"Human Life International is the world's largest pro-life/pro-family organisation. It was founded in 1981 by Fr Paul Marx OSB, PhD. Its mission: to bring the pro-life/pro-family message to countries throughout the world. One doesn't have to look far to see that the world we live in today is a dramatically different place than it was only 35 years ago. We are faced everyday with a multitude of devastating problems including skyrocketing divorce rates, an epidemic of veneral disease, children killing children, 50 million surgical abortions worldwide annually, together with an untold number of chemical abortions, the elderly at risk through euthanasia, governmental interference with parental rights, rampant crime, and gross materialism. At HLI we maintain that the root cause of these problems is a culture of death that has permeated society at large - a world where Godlessness prevails and with it, the loss of respect for both the sanctity of life and the dignity of the family. As a missionary apostolate, HLI works to promote the Culture of Life through independent chapters and branches throughout the world. HLI has also established programmes throughout the world to provide direct assistance to people in need. We support all peaceful means aimed at restoring the culture of life. HLI is a non-profit organisation devoted to educating people about the evils of abortion, sterilisation, euthanasia, contraception and other modern threats to life and family." That's all the general info which you probably already know. We'll get into the more detailed bits of the diary soon. They also had some information for making donations. I think most people on this list are at school or uni anyway, but if anyone wants to make a donation the details are below. Also below is their contact information. "We rely 100% on the generosity of friends to continue this work of defending Life, Faith and Family in Australia. Please help this important baby saving work with your donation today. -Human Life International Australia Inc. PO Box 205 Broadway NSW 2007 - Ph (02) 9211 2793 Fax (02) 9211 6324 - Email: hliaust@ihug.com.au Please make cheques payable to: Human Life International For information on other means of donation, please phone or email us." "Are YOU ready for action? Too often we are content to sit back comfortably while the world crumbles to pieces around us. Even though we have hopes and plans and the desire to really get out there and do something, we feel the task is just too big, or we are just too small. Sometimes we allow convenience or laziness or the demands of our busy lifestyle to stop us putting our plans into action. What is the result? Nothing changes - not even us. This is especially true when it comes to pro-life action. Many pro-lifers feel helpless in the face of the overwhelming Culture of Death which pervades our media, our schools, even our own homes. This is a natural feeling. Any ordinary civilian would be lost and afraid if suddenly landed in the midst of a war-zone. But a fully trained soldier would have a much better chance, wouldn't he? We have to be trained if we are to be successful in any field of endeavour. You can begin your training as an effective pro-life activist right now... This Pro-life Weekly Planner, specially prepared for goodwilled souls like yourself, is a step-by-step Basic Training Guide that will give you week-by-week information on how to be an effective instrument in building a Culture of Life!" "Thrown in at the deep end... Did you know that 80 to 90% of pro-life activists burn out in the first year? That's simply because they didn't receive the basic training they needed to help them endure. There are several benefits of training. Training helps new activists take advantage of the eperience of others; Increases the new activist's efficiency; Increases their endurance for the long battle ahead; Confers a 'battle mentality'; and stresses universal concepts that are transferable to other areas of activism. There are Four Foundation Stones of Christian Activism. The aim of this Pro-life Weekly Planner is to explain all four. -Firstly, it aims to Recruit new activists to the field (Uncle Sam needs YOU!) -Secondly, it will Train you to become a more effective pro-life activist. -Thirdly, it will give you Information you need to engage and overcome the anti-life enemy. -And fourthly, it will show you the essential part Prayer has to play and how it is crucial to establishing a Culture of Life in Australia." "A little help from your friends - The role of recruiting Pro-lifers must keep recruiting in mind at all times because recruiting increases the size and power of the pro-life movement. Recruiting also brings in new talent and ideas and keeps the pro-life movement 'fresh' and energetic. It has the added benefit of heightening church and public awareness of the abortion issue and all its aspects. The old saying holds that there are generally three kinds of people... Those who make things happen - The Activists (5% of the total population) Those who watch things happen - The Uninvolved (15% of people) And those who wonder what happened - The Uncaring (80%) The uncaring are not involved in any type of activism. They accept slogans quickly and easily and their primary motivations are comform and conflict avoidance. The uninvolved are busy individuals who care but think they don't have time to get involved. They usually have one or two specific reasons why they aren't involved but are generally willing to discuss and think about the issues. Activists, on the other hand, are the backbone of the pro-life movement. They don't mind being publicly identified as pro-lifers and eventually become expert in one or two areas. 'I'd rather stay in bed!' - Why are more Chrisitians Not involved in pro-life activism? Some of us fear the unknown; Others dislike the stress and strain that inevitably comes with being involved in anything; More still are caught up or assimilated by the world; A few fall for the false steryotypes perpetrated by the media and anti-lifers; And others again fail to see abortion's relevancy to them and their families - this ultimately means that they fail to see the twofold (direct and indirect) threat to the Faith which the anti-life movement poses. The answers to many of these objections is a renewed, or reinvigorated, trust in God's promise to look after his faithful followers. 'The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me, uttering slanders against me, my adversaries and foes, they shall stumble and fall. Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.' - Psalm 27:1-3" "Every person has something unique to offer. Each person is unique and should be approached differently for maximum recruiting success. We are gifted in many areas but we are usually strongest in one. There are 5 categories of personal skills: 1) Organisational - Such a person is a good planner, and natural facilitator; identifies and outlines goals and problems quickly and correctly; has good attention to detail; would do well directing a project, writing or editing a newsletter, or taking part in political, investigative or research work. 2) Inspirational - A person with inspirational skills explains ideas well and is a good motivator. He is a good decision maker and leader under pressure, and would make a natural footpath or telephone counsellor or protest leader. 3) Spiritual - Those with spiritual skills have a good sense of the eternal and temporal contexts. They are faithful and patient, which makes them good listeners. Spiritual skills make a person a natural healer thus they would be good as crisis pregnancy centre counsellors, natural family planning teachers or pastoral recruiters. Personal skills continued... It is good to be aware of where your God-given talents lie and how you can best use these to serve Him and those around you. The final two categories of personal skills are: 4) Technical - Such a person can put equipment such as computers, camcorders and recorders to work; can grasp and analyse complex problems immediately, and would make a good researcher, writer, political adviser, or debater. 5) Creative / Imaginative - This is the person whose skills are the most often neglected or overlooked. They can express complicated ideas in appealing ways, and add colour and creativity to events. They also provide a unique and prophetic vision for the pro-life movement of the future and would be an outstanding media spokesman or graphics and design layout artist. Whatever their skills, each new pro-life activist brings unique qualities to the movement - life experience, personality, motivations, levels of commitment, skills and talents, strengths and weaknesses."