Pro-Life Initiative Newsletter 2009

November 13, 2009

Dear Friends,

As the end of another year approaches, it’s my great joy to report to you, our dearest friends, on all that we have been able to achieve with your help in 2009 and also to let you know of our plans for 2010.

The attached newsletter (.PDF) gives all the news we have to share, and we would be grateful if you would share it with anyone you think may be interested.

As ever, our main work with our expectant mums and babies is our priority and with every passing year we see more and more clearly how essential it is that we are here to offer a real choice and an alternative to abortion.

We are only able to continue with this work and to continue to flourish in so many new and exciting ways due to your kindness, support and prayers.

You are forever in our hearts and always remembered in our prayers.

God bless,
Srs Roseann, Andrea & Amanda

Click here to download the Cardinal Winning Pro-Life Initiative Newsletter for 2009


More on disability and abortion

November 13, 2009

From The Telegraph:

Government seeks secrecy on cleft palate abortions

In an extraordinary move, the Department of Health is taking the Government’s own Information Tribunal to court to overturn a landmark Freedom of Information Act ruling.

The case, which is set to cost the taxpayer thousands, aims to prevent the publication of controversial statistics including late terminations for disabled babies, which are legal under Ground E of the Abortion Act, right up to birth.

Last month, the Information Tribunal upheld and earlier ruling by the Information Commissioner, in favour of the Pro-Life Alliance, that the data must be published.


Read the full story


Marist Rosary Fraternity

November 6, 2009

Passing on the message:

Brother John Ogilvie of the Marist Order has started a Marist Fraternity and welcomes all who would like to come along and join with him in praying this most Holy Rosary.

This is held at 1.30pm each Tuesday at St Mungo’s Church in Townhead and is carried out in the Middle Hall, which is at the rear of the church and entered from McAslin Street.

“Remember your Rosary”


Down’s Syndrome and Choice

November 4, 2009

I’ve spent the last several days attempting, and failing, to sit down and write something about Down’s Syndrome in response to, among others, this article from the Guardian. This article stems from the news that despite a significant increase in diagnoses, the number of babies born with Down’s syndrome has decreased because around 92% of these pregnancies end in abortion.

I find however that Archbishop Chaput, writing in First Things, has done a much better job than I could have hoped to, so I would urge you to read his article Conscience, Courage, and Children With Down Syndrome.

The real choice in accepting or rejecting a child with special needs is never between some imaginary perfection or imperfection. The real choice is between love and unlove, between courage and cowardice, between trust and fear. And that’s the choice we face as a society in deciding which human lives we will treat as valuable, and which we will not.

I would also refer you to this letter, also from the Guardian, written in response to the same article addressed by Archbishop Chaput, from a mother of a child with Down’s who asks:

Why do we learn of the number of lost foetuses who don’t have Down’s syndrome but not the number “lost” who do? When my nine-year-old, who has Down’s syndrome, reads an article like this, why won’t it feel like ethnic cleansing?

No-one, absolutely no-one, disputes that raising a child with a disability can be immensely difficult. That’s why we all share in the responsibility to help these families in any way we can. Our medical establishment, our media, our entire society suffers from what Archbishop Chaput describes as “a kind of schizophrenia in our culture’s conscience”. This is often well meant, stemming from misguided compassion, but it not love. As noted in the original Guardian article, it is tragic when a healthy baby dies as a result of amniocentesis, but it is no less tragic when a baby with Down’s dies as a result of abortion. And is an indictment of our society that the fear of conditions like Down’s is so overwhelming that the risks of invasive procedures like amniocentesis are seen as worth taking.

The only way we should ever greet any pregnancy is with love and with recognition that each and every life is precious with it’s own special God-given value. We often tell school-children that if one of their friends or classmates comes to them with the news that they’re going to have a baby, their response should be “Congratulations!” closely followed by “I will help you in any way that I can.” This goes equally when we’re given the news that a friend or relative is preganant with, or has, a child with a disability. Children with disabilities can bring just as much, and even more, joy to the lives of their parents and those around them as healthy children. No one should ever feel that they have to have an abortion because they don’t believe that they would be able to cope and it’s the responsibility of all of us to help them cope, not out of pity but out of love.


Happy Birthday to the Knights of St Columba!

November 3, 2009

A characteristically belated thank you and congratulations to the Knights of St Columba who’re currently marking their 90th year of service in Scotland, England & Wales.

Over the last few weeks we’ve had the great pleasure of joining various celebrations, first with our dear friends, the Knights of the Moodiesburn Council at their lovely hall. The next week we joined Knights from all over Britain for the special Mass marking the opening of their annual Supreme Council meeting and the following night for their celebration banquet.

It was great to see so many old friends, and for Sr Amanda to meet them for the first time. We must give special thanks to David and Theresa O’Neill for their many kindnesses- like last year they acted as our “minders” at both events and we’re really grateful for all their care and attention.

A big thank you to Supreme Knight Jonjo McDonagh, Brother John Brennan and the Moodiesburn Knights, and basically all of the Knights and their Ladies, as it would be impossible to name everyone.We are continually amazed by the unstinting generosity displayed by the Knights and by all the support they’ve given us over the last 12 years or so.

Once again, thank you and many happy returns to the Knights!


The Bazaar!

November 3, 2009

Announcing…the ever-popular Cardinal Winning Pro-Life Initiative Advent Bazaar 2009!

Saturday 5th December 2009

12noon – 2pm

104 Albert Road, Crosshill, G42 8DR

(Holy Cross Church Hall)

0141 433 2680

bazaar 07 125

Tea Room, Tombola, Crafts, Home Baking, Bottle Stall, Bric-a-Brac, Children’s Pageant and lots more!

 


Sr Roseann’s Appeal in Bodmin

November 2, 2009

Sr Roseann’s recent appeal in St Mary’s, Bodmin is now available on the parish website. To listen, click here.


All Souls

November 2, 2009

An Angel Frees the Souls of Purgatory by LODOVICO CARRACCI

Prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory

O Lord, who art ever merciful and bounteous with Thy gifts, look down upon the suffering souls in purgatory. Remember not their offenses and negligences, but be mindful of Thy loving mercy, which is from all eternity. Cleanse them of their sins and fulfill their ardent desires that they may be made worthy to behold Thee face to face in Thy glory. May they soon be united with Thee and hear those blessed words which will call them to their heavenly home: “Come, blessed of My Father, take possession of the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”


All Saints

November 1, 2009

Fra Angelico Saints

How glorious is the kingdom in which the saints rejoice with Christ! Clothed in white robes they will follow the Lamb everywhere.

The Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for November 2009

October 31, 2009

Pope Benedict’s general prayer intention for November is: “That all the men and women in the world, especially those who have responsibilities in the field of politics and economics, may never fail in their commitment to safeguard creation”.

His mission intention is: “That believers in the different religions, through the testimony of their lives and fraternal dialogue, may clearly demonstrate that the name of God is a bearer of peace”.