Sr Andrea in the Observer

A brief piece featuring Sr Andrea appeared in the Observer a few weeks ago, amid discussion of the HFE bill. Sr Andrea gives the ‘religious view’ as part of a larger collection that included the ‘medical view’ and first hand, if generally fairly one-sided, testimonies from women who’ve had abortions.

Sr Andrea’s part is pretty good, though the opening line “Sister Andrea Fraile devotes her life to persuading pregnant women not to have an abortion…” is perhaps not how we would have chosen to phrase it, but on the whole it’s a bit more balanced, a rather more accurate than most of the media coverage we receive.

You can read the whole article here.

Scottish Catholic Observer article.

As part of a series of articles commemorating this year’s Day for Life, last week’s Scottish Catholic Observer featured the following article, written by Sr Andrea.

Only this excerpt is available online, so click the link at the bottom of the post to read the article in full.

‘The Gospel of life is at the heart of Jesus’ message. Lovingly received day after day by the Church, it is to be preached with dauntless fidelity as “good news” to the people of every age and culture.’ So begins Evangelium Vitae, the encyclical written by John Paul II in 1995. It has been hailed as the Church’s love letter to the world; it is also profoundly prophetic, a painfully lucid appraisal of what we human beings are doing to each other in the name of freedom and progress. Yet there is no contradiction: the words of St Augustine, ‘One cannot enter into the truth except through love’, are perfectly expressed in Evangelium Vitae. For while the Church says No to abortion and euthanasia, she says a far louder and greater Yes to the human project itself, to which God, in Christ, has allied Himself for ever. We have been created in His image and, even though we botched it up through sin from the beginning, God’s loving mercy towards His creatures never ends, nor does His call to turn from death and enter fully into life.

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.

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.

Buggy appeal in the news…

From The Catholic Times 25/01/2008

World backing for the Gospel of Life
by James Hastings

The nun in charge of the UK’s best known pro-life group took a special delivery this week - a pram all the way from Chicago.

Sr Roseann Reddy, of the Sisters of the Gospel of Life in Glasgow, was stunned when the hi-tech pram arrived from America.

It follows an appeal on the order’s blog for baby buggies and baths. The order and its volunteers run the Cardinal Winning Pro-Life Initiative which provides practical help to expectant mothers.
 
But after a surge in babies being born over the Christmas period, the sisters found their pram cupboard practically empty.

Sr Roseann told The Catholic Times: “We placed a small notice on our blog and have been absolutely amazed at tghe responses we’ve received from all over the world.

“One woman in Chicago read about the appeal on a priest’s blog in the United States and she got Amazon to deliver a pram.

“Other people have been sending baby baths which are also desperately needed, while others are sending money.
 
“One priest in England sent us a baby bath and he is urging his parishoners to do the same.

“Best of all there are very kind messages from all over the world, praising the work being done here and offering prayers.
 
“It is absolutely wonderful and we want to give a bi thank you to everyone.”

The pro-life initiative was set up by the late Cardinal Thomas Winning of Glasgow in 1997 after claims from pro-abortionists and critics that the Church did not offer practical assistance to pregnant women.

So far more than 1,000 children have been born and mothers provided with items such as prams, cots and even nappies.
 
Sr Roseann established the Sisters of the Gospel of Life in 2000, the first female religious order founded in Scotland for 150 years.

The sisters and volunteer helpers provide counselling and information on issues like housing.

Added Sr Roseann: “We like to give mums the equipment around eight weeks before the baby is due, and we have a number of mums here at that period.

“If anyone has a pram or buggy, in good condition, that you no longer need, please do consider donating it to us.

“We have a particular number of women whose due dates are imminent and are in particular need of prams or buggies.”

Copyright The Catholic Times 2008

……………………………………………………….

Again it’s wonderful to see such a visible response to our appeal - this article featured on the front page of the most recent Catholic Times. There are a few small inaccuracies - the lady from Chicago who sent a pram (Ma Beck!) saw the appeal on Fr Tim’s blog, rather than on the site of an American priest. The English parish priest referred to is also Fr Tim, and he sent a buggy.

More personally, the description of the origins of this organisation is skewed somewhat, implying that the impetus came from the criticisms of the pro-choice lobby, rather than as a positive initiative of the late Cardinal Winning.

However it is on the whole a good article, and it was nice to be able to reach an audience perhaps unacquainted with the blogging world, as well as giving us the opportunity to once again publicly thank all who contributed to the appeal.

As well as a number of new buggies (ten or eleven I believe) we’ve received a good number of baths and two baby slings. A priest friend of ours also brought us three buggies. Thank you all so much for your support, for making donations, to Fr Tim and all who publicised the appeal.

Finally, a special thanks to Fr Neil ‘Postman Pat’ Donnachie and to Peter Creron for receiving and transporting several of the very large parcels.

Thank you all and God bless!

Bazaar pictures Pt. 2

The Bazaar was very much Advent themed, so instead of Christmas stories and Santa Claus we staged our very own Advent pagaent, led by our friend Michael Ross.

After some Advent stories, songs and Bible readings, some ‘volunteers’ were challenged to tell everyone, in 25 words or less, what Advent means to them.

The winner was chosen democratically…

…and as a prize allowed to light the first candle on the Advent wreath.

Bazaar pictures Pt. 1

The hall was full of familiar faces, with lots of our wonderful volunteers hard at work…

Some were busy behind the scenes…

While others were manning stalls.

As ever, the tearoom was a big hit.

And there was even face-painting for the ‘children’!

Advent Bazaar

The Initiative’s main social event of the year, the Advent Bazaar, will take place next week.

The Bazaar will feature all the usual favourites - a Tombola, a raffle, crafts and home baking, as well as an “Advent Extravaganza” of singing and stories (sorry, Santa Claus will not be making an appearance) and free shortbread , mince pies and mulled wine for all!

Saturday 1st December 2007

12 noon - 2pm

104 Albert Rd, Crosshill

(Holy Cross Church Hall)

0141 433 2680

Final talk

The final talk in the Meaning of Life series will take place tomorrow (Sunday 25 November). Alison Simith will give a talk entiltled ‘Called to discipleship’. As usual, 7pm, 104 Albert Road.