It is here that the Pro-Life Activities Chairman keeps a record of his reports at council meetings and for the monthly newsletter. Special projects can be noted and knights who are assisting him can also leave communications.
Father Michael C. Kidd K of C Council
Knights of Columbus Council 14455 – Mitchellville, Maryland
Fr Michael C Kidd
Flickr Photos
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Good of the Order
Welcome to Dave's Humor Corner! CLICK on Dave's head and you will find things that he hopes will amuse and inform you. Asked why he hangs out between Father Kidd and Sacred Heart Councils, he answered: "You guys are all as sweet as candy; but, while candy is dandy, liquor is quicker!"Founder of the Knights
O great and glorious God, You imbued Your holy priest. Father Michael J. McGivney, with deep priestly virtue and especially with pastoral concern for the poor, the orphan, the widow, for the Christian education of youth, for the protection of the faith of the working man of his day.
Now that his priestly ministry continues to spread to countless millions throughout the world, through the efforts and influence of the Order of the Knights of Columbus, which Father McGivney founded, we beseech Your, Heavenly Father, to raise Your faithful servant, Michael, to the honors of the altar. We ask this favor through our Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy Mother, Mary and our Mother, Amen. 
PRO-LIFE REPORT—Paul A. Batson (May 2009)
Donation for Mother’s Day Flowers – The Maryland State Knights of Columbus offers the marigold flower campaign for Mother’s Day. However, while there are pro-life sentiments, the money collected does not go directly to the pro-life cause. It is for this reason that we do not participate in this program. Further, we would urge other councils and the state to reconsider what they do and maybe imitate us. We get our roses for mothers from the Prince George’s Right to Life. The flowers might be a little more expensive, but we are better applying our monetary resources to our lobbying and prayers on behalf of the sanctity of human life. Last year a $300 donation
was made and we both honored mothers and helped to save unborn children in danger of abortion.
Tax Dollars to Fund Killing of Embryonic Humans
Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB’s) Committee on Pro-Life Activities, called President Obama’s executive order to fund human embryonic stem-cell experiments “a sad victory of politics over science and ethics”. For the first time in US history, thanks to the order, federal tax dollars will be used to encourage experimenters to kill embryonic humans in stem-cell experiments.
“This action is morally wrong because it encourages the destruction of innocent human life, treating vulnerable human beings as mere products to be harvested. It also disregards the values of millions of American taxpayers who oppose research that requires taking human life. Finally, it ignores the fact that ethically sound means for advancing stem-cell science and medical treatments are readily available and in need of increased support. If the government wants to invest in hope for cures and promote ethically sound science, it should use our tax monies for research that everyone, at every stage of human development, can live with”.
PRO-LIFE REPORT—Paul A. Batson (April 2009)
Protect Conscience Clause – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is inviting public comment on a proposal to rescind an important December 2008 federal regulation. The regulation implements and enforces three federal laws protecting the conscience rights of health care providers. The conscience protection rule is one part of the range of legal protections for doctors, nurses and others, especially those at risk of being discriminated against because of their moral or religious objection to abortion. Further information is available at
http://www.usccb.org/conscienceprotection.
The public has until April 9, 2009 to submit comments.
The Catholic community and all men and women of good will who share our deep concern must speak out to protect Catholic doctors, nurses and hospitals and others. Let the government know that you want conscience protections to remain strongly in place. In particular, let the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services know that you stand for the protection of conscience, especially now for those who provide the health care services so necessary for a good society. Send a message to the Office of Public Health and Science at DHHS:
(web) http://www.usccb.org/conscienceprotection
(email) proposedrescission@hhs.gov
http://www.Regulations.gov
SUGGESTED MESSAGE: Please retain the conscience regulation. Enforce current laws protecting the right of health care providers to serve patients without violating their moral and religious convictions. The right of conscience protected by existing federal laws is inviolable. Weakening protection for this right will harm the ethical integrity of our healing professions, drive caring people out of these professions, and reduce patients’ access to much-needed basic health care. Thank you!
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Through Scripture and Catholic teachings we are called to protect the life and dignity of all human persons no matter how young or old. Working to prevent child abuse is an important response of what we are called to do as a Church.
Reporting abuse
• If you suspect child abuse (sexual, physical or neglect of anyone under the age of 18) or have been a victim of child abuse, report it immediately to the local law enforcement agency or the local department of social services (Department of Child Protective Services in the District of Columbia).
• If you suspect child abuse involving any archdiocesan personnel, also report it immediately to Marcia Zvara, MSW, LCSW-C, Director of Child Protection Services for the Archdiocese of Washington, at 301-853-5328.
• The complete Child Protection Policy, which includes a form to report suspected abuse by archdiocesan personnel and details on where to report to civil authorities (Appendix A) is available online at http://www.adw.org.
Some signs that a child is being sexually abused:
• Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in physical activities
• Reports nightmares or bedwetting
• Experiences a sudden change in appetite or behavior
• Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior
• Becomes pregnant or contracts a venereal disease, particularly if under age 14
• Runs away
Note: Victims of sexual abuse do not necessarily exhibit physical signs of the abuse and some sexually abused children may exhibit no signs of abuse at all.
By the numbers
Between July 2007 and June 2008 in the Archdiocese of Washington:
• 97 child protection workshops were held for adults who work with children in the archdiocese
• 5,800 people, including clergy, new employees and volunteers attended those workshops
• 18,251 Catholic school children received safe environment education
• 22,281 children in religious education programs received safe environment education
• 6,536 employees, volunteers and clergy were fingerprinted
Between 2003-2007 the Catholic Church in the United States:
• Trained more than 1.8 million clergy, employees and volunteers in parishes in creating safe environments and preventing child sexual abuse
• Prepared more than 5.8 million children to recognize abuse and protect themselves
PRO-LIFE REPORT—Paul A. Batson (March 2009)
Monday, March 9, 2009
Maryland March for Life
St. Mary’s Church
109 Duke of Gloucester Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
5:00 PM – Registration
5:30 PM – Mass at St. Mary’s Church (Bp. O’Brien)
5:30 PM – Prayer Service in St. Mary’s Auditorium
6:40 PM – March Begins
7:00 PM – Rally at Lawyer’s Mall
8:00 PM – Legislative Session Begins
8:00 PM – Refreshments at St. Mary’s
Questions? http://www.marylandmarchforlife.org
Come join us on the 30th Annual MD March for Life!
40 Days for Life in Greenbelt (Starts Ash Wednesday) – This is a campaign against the abortion center in Greenbelt / Berwyn Heights, across the street from Beltway Plaza Mall. Knights and others have gone to that abortion facility to pray on Saturdays, including one Saturday when Fr. Jim Stack came. There was a 40 Days campaign last Fall but it was at the Planned Parenthood on 16th Street downtown—this one is much closer.
In this 40 Days campaign, we are trying to get at least one person to stand on the sidewalk there one hour at a time so that when you add everyone together the place is covered in prayer from 6 AM to 10 PM all day every day for 40 days. It starts Ash Wednesday—actually it starts 6 PM Tuesday, Feb 24 with a prayer service at Holy Redeemer Church in College Park where the priest will lead prayers and then will lead a Divine Mercy Chaplet by candlelight outside the abortion center.
If you are looking for a good penance this Lent, standing outside on Greenbelt Road in the cold for an hour is for you! Actually many of us are from parts further north so when you’re cold just think about the 40 Days campaign in Minneapolis.
Even though we haven’t had much time to plan for this, we are still hoping to get more support to pray for these unborn babies who are in danger, their parents, and the clinic workers. God is prompting us to pray and fast for them!
Unfortunately, we still have a lot of holes in the vigil schedule for the Berwyn Heights Family Planning clinic. If you have not done so already, please logon today to schedule some time to pray in front of the Berwyn Heights clinic:
http://www.vigilcalendar.com/berwynheights/login/login_page
Directions to the site can be found on the home page:
http://www.40daysforlife.com/berwynheights/
You must register on the vigil schedule home page and be confirmed by an administrator before you will be able to logon and add your name to the schedule, so I urge you to register today since we are running out of time.
Please also keep in mind that we encourage at least two people to be at the site during vigil hours (for safety reasons) and really don’t want to see women there alone during hours where it might be dark.
If you have questions or are unsure of what to do, please don’t hesitate to respond or call Judy Weilmuenster @ 443-295-7916.
PRO-LIFE REPORT—Paul A. Batson
I want to extend my deep thanks to those volunteers who came out on a freezing January 17 morning to take down the crosses to the Cemetery of the Innocents. The pro-life display was transferred to Sacred Heart Parish in preparation for the March for Life.
I also want to thank those Knights and parish members of Holy Family who participated in the annual March for Life on January 22. God bless you for your efforts.
Lobby Night in Annapolis – Every year, the Maryland Catholic Conference sponsors “Lobby Night in Annapolis” on President’s Day. Catholics from across Maryland meet with their state legislators to advocate for life and justice issues in the light of Catholic Social Teaching. In 2009, President’s Day is February 16. To prepare for Lobby Night, the Maryland Catholic Conference will conduct two briefing sessions. For parishioners from Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, a briefing will be held at St. Camillus on Saturday, January 31, 8:30 AM-Noon. For parishioners from southern Maryland, a briefing will be held at St. Joseph in Pomfret on Saturday, February 7, 9:00 AM-Noon. At the briefings, Maryland Catholic Conference staff will discuss issues that will be considered by legislators in Annapolis during the coming session. As in prior years, we anticipate topics will include pro-life and marriage issues, social justice issues, immigration issues and possibly the abolition of capital punishment. We will be able to provide more specific information as we approach the legislative session. Please come and encourage other Knights and parishioners to attend the pre-Lobby Night briefing and participate in Lobby Night. If you have any questions, contact Larry Couch, Legislative Policy Coordinator for the archdiocesan Department for Social Concerns at lcouch@adw.org or 301-853-5343.
PRO-LIFE REPORT—Paul A. Batson
2009 Youth Rally and Mass for Life
The Archdiocese of Washington will host its annual Youth Rally and Mass for Life on Thursday, January 22. Come join 20,000 of your closest friends from around the United States to make a stand for life!
Location and Transportation:
• Verizon Center 601 F St. NW, Washington, DC 20004
• (Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro Station)
• Bus Transportation Drop-off is at front entrance. Pick-up is in the Capitol Hill area after March for Life.
Schedule:
• 7:00 AM Doors open
• 7:30 AM. Rally featuring popular Catholic recording artists: Steve Angrisano, Matt Maher and Band, Jessica Marie Tous and the Who Do You Say I Am Band
• 8:00 AM-9:30 AM Confessions
• 9:30 AM Rosary
• 10:00 AM-11:30 AM Mass celebrated by Washington Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl with bishops and priests from around the nation
Logistics:
Admission is free. Reserved seating will be available for Archdiocese of Washington groups that register by January 9 (see below). All other seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Overflow crowds, not able to get into the Verizon Center, may attend Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle; St. Patrick; St. Mary, Mother of God and other nearby parishes.
Please allow extra time for security. Small backpacks, signs and banners are allowed inside, but poles and larger signs must be stored in a lobby area. The program will end in time to allow participation in the March for Life.
If you want to march with the larger Maryland Knights of Columbus State family, meet us at 12th Street and Madison, NW (Madison Drive is right on the Mall) starting at 12 Noon. If you are taking Metro (Blue or Orange line), get off at either the Smithsonian or Federal Triangle. Look for the Knight of Columbus BIB BLUE BANNER. You can’t miss it! Stand up for the Culture of Life with brother Knights from Maryland.
Holy Family Parish and Father Kidd Council has been pleased to host the Memorial or Cemetery of the Innocents. This project of 721 crosses is made possible through a partnership between the Right to Life, the K of C and our churches. We will need council volunteers to help take down the crosses and load them on two pickup trucks on January 17. Romeo Paternoster is making new racks for the crosses. The time for removal is between 8 AM to 9 AM. During that time the field at Sacred Heart will be marked. They will be moved to sacred Heart Church. The contact person is Ed Walsh at (301) 809-3826 or edwalsh@comcast.net.
Lobby Night in Annapolis – Every year, the Maryland Catholic Conference sponsors “Lobby Night in Annapolis” on President’s Day. Catholics from across Maryland meet with their state legislators to advocate for life and justice issues in the light of Catholic Social Teaching. In 2009, President’s Day is February 16. To prepare for Lobby Night, the Maryland Catholic Conference will conduct two briefing sessions. For parishioners from Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, a briefing will be held at St. Camillus on Saturday, January 31, 8:30 AM-Noon. For parishioners from southern Maryland, a briefing will be held at St. Joseph in Pomfret on Saturday, February 7, 9:00 AM-Noon. At the briefings, Maryland Catholic Conference staff will discuss issues that will be considered by legislators in Annapolis during the coming session. As in prior years, we anticipate topics will include pro-life and marriage issues, social justice issues, immigration
issues and possibly the abolition of capital punishment. We will be able to provide more specific information as we approach the legislative session. Please come and encourage other Knights and parishioners to attend the pre-Lobby Night briefing and participate in Lobby Night. If you have any questions, contact Larry Couch, Legislative Policy Coordinator for the archdiocesan Department for Social Concerns at lcouch@adw.org or 301-853-5343.
INVITATION TO PRAYER & FASTING
Defenders of Life, please join with St. Mary’s County Right to Life and the Knights of Columbus in preparation for the United States of America’s presidential inauguration. We are conducting 40 days of personal prayer and fasting, which began on Friday, 12 December 08, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadeloupe. She is the patron saint of the unborn, and her intercession led to the conversion of 8 million Indians in Mexico (1531), and brought the end of human sacrifice. Christianity conquered the Serpent, “Quetzalcoatl.”
We will pray for a CHANGE of HEART of all people who are strongly pro-death-choice, such as President Elect Obama and Vice President Elect Biden, and for all who have not decided to fully defend innocent human life, like our Supreme Court Justice Kennedy. We pray so our culture of death may CHANGE into a culture of life. (Traditionally, fasting is not observed on Sundays.) Here is the prayer that we say:
PRO-LIFE PRAYER – “Lord, Creator of Life, You have blessed us with the privilege of bringing new life into the world. Open our hearts and minds to recognize Your special gift of children and Your great love for each of us created in Your image and likeness. Through love You sent Your Son Jesus to redeem us and through love He entered our world as an unborn child in the womb of Mary, His mother. We now turn to You as we struggle to protect innocent unborn children from decisions that seek to destroy them.
Following Mary’s example as mother and disciple, let us proclaim the truth of our faith, assist those in crisis and protect those most vulnerable, unwanted and unloved. Amen.”—Jim McFillin
PRO-LIFE REPORT—Paul A. Batson
Gentlemen,
Please note the information regarding the bus announcement for the upcoming Pro-Life March. Please promote the March and circulate this information at your council, at your homes and churches.
Remember we have no greater moral obligation within the Knights than our support of Pro-Life. Your assistance and attendance is requested more this year than ever.
MARCH FOR LIFE: Thurs., Jan. 22, 2009 / The Mall, Washington, D.C.
Ride the Knights of Columbus Bus to the March
Depart 7:30 AM from: Dundalk Council
2111 Eilers Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21222
Continental Breakfast
Depart 7:30 AM from: Patapsco Council
1010 Frederick Rd.
Catonsville, MD 21228
Continental Breakfast
Mass at Verizon Center – Reserved Seating
• Call 410-529-2676 to sign-up for bus
• Return Immediately after the March
• Donations are still needed to cover the expense of the buses.
Of course, given our close proximity to Washington, DC, our knights can also take the METRO or sign up for one of the local parish buses.
Again this year Holy Family Parish has been asked to host the Memorial or Cemetery of the Innocents. We are tentatively scheduled for mid-December to mid-January, just before the time of the national march. This project of 721 crosses is made possible through a partnership between the Right to Life, the K of C and our churches. We need two pick-up trucks and helping hands. The crosses can be picked up on December 6. They are at Route 5 and Auth Rd. We will have the crosses from Dec. 6 to Jan. 10. The contact person is Ed Walsh at (301) 809-3826 or edwalsh@comcast.net.
Lobby Night in Annapolis – Every year, the Maryland Catholic Conference sponsors “Lobby Night in Annapolis” on President’s Day. Catholics from across Maryland meet with their state legislators to advocate for life and justice issues in the light of Catholic Social Teaching. In 2009, President’s Day is February 16. To prepare for Lobby Night, the Maryland Catholic Conference will conduct two briefing sessions. For parishioners from Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, a briefing will be held at St. Camillus on Saturday, January 31, 8:30 AM-Noon. For parishioners from southern Maryland, a briefing will be held at St. Joseph in Pomfret on Saturday, February 7, 9:00 AM-Noon. At the briefings, Maryland Catholic Conference staff will discuss issues that will be considered by legislators in Annapolis during the coming session. As in prior years, we anticipate topics will include pro-life and marriage issues, social justice issues, immigration issues and possibly the abolition of capital punishment. We will be able to provide more specific information as we approach the legislative session. Please come and encourage other Knights and parishioners to attend the pre-Lobby Night briefing and participate in Lobby Night. If you have any questions, contact Larry Couch, Legislative Policy Coordinator for the archdiocesan Department for Social Concerns at lcouch@adw.org or 301-853-5343.
The Gabriel Network – This Christmas season all donations made to the Gabriel Network between November 15 and December 31 that have “please match” on the memo line; will be matched by a private donor. This means that your donation could be worth double the amount of your gift. So please consider sending a donation to the Gabriel Network to help them support their work. Donations should be made payable to the Gabriel Network and sent to: The Gabriel Network, P.O. Box 2116, Bowie, MD 20718.
PRO-LIFE REPORT—Paul A. Batson
100,000 Letters for Life: November Initiative
During the 2009 session of the MD General Assembly it is expected a bill that attempts to discredit and ultimately shut down pregnancy resource centers, will be introduced. The legislation is part of a national campaign waged by the abortion industry. In Nov., the MD Catholic Conference (MCC) and the MD State Council of the K of C will collaborate once again in an effort to generate “100,000 Letters for Life.” This year’s effort will focus on sending electronic letters to elected officials by encouraging people to sign up after Mass to become a member of the MCC’s legislative action center. This online system makes it simple to send letters to legislators because the software automatically determines the legislative district, and name of the senator and delegate(s). Our K of C members, assisted by other volunteers, are prepared to conduct the sign-up in our parish in Nov. Additional details will be provided by the MCC. If you have questions, please call Dr. Nancy Paltell, MCC associate director for respect-for-life activities, 301-261-1979.
Again this year Holy Family Parish has been asked to host the Memorial or Cemetery of the Innocents. We are tentatively scheduled for January, matching the time of the national march. This project of 721 crosses is made possible through a partnership between the Right to Life, the K of C and our churches.
Message from the K of C regarding the Nov. 4 election:
Dear friend of the unborn: It has been a difficult struggle, but the pro-life movement has accomplished many things since the Supreme Court’s decision to preempt all state and federal laws regulating abortion in Roe v. Wade in 1973. While achieving the ultimate goal of overturning Roe remains somewhere in the future, we have been able to achieve many small successes along the way:
• the Hyde Amendment, which restricts federal funding for abortions;
• the federal law banning partial birth abortions, which was finally upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in April 2007;
• the “Mexico City Policy,” which has barred the use of federal taxpayers’ money to pay for abortions in other countries;
• laws in 44 states that preserve a parental role when children under 18 seek abortions;
• laws in 40 states that restrict late-term abortions;
• laws in 46 states that protect the right of conscience for individual health care providers;
• laws in 27 states that protect the right of conscience for institutions;
• laws in 38 states that ban partial birth abortions;
• laws in 33 states that require counseling before having an abortion;
• and laws in 16 states that provide for ultrasounds before an abortion.
All of these restrictions on abortion – all of the progress we’ve made over the past 35 years in trying to limit and reduce abortions in the United States – would be invalidated with the stroke of a pen if the next Congress passes, and the next president signs, the so-called “Freedom of Choice Act” (FOCA).
Before you cast your vote on Tuesday, please take the time and effort necessary to learn whether candidates for whom you might vote favor or oppose FOCA.
The Senate sponsors of FOCA are listed here:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:HR01964:@@@P
The House sponsors of FOCA are listed here:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SN01173:@@@P
Obviously, if a candidate in your area is not listed among the sponsors, you may have to ask his or her campaign for their position on FOCA.
We have gathered much additional information about the Freedom of Choice Act, including links to material from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and on life issues generally on a special Knights of Columbus web page:
http://www.kofc.org/pro-life
Remember, all that we’ve done together since Roe to save the lives of the unborn is at stake. Please pass on this message to your pro-life friends.
PRO-LIFE REPORT—Paul A. Batson
Again this year Holy Family Parish has been asked to host the Memorial or Cemetery of the Innocents. We are trying to work out a time now with a Bowie parish that is also going to host the powerful pro-life witness. This project is made possible through a partnership between the Right to Life, the Knights of Columbus and our churches. Various signs go up with the 721 crosses. One says: “721 American Babies die every hour by Choice! Respect Life.” Another states: “Let us Commemorate all American Babies who have died by Choice. Respect Life.” These memorial displays are a powerful witness, and have helped folks comprehend the vast numbers of unborn babies, who die every day through abortion. The 721 crosses represent the number of children, who are killed each hour of every working day. These crosses commemorate the unborn. We mourn for the dead and seek to change hearts and minds to the Gospel of Life. As always, many thanks to Jim McFillin (301-342-5720) for making this memorial possible. Check the webpage for the date we will set up the crosses. We will need a lot of help.
Pro-Life license plates are available through MD Right to Life and Choose Life of MD. The organization handles the paperwork with the MVA. If interested in the MD Right to Life plate, e-mail mdrtl@mdrtl.org with “license plates” in the subject line. Give them your name and mailing address and they will mail the required MVA paperwork: (410) 269-6397.
PRO-LIFE REPORT—Paul A. Batson
Pro-Life license plates are available through MD Right to Life and Choose Life of MD. The organization handles the paperwork with the MVA. If interested in the MD Right to Life plate, e-mail mdrtl@mdrtl.org with “license plates” in the subject line. Give them your name and mailing address and they will mail the required MVA paperwork: (410) 269-6397.
There is also a plate available through Choose Life of MD, Inc., state affiliate of Choose Life, Inc. Send a check for $40 payable to Choose Life of MD, Inc., Attn: Anne Marie Johnson, 1 Church View Road, Millersville, MD 21108 with your name, address, phone number and e-mail address. Once the check is received Choose Life of MD will mail you an application form to be completed and returned. For further information call (410) 987-0313 or e-mail them at chooselifemd@aol.com.
PRO-LIFE REPORT—Paul A. Batson
The Maryland Catholic Conference website is a great resource. It can be found at
http://www.mdcathcon.org/
The site states the following: “In his1995 encyclical letter, ‘The Gospel of Life,’ Pope John Paul II states: ‘It is impossible to further the common good without acknowledging and defending the right to life, upon which all other inalienable rights of individuals are founded and from which they develop.’ The Catholic Church gives guidance as to how the problems caused by the abortion industry can be solved. We must protect women and girls from the pain of abortion, and protect the lives of the most vulnerable among us, the unborn. We must love both the unborn child and the child’s mother. A woman faced with an unplanned pregnancy is frightened and vulnerable. Rather than convince her to end the life within her, causing long-term emotional and physical harm, we must instead lovingly help her see how it is possible to give life to her baby. We must provide financial support, health care, emotional and spiritual support, promote adoption as a viable option, and tell her all the risks to her health if she chooses abortion. ‘Both as Americans and as followers of Christ, American Catholics must be committed to the defense of life in all its stages and in every condition.’ Pope John Paul II, Oct. 5, 1995.”
Pro-Life license plates are available through Maryland Right to Life and Choose Life of Maryland. If you are interested in obtaining the specialty plates you would join their organization and obtain them as a member of that organization. The organization handles the paperwork with the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). If you are interested in the Maryland Right to Life plate, e-mail mdrtl@mdrtl.org with “license plates” in the subject line. Give them your name and mailing address and they will mail the required MVA paperwork and further information to you. You may also call them at (410) 269-6397.
There is also a plate available through Choose Life of Maryland, Inc., the state affiliate of Choose Life, Inc. Send a check for $40 payable to Choose Life of Maryland, Inc., Attn: Anne Marie Johnson, 1 Church View Road, Millersville, MD 21108 with your name, address, phone number and e-mail address. Once the check is received Choose Life of Maryland will mail you an application form to be completed and returned. For further information call (410) 987-0313 or e-mail them at chooselifemd@aol.com.
PRO-LIFE REPORT—Paul A. Batson
Because most national and metropolitan news media are overwhelmingly pro-abortion, many persons who claim to be “pro-choice” really have no idea what they are “choosing” when they say they favor abortion. Euphemistic terms such as fetus, tissue and products of conception are cleverly used by those promoting abortion to dehumanize the pre-born baby. Pictures of the pre-born baby at the various stages of development are rarely shown except in medical textbooks. Pictures of babies aborted at the various stages of development are universally banned by the media. Pro-life groups who have attempted to place ads in publications such as USA Today and on network television showing America’s Abortion Holocaust have been flatly refused.
Pro-lifers have organized “FACE THE TRUTH” tours utilizing many large pictures of aborted babies lined up at heavily trafficked intersections. In 2001, Defend Life organized a successful “Face the Truth” tour of Maryland. It began in Cumberland on Tuesday, August 7 and ended in Ocean City on Saturday, August 11. Thousands of our fellow citizens saw the ugly, evil reality of abortion for the first time. Some passersby jeered us, but, praise God, many cheered us! Some persons even stopped to join us or to give us money. Thousands of pieces of pro-life literature were distributed.
The FACE THE TRUTH TOUR will be coming to the Bowie/Crofton area on Wednesday, July 30 (Arundel Mills Mall, Westminster. Pray that people will come to see the truth about the holocaust of abortion.
The former pro-life director for the Archdiocese of Washington now works for the U.S. Bishops. A replacement has been named and it is Christa Lopiccolo. Her title is Executive Director for the Department of Life Issues. Her number is 301-853-5318.
The baby bottle campaign in Holy Family Parish netted $1424.70 for the Bowie Crisis Pregnancy Center. Thanks to our men who participated in this worthwhile project.
PRO-LIFE REPORT—Paul A. Batson
Because most national and metropolitan news media are overwhelmingly pro-abortion, many persons who claim to be “pro-choice” really have no idea what they are “choosing” when they say they favor abortion. Euphemistic terms such as fetus, tissue and products of conception are cleverly used by those promoting abortion to dehumanize the pre-born baby. Pictures of the pre-born baby at the various stages of development are rarely shown except in medical textbooks. Pictures of babies aborted at the various stages of development are universally banned by the media. Pro-life groups who have attempted to place ads in publications such as USA Today and on network television showing America’s Abortion Holocaust have been flatly refused.
Pro-lifers have organized “FACE THE TRUTH” tours utilizing many large pictures of aborted babies lined up at heavily trafficked intersections. In 2001, Defend Life organized a successful “Face the Truth” tour of Maryland. It began in Cumberland on Tuesday, August 7 and ended in Ocean City on Saturday, August 11. Thousands of our fellow citizens saw the ugly, evil reality of abortion for the first time. Some passersby jeered us, but, praise God, many cheered us! Some persons even stopped to join us or to give us money. Thousands of pieces of pro-life literature were distributed.
The FACE THE TRUTH TOUR will be coming to the Bowie/Crofton area on Wednesday, July 30 (Arundel Mills Mall, Westminster. Pray that people will come to see the truth about the holocaust of abortion.
The former pro-life director for the Archdiocese of Washington now works for the U.S. Bishops. A replacement has been named and it is Christa Lopiccolo. Her title is Executive Director for the Department of Life Issues. Her number is 301-853-5318.
The baby bottle campaign in Holy Family Parish netted $1424.70 for the Bowie Crisis Pregnancy Center. Thanks to our men who participated in this worthwhile project.
PRO-LIFE REPORT—Paul A. Batson
The bottles are due in the Baby Bottle Program to assist the Bowie Crisis Pregnancy Center. They average about $25 in donations each. Please return them to the church as soon as possible. Flyers and applications were passed out at a recent meeting for a Golf Tournament to assist the Gabriel Project. In the future we will try to get this information to you earlier. It was published in the weekly bulletin at Holy Family Church. Thanks to those who prayed the rosary at the dedication of our Memorial to Unborn Children on May 31. Pictures are posted online.
PRO-LIFE REPORT—Paul A. Batson
The Knights of Columbus is unambiguously and proudly pro-life. In accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church, the Order defends human life from the moment of conception until natural death. Building a new Culture of Life where every human life is welcomed, respected and protected by law is one of the highest priorities of the Order. Please participate in the Baby Bottle Program to assist the Bowie Crisis Pregnancy Center. Put change, cash or even checks in the bottles. They average about $25 in donations each. Saturday, May 10 & Sunday May 11 – The Grand Knight pledged that the Council would pay for half of the cost toward the flowers they distributed to mothers on Mother’s Day. There were 300 flowers and the total cost was $300, a dollar per flower. That would make our cost $150. The flowers were purchased from the Prince George’s County Right to Life. Given that May is a month dedicated to Mary, our chaplain will lead a pro-life rosary next to our outdoor Memorial to Unborn Children on Saturday, May 31, after the 5:30 PM Mass. If the weather is bad the rosary will be moved inside the church.
Pro-Life Director Report for Upcoming K of C Meeting:
Saturday, May 10 & Sunday May 11 – The Grand Knight suggested that the Council pay for half of the cost toward the flowers they distributed to mothers on Mother’s Day. There were 300 flowers and the total cost was $300, a dollar per flower. That would make our cost $150. We would need a vote to approve the money. The flowers were purchased from the Prince George’s County Right to Life.
Given that May is a month dedicated to Mary, it is suggested that we schedule a pro-life rosary next to our outdoor Memorial to Unborn Children.
The parish is currently involved with the Baby Bottle Campaign for the local Pregnancy Center. All members are encouraged to participate in this noble endeavor. The bottles are avilable in bins at the back of the church.
Directors must be present at meetings, or ask to be excused, after having selected a substitute to make the report.
PRO-LIFE REPORT—Paul A. Batson
The bottles are due in the Baby Bottle Program to assist the Bowie Crisis Pregnancy Center. They average about $25 in donations each. Please return them to the church as soon as possible. Flyers and applications were passed out at a recent meeting for a Golf Tournament to assist the Gabriel Project. In the future we will try to get this information to you earlier. It was published in the weekly bulletin at Holy Family Church. Thanks to those who prayed the rosary at the dedication of our Memorial to Unborn Children on May 31. Pictures are posted online.
The 9th Annual Gabriel Golf Tournament will be held at 8:30 AM on Friday, June 20th, 2008 at the Bowie Country Club Golf Course. The event will be a semi-shotgun limited to the first 64 players to sign-up. The cost for Brother Knights is $75 per player and Brother Knights 65 and older pay $65. Prizes will be awarded and dinner follows at the Hall. The cost to sponsor a hole is $125. Business card size ads in the tournament brochure cost $60 and individual patron ads are $20. Funds donated to the Gabriel Network are tax deductible. Checks should be made payable to the Gabriel Network. Funds raised from the tournament will be used to pay the costs of housing mothers and their new born babies and providing job skill training and scholarships. If you have not helped this cause in the past, please consider helping out with a donation. The Gabriel Network operates 4 homes and their utility costs alone have increased tremendously this year. To obtain a sign-up form, sponsorship form, or volunteer to help with player registration or preparing food, call David Grabowski at (301) 464-2059 at SACRED HEART COUCIL or Holy Family rectory.