Thursday, February 26, 2015
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Standing up for Priests for Life and Fr. Pavone
I am never surprised when a leader in the pro-life movement suddenly finds himself or herself challenged by events that threaten to distract from the every day efforts to save lives. After all the enemy of life will use anything - even good actions or good people - to delay or divert the work of rescuing those being led to death.
So part of me did not agitate as I learned that the Bishop of Amarillo had recalled Fr. Frank Pavone back to the diocese and suspended him from working with Priests for Life. I recall a problem that Fr. Pavone had with the Archbishop of New York many years ago that prompted his move to Amarillo. We all made it through that bit of confusion.
But another part of me wants to scream - especially after I read Bishop Zurek's letter which was sent to all the bishops and leaked by someone in the diocese to the press. As my children would say - not cool.
Fr. Frank has little "control" over the finances of Priests for Life. There is, after all, a board of directors, a bishops advisory board, an accounting department, an independent CPA firm that does an annual audit of the books.
As for these records, they were made available to the bishop and the audit is now available online. Hopefully this will answer any questions on the operations and the financial responsibilities of the organization.
The statement from Fr. Frank himself and that of his canonist also are very direct while exhibiting the rules of charity.
I will pray for this bishop that his motives are consistent with his duties as a shepherd concerned for his flock. But to be honest I have some problems with his approach. Still I will leave that for another day. Instead allow me to focus on the man I know and the organization that has helped do many to promote the Gospel of Life.
Having been in this movement for 36 years, I have seen them come and go. The naive, the glory hounds, the political, the innocent, the compassionate, the worker bees, the instigators, the saints, the leaders. And then there are the prophets: those who preach the truth in season and out, whether anyone wants to hear it. Most of the time people do not like prophets. Prophets make people feel uncomfortable in their efforts to move them off dead center.
Then there is Fr. Pavone. He is my friend, a colleague in this war to end the killing. He has a vision. He sees the big picture. He can get people enthused so they will decide to get involved. He can motivate the lethargic and excite the interested. To quote an old saw, "He can comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable." God has called him to this work and he has made the most of it. His efforts have saved lives and inspired men and women throughout the world to stand in defense of the weak, the marginalized, the unborn, the elderly, the dependent.
One of his gifts is the ability to move throughout the movement and help all sorts of different groups. Indeed this is a gift of Priests for Life as an organization. Whatever the group, whatever the immediate situation, PFL will help in whatever way it can. In all my years of working with PFL, not once did it charge a fee for any of the priests or associates to travel and speak. When needed, he and the other members of the Priests for Life ministry team, make themselves available. PFL and Fr. Pavone have always been there to help us get the message out to the community.
In fact there was one time when a crisis prevented him from being in Phoenix for an presentation in June. At the last minute, he arranged to have a taped DVD message so we could still have the event and inspire the membership. Then after the events that prevented his attendance, we arranged for "make-up" visit in March. He gave us not only an evening but the entire weekend. During those three days, Fr. Pavone met with pro-life leaders at the diocese, blessed 1st Way pregnancy resource center, spoke to over 200 people at a Friday Arizona Right to Life event, traveled from Phoenix to Tucson, blessed the Reachout Pregnancy Center, then spoke to 350 people at their luncheon, returned to Phoenix to speak to 400 people at the Radio Family Rosary dinner, preached at two masses at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and then before going to the airport met with the director of the Aid to Women Center at the offices where again there was prayer and a blessing.
That is the kind of guy he is. And the other members of the Priests for Life team are just as dedicated to the cause of life. It is important that someone like Fr. Frank be able to meet with the different groups and organizations. The movement is so very diverse and having someone who can move about these different organizations to support their efforts produces great fruit.
Like I said, I do not understand the Bishop's actions. I trust in the providence of God and know that He is sovereign in all things. So in His perfect will, we trust that all will work to the good for those who love the Lord. It is easy to tear down - not so easy to build up. However those of us in this movement are about building up our brothers and sisters so that we all can find the path God intends for our lives. I am sure in all of this God is working to do a great good. In the meantime we offer all our sufferings for an end to the killing of the innocents.
So part of me did not agitate as I learned that the Bishop of Amarillo had recalled Fr. Frank Pavone back to the diocese and suspended him from working with Priests for Life. I recall a problem that Fr. Pavone had with the Archbishop of New York many years ago that prompted his move to Amarillo. We all made it through that bit of confusion.
But another part of me wants to scream - especially after I read Bishop Zurek's letter which was sent to all the bishops and leaked by someone in the diocese to the press. As my children would say - not cool.
Fr. Frank has little "control" over the finances of Priests for Life. There is, after all, a board of directors, a bishops advisory board, an accounting department, an independent CPA firm that does an annual audit of the books.
As for these records, they were made available to the bishop and the audit is now available online. Hopefully this will answer any questions on the operations and the financial responsibilities of the organization.
The statement from Fr. Frank himself and that of his canonist also are very direct while exhibiting the rules of charity.
I will pray for this bishop that his motives are consistent with his duties as a shepherd concerned for his flock. But to be honest I have some problems with his approach. Still I will leave that for another day. Instead allow me to focus on the man I know and the organization that has helped do many to promote the Gospel of Life.
Having been in this movement for 36 years, I have seen them come and go. The naive, the glory hounds, the political, the innocent, the compassionate, the worker bees, the instigators, the saints, the leaders. And then there are the prophets: those who preach the truth in season and out, whether anyone wants to hear it. Most of the time people do not like prophets. Prophets make people feel uncomfortable in their efforts to move them off dead center.
Then there is Fr. Pavone. He is my friend, a colleague in this war to end the killing. He has a vision. He sees the big picture. He can get people enthused so they will decide to get involved. He can motivate the lethargic and excite the interested. To quote an old saw, "He can comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable." God has called him to this work and he has made the most of it. His efforts have saved lives and inspired men and women throughout the world to stand in defense of the weak, the marginalized, the unborn, the elderly, the dependent.
One of his gifts is the ability to move throughout the movement and help all sorts of different groups. Indeed this is a gift of Priests for Life as an organization. Whatever the group, whatever the immediate situation, PFL will help in whatever way it can. In all my years of working with PFL, not once did it charge a fee for any of the priests or associates to travel and speak. When needed, he and the other members of the Priests for Life ministry team, make themselves available. PFL and Fr. Pavone have always been there to help us get the message out to the community.
In fact there was one time when a crisis prevented him from being in Phoenix for an presentation in June. At the last minute, he arranged to have a taped DVD message so we could still have the event and inspire the membership. Then after the events that prevented his attendance, we arranged for "make-up" visit in March. He gave us not only an evening but the entire weekend. During those three days, Fr. Pavone met with pro-life leaders at the diocese, blessed 1st Way pregnancy resource center, spoke to over 200 people at a Friday Arizona Right to Life event, traveled from Phoenix to Tucson, blessed the Reachout Pregnancy Center, then spoke to 350 people at their luncheon, returned to Phoenix to speak to 400 people at the Radio Family Rosary dinner, preached at two masses at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and then before going to the airport met with the director of the Aid to Women Center at the offices where again there was prayer and a blessing.
That is the kind of guy he is. And the other members of the Priests for Life team are just as dedicated to the cause of life. It is important that someone like Fr. Frank be able to meet with the different groups and organizations. The movement is so very diverse and having someone who can move about these different organizations to support their efforts produces great fruit.
Like I said, I do not understand the Bishop's actions. I trust in the providence of God and know that He is sovereign in all things. So in His perfect will, we trust that all will work to the good for those who love the Lord. It is easy to tear down - not so easy to build up. However those of us in this movement are about building up our brothers and sisters so that we all can find the path God intends for our lives. I am sure in all of this God is working to do a great good. In the meantime we offer all our sufferings for an end to the killing of the innocents.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Contact Congress Today - Tell them to De-fund Planned Parenthood
Arizona Right to Life needs your help today! This week Congress is on recess and the Members of Congress are home in our community right now.
Would you please take 5 minutes today and call your Senator or representative at their state or District office and demand that they de-fund Planned Parenthood and vote against any future Continuing Resolution (CR) that does not contain language to de-fund the nation's largest abortion provider.
Call your Member now by going to this link.
Here are the steps you need to take.
1. Educate yourself and your friends about Planned Parenthood using the fact sheets at ExposePlannedParenthood.com that answer any questions you may have.
2. Call into your Member of Congress' district office with the following message:
- Please vote AGAINST any Continuing Resolution (CR) that does not contain Congressman Mike Pence's amendment de-funding Planned Parenthood.
- Now is the time to draw the line and de-fund the nation's largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood.
- Please understand that de-funding Planned Parenthood is now a non-negotiable.
3. The coalition of pro-life organizations is asking everyone to Email, Facebook, and Tweet all of your friends and family to call their Members this week. You can use sample messages like:
"Public record shows Planned Parenthood does not meet federal acquisition standards;ineligible for Title X or any federal contracts."
This is the headline in a press statement released today in Washington, DC, by American Life League. Planned Parenthood fails to meet government requirements to receive federal dollars. The press statement reads as follows:
Act now to stop this wasteful spending and prevent our tax dollars from going to an international criminal terrorist organization.
Would you please take 5 minutes today and call your Senator or representative at their state or District office and demand that they de-fund Planned Parenthood and vote against any future Continuing Resolution (CR) that does not contain language to de-fund the nation's largest abortion provider.
Call your Member now by going to this link.
Here are the steps you need to take.
1. Educate yourself and your friends about Planned Parenthood using the fact sheets at ExposePlannedParenthood.com that answer any questions you may have.
2. Call into your Member of Congress' district office with the following message:
- Please vote AGAINST any Continuing Resolution (CR) that does not contain Congressman Mike Pence's amendment de-funding Planned Parenthood.
- Now is the time to draw the line and de-fund the nation's largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood.
- Please understand that de-funding Planned Parenthood is now a non-negotiable.
3. The coalition of pro-life organizations is asking everyone to Email, Facebook, and Tweet all of your friends and family to call their Members this week. You can use sample messages like:
"Planned Parenthood has been proven to protect rapists, racists, and sex traffickers. Call Congress and tell them to defund Planned Parenthood today! http://exposeplannedparenthood.com #prolife #exposepp"
"Congress is home this week in their districts. Now is the time to call their district office and tell them to defund Planned Parenthood: http://exposeplannedparenthood.com/contact-congress.#prolife #exposepp"
Each year, Planned Parenthood receives over $360 million of our tax payer dollars, and yet continues to hide rape, racism, and sex trafficking of minors. Planned Parenthood should not receive one more dime of our money.
"Public record shows Planned Parenthood does not meet federal acquisition standards;ineligible for Title X or any federal contracts."
This is the headline in a press statement released today in Washington, DC, by American Life League. Planned Parenthood fails to meet government requirements to receive federal dollars. The press statement reads as follows:
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.203-13 (b)(2) requires that every contractor doing business with the government “shall—(i) Exercise due diligence to prevent and detect criminal conduct; and (ii) Otherwise promote an organizational culture that encourages ethical conduct and a commitment to compliance with the law.” American Life League (ALL) released a new video today that they say summarizes a long, well documented public record that Planned Parenthood does not meet federal standards and therefore is ineligible for Title X or any federal contracts.
State audits revealed overbillings by Planned Parenthood in at least four states and a 2010 U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) audit raised serious questions about a $1.5 billion discrepancy between federal grants to Planned Parenthood and the funds they reported spending 2002-2008. ALL alleges those financial irregularities are part of a sustained pattern of illegal behavior and avoiding compliance with the law.
“Undercover video and audio investigations since 2002 show that Planned Parenthood employees in every state routinely tell minors to lie about their age on medical forms," said Jim Sedlak, vice president at ALL. “Just recently, undercover videos at Planned Parenthood in NY, NJ, VA, and DC caught employees advising pimps to coach 13-15 year old child prostitutes how to lie so Planned Parenthood could avoid laws meant to protect those very children from child rape and sex trafficking.”
When American Life League (ALL) tried to respond to Planned Parenthoods public relations blitz targeting lawmakers earlier this month, NBC and CBS affiliates refused to run ALL’s popular YouTube video “Planned Parenthood Bunnies.” Undeterred, this time ALL is turning directly to YouTube to launch the 30-second spot entitled “We’re Waiting."
“Like ACORN, Planned Parenthood’s powerful friends in Congress never want to look too closely. Too many others—even in this financial crisis—do not have the courage to act. Pro-life or not, cutting $362 million in contracts to $1.2 billion Planned Parenthood is not just an easy funding decision but required by federal regulations,” Sedlak concluded. “We’re waiting."
Act now to stop this wasteful spending and prevent our tax dollars from going to an international criminal terrorist organization.
Monday, March 21, 2011
AZRTL Spring GALA set for APRIL 8
On Friday April 8, 2011 Arizona Right to Life will hold its annual Spring Gala to raise money for the organization and to honor someone who has been a strong friend of women and children.
The event will be held at the Arizona Biltmore. Hugh Hewitt, noted radio talk show host will be the guest speaker
This year the Carolyn Gerster Award will go to Senator Jon Kyl. Senator Kyl has served in both the House and the Senate in Washington, D.C.for Arizona and has been a consistent pro-life vote in both houses. He remains a clear and articulate defender of the unborn.
Join us in this salute to our friend as we honor not only his support of the cause of life, but also one of the great heroes of the pro-life movement Carolyn Gerster, M.D.
Dr. Gerster's 40 year legacy of leadership, self sacrifice and devotion to the protection of all human life marks her as one of the great women in the last 100 years. President of Arizona Right to Life, president of the National Right to Life Committee, International pro-life ambassador around the world, Dr. Gerster challenged all conventions as she managed a full time medical practice with her husband Josef while raising five sons. A close friend of Senator Kyl, he could always rely on her to give him the latest information on the efforts of the right to life.
This evening will also allow everyone in Arizona Right to Life to re-commit ourselves to educating our young people so we can end abortion now.
Click here to register or call 602-285-0063
The event will be held at the Arizona Biltmore. Hugh Hewitt, noted radio talk show host will be the guest speaker
This year the Carolyn Gerster Award will go to Senator Jon Kyl. Senator Kyl has served in both the House and the Senate in Washington, D.C.for Arizona and has been a consistent pro-life vote in both houses. He remains a clear and articulate defender of the unborn.
Join us in this salute to our friend as we honor not only his support of the cause of life, but also one of the great heroes of the pro-life movement Carolyn Gerster, M.D.
Dr. Gerster's 40 year legacy of leadership, self sacrifice and devotion to the protection of all human life marks her as one of the great women in the last 100 years. President of Arizona Right to Life, president of the National Right to Life Committee, International pro-life ambassador around the world, Dr. Gerster challenged all conventions as she managed a full time medical practice with her husband Josef while raising five sons. A close friend of Senator Kyl, he could always rely on her to give him the latest information on the efforts of the right to life.
This evening will also allow everyone in Arizona Right to Life to re-commit ourselves to educating our young people so we can end abortion now.
Click here to register or call 602-285-0063
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
A letter from a soul crying in the wilderness
I have reprinted a letter sent to Jill Stanek. Please read this letter and pray for all the women this one woman represents. Pray that we will offer her the real hope and compassion that will bring about the healing of her soul.
As I’ve read your tweets and your blog, I silently repeat, “Thank you God for this woman’s courage.”
Only one person knows my entire story and that is my current husband. I confessed to him a few years ago when I felt the Holy Spirit rising up inside me to let someone know. I had to tell someone I could trust. With abortion, it’s hard to know who you can trust. The shame is unbearable.
During a particular church service, our pastor had us take a small rock at the beginning of service and during the service he explained the rock was representative of our sin and to imagine carrying that rock everywhere we went, never letting it go. When he encouraged us to bring the rock to the stage and letting go of our sin, I put my rock in my purse. Afterward, when my husband asked why I did that, I explained I had to hold on to it to remember what I had done. I put the rock in our garden. That rock, to me, represented the abortions I had. Yes, plural. Abortions. 3.
I’m a recovering alcoholic, a former narcissist, and now a follower of Jesus Christ. I was born again 10 years ago. I’ve committed sins since that time but the sins I committed in the ’90′s will forever be etched in my heart and cause heartache until I come face to face with God.
The first time I became pregnant was by a guy who I had dated for several months. We had broken up and I found out I was pregnant. He told me I had to have an abortion because he was in college and his dad had these plans for his life and they did not include a child before marriage. We talked about this for several days and I eventually made the appointment and killed my baby.
A year later I became pregnant again and knowing I couldn’t go through what I had done the year prior, I had my daughter who is now a beautiful high school student. Her father and I had dated off and on for a couple of years and it was during one of the “on” times that I became pregnant. He told me he was scared but would be there for me. He wasn’t. Thankfully I had a supportive family and friends who were with me throughout my entire pregnancy and to this day are there for me.
A few years later, I married. During my 4-year marriage, I became pregnant twice. But both times, I was afraid my marriage wouldn’t work and he would leave me and though I could “manage” caring for one child as a single parent, I couldn’t manage having another child. At the time, it wasn’t “convenient.” So, in 4 years of marriage, I had 2 abortions. The first time, my husband took me to the clinic. The second time, I went by myself.
The last abortion had major complications. Not during the procedure, but after. The abortion doctor had not fully removed my baby, “the fetus,” and I started bleeding profusely the evening of the abortion. In a panic, my husband rushed me to the emergency room where the doctors informed me that my baby had been partially aborted, but they would need to remove the rest of the tissue that was left behind. My body, in essence, was aborting what was left of my baby. At the hospital, I felt like I was having another abortion all over again. This time I was fully aware of what I had done and promised God I would never had an abortion again and to forgive me. My marriage ended a year later.
I cry as I write this. I’m not sure why I’m sending you this message to be honest. I just want to encourage you to continue the fight of speaking out against the ones who have no voice. I suffer from depression, have had suicidal thoughts, and the guilt I feel from time to time is overwhelming. I often tell my husband it is so easy for me to forgive others because I know that God has forgiven me, but how do I forgive myself? I’ve read books on forgiving myself and they make sense. But to actually put them into practice takes work. Hard work.
If I could talk to one girl or woman who is considering abortion, I would tell them NO. Stop. The hurt of having an abortion didn’t stop when I got up from the table after the procedure. The pain continues in my heart. Nearly 20 years later, the pain of what I did to my unborn babies is, at times, overwhelming. When I look at my daughter now, I wonder what my other children would look like. Would they have her smile? Would they have her sense of humor? Would they enjoy sports and hanging out at the mall with their friends? I wonder what I would have named them. Would I have a son? Or daughters that argue over clothes and makeup? It’s been almost 18 years since I had my first abortion. 14 years since my second. 12 years since my third. I remember every detail of every one. The pain doesn’t stop. That’s why you, Jill Stanek, must continue to fight! Have courage. Speak up! Don’t stop.
I’ve been married for [ ] years to my second husband. I confessed to him one abortion then a few years later, the entire truth. He has continued to love me.
Please keep my email address anonymous. You may use the words of my email to help encourage others but I prefer not to be recognized, not at this time.
Thank you for all you do and for reading this email. May God bless you beyond your imagination!
As I’ve read your tweets and your blog, I silently repeat, “Thank you God for this woman’s courage.”
Only one person knows my entire story and that is my current husband. I confessed to him a few years ago when I felt the Holy Spirit rising up inside me to let someone know. I had to tell someone I could trust. With abortion, it’s hard to know who you can trust. The shame is unbearable.
During a particular church service, our pastor had us take a small rock at the beginning of service and during the service he explained the rock was representative of our sin and to imagine carrying that rock everywhere we went, never letting it go. When he encouraged us to bring the rock to the stage and letting go of our sin, I put my rock in my purse. Afterward, when my husband asked why I did that, I explained I had to hold on to it to remember what I had done. I put the rock in our garden. That rock, to me, represented the abortions I had. Yes, plural. Abortions. 3.
I’m a recovering alcoholic, a former narcissist, and now a follower of Jesus Christ. I was born again 10 years ago. I’ve committed sins since that time but the sins I committed in the ’90′s will forever be etched in my heart and cause heartache until I come face to face with God.
The first time I became pregnant was by a guy who I had dated for several months. We had broken up and I found out I was pregnant. He told me I had to have an abortion because he was in college and his dad had these plans for his life and they did not include a child before marriage. We talked about this for several days and I eventually made the appointment and killed my baby.
A year later I became pregnant again and knowing I couldn’t go through what I had done the year prior, I had my daughter who is now a beautiful high school student. Her father and I had dated off and on for a couple of years and it was during one of the “on” times that I became pregnant. He told me he was scared but would be there for me. He wasn’t. Thankfully I had a supportive family and friends who were with me throughout my entire pregnancy and to this day are there for me.
A few years later, I married. During my 4-year marriage, I became pregnant twice. But both times, I was afraid my marriage wouldn’t work and he would leave me and though I could “manage” caring for one child as a single parent, I couldn’t manage having another child. At the time, it wasn’t “convenient.” So, in 4 years of marriage, I had 2 abortions. The first time, my husband took me to the clinic. The second time, I went by myself.
The last abortion had major complications. Not during the procedure, but after. The abortion doctor had not fully removed my baby, “the fetus,” and I started bleeding profusely the evening of the abortion. In a panic, my husband rushed me to the emergency room where the doctors informed me that my baby had been partially aborted, but they would need to remove the rest of the tissue that was left behind. My body, in essence, was aborting what was left of my baby. At the hospital, I felt like I was having another abortion all over again. This time I was fully aware of what I had done and promised God I would never had an abortion again and to forgive me. My marriage ended a year later.
I cry as I write this. I’m not sure why I’m sending you this message to be honest. I just want to encourage you to continue the fight of speaking out against the ones who have no voice. I suffer from depression, have had suicidal thoughts, and the guilt I feel from time to time is overwhelming. I often tell my husband it is so easy for me to forgive others because I know that God has forgiven me, but how do I forgive myself? I’ve read books on forgiving myself and they make sense. But to actually put them into practice takes work. Hard work.
If I could talk to one girl or woman who is considering abortion, I would tell them NO. Stop. The hurt of having an abortion didn’t stop when I got up from the table after the procedure. The pain continues in my heart. Nearly 20 years later, the pain of what I did to my unborn babies is, at times, overwhelming. When I look at my daughter now, I wonder what my other children would look like. Would they have her smile? Would they have her sense of humor? Would they enjoy sports and hanging out at the mall with their friends? I wonder what I would have named them. Would I have a son? Or daughters that argue over clothes and makeup? It’s been almost 18 years since I had my first abortion. 14 years since my second. 12 years since my third. I remember every detail of every one. The pain doesn’t stop. That’s why you, Jill Stanek, must continue to fight! Have courage. Speak up! Don’t stop.
I’ve been married for [ ] years to my second husband. I confessed to him one abortion then a few years later, the entire truth. He has continued to love me.
Please keep my email address anonymous. You may use the words of my email to help encourage others but I prefer not to be recognized, not at this time.
Thank you for all you do and for reading this email. May God bless you beyond your imagination!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Arizona Right to Life Political Action Committee Announces its General Election Endorsements.
Arizona Right to Life Political Action Committee (“AzRTL PAC”) announces its endorsements for the November 2nd General Election.
“The Obama Administration is the most pro-abortion administration in our country’s history. This election represents an excellent opportunity to return a conservative pro-life majority to the U.S. Congress and halt the erosion of the protection of the unborn. We must also support those candidates at the state and local level that will continue to work to expand the protection of innocent human life,” said Walt Opaska, chair of AzRTL PAC.
“The Obama Administration is the most pro-abortion administration in our country’s history. This election represents an excellent opportunity to return a conservative pro-life majority to the U.S. Congress and halt the erosion of the protection of the unborn. We must also support those candidates at the state and local level that will continue to work to expand the protection of innocent human life,” said Walt Opaska, chair of AzRTL PAC.
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