| Return to Pro Life Corner |
|
|
|
HERALD Staff Writer |
"Neither Do I Condemn You."
The words of Jesus to the condemned prostitute were chosen by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB) as the theme for this year's pro-life message with the intention with the intention to focus on the healing of those involved in an abortion.
Bob Laird, assistant director of the Diocesan Family Life Office says that this theme will be reinforced by the activities planned in the area for October, which is pro-life month.
From Oct. 2-8, the NCCB's display entitled "The People of Life: A Story of Faith, Hope and Love" will be set up throughout the diocese. It consists of eight two-sided panels, 10-foot long and eight-foot high which depict various stages of life issues. They are divided into remembering the woman, remembering God, remembering the child and speaking truth to power. Much emphasis is given to Mother Teresa's words "Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to love, but to use any violence to get what they want."
The display will be shown at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Alexandria Oct. 2-3; Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington Oct. 4-5; and Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria Oct. 6-8. Staff from the Family Life Office and Project Rachel will be on hand distributing pamphlets and answering questions.
On Oct. 2 at 7 a.m., Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde will celebrate Mass at St. James Parish in Falls Church and will lead prayer at the Falls Church abortion facility afterward.
On Sunday, Life Chains, described by Laird as "non-denominational peaceful protest," will be held around the diocese. Locations for the Life Chains include Falls Church, Alexandria, Woodbridge, Fredericksburg and Winchester.
Laird said that as the diocese focuses on reaching out to those wounded by abortion, much emphasis has been place on training priests, counselors and doctors to deal with post-abortion issues. The training is under the direction of Gerri Laird, coordinator of Project Rachel in this diocese, and Vicky Thorn, founder of Project Rachel.
"The diocese is heading toward helping the women and men who have been involved in abortion," said Bob Laird. "So often we are quick to condemn but Jesus told us 'Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.'"
On the outskirts of the diocese, Father Frank Pavone, international director of Priests for Life, will speak at Christendom College on Oct. 16 and will be the homilist at all Sunday Masses at St. John the Baptist Parish in Front Royal on Oct. 16 and 17.
There will be a Life Foundation presentation at Nativity Parish in Burke on Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. Life Foundation is an international Catholic lay outreach ministry of the Congregation of Marians of the Immaculate Conception. Included in the presentation will be an explanation of Mary's role in the conversion of seven million to Catholicism in Mexico during the 1530s and why today Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patroness for the unborn.
There will also be two Natural Family Planning classes offered in October — by Kevin and Piper Kuesters at St. Joseph Church in Herndon at 6 p.m., Oct. 10; and by John and Sarah Heil at St.Lawrence Church in Alexandria at 3 p.m., Oct. 17.
The Family Life Office is also lending its support to a week of prayer and fasting (Oct. 3-11) to "convert all nations and end abortion." Sponsored by the International Coalition for the Triumph, the week is intended to encourage all Catholics to attend daily Mass, say a daily rosary, fast, and participate in holy hours of Eucharistic adoration.
The week will culminate in a Eucharistic prayer vigil at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 11. The vigil will include Mass, rosary procession, confessions, divine mercy chaplet, Eucharistic adoration and speakers. Bishop Loverde will be the main celebrant and homilist at the noon Mass. Speakers and prayer leaders include Dr. Bernard Nathanson; Bud Macfarlane Sr., Congressman Chris Smith; Dr. John Bruchalski; John Downs, and Mother Agnes Mary Donovan, superior, Sister of Life.
In conclusion of pro-life month there will be a conference entitled "After the Abortion" co-sponsored by the Diocese of Arlington and the Archdioceses of Washington and Baltimore on Project Rachel at Catholic University in Washington on Oct. 30. The main speaker will be Thorn. Laird looks forward to this conference as a unique inter-diocesan event.
"This conference is significant because of the three dioceses working together and because of the open participation of Catholic University including the school of nursing, school of social work and the law school," said Laird.
For information on the week of prayer and fasting, call 502/325-5490; on "After the Abortion" call 301/853-4555; and for other activities contact the Family Life Office at 703/841-2550.
Copyright ©1999 Arlington Catholic Herald, Inc. All rights reserved.
This article was published in the Arlington
Catholic Herald,
200 N. Glebe Rd., Suite 607, Arlington, VA 22203; Vol 24, No 39,
dated October 9, 1999.
.
E-mail:
letters@catholicherald.com
Fax: 703/524-2782;
Editorial: 703/841-2590;
Advertising: 703/841-2594;
Circulation: 703/841-2565
A note from the Web Master:
It is noteworthy and honorable that some folks are willing to stand up for a ban on Partial-Birth Abortion. Let us not forget that ordinary everyday run of the mill abortion is also murder. We must understand that aborting the life of a baby is murder no matter the method. Because one method of abortion seems to be horrible does not make the other methods less so. We should be horrified and sickened by any abortion regardless of the method. The Fifth Commandment spells it out clearly:
"Thou shalt not kill."
A fetus is a person, a human being with a God given soul.
Imagine the pain the Lord must feel when any abortion occurs. Please
contact both of your Senators and Representative, via letter or phone,
to let them know how horrified you are that abortions are legal and to
stop, once and for all, Partial-Birth abortions and all other abortions
as soon as possible.
| Return to Pro Life Corner | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|