LifeNet

Bus #1 - 2011 March for Life snapshots

Here Member of Congress Ann Marie Buerkle from NY's 25th District greets Ed Riely and Rich Fuerst from our New York contingent at the end of our day in D.C.

We were given coffee and cookies (!) and had a fifteen-minute sit down chat with this Congressional Representative who was actually in Washington to geet us. She spoke at the Rally and she is a thirty-year Right-to-Lifer. Oh, how those winds change in our Nation's capital! We also stopped in Congresswoman Nan Hayworth's 19th District office, but she was in the home District that day.

But let's begin at the beginning...

Our March for Life Monday saw single-digit temps as we stepped onto our equally chilly bus at 6 a.m. in Croton-on-Hudson, NY. We picked up riders in Briarcliff Manor and Ossining before meeting our second bus in Sleepy Hollow at St. Teresa of Avila's Church. Sister Mary Ann Maceda never disappoints with her families and students, and we had a total of over 60 "pilgrims for life" heading to Washington, D.C.!

We admired the Capitol building and the Knights of Colombus banner as we mingled with some of the soon-to-be hundreds of thousands of marchers near the Rally site.

The camera caught a weird glimpse of the Washington Monument with a street lamp and the ubiquitous Sabrett's hot dog stand in the foregreound reminding us that D.C. is a town for the humble and mighty, and too often and sadly...a place where the mighty are humbled.

Many marchers headed out before the "official" beginning banner below

It was again youth on parade!

Joe Faranda, below in green NY Archdiocese scarf, turns to check out the size of the crowd

Joe Costanzo, Rich Fuerst and Pat Bane (below) show their best Croton NY smiles

"We the people" march! Children's yellow sweatshirts say "I survived Roe vs. Wade"

Pat Bane asked clueless Judy (above) about her choice of warm headgear!!!!

The long shot (below) gives greater perspective on the overall size of the March

Cornell University for Life and New Castle, PA are on the march below. We saw signs from Canada, Michigan and Tampa, Florida just to name a few.

The young and old marched side by side (above) for the cause of life, while an interesting question is posed below

 

The Lord watches over us and we are reminded by this gentleman that the road is not an easy one.

Bright blue skies, an impressive Court House, and a plea for prayers below.

Equal Justice for All...?

40 Days for Life's banner in front of the Supreme Court.

The Library of Congress facade includes faces and poses, real and sculpted.

No one seems to be going in the direction the General is pointing at pick up point, Stanton Park, but everyone found their way back to our bus and we left D.C. at 4:20 p.m. - record time!

Bus #1 driver Sal smiles for us as we leave NY - He was smiling when we returned home, too!

What a great day! Holy Name of Mary and the Hudson Valley Coalition for Life sponsored two buses. Judy reports here. Watch for Tom's posting next!

 

 

 

From the Franciscan Friars: TimeLapse March for Life

Pretty cool! 91 minutes, compressed down to one minute. And note that the video is taken at one of the very widest points on the March.

It's worth noting that the March for life has at least doubled in size since the mid-nineties, when it took only 46 - 48 minutes and measured at a narrower spot on Constitution Ave.

 

West Coast prolife San Francisco March draws 40,000

UPDATE: Lots of photos here

 

This March only started in 2005!

Tens of thousands of pro-life activists filled Justin Herman Plaza in downtown San Francisco to participate in the 2.5-mile walk along the waterfront during the 7th annual Walk for Life West Coast. The Walk was held on the 38th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion.

Participants heard from Abby Johnson, former director of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Texas who left her job after watching an ultrasound-guided abortion. Johnson, now a pro-life activist, said she no longer honors choice when it comes to abortion.

“You are the new generation of the pro-life movement and I can tell you Planned Parenthood is shaking in their boots,” said Johnson.

Men and women who aborted their babies also shared their stories.

“We must end this slaughter,” proclaimed the Rev. Brian Walker.

Walker and his wife Denise aborted their child four months before their wedding. He said he was immature back then. Now the Walkers, both African-American, tell people that abortion is a disservice to the black community.

"We've lost close to 40 percent of our population to abortion," stressed Denise.

And see this posting, with some thoughts from a participant. Dr. J: "Marching on the Right Side of History"

Dr. J: "Marching on the Right Side of History"

Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse of the Ruth Institute has a fine posting on her blog:

Defenders of marriage should draw hope and courage from the pro-life movement’s success. As an advocate of conjugal marriage, I am often told that I am on the “wrong side of History.” The justice of “marriage equality” is overwhelming; the younger generation favors it; same sex marriage is inevitable. But this analysis is false. Indeed, there is ample reason to think that the March of History storyline will be proven incorrect. The reason? We were told all these same things about abortion.

A funny thing happened on the way to History: the people did not perform as promised. Last year, I took a group of Ruth Institute students up to the West Coast Walk for Life in San Francisco. Official estimates place the attendance at over 35,000. But I wasn’t counting. I was looking at the faces. I saw what anyone can see, if they care to look: the pro-life movement is a youth movement.

Hit the link above to read the whole, fine essay.

Media coverage of yesterday's March for Life

This of course is only a partial listing. We will have our own photos and impressions posted in a few days.

The NY Times paper addition had NO coverage we could find. However - their online edition did have a slide show (eight slides) which was quite good.

Despite Cold Weather, Abortion Opponents Rally in Washington

The usually awful "On Faith" section of the Washington Post had a good article and another slide show in the online edition. They pointed out that 27,000 youth attended the Washington DC Masses on Saturday, January 22nd, commemorating the actual date of Roe vs. Wade.

Thousands of abortion opponents rally in march on Mall

Here's FOX News coverage - a video - mostly on the politics of the issue. They give an estimate of 100-200,000 participants and the results of national polling data showing a 50/42 split for prolife vs. prochoice. A good two and a half minute video, with a short commercial at the beginning.

Pro-life Activists Sense Shift in Momentum

Michelle Malkin had very good coverage on her blog -

The March for Life 2011: America’s REAL rally to restore hope and sanity

Her posting includes the following quote, from the opening invocation, given by an African-American minister, as well as a television screen shot:

Washington DC – Pastor Luke Quinn, Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Frederick MD, asks: “Where is President Obama? Where is Jesse Jackson? Where is Al Sharpton?”

Rally for Life in White Plains on Saturday a success

The Rally, from noon to 1PM, had over 80 participants, and attracted coverage from channel 12 as well as The Journal News. With the abortion mill at the intersection of Mamaroneck and Maple Avenues in White Plains, all four corners were covered with people and signs.

Cablevision's channel 12 online is only available to subscribers. But here is a transcript of HVCL co-director Judith Anderson's comments (shown every half hour all Saturday afternoon and night!) on the all-news channel 12:

"Abortion has been a disaster for women. It has been a disaster for families and for society as a whole. And I think the tide is turning. Women are beginning after almost 40 years of abortion to see the price that they have to pay in their own personal lives ..." 

 

 

 

Coverage of Monday's Manhattan rally against the City Council Bill attacking pregnancy care centers

This is really fine coverage -and includes the keynote speaker Dr. Alveda King, niece of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King.

Hit the link! Fighting an Unjust Bill

Yonkers Respect Life Week Proclamation Celebration an Inspiring Afternoon!

Life-affirming energy held sway at the fourth annual Mayoral Proclamation of Yonkers Respect Life Week. Speaker after speaker gave a powerful witness that covered the full spectrum of life issues from conception to end of life. The multi-cultural, interfaith event's many attendees were obviously pleased to have addressed their too-often dismissed belief that the daily destruction of thousands of children in the womb is the day's most pressing moral and civil rights issue, with concern for the nature of eldercare under Obamacare the newest developing assault on life. Recent statistics show that in New York 41% (!) of pregnancies now end in abortion, with Black and Hispanic communities' stats even higher. 

Well over 400 attendees (see pictures below) filled the Polish Center to listen to Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone issue a Proclamation opening Respect Life Week. Addressing the group along with Mayor Amicone was Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York as keynote speaker, and guest speaker County Executive Rob Astorino.

Richard and Marie Brand deserved their special recognition award for months of long and challenging work as organizers of the impressively comprehensive program.

Rabbi Rigoberto Emmanuel Vinas of Lincoln Park Jewish Center gave the opening prayer. Other speakers included the Rev. Thomas Berg, Ph.D. Executive Director/President of the Westchester Institute for Ethics & the Human Person; the Rev. James N. Hassell, Pastor, Kingdom Christian Cultural Center; Rebecca Hodges, Director of Life Options Center; Rev. Mother Genevieve Regina, LSP, Director Jeanne Jugan Residence and Dr. Nanci Coppola, Director, Healthy Respect. Anthony Felicissimo of Advocates of Life was Mastor of Ceremonies. Saint Casimir School Choir and the Kingdom Christian Cultural Center Choir entertained the appreciative audience.

Exhibitors included Advocates of Life, Center for Life, Children First Foundation, Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center, Expectant Mother Care, Gianna Center, Healthy Respect, Hudson Valley Coalition for Life, Life Options Center, Little Sisters of the Poor, Lumina, Missionaries of the Gospel of Life, Montfort Academy, New York Sate Right to Life, Pregnancy Care Center, Right to Life Party, Baby Safe Haven, St. Joseph's Medical Center-Senior Services and the Sisters of Life.

The Rev. Abilene Rivera of Westchester Hispanic Clergy was pleased to offer the closing prayer. Her husband, who spoke at last year's event, sadly and unexpectedly passed away within months of that appearance.

That's Msgr. Rielly up front below reading the Program. He received a special award for his many years of work with and founding of the Helpers of God's Precious Infants that continues to help women and change hearts for life, nationally and internationally. Thank you, Monsignor. God bless you and all your helpers!

The Rabbi and Mayor Amicone commiserate below

 

Archbishop Dolan enjoys the view

Cameras capture the action and the joy

Mayor Amicone, the Archbishop and County Executive Rob Astorino. That's Reverend Thomas Berg of the Westchester Institute for Ethics & the Human Person in the back, far left.

The Kingdom Christian Cultural Center Choir raises the roof at the Polish Center!

 

 

Rev. Mother Genevieve Regina, LSP, Director of Jeanne Jugan Residence

 

That's Liam McLaughlin up front with the sash with the Knights of Colombus

Tony Felicissimo introduces the next speaker, a smiling Rebecca Hodges (c) Director of Life Options Center. The Rev. James N. Hassell, Pastor of the Kingdom Christian Cultural Center, who offered to house the Life Options Center (now six months old!) is sitting to her right. The Center has already helped several mothers give the gift of life to their unborn child. The Reverend's personal testimony about participating in an abortion in his own life was a rivetting moment in a day filled with inspiring testimonies. He spoke of the powerful healing and forgiveness he has received through God's Mercy and his support for Life Options.

Dr. Nanci Coppola of Healthy Respect received a $6 million government grant for her work!

 

Gerald Yeung and his hard working children Ben and Alison at the Missionaries of the Gospel of Life exhibitor table

Young Charles Rex was equally impressive at the Montfort Academy/Children First Foundation table

If you couldn't be here, spread these pictures and our website around to friends. Prolife event news coverage is always limited and this was no exception. We think that well-attended and impressive events like this should be made known to the people of Yonkers and beyond and the local media has a responsibility to our citizens and their viewers.

This is Mayor Amicone's last year in office. The prolife community will be working hard to continue this Respect Life Week by electing a new Mayor who will carry the tradition forward of respect for all human life and for the sanctity of marriage.

 

 

 

 

21,613 were on the "Unplanned" webcast to hear former PP'r Abby Johnson

This is an email from 40 Days for Life -

Last night 21,613 people jammed onto the "Unplanned"
webcast to hear former Planned Parenthood clinic
director Abby Johnson reveal what she experienced
inside the abortion business -- and why she resigned
her job and joined the pro-life movement.

The positive comments are still pouring in!

We know some people had a hard time getting on due to
the high demand, so we rushed to get the recording of
the event online for you. You can listen now at:

http://instantteleseminar.com/?eventid=16864185 

The webcast served as a sneak preview for TODAY'S
release of Abby's tell-all book, "Unplanned," which
is being published in an historic arrangement between
Tyndale House, Focus on the Family, and Ignatius
Press, and endorsed by dozens of prominent leaders
and respected organizations.

You can download and read Chapter 1 of "Unplanned,"
along with many of the endorsements, for FREE (as a
PDF document) at:

http://40daysforlife.s3.amazonaws.com/chapter1.pdf

You won't be the same after reading that chapter!

During the webcast we announced that Ignatius Press
has published a special edition of "Unplanned" with
exclusive bonus content, including:

* Foreword by Fr. Frank Pavone, national director 
   of Priests for Life

* Introduction by David Bereit, our 40 Days for Life
   national director, on the power that prayer played
   in Abby's conversion (you will LOVE this!)
  
* Publisher's Note from Fr. Joseph Fessio, student
   and friend of Pope Benedict XVI, and founder of
   Ignatius Press, on the monumental impact that he
   expects to see due to Abby's book
  
To make things even better for the webcast, Ignatius
Press slashed prices on the "Unplanned" special
edition by 35% -- their very best pricing!

Unfortunately, the flood of orders -- combined with
what appears to be a vicious, orchestrated "denial of
service" attack by those who don't want you reading
Abby's book -- caused the Ignatius web server to
crash during our webcast, and many people could not
get their copies of "Unplanned."

But are we going to let abortion advocates win the
day? NO!!

Instead, let's use this opportunity to send Planned
Parenthood and the abortion industry a message.

DAY ONE is the most important day of sales for a new
book. Let's rally together TODAY to set sales records
and send "Unplanned" up the bestseller charts on the
first day it is available.

That will send shock waves through the abortion
business, and will get the attention of the secular
media -- helping to spread this message far and wide!

Now, let me be totally transparent ... 40 Days for
Life is not being compensated a single nickel for
promoting this book. We just believe in it 100% and
want to share it with everyone we know!

With that said, Ignatius Press worked late into the
night fortifying their web servers -- and now they're
ready! Go grab copies of "Unplanned" for yourself,
friends, family members, people at church, and other
pro-lifers at:

http://www.UnplannedBook.com

But make sure to do it TODAY, if at all possible, so
it counts toward DAY ONE totals.

Let's make this a tipping point moment in our efforts
to end abortion!

For Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

P.S.- As you read "Unplanned" you will be in awe to
discover the vital role 40 Days for Life played in
Abby's conversion -- underscoring the importance of
your prayers and efforts! Prepare to be blessed as
you read this book:

http://www.UnplannedBook.com

P.P.S.- The next 40 Days for Life campaign will be
conducted from March 9 - April 17. Many people have
asked when their city can apply to participate in
that campaign. The answer: starting next Monday,
January 17! Stay tuned for more details.

British Royal Family member: Abortion is “a Mortal Wound in Europe’s Heart”

From the Irish online publication Family & Life -

Lord Nicholas Windsor, the first male blood member of the British royal family to be received into the Catholic Church since King Charles II in 1685, has described abortion as “the single most grievous moral deficit in contemporary life”.

The great-grandson of King George V, who studied theology at Oxford University, penned the essay ‘Caesar’s Thumb: Europeans should not forget their most pressing moral issue: abortion’ in the December edition of First Things and reflects on modern European society’s acceptance of abortion.

Lord Nicholas assesses the toll abortion takes: “This is a historically unprecedented cascade of destruction wrought on individuals: on sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, future spouses and friends, mothers and fathers—destroyed in the form of those to whom we owe, quite simply and certainly, the greatest solidarity and duty of care because they are the weakest and most dependent of our fellow humans.”

Hit the link above for the full posting.

40% New York City abortion rate prompts meeting of religious leaders

The rate is 60% among black women ...

Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York joined other local religious leaders on Thursday in calling for a new effort to reduce the number of abortions in the city. The annual figure has averaged 90,000 in recent years, or about 40 percent of all pregnancies, twice the national rate.

Dr. Alveda King Pro-Life Rally in northern Manhattan, Monday evening Jan. 10th

 

Where:
Manhattan Bible Church
401 West 205th St.
New York, NY 10034

Exit off Major Deegan at Fordham Rd. Go west. Church is two blocks south of W207th St., which is the Manhattan continuation of Fordham Rd. Just take first left off w207th., onto 9th Ave.

When:
Monday January 10, 2011 from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM EST

I write to invite you to a gathering of pro-life pastors and pro-life lay leaders from New York City and out of state, including Dr. Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The event will run from 7:00PM till 9:30PM. The church is near the #1 train, and there is ample free parking in the church lot. Find the site right near the Fordham Rd. exit off the Major Deegan. Expressway.

Other speakers include:
Pastor Clenard Childress, Montclair, NJ, Pastor Michel Faulkner, New York, NY, Dr. La Verne Talbot, Los Angeles, CA, Pastor Bill Devlin, New York, NY, Chaplain Viviana Hernandez, Brooklyn, NY, Mr. Arnold Culbreath, Cincinnatti OH,  Pastor Walter Hoye, Oakland, CA, Rev. Pat Mahoney, Washington, DC

 We will fight to defend the network of 23 pro-life pregnancy center offices in NYC which supply over 12,000 girls and women with care and support each year. Their success at preventing abortions has earned them many powerful enemies in the abortion industry and government.

Now the New York City Council is assaulting these centers with proposed legislation, Intro Bill #371, meant to drive women away from their doors, legislation whose wording is filled with lies and deception.

Please come join with other pastors and faithful, gathering together as a faith community rising up in opposition to this unconscionable legislation.
We need to prayer in unison with many of different faith traditions for the civil rights of the unborn, and of the pro-life movement in America's Abortion Capital.

 
If you cannot make this exciting and important event, please sign our Petition at www.SaveTheLifeCenters.com and share it so we can influence as many City Councilmembers as possible.
Thank you for praying for our Life-saving work with more intensity this month, as we approach the Anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, on January 22nd, and the March for Life on the 24th.
Yours for Life,
Christopher Slattery
Expectant Mother Care-EMC FrontLine Pregnancy Centers
[email protected]
212-213-4690

Julia Winterroth

Staunch prolife and Catholic activist. Julia will be sorely missed.

Julia with her daughter Laura and beloved husband Harry, at the Center for Life breakfast in 2008.

 

Here is an excerpt from her obituary.

Julia Henry Winterroth, of Yonkers, died suddenly at the age of 82. Julia was the daughter of Daniel and Josephine (nee Peyton) Henry. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Harry Adam Winterroth; her son Paul; five daughters, Anne Vasile, Amy Sheluck, Laura, Julia Morgan, Mary Pardo; 20 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Julia is also survived by five siblings and predeceased by two. Julia was a devout Roman Catholic and Pro Life advocate. She was vivacious, witty, intelligent, generous, and kind. She was quick to forgive and never had a bad word to say about anyone. She died surrounded by the ones who loved her most on Friday, December 24, 2010.

New Astorino DSS Commissioner appointment in Westchester County

According to the Westchestergov.com press release on December 30, 2010,

"County Executive Robert P. Astorino today named a new commissioner of Social Services, selecting a person with almost three decades of bottom-to-top professional experience in health and human services to oversee the county's largest department...Kevin M. McGuire, a one-time New York City social services caseworker who up until this week was executive director of the Maryland Department of Human Resources Family Investment Administration, was selected following a nationwide search. He will begin his new job next week."

Also,

"McGuire began his career in the human services field in 1981 as a caseworker in the South Bronx for the new York City Human Resources Administration. He stayed with the department until 2003 in a variety of positions that focused on programs as well as date processing and technology. Form 1998-2003 he served as the Bronx deputy regional manager, where he was part of the team that planned and implemented New York City's successful welfare reform efforts."

Read more about him at the County website at www3.westchestergov.com. We are hopeful that he, like Rob Astorino and others, will bring conservative and life affirming sensibilities to his new position in service to all the people of our County.

Welcome, Commissioner McGuire! 

112th Congress will be much more prolife then 111th; many more prolife senators and congresspersons

Unfortunately, most of them are Republicans - you can't make fundamental change with the backing of only one party.

From the Susan B. Anthony (SBA) List. The SBA List works to elect prolife women.

Of the 87 new Republicans in the House of Representatives, an astonishing 80 are pro-life, and we also have 12 new pro-life Senators.

New Study: Abortion rate doubled in Spain despite very increased contraception

This is an excellent article, which discusses a number of studies refuting the idea that increased artificial birth control lowers the abortion rate.

Abortions Double in Spain Despite Increased Contraception

The study, following women in Spain of childbearing age since 1997, had researchers surveying women every two years about their contraceptive use and whether they became pregnant or had an abortion.

The study found overall use of contraceptive methods increased from 49.1% to 79.9% during the 10 year time period ending in 2007. Condom usage rates rose from 21 to 38.8 percent while women were more likely to use the birth control pill (14.2% to 20.3%).

Despite the increase reliance on birth control and contraception, the elective abortion rate increased from 5.52 to 11.49 per 1000 women.

“The factors responsible for the increased rate of elective abortion need further investigation,” the authors wrote.

Yes, "... further investigation! Of course, here'sthe real point -

Jill Stanek, a pro-life nurse and blogger, noticed the study and said, “The results were unsurprising. What was laughable was the researchers’ conclusion.”

“Any person with common sense could cue the researchers that the more casual sex one has, the greater likelihood there will be of pregnancy, contraception use notwithstanding,’ Stanek said. “Contraceptive use only provides a false sense of security.”

“As most recently evidenced on the MTV abortion special, minor girls and young women are too immature or irresponsible to handle contraception properly, for starters. Men aren’t so good at it either, since even as the pro-abort group Guttmacher notes, the failure rate of condoms is a whopping 17.4%,” she added.

The article goes on to quote several other studies, all pointing to the same conclusion - increased contraceptive activity increases the abortion rate. Please pass this on to others who are involved in the discussion, or in counseling young people.

 

Fourth annual Yonkers Respect Life Week starts Sunday January 9th: 2PM program at Polish Community Center; Archbishop Dolan to speak

Dear Friend of Life:

 

     Just a reminder that Yonkers Mayor Philip Amicone will kick off his 4th annual Yonkers Respect Life Week with a special Proclamation program on Sunday, January 9 at 2 p.m.  The event will take place at the Polish Community Center on Waverly Street in Yonkers. 

 

     The keynote speaker is Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Shepherd of the New York Archdiocese.  Other speakers include Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino; the Yonkers Life Options Center Director, Rebecca Hodges (who will speak about the new Yonkers pro-life pregnancy center and the needs of the local community); Rabbi Rigoberto Vinas of Lincoln Park Jewish Temple; Rev. Abby Rivera, pastor of Congregation Emmanuel (if you recall Abby's husband was a speaker last year who died unexpectedly a few months later); Mother Genevieve of the Little Sisters of the Poor (who will speak on care for the elderly), etc.  The line-up of speakers is great and the day promises to be rewarding. 

 

     Once again there will be informational tables from non-profit organizations describing services offered at every stage of human life, from conception until natural death.  We hope you can attend and pass this information along.  Please pray for the success of the day.

 

     Thanks and God bless.    Tony Felicissimo