US Bishops Call for a Special Day of Prayer and Fasting

The following is a quote from the USCCB's Respect Life office, during all the faithful to pray and fast this Friday: 

 

May 10, 2022 WASHINGTON - In response to the leak of a draft opinion in the U.S. Supreme Court case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, some abortion advocates are calling for nationwide demonstrations, disruptions of church services, and the personal intimidation of specific Supreme Court justices. Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities invited the faithful to unite in fasting and prayer:   “In the midst of current tensions, we invite Catholics around the country to join us in fasting and praying the Rosary on Friday, May 13, the Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima. Let us offer our prayers and fasting for these intentions:   ·     For our nation, for the integrity of our judicial system, and that all branches of government be dedicated to seeking the common good and protecting the dignity and rights of the human person, from conception to natural death. ·     For the overturning of Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey in the Supreme Court’s final decision in Dobbs v. Jackson. ·     For the conversion of the hearts and minds of those who advocate for abortion. ·     For a new commitment to building an America where children are welcomed, cherished, and cared for; where mothers and fathers are encouraged and strengthened; and where marriage and the family are recognized and supported as the true foundations of a healthy and flourishing society. ·     For Our Blessed Mother’s intercession and guidance as the Church continues to walk with mothers and families in need, and continues to promote alternatives to abortion, and seeks to create a culture of life.   As Catholics, let us witness to the beautiful gift of life with civility and love, and with our peaceful prayers and our compassionate service to all those in need.   Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.” The NCCW Rosary Call will be held Friday at 6:30 pm Central time.  You can find call in information HERE.

Pro-Life Voices in Jeopardy at the UN

URGENT!!!  Pro-life Advocates may be barred from the UN

(This letter was sent to the NCCW Board and is used with permission.)

Dear Friends,

I learned today from a pro-life group that has had a presence at the UN in New York for 25 years that they were recently informed that their values do not coincide with the values of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and that pro-life groups have been barred from hosting a panel at the CSW this year.  The CSW is scheduled to be held from March 14-26.

A few days ago, there was a Zoom meeting that determined the course of work for the CSW.  A woman who leads a very powerful group actually said that pro-life groups should not only be barred from presenting at the CSW but should lose their credentials at the UN!  Recall, please, that the UN is supposed to promote inclusive civil society engagement.

Accordingly, C-Fam, a group that is strongly pro-life at the UN, is circulating a world-wide petition to be presented to the Secretary General of the UN asking that the pro-life position be given voice at the upcoming CSW.  We ask that you please consider joining in this petition by completing the information found in this link:

https://c-fam.org/stop-the-un-from-blocking-pro-life-groups

Our NCCW stands strong today in support of pro-life as it has throughout its nearly 102-year history and prayerfully requests that you discern your participation in this effort to protect the most defenseless and consider adding your name to this petition.  Doing so will send a message that there are women world-wide who support protecting the fragile and beautiful gift of life from conception to natural death.

Thank you and may Our Lady of Good Counsel guide your decisions and actions always,

Maribeth Stewart Blogoslawski

NCCW UN Representative

 

Call to Action! Life Advocacy Day & More!

(This article was also published in The Catholic Post on March 17th.)

The State of Illinois is at risk of falling more into a culture of death with two dangerous bills being proposed in our state legislature. HB2489 and HB2467 threaten lives of unborn children and religious liberties of health care providers. Here are just some of the details of these bills.

HB2495, the “Reproductive Health Act,” makes multiple changes to the state’s abortion laws:

•  It allows abortion at any gestational age, for any reason. It repeals the “partial-birth” abortion ban (dilation and extraction) and may allow for clinics to let surviving babies die after a botched abortion.
• It requires every health insurance policy offered in the state to cover abortion at no extra cost, with no exemptions.
•  It removes conscience protections from doctors and facilities, including Catholic hospitals, which do not wish to perform or refer for abortions.
• A quote from the bill states: “A fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent rights under the laws of this State.”

HB2497 repeals the Illinois Parental Notice of Abortion Act, which would allow a minor to have an abortion, medical or surgical, without her parents knowing about it. This entices young girls from neighboring states, sometimes with an abuser, to cross state lines and procure abortions here.

TAKING ACTION

Please take the following steps right away to combat this attack on unborn life and religious freedom.

First, pray! Pray for legislators to have the wisdom and courage to stop these bills from being passed, and pray for the mothers, fathers, and unborn children who would be directly impacted by this legislation.

Second, spread the word about these bills, in your parishes and on social media. It may not be popular, but as faithful Catholics we must speak up.

Third, gather a group from your community to attend the “Vote NO on HB2495 and HB2467 Rally” at the State Capitol on Wednesday, March 20. Catholics from the Dioceses of Peoria, Belleville, Rockford and Springfield will also take part in a Life Advocacy Day on March 20, while those from the Archdiocese of Chicago and Diocese of Joliet will travel to Springfield on April 3 for a Life Advocacy Day. For more information, go to illinoisrighttolife.org, call (312) 422-9300, or contact the Cecilia Soñé, director of the Respect Life Office of the Diocese of Peoria, at csone@ccdop.org or (309) 671-1550.

Fourth, file witness slips online. This is a way to let legislators know you oppose these bills. It takes less than five minutes to complete. Here are the steps to do this:

• Go to this website for HB2495, gsslcms.org/opposehb2495
• Fill in your information. Put “Self” in the fields for “Firm/Business,” “Title,” and “Persons, groups represented in this appearance.”
• Click on “opponent” under “Position.”
• Click on "Record of Appearance Only" under “Testimony.”
• Click on “I Agree to the ILGA Terms of Agreement."
• Click on “Create (Slip).”

Go to this website for HB2467, gsslcms.org/opposehb2467, and repeat the steps above.

Other action steps include contacting your state representative and state senator to express your strong opposition to these bills. Phone calls and letters are helpful, along with online petitions. You do not need a computer to express your opinion.

Finally, pray again, and without ceasing. Thank you for supporting the dignity of human life!

MARY ANN Hughes is the vice president/secretary of the Peoria Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and serves as its Chair of Pro-Life Concerns. She attends St. Mary Church in Westville.