LifeNet

Two reports on Long Island NY Red Rose Rescues and trials.

You have to hit the links for the complete stories.

The first is published in the National Catholic Register.

Hempstead:

Father Fidelis Defends the Truth, and Pays the Price. Father Fidelis Moscinski’s courageous actions in living out the faith challenge me to always grow deeper in trust of God.

“To live in truth is the basic minimum of human dignity, even if the price to defend the truth can be costly. You need to always remain faithful to the truth. Truth can never be betrayed.” —Blessed Jerzy Popiełuszko

On Jan. 23, I went to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York for the trial of Father Fidelis Moscinski, a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal, who was charged with violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act at Planned Parenthood in Hempstead, Long Island. As I watched the trial unfold, it struck me that although the prosecutors presented the physical facts in what Father had done, the truth of what actually takes place inside Planned Parenthood was, as usual, hidden under “reproductive health care” and the continued denial of the harm abortion does to women and families. 

In July 2022, Father placed bicycle locks on the gates of the Planned Parenthood in the hopes of keeping the clinic closed. His goal was to speak to the women coming in for an abortion and offer them resources that would allow them to keep their babies. The locks were eventually cut by the fire department, at which time Father laid down in front of the fence for a short while until the time of his arrest. The original charge was for an ordinance violation, which was then changed to a misdemeanor FACE charge.

And this is for a three person Manhasset RRR. Off the Red Rose Facebook page. Again, hit the link for the complete story.

        "Guilty"

The judge asked Laura Gies to rise, and Moroney then read the charge of "Obstructing Government Administration" in the second degree, then asked the captain their verdict:

"Guilty."

Next the judge read the charge for "Trespass Violation," and the response was:

"Guilty."

Attorney Elio Forcina refused the request to have the jury polled.

Fr. Fidelis arose to receive the same two "guilty" verdicts, followed by John Hinshaw who, standing before the jury, likewise received identical verdicts for each charge of "Obstructing Government Administration" in the second degree, and the "Trespass Violation."

Mr. Soffey, counsel for Fr. Fidelis and John, asked the jury to be polled. So the judge asked each of the six jurors, two women and four men, to individually verbalize their decision.

Twelve somberly spoken words of "guilty" sounded out in the hushed court as each juror pronounced their unfortunate and unjust decisions for each rescuer.

The judge then thanked the jury and her staff and the attorneys for their service, and noted that the whole process of the trial was "run smooth and efficiently."

This brought to the mind of the author just how "smooth and efficiently" abortion mills over the years have been butchering babies by the millions.

40 thoughtful signs- many handmade - at the March for Life

Not a sign ... but Tony Dungy - who won Super Bowl rings as both a player and coach and is currently an NBC football analyst  - spoke at the March with his wife. They have 11 children, eight of whom are adopted.

 

Meanwhile - a bonus - at the Renaissance Hotel, March for Life HQ, well over80 vendors, including this -

And having finished the March ...

Two articles: Mark Houck not guilty on both phony FACE charges outside Planned Parenthood

The first article is from LIfeNews with a link that is available for anyone. The second is Bill McGurn's column in the Wall Street Journal. The WSJ has a paywall so we've excerpted most of the column - McGurn won't mind.

A Philadelphia jury has found pro-life father Mark Houck not guilty on both counts in the case of the bogus charges the Biden administration filed against him. Houck is facing bogus charges that he violated the federal FACE law when he was helping women outside an abortion center. An abortion business escort accosted and bullied his son and Houck stepped in to stop it – and, in doing so, the older abortion center volunteer fell down. Houck could have faced over a decade in prison if he was found guilty.

“Mark and his family are now free of the cloud that the Biden administration threw upon them. We took on Goliath – the full might of the United States government – and won,” he said.

Breen added: “The jury saw through and rejected the prosecution’s discriminatory case, which was harassment from day one. This is a win for Mark and the entire pro-life movement. The Biden Department of Justice’s intimidation against pro-life people and people of faith has been put in its place.”

During the trial, Houck delivered strong, clear testimony about what really happened on October 13, 2021 and testified that the two incidents that day were caused by the aggressive actions of now-former clinic escort Bruce Love.

*************************

Andrew Bath of the Thomas More Center, a pro-life legal group, described what was at stake in the case.

“I don’t know how anyone could hear what we’ve heard over the past few days and think that Mark deserves to be in prison. I don’t know how anyone could watch this grueling trial and think that Bruce Love was a helpless victim and Mark a violent monster. And I don’t know how anyone could hear the moving and courageous testimony of young Mark Jr. and come away with their hearts hardened against his father. As Brian McMonagle told the jury, “This case is about a father’s love for his child.”

“I truly believe that we’ve sent a message to Biden’s DOJ and the abortion industry that, despite all their money and power, they can’t get away with abusing government power to destroy the lives of heroic sidewalk counselors without triggering a confrontation with the Thomas More Society,” he added.

And here is the WSJ column -

Justice for Mark Houck: A pro-life father is acquitted on charges that he interfered with abortion access.

This was a case that never should have been brought. U.S. District Judge Gerald Pappert suggested as much when he asked the prosecutor whether federal law didn’t “seem to be stretched a little thin here.” The FBI’s decision to arrest Mr. Houck as though he were John Dillinger also suggested a political stunt.

Mr. Houck is a pro-life “sidewalk counselor” who for years has prayed and protested outside the Elizabeth Blackwell Health Center, a Planned Parenthood clinic in Philadelphia. His goal is to try to persuade women entering the clinic not to go through with their abortions. That is also his constitutional right.

But in 1994 Congress passed the Face Act, which makes it a crime to intimidate or use force to interfere with an abortion provider or a woman seeking an abortion. Prosecutors allege Mr. Houck violated the act when, in two separate instances on Oct. 13, 2021, he shoved volunteer clinic escort Bruce Love.

That much everyone agreed on. But in court, Messrs. Love and Houck offered different versions of events. Mr. Love, now 73, claimed he was twice shoved to the ground without any provocation. Mr. Houck said he pushed Mr. Love because he was harassing his 12-year-old son, Mark Jr., saying crude things to him.

The dispute cut to the heart of intent. If Mr. Houck shoved Mr. Love to interfere with the provision of an abortion, he violated the Face Act. But if Mr. Houck shoved Mr. Love because he was harassing his son, it was a streetside altercation that never should have become a federal case.

In this light, it’s worth noting last week’s admission by the CEO for Planned Parenthood Southeast Pennsylvania, Dayle Steinberg. Ms. Steinberg testified that she’d sent an email about a week after the incident recommending that Mr. Love not serve as an escort “while this case is in litigation.” She noted that Mr. Love had a problem following the clinic’s “non-engagement” policy—even though he was spoken to “on numerous occasions.”

Whatever the reason Mr. Krasner’s office didn’t prosecute, the FBI didn’t arrest this public enemy until Sept. 23, 2022—almost a full year after the altercation.

The FBI came to Mr. Houck’s home as though he were a violent gangster. His wife, Ryan-Marie, said a SWAT team of about 25-30 armed agents arrived around 7 a.m. The FBI disputes details of her account. They deny it was an actual SWAT team and insist that Mrs. Houck’s estimate of the number of agents is an “overstatement.” But the bureau also refused to say exactly how many armed agents there were.

And whether these armed agents were a SWAT team is beside the point. The question is: Was this show of force justified for a man who was never a threat or flight risk? On top of it all, one of Mr. Houck’s team of lawyers at the Thomas More Society, Matt Heffron, had emailed the assistant U.S. attorney in June saying Mr. Houck would accept a summons to surrender himself.

On the evidence, the raid appeared calculated to send a political message. It was less than two months before the midterm elections. Many saw it that way. In October 2022, 11 U.S. senators and 29 members of Congress sent a letter to FBI Director Chris Wray asking if the raid on Mr. Houck was an example of “weaponiz[ing] the power of federal law enforcement . . . against pro-life Americans based solely on their beliefs.”

Good question. Ever since Joe Biden’s victory speech in 2020 promising to “heal” and “unify” America, he has called his political opponents “extremists” and accused them of being a “threat to democracy.” Recall the letter he got from the National School Boards Association equating angry parents with “domestic terrorism.” Mr. Biden didn’t dismiss the letter as he should have. Instead he had Mr. Garland ask the FBI to look into the supposed threats.

Mark Houck’s position on abortion makes him unwelcome at the commanding heights of American culture. But it is precisely the unpopular defendant that is most at risk of political prosecution.

Six pictures - the Vigil Mass before the March for Life, at the DC Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

The Basilica was literally wall to wall. Mostly young, with people in the side altars watching the main altar by closed circuit. At the end of the Mass there was a Eucharistic Procession around the Basilica to begin the Holy Hour. The Basilica upper church official capacity is 9,000. Judging by the number of standees, there were 10,000 to 11,000 attendees.

Note the umbrella or awning above the Bishop carrying the Monstrance.

There were dozens of West Point cadets at the Vigil.

Coming soon - two dozen great signs - many handmade - at the March!

Fr. Fidelis found guilty of violating FACE law on Long Island; potential 6 months in prison

Here is an extensive article from Lifenews - hit the link for the entire article. Note the last excerpted paragraph quotes the founder of PAAU. The acronym stands for Progressive Anti Abortion Uprising and they are a left wing prolife (and growing with a turnout at this past Friday's March for Life) organization.

 Father Fidelis Moscinski was found guilty of a federal FACE violation for an alleged “lock and block” rescue at a Planned Parenthood abortion facility in Hempstead, NY on July 7, 2022. According to court testimony, during the one-man rescue action Father Fidelis placed multiple locks on the gate leading into the only entrance of the Planned Parenthood facility. Once the locks were cut off by the local fire department, Father Fidelis physically lay in the driveway obstructing cars before being taken into custody by local police.

The defense argued that, because the rescue resulted in only a 10 minute traffic obstruction, it should be treated as a local misdemeanor and should not be prosecution, noting that there were no complaints from patients entering Planned Parenthood that day.

Jennifer Bono, Director of health center operations at the Planned Parenthood in question located at 540 Fulton Avenue contradicted herself when she said there were complaints, when earlier she had told the FBI there were none.

Defense attorneys also argued that the government was discriminating against Father Fidelis based on his viewpoint — which the judge ignored.

*************************

Terrisa Bukovinac, founder and executive director of PAAU, a pro-life group for liberals, told LifeNews, “It is outrageous that the FACE Act is still being employed to target pro-life activism in a post Roe vs. Wade America. There is no federal right to an abortion! Father Fidelis is a hero for putting his body in between the babies and their killer and we encourage others to do the same.”

"The Chosen" actor who plays Jesus - full speech at The March for Life

Awesome. So glad EWTN posted Jonathan Roumie in entirety. Already been seen on youtube by half a million people in just two days. We will publish pictures and a little commentary later this week.

 

Buses for theMarch for Life - looking for people!

Here are contacts for the buses.

As of NOW, most do NOT have ENOUGH PEOPLE

• March for Life - January 20, various buses (below)

Westchester:

• Yonkers: (Ashburton Avenue) Contact:  Rectory: 914-562-4195; Departing from St. Joseph’s, Yonkers
• Crestwood (Northeast Yonkers near Bronx River Pkwy): Contact: Rectory: 914-779-7345; Departing from Annunciation, Crestwood. Or, you may contact Joe Leddy (914) 771-9622.
• Ossining: Contact: Peter Marengo [email protected]; Departing from St. Augustine’s, Ossining (914) 271-2520 or Ed Riely (914) 271-5585.
• Northern Westchester: Contact: Maria Litrenta 914-962-1815 Departing from St. Patrick’s, Yorktown Heights Note: Free for students in Gr 7-12! 
  

 

There are many people, especially our youth, who would like to attend the March for Life but are deterred by rising costs. If you cannot attend, please consider sponsoring a bus seat to give someone else the opportunity to experience this life-changing event. .

House of Representatives pass two pro-life bills - here's how to thank them.

Much of Westchester and Putnam Counties are now represented by the prolife Michael Lawlor. Click on his name to go directly to his government website. We have to be sure to thank him and back him up!

Below the video is information on how the voting went and a link through Priests for Life you can use to contact your Congressman/person to either thank them for their votes or express your disappointment in their wrong vote.

 

 

January 12, 2023

As I’m sure you know, the U.S. House yesterday passed the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, H.R. 26, increasing protection for babies who survive abortions.

The vote was 220-210. No Republicans voted against the bill; only one Democrat, Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas, voted in favor.

The House also passed a resolution condemning the violent and destructive attacks on pregnancy resource centers, churches and pro-life organizations. That vote was 222-209, and this time three Democrats crossed the aisle to vote in favor. Those Democrats are Rep. Vicente González (D-TX), Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Pérez (D-WA), and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA).

What I am asking you to do, today if possible, is call your representative to thank him or her for voting to protect life and pro-lifers.

All of us have a duty to work toward passing bills like Born Alive but we also must take responsibility for encouraging our representatives. Some of the Republican members of the House vote the right way but are not as passionately pro-life as we might wish. We need to share our fire with them.

Some lawmakers might think that supporting pro-life bills, and the pro-life position in general, is a political liability. But we know it’s a winning issue and one way we can convince them is to thank them when they vote to protect babies in the womb and their mothers.

If they receive an overwhelmingly positive response to their votes in the House, that will go a long way toward showing them that voting in favor of life is not only the right choice, but also politically beneficial.

That’s where you come in. Can you pick up the phone today and let your representative know how happy you are with their show of solidarity for the babies?

If your Representative voted correctly, make sure to tell him/her how much you appreciate their courage in bucking their leadership.

And of course, if your representative voted the wrong way, you need to let them know your feelings on that as well. (Please note three Republicans did not vote: Vern Buchanan of Florida, and Wesley Hunt and Roger Williams of Texas.)

Will you call your House member? May I ask you to do it today, or as soon as possible?

Click on this link to let us know that you will help and then you will be taken to a page with a phone number to call and a sample message to deliver, one for Republicans and two for Democrats.

Please act today, and please pass along this email to as many others you know who may be interested.

And thank you for being part of the Priests for Life Family!

Sincerely,

Pro-Life Leader Frank Pavone

National Director, Priests for Life

March for Life Friday January 20th - some of the events, including Thursday the 19th

INTERDENOMINATIONAL PRAYERFUL PROTEST AT PLANNED PARENTHOOD

Thursday, January 19, 2023
Planned Parenthood – 1225 Fourth St. NE | 9:00 – 11:00 AM

Priests for life will lead an interdenominational prayerful protest at Planned Parenthood in DC at 1225 Fourth Street NE. Prayers and speeches, led by Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, Janet Morana, Bryan Kemper, and other pro-life leaders and activists.

 

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

LAW OF LIFE SUMMIT

Potomac Ballroom – Renaissance DC Downtown Hotel | 1:00 – 4:00 PM

Following Capitol Hill 101 comes the 2023 Law of Life Summit.  The Summit brings together pro-life leaders, lawyers, media personalities and activists to discuss strategies for defending the sanctity of human life.  The Summit includes the popular firehose session where leaders have a short time to give big-picture updates about their work.  You’ll hear from nationally acclaimed speakers during the communications panel discussing ways to “win the pro-life argument.”  Last you’ll hear from nationally recognized attorneys from the Thomas More Society who will share exclusive details from the legal front including challenges in courts and proposals for legislation to combat abortion tourism and mail-order abortion pills.  Admission is free with premium ticketing options.

Learn more: LawLife.org

1:30 PM; 3:00 PM*; 4:30 PM*; 7:30 PM

SHE WAS STRONGER FILM SCREENING & Q&A

Thursday, January 19, 2023
Renaissance Hotel – Room 8 & 9 | 1:30 PM; 3:00 PM*; 4:30 PM*; 7:30 PM

She Was Stronger is a compelling portrait of three American women who share one thing in common: what they’ve left behind. Separated by class, coastlines, and ethnicities, their paths converge as each start working for the abortion industry, and after a long struggle, walks away. Their stories take us behind closed doors, inside the clinics, and alongside the whirring machines, to give us deep insight into the deceit and manipulation that tens of thousands of men, women, and children face in abortion clinics across the country today. Through their pain and healing, these women show the courage that it takes to get out – and the urgency of helping others do the same.

*Abby Johnson will be at this film time and Q&A

Learn more: shewasstronger.com

 4:45 PM – 9:00 AM

NATIONAL PRAYER VIGIL FOR LIFE

5:00 PM Mass
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception | 4:45 PM – 9:00 AM (Jan. 20)

The National Prayer Vigil for Life is a prayer vigil held on the eve of the March for Life each January. Thousands of pilgrims from across the nation pray for an end to abortion and a greater respect for all human life. It is held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

The National Prayer Vigil for Life is one small part of the Church’s “great prayer for life.” It is sponsored by the USCCB Pro-Life Secretariat, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and The Catholic University of America Office of Campus Ministry.

Learn more: usccb.org/national-prayer-events-for-life

Friday, January 20, 2023

 

Life Fest

7:00 am – 10:30 am

 

D.C. Entertainment and Sports Arena | 7:00 – 10:30 AM

In response to an increased need to support vulnerable women and to form hearts in receiving every human life as a gift, the Sisters of Life and the Knights of Columbus are hosting an all-new morning rally, Life Fest, to be held in conjunction with the 2023 National March for Life in Washington, D.C. Life Fest will be held on January 20, 2023, at the 4,200-seat Entertainment & Sports Arena in Washington D.C. Doors will open at 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Life Fest will feature dynamic speakers such as Sr. Bethany Madonna, SV; music; Holy Mass; and a time of Eucharistic adoration.

Learn more at lifefest2023.com 

 

https://marchforlife.org/national-march-for-life/

MAIN EVENT 

50^th Annual March for Life

 

11:00 AM

50^th Annual March for Life – Concert

 

12 Noon

50^th Annual March for Life Rally

 

1:00 PM 

50^th Annual March for Life!

 

SILENT NO MORE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

Friday, January 20, 2023
Supreme Court | 2:30 – 4:30 PM

Once the marchers begin to reach the end of the March route, the Gathering of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign begins. Testimonies are given by mothers and fathers who have lost children to abortion, as well as by other family members who have been impacted by abortion. The public is asked to come and support these brave women and men who give their testimonies, and to spread those testimonies which can be found at www.AbortionTestimonies.com.

Sad news; FDA making it much easier to get the abortion pill

This is from yesterday's Wall Street Journal.  All the more important to change hearts and minds. See the last line that we've excerpted below.

"Abortion Pills to Be Available More Widely Under New FDA Rules. Patients will be able to get the drug, called mifepristone, from bricks-and-mortar pharmacies"

Under the changes the agency issued Tuesday, any pharmacy can complete and sign a short form to become certified to provide the so-called abortion pill, not just the handful of mail-order pharmacies that were permitted to ship prescriptions during the pandemic. 

The moves won’t change the availability of abortion for many women. A dozen states ban abortion throughout pregnancy, and 18 require a physician to be physically present with a patient to prescribe abortion pills, effectively banning telehealth for abortions, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a nonprofit that tracks abortion statistics and supports abortion rights. 

More doctors, however, may sign up to be certified to prescribe abortion pills because they will no longer need to stock and dispense the medication as well. Some women who are concerned a family member or roommate might open a mailed package of pills might feel more comfortable filling a prescription at a pharmacy.

The action will also likely deepen tensions between abortion supporters and opponents over access to the drug, which many women seeking to end their pregnancies have turned to, especially after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year.

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

Women seeking an abortion by pill take mifepristone followed by misoprostol, which causes uterine contractions. The FDA says the regimen is safe and effective up to 10 weeks in pregnancy.

Most abortions in the U.S. happen via the pill, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Several organizations that mail abortion pills, sometimes to women in states with abortion bans, have seen shipments increase since the Supreme Court’s latest abortion decision.

 

CatholicVote: "Christmas is Different this Year"

Yes. Oh so right!

 

healing from abortion - Entering Canaan Retreat

Here's the information for this vital ministry. Contact info is on the flyer and it is [email protected] Phone 877 586 4621

Apropos to Fr. Pavone; here is how St. Padre Pio handled his own silencing.

Go here -

How St. Padre Pio responded when the Vatican silenced him (aleteia.org)

Some in the Vatican worried that Padre Pio’s fame was based on a lie and that people were following a false prophet.

They launched multiple investigations and even planted secret listening devices to hear his conversations.

There were a few among the hierarchy who were bent on catching Padre Pio, and who insisted that he was fooling everyone and leading a double life.

This culminated in an effort to move the beloved friar to a different monastery and to forbid him from acting as a priest in a public manner.

*********************

the Vatican decided to restrict his faculties, removing him from public life.

Padre Pio is to be stripped of all the faculties of his priestly ministry except the faculty to celebrate the Holy Mass, which he may continue to do, provided that it is done in private, within the walls of the friary, in the inner chapel, and not publicly in church.

It was a difficult cross for him to bear, but he obeyed and submitted to the decree.

The superior of the monastery read to Padre Pio the decree and the saintly friar responded, “God’s will be done … The will of the superiors is the will of God.”

During this time many came to Padre Pio’s defense, submitting petitions, writing letters and even publishing books.

Padre Pio was appalled by this response and urged them to stop, writing to the local bishop to assert his dissociation with them.

*****************

Above all, even though the accusations put against him proved false (and he would eventually be allowed to minister without restrictions), Padre Pio submitted to the decree and remained silent, trusting in God’s provident plan.

And Padre Pio was canonized a saint in June, 2002.

Fr. Pavone short interview with Laura Ingraham yesterday

Not answered; was Father formally notified by the Vatican?

 

FBI arrests two pro-life women demonstrators

The FBI? For what? Trespassing? Handing out literature in multiple locations?

The FBI has arrested two more pro-life people for protesting at abortion clinics. But Joe Biden’s law enforcement agency still hasn’t arrested a single person after more than 160 acts of violence against churches, pro-life groups and pregnancy centers.

The latest arrests involve two women from Tennessee who were charged under the federal FACE law in New York on Friday with unlawfully blocking access to abortion businesses in multiple states over the years.

Bevelyn Beatty Williams, 31 and Edmee Chavannes, 41, (pictured in file photo) were both arrested by FBI agents today according to a statement by U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, who said they “repeatedly attempted — including by using threats, and on at least one occasion, force — to prevent individuals from accessing their legal right to reproductive health services.”

“This office will remain committed to ensuring that healthcare facilities, their staff, and those seeking to obtain reproductive health services can continue to do so without unlawful interference,” Williams said in a statement.

Both are charged with violating the FACE Act, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Williams faces an additional charge of violating the FACE Act through force, which carries up to 10 years.

Earlier this month, attorneys for pro-life advocate Mark Houck have filed a motion in federal court seeking to dismiss the bogus charges filed against him by Joe Biden’s Justice Department for peacefully protesting abortion.

For the nearly three decades since FACE was enacted in 1994, it has rarely been used to prosecute life advocates. Yet in 2022 alone, under the Biden/Garland DOJ, there have been at least 22 peaceful pro-life activists indicted under the act — with the first case involving pro-life advocate Mark Houck, whose family was raided after an altercation at a Philadelphia abortion business last year where he accidentally pushed down a man who was verbally accosting his 12-year-old son.

Results of Red Rose Rescue (non) trial in Michigan

First here's the background and below that, what happened -

Six Pro-lifers Stand Trial Dec. 13 in Oakland County Court for Refusal to Leave Southfield Abortion Center in
April 2022 Red Rose Rescue


WE are charged with three misdemeanors-- trespass, interference with a lawful business and resisting an officer 
 

On Dec. 13, 2022 six pro-lifers will stand trial before Judge Cynthia Arvant, 46th District Court, 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield, MI.  On April 23, 2022 these six pro-lifers participated in a Red Rose Rescue:  Laura Gies, Elizabeth Wagi, Matthew Connolly, Monica M. Miller, Jacob Gregor and Catholic priest-Fr. Fidelis Moscinski of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. Three of the pro-lifers, Wagi, Gregor, and Fr. Moscinski entered the abortion center-Northland Family Planning, 24450 Evergreen Road, Southfield, at about 8:45am hoping to talk to women in the waiting room to offer them words of encouragement and material assistance to persuade them to choose life for their unborn children. In the course of their time in the clinic they offered red roses to the women. Each rose had a card attached with words of encouragement and phone numbers of local pregnancy help centers. Three other pro-lifers remained in the hallway outside of the abortion center to talk to women and their boyfriends as they got off the elevator, offering them roses, words of encouragement and material help. 
 

The Dec. 13, 2022 trial by jury will begin at 8:30 am and is expected to go through the next day, Dec. 14th. Having already pleaded "not guilty'', the pro-lifers are defended by attorney Robert Muise of the American Freedom Law Center.  Judge Arvant already denied the pro-lifers a "defense of others" and a defense of necessity.  Monica M. Miller explains-- "Pro-lifers are almost always denied these defenses. Why? Because in a kind of insanity-the judicial system acts like the unborn simply do not exist--and according to the legal system no injury is caused when abortions are performed that would justify our necessity of intervening on their behalf.  But the unborn do exist, abortion kills them in horrific acts of violence --and we hope to continue to witness to this truth --that human life is sacred.

 

BUT...

 

Trial Update from Michigan

Due to an insufficient number of jurors in the jury pool, both the jury selection and trial were unable to proceed today, and were thus adjourned until February 21st.

The prosecution was eager to push forward today regardless, plead with the court saying, "this is just a simple trespassing case."

To which the judge countered, "this is not a simple trespassing case," and ordered the matter postponed so that an adequate number of jurors would be available.

"Of course this trial is NOT a case of 'simple trespass'," exclaimed Rescuer Doc Kovaly from Red Rose Rescue, "this is a case about whether some human persons have basic human rights and are worthy of our love and protection. Of course, they are worthy!"

Dr. Monica Miller said after the court's determination, "This decision gives us more time to pray and to strategize now after the jury questions and the jury instructions have been hammered out in arguments today-- many of which were to our favor."

Judge Arvant did make one troubling ruling, forbidding defendants and members of the viewing gallery from wearing pro-life clothes or anything which could be considered pro-life.

Therefore, defendant Matthew Connelly and supporter Will Goodman were ordered to remove their pro-life t-shirts.

Matthew's shirt said: "Equal Rights for Unborn Humans."

"A Person is a Person, No Matter How Small. - Dr. Seuss," read Goodman's tee.

The judge later added that this rule would also apply to pro-abortion individuals if they tried to wear anything supporting child murder.

There were a few members of the abortion industry present at the hearing today. Please pray for them.

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support for Red Rose Rescue and our efforts to share the Gospel of Life.

 

 

40 Days for Life files suit against the Westchester County bubble zones

From an email we received from 40 Days for Life - we are deleting names since the proabortion/prodeath people monitor this site.

Dear Friends,

 

In case you missed it, I am pleased to share that 40 Days for Life is challenging the unconstitutional buffer/bubble zone law passed by Westchester County earlier this year.  Watch this video for more information:

 

https://youtu.be/0PUB1e29SIM

 

This case may very well end up in the United States Supreme Court and lead to the abolishment of buffer/bubble zones restricting pro-life speech across America.  Please pray for the success of this important effort.

 

Yours for life,

Consistent Ethic of Life - life or death

From a recent Consistent Life email. This is not pie in the sky. It is life or death. Abortion and nuclear bombs - two sides of the same coin. Tell that to your liberal friends!

Nuclear Weapons Are Illegal 
 
        The United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons went into effect on January 22, 2021. Though the nations that actually possess them didn’t ratify the treaty, the international community has made it clear they should stop.
        This is having an impact on finance: a November 2021 report shows $63 billion in investments were moved away from the companies that produce nuclear weapons in the previous two years.

Roe v. Wade Is Overturned
 
        While it doesn’t mean that people have seen the light on what’s wrong with abortion, it does remove a major obstacle toward making progress on protecting unborn children plus all of their families and communities that suffer from the violence used against them.
 
        Last year, we commemorated the tragedy of Roe and the hopefulness of the U.N. Treaty. We still observe on January 22 the anniversary of a court decision that will take us years to recuperate from even when it’s now overturned. But because after all this time it’s finally no longer in effect, and we’ll have our first protest of abortion in general rather than of the court decision in particular, we have more hope for the future. Thus, our Day of Horror and Hope has added more hope.

The Death Penalty Keeps Losing Support
 
        Despite a rise in violent crime in the U.S., two polls show that support for the death penalty is at a 50-year low.
 

^^^^^^^

 
 
Euthanasia for Depression is Ruled Unjust
 
        The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that the euthanasia of a depressed woman in Belgium violated Article 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights. The woman was given a lethal injection at the age of 64 for “incurable depression,” a surprise to her psychiatrist and a deep anguish to her son. We can hope that people like this woman can get greater care than can ever be available when being killed is pushed.
 

Four Red Rose Rescuers sentenced to 45 days in jail for Flint Michigan 2019 rescue.

Thanks to RC for sending us this - there is worthwhile information through both the links below.

“BREAKING: Lauren Handy and 3 other defendants have been sentenced to 45 days in Flint jail for a Rescue in 2019. Thank you to everyone who came to the sentencing today. Solidarity with political prisoners everywhere and with the victims of the abortion genocide,” announced the Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising (PAAU), of which Lauren Handy is the director of activism, on social media Friday.

from lifenews -

“We are living in the midst of a genocide and it’s no surprise that the institutions which allow for the exploitation and murder of thousands of unborn children in this state are inflicting further oppression onto those like Lauren, who dare to challenge their agenda,” said Terrisa Bukovinac, founder and executive director of PAAU. Lauren Handy is the director of activism for PAAU. She and the three others were charged with misdemeanor trespassing, disturbing the peace and obstructing a police officer (a felony) for going “limp” during their arrest, according to the organization. Bukovinac said non-violent social justice activists often decide to “go limp” to refuse to assist in their own unjust arrest.

And some additional information -

Matthew Connolly and Patrice Woodworth arrested - defending the unborn and
reaching out to their mothers to help them choose life- June 7, 2019  at the 
Women's Center extermination camp, Flint, Michigan.

 

Attorney Robert Muise spoke eloquently explaining the truth about abortion and tried to help pathetic Judge Newblatt see that ending abortion is a civil right issue.

Please consider a donation to the American Freedom Law Center !!

Donate here:  https://www.americanfreedomlawcenter.org/

Theresa - "My Abortion Made Me A Pro-Life ‘Extremist’"

As many know, Theresa Bonopartis is the Director of Lumina: Help and healing After Abortion. Very sadly, a quite busy woman.

When I saw my son’s small, lifeless body on the bed next to me after hours of labor, my extremism was born.

I am a pro-life extremist and proud of it. It happened one day over 50 years ago pre-Roe v. Wade but when abortion was legal in New York. Coerced as a teen by my father into an abortion, I had a saline procedure in which I gave birth, after hours of labor, to a dead baby boy.

Nothing prepared me for this (not that anything could). I was not told about the development of my baby or anything about what I was about to undergo. To this day when I think back on it, it seems unbelievable that what happened was legal. When I saw my son’s small, lifeless body on the bed next to me after hours of labor, my extremism was born.

*********************

If you turn on the TV lately, it is hard not to be bombarded by Democratic political ads lamenting the Republicans who, in their view, do not care about women and are pro-life “extremists.” They claim pro-life politicians don’t care about women’s “health” and make no exceptions for abortion in the case of rape and incest.

Women watching these ads are led to believe that there can be no success without the ability to have an abortion at any time. They tell women their life is rendered invaluable by the small life within, and that the only empowering response to an unplanned pregnancy is abortion. They’re told that life will go back to “normal,” and all their dreams will be fulfilled.

Democrats sling around phrases like “forced birth” and try to make voters focus on cases of rape and incest, which are less than 3 percent of all abortions, but they ignore the extreme violence that happens in the womb and the torment of the soul as countless women come to find out that life does not go back to normal. They often learn that the dreams they sought to fulfill are now obstructed by depression, shame, grief, and a host of other emotions that interfere with their daily lives. Worse yet, although Democrats have empathy for those who fit their agenda, they continue to deny the very real experiences of those women who suffer and blame anything but abortion for their problems.

Ht the link for the rest of the column by Theresa.

 

"Bishops Blast Biden for Promoting Abortion: His “Single-Minded Extremism is Gravely Wrong”"

As Biden attempts to catch up with China and North Korean abortion policy...

“The president is gravely wrong to continue to seek every possible avenue to facilitate abortion, instead of using his power to increase support and care to mothers in challenging situations,” Lori said. “This single-minded extremism must end, and we implore President Biden to recognize the humanity in preborn children and the genuine life-giving care needed by women in this country.”

The Catholic News Agency reports the message came from Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore on Tuesday in response to Biden naming a radical pro-abortion bill his top priority for 2023. Another archbishop recently described the legislation as “child sacrifice,” saying it’s what “one would expect from a devout Satanist, not a devout Catholic.”

Lori, chair of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said Biden’s abortion advocacy is “tragic” and “gravely wrong” because babies in the womb are valuable human beings, according to the report.

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

The bill that Biden supports would force states to legalize abortions for basically any reason up to birth and force taxpayers to pay for them. Nicknamed the Abortion Without Limits Up to Birth Act, the legislation also would end parental consent for minors and jeopardize conscience protections for doctors and nurses who refuse to abort unborn babies.

Gov. DeSantis 1 minute video: "DeSantis On Being Pro-Life: "We're Better When EVERYBODY Counts""

From a debate with the Democrat candidate Charlie Crist - who was a former Republican and formerly prolife.

 

Movie about Marilyn Monroe: "The Blonde Abortion Controversy Puts a Myth on Trial"

The abortion promoters - Planned Parenthood, et al - have denounced this movie (available on Netflix) as it questions abortion. This article is on NRO - should be available without a subscription.

The author is a young woman - "Madeleine Kearns is a staff writer at National Review and a visiting fellow at the Independent Women’s Forum."

A clump of cells” as a description of the unborn was rendered untenable by advances in ultrasound technology. The preferred strategy now is to change the subject, speculating a series of catastrophes and misfortunes associated with bringing a child to term: “If I don’t have this abortion, I won’t be able to finish college, go to law school, marry the man of my dreams,” etc. Or it can be retrospective, as when Michelle Williams, in accepting her Golden Globe, said she wouldn’t have been able to win the award “without employing a woman’s right to choose.” Whatever the specific circumstances, the justification is always the same: My abortion is (or was) necessary, and I know that for a fact.

Blonde, a biopic about Marilyn Monroe written and directed by Andrew Dominik and released last month on Netflix, has challenged this narrative. By engaging seriously with both the humanity of the unborn and the uncertainty involved in choosing abortion, it has, perhaps expectedly, proved unpopular with abortion advocates. Feminists went into an uproar upon the release. Planned Parenthood condemned it as having “contributed to abortion stigma.”

Coast to Coast Rosary in Rye this past Sunday

On a very nice day and and with Fr. Fidelis in attendance.

Fr. spoke about the polish martyr, Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko, killed in Poland in 1084 for speaking out against e repressive government and supporting the Solidarity movement. The comparison was quite clear ...

Fr. Justin

A group of about 75 to 80, spread out around the Gazebo!

At the end - a group picture of most - but not all - of the attendees!

Beautiful event - see you back next autumn!

 

 

 

 

‘I Regret It Every Day’ - Survey of 14,000 women who had chemical abortions

Excerpts below the link.

The entertainment and legacy media present abortion as empowering, but that’s not the feeling that impelled one mother to agree to a medication abortion. “I was scared to death,” she told researchers. Even five later, the woman — who still describes herself as “pro-choice” — says she regrets her chemical abortion. “Now I wish I would’ve just faced it all and had my baby,” she said. “I regret it still to this day and probably still will for the rest of my life.”

Her words echo too many other women who took the two-pill regimen of mifepristone and misoprostol, called a “medical” or “chemical” abortion to distinguish it from surgical abortion. Nearly two out of three women who had a medication abortion say they would have benefited from talking to someone about the trauma of their abortion experience, but only 24% sought out help, according to a study of 14,000 women conducted by the group Support After Abortion. The gaping disparity may reflect the fact that 82% of post-abortive women did not know where they could find post-abortion counseling. As the study notes, an unknown number of women are now paying the price.

“Many were traumatized by medication abortion, an experience they said was far more painful, physically and emotionally, than they had imagined,” the survey noted.

The first of the two pills blocks progesterone, cutting off nourishment to the child in utero, while the second stimulates contractions to force the child’s dead body out of his or her mother, usually into a toilet. The fetal remains “can be flushed down the lavatory or wrapped in tissue, placed in a small plastic bag and put in the dustbin,” explained a British abortion provider. “If she looks carefully, she might be able to count the fingers and toes,” said Dr. Anthony Levatino, a former abortionist who later became pro-life, in a video produced by Live Action.

The expectant mother undergoes this alone, often without an in-person medical check-up. Support After Abortion noted that women found bearing the responsibility of presiding over and disposing of their child’s remains “extremely distressing,” “isolating,” and “traumatic.”

“[I] just feel bad. I let it bleed out of me like nothing,” said one woman. One-third of women (34%) who had a chemical abortion “reported an adverse change in themselves, including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and thoughts of suicide.”

“I felt like I didn’t deserve to be a mom. It got to the point where I wasn’t eating. I couldn’t go to work. I couldn’t watch my kids,” said Chantal Gates in her book, “Unraveled Roots: Exposing the Hidden Causes of Damaging Behaviors,” published in 2020. “I couldn’t believe I had done this to a child I actually cared about and wanted.”

At least one post-abortive woman committed suicide, and seven died of overdoses/drug-related deaths, after undergoing a medical abortion, according to FDA data. Barely half of the 26 known deaths related to medication abortion (54%) between 2000 and 2019 came from natural causes. But the number may be far higher, as researchers say the results are often miscoded as a miscarriage.

Reminder: Coast to Coast Rosary this Sunday in Rye - here's the information

A beautiful event and the recently released Fr. Fidelis will be there.

Spain: "14 Children rescued from abortion to be baptized"

Beautiful! The baptisms were yesterday.

Bishop Ginés García Beltrán, of the Diocese of Getafe in southern Spain, is baptizing 14 children rescued from the doors of abortion clinics.

This is thanks to the good work of the Más Futuro (“More Future”) association and the Rescatadores Juan Pablo II (“John Paul II Rescuers”), who offer mothers and their children a new chance at life.

“It’s been very complicated because each mother has a different problem, but saving babies from abortion makes us deeply happy. Despite the particularly complicated moment, we’re rescuing many children,” says Marta Velarde, head of Más Futuro.

Más Futuro has its headquarters in Alcorcón, near Madrid, where they also have a shelter for mothers at risk of having an abortion who also have another child in their care and whom no one else is helping. They also work with other mothers who’ve already had an abortion and need advice and support.

The association explains that they’ve been preparing for many months for this celebration and that they’re very excited to live this special day.

The Bishop comments -

“Today I would like to refer to a deception, a red herring that’s hidden in this law,” explained Bishop Ginés García Beltrán in declarations to Cadena COPE: “Today there’s a debate about whether or not a 16-year-old girl has to ask one of her parents for their consent to have an abortion. There are those who think that it’s not necessary – which is an aberration – and there are those who think that it is necessary. But the misdirection I’m referring to is that both sides put all the emphasis on the consent of the parent, as if the consent of a parent would turn a bad act into a good act.“

“That is to say, with or without parental consent, abortion will always be bad,” explains the bishop.

In these statements, he also reflects on the defense of the life of the unborn, which must go beyond a religious question: “This is something we have to think about and defend. Not because we are religious, but because we are men and women, and much more because we are men and women who follow Christ,” he concludes.

How many pro abortion fanatics have been arrested for attacking pro-life pregnancy centers?

None. Zero. Nada.

Neither the FBI nor police departments in the areas in which the crimes occurred could confirm any arrests for the crimes, according to the report. More than 100 pro-life organizations, pregnancy centers and churches have been victims of arson, vandalism and threats since May when someone leaked a draft of the Supreme Court abortion decision Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health.

Meanwhile the senator for Hawaii - possibly the dumbest senator - has issued a  "call to arms" against pro-life Americans

Senator Mazie Hirono ... “Madam president, I yield the floor, but clearly, you know, this is a — literally call to arms in our country, I yield the floor,” she concluded.

 

Bishop Barron: "Our Catholic President and the Most Pressing Moral Issue of Our Time"

This is not the first time Bishop Barron has made these points about so-called "Catholic" politicians. And he is probably the leading Catholic evangelizer of our time.

 

Commentary: The Red Rose Rescue in White Plains & 3 sentenced to jail

A beautiful commentary by Theresa Bonopartis. So true. Hit the link for the full essay. Only takes a few minutes to read.

Harsh sentences and extreme pro-abortion laws remind us that abortion is enshrined in our culture — a culture that is dying from the wounds it has inflicted on itself by a total disrespect for human life.

Will Goodman, Matthew Connolly and Father Fidelis Moscinski, a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal referred to by the court as “Mr. Christopher Moscinski,” were each sentenced to 90 days in jail and ordered to pay $750 in fines and fees for their role in a Red Rose Rescue this past November at All Women’s Health and Medical Services in White Plains, New York.

All three defendants say they will not pay the fines. If the fees are not paid by February 2023, they face an additional 30 days in jail.

As others with much more serious crimes are set free without bail, why are these three incarcerated?

The answer is simple: they confronted what has become the “god” of abortion. They resisted the dismemberment and killing of the unborn, hidden from the eyes of an indifferent society.

In a Red Rose Rescue like the one that resulted in the arrest of these men, the rescuers peacefully enter an abortion facility waiting room to speak to women scheduled for abortions with the goal of persuading them not to abort. They are offered red roses with a list of resources to assist them in choosing life. Should the woman still choose abortion, the rescuers stay in solidarity with the unborn baby inside the abortion clinic, remaining with them for as long as they can. They use noncompliance in response to being asked to leave the clinic and the police officers carry them out.

"Students for Life Alumna Is Closing Down Abortion Facilities"

Kristan Hawkins is the President of Students for Life of America. Here is the story of one young woman who "graduated" from Students for Life.

 

The three White Plains Red Rose Rescuers get 90 day sentences

We will pass on more information as we get it.  This is our posting about the rescue, back in November. Red Rose Rescue comes to White Plains, NY .

There is an embedded video in the News 12 link about the sentencing.

3 men to serve 3 months for trespassing at White Plains clinic; say they refuse to pay fine Aug 02, 2022, 9:20pmUpdated 2h ago By: News 12 Staff 1:39 / 1:39 Three men convicted of trespassing at a White Plains women's health care clinic are going to jail for three months. Matthew Connelly, William Goodman and Christopher Mascinski were convicted in city court of third-degree criminal trespassing. Prosecutors say the men were in the waiting room for two hours, blocking people from entering the offices - and police had to physically carry them out.

About 30 people showed up in support of the defendants.

 

Judge John Collins also scolded William Goodman ahead of his sentencing, saying Goodman perjured himself during the trial earlier this spring.

 

Collins says Goodman represented himself as a first responder, which is not true.

 

The men were fined $500 each. They all said they have no intention of paying it.  

 

 

Fr. Fidelis homily at Old St. Patrick's

Fr. Fidelis, who a few days after this did another Red Rose Rescue on Long Island.

Fr. Fidelis' Homily - Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral

 

July 2, 2022

 

 

When the Lord brought His chosen people out of slavery in Egypt, through the Red Sea, and when the Egyptian army was drowned and swallowed up in the waters the people realized they were free, they broke into song. They sang, “I will sing to the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously. Horse and his rider He has thrown into the sea.” It was a moment of great victory.

Brothers and sisters, we now are in a moment of great victory. It was 10 a.m. June 24, the Feast of the Sacred Heart, the Feast of St. John the Baptist that Roe v. Wade was finally overturned. And one of the first things I want us to do in this Mass today is to thank Almighty God for the graces of that decision because the cornerstone of the culture of death has been pulverized. That diabolical covenant of death which the Supreme Court made in 1973 has finally been repudiated. We always knew Roe v. Wade was an egregious mistake, that it relied on exceptionally weak reasoning, and that it had very damaging consequences. And now finally the Supreme Court has admitted it also.

When God brought His people out of slavery, the Jewish people still had many battles yet to fight before they finally entered the promised land. And so too for us here—especially in New York. We have many battles yet to fight, but we are going to fight them, and one is waiting for us outside the church as we can hear today. Because we know when it comes to abortion, this state is a stronghold of evil.

What is our next goal now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned? Well, for us here our next goal to which we must devote all of our energy is to ban abortion here in New York and guarantee legal protection for unborn children. In other words, we need to repeal the 2019 Reproductive Health Act. Remember that this act legalizes abortion on demand through nine months of pregnancy, declares abortion to be a fundamental right, and allows non-physicians to perform abortions.

The other day as I was driving, I heard on the radio an advertisement. It was the voice of Governor Kathy Hochul, and she said, “Here in New York abortion remains safe, legal and accessible.” This is false. Abortion is never safe. It always causes the destruction of an innocent human being, and it always gravely harms the psychological and spiritual health of the mother. Abortion is never legal. It is totally contrary to natural and divine law. Not only is it not a constitutional right, but no legislature can ever legally sanction willful murder. And as for accessibility, women in New York do not need access to abortion. What they need is access to loving encouragement and practical support in order to care for and bring to birth the children they have conceived.

Recently the bishops of New York have reaffirmed a pledge first made by John Cardinal O’Conner in the 1980s. They said, “Any woman regardless of the age, religious belief or affiliation, marital status or immigration status, any woman who is pregnant and in need can come to the Catholic Church, and we will give you the services and supports you need to carry your baby to term, regardless of your ability to pay. Furthermore, we will not abandon you and your baby after delivery, but rather we will see to it that you have the resources that you and your child both need and deserve. No one will be turned away from life-affirming care. If you have had an abortion that you regret whether recently or in the distant past, please come to us as well so that we may offer you services to help you to heal.

Now brothers and sisters, we here in this church must be a part of this urgent pastoral effort. Our confidence in all of this is not in ourselves but is in the Lord.

Again, going back to the story of the Jewish people, rescued from slavery, travelling through the desert and then came the time when the Lord wanted them to enter into Canaan and to receive their promised inheritance. Remember the pagans, the Canaanites were living in that land. As part of their religion, they practiced human sacrifice. God wanted to end that and bring His own people into that land. And so, Moses sent out a group of men to gather information about the land to prepare for their next step. They came back and there was a division of opinion. Many of the men in that group said, “No, we can’t conquer this land. Those people are too powerful, too strong. We’re just like grasshoppers before them.” But there was another voice that was raised. Joshua and Caleb contradicted those men and said, “No we certainly can take it.” They had the confidence that the Lord was with them, and that He would fulfill the promise He had made.

Brothers and sisters, our confidence today is in the grace of Jesus Christ. Our confidence is in the power of His Precious Blood and in the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

 

One last word concerning those who will be opposing us today. We can all hear their voices through the walls.

 

At the Last Supper Jesus said to His chosen Apostles, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it has hated you.” Jesus returned love for hatred. We must do the same. Why do they hate us? They hate us because they have believed the big lie. The lie that says abortion is necessary for the equality and the good of women in society. And they are angry because for many, they have been hurt perhaps even through an abortion. So, what do they need? They need our compassion, and they need our prayers. Because if it wasn’t for the grace of God touching our lives and our hearts don’t think for a minute that you couldn’t also be out there shouting at us in here. It’s only God’s goodness and mercy that has brought us together. And His goodness and mercy want to reach through us to them as well. So, I say that because we want to leave the church today in the right spiritual frame of mind.

In this Mass let us continue to pray that Almighty God would fill us with His Holy Spirit, strengthen us to be His witnesses today in the cause of life, and bring conversion and healing to all those who are still trapped in the culture of death. May Jesus Christ the King be praised now and forever.

 

LINK

Franciscan Friars of the Renewal

Renewal in Motion

Catholic Underground

Grassroots Films

Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious

Youth 2000 USA

Fearless Retreats

Frassati NYC

Good Counsel Homes

Lamp Catholic Ministries

 

 

NY's Bishop Peter Byrne: "The Dobbs Decision and Its Aftermath"

We love Bishop Byrne - who was an Associate Pastor in Sleepy Hollow, NY years ago. This is a column from Catholic New York, the most recent edition. The photo is from 2016 at a Sisters for Life event.

An exercise of raw judicial power” is the way Justice Byron White described “Roe v. Wade” in his dissent back in 1973. It was that, and so much more. Referring to the Declaration of Independence, G.K. Chesterton described the United States as “the only nation in the world that is founded on a creed.” In his famous 1963 speech at the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King gave voice to his dream that “this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed.”

Roe v. Wade, by trumpeting a right to privacy that encompassed the right to take the life of tiny human beings, explicitly rejected the Declaration’s profession of belief, and moved this country to a practical embrace of atheism as a state religion.

A good many years ago, inspired by the example of the late Bishop Austin Vaughan, I had the privilege of participating in “Operation Rescue,” the program of non-violent civil disobedience that took place in front of abortion facilities. After an arrest in front of the clinic in Dobbs Ferry and a brief stay in the Westchester County jail, I returned to St. Teresa of Avila parish in Sleepy Hollow, in time to be present for the Tuesday night Spanish prayer group. During the prayers, one of the participants expressed gratitude for the activities of “Operation Rescue”—an effort, as she described it, “para defender los derechos de Dios”—to defend the rights of God.

It was a profound comment, and a perspective that I have not heard often enough during these past 50 years. The tendency to treat abortion as just one issue among many does not come to grips with Roe v. Wade’s unique challenge to the sovereignty of God. When God given rights are brazenly denied and idols like “raw judicial power” are set up, the type of slaughter that we have seen since Roe v. Wade becomes inevitable.

The great blessing of the Dobbs decision is that it sets aside the bogus “right” claimed by Roe, and thus places the country on an entirely different path. It is a limited triumph, of course, because the right to life of the unborn is not defended nationwide, but it is an important first step, in that many states have already enacted laws in order to protect the most defenseless among us.

Here in New York state, of course, we are faced with unique challenges. Our state government manifests a diabolical hostility to unborn lives, embodied by the “Reproductive Health Act” passed in 2019. In the face of governmental intransigence, a tremendous grass-roots effort will be required here, including education and all manner of support for women in crisis pregnancies. It is important to acknowledge, of course, the tremendous contributions of so many people over so many years that have led to the present movement. Maternity homes, crisis pregnancy centers, education efforts and public advocacy have all been part of the pushback against the evil decision that was Roe v. Wade, nationwide and here in the Archdiocese of New York. Fueling these efforts were the prayers and sacrifices of countless individuals

The late Cardinal O’Connor focused on the importance of prayer and fasting as the ultimate antidote to the satanic spirit that motivates the “culture of death.” New York State is a national disgrace because of the official embrace of that culture, but when sin abounds, grace does also. The Sisters of Life are the cardinal’s lasting legacy, and they serve as very special models for all pro-lifers, not because of anything they might do, but because of who they are. Their lives of prayer and fasting, and their benignity in the face of malice, are examples worthy of imitation.

In a memorable speech during his 1987 visit to the United States, Pope St. John Paul II called the belief in a God-given right to life and its defense as “the dignity of America, the reason she exists, the condition for her survival—yes the ultimate test of her greatness.” Trusting in God may we help our country pass that test, as we strive always to promote the “culture of life.”

 

Theresa Bonopartis: "The Vatican, Nancy Pelosi and Healing From Abortion"

Theresa our wonderful director of the post abortion ministry Lumina

Excerpts below the link, but you really should read the entire brief column.

I pray the day will come when we can all experience the joy of Nancy Pelosi’s conversion, and I pray that we stand faithful and courageous in the meantime.

I had an abortion when I was 17 years old. At the time, it was much like it will be now, before Roe v. Wade — legal in New York, but not across the country.

As much as the pro-abortion narrative would like everyone to believe that the choice of abortion is always freely made, I know that this is not true. Not only was I abandoned and coerced by my father, but in the Entering Canaan post abortion ministry I co-developed with the Sisters of Life, we’ve learned, over the past 26 years, that most women face some kind of pressure to end their pregnancies. This of course, does not make the abortion okay, but it speaks to the lies of the industry and the difficulties faced in the healing process.

The road to healing from an abortion can be excruciatingly painful. It's a battle for belief in the love and mercy of God after an abortion experience, which is the ultimate failure of love. The horror can be so deep, it can often take people decades to heal from its trauma.

*********

So it is that the antics of Nancy Pelosi at the Vatican deeply pierced my heart and the hearts of many others who truly have experienced the humility of the love of God in forgiving and healing us of our abortions. But not everyone is there. Millions of post-abortive mothers, fathers and even siblings are sitting in silent suffering, struggling to find their way back to the heart of God

The recent actions of Pelosi at the Vatican, and her receiving of the Eucharist despite the entreaties of her bishop, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, are a mockery of the Church and particularly stinging to those of us in the United States who just saw the reversal of Roe. This is a woman who holds grave responsibility for the death of millions of unborn children. Her total disrespect for the gift of life and the teachings of the Church she professes to love cheapens and distorts our most precious gifts of faith and the Holy Eucharist.

 

Chris Bell - Wall Street Journal op ed - Crisis Pregnancy Centers

This will be the first of several responses to the reversal of Roe which we will be posting. From the WSJ yesterday (July 6, 2022) so is very timely.

The link is here and may not be accessible without a Journal subscription Elizabeth Warren Smears Pro-Life Charities. We tell women the truth: Abortion isn’t their only option.

But Chris won't mind if we print the text! Please spread widely.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren last week called for the federal government to “crack down” on crisis pregnancy centers and maternity homes such as Good Counsel, the one I founded in New Jersey in 1985. In the 37 years I’ve been working with homeless women, pregnant mothers and babies, I’ve seen how the media smears the pro-life movement. They say we don’t care about women. They say we love children only before they’re born and, in Ms. Warren’s words, that we “mislead and deceive” women into having babies they don’t want. She may believe that, but it isn’t true.

At Good Counsel, like many similar organizations throughout the country, we take in any pregnant woman in need. Most come from broken or dysfunctional homes and have nowhere else to go. They are welcome to stay with us for a year or longer. During that time, we help them develop child-rearing skills. We also provide budgeting and vocational assistance, nutritional advice and tips for a healthy lifestyle. Many women choose to work or go back to school. Our staff babysits—free of charge—while new moms begin to build a résumé. We do everything we can to help connect women to resources and support.

It isn’t easy. We have a curfew and a policy against alcohol and drug use. But every line is drawn with compassion and mercy.

Want to talk about deception? Many of the women who come to us have been told—by doctors, high-school counselors and social-service organizations—that abortion is their only option. They are told that having a baby means they’ll never finish school and won’t have a career. None of this is true, but I hear it every day.

The hidden reality is that no woman in the U.S. today has to raise a child she conceives. There are safe-haven laws in every state and territory allowing a woman to offer a child anonymously for adoption.

At Good Counsel, we also help women living with the pain of abortion. I know of no one in the pro-life movement who would condemn a woman for having an abortion. Half the women coming to our facility for help have already had at least one abortion. We don’t throw stones. Many of our volunteers and counselors know the pain of abortion firsthand.

Want to talk about misleading? Nothing is more misleading than the claim that abortion is simply healthcare, that terminating a pregnancy is the key to a happy life free from unwanted burdens. My experience of talking with and helping more than 4,000 women at Good Counsel over almost four decades tells me that the pain of abortion can be devastating. Nobody should have to face it alone.

The Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson has brought renewed attention to the work done by maternity homes and crisis pregnancy centers. “Love them both” is not just a sign we carry at the March for Life every year. It’s the key to ensuring that frightened and abandoned pregnant women understand that they have options other than abortion.

Ms. Warren is welcome to visit Good Counsel anytime she wants. I think she will see that we don’t mislead or deceive anyone. We stick to the truth, delivered with compassion and mercy.

Mr. Bell is co-founder and president of Good Counsel Homes.

Students for Life of America (SFLA) outside the Supreme Court as the decision is announced

SFLA is a great organization and Kristan Hawkins is a great leader.

 

And here's another brief video.

Brian Duggan, husband of Helen Alvare

Terribly, terribly sad. We just received this news of his sudden death last month. Many people will know who Helen Alvare is, and her decades of fine work.

Brian Joseph Duggan, 64, died suddenly May 3 of a ruptured aneurysm. Brian, executive director of the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment, was married to Helen Alvaré, with whom he had three beloved children: Catherine, Julian and Robert Paul.

For the last chapter of his career, he worked for various pro-life organizations, spending the last five years as the creative, adroit, and indefatigable executive director of the organization launched by the U.S. Catholic bishops to enable grassroots Catholics to advocate federally for pro-life laws.

The organization mentioned is Human Life Action

Fanatic proabortion group "Ruth Sent Us" going after Amy Coney Barrett's seven children

See article below. If you know of any other news outlets covering this, please send us a link in the comments section. The picture is from an ad that was run by supporters during her senate confirmation hearings.

The group tweeted an infographic with the name of Barrett’s church. It also identified the school that Barrett’s children attend, and encouraged protesters to “voice your anger” by demonstrating there.

Ruth Sent Us has come under widespread criticism for its calls for non-stop protests against the Court’s six conservative justices. After Politico published a draft of a majority opinion in the Dobbs case, written by Justice Samuel Alito, which would overturn the controversial 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion across the United States, the group published the home addresses of all six justices, while calling for protests at these sites.

“Our 6-3 extremist Supreme Court routinely issues rulings that hurt women, racial minorities, LGBTQ+ and immigrant rights. We must rise up to force accountability using a diversity of tactics,” the group wrote at the time. Critics accused the group of jeopardizing the safety of the justices and their families. Ruth Sent Us was later permanently banned by social media platform TikTok for refusing to take down posts with this information, though they remain active on Twitter, Facebook, and other media.

Note on TikTok "permanent banning".  TikTok reinstated them two days later.

Cardinal Dolan WSJ column: "Abortion, Guns and the ‘Throwaway Culture’ "

This was published on the op ed page of the Wall Street Journal yesterday. We are sure the Cardinal won't mind us printing the entire commentary.

Abortion, Guns and the ‘Throwaway Culture’ Democrats and Republicans reject policies that would fortify what St. John Paul II referred to as a ‘culture of life.’

Like so many others, I am heartbroken by the senseless gun violence that has taken the lives of innocent victims in recent weeks. The loss is immeasurable. Americans of all political stripes are grieving and crying out to God to ask when our beloved nation will restore its respect for human life.

Unfortunately, our political system appears to be broken, as Republicans and Democrats operate in silos and see more political benefit in intransigence than consensus. The result is that both parties reject policies that would fortify what St. John Paul II referred to as a culture of life and instead embrace what Pope Francis has called a throwaway culture that extends even to human beings.

Among Republicans, we see it in the refusal to consider even widely popular proposals that would help to increase gun safety. Among Democrats, we see it in the frantic drive to expand abortion, even in states where it would be impossible to expand it further.

Take my state, New York. Lawmakers in Albany recently scurried to pass a package of bills designed to increase the practice of abortion. These proposals extended virtually no support to scared and overwhelmed pregnant women who might seek alternatives to abortion, if only they knew they existed. Never mind that, though. With the Supreme Court poised to render a decision that could allow states to protect helpless human lives in the womb, New York lawmakers saw a political opportunity. They have stampeded to make the state an abortion “sanctuary.” They’ve passed measures to shield abortionists from liability and to encourage women from other states to come here to terminate the lives of their children. Gov. Kathy Hochul has unilaterally allocated millions of taxpayer dollars to abortion facilities to welcome out-of-state women.

What’s next? Will they add abortion clinics to the “I Love NY” tourism guide, alongside craft breweries and weekend getaway destinations? Would anyone be surprised if they did?

It gets worse. In addition to these new laws encouraging abortion, the Legislature also passed a measure designed to eliminate pro-life options. That bill, now awaiting the governor’s signature, would require the state health commissioner to “study” pro-life pregnancy centers, which exist to give women in crisis pregnancies a real alternative to abortion. The goal is to intimidate these wonderful organizations into shutting down.

This is a complete rejection of the “choice” that elected representatives say they support. Where is the choice for the frightened young pregnant mom, usually African-American or Latina, who desperately wants to keep her baby but is having trouble paying her rent, putting food on the table, and filling her gas tank? Where is her sanctuary? Will the only answer for her be to destroy her offspring? And where is the sanctuary for the helpless baby in her womb, which should be the safest place around? Can’t it be a “both and” rather than an “either or” when it comes to a mother and her baby? According to our state’s elected Democrats, the answer appears to be no.

Republicans share the political blame. Toward the end of the legislative session, New York’s elected Republicans opposed a raft of important new gun-safety laws, which passed anyway, promising to increase the legal age to purchase semiautomatic rifles and strengthen the state’s red-flag law. My brother bishops and I were happy to support these important initiatives, all intended to save lives, just as we firmly opposed the new abortion laws.

How will it be possible to sustain a culture of nonviolence and safety when one party continues to applaud and promote the killing of defenseless babies in the womb and the other practically deifies firearms and rejects even the most common-sense regulations on them?

The prospects look bleak, but I’m in the business of hope. I ask New Yorkers of every faith to join me in prayer that our lawmakers will take seriously their responsibility to protect and defend human life.

Cardinal Dolan is Archbishop of New York.

 

LifeSite News has posted a video about Joan Andrews Bell

Just go here -

With the anticipated end of Roe v. Wade on the horizon, Jim Hale is profiling some of the heroes of the movement who have devoted their lives to ending abortion. Joan Andrews Bell will go down in pro-life history as one of the most influential and inspiring activists of all-time.

Pro-aborts block St. Patrick's Old Cathedral on Saturday

The usual nonsense, in lower Manhattan near Planned Parenthood.  Not St. Patrick's Cathedral. St. Patrick's Old Cathedral

If you hit the link below there's video and photos.

Pro-Life Catholics in the community have gathered for Mass and a rosary procession to a Planned Parenthood one block away from the church nearly every month for the past 14 years to protest this nation’s abortion laws. However, the group of Catholics were met by pro-abortion activists who blocked the church doors on Saturday.

The pro-abortion radicals were reportedly singing and chanting, “Thank God for abortion,” as they blocked the church’s entrance.

Politico article and draft document overturning Roe v Wade

Here is the link to the full document presumably written by Justice Alito.

And our comment, apropos considering the flash mob that turned up outside the Supreme Court last night.

It's going to get lots worse.  The fact that it will mostly remain legal - not the point - they want the affirmation that abortion is a positive good. In fact the sacrament of the progressives.

Read Justice Alito's initial draft abortion opinion which would overturn Roe v. Wade

Here is the Politico article.

The draft opinion is a full-throated, unflinching repudiation of the 1973 decision which guaranteed federal constitutional protections of abortion rights and a subsequent 1992 decision – Planned Parenthood v. Casey – that largely maintained the right. “Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,” Alito writes.

“We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,” he writes in the document, labeled as the “Opinion of the Court.” “It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives.”

Deliberations on controversial cases have in the past been fluid. Justices can and sometimes do change their votes as draft opinions circulate and major decisions can be subject to multiple drafts and vote-trading, sometimes until just days before a decision is unveiled. The court’s holding will not be final until it is published, likely in the next two months.

Hit the link for the full article.

 

Major charges by feds for nine participants in 2020 clinic protest and blockade

Here is the press release put out by the Department of Justice. The FBI made arrests in the last several days - "...defendants each face up to a maximum of 11 years in prison..." We will pass on more information as we may receive it.

Nine Defendants Indicted on Federal Civil Rights Conspiracy and Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) Offenses for Obstructing Patients and Providers of a Reproductive Health Services Facility

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia today announced a two-count indictment charging Lauren Handy, 28, of Alexandria, Virginia; Jonathan Darnel, 40, of Arlington, Virginia, Jay Smith, 32, of Freeport, New York; Paulette Harlow, 73, of Kingston, Massachusetts; Jean Marshall, 72, of Kingston, Massachusetts; John Hinshaw, 67, of Levittown, New York; Heather Idoni, 61, of Linden, Michigan; William Goodman, 52, of the Bronx, New York; and Joan Bell, 74, of Montague, New Jersey, with federal civil rights offenses in connection with an alleged reproductive healthcare clinic invasion in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 22, 2020. The defendants were charged with conspiracy against rights and a FACE Act offense.

The indictment returned by a federal grand jury alleges that the nine defendants engaged in a conspiracy to create a blockade at the reproductive health care clinic to prevent the clinic from providing, and patients from receiving, reproductive health services. According to the indictment, as part of the conspiracy, Smith, Harlow, Marshall, Hinshaw, Idoni, Goodman and Bell traveled to Washington, D.C., from various northeast and midwestern states, to participate in a clinic blockade that was directed by Handy and was broadcast on Facebook by Darnel. According to the indictment, Handy, Smith, Harlow, Marshall, Hinshaw, Idoni, Goodman and Bell forcefully entered the clinic and set about blockading two clinic doors using their bodies, furniture, chains and ropes. Once the blockade was established, Darnel live-streamed footage of his co-defendants’ activities. The indictment also alleges that the nine defendants violated the FACE Act by using a physical obstruction to injure, intimidate and interfere with the clinic’s employees and a patient, because they were providing or obtaining reproductive health services.

If convicted of the offenses, the defendants each face up to a maximum of 11 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $350,000.

The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington, D.C. Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of New Jersey, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Eastern District of New York and Southern District of New York; and FBI Field Offices in Newark, New York City, Boston and Detroit provided valuable assistance.

A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Boston sidewalk counselor testified at the Supreme Court nominee hearing

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Thanks to our correspondent Laurie for sending us this. This story was also covered by the Daily Wire - go here

A pro-life sidewalk counselor expressed concern before members of the U.S. Senate Thursday that Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson has misrepresented people like her. “When I see a woman approaching…I always say, ‘Good morning! I’m Eleanor. How can I help you?’” said Eleanor McCullen, an 85-year-old Catholic grandmother located near Boston, describing how she greets women outside abortion clinics.

“It’s a powerful moment when a woman looks at me and our eyes connect, and she stops to talk,” McCullen stressed during her March 24 testimony. “It’s in that moment I promise her she will never walk her journey alone.”

McCullen testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee during the Jackson’s confirmation hearings. She told CNA that she has dedicated 22 years to empowering women. Located in Newton, she engages with pregnant women considering abortion outside a Planned Parenthood in Boston.

“So many women I’ve met believe that their only choice is to end the life of their baby,” McCullen told senators. “It is in that moment of isolation and fear, that I have the privilege of offering a different choice—one that empowers and encourages the woman to know she is fully capable of becoming a mom and pursuing a job and going to school and having a successful and happy life.”

McCullen introduced herself as the lead plaintiff in a 2014 Supreme Court case regarding free speech. In that case, McCullen v. Coakley, the Supreme Court unanimously struck down a Massachusetts law that imposed a 35-foot “buffer zone” around abortion clinics, which prevented sidewalk counselors from speaking with women entering those clinics. Faith-based legal organization Alliance Defending Freedom helped with the case.

The court’s opinion in the case mentions another case, McGuire v. Reilly, which involved Jackson. In 2001, Jackson co-authored an amicus brief in McGuire v. Reilly, in support of a Massachusetts “buffer zone” law, pro-life groups, such as Susan B. Anthony List, have cautioned.

In the amicus brief Jackson wrote on behalf of abortion groups, pro-life leaders previously told Senate leaders, she “portrayed pro-life sidewalk counselors as a ‘hostile, noisy crowd of 'in-your-face protesters.’”

 

 

Red Rose Rescuers found guilty of criminal trespass at White Plains abortion mill - two articles

The rescue was November 28th at the misnamed "All Women's Health" abortion chamber on Mamaroneck Ave.  You can read about the rescue here - Red Rose Rescue comes to White Plains, NY.

There are two articles below - the 2nd one is less biased then the first one.

This is from the Northern Westchester Examiner about the trial in White Plains, which ended yesterday. Hit the link for the entire article; we are only excerpting part . The picture is from the Red Rose Rescue Facebook page.

Anti-Abortion Advocates Found Guilty of Criminal Trespass at White Plains Medical Facility

“The District Attorney’s Office will vigorously prosecute any criminal acts that interfere with an individual’s constitutional right to freely access healthcare,” Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah said in a press release following the trial. “There are no insignificant cases when it comes to the protection of reproductive rights.”

Through police body camera and security footage — as well as witness testimony from two police officers who responded to the incident and Constance Considine, chief administrator at All Women’s Health and Medical Services — it was confirmed that the individuals gained entry into the medical office through deception, using a female accomplice who made a fake appointment to gather information. 

Also in attendance for the entirety of the trial were staff members from WCLA – Choice Matters, a pro-choice advocacy organization. 

“In this time of unprecedented court attacks on abortion rights, it is essential to remember these assaults impact people right here in Westchester County,” Catherine Lederer-Plaskett, president of WCLA — Choice Matters, said. “These terrorists forced their way into a reproductive healthcare facility, frightening patients and putting needed medical care at risk.”  

“The six-woman jury spoke loud and clear when it rendered the guilty verdict in under 30 minutes,” Lederer-Plaskett continued. “Now the real work begins. We must make sure these criminals get more than a slap on the wrist.” 

The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Collins on June 20. 

If convicted, they could serve up to 3 months in jail and pay a fine of up to $500. In lieu of jail time, the court may order the defendants up to one year of probation.

"Terrorists" ... oh please spare us.

Here is the Lohud article - a good bit fairer - hit the link -

The Rev. Christopher "Fidelis" Moscinski, Matthew Connolly and William Goodman were convicted after a three-day trial. They represented Red Rose Rescue, a religious group whose members speak to women at abortion clinics to try and persuade them not to get abortions, when they entered the clinic on Mamaroneck Avenue on Nov. 27 and had to be carried out by police.

The trio's lawyer, Steve Anduze, said the men were found guilty of entering the building and refusing to leave, but that they did not block access to the women seeking medical care there.

"All they did was hand out roses to the patients in the waiting room and offer them alternatives to abortion and supportive services," he said. "They were giving the women roses in the waiting room, and they were offering alternatives to abortion. They were telling them that there were services available to them, they had the opportunity to choose a different path, they wanted to save the lives of the unborn."

 

"Catholic Church in Mexico Will Deny Communion to Politicians Who Voted for Abortion"

From LifeNews -

The Catholic Diocese of Culiacán told politicians who voted to legalize abortions in Sinaloa, Mexico this month that they may not receive communion. “Can a deputy or any person who professes to be a Catholic, while openly cooperating or legislating against life, receive Holy Communion? No. You cannot approach Sacramental Communion,” diocese official Father Miguel Ángel Soto Gaxiola told lawmakers, according to the Catholic News Agency.

Soto Gaxiola said Catholic lawmakers who voted to legalize abortion may not receive communion or become godparents in the diocese, according to CNA. By voting to allow the killing of unborn babies, these lawmakers placed themselves in an “unworthy state … to receive the Body of Christ,” he said.

*************

“… today we have many people scandalized by the public betrayal of the Church’s teaching on faith and morals by those legislators who call themselves ‘Catholic,’” Soto Gaxiola continued. “Indeed, the questioning of the faithful makes sense: How can a Catholic who openly promotes and is in favor of policies contrary to life come to Mass and approach to take communion?”

He said the church believes in the value of every human life from conception to natural death, and being “personally pro-life” is not a legitimate argument for supporting the legalization of abortion, CNS reports.

“This is an erroneous theory, since ‘no circumstance, no purpose, no law can make an act lawful that is intrinsically illicit, since it is contradictory to the Law of God, which is written in every human heart, known by reason itself and proclaimed by the Church,’” Soto Gaxiola said, quoting St. Pope John Paul II’s encyclical Evangelium Vitae.

Upcoming events! Why not post in church bulletins!

WHere are some upcoming events during Lent from Lumina & Entering Canaan, plus a Saturday 40 Days for Life- prayer vigil on April 9th.  We recognize some are local but the Lenten Meditations and Sibling retreat are for everyone.  Please spread the word far and wide!!! Facebook has been rejecting ads that have any reference to abortion saying it is a "social issue", even though it is in regard to healing.

 

Holy Hour for Life: 

Every second Wednesday of the month at St Ann's in Yonkers, 7:30pm, led by Fr Fidelis Moscinski, CFR

 

Lenten Meditations Series: 

Know someone who has been touched by abortion? This Lent we will have daily Lenten Meditations for those who have been touched by abortion written by women, men, and siblings as well as Bishop Joseph Strikland, Rev Mariusz Koch, CFR, Rev Fidelis Moscinski, CFR, Rev Francis Mary Roaldi, CFR & Rev Lawrence Schroedel, CFR. To read the meditations or register to receive then each day visit: www.postabortionhelp.org. Or email [email protected]

 

40 Days for Life Saturday Prayer:  

Come join us on Calvary! Fr Justin Cinnante, O Carm, will led us in prayer on April 9th at 9am at Planned Parenthood, 175 Tarrytown Road in White Plains.  For further information call Gerald at 914-837-7008.

 

Retreat for Siblings of Aborted Babies--

Know someone suffering because of losing a sibling to abortion. March 11-13 retreat weekend for siblings at the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA. led by Fr Fidelis Moscinski, CFR. There is no cost for retreat and financial assistance for travel is available to those in need. Spread the word! Call 877-586-4621 or email Theresa at [email protected]

 

March for Life - the Thursday evening Vigil and the Friday AM pre- March Mass for NY'ers

The annual Vigil is always held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on the campus of Catholic University. Last year, because the March was virtual, there were only about 400 attendees.

But this year - packed with mostly college students and 20 something's.... probably about 8,000 ...

There were over 60 Naval Academy Midshipman at the Vigil.

We were told by Sr. Virginia Joy of the Sisters of Life that there would be a Mass for New York March attendees at 10:30AM at St Patrick's in Washington - a few minutes from the Mall. Celebrated by Cardinal Dolan.

It was jam packed - at least 750 people - again mostly young. It was orchestrated by the Sisters of Life who also provided the (beautiful) choir.

 

A little surprisingly the Mass was relatively short - Cardinal Dolan only spoke for about six minutes and the Mass ended about 11:20. Then on to the Rally on the Mall and the March.

 

 

 

 

 

Coverage of March for Life 2022 - beginning with White Plains March/Rally for Life

On Saturday January 22nd - thanks to Maryl for sending us this report. We will shortly have postings on the March in DC, as well as the pre-March - the Vigil the night before and the Mass for NY'ers before the March.

 

Over 30 people held signs and walked the sidewalk in 22 degree temperature outside a White Plains abortion mill on Mamaroneck Avenue Saturday, Jan 22, 2022.  Lucy Panama organized the march and spoke to the group at noon.

 

People from all over Westchester County gathered.  Some had been to the Washington March the day earlier, such as Tina Bilesky and Gina Molinelli.  Randy Holden held a sign he had made which said:  “Tiny Lives Matter Too.”  Catchy, timely and effective!  Another sign showed an unborn baby and an infant which read “I was a Person.   I still am.”  New friends were made in the sidewalk conversations and old friendships renewed.  

 

A policeman came at the beginning of the demonstration as did a patrol car.  It was humorous to see the uniformed policeman marching with the demonstrators.  Many cars tooted in agreement with our stand; there was only one obscenity shouted from a car.