Eric Schiedler, the founder of Pro Life Action League, has asked us to go and visit a memorial to the unborn today. His prayer campaign is called "Blessed Are They Who Mourn" and he's asked for each of us to go and pray for the unborn, their mama's and our nation. We are a nation in need of healing.
On his website, there is a link that will let you check by state, each and every memorial to the unborn. There are 227 sites in over 41 states that have this special memorial. How touching yet so sad.
Here are some pictures from the one I visited today. It's especially poignant with it's tear drop shape and Mary embracing the newborn babe.
My time was short since it was 4 degrees outside but long enough so I could pray for mercy on our nation and ask for the intercession of Mary and all the angels and saints.
"Truly children are a gift from the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward" (Psalm 127:3). Blessings, Noreen
Why am I doing this? Because the unborn need help. Their rights are being ignored. Plus, this is the image in my mind when I think of how Jesus must feel about His precious babies.
I've enlarged it so you can look closely at what He's holding in the palm of His hand.
Here are the rules if you'd like to participate: Commenting Rules
Do's
“Criticize ideas, not people.”
Create one original moniker and stick with it.
Please use a unique name.
Be civil and considerate.
Read fully and consider carefully before responding.
Do Not's
Blasphemy will not be tolerated.
No swearing or slandering of others.
No deliberate inflammatory comments.
Do not violate another’s privacy.
Do not threaten fellow commenters or anyone else.
No personal, racial, ethnic or gender-based insults/slurs.
Do not post private personal information about yourself or others.(ie addresses, phone #s)
Violations will be deleted and you may be banned.
Threats will be immediately reported to authorities.
Following these rules will make everyone's experience visiting Jill Stanek better.
Their volunteer moderators make prudent judgment calls to provide an open forum to discuss these issues. They reserve the right to remove any comment for any reason. Jill's decisions on such moderations are final.
Ok President Obama, you've stated it very well with the exception of the unspoken disclaimer... you're leaving out the most precious vulnerable life. Which needs protection.
The unborn.
You forgot to include the murder of babies in their mother's womb.
Mother Teresa said it best:
February 1997 - National Prayer Breakfast in Washington attended by the President and the First Lady. "What is taking place in America," she said, "is a war against the child. And if we accept that the mother can kill her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another."
I wonder how the Clintons responded to her statement?
I've been having an amiable debate with a proponent for the HHS Mandate on another blog. It was going on before I joined in but it's really made me think about what I believe in. There are a couple of women who are participating who are pro-choice and believe those against this mandate "are not dealing with reality or live in a skewed reality." Through our dialogue, it's raised a number of very interesting questions that I have little understanding or no answer for so I'm hoping to find help here. I'm paraphrasing here but you'll get the gist of the conversation. I should preface this by stating, this woman is a doctor and agnostic in her views.
1. It was said that the "Catholic institutions are not going to be paying for these services that the healthcare provider would be." My response was that the Catholic institution buys the insurance package that is given to their employees. And in the last 10 plus years, the employee pays a portion of the premium with the employer paying the rest. Thereby a Catholic institution is paying for and giving their employees a healthcare package that includes contraception, sterilization, abortion..etc. which they find morally unacceptable.
Am I understanding this correctly?
2. It was said that "the Catholic Church wants to keep church and state separate yet they want the tax exemptions that come with being a church." Plus "they don't have to pay taxes on the donations received yet they have luxuries such as cars, houses and airplanes. It's a double standard." To be honest, I have no idea how the tax exemptions work but I responded with "that may be the case with the megachurches, tv evangelists and perhaps the Vatican and cardinals and yes, I agree that is a double standard, but the typical priest does not live that lifestyle. They live in a small house on the church property that is not theirs but belongs to the parish.
3. Being pro-life and Christian automatically means "we are imposing our beliefs on others while the pro-choice side only wants abortion as an option. They also do NFP." Well, I went into "the big money making machine of the abortion industry using my own clinic in my city and how many abortions are done in this one facility each week. I even included statistics of how many legal abortions have been reported since 1973. So, I don't really buy into that mantra."
4. Here's my own question: "What percentage of entities are we talking about that would like to remove contraception, sterilization, abortion..etc.? Against the larger workforce, I was thinking it was only a small percentage of christian institutions, schools and charities. Does anyone know the answer to this one?
I've not been offended at all in our dialogue because it made me think and think hard on what I believe an why. What are your thoughts?
I've been going to our local abortion clinic for 6 months now and I've learned a couple of things:
1. There are good reasons to abort a baby.
2. Blue collar workers support the pro-life effort.
I am being facetious here so let me elaborate on what I mean. No, there is NEVER a good reason to abort a baby but so many young girls, women, their friends, sisters, boyfriends and husbands seem to think otherwise. Here are the "good reasons:"
I don't have the time or money for a baby right now.
I don't want any more children... I'm too young or too old.
My mother or boyfriend is forcing me.
I will get kicked out of my house if my mom finds out.
My boyfriend will leave me if I keep this baby.
I don't want a Downs Syndrome baby.
Postpartum depression was horrible after my last baby.
I was raped.
These "reasons" are sometimes said through tears and heartache; or other times, matter of factly, then others, coldly or angrily. Some of these girls won't even look you in the eye while others boldly do and many others with sadness, desperation and regret.
I am not a side walk counselor nor would I be a good one. I'd want to take these mamas home with me to give them the support they need. It's heartbreaking to watch them go in and worse to watch them come out. Walking very cautiously as if every step hurt. Hanging their heads in sorrow and pain.
Our sidewalk counselors are loving and kind in their approach both before AND after the deed is done. No judgment or condescending attitude, only love and concern. They are a blessing to these young girls and women. As for myself and others, we stay and pray on the public sidewalk. Mostly we pray the rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet or a litany and lately, we sing Christian songs hoping to reach these moms and to the abortionist himself.
Two of the men who come every week, have taken up their "Walls of Jericho" method of praying as they walk around the building over and over again. I like to think that angels and the Israelites of those times, are with them.
It's strange really. For the first time last week, I saw the abortion doctor arrive and leave his car with "his entourage." Two staff came out of the building to help gather his belongings and to hurriedly escort him into the building. He can certainly walk in by himself. He has two hands that end babies lives several times a week so, walking in on his own shouldn't be a problem. No one is threatening him where he needs "security" to get him into the building. Our group has never even approached him or said anything beyond "hello." So perhaps the danger or fear he's experiencing is our prayers breaking through his walls? Maybe the light is starting to shine through for him to fully see what he is doing? I pray for the conversion of his heart every day.
As for my comment on the Blue Collar workers, I've noticed that many men in work vans and trucks, honk and wave their support. Plenty of people in cars do too, but there are many in trucks. In fact, it is very rare that anyone says anything negative or unsupportive at all. I'd like to think that many seeds are being planted and awareness is spreading to what abortion really is ~
purposeful death of the unborn, with their mother's consent by the hands of a doctor.
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." Psalm 139:13
I've been hearing this phrase over the past year and wasn't sure if I believed it to be true. Yes, abortion is evil and so is a holocaust but can they be linked? I decided to think about it more and research it and this is what I concluded:
Abortion is a Holocaust
And here's why:
I first went to Dictionary.com and typed in the word holocaust. Here is what it says:
a great or complete devastion or destruction, especially by fire.
a sacrifice completely consumed by fire; burnt offering.
the systematic mass slaughter of European Jews in Nazi concentration camps in WWII
any mass slaughter or reckless destruction of life.
Yes, you can call it "a mass slaughter or reckless destruction of life" because since Roe vs. Wade legalized abortion in 1973, it is estimated that there have been nearly 50 million done. That's a staggering number and I'm going to say it's even worse than a holocaust.
My city has two abortion clinics and I go to a prayer vigil at one almost weekly. On these Thursday mornings, there is an average of 7-12 babies murdered. That's one day. The doctor does abortions on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. There are most likely, the same amount performed "in the name of women's healthcare" on Tuesdays and Saturdays. I'll be conservative here and say 7 on each day.
So, in one week at this one clinic there are 21 babies killed.
In one month, that would add up to 84 babies murdered.
In one year, that would calculate up to 1,008 babies killed.
That's on the low end and it's only at one clinic. We could probably double those numbers if we add up the abortions performed in the second clinic in my city.
Now here is the truly disturbing part that makes it worse than a holocaust in my opinion:
It is legal in our society.
Doctors are paid to kill the babies in the name of women's reproductive health.
The mothers are allowing it to happen and in fact, seek it out.
Those who oppose it our considered old fashioned and trying to hurt women.
It's is the work of the devil and he has society's thinking upside down on this one. Life is life and is given to us by God. Even if this life is unwanted, there are other options than abortion.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
St. Gerard, pray for us.
St. Padre Pio, pray for us.
I went with a few friends the other night to see October Baby and I went in knowing very little of what the story was about. I had planned it that way so I would genuinely react to the scenes instead of having preconceived notions affect my emotions. I had heard it was funny, sad and uplifting with a beautiful witness of life and forgiveness. I hadn't told my gal pals about the sad part even though they knew the premise "a young woman learns she had been given up for adoption after a failed abortion." I don't want to ruin it for anyone who hasn't seen it but you will cry for it is...
heartbreaking uplifting emotional hopeful
It is a story of pain, mercy, forgiveness and hope.
The great news is that October Baby made the top 10 list on it's opening weekend! People want to see movies with Christian values and this one has all the drama, suspense and humor of non-Christian movies, yet it comes with a pro-life message that is important. At times, the humor fell flat and other times, it did very well. Go and see it! Bring tissue! It's only been released in a limited amount of theaters, so let's show Hollywood that movie goers want to see movies that are meaningful, heartfelt and with a moral message!
Going to see October Baby tonight! It looks to have a strong pro-life message that is emotionally appealing to everyone. I think it's a story that needs to be told. Has anyone seen it yet?
I read today that a Planned Parenthood affiliate has a new president and CEO. Melaney Linton will be the new president and CEO of the Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast starting March 1, 2012. She rose up in the ranks over 24 years and started as a Clinic Assistant. She seems eager and excited to lead 13 abortion and abortion referring clinics as well as the LARGEST Planned Parenthood Clinic in the United States. That would be in Houston, Texas.
It is reported that Planned Parenthood statistics for 2010 are as follows:
12,000 abortions and they earned $17 million dollars that year.
49% of their funding came from tax payer money.
$200,000 was the annual salary of her predecessor, Peter J. Durkin.
"I am honored and humbled to be entrusted with such a sacred duty...I pledge to do everything in my power to fight back against the ideological attacks on Planned Parenthood and women, so that no teen will every say she didn't know how she got pregnant, no one will ever be denied basic reproductive health care, and no woman will ever be forced to bear children she cannot adequately support."
She doesn't mention anything about pregnancy prevention or adoption. It almost sounds like she is declaring war against the unborn. Would that be a stretch? Does the Pro-Life Movement "attack" women? or Planned Parenthood? If by "attack" she means reveals the truth of what is happening then yes, I guess it could be called that.
But wouldn't it be more accurate to say it's the unborn who are being "attacked" and killed.
Ms. Linton is "honored and humbled with such a sacred duty."
Hmmmm.... I imagine she either does or will regret that statement.
Abortion is not sacred. It's the opposite of sacred.
I went to the Speak Out Illinois Conference this past weekend and met so many wonderful men and women who stand up for LIFE. There were people from all walks of life and ages who came together to learn from the movers and the shakers of the Pro-Life Movement. The keynote speaker was Abby Johnson who is a former Planned Parenthood Director in Texas turned Pro-Life Advocate after viewing an ultrasound guided abortion. She could no longer deny that it wasn't a baby growing within the mother's womb. After years of believing that she was on the right side of protecting women's reproductive rights, she had the scales removed from her eyes to see truth. The truth from God's eyes and she converted. Her story isn't an easy one to listen to as she describes one of her jobs as "counting all the body parts that came out of the machine to make sure they had everything" and the numerous times the doctors went in blindfolded (without an ultrasound) and poked around to get to the baby and in some cases, perforate the mother's womb. Her testimony is so needed in this day and age for our society to learn the truth. IT IS A BABY inside the mother's womb. I applaud her honesty and courage to come forward and educate others on this truth. If you haven't read her book, you should. It will give you a brutally honest behind the scenes look into a Planned Parenthood Clinic.
I learned some tragic facts from Pro-Life Pro-Family Coalition in Chicago how abortion impacts the African American community. (Margaret Sanger would be so proud) Here is what they say:
Abortion is the greatest killer in the African American community:
* Greater than Cancer
* Greater than Aids
* Greater than Homicides
* Greater than Heart Disease
* Greater than Stroke
* Greater than Diabetes
They also state that "their goal is to strengthen marriage to reduce the 70% illegitimacy rate in the African American Community."
Disturbing facts following the closing of the Rockford Abortion Clinic. I pray that as time goes by, more and more people will see this truth and defend the unborn. Find your local abortion clinic and go and pray in a peaceful prayer vigil. Write your congressmen on your views of abortion. They need to hear from you! But most of all, pray for the unborn; their mothers and fathers; and the abortionists themselves. Abby Johnson credits her Pro-Life prayer warriors outside the clinic she worked at for the truth being revealed to her. Prayer works!
Today while praying outside an abortion clinic near Chicago, I learned that a different abortion clinic in Rockford called Northern Illinois Womens Center (N.I.W.C.) was temporarily shut down by the state over 3 months ago for it's health and safety violations. (In fact, it was reported that the abortion center had not been inspected by the state for over 14 years.) They were given two options by the Illinois Department of Public Health:
They could pay the $9,750 fine and reopen once the citations were fixed. OR
Remain closed, pay a reduced fine of $1,000 and lose their license.
On January 13, 2012, the clinic owner opted to close up shop and pay the reduced fine. Here is what he said in a statement to the Rockford Register Star:
"We also want to acknowledge the Winnebago County Citizens for Choice for walking with us and the women coming to the clinic in the face of harassment, intimidation and hostility. The WCCC are women and men who will continue to work to preserve women's right to reproductive health. The staff is very saddened by the closing. We are not done grieving this loss and still are struggling with surrendering to the idea that we will not be able to do this work tomorrow or the day after."
The more I googled about this clinic, the more intense and demonic this clinic appeared to be. So much so, that seven priests came and prayed outside the clinic on the public sidewalks. They were praying prayers of exorcism and these prayers were answered!
Here are some pictures I found from the Pro Life Corner Blog who has been involved with praying for the rights of the unborn, their mothers and staff at the N.I.W.C. Beware though: these images are shockingly heinous.
You'll have to go to their blog Pro Life Corner Blog to get a better view of what the owner put on the windows. Here is what is written on some of his signs:
"Red Alert Terrorists and Perverts Lurking in the Area"
"If my sermon offends you - you repent"
"$500 reward for return of missing demons"
"This clinic has more integrity than your church has"
39 year ago today January 22, 1973, the unthinkable happened.
The United States of America's judicial system legalized abortion.
Today we remember ALL of those babies who weren't given the choice whether they wanted to live. It was taken from them without their consent.
We remember and pray for the mothers and fathers who bought into this lie and chose to end the lives of their babies.
We remember and pray for all of the doctors and nurses who wrongly believe they are doing what's best for their patients by terminating a pregnancy.
We remember to pray for our government and society that they learn to value and protect it's children, born and unborn.
What does choice really mean?
The feminist group believes that they have the right to determine what happens to their body. It's their "choice". They promote the idea that "it's just a bunch of cells" and not life. We now know this is not true. Anyone who has had an ultrasound knows that a baby is forming. There is life in the womb not just a mass of cells. Abortion kills that life pure and simple. There's no getting around this fact.
I'm joining in with other Pro-Life Bloggers at Catholic Bloggers Network to stand up for our most vulnerable members of society ~ our unborn!
Jesus, save and protect the unborn!
Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Jeremiah 1:5
Announcing 2nd Annual "Ask Them What They Mean by "Choice" Blog Day
I was sent a free copy of Steve Wood's CD called "Spiritual Warfare From a Pro-Life Foxhole" from Tiber River in exchange for my review. I was unfamiliar with Steve Wood and his agency called Family Life Center International, but his title grabbed my attention immediately. It comes as no surprise that I am Pro-Life and work towards ending abortion so this seemed an obvious pick for me. I'm so happy I picked it because I've listened to it over and over and gleaning something new from it each time. Mr. Wood is a convert to the Catholic Faith and states right away, "We are in a world war unlike any of which that has ever been seen in the history of mankind. We must view the world from a Pro-Life foxhole for our blinders are gone, no longer thinking we have a righteous government, that our society has a certain Christian props. We've seen they're gone and seen the extent that the enemies of life will go to crush the Pro-Life Movement. We are in a spiritual war." A bold statement.
Mr. Wood shares 5 strategies to fight spiritual warfare in the abortion industry with the first being the most radical: babies. "This is the most overlooked strategy in fighting abortion," he concludes. He uses scripture to show how much Jesus loves babies and pleads for us "to be generous in the service of life." He believes that having babies is a way for the Pro-Life Movement to overcome it's opposition. "Look to the future," he advises and recommends that you "open your heart to the Holy Spirit by asking Jesus if He would like to bring a child into existence, that never existed before, with an eternal destiny through you?"
The second strategy is: upholding the sanctity of marriage is directly related to upholding the sanctity of human life. He boldly asserts that Satan is attempting to destroy the value of human life by attacking marriage through sexual sin. Are we aware of Satan's designs? Or ignorant of them? We are most inclined to be tempted in this area of sexual immorality. Sexual sin is a strike against marriage. At the Reformation, marriage was denied as a sacrament and was given to Civil Government control but our nation has become more and more secular. "Marriage went down with the state," he claims. "It is no longer sanctified but contracted and contracts can be broken. Make marriage a sacrament and special graces will be available to resist temptation and sin. Human life will be valued as a precious gift if marriage is valued as a sacrament."
The third strategy is spiritual warfare prayer. Revelation chapter 20 announces "that Satan has been loosed to deceive the nations." St. Augustine wrote in his book, The City of God Book 20 chpt 6-16 an interpretation of Revelation Chapter 20. Those who hear the Messiah's word come to life. The pit has been opened in the 20th Century because Satan is no longer bound. Pope Leo XIII Oct. 13, 1884 heard God and Satan talking about man and his boasting that he can deceive the church. "I want the body of Christ" is what Satan has asked for (similar to Satan asking for Job). Pope Leo XIII composed the Saint Michael Prayer to fight spiritual warfare. "A restraint has been loosed that was previously bound and the demonic forces have been unleashed" according to Mr. Wood.
"The rock" is the fourth strategy whereby the church must stand firm and take action against the demonic assault. He encourages us to read every papal encyclical of marriage, human life and the family ever written for this is where the attack is taking place. Margaret Sanger seduced the Church of England into accepting contraception and abortion in the early 1900's. These encyclicals are the rock's answer to it. Mr. Wood asserts that the battle is on with "the rock verses the bottomless pit". These encyclicals explain how the church will withstand the demonic assault against it.
The last strategy is Mary. The role Jesus and Mary have in God's plan for the war of the ages. He acknowledges "that Christian love is that the more you love the capacity to love increases. Loving Mary does not take away from loving Jesus". In fact, he goes on to show how biblically and through church history, Mary has played a role in the war of the ages by crushing the head of the serpent. Praying the rosary assists in defeating Satan. He claims that "God's plan has Jesus and Mary joined up in mortal combat against Satan." Mr. Wood concludes his talk with this statement, "Any equipment in God's plan that He offers, I want."
I agree with Mr. Wood. I too, want any weapons that God has to offer for eternal salvation. This CD is perfect for opening one's eyes to how our society has been deceived in accepting abortion and then giving the listener tools in how to be a warrior for Christ. Mr. Wood backs up his strategies through scripture and church history for the Catholic and non-Catholic. He does not suggest that one must convert to Catholicism but he endeavors to enlighten the listeners to the tools already available through the Catholic Church. Who, by the way, has been in the business of spiritual warfare longer than anyone else.
You can purchase your own Spiritual Warfare From a Pro-Life Foxhole CD through Aquinas & More Catholic Goods for $9.95. I was given a free copy of this CD in exchange for my review by the free Catholic Book Review program of Aquinas & More. No monetary compensation was given for my review. Please check out Aquinas & More website for the latest books, CDs and sacramental gifts.
Father Francis Maple is using his God given talents to help the most vulnerable of our society. He is singing to save the unborn. Beware, this song brought me to tears! Please consider spreading this Youtube video and posting it on your blogs. I'm convinced we can save more babies this way!
My friend from across the pond first introduced me to Father Maple. Vic from Time for Reflections is a gifted published writer whose humorous style leaves you wanting for more!! He also has a soft spot for the unborn. God Bless him!
Here is Father Maple's hauntingly beautiful song called Cry From the Heart:
Here are the lyrics:
Mommy keep me safe, mommy keep me warm
Handle me with care, mommy help me to form.
I am ten weeks old, and I know the time will come
when you will give birth to me.
The gift you gave me are a pair of bright blue eyes
So some day I will see you smile and love me.
I've already got my arms and a little podgy nose,
And at the end of my feet I've got five little toes.
I look forward to my life, ice cream and slimy snails,
teddy bears and little fairy tales.
Going for walks in the park
Running home before it's dark.
And being tucked into bed with a kiss.
Where are we going today?
Am I in a boat or bus?
Why are we lying down?
Being drawn on four wheels?
And we go through the door
and there's people dressed in green.
Everything seems so strange and so clean.
Mommy if they hurt you just let out a scream
and I know someone will come to help you and me.
Mommy what's going on I am starting to cry
Come quickly they are forcing me to die.
They are killing me mommy, they are pulling me apart
My arms and my legs and now they're at my heart.
And I won't see the sky, or the grass or the trees,
and I won't see the moon, or feel the breeze.
I love you mommy dear, you know I really do
But I only wish you could have loved me too!
This pro-life son written by Father Francis Maple has saved at least 20 babies. Their mothers were considering abortion but changed their minds after hearing this son.
Yesterday we remembered all those baby boys who were killed in King Herod's campaign to eliminate his competition - baby Jesus. We all know that he failed in that regard yet many young baby boys were martyred and are considered the first martyrs called Holy Innocents. Today with my mind heavy with the martyred babies, I returned to the abortion clinic to pray. Once there, I learned that the abortion doctor had the day off and had a replacement taking over the abortion duties.
Before I arrived, one of the scheduled patients and her husband, changed their minds about aborting their baby after talking to a sidewalk counselor. Please pray for Aliyah and her husband to stand strong in their decision to keep their third baby.
Even with this great news, the other young faces that left the office, haunt me still. It was another busy day. I cried again today after watching one young college age girl and her boyfriend leave. She walked out very slowly and carefully as if each step hurt her. I'm guessing it hurt physically but her emotional pain was evident. She hung her head in shame and cried. Her boyfriend covered her in a big Chicago Blackhawks blanket and was attempting to console her with no success. He obviously loved her in his tender care of her and she will need his support as she goes through this aftermath of emotion. I don't know their names or circumstances, but I pray for them that they turn to God for forgiveness, healing and peace. Her face has popped up in my memory repeatedly today and each time I'm offering up prayers for her.
My day started out great. I went to daily mass and then stayed to pray with my rosary group. I quickly came home to walk the dog for 30 minutes and then went to fulfill one of my on-going spiritual gifts to Jesus. I returned to the abortion center to pray for an hour or so. The mood was different today even though we had planned on meeting and singing Christmas songs as well as praying. When I arrived, I was informed that the clinic was busier than usual. I checked their website and they're still offering 20% of an abortion surgery. Perhaps that would explain the increase in appointments to day?
photo credit
One of the sidewalk counselors had learned and attempted to talk to 15 women... yes, 15 women who had scheduled abortions for today. More than usual for a Thursday and it is a few days before Christmas. As I arrived, a mom, dad and young teenage daughter left the clinic following their abortion. Mom and dad with rigid backs were filled with anger and refused to look at us. Their daughter looked as they drove out of the parking lot. She looked at us with confusion. She was most likely told that she was doing the right thing but then she probably wondered, "why are people out here praying for me NOT to have an abortion?"
We continued to sing and pray as we watched couples leave the clinic and one couple in particular, made my heart ache. They looked to be a young college couple who obviously hadn't planned to have a baby at this time in their lives but because of their actions and choices, a baby was conceived by the grace of God. That little life was snuffed out this morning and my tears flowed. I could see the boyfriend attempting to console his girlfriend and encourage her that she did the right thing.
I don't know them or their current circumstance but I do know this:
a young college-age girl with her hair pulled back in a ponytail, will regret this decision.
She will try to bury it but her feelings will push through one day.
She will anguish over this decision.
She will hate herself for it one day.
And I pray that she turns to God and asks for forgiveness for she will be forgiven.
God's mercy is great.
I pray that she learns to forgive herself.
photo credit
This was not how I wanted my Advent Season to come to a close but it is what it is. Please join me in prayer for all these women who entered Dr. Goyal's office of death this morning and believed they were doing the right thing. Or that they had no other choice. I pray that their eyes will be opened by the grace of God so they can repent and then heal from their pain.
Last night, our church hosted a meeting for a local pro-life group called Northwest Families for Life and heard some amazing news! The abortion clinic where this group had been praying on the outside, and my son and I on the inside, recently closed!!! My son had numerous appointments in that building with a podiatrist and a dermatologist and each time we would bring holy water; and mark the front entrance with the sign of the cross and then go to the gait that blocked the doorway of the abortion clinic, and mark that gait with the holy water. We then briefly prayed in the hallway before going to his doctor's appointment. I've blogged about it here and here.
Every Thursday during the 40 Days for Life Campaign this past Lenten Season, this group prayed at this location. I would see them occasionally there on other days when they learned that the abortion doctor had moved his patients to this location from another one a couple of miles away. Yes, this doctor has 6 medical centers in which he has privileges that he performed abortions in the suburbs of Chicago. He used to have 7 but now it is down to 6. Praise God!
At our meeting we had the founder, Ms. Mary Zeien, of The Well of Mercy in Chicago present about their new center that offers housing and education for single mothers and their newborn babies. Those who choose life, can stay there and receive support- both mom and baby. We were able to meet one of the moms who lives there and her 3 week old baby. What a blessing they were to us all! God has orchestrated the opening of this center so single moms have a place to live, receive support and have their babies.
I am linking up with Trish's Simple Joys today because what could be more joyful than the blessing of a baby? What could be more joyful than a support system for a single mom opts to have her baby?
I am a Catholic mom who is enjoying the world of blogging. This blog is to honor God, explore christianity and share my life with you. What I am not, is a writer, expert on Catholicism or Christianity or a web designer. I have absolutely no experience at creating a blog whatsoever! What I do have is a desire to learn my faith and share it with others.
.jpg)
