Update and further prayer requests

We don’t yet have news about Louise, but we’re sure that she needs your prayers now more than ever so please do continue to pray.

Jess, who we asked you all to pray for some months ago has had her baby, a boy, and both are doing well. Deo Gratias!

We’ve been contacted by the mother of a young woman, Kate, who’s in the early stages of pregnancy and considering abortion. Please pray that Kate will phone us and that she’ll make the right decision.

Thank you and God bless.

***Urgent Prayer Request***

Please pray for Louise, she’s six weeks pregnant and has an abortion booked for tomorrow.

HFE Bill Petition

A petition has been launched on the 10 Downing St website to allow a free vote on the HFE bill.

There is a tradition when dealing with matters of conscience that MPs are not whipped. This is particularly true when it comes to human embryos. When the 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill was considered by Parliament the (then) government allowed free votes on all matters up until the final vote.

The joint committee on the draft Human Tissues and Embryos bill recommended that this approach be adopted for questions over embryology and the role of fathers, but the Brown government has said that free votes will only be allowed on abortion.

This decision suggests that there is no room for conscience and conscientious objection in our politics. If the government is genuinely concerned about voter apathy and alienation it should demonstrate that British politics caters for conscience and conscientious objection through free votes.

You can sign the petition here.

An easy way to write to your MP about the bill is by using Write To Them.

For more information about the bill you can look at resorces provided by:

• Passion for Life
• The All-Party Parliamentary Pro-Life Group  or
• SPUC

It is imperative that we take immediate action against this bill which seeks to even further devalue human life.

Glasgow Silent No More Gathering

Women speak out about their abortion experiences.

Date: Saturday, March 8, 2008
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Location: Corner of Byers Road and University Avenue, Glasgow.

Consider Your Call

Last weekend Sr Andrea and Fr Dominic Rolls from Dorking joined students from Cambridge to discuss vocation. The event started with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament followed by some discussion and then Night Prayer. The group (called ‘Consider Your Call’) were very friendly and engaging, and it is always inspiring to see young people responding generously to God’s call.

UPDATE: One of the participants, Vicky, has written a short account of the event here.

HFE bill talk in Paisley Diocese

Very short notice but this evening (at 7pm) Fr Dan Fitzpatrick will be giving a talk on the Human Fertilisation & Embryology at St Joseph’s & St Patrick’s on Shore Rd, Wemyss Bay. If you’re in that area we urge you to go along.

Four little ducks.

A few weeks ago Sr Roseann spoke to students at Durham University. They’ve very kindly sent us some great fold-up baths, and even more excitingly… 

So thank you to Lucy, Fr Tony and all at the Durham Pro-Life and Catholic societies.

New youth club.

Last night we were in Milton of Campsie for the first ever session of the new group established for the young people of St Paul’s, Milton of Campsie and St Patrick’s, Kilsyth. Many of these young people have faithfully attended the talks and events we’ve organised at the Initiative over the last year and it was great to be involved in something geared towards them specifically. Please say a wee prayer for the success of the group.

The Knights

A few months ago we had a visit from some local Knights of St Columba - they recently sent us this picture from their visit.

The Knights have been great friends of ours over the years, and it’s lovely to have them here to see the results of their generous support.

The Presentation of the Lord

Arise, Jerusalem, shine, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord is rising on you.

Almighty, ever-living God,
on this day your Only-begotten Son
was presented at the temple,
in flesh and blood like ours:
purify us in mind and heart
that we may meet you in your glory.
We make our prayer through Christ our Lord.