Voices for Life Is a blog dedicated to informing and educating the public on pro-life and pro-family issues. Our focus is to protect the sanctity of all human life from conception until natural death.
After a week of testimonies and a deadlocked jury, Mark Houck was found not guilty of violating the FACE Act. This comes after a horrifying scene in September 2022 when the FBI raided Mark’s home for violating federal law and causing trauma to his wife and seven children at his home.
In a press release from the St. Thomas More Society, Peter Breen stated that they are “thrilled by the outcome” of the blockbuster case.
“Mark and his family are now free of the cloud that the Biden administration threw upon them. We took on the Goliath – the full might of the United States government – and won. The jury saw through and rejected the prosecution’s discriminatory case, which was harassment from day one. The Biden Department of Justice’s intimidation against pro-life people and people of faith has been put in its place.”
Even Ashley Garecht, a spokeswoman for the Pro-Life Union of Greater Philadelphia, stated that pro-lifers, “rejoice and celebrate that Mark Houck has been found not guilty on all counts.”
“This case was always about a father’s right to protect his son, and never had anything to do with the FACE act,” she said. “We are grateful to the judge for his integrity, and to the jurors for their thoughtful deliberations. We are grateful to Mark’s attorneys who labored so diligently in his defense. And we are grateful for all of those who surrounded and supported Mark and his family in prayer through this challenging ordeal.”
“Most of all we praise and thank God for his protection and provision,” Garecht added. “To Him be all the glory.”
Defense attorney Brian McMonagle, who is working in tandem with the Thomas More Society, also told the jury during his Friday closing argument that Houck had “a right to be on that sidewalk” and argued that the case centers around the First Amendment.
Even McMonagle told the jury that the case was all about politics after waiting one year after the altercation occurred and was twice dismissed by the municipal court.
Even Fr. Frank Pavone celebrated the monumental victory.
“Congratulations, Mark, congratulations to the entire pro-life movement, congratulations to the St. Thomas More Society for the legal defense, Peter Breen, Tom Brejcha, and all our friends there,” Pavone said.
The following is from an email blast sent by Dr. Monique Ruberu. Please visit 40daysforlife.com to sign up for hours now and encourage family and friends to join you.
Im in Houston today at the 2021 40 days for Life Leaders Symposium. Yesterday we were praying and rallying outside of the largest abortion center in the Western Hemisphere… where as of 2016 the reported number of deaths were 8000 a year. This fact struck me for a few reasons… number one… the abortion industry has not reported their numbers SINCE 2016… and number 2 in downtown Philadelphia the two abortion centers we pray at and offer help and hope end more lives combined every year. 777 that is only open 5 days a week ends the lives of 6000 babies a year. My friends… if this pit of hell in Houston is the largest in the western hemisphere.. we sadly pray outside one of the Largest centers as well.
Last night We were blessed to hear from Abby Johnson… if any of you haven’t seen “Unplanned” let me know – I have a dvd I would be happy to lend you so you can show at your church or group to help people understand the importance of this mission.
Abby as usual made some amazing points.
#1 – People may say – I want these abortion Doctors or politicians to be Blessed – yes it sounds very Christian, but she pointed out that to “Be blessed” means that your plans are approved by God and that they go UNINTERRUPTED. She said that Her desire was NOT for them to be blessed, but for them to be INTERRUPTED in every one of their plans. SHe wants them to be frustrated, to feel lost, to finally understand that the sin they are standing in can never bring them happiness, peace, joy. Friends we are the INTERRUPTERS. When we show up and lovingly reach out to the abortionist, the workers, the escorts… the Moms the Dads… we are INTERRUPTING Satan’s plan. We Are bringing the most powerful tool with us – PRAYER AND FASTING. We are asking for the intercession of GOD. We are invoking the HOLY SPIRIT. This is the most powerful thing we can do… and we can’t do it unless we SHOW UP.
#2 – Our work is LIFE CHANGING. Abby pointed out that three of the people who prayed her out of the abortion center were sitting with us at the Gala… their prayer their fasting, brought about a change in her heart. There was another former abortion worker there who is now starting a campaign at her old place of work- PRAISE GOD!!! The woman who prayed her best friend (another abortion worker) out was sitting next to her at the table, when her best friend left she followed soon after… The moments we spend outside of these places are never wasted… every moment, every sacrifice goes toward the greater cause of saving lives, changing lives, you NEVER know what your small sacrifice of 2 hours a week will do for another person.
#3 – Abby said that over 600 workers have left – there aren’t that many more abortion centers in the United States… She said that we likely don’t even know it but people from our clinics have likely left… and are healing with abortionworker.com. PRAISE GOD!!!
#4 Abby shared a story of a recent conversation she had… A worker called her crying and said that she had to leave… when Abby asked her why she said, “That woman outside…” Abby asked, “What did she say to you?” the worker said, ” No she didn’t say anything…” Confused, Abby said, “What do you mean?” The worker went on to say… “It was pouring rain outside… this woman was there all by herself… nobody was with her… and in the middle of this horrible storm she knelt down and continued praying..” The worker went on to say, “I was so convicted… this woman loved the babies and me so much… that she would kneel on the hard concrete in the middle of a torrential storm… to pray for us… I just can’t do this anymore… I have to leave” PRAISE GOD
Friends… we were CREATED for this time. To stand up for God, to be His soldiers in this time of persecution… We know what our enemy is… not the abortionist, not the people persecuting us, not the workers… but Satan… We have our marching orders… deep inside your gut you KNOW what HE wants you to do…
So I will ask you… Are you WITH US? Will you Sacrifice for OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR? Will you be on the WINNING TEAM so that one day we can all celebrate in the GLORY OF HEAVEN? Are you willing to Humble yourself? Are you Willing to Sacrifice? Are you willing to Worship God in one of the most difficult and rewarding ways possible? Are you willing to face Him at the end of your life without the security of knowing that you did EVERYTHING in your power to end the greatest sin of all time? When you face Him and he Asks you… will you be able to look Him in the face and know you did your part?
Friends we need you… We are not just there for 40 days of life 2 X a year… we are out there every day. Because abortions happen every day except Sunday. PLEASE. respond to this email, let us know that you are willing to commit.
Give us 2 hours a week , or 2 hours every other week and Help us to end abortion in out Philadelphia.
We are over a third into the dog days of summer. By now, we have seen advertisements for back-to-school, last-minute summer getaways, and even some early Christmas deals. Before you know it, the summer is over and it is back to reality for many people. Here are some things you can do this month to advance the culture of life:
Pro-Lifers can peacefully march in the cold and as a test to their character they can even do the same in the scorching heat.
400 pro-lifers across the Greater Philadelphia area were in attendance for the summer rally. The day began with Mass at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. In his greeting and homily, Father Dennis Gill reminded the faithful gathered to continue to pray for the defense of human life, especially in its most vulnerable stage. He also reminded them that the Blessed Mother is with them and interceding with them as they continue to take a bold stand against the greater destroyer of life in society, abortion.
After mass ended, the faithful peacefully processed down to Planned Parenthood located at 12th and Locust. They were people shaking heads in disgust, high-fiving three lone escorts, and even honks for death.
The speakers took time to address authentic womanhood, the need for pro-lifers to be present, what we are really fighting when present outside of abortion facilities, and to be a peaceful vessel of God’s grace through our presences and prayers.
As pro-lifers fight to Save the Hyde Amendment, Students for Life of America and Democrats for Life will tag team to hold rallies across the nation to convince elected officials to incline the life saving amendment in the new fiscal budget.
This Friday, July 9th, a rally will be held outside of Rep. Brendan Boyle’s office in Rhawnhurst section of Philadelphia. Rally begins at 11:00 am.
As someone who co-hosted a popular pro-life radio program in the Philly area in the 80’s, I am encouraged and excited to see that we now have a new and much needed weekly pro-life program in SE Pennsylvania. Hosted by Maria Gallagher and Bonnie Finnerty of the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, this 1/2-hour program airs every Wednesday night at 6:00 pm on WWDB-AM 860 Talk Radio.
Please pass this information on to everyone you know and tune in each week to hear Maria and Bonnie, and their guests tackle current moral issues from a positively pro-life perspective.
Please see important information below regarding ‘The Equality Act’ from the Pennsylvania Family Institute. This Act is not intended to protect our God-given rights; it will however take away some of our basic rights, and it will force employers to cover abortion and medical professionals to perform or assist in performing abortions. Please contact your Senators (links provided in post below for Pennsylvania and the rest of the country) and sign up for the webinar scheduled for Tuesday, February 16th at 2:00 pm to learn more about this Act.
The Biden Administration lists as a top priority the passage of “The Equality Act” – sweeping legislation pending before the US Congress, which has been described by Dr. Andrew Walker as “ “the most invasive threat to religious liberty ever proposed in America.” This poorly named bill poses a serious risk to religious freedom, privacy, and protections for women and girls.
Dr. Andrew T. Walker, and Dr. Carl Trueman are our special guests at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16th for a critically important live webinar focused on what’s at stake for the churches, Christian ministries, and rights of conscience if this dangerous legislation becomes law. Please join our special guests, along with Kurt Weaver, the Director of our Church Ambassador Network, and attorneys from the Independence Law Center.
You can contact your Congressman and US Senators to ask them to oppose the Equality Act by clicking here.
For those who live in other states, please use this linkto find your members of Congress. Below is a message to send provided by the Pennsylvania Family Institute.
I ask that you oppose the so-called Equality Act as it would bring to my community a host of negative consequences, not equality.
The government should not take away my bodily privacy in places like locker rooms and restrooms, should not punish religious ministries for operating based on their religious convictions, destroy women’s sports, or take away our religious liberties protected under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect but the so-called Equality Act uses government overreach to infringe upon my rights and disrespects many in our community. Please oppose the so-called Equality Act.
Hard to believe that many of us had to enjoy a streaming of the March for Life from the comfort of our own home. At least those that were watching didn’t have to endure the bitter cold conditions like I did.
Then, there were those, like me, that still made the trek to our nation’s capital to keep the tradition alive.
I’m Never Alone
I remember God planting the seeds for this once in a lifetime moment to send a message to others. When I got to the National Mall, I remember looking around and thinking back to the past National Marches that have taken place. Then, as I was snapped back to reality thanks to a trio of cheerful women from Cincinnati, I knew that I wasn’t the only person that still made it to DC to keep it alive.
As I ventured around the rest of the mall, we bumped into people from Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Oregon, and even South Carolina. People of all walks of life that felt compelled to keep their annual pilgrimage going.
WHY ARE WE HERE?
As we all regrouped, we gathered at the mall. One by one, everyone shared their stories of why they are pro-life. There were two that stood out.
The first was a student from Penn State who shared how his best friend who has such a deep faith recently celebrated his 19th birthday. He later learned that his friend would not be alive if it weren’t for her mother’s “yes” to be here. Because of the example of his friend, he became Catholic after searching for the right answers.
The other story was how a woman shared that his brother with down syndrome who celebrated his 50th birthday and how she is disgusted at how 90% with the same condition are aborted.
Following the sharing of testimonies we all stopped along a familiar place during the march. We waited for our chance and we prayed more.
After 30 minutes and thanks to those who were able to watch the livestream, we all made our way to the national leaders on 3rd Street and processed over to Massachusetts Avenue and onto Second Avenue to the back of the Supreme Court.
In the midst of bumping into amazing friends and making new ones, one thing was clear and that was how extraordinary God provided through my out of the ordinary experience with this year’s March for Life. I even told those that were with me on the National Mall that this whole virtual apparatus will not settle the debate. Rather, it creates a dichotomy that can only be filled by being the foot soldiers we need to be present.
If we are going to win the abortion debate, we need to step away from the screen and be willing to go out into the public square, our community, and even the nearest abortion facility in your community to change hearts and minds.
Today, do your part to make your real presence known.
As the nation will witness history to be made early next week, Students for Life have made stops in ten different cities urging senators to vote yes to fill the vacant Supreme Court seat.
Fifteen students from across the nation, led by PA coordinator Liana Hollendonner, held a peaceful rally outside of Senator Bob Casey’s Center City office, urging for his vote on the right side of history.
Unfortunately, it is likely that Casey will not carry out his father legacy as he has done since being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006.
Following the mini rally, the students chalk up messages in support of Amy Coney-Barrett. However, they were met with some threats by a security guard. After conferring with Cicil Affairs, the students were permitted to chalk on the public sidewalk.
The Pro-Life Union of Greater Philadelphia is launching an exciting outreach in the effort to gear up for a post-Roe America. The following exerpt is from Joe Garecht.
In many ways, the end of legalized abortion in our country is closer than ever before. It is critical that we engage on every front of this battle with thoughtful, coordinated and effective advocacy for the unborn.
Would you consider joining our newly formed Pro-Life Action Team? Led by Joe Garecht and the PLU Public Affairs committee, the goal of this group is to concentrate citizen advocacy for the pro life cause in the spheres of politics and the media.
Commitment will be a specific action item once every other month – typically contacting a legislator via phone or email, or sending a comment/op ed to local media outlets – and occasional meetings, no more than twice per year.
Our voices are powerful! We have heard from state legislators that they felt compelled to act on bills in front of their committee after receiving as few as 12 emails or phone calls from constituents. When we organize and combine our advocacy efforts we improve the chance for lasting change in our community on behalf of the unborn.
Please send your name, email and phone number to Tom Stevens with the subject Pro-Life Action Team to mail@prolifeunion.org and let us know we can add you to the Pro-Life Action Team!
In addition, Students for Life of America have an opportunity to give you the knowledge and tools to engage in public policy.
While COVID-19 is affecting the pro-life movement’s ability to train grassroots activists of all ages, Students for Life is now able to bring our pro-life trainings from campuses right into your home. Enroll in pro-life “majors” in each pillar of pro-life activism.
Not a student? No problem! Continuing your education is important to us and there is no age limit on being an effective pro-life advocate.
How Does It Work?
There are four course subjects (Effective Education, Industry Impact, Public Policy, and Supportive Services) in each of the three education levels (High School, College, Adult).
All are welcome to join one or more classes as the schedule allows. Each course will cover FIVE bi-weekly live video classes, and four on-your-own optional assignment weeks.
Classes begin the week of September 14th (check each course for exact times) and wrap-up the week of November 9th.
REGISTER NOW for a course in your current education level. Scroll down to choose: High School, College, or Continuing Education (Adult).
If course times do not fit in your schedule, you can work through our self-paced pillar courses which are always available on www.studentsforlifehq.com or connect with your Regional Coordinator here.
Voices for Life 