4/8/16 – New York, NY — Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, issued the following statement this morning:
“All of us at Priests for Life welcome the document issued today by Pope Francis called “Amoris Laetitia” (“The Joy of Love”), which summarizes his teaching following the two worldwide synods of bishops held in the last two years on the topic of the family.
“We encourage all the clergy and laity to carefully read, study, discuss and apply this document, which repeats the Church’s teaching on life, marriage and family, and urges all of us to encourage one another with compassion and care as we strive to live that teaching.
“In regard to our own ministry in defense of the unborn, we thank the Holy Father for the beautiful words of this document about pregnancy and motherhood, in particular the following passage:
“Every child growing within the mother’s womb is part of the eternal loving plan of God the Father: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you” (Jer1:5). Each child has a place in God’s heart from all eternity; once he or she is conceived, the Creator’s eternal dream comes true. Let us pause to think of the great value of that embryo from the moment of conception. We need to see it with the eyes of God, who always looks beyond mere appearances.” (n. 168)
He states in section 83, “Here I feel it urgent to state that, if the family is the sanctuary of life, the place where life is conceived and cared for, it is a horrendous contradiction when it becomes a place where life is rejected and destroyed. So great is the value of a human life, and so inalienable the right to life of an innocent child growing in the mother’s womb, that no alleged right to one’s own body can justify a decision to terminate that life, which is an end in itself and which can never be considered the “property” of another human being.”
“The Holy Father also encourages adoption, stating, “Adopting a child is an act of love, offering the gift of a family to someone who has none.” N. 179
Finally, since our Director of African-American Outreach is Evangelist Alveda King, niece of Martin Luther King, Jr., we were happy to see Dr King quoted in this document, in the section where the Pope encourages a love that faces up to all difficulties. Part of the quote from Dr King reads, “And when you come to the point that you look in the face of every man and see deep down within him what religion calls ‘the image of God’, you begin to love him in spite of . No matter what he does, you see God’s image there.” N. 118
Priests for Life will continue to reflect and teach on this document in the days and months to come.
Please bring your joy and love to the sidewalk this week.
OPEN HOURS
Tuesday, April 12 – 1 needed at 11a; 2 needed at 2p; 2 needed at 3p and 2 needed at 4p.
Wednesday, April 13 – 1 needed at 8a; 1 needed at 9a; 1 needed at 11a; 1 needed at 1p and 1 needed at 4p.
Thursday, April 14 – 1 needed at 9a; 1 needed at 10a; 1 needed at 12p; 1 needed at 3p; 1 needed at 4p and 2 needed at 5p.
To sign up for hours go to: vigilforlife.org/calendar/monthview or e-mail info@vigilforlife.org or call Gwen Finnegan at (608)393-8545.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
PROTEST PLANNED PARENTHOOD RALLY – Join Madison Students to Save a Life and Vigil for Life as we join in the National Day of Protest at PP on Saturday, April 23, 2016 from 9:30a – 11:30a at 3706 Orin Rd. in Madison.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
On Sunday, May 1st, 2016, there will be a Rosary March starting at 2:00 p.m. at Holy Redeemer Church. (120 W. Johnson Street- Madison). It will be led by Fr. Eric Nielsen After the May crowning ceremony, all will proceed outside to walk around the block- perhaps twice- enough distance to complete most of a 5-decade Rosary. For more information, please call Clarke Ross at (262)255-6665 X1127
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
REMINDER: Please do not park in the Women’s Care Center parking lot. We must park on the street.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Only with prayer – prayer that storms the heavens for justice and mercy, prayer that cleanses our hearts and souls – will the culture of death that surrounds us today be replaced with a culture of life.” -Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities, U.S. Catholic Bishops
LITANY TO MARY, MOTHER OF LIFE
The Response is: Mary, pray for us.
Mary, Mother of all Life,
help us to respect human life from the moment of conception
to the moment of natural death. R.
Mary, Mother of Compassion,
You showed us how valuable a single life can be;
Help us to guard and protect the lives of all people entrusted to our care. R.
Mary, Mother of the Child Jesus,
with St. Joseph you formed the Holy Family.
Guard and protect all families in this earthly life; R.
Mary, Mother Most Holy,
You sanctified the vocation of motherhood;
Pour out your heavenly aid on all mothers and help them to be holy. R.
Mary, Mother of Sorrows,
Simeon’s prophecy foretold that a sword of suffering would pierce your heart;
Bring comfort and hope to all mothers who suffer over their children. R.
Mary, Full of Grace,
You had a choice in responding to God’s call;
Help us always to say “Yes” to the will of God in our lives,
And strive always to do whatever he tells us. R.
Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted,
Pour forth your heavenly grace on all who are in need of God’s healing,
Especially those involved in abortion;
Help them to experience the love and mercy of Christ, your Son. R.
Mary, Intercessor and Advocate,
We lift up the poor, the displaced, the marginalized and vulnerable members of society;
Help them to never abandon hope, but to place their trust in the God who gave them life. R.
Mary, Mother of the Word Incarnate, you bore in your womb him whom the heavens cannot contain;
Help us to bear witness to Christ by the example of our lives
And show the world the extravagant love of God. R.
All:
Remember, o most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, we fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, our Mother. To you we come, before you we stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not our petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer them. Amen.
