs available, some privately financed stem cell scientists are studying animal eggs to see if they can work the same magic when injected with a human nucleus. That may send shivers of apprehension through people who imagine rogue scientists creating grotesque half-human, half-animal creatures in the laboratory. But a thorough examination of the process by British regulators should alleviate such fears.

The British have approved, in principle, the creation of “cybrid embryos,” produced when scientists grow human embryos in animal eggs. Although the embryos would be, in some sense, animal-human hybrids, there would be remarkably little animal — only about 0.1 percent — in the mix. The embryos, and the stem cells derived, would be virtually identical to cells in the patient.

There is little doubt that human eggs would be better for research and ultimately treatment. But with a shortage of donors, animal eggs could prove a valuable alternative. Meanwhile, many scientists are hoping that it will be possible, without using eggs at all, to convert human skin cells directly into embryonic stem cells, as has been shown possible in mice. That would be an elegant solution to the vexing egg donor problem.