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
On Friday, March 25th Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, located in Center City Philadelphia, held a poetry slam on their campus. It is no coincidence that they chose the feast of the annunciation to have a horrendous event to mock a Catholic solemnity. It was even a stunt to do it the night before the annual Philly March for Life. The students listened to women who came to campus and shared their experiences. What astounded the students, according to an eyewitness from the event, was the presenters shared how they regretted their decision.
From one presenter: “I killed my babies… now all I have are their dead souls. I will never hear them laugh. But at least I killed them before they existed. No, that is not true, they did exist. My children were all fully there… I just never gave them the chance to laugh,”
Another presenter got up and shared her coerced abortion titled “The Abortion I Didn’t Want”: She described how her boyfriend wanted to make her have an abortion, and when she got to the clinic, she consented to the abortion at first, then suddenly changed her mind as the procedure was beginning. But when she changed her mind, the clinicians restrained her, held down her arms and legs, and did the abortion anyway while she tried to physically resist them.
Based on the women’s poems, it sounded like all of them regretted their abortions. It sounded like all of them were feeling sad, guilty, traumatized, lonely, and confused. None of their poems appeared to be pro-choice.
After the poems were read, the event organizers walked in and asked the students to donate money to the abortion clinic’s fund.
No one is liberated from abortion. Rather, they are enslaved by this false lie that leaves a woman with a lifetime of regret, sorrow, and suffering. This goes to show that abortion is unthinkable. We must step up our game to help women in their hour of great need. We must not back down. We must be committed to helping women, like the ones who wrote of their experiences.
Visit Rachel’s Vineyard if you have experienced abortion directly or indirectly.
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
There is a job opening for Rachel’s Vineyard in the King of Prussia area of Pennsylvania. For those who may be interested, details are listed below.
from Evelyn Walsh, Doylestown Director
The main office of Rachel’s Vineyard and The Living Scripture Institute in King of Prussia has posted a job opportunity and I was asked to spread the word to see if there is someone out there who has the qualifications and is interested in the position. It is more of a technical job with the purpose of implementing and utilizing an online educational platform. Just as the rest of the world has found the need to develop an online presence, Rachel’s Vineyard and the needs of their increasing ministries require advanced technical support services for the purpose of training and continuing education for their ministry teams.
Please see the job listing attached and contact the main office if you have any questions or are inclined to apply for the position. Feel free to circulate this to anyone you know who has a heart for these psychological and spiritually integrated trauma treatment programs.
Oh Lord, I had an abortion thinking it was for the best, but the grief and guilt I have felt ever since I took that decision has haunted me, and I feel so ashamed of myself and riddled with guilt, by allowing a little life to be taken in this way.
My heart is so heavy and I find that I am not able to think about anything else and realise more and more that it is against You Lord, that I have sinned and done this great wrong.
Lord, I feel broken inside and pray for Your healing and comfort. You have promised to mend the broken-hearted and to set those that are captive to guilt and shame free, and Lord, You have promised forgiveness and restoration to all who come humbly to Your throne of grace and confess their wrongdoing. My hope is in You, for You alone can restore the joy of my salvation.
Thank You, that You are a forgiving God, Whose mercies are new every morning and that You that You have promised to carry all our guilt and burdens, and so I hand this over to You today, and ask for the healing and restoration that only You can give, and the grace to forget what is past and move on with You as my guide. I ask this in Jesus’ name,
Amen.
“Lord my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me.” Psalm 30:2
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.
This is a life changing opportunity. Rachel’s Vineyard was created in 1995 by Theresa (a psychologist) and Kevin Burke.
Who will benefit from these retreats? Moms, of course. Also, dads, grandparents and anyone who helped a mom obtain an abortion. Have you thought about being a part of a weekend retreat? Say yes and bless yourself and your family.
For more information or to register, contact Lovette Vassar by phone at 254-702-6723 or via email at abortionrecovery@hopepc.com.
Voices for Life 