Saturday, October 10, 2009

Day 14 - If God is Within, We Forgive

If God is Within, We Forgive

National Campaign Daily Intention

Abortion is the great no. May all of God’s people have the freedom and grace to say yes to His marvelous plans.

Table of Contents

  • National Campaign Daily Intention
  • National Campaign News
    • The Tide is Turning
  • Local Campaign News
    • Valley View Christian Fellowship Adopts Oct 15
    • Door to Door Campaign – Are You Game?
    • Coming Events
    • A Vigil of Mourning – Tuesday, Oct 13, 6:00 pm
    • Allow us to Announce Your Pro-Life Prayer Gathering Here
  • 40 Days through Scripture
    • Day 14: John 1 – 5
  • National News
    • Planned Parenthood Conducts Clinical Trials on Underage Girls
  • International News
    • If God is Within, We Forgive Offenses & Respond to Hatred with Love
  • Video Vignette
    • You Can’t Make a Weak Man Strong by Making a Strong Man Weak
  • Get Involved
    • Contributors to Student Pro-Life Magazine Needed
    • Write a Letter to the Editor of Our Local Papers
    • Support 40 Days for Life with a Donation through our Website
  • Campaign Materials
    • Two Hearts Catholic Books & Gifts to Carry 40 Days for Life Items
    • Free 40 Days for Life Items - Bumper Sticker, Bracelet & More

National Campaign Daily Intention

Abortion is the great no. May all of God’s people have the freedom and grace to say yes to His marvelous plans.

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed and in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.—Psalm 139:13-16

Unlike the rest of creation, we are capable of a personal relationship with God. Not only did God create us, but created us according to a plan devised from all eternity. No matter how far back we go in our imagination, there was never a time when God did not know each of us, in very detail of our being. There was not a particular time when God decided to make us. The decision to make us has been in the mind of God from all eternity. All our days were written in His book. To dare to say that a human being, developing in the womb, should not be born is as wrong as to say that a born person should not continue to grow and live. In each case, an attack on human life is an attack on the God who formed and made us. Jesus Christ is the great yes to the promises of God; abortion is the great no.

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director
Priests for Life  

National Campaign News

The Tide is Turning

The National campaign reported several stories of how the tide is turning, including the following:

… On Saturday—the morning my home church was signed up to cover the vigil -- the abortion advocates got a permit to conduct a demonstration against 40 Days for Life at the place the vigil usually takes place. But when the day came, there were 197 pro-life people praying at the clinic -- and only THREE abortion demonstrators. Demoralized, they didn't stay long.

To see a photo of just a few of the faithful people who came to stand up for life in Manassas, go here: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=321

And here's "the rest of the story"...While all those people were out there praying, a woman walked towards the clinic for an abortion appointment. After people on the sidewalk spoke to her, she entered the nearby pro-life pregnancy center instead. "The lady who was about to have the abortion told the counselor she started to shiver when she saw so many people praying," said Ken Groves of the Manassas 40 Days for Life campaign. "At that moment she said she felt God wanted her to have her baby. A precious baby was saved! It was an amazing Saturday in Manassas."  …

To see a read the entire national update go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=321.

Local Campaign News

Valley View Christian Fellowship Adopts Oct 15

As we’ve said before, the Adopt-A-Day program is perhaps the best way of both filling the sidewalk and helping to spread the word regarding abortion.   Towards this end, Therese and Rachel have approached their pastor and requested that he support them in encouraging their church members to come to the sidewalk to Pray to End Abortion.   Because he realizes that not everyone is ready to take the leap to standing in front of an abortion site, even while they support the effort, their pastor is planning on  opening their sanctuary space that day so that in addition to the prayer at the sidewalk, members of the congregation can join in prayer from afar to support their on-going effort.

Is your church congregation ready to play a corporate role in bringing abortion to an end through prayer, fasting and constant vigil?   If so, please consider Adopting A Day at the sidewalk.   It requires that you reach out to your pastor, obtain permission for the effort and then address the congregation at services this coming weekend, asking them to sign up for an hour of their time.   The impressive thing about going out to take a public stand on this issue is that we, through our own prayer, are the first ones who are converted, as we learn to have the Love of Christ for those who participate in abortion.   It is when we can truly embrace those who revile us or act in ways we cannot understand that we have the opportunity to also convert them.   For the Love of Christ is attractive.  

Are you ready to be converted into a deeper relationship with Our Lord Jesus Christ?   Are you ready to be the Love of Christ to a sinner who is in need of conversion?   To register for the hours when you’ll be at the sidewalk, go to:  http://www.vigilcalendar.com/renotahoe   I thank you in advance for your support.

Send your impressions of your time at the sidewalk to renotahoe@40DaysforLife.com.

Door to Door Campaign, Are You Game?

Are you willing to join us as we go door to door, inviting the community to Pray to End Abortion?   We will be going out next Saturday and we need your help.   Please contact Carol Marie if you would like to participate.   Reply to renotahoe@40DaysforLife.com.

Coming Events

A Vigil of Mourning – Tuesday, Oct 13, 6:00 pm
On the thirteenth of each month, a group gathers on the sidewalk outside the abortion site to remember the lives that will never be lived, the potential never realized because of the tragedy of abortion.   Come join them, dressed in mourning, as they pray for God’s Mercy.   You are welcome to bring a large votive candle.
Allow us to Announce Your Pro-Life Prayer Gathering Here
Gather together to Pray to End Abortion!   When you have plans, let us know and we’ll let others know through our updates.

40 Days through Scripture

Day 14: John 1 – 5 (including:  John 1:6-49)
A man named John was sent from God.   He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all mighty believe through him.   He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.   The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

Are you prepared to testify to the light so that others might believe in Him through you?

To get the complete 40 Days Through the New Testament list, go to: www.40DaysforLife.com/renotahoe/NewTestament, print it out and get started now.   It’s never too late to start reading the bible.

National News

Planned Parenthood Conducts Clinical Trials on Underage Girls

[American Life League]  … American Life League released a recent survey that reveals that at least 10 Planned Parenthood clinical trials have been conducted on underage girls as young as 13.

Twenty-eight Planned Parenthood affiliates have been involved in 33 clinical trials – some government funded – 10 of which involved young girls. Two of the 33 total trials ended in the 1990s, the remaining 31 were conducted in the last seven years, and many are still ongoing. …

… Planned Parenthood affiliates conducting clinical trials on minors include Planned Parenthood of Georgia, Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina, Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, Planned Parenthood of Maryland, Planned Parenthood of Shasta-Diablo, Planned Parenthood Golden Gate, Virginia League of Planned Parenthood, Planned Parenthood of New York City, and Planned Parenthood of Houston and Southeast Texas.    Other Planned Parenthood affiliates involved in the trials are listed in the review.  Read the entire article on-line.

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte maintains 34 clinics in California and Nevada, operating in Tahoe and Reno.    The ALL report states the following:

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte in California and Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina are involved in clinical trials to increase the use of emergency contraception among sexually active girls aged 14- to 24-years-old. The trials are being sponsored by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Giving massive doses of female hormones to young girls to induce an early abortion is not medically prudent, and these clinical trials are being done without the knowledge of these girl’s parents, under the guise of “confidentiality”.   Will they be there to hold the hands of these women when they are suffering infertility and cancer in 10 years time?

International News

If God is Within, We Forgive Offenses & Respond to Hatred with Love

[Zenit]  … There is a way to find out if God is dwelling and working within us, says [Pope] Benedict XVI: We can ask if we respond to offenses by forgiving and to hatred with love.

The Pope offered this discernment criterion today [Sept 16] when he dedicated the general audience in Paul VI Hall to a reflection on Symeon the New Theologian. …

… interior growth, he explained, consists in "knowledge of God, in true knowledge, not only taken from books, but interior, and in communion with God, to experience his help at all times and in every circumstance."

Benedict XVI pointed to something Symeon experienced that confirmed for the monk that God was within him.

He recounted: "[Symeon] began to feel like 'a poor man who loves his brothers.' [...] He saw around him many enemies that wanted to set snares for him and harm him but despite this he felt in himself an intense movement of love for them. How to explain this?

"Obviously, such love could not come from himself, but must spring from another source. Symeon understood that it came from Christ present in him and all was clarified for him: He had the sure proof that the source of love in him was the presence of Christ and that to have in oneself a love that goes beyond one's personal intentions indicates that the source of love is within." …

Read the entire article on-line

I share this article because I think it highlights our need to stay united with Christ during our work for Life.   When we place ourselves on the sidewalk, either at the abortion site, or we elsewhere proclaim the Truth of Life, we open ourselves to attack.   How we respond will make all the difference in the world as to how effective we will be in being agents of change to the culture around us.   If we respond in kind to nasty jibes, we will miss the opportunity to convert a soul through an exposure to the Truth shared in Love.   If we respond with kindness, even when treated unfairly, we have the opportunity to open a heart to the beauty of Christ’s message.   Remember to pray today.   Consider fasting for the lives of the unborn.   Unite yourself with Our Lord Jesus Christ by staying steeped in His Word.   This is our armor for the effort ahead.   And Remember do all things with Great Love of Christ.

Video Vignette

You Can’t Make a Weak Man Strong by Making a Strong Man Weak

Now there’s a quote that gets right to the core of what is being done in terms of the Health Care Reform!   Take a look at what this legislator has to say about the pending bills.    Watch here.

Get Involved!

Contributors to Student Pro-Life Magazine Needed

 [The Advocate, Live Action, UCLA]   We are looking for high school and college students who would like to contribute writing and art to our student-run magazine called, The Advocate, which is distributed across the country. Over 30,000 copies of our most recent publication are in distribution and we expect and even great number for our next release.

Contributors who have their submissions published will also receive a cash prize of $250. Anyone in college or high school can participate. For the 6th issue of The Advocate, we are looking for the following pieces:

Artistic submissions include pro-life:

  • Poetry
  • Cartoons
  • Sketches and Paintings
  • Photography
  • Anything that you believe would change hearts and minds if printed in a magazine!

Article submissions include:

  • The personal testimony from a women who was considered having an abortion, but chose life.
  • A story of a pro life hero.
  • A historical piece on the use of images in journalism.
  • President Obama's health care reform and how it will affect issues of life and death.
  • Topic of your choice.

Submission requirements:

  • Words per article: Around 400
  • Deadline for submissions: October 15
  • All submissions should be sent to our Associate Editor, Philip Johnson (philipgerardjohnson@gmail.com)

Write a Letter to the Editor of Our Local Papers

For those of us who no longer qualify as a student, it’s not too late for us to also participate through our writing, even if there’s no $250 prize to participate.   Consider writing a letter to the editor either regarding our local 40 Days for Life campaign, about abortion in general or regarding the Health Care Reform.   Now, more than ever, we need to keep the issues of Life, front and center.

Submit your letter to the editor online:

Support 40 Days for Life with a Donation through our Website

We have nearly paid off the expenses of our recent purchase of several banners and additional promotional materials.   A number of local churches, groups and individuals purchased banners for their own use through us, so that we were all able to use the greatest bulk discount offered by Heritage House, making good use of the funds that have been thus-far donated.   We continue to seek out the best deals and where possible donations of time and materials when seeking to fill our needs.   This effort, combined with your generosity has continued to allow us to have materials on-hand for our activities and to pay any other expenses incurred.

Our next expenses are to have additional Pray and Fasting Commitment Brochures printed, in each of our three versions, Marian, non-Marian, and Spanish.   Are you ready to step up and contribute to the effort?   We are now able to accept donations through our website.   Please help us fund this successful campaign.   Donate Now

Campaign Materials

Free 40 Days for Life Items - BumperSticker, Bracelet & More.

Heritage House, is offering aPromotion Pack of 40 Days for Life items through their website for the amazingcost of $0, they are even picking up the postage.If you havewished to place a bumper sticker on your car, but I haven’t had one on handwhen we’ve seen one another, our you haven’t yet got one of the rubberizedbracelets, but you’d like one, now is your chance to get these and more items,for free.They aren’t even requiring that you enter your emailaddress to receive this promotion, although, I encourage you to do so, and theywill continue to keep you informed of the many great items they place on saleduring the course of the year.And if you see something on sale andwould like to purchase it for our 40 Days for Life campaign, I would gladlyaccept the help in making their many excellent pro-life itemsavailable!To receive your free promo pack, go to: http://www.40dayspromopack.com/40dayspromopack/signup.asp

Two HeartsCatholic Books & Gifts to Carry 40 Days for Life Items

Truly, pictures are worth a thousand words.To makeit possible for us to communicate more effectively with those who witness ourcampaign, Millie has stocked Yard signs, Rally signs, New colored preciousfeet, Pro-life buttons, Static and Bumper sticker available @ The Two Hearts,33 Winter Street, Reno NV and St. Rose of Lima Church (weekend Masses).

More information

Please share this truth, among others relative toabortion with those who follow your Facebook posts! For moreinformation on 40 Days for Life, Reno/Tahoe, visit our local website, at: www.40DaysforLife.com/RenoTahoe, look for us onFaceBook, or Call: CarolMarie at 530-412-1573 Pleaseforward this message to anyone you know who might be willing to Pray to EndAbortion.

To receive yourown copy of these updates, as well as information from the NationalCampaign , go to http://www.40DaysforLife/renotahoe and request toreceive updates. If you preferto only receive our local updates, send an email with “Please Add Me to 40 Days for Life” on the subject line to renotahoe@40DaysforLife.com

If you wish tobe removed from this distribution list, simply reply with Please Remove in the subjectline.

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