Friday, March 4, 2016

From USCCB: #9DaysforLife Story Prompts March 2016 Intention


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Praying for Life: March 2016
Intercession
For parents who receive an adverse prenatal diagnosis for their unborn child: May they be comforted by our affirmation that their child's life—however long or short—is worth living.
Prayers

Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

Reflection

During the 9 Days for Life novena in January, we tweeted the image below, along with a link to Supporting Families Who Receive a Prenatal Diagnosis. Upon seeing this tweet, one Catholic blogger shared, “I know God is looking out for me, when the @USCCB tweets this on the same day I posted [‘Heartbreak: The Quiet Things You Carry While Your Soul Cries Out’].”* The article poignantly describes both the suffering and the joy of awaiting the arrival of his unborn son, who is expected to live only a few moments after birth. 

When we encounter someone who is suffering, how do we respond? 

Whether we are called to quietly support them with our prayers or are also moved to offer other assistance, like bringing a meal, God gives each of us unique gifts to manifest his love to others. 

This month, as we pray for this blogger and all families who receive an adverse prenatal diagnosis, let’s each consider how we ourselves are uniquely called to show others the unconditional love of God, who is faithfully present in our darkest times. 
  *This link is provided solely for the user's convenience. By providing this link, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops assumes no responsibility for, nor does it necessarily endorse, the website, its content, or sponsoring organizations.
Acts of Reparation (choose one)
One Step Further 
Consider sharing one or more of these pre-written posts with images on your social media accounts, or share them with friends and family.




If you or someone you know is suffering after abortion, confidential non-judgmental help is available:

Call Project Rachel's national toll-free number: 888-456-HOPE(-4673) or visit 
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USCCB | 3211 Fourth Street NE | Washington | DC | 20017-1194 
 


 

 

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From 40 Day For Life: DAY 24: Persistence pays off

40 Days for Life
Dear Deacon John,

Just yesterday, we focused on two 40 Days for Life vigil locations where abortion facilities have closed their doors and gone out of business – in Jacksonville, North Carolina and Augusta, Georgia. 

In other cities, we have seen 40 Days for Life campaigns where the abortion staff packed everything up and moved to a new location. 

Without fail … the peaceful prayer vigil followed them to the new spot. 

That type of persistence has paid off ... as seen in this exciting development in Georgia. 

Marietta, Georgia 



From Marietta comes the very encouraging news that the abortion center where the 40 Days for Life vigil takes place has stopped doing abortions … and announced closure plans.

The daily prayers in front of this facility are being answered!

This abortion center was in another location previously. It closed there … then reopened in a different site. And faithful volunteers brought their prayer vigil to this new location.

Colleen, the 40 Days for Life coordinator, said the ending of abortions is a tribute “to all the hard work that pro-life folks have done … arriving daily at 5 am and not relenting.”

According to media reports, the owners never disclosed that the new location would be used for abortions. There were also accusations that they performed medical procedures they were not licensed to do.

Until very recently, the center had done between 6 and 10 abortions on a typical day – but not anymore.

“We are celebrating that no babies are dying there now!” Colleen said.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 



The sidewalk in front of an abortion center always sees a jumble of emotions … and that’s evident in a pair of stories from Pittsburgh.

Vigil participants couldn’t help but notice the young man who stood in a doorway near the abortion center … in tears.

He was trying to remain composed and be strong … but it was just too difficult. He said his girlfriend was planning to abort his child, and he couldn’t stop her.


“He was tormented with guilt,” said one of the volunteers, “thinking it was his fault because he recently lost his job. They have no food and will not be able to pay their bills.”

The prayer team tried to console him and offered to take him to an agency that could help him find work. One person even promised to assist with groceries and babysitting.

Volunteers asked him to keep in touch, but they haven’t heard back. They’re asking for continued prayer for this young man and his girlfriend.

This somber scene later brightened considerably when a couple left Planned Parenthood to show volunteers an ultrasound image.

The young woman seemed a bit surprised when the technician asked if she wanted to see the screen … but understood when she saw the picture.

It was twins!

Seeing that ultrasound image was all it took – they changed their minds about abortion!


Here’s today’s devotional from Carmen Pate of Alliance Ministries. 
Day 24 intention 

Pray that God will continue to bless the efforts that have gone into the 40 Days for Life campaign, as we trust Him for the results. 

Scripture

Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand. O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the  prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name. 

— Nehemiah 1:10-11 

Reflection from Carmen Pate 

Nehemiah provides an awesome blueprint for volunteers in God’s service, particularly those responding to the devastation abortion has caused our nation. 

Nehemiah grieved for God's reputation as he witnessed the condition of the city walls of Jerusalem. The walls were broken down which was seen by neighboring people as a sign of weakness on the part of Jerusalem's God. No wall meant no security for the city and its people. 

We learn from his story that he covered every detail in prayer; inspired others to join the cause; organized others to help do the work; confronted opposition directly and turned to God when discouraged; and finally celebrated what was accomplished and gave God all the glory! 

Like Nehemiah, we must acknowledge God’s sovereignty as we serve Him before a mocking world. We too need to be reminded that we are “fighting” for our families. We too must have an attitude of confession and repentance before a Holy God. We must pray for strength, refute slander, and not be diverted from our work. 

Like Nehemiah, we will draw attention from the enemy when we are seeking to protect the well-being of God’s people. We too must stand firm and seek God's help to persevere until the task is done. We too will be victorious. 

Prayer 

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in heaven and in the earth is Yours. We pray for your continued guidance and protection throughout the remainder of this 40 day campaign. 

May we be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in Your work, knowing that our labor will not be in vain. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen. 

Printable devotional 

To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends: 

http://40daysforlife.com/media/day24.pdf
For life,
 
 Shawn Carney
SHAWN CARNEY
President
40 Days for Life
 
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Thursday, March 3, 2016

LifeNews Pro-Life News Report 3/3/16



LifeNews.com Pro-Life News Report
Thursday, March 3, 2016
For pro-life news updated throughout the day, visit LifeNews.com.
Top Stories
• “Catholic” Georgetown University Defends Hosting Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards
• Pro-Life Leader to Donald Trump: Quit Saying Planned Parenthood Does “Wonderful Things”
• Abortion Clinic Owner: “The Jesus I Was Taught Would Hold Women’s Hands” as They Abort Their Baby
• Abortion Clinic That Killed Woman in Botched Abortion Injures Woman in Botched 21-Week Abortion

More Pro-Life News• Abortion Practitioner Who Killed 58,000 Babies in Abortions Closes His Business
• Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards Will Speak at “Catholic” Georgetown University• Writer Says: “I Had an Abortion and It Was a Totally Joyful Experience”
• Abortion Methods: Former Abortionist Explains the Most Common Procedure Killing Unborn Babies
• Abortion Activists Vandalize Pro-Life Display: “Everyone Deserves to Kill Their Unborn Child”
• Woman Describes Her “Terrible” Abortion Experience: It Was “Close to Rape”
• Pro-Abortion Activists Freak Out New York Times Putting Picture of Pro-Lifers on Front Page
• This Scientist Uses Aborted Babies’ Brains for Research and Just Misled Congress About It
• Mississippi Senate Passes Bill to Defund Planned Parenthood Abortion Business
• Woman Dies After She Was Forced to Have Her 9th Abortion, Mother-in-Law Wanted a Grandson
• Is There Anything Abortion Advocates are More Afraid of Than This?
• Arizona House Passes Bill to Make It Easier to Defund Planned Parenthood
• University of Louisville Hospital to Sever Ties With Planned Parenthood Abortion Business

SIGN THE PETITION: Do Not Allow a Vote on Any Obama Supreme Court Nominee

“Catholic” Georgetown University Defends Hosting Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards
 The Cardinal Newman Society broke the news yesterday that the Lecture Fund at Georgetown University invited Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) President Cecile Richards to campus this April. The University defended its decision to allow Richards to speak on campus in a statement released today citing Georgetown’s commitment to “the free exchange of ideas.”
Click to Read at LifeNews.com:
http://www.lifenews.com/2016/03/03/catholic-georgetown-university-defends-hosting-planned-parenthood-ceo-cecile-richards/
Pro-Life Leader to Donald Trump: Quit Saying Planned Parenthood Does “Wonderful Things”
 Like some pro-life voters, Susan B, Anthony List president Marjorie Danenfelser has had enough. She’s tired of listening to Donald Trump, who had ostensibly run a reliably pro-life campaign up until recently, praise the Planned Parenthood abortion business.
Click to Read at LifeNews.com.
Abortion Clinic Owner: “The Jesus I Was Taught Would Hold Women’s Hands” as They Abort Their Baby
 Amy Hagstrom Miller is the key abortion activist behind the U.S. Supreme Court case Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, which challenges a life-saving Texas law. Hagstrom Miller, who runs an abortion business chain in Texas, challenged the 2013 state law that protects women’s health and welfare by requiring abortion clinics to meet the kinds of medical and safety standards that legitimate medical centers meet.
Click to Read at LifeNews.com:
http://www.lifenews.com/2016/03/03/abortion-clinic-owner-the-jesus-i-was-taught-would-hold-womens-hands-as-they-abort-their-baby/

Abortion Clinic That Killed Woman in Botched Abortion Injures Woman in Botched 21-Week Abortion
 When he saw the ambulance pull up to the Pre-term abortion facility in Cleveland, Ohio, Frank Kosmerl pulled off his gloves despite the sub-freezing temperatures and hit the record button on his camcorder.
Click to Read at LifeNews.com:
http://www.lifenews.com/2016/03/03/abortion-clinic-that-killed-woman-in-botched-abortion-injures-woman-in-botched-21-week-abortion/

Abortion Practitioner Who Killed 58,000 Babies in Abortions Closes His Business
 This week, LifeNews has reported the excellent news that three abortion clinics have closed down. Pro-life advocates in Augusta, Georgia have been praying that the Planned Parenthood abortion clinic in their city would close for more than three decades. Last week, they said their prayers were answered.
Click to Read at LifeNews.com.
Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards Will Speak at “Catholic” Georgetown University
 The Lecture Fund at Georgetown University is planning to host Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) President Cecile Richards on campus this April, The Cardinal Newman Society has learned.. Click to Read at LifeNews.com.
Writer Says: “I Had an Abortion and It Was a Totally Joyful Experience”
 Distasteful is too mild a word for Fusion writer Kristen V. Brown’s article about her abortion experience. It is hard to imagine that many Americans would feel comfortable with Brown’s description of her abortion as a “totally joyful experience.”
Click to Read at LifeNews.com.
Abortion Methods: Former Abortionist Explains the Most Common Procedure Killing Unborn Babies
In a new video, a former abortion practitioner who is now a pro-life OBGYN explains the most common abortion method or procedure used to kill unborn babies in abortions. Dr. Anthony Levatino exposes the brutal nature of the first trimester aspiration (suction) D&C abortion with the hope that a realistic explanation will convince people that abortion is wrong.
Click to Read at LifeNews.com.








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911 at OH Abortion Clinic: She's 21.3 Wks & Something Went Wrong During the Procedure


 

911 at Cleveland Abortion Clinic: She's 21.3 Weeks & Something Went Wrong During the Procedure

March 3, 2016

Cleveland, OH -- A new 911 audio recording just obtained by Operation Rescue has revealed that a 22-year old abortion patient  suffered a life-threatening medical emergency during late-term abortion Preterm in Cleveland, Ohio.  This is the same abortion facility that inflicted a fatal abortion on another 22-year old woman, Lakisha Wilson, nearly two years ago.

The incident took place on February 13, 2016. This is the eleventh documented abortion injury at Preterm since 2010.
The young woman was 21.3 weeks pregnant, according to the Preterm worker that dialed 911. Such late-term abortions are inherently risky, yet Preterm is inadequately equipped to handle complications that seem to arise there on a regular basis.
Curiously, while the Preterm employee who called 911 knew details of the patient's care, she did not know - or would not say - exactly what "went wrong" during the late-term abortion.
Dispatcher: Tell me exactly what happened.
Preterm: We're an abortion facility. She was in the middle of an abortion. She's 21.3 weeks. And something went wrong during the procedure.
Moments later the dispatcher again asked what happened.
Dispatcher: What went wrong? Does she like have - Is she awake still?
Preterm: I don't know, ma'am. I'm not in the room. So I'm assuming bleeding. Maybe a perforation? I don't know.
The only gurney access to the third-floor procedure rooms is through a frequently malfunctioning elevator.  The patient was brought out a back door of the facility that leads to the rear stairwell. There is no access to the elevator from that door. (See Floor Plan.)

"Eleven medical emergencies in the past five years is simply unacceptable. Women walk in but they don't walk out," said Newman. "The public has a right to be protected from such shoddy and incompetent practices. For years, Ohio Department of Health inspectors have taken note of one abortion-related injury after another but have continually neglected to hold Preterm accountable, even in light of the avoidable death of Lakisha Wilson. It's time to shut down this house of horrors before anyone else ends up on a slab in the morgue."

Operation Rescue is working through the legal and regulatory system with Cleveland Right to Life, Right to Life of North East Ohio, Lake County Right to Life, Created Equal, and others to protect women and their babies from further harm at Preterm.
________________________________
Get Newman and Sullenger's exciting new book, Abortion Free, available now at Amazon.com!
________________________________
About Operation Rescue®  
Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation and has become a strong voice for the pro-life movement in America.  Click here to support Operation Rescue. 




________________________________ 
Web site: www.operationrescue.org 

E-mail: info.operationrescue@gmail.com  


Operation Rescue | P.O. Box 782888 | Wichita | KS | 67278
Operation Rescue
    Troy Newman      
President 
316-841-1700 
Operation Rescue
    Cheryl Sullenger       
Senior Vice President 
316-516-3034 




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From 40 Days For Life: DAY 23: Closed ... times two!

40 Days for Life
Dear Deacon John,
 
Today’s message is one we all would like to see for our own city!
    
In 273 locations right now, people are praying for an end to abortion in their communities.

And God is continuing to respond.

We have amazing news today about two abortion facilities where a combined tens of thousands of abortions were done. These are locations where faithful people have prayed for years … and numerous 40 Days for Life vigils were held.
 
Those centers – in Jacksonville, North Carolina and Augusta, Georgia – are now closed!
 
These are the 68th and 69th abortion facilities … where 40 Days for Life prayer vigils have taken place on the sidewalks outside … that have shut their doors forever and gone out of business.
 
Praise God!!!
 
Here are some of the details ... including the celebration in Jacksonville, where local volunteers were joined by 40 Days for Life board members Matt Britton and Tibor Baksy.
 
Jacksonville, North Carolina
 
 
Volunteers in Jacksonville thought they would be in for a long battle in their community.
 
When the local TV station did a report about the start of campaign, the owner of the abortion center where they’re praying appeared in the story … promising he would always be there for “the patients who choose to come to him.”
 
He had been in business for decades – and according to state health department records, almost 58,000 abortions were performed there over the years. So last month, volunteers launched their fifth 40-day vigil … praying on the sidewalk outside and serving as a witness to their city.
 
Not quite a week later, it was a very different story. The owner said that because of “unforeseen circumstances,” he would be closing his business.
 
“A miracle has happened!” said Theresa, the local 40 Days for Life coordinator in Jacksonville. The closure was totally unexpected.
 
At a rally outside the center after its final day in business, she told reporters, “We’re just glad the abortions are going to be over … we’re thanking God that this day has come!”
 
Augusta, Georgia
 
 
In so many words, Planned Parenthood blamed economics for the closure of its Augusta facility. It used the words “fiscally responsible decisions.”
 
Quite likely … they simply weren’t making enough money at that location.
 
People had prayed in front of this business since it opened more than 35 years ago. During that time, there were also ten 40 Days for Life vigils.
 
“God has answered many prayers of the Augusta people by closing Augusta Planned Parenthood,” said one Georgia volunteer. Another noted that Planned Parenthood had “long preyed on vulnerable women.”
 
Over the years, the facility had cut its operating hours. 40 Days for Life volunteers considered that a hopeful sign that Planned Parenthood would one day close. And now it has!
 
A news account of the closure explored the question of where women will receive medical care now that Planned Parenthood is gone. A representative of one medical center, which receives federal funding to help low-income patients, said it offers every single service that Planned Parenthood did, except one – abortion.
 
So the argument that poor women will suffer if there’s no Planned Parenthood just doesn’t hold up.
 
 
Here's today's devotional from Dennis DiMauro of Lutherans for Life.
 
Day 23 intention

We pray for the strength to love those who do not love us.

Scripture

But the Lord said "You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in the night and perished in the night. And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left, and much livestock? Should I not be concerned about that great city?"

— Jonah 4:10-11
 
Reflection from Dennis DiMauro
 
God doesn't value people and things like we do. Jonah loved a shade tree more than an entire city of sinful people. We love our dogs more than a terrorist. We love our cars more than a beggar on the side of the road. And sometimes, we love our money more than a child growing in a desperate teenager's womb.

But God isn't like us. Genesis 1 tells us that humans were the capstone of God's creation. We were created on the sixth day after God had completed the land, the stars, the plants and the animals. Therefore, His love for us is greater than His love for a plant, an animal, or any other created thing.

And the book of Jonah tells us that He loves even the most sinful people and seeks to bring them into His merciful arms. And it's a love that seeks to touch all of his created children: that desperate teenager, the baby growing in her womb, even tyrants and terrorists.

So it's up to us to imitate God's merciful love by helping and praying for those who persecute us, and those who don't love us back.
 
Prayer

Gracious God, loving our enemies seems like one of most difficult things you could ask of us. Please remind us that this is how you love and that if you ask it of us then you will give us the grace to do it. This we ask through Christ our Lord, Amen.
 
Printable devotional

To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:

http://40daysforlife.com/media/day23.pdf
 
For life,
 
 Shawn Carney
SHAWN CARNEY
President
40 Days for Life
 
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