Saint Laurence Pro Life Advocates for the Helpless

 

SAINT LAURENCE PRO LIFE
ADVOCATES FOR THE HELPLESS
Pope John Paul II charged each of us to build a
“great campaign in support of life.”  Our focus includes advocacy, information and prayers. 

Are you called to protect the helpless?  Join us on Wednesday, August 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Rectory.  “The greatest deception, and the deepest source of unhappiness, is the illusion of finding freedom by excluding moral truths and personal responsibility.”      Pope John Paul II

 

 

VIGIL FOR LIFE - June 19th
St. John the Evangelist Church
13th & Market Sts., Philadelphia
7:00AM Mass and Exposition of Our Lord,
A Rosary procession to the abortion center,
returning to Church for Adoration and Benediction, celebrated by Father Chris Rogers & Clergy.

 

 

 

 

Real Healthcare Respect Life!

Click here to learn how you can contact Congress and tell them that you oppose taxpayer funded abortion.
THE 40 DAYS FOR LIFE CAMPAIGN

     40 Days for Life events work in opposition to the Roe v. Wade doctrine, and in furtherance of positive gains made over the years in reduction of rate of aborted babies, and the popularity and effectiveness of abstinence education. We pray too in opposition to euthanasia and related harms against the elderly resulting from unintended application of laws regarding older American's life decisions.

     We are named for Jesus' 40 Days of fasting and prayer and rejection of Satan's agenda, and for other special meanings of 40 days including because Noah experienced transformation during 40 days of rain, Moses was transformed by 40 days on Mount Sinai, Nineveh was transformed when God gave that city 40 days to remain faithful, and the disciples were transformed after spending 40 days with Jesus.

     The 40 Days for Life movement has tripled in the number of chapters, in only two years, and is a recognized force that continually prays and strives for an awakening of the American conscience, and for mercy and humanity to our most treasured gift, birth ! The list of cities is posted online at: http://www.40daysforlife.com/location.cfm. More than 200,000 people have united in prayer and fasting during 40 Days for Life's campaigns. Four abortion facilities have closed following 40 Days for Life vigils. Amazingly, there are documented, over 1400 innocent babies, who were spared from death by abortion during these campaigns, because their mothers changed their mind. More than a dozen abortion industry employees have left their jobs during these times of prayerful outreach

     Shame ! The number of abortions in the United States has reached totals that exceed the casualties of most wars, combined. Over 50 million Americans nestling in their expectant mothers have died by abortions in the United States, since Roe v. Wade was handed down. Abortions in the United States have now caused deaths in amount equal  to the population of 20 States of our nation.

     The Philadelphia area pro life movement is growing, and is succeeding at changing hearts and minds daily, while keeping the "industry" aware that they will be opposed as long as they continue. Our vigils are important spiritual and educational events for your Respect Life Group, Young Adult Ministry, Youth Ministry, High School Club, and all Adult Groups seeking to deepen their relationship with God. Please contact us for more information.

Angele, Jim, and the leadership team
  jon40days@earthlink.net , schnlj@aol.com
  40 Days for Life - Main Line Coalition
  www.40DaysforLife.com/mainlinecoalition
  610-896-3734, 610-688-9471                        

BirthRight Pregnancy Care Centers

Birthright offers a safe place for girls and women in distressed pregnancies to come for information and practical help.  Volunteers are needed who can commit to 3 hours weekly.  For information, contact our local office in Bala Cynwyd at: 610-660-0344.

 

 

37th Annual March for Life

January 22, 2010

Washington, DC

MARCH FOR LIFE
2010 Theme: Stand Up Now! Unite for the Life Principles          No Exception!  No Compromise!
Each year on January 22, the Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Americans rally in Washington DC and exercise their freedoms of speech and petition.  Roe v. Wade was a Supreme Court decision decided in 1973 making abortion legal in the United States.  The issue of abortion and a woman’s right to choose has remained controversial and politically charged ever since.  The annual March for Life, a gathering of pro-life Americans begins at noon on Friday, January 22, 2010 with a rally at the National Mall and 7th Street and then proceeds with a march down Constitution Avenue, ending in front of the Supreme Court.  Various pro-life organizations hold events before and after the March.  Many events will be televised on EWTN. For more information, visit www.marchforlife.org. Additional resources at www.priestsforlife.org

 

Cardinal Rigali urges Catholics to sign Manhattan Declaration

Cardinal Rigali is asking all Catholics of the Archdiocese to join him in signing the "Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience", an unprecedented national document that unites the voices of Catholics with other Christians to give witness to the sanctity of human life in all stages and conditions; the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife; and the rights of conscience and religious liberty. Over 384,000 people have signed the declaration.

Click here to read about the Manhattan Declaration

Click here to Sign the Manhattan Declaration

 

Cardinal Rigali has asked all Archdiocesan parishioners to urge Congress to make sure that abortion funding is not included in health care reform legislation. Catholics may contact their legislators online and or by sending a pre-written e-mail message to Congress by accessing the USCCB web site at www.usccb.org/action

They may also call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 or their congressional members' local offices. Contact information may be found at www.house.gov and www.senate.gov.

 

NOVENA OF REPARATION
FOR ROE V. WADE
God and Father of Life,
You have created every human person,
And have opened the way for each to have eternal life.

We live in the shadow of death.
Tens of millions of your children have been killed
Thanks to the Roe vs. Wade decision legalizing abortion.

Father, have mercy on us.
Heal our land
And accept our offering of prayer and penance.
In your love for us,
Turn back the scourge of abortion.

May each of us exult in hearts full of hope
And hands full of mercy
And work together to build a culture of life.
We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Litany for Life
On the Occasion of the 36th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

Lord, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.  Christ, have mercy.
Lord, hare mercy.  Lord, have mercy.

God of all creation.  Lord, have mercy.
Christ, through whom all things were made.  Lord, have mercy.
Spirit of life and truth.  Lord, have mercy.
On each child just conceived.  Lord, have mercy.
For their safety and health.  Lord, have mercy.
For nine months of growth.  Lord, have mercy.
That an angel may protect them.  Lord, have mercy.

For peace and for hope.  Lord, hare mercy.
On all new fathers.  Lord, have mercy.
On fathers who are alone.  Lord, have mercy.
On fathers unemployed.  Lord, have mercy.
On fathers addicted.  Lord, have mercy.
On fathers who are abusive.  Lord, have mercy.
On young fathers who are afraid.  Lord, have mercy.
On fathers who’ve run away.  Lord, have mercy.

On all new mothers.  Lord, have mercy.
On mothers who are alone.  Lord, have mercy.
On mothers unemployed.  Lord, have mercy.
On mothers addicted.  Lord, have mercy.
On mothers who are abusive.  Lord, have mercy.
On young mothers who are afraid.  Lord, have mercy.
On mothers who are in pain.  Lord, have mercy.

On those who pray for the unborn child.  Lord, have mercy.
On all who work to change unjust laws.  Lord, have mercy.
On all who live the Gospel of Life.  Lord, have mercy.

On our President.  Lord, have mercy.
On the members of the House.  Lord, have mercy.
On the members of the Senate.  Lord, have mercy.

On doctors who gaze on life’s mysteries.  Lord, have mercy.
On surgeons who heal the unborn child.  Lord, have mercy.
On nurses who cradle the newborn.  Lord, have mercy.
On nurses who foster the unborn.  Lord, have mercy.
On all who care for the child in the womb.  Lord, have mercy.

On judges who struggle with justice.  Lord, have mercy.
On lawyers who seek to speak truth.  Lord, have mercy.
On the judges of our Supreme Court.  Lord, have mercy.

On all victims of abortion.  Lord, have mercy.
On the woman whose memories cause her to cry.  Lord, have mercy.
On those whose pain nags and holds on.  Lord, have mercy.
On the unborn who rest with God.  Lord, have mercy.
On all who seek mercy.  Lord, have mercy.
On all who seek peace.  Lord have mercy.
On all who seek healing.  Lord, have mercy.

God our loving Father,
grant wisdom to those who govern us,
compassion and courage to those
who work to defend human life,
and safety and care to every human being.
For you alone who formed us in our mother’s womb, are God, for ever and ever, Amen.

Source:            Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Respect Life Office
Department for Pro-Life Activities
215-587-3703
prolife@adphila.org

 

 

A FAMILY PRAYER FOR LIFE

 

The following prayer may then be prayed, divided into parts.

MOM OR DAD:
God of compassion and patient love,
be with all who are afraid
and give them the courage
of the Gospel of Life.

AN OLDER CHILD:
Be with all mothers,
especially those who are young or alone,
abused or abandoned:
heal their broken hearts
and seal them with your love.

A YOUNGER CHILD:
Be with all children,
those who are yet unborn,
those who are tiny and frail;
cradle them with your love.

MOM OR DAD:
Be with all fathers,
especially those who are young,
those who are confused, angry or afraid.
Give them strength and wisdom,
and heal them with your love.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

ALL:  Amen.

READING:  Matthew 18:1-5

The Greatest in the Kingdom

At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.”

REFLECTION TIME:

How can I promote respect for the dignity of all human life?

CLOSING PRAYER

MOM OR DAD:
From the beginning, O God, you have blessed creation with rich and abundant life.

Pour out the same rich blessings upon our family, that joined in mutual love, in holiness and commitment to each other we may proclaim
the Gospel of life in all that we do.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

ALL:  Amen.

The parent(s) then bless each child by making the sign of the cross on their forehead.

 

Source:            Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Respect Life Office
Department for Pro-Life Activities
215-587-3703
prolife@adphila.org