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.
THE FOLLOWING IS A RELEASE SENT BY EMAIL FROM TOM STEVENS, PRESIDENT OF THE PRO-LIFE UNION OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA
In 2021 there were 3% more abortions in Pennsylvania than in the previous year. The total, 33,206, is the highest number of abortions reported in the past ten years. Half, 16,542, of those abortions occur right in our backyard, the five-county Philadelphia area.
To help understand the sheer magnitude, imagine 16,542 moms or dads pushing a baby in a stroller in a single file. It would be a line that stretches nearly sixteen miles! Imagine one of them being your grandchild or child, nephew or niece.
This is why the Pro-Life Union believes that we can’t protect the right to life as a single organization. Instead, we need to support our associate member organizations, work with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and independent churches, and anyone who will join us in the effort. Pregnancy resource centers like Hope Pregnancy and AlphaCare are part of the solution.
The Pro-Life Union and Catholic Social Services partnership at the Cenacle in Frankford serving more than one thousand vulnerable families is part of the answer. Adoption is a Loving Option, Culture Project, Students for Life, and other groups reaching out to students are a significant part of the effort. Forty Days for Life, Sidewalk Servants, and others organizing volunteers to serve in front of abortion centers are rescuing babies (and women) in another way.
Chester County Pro-Life Coalition and their March for Life and sponsorship of the name? ‘TOB for young women’ is another part of the prevention. You can meet many of these resource providers on April 1st at the Life Advocate Resource Conference. Many churches working together to provide solutions will also be present.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” — John 1:5
In the days following the Dobb v Jackson case, a reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer reached out to activists on both sides of the debate.
In the article (see here) they shared their conversations with friends, family, and at time co-workers on how they engaged on the issues before and after the decision.
Local activists Pete and Mickey were featured in the article for the pro-life side. Kudos to both taking time to do this, particularly Mickey, one of the many young adults involved in the Greater Philadelphia area.
Like many people, I heard of the leak on the news about the possibility of Roe v Wade not making it to its 50th anniversary. (I think my sister and brother in law have a better shot at that). Even Justice Samuel Alito believes that the issue should be decided by the people, not the high court.
Since the news of the leak, pro-aborts have acted unhinged. There was a protest in Los Angeles that turned violent that law enforcement had to intervene. Even elected Karens, like Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, (I’m surprised she didn’t suffer a stroke after her agonizing rant). Wait a second, Sen. Karen of Massachusetts is angry? *Eye roll*. She is so angry that a snickers bar can’t turn her into a conservative.
Even Catholics for Choice (oxymoron name for a group) are up in arms with the leak that they are planning to protest during Catholic Masses nationwide on Mother’s Day weekend.
WHAT CAN CHRISTIANS DO
Regardless of the imminent outcome and ruling that will be casted by nine judges, pro-lifers must remain vigilant. Yes, Roe v Wade has been a controversial court decision for five decades, and there is light at the end of the tunnel for many pro-lifers to see this issue return to the states as it should have from the beginning.
The first and foremost thing to do is pray. Hold Holy Hours for an end to abortion and for the conversion of those who turned a blind eye and deaf ear to the cry of the most vulnerable of our society. Pray the rosary. Learn about the Flame of Love rosary that has been effective during several prayer vigils here.
Continue attending prayer vigils. This idea speaks for itself. The presence of pro-lifers has a powerful and profound impact on the number of people entering the facility. Your presence matters. 40 Days for Life Campaign may have came and went, but murders are still happening.
Participate in the 2022 elections. Primary season is heating up. Pennsylvania’s primary is Tuesday, May 17th. Be sure to vote with a clear conscience and in person. Visit here for all state primaries.
Speak up! This goes for laity and clergy alike. The only way hearts and minds will change in this ongoing debate to have these hard discussions. Indeed, we have seen the videos of a bunch of grown up kindergartners wanted to silence speech of people they don’t agree with. Bishops, Pastors, and Deacons, preach the message of life from the pulpits. We need more engaging homilies and sermons that pierce the hearts and minds of church-goers every given Sunday.
Laity, share the message of life on social media. Get louder on the platform if big tech tries to silence you. The truth can never be silenced or censored. The Minister of Lies can’t stop the movement that has gained momentum the last fifty years. This is our time! Let’s seize the moment!
As everyone is celebrating Christmas liturgically, I manage to do something that others have already done and that is to watch “It’s a Wonderful Life”. This may offend my mom since she was never fond of the movie, but that is okay.
Now, in its 75th year, the movie has time and time again made a central point about the message of life.
“Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?” Clarence
In the movie, George Bailey hits a breaking point asking that he was never been born. When an angel named Clarence comes to intervene, Geroge discovers what life is when he is not around. As George watches all of the things he accomplished during his life, he sees the dark and tragic alternative when he never existed. One pivotal moment is the dream home him and his wife would live in and grow a life together as he revisits that same house that is deserted and abandoned. Another is the gravesite of his brother Harry who in his reality won the Medal of Honor for saving countless lives in the Pacific Theater of Wolrd wear II. Geroge saved his brother from drowning when they were boys.
Clarence ensures George that he has lived a wonderful life and that he must continue to live it despite his failures.
“Remember, George: no man is a failure who has friends.” Clarence
In the end, life is worth living and there is so much it can teach us. Never take it for granted.
While the film flopped during its initial release in 1946, the movie still has pivotal moment that all life is precious.
In the end, Clarence delivers a hand-written message to George after being sparred from a suicide attempt to
The Sisters of Life have some exciting events that will get us into the Christmas Spirit. Who loves them? I’m sure you do.
Mass in Honor of the Ordination of John Cardinal O’Connor The sisters will have a Mass on the anniversary of the ordination of their founder, Cardinal John O’Connor. This will happen on Wednesday, December 15, at 6:30 PM at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral.
Christmas CarolingIn The City
The Sisters of Life invite you to join them in Christmas Caroling in Center City. Meet them at the Basilica at 5PM. They will go to Love Park and City Hall. There will be confessions, hot chocolate, and cookies
Epiphany Event
The Sisters of Life will have a Mass and social in thanksgiving for their co-workers for life. This will take place in St. Mary Magdalene in Media.
Philadelphia has welcomed their first missionaries from the Culture Project last week. Thanks to the initiative and blessing of Archbishop Nelson Perez the City of Brotherly will welcome seven missionaries who are ready to transform the culture of Philadelphia into one that is fully alive.
Since its inception in 2014, The Culture Project is a movement of young people who speak about the message of life and love to transform every human person to be fully alive. In addition to Philadelphia, they have missionaries in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Toledo, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
The Culture Project Benefit
The organization will have a fundraiser to raise fund for their missions. You are invited to attend this event
When: November 2nd 2021 7PM-8:30 PM
Where: Eakins Room at St. Charles Seminary 100 E Wynnewood Rd Wynnewood, PA 19096
Please RSVP to Maryrose Richards MRichards@thecultureproject.org or call 215-315-7814 x 712. The deadline is Friday October 15th
You may also make a donation to the Culture Project here
Students for Life volunteers peacefully assemble outside of the Supreme Court
September has been a tumultuous month for the debate on abortion. It all began with the Texas heartbeat taking effect on September 1st. Even the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the law citing the 10th amendment.
Later, a radical bill was passed by the House of Representatives that would reverse all pro-life laws passed on state level making abortion federal law.
As the potential of Roe v Wade case being reversed by the Supreme Court, with a hearing and arguments taking place in DC on December 1st, the flop of an event called “Women’s March took place in several cities across the United States on Saturday, October 2nd.
As always, college students and young adults assembled to counter the event. Here are some takeaways from several who were on the frontlines.
Grace Rykaczewski- Washington, DC
Students for Life had a strong showing in DC. Grace was one of the student activists present. She shared three takeaways:
There was a shocking amount of aggression from pro abortion men towards pro-life women at a “WOMEN’S MARCH”. Ironic. I witnessed a man trying to grab a bull horn out of a young pro-life woman’s hands.
They didn’t really call it the women’s march this year, they called it the rally for Abortion Justice which is so fitting because it has never been a “Women’s March” it’s always been a pro-abortion March. Since the very first one pro-life organizations, even pro-life feminist organizations were disinvited from the March. How can it be a women’s March if they disinvite half of women??
It’s terrible that the women’s march completely ignores all other women’s issues. We didn’t see a single sign about women in Afghanistan, women being raped or the wage gap. Nothing. All abortion related signs and shirts.
they held a prayer rally… the pro-aborts. Idk who they thought they were praying to but not my God…
Titus Folks
The big thing Titus witnessed while in Indianapolis is how the pro-aborts were not open to dialogue or understanding a view that is opposite to them. Him and along with seven high schools and colleges were at hand. Despite the wet weather and losing their voices from chanting, they were all present to give a voice to the voiceless.
For Mallory Finch of Charlotte, NC she was disappointed that these women have believed the lie being sold by our culture. The women of the Women’s March have boiled women’s rights down to abortion. They rebranded the Women’s March to be the Abortion Justice.
After talking to a few of the women (that actually had conversations and weren’t just yelling in my face) many of them really weren’t educated. Many of these women don’t know what abortion really is. Also many of these women aren’t aware of the other many things we do as prolifers. Some of the women were shocked when we started talking about Pregnancy Help Centers and our petitions for Paid Family Leave for Moms and Dads.
Pro-Life activist from Allentown, PA
For Anna Gidish, President and Foundress of Lehigh Valley Pro-Life Future, she uses the opportunity to help pregnant women receive access to abortion alternatives. She shares:
“One woman stopped us before all the Women’s March protesters got there. (We decided to get there early and take their spot!) She angrily asked Maria and Olivia, if you have time to protest, why don’t you spend time giving real resources to women. Her tune changed after Maria and Olivia actually discussed Standing With You and our local pregnancy center. She was 5 months pregnant and her baby’s father just walked out on them recently. Maria was able to offer a blessing bag she had in her car from when she was outside Planned Parenthood the day before. The woman was so grateful for the resources. Whether she already intended to choose life before or not… I am not sure, BUT she did say that she believes it is in “providence” that she does choose life for her child! Another woman walked by and said she liked what we were doing during the counter-protest. I ran up to her and talked to her about the resources we offer in the community. She told me she was pregnant and the father wanted her to have an abortion. She said she didn’t want an abortion, though. I checked with her to see what she needed. She said she would reach out via Standing With You, if she needs help!”
Theses were just the many testimonies from the now of the pro-life movement. Some have diverse backgrounds, yet they have one goal: make abortion unthinkable because it hurts women.
To view photo galleries from Saturday’s counter demonstration around the country, click here
It is the tenth month of the year. 2021 is winding down. We are seeing various displays of pumpkin spice themes, Halloween commercials, and even people flocking to the farms for apple picking and pumpkin.
As we begin a new month, let us continue to recommit ourselves to defending life from womb to tomb.
Here are events and things that can be done in October
For the last twenty years, Generation Life has changed the hearts and minds of half a million young people throughout the greater Philadelphia area and beyond.
On a beautiful fall evening at The Inn at Villanova, 200 supporters gathered to reminisce, celebrate, and hope to equip the organization to continue to fight for love and life.
Kim Savage opened the evening by sharing how far the organization has come since its humble beginnings on the campus of Villanova University, which later grew into sharing chastity in the classrooms, early involvements outside of abortion facilities, and in time beach outreaches.
Those gathered saw a few videos that recapped the last twenty years of the organization while also hearing from past and current staff and volunteers what the organization has done and meant to them.
Fr. Joe Zaleski, the president of the organization, has asked everyone to continue donating to the organization as an anonymous donor wishes to match every money donated to the organization in the near future.
You may do so by donating to the organization here.
Voices for Life 