Brothers and Sisters,
First of all, thank you for being part of the Priests for Life family. Whether you are a brother priest, a member of the laity, or a member of another Christian denomination, we rejoice to be able to collaborate with you in building a Culture of Life.
In conjunction with the work of many other groups, Priests for Life is convinced that we have entered a new chapter of the pro-life movement. There is a new energy created by many people who came off the sidelines and joined the movement after the election of President Obama. Moreover, new technology is enabling people to network as never before, so that the new recruits can more effectively be trained and connected with the activities in which they want to take part.
We are announcing, therefore, a number of new initiatives that build on this new momentum:
1. Priest-to-Priest training. We will have a series of national teleseminars by which we will network priests who are fully engaged in pro-life advocacy and assist them to reach out to other priests who may need assistance in becoming more engaged. If you know priests who are particularly devoted to the pro-life cause, please send us their names so that we can be sure to invite them to these teleseminars.
2. Pro-life “Freedom Rides”. A pivotal moment for the civil rights movement was the “Freedom Rides,” by which activists rode on interstate buses in the segregated South to test the Supreme Court’s ruling outlawing segregation in certain circumstances. With the leadership of Dr. Alveda King, Pastoral Associate of Priests for Life, we are inviting pro-life people in 2010 to declare themselves “Freedom Riders for the Unborn.” Alveda will lead a new “Freedom Ride” movement throughout the United States. To find out more and to sign up, visit www.ProLifeFreedomRides.com.
3. A Pro-life University. People who want to end abortion want to learn from those in the movement who have experience and expertise in various types of pro-life activity. Priests for Life is mobilizing the leaders of the movement to conduct a pro-life university online. From the comfort of one’s home and one’s computer, anyone will be able to delve into the wealth of knowledge and experience our movement has developed over the last four decades. We have also begun conducting teleseminars to provide such training. To find out more and to sign up, visit www.ProLifeUniversity.org.
4. Pro-life Spirituality. We will bring the “Missionaries of the Gospel of Life” to new levels of growth, training people in pro-life spirituality and allowing them to profess their public commitment to learn and live that spirituality. We will also give special emphasis to “Deacons for Life” and will mobilize deacons as never before.
So, we are looking forward to a busy year – and there’s more where all of that came from! Please help us spread the word! Let’s cast off fatigue and fear; let’s clothe ourselves with new vigor, borne of the Spirit, and with a new thirst for unity that will sustain our efforts. And let’s look forward to the day of victory!
With prayers,
Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director
Year for Priests
Pope Benedict XVI has declared a “Year for Priests” which began on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 19, 2009 and concludes on June 19, 2010.
At Priests for Life, we focus on how priests are, by definition, heralds of the Gospel of Life. By saying mass, the priest brings us the victory of life over death. He carries out his ministry in the person of Christ, who is the Resurrection and the Life. The priest teaches the way of life that gives priority to the poor and vulnerable – and none are more vulnerable than the unborn. The priest is called to mobilize and lead the faithful to work to build the Culture of Life. In the sacrament of Penance, the priest heals the wounds of the culture of death.
Priests need our prayers and encouragement each day. Now you can assure them that they have yours, so they can be strong and faithful. We are preparing a massive spiritual bouquet, to be presented to all the priests in the country. We invite you to use the form on our special website www.YearOfPriests.org to indicate what prayers and sacrifices you will be able to make for them.
We also invite you to use that same web form to share a story with us about a Priest that has been important in your life. Let us know how he has encouraged you or been a blessing in your life or the lives of your loved ones!
Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity - October 20, 2009
Priests for Life will partner with Stand True Ministries to call on students across America to participate in the “Pro-life Day of Silent Solidarity”. On October 20, people from all over this nation will give up their voices for a day in solidarity with the 4,000 children killed and 4,000 women wounded by abortion every day. Red arm bands and duct tape will identify them as taking part in the Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity. They will carry fliers explaining why they are silent and educate others about the plight of the innocent children we are losing every day.
“I spoke to about six or seven pregnant girls and about four of them told me that they were thinking about getting abortions, but after we talked they changed their minds. It was just an awesome day.” - Participant in the Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity
Are you willing to give up your voice for a day for those who will never have a voice? If you are interested, see the Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity website at: www.silentday.org.
Pro-Life Novenas
Please join us at www.PrayerCampaign.org in praying and promoting the following Novenas:
October 8-16, 2009: St. Gerard Majella (Patron Saint of Pregnancy and Childbirth)
October 17-25, 2009: Novena for Priests, leading to Priesthood Sunday
