PA Abortions Increase, Pro-Life Efforts Increase

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

OCTOBER TO DO LIST

Happy October.

Fall is in full swing. The air is getting cooler and crisp. Many will break out the sweaters, hoodies, and enjoying fall activities.

There’s much to happen in the pro-life community as the mid-terms are lurking, fundraisers, and even 40 Days for Life campaigns.

Here’s a list for things to do

1. Take part in 40 Days for Life campaign
2. Take part in Student for Life of America deployments
3. Attend a fundraiser near you
4. Sponsor a Holy Hour for life at your parish
5. Take part in homeless outreach
6. Donate maternity items to pregnancy resource center
7. Host a rosary rally
8. Educate everyone on the issue of abortion and debunk myths surrounding the recent Dobbs decision.
9. Volunteer for your local coalition
10. Write op-eds to local papers
11. Learn how to peacefully and lovingly sidewalk counsel outside of an abortion facility
12. Encourage voters to show up at the polls on November 8th. Mail in balloting is a scam and fraud.

Have a great month of October.

PARISH WEBINAR: RESPECT LIFE MONTH

A webinar will take place to equip all parishes for Respect Life month that happens in October.

The webinar will happen on Wednesday, August 17th at 2 PM. All attendees will receive a recording within two business days.

Register here.

TWO PRO-LIFERS FEATURED IN PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

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.

The Life Amendment passes the State Senate

The following is from the Pennsylvania Family Institute.

Today, the State Senate passed the Life Amendment – the proposed bill that would amend the state constitution to maintain the status quo in Pennsylvania that it is up to the people through their state legislators, not the courts, to decide how best to regulate abortion. The bill now goes to the House, where we pray for swift passage. Call your state representative today and ask them to vote for the Life Amendment! Visit tinyurl.com/TwoCallsForLife.

This measure is critically needed to respond to a lawsuit and anticipated ruling from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court which would force taxpayer funding of abortion in Pennsylvania and invent a “right to abortion” in Pennsylvania’s Constitution. That lawsuit was initiated by Allegheny Reproductive Services (an abortion center in Pittsburgh) along with several other abortion clinics and Planned Parenthood.

We thank every State Senator who voted today to pass the Life Amendment, a proposed constitutional amendment that empowers Pennsylvanians, not the courts, to decide how best to regulate abortion. “Pennsylvanians agree that no one should be forced to pay for an elective abortion through their taxdollars. Just as the U.S. Supreme Court, in the overturn of Roe and Casey, ruled that the authority to craft abortion policies should be ‘to the people and their elected representatives,’ this amendment preserves the rights of the people through their representatives to make these decisions that rather than Pennsylvania’s courts.” – Michael Geer, President of the Pennsylvania Family Institute

HOPE PREGNANCY CENTER VANDALIZED; NEVER GIVE IN

As the Dobbs v. Jackson decision is pending, the recent leak has propelled violent acts by unhinged pro-abortion terrorist organizations.

Unfortunately, Philadelphia was not immune to these attacks. Hope Pregnancy Center, located on Broad Street and a mile south of Temple University, was vandalized this past Saturday.

The details have not been released. The director asks for prayers and will update the pro-life community on what we can do.

It is clear that those who advocate for abortion and claim that pro-lifers don’t care about women are total hypocrites of this myth. They’re the ones who have been anti-woman. They’re the ones who see women as dollar signs. They’re the ones who do not want to help women with their pregnancies. They’re the ones who choose which science to follow while dismissing the claim that life begins at conception.

The real people since the half a century of the debate who care for women are those who work in pregnancy centers and are targets of domestic terrorists. Those who work or volunteer for the abortion industry lack love and mercy while carrying years of regret deep down their heavy, suffering hearts who are in need of Jesus.

To paraphrase Winston Churchill: We shall not be afraid nor fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in our communities, the public square, and oceans; we shall fight with growing confidence and growing perseverance in the faith that God is on our side. We shall never surrender. Never give in.

OCTOBER TO-DO LIST

• 

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

1. Attend the friend for life workshop.
2. Attend the Fall Rally
3. Participate in 40 Days for Life campaign near you
4. Hold a Holy Hour for Life at your church
5. Collect donations for your local pro-life group
6. Host a screening of Roe V Wade at your church
7. Donate $50 to ensure a student to attend the annual Stand Up for Life Dinner this coming November.
8. Recruit new members for your group
9. Have a pro-life display at church event

Abortion Down In Greater Philadelphia; Much Work Still Needs To Be Done

• 

The following report, from the 2020 Pa. Department of Health Abortion Statistics, provides a stark reminder for the ongoing need for these campaigns.

Planned Parenthood, Warminster – 885
Planned Parenthood, West Chester – 1,141
Planned Parenthood, Norristown – 822
Planned Parenthood, Northeast Philadelphia – 2,393
Planned Parenthood, Center City – 3,705
Philadelphia Women’s Center – 6,224

We will not know what played a role in the dip in numbers last year. Whether it was COVID or not, we know that it is not a time to lick our wounds and hope it continues to take a dip. We must continue to be present. Are you ready to take a stand today? Learn how here

IMPORTANT UPDATES FOR INAUGURAL PENNSYLVANIA MARCH FOR LIFE IN HARRISBURG

• 

By now, Pennsylvanians will be gearing up for the first state March in Harrisburg. See more here.

There are two prayer vigils taking place prior to the rally.

– A Prayer and Praise Gathering for Life led by Gateway House of Prayer at the top steps of Capitol building at 9:00am

A morning mass and adoration at St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 9:00am

Fall 2021 40 Days for Life Preview: Planned Parenthood

• 

Nearly 4500 lives end on an annual basis in Center City Philadelphia. Thankfully, we have seen moms change their minds and even chose life.

Across the street is a life-saving facility that has seen an uptick in clientele. Some of it has to do with the peaceful presence every day outside of Planned Parenthood.

The campaign, running from September 22nd through October 30th, is looking for brave pro-lifers to cover an hour or two with love, prayer, and mercy. The facility is open Monday through Saturday from 7 AM to 5PM. Abortions are committed from Wednesday through Saturday. Philadelphia Community Women’s Center, under the operation of Legacy of Life, is across the street and will be open every day as well to meet the needs of any mom who changes her mind about abortion.

Sign up for campaign hours here. Bring a friend, group, or even someone who needs to do more in the pro-life movement.

If interested in the campaign at 777 Appletree, visit here.