U.S. House Votes Tuesday on Late Abortion Ban -- Call Today!

This is important for everyone but constituents of Congressmen Lynch* and Kennedy** really must call! On Tuesday, June 18, 2013, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on a bill to protect unborn children nationwide during the last four months of pregnancy, when they are capable of experiencing excruciating pain as they are aborted. The bill is the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 1797), based on a model bill written by the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) that has already been enacted in nine states.  H.R. 1797 would extend the life-saving policy to the entire nation, protecting unborn children of 20 weeks fetal age or later. This is the most important pro-life bill to be considered by the U.S. House since the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, which was enacted ten years ago. Time is short -- too short to depend on emails or letters.  Instead, please immediately telephone the office of your representative in the U.S. House.  Urge him or her to vote in favor of the ban on late abortions, H.R. 1797.  You may call the DC office or a local office. You can find the contact information here.  Just be sure to call, please!  *Congressman Lynch says he is pro-life and has voted pro-life on some bills.  **Congressman Kennedy is new and needs to know you are there! Thank you!  Anne

Abortion and Fathers

A very happy Father's Day to all you wonderful fathers who work so hard to bring up moral, productive children, putting them first in your plans. What does that have to do with abortion?  A lot, I am afraid.  We know how important fathers are.  So do the woman who are having abortions.  Currently, the woman considering abortion already has at least one other child and is not married to the father of this baby.  She knows how necessary a good father is in raising a child.  She knows this partner will not act like a good father, so she feels it is best for the baby not to be born. We can provide her with help, with an apartment, with baby clothes, etc but how can we provide her with a man who will act as a father should? Mary Girard, RN, Director of Pregnancy Help, has been involved in a study done by Pregnancy Help and Boston College on why women in the Boston Area consider abortion. At our MCFL Convention, "Get Real" on June 29th, Mary will share the results of that study as well as the history of the crisis pregnancy center "movement",  the program, services, stories of the women etc at Pregnancy Help, and "where we go now."  Be sure to join us at the Convention. Find out more and register,  http://masscitizensforlife.org/get-involved/events/2013-annual-convention/ Since 2006, Mary Girard, MS RN has served as the Director of Pregnancy Help, a Pregnancy Resource Center sponsored by the Archdiocese of Boston, where she has been employed since 2005. She holds a masters degree in nursing (MSN) from SUNY at Stonybrook and undergraduate degree (BSN) from Boston College. In the course of her nursing career she has worked as a perinatal nurse practitioner where she developed programs for adolescent and other high-risk pregnant women, a childbirth instructor and a clinical instructor in maternity and pediatric nursing.  She is also the mother of four children. According to Dr. Helen Smith in her new book, Men on Strike: Why Men are Boycotting Marriage, Fatherhood, and the American Dream -- and Why it Matters, one reason is that society is stacking the deck against men, causing many to go "on strike" from traditional responsibilities.  These men aren't just lazy, but instead are making choices based on incentives. Smith writes, "Most men are not acting irresponsibly because they are immature or because they want to harm women; they are acting rationally in response to the lack of incentives today's society offers them to be responsible fathers, husbands and providers." Let's see what we can to to help!  Get Real!  Register today! http://masscitizensforlife.org/get-involved/events/2013-annual-convention/

Scientific Research: Aggressive Breast Cancer - Abortion Link in Young Women Irrefutable

It is irrefutable.  The link between aggressive breast cancer in young woman and previous abortions and use of hormonal contraception is very high.  Young women are putting themselves at great risk.  We have always known that  a woman having breast cancer before age forty had a much lower chance of survival than an older woman but this is also about the kind of cancer they are getting.  Obviously there are women who do not make these life-style choices and still get cancer, but the increase must be due to abortions and hormonal contraception. We need to get the word out.  You'll be better prepared when you read this article. Anne http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/ideological-bias-risking-the-lives-of-young-women?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+zenit%2Fenglish+%28ZENIT+English%29

Fwd: FBI Terrorism Task Force Coming After Chris Slattery For His Pro-life Work!

As you know, Chris does amazing work with his many pregnancy resource centers in NYC, where they are sorely needed!   He is taking his work national.  Many of you got to meet him at our Convention in 2011.  You will be appalled when you read this article, http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/fbi-terrorism-task-force-wants-to-question-national-crisis-pregnancy-center I don't know what we can do at the moment except pray for our country and for guidance to discern what we should do.  As always, thanks,  Anne

"Get Real!" MCFL Convention, June 29th

Massachusetts Citizens for Life Convention, June 29, 2013, Boston College Law School, Newton (off the Mass Pike), 8:30am - 5:00pm.  Topics range from the basic reasons we are pro-life, to whom we are working to protect at all stages of life, through the latest information, to presentation of The Gosnell Project.  The Annual Meeting of Members concludes the Convention.  Be better prepared to help save lives!  For more information or to register, visit: http://masscitizensforlife.org/get-involved/events/2013-annual-convention/ Anne

You Can Protect Pain-capable Unborn Children Nationally

Please read this alert from National Right to Life.  This bill  would create a national ban on abortions after 20 weeks.  Yes, our congressional delegation is not sympathetic to life but they need to hear from us, their constituents. If you live in Congressman Lynch's district, remember, all during the Senate Primary, he said he is pro-life.  I am sure he considers himself pro-life and, now that he is not campaigning,he might be very open to a sensible bill like this. Please read the alert carefully and ACT! Anne NRLC-Backed Bill to Protect Pain-Capable Unborn Children After 20 Weeks Moves Towards Floor of U.S. House -- Pro-Abortion Groups Mounting Intense Resistance   WASHINGTON (June 4, 2013) -- The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) is calling on NRLC affiliates and other pro-life supporters nationwide to act now to secure rapid approval of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 1797) by the U.S. House of Representatives. This landmark legislation would establish nationwide protection for unborn children beginning at 20 weeks fetal age, based on congressional affirmations that by that point, if not earlier, the babies are capable of experiencing pain during abortions. A former abortionist recently testified before a congressional panel about the pain babies suffer during abortions. To view his compelling testimony, click here. A House subcommittee approved the bill on June 4 on a party-line vote of 6 to 4.  The 40-member House Judiciary Committee could vote on the bill before mid-June, and action by the full House of Representatives could occur at any time thereafter. However, success is not guaranteed!  Organizations representing the abortion industry and pro-abortion advocacy groups are already marshaling their great financial resources to try to prevent the House from approving this bill.   The mainstream news media will surely downplay the violent details of late abortions, and distort the provisions of the bill. But these factors can be countered by grassroots pro-life Americans communicating directly with their representatives in the House.  NRLC urges all pro-life Americans to click here to contact your representative in the U.S. House.  Urge him or her to co-sponsor H.R. 1797 immediately, and to support the bill against all attempts to delay, weaken, or defeat it.

Markey vs Gomez: Huge Difference on the Life Issues!

Neither Congressman Edward Markey nor Gabriel Gomez, the candidates in the June 25th Special U. S. Senate election, has returned the pro-life Questionnaire.  We have Markey's voting record and public statements.  Reporter Stephanie Ebbert of the Boston Globe interviewed Gomez very carefully and was able to determine many of his positions, which she reported.  Here is the comparison: How to you classify yourself on abortion? Gomez, PRO-LIFE  Markey, PRO-CHOICE Would you vote to overturn Roe v Wade? Gomez, NO   Markey, NO Are you in favor of tax-funding for abortion? Gomez, NO  Markey, YES Are you in favor of parental consent? Gomez, YES  Markey, NO Are you in favor of partial birth abortion? Gomez, NO  Markey, YES Do you believe in conscience rights for employers who provide health insurance? Gomez, YES  Markey, NO

You Don't Have to Go to the State House But You Do Need to Email!

The Public Health Committee meets tomorrow (Tuesday) to hear testimony on a number of bills at 1:00pm in Room B-2.  If you were to attend, your chances of being heard would be extremely low.  It is a better use of your time to email testimony to the committee chairs and ask them to distribute to the committee.  If you do that, your subject line should say "Testimony for Public Health Committee."  If you just want to register your position, you should send two separate emails with these subjects:  "Please approve H-1930" and "Please report negatively on H-2092"  Either way, be sure to include your name and address.  Please send your email by Friday of this week (the 7th).  Thanks!  Anne Chairs who should receive testimony by email: Jeffrey.Sanchez@mahouse.gov and  John.Keenan@masenate.gov Rep. Viriato "Vinnie" deMacedo (R-Plymouth) has sponsored H-1930 that would provide for anesthesia in abortions of unborn babies older than 20 weeks unless the mother requests no anesthesia or it would cause serious risk.   We support this for its educational and incremental effects with the proviso that any baby who feels pain should not be aborted at all.  Laws which prohibit all abortions after 20 weeks, on the basis of the baby's pain, have passed in nine state and are pending in many other, including the U. S. Congress. Rep. Ellen Story (D-Amherst) has sponsored H-2092 that would lower to 16 the age that unmarried, pregnant women are required to receive parental consent for an abortion.

Fwd: Boston Globe Interprets the Papacy for Us...!

We had a call at the office from one of our hawk-eyed 90-plus-year-olds alerting us to an outrageous depiction of the culture of death in the Boston Globe today.  James Carroll is obviously not familiar with the world of pro-life thought... James Carroll's "An opening in Rome?" (June 3), where he makes positive observations about Pope Francis, commits a most peculiar non-sequitur, "Francis's immediate predecessors regularly derided what they called the 'culture of death' in speaking of those outside the faith." Massachusetts Citizens for Life is nonsectarian but we appreciate the role of Papal leadership in preaching the dignity of all life including unborn babies, people with disabilities or terminal illness, and those who are elderly – whatever faith they have or do not have. Blessed John Paul II first referenced the "Culture of Life," to describe this dignity and its opposite, the "Culture of Death" at World Youth Day in 1993.  The Pope returned to the theme in his encyclical Evangelium Vitae (Gospel of Life) in which he described the Culture of Death, A person who, because of illness, handicap or, more simply, just by existing, compromises the well-being or life-style of those who are more favored tends to be looked upon as an enemy to be resisted or eliminated. None of his statements or those of other leaders who have used the term "Culture of Death" in any way derides people "outside the faith."  The column implies that Mr. Carroll had little use for Francis's immediate predecessors, but that should not allow misrepresentation of their teaching. Anne Fox, President, Massachusetts Citizens for Life, Charlestown

Doctors Use 3-D Printer to Save Baby's Life!

There are some good stories today, including one of a woman who died.  Doctors delivered her baby, discovered her heart problem, put in a pace-maker which brought her back to life and - she and the baby are doing just fine. I think this one takes the best today.  I still don't "get" this creation by 3-D printing, but...  Anne http://www.lifenews.com/2013/05/23/doctors-save-babys-life-use-3-d-printer-to-print-him-a-new-airway/

Preventing Gosnelling in Massachusetts

"Dr. Gosnell is only the front man; and the real trial has only just begun. The defendant is the abortion license in America."      Prof. Robbie George who spoke at 2011 MCFL Mother's Day Dinner   Are there facilities practicing in the Gosnell manner here in Massachusetts?  We can't be sure - because Massachusetts has essentially NO regulations.  In the 1970's, Massachusetts Citizens for Life was instrumental in passing a law which required, among other things, that abortion facilities have fire extinguishers and elevators that would accommodate stretchers.  This sensible law was overturned.  Massachusetts does not even require these basic safeguards for women.  Abortion facilities have much lower standards than any other type of surgical facility, and so-called "doctor's offices" like the one where Laura Hope Smith died, have no oversight at all!   Massachusetts has the 9th highest abortion rate in the country! More than 22,000 babies are killed in our state every year.  That has to stop!  We desperately need our state to actively protect the lives and health of mothers and their babies.   Massachusetts Citizens for Life is starting a campaign to make the Massachusetts Department of Public Health reveal whether or not they have any standards or do any inspections of abortion facilities.  We will be pressing them to answer these questions and to apply the same standards to abortion facilities as they do to other ambulatory medical facilities.   As we embark on this endeavor over the next few weeks we hope that you will get involved in our effort.  You can make a difference!    Now that the general public is aware of the Gosnell atrocities, we have the opportunity to shed light on other Gosnells who are operating in the shadows, possibly right here in Massachusetts.   Please help with a donation to this live-saving effort.  http://masscitizensforlife.org   Thank you for your much-needed support!   Anne

DPS in Vermont: Finally, the Rest of the Story

We have all been wondering exactly what happened in Vermont.  According to Vermont State Representative Anne Donahue in a letter to the Barre-Montpelier Times Argus, "Our radical new social policy that endorses having doctors write prescriptions that will kill their patients, cobbled together by just a few individuals from bits and pieces of language drafted on the fly, was passed by two votes in the Senate and 10 votes in the House." Among other things, the Oregon "safeguards" are gone - that tells you how bad it is.  Rep Donahue was one of the courageous leaders who held off this law for so long.  As a person concerned for life and law, you must read her letter.  http://www.timesargus.com/article/20130517/OPINION02/705179982 The death lobby hopes this will open the floodgates, at least in the Northeast.  Our MA defeat of DPS becomes more and more significant! Thanks again, Anne

Huge Increase in Murders of Born Babies - By Their Mothers! MGM IRS

Mark Rienzi has spoken at a number of our Conventions.  He has an amazing way of looking beyond the conventional.  Statistics show large declines in murders - except of children under a year old.  Please read his chilling analysis. http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/05/14/gosnell-abortion-murder-infanticide-column/2158421/ Some home truths about the abortion mentality.  You can tell from the title that this insouciant presentation will be enjoyable, thought provoking, and quotable. http://www.americanthinker.com/2013/05/the_magic_gosnell_moment.html Were you surprised that the IRS hadn't gone after pro-lifers?  You didn't have to be. http://washingtonexaminer.com/report-irs-denied-tax-exempt-status-to-pro-lifers-on-behalf-of-planned-parenthood/article/2529750 We have always said that the babies benefit when abortion is in the news and people have to face it.  We must make sure the babies are benefiting.  Please share the first two articles - they are powerful! Anne

"There Must be a Record"

Every once in a while, we read an article that says exactly what we have been trying to say.  This article by J.R. Dunn articulates so much - that we have reached a turning point, that it needs to be recorded, that we need to turn "Gosnell" into a verb, noun, etc and use it on every occasion.  It is a long article.  The good part starts right after the Obama picture.  The author talks about a book.  Jack Cashel, who did a marvelous documentary video of the March for Life comes to mind.  There are other writers who have done this kind of work.  Please pray that someone will take it on.  As Jim McFadden always said, "There must be a record." Please let me know what you think of the article. Thanks, Anne

Live From the State House and Vermont Finale

Vermont has definitely passed an Oregon bill - but worse - and the governor will sign today.  It took the death lobby eight years, countless treasure and incredible arm-twisting.  Remember: Maine and Connecticut stopped bills in committee in the last few weeks and, of course, MASSACHUSETTS overcame a 50-point deficit to defeat at polls.   Hearings today were supposed to go from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.  At 1:00 pm, the Committee actually moved to Gardner Auditorium.  By that point, Linda Thayer and Marie O'Donnell had been called.  Everyone else testified in favor of HB 450, "An act relative to healthy youth," which is about sex ed.  According to the people testifying, HB-450 would solve all problems in society.  Here are some provisions:   Sexual Health education shall…stress the importance of effectively using contraceptives and barrier methods to prevent unintended pregnancy and STI's Teach the students the skills to effectively negotiate and implement safer sexual activity Information on abstinence may not be provided separate from information on contraceptives and disease prevention Sex ed must be consistent with the Massachusetts Comprehensive Health curriculum framework establish a procedure to enable parents to bring to the attention of the department any sexual health curriculum or program which they believe is inconsistent with the requirements of this act counts the number of students who opt out of sexual heal ed Does not seek to determine whether schools have notified parents explicitly as to sex ed content        The problem, among others, is that this is "Opt out."  As Representative Betty Poirier testified, it is necessary that these programs be "Opt in," so that parents can exercise their rights and responsibilities.  HB-433, HB-466, require that parents "opt in" their children to these kinds of classes.   Please write a little testimony in favor of HB-433, HB-466 and opposed to HB-450  Send it to the Chairs: Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, 617-722-1673 Sonia.Chang-Diaz@masenate.gov  and Representative Alice Peisch 617-722-2070 Alice.Peisch@mahouse.gov.  Be sure to include your name and address and request that your testimony be shared with entire committee.   At the hearings, I met a number of wonderful pro-life people I hadn't known.  You are the best!  Anne

Fwd: "Clinics Operating on the Gosnell Model"

The Boston Globe online came through with typical flying colors this morning  where it announces that Kermit Gosnell was found guilty in the death of three "fetuses that prosecutors said were alive when they were removed." We were upset when the media did not cover the trial.  Now we get this deceptive coverage. We are very fortunate that The National Right to Life News, LifeNews, American Thinker, etc covered the trial and the basic points of law and logic. I want to share with you two of the best pieces I have found.  They are from National Review Online, where the editors coined that phrase "clinics operating under the Gosnell model" - a phrase which, unfortunately, we will be using a lot in the future.  The other is by Bill Saunders whom you will remember from our 2011 Convention. These articles are a great way to start your day!  Anne http://www.nationalreview.com/article/348196/gosnell-not-aberration http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/348186/gosnell-and-our-society%E2%80%99s-twisted-logic

Gosnell Convicted of First Degree Murder!

| BREAKING NEWS ALERT NYTimes.com | Video   BREAKING NEWS Monday, May 13, 2013 3:34 PM EDT   Jury Finds Philadelphia Abortion Doctor Guilty of First-Degree Murder Dr. Kermit Gosnell, a West Philadelphia doctor known for performing late-term abortions, was found guilty on Monday of three out of four counts of first-degree murder. The verdict came after a five-week trial in which the prosecution and the defense battled over whether the fetuses Dr. Gosnell was charged with killing were alive when they were removed from their mothers. Dr. Gosnell was acquitted of one first-degree murder charge involving an aborted fetus and was also acquitted of third-degree murder in the death of a 41-year-old patient. READ MORE » http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/14/us/kermit-gosnell-abortion-doctor-found-guilty-of-murder.html?emc=na

GOSNELL JURY HUNG ON TWO COUNTS

	http://www.lifenews.com/2013/05/13/kermit-gosnell-jury-hung-on-two-counts-doesnt-say-which-ones/

Memorial to the Unborn - Find Your Picture!

	At the Walk to Aid Mothers and Children, June took pictures of those at the Memorial to the Unborn who did not have their own cameras.  If you are one of those people, your promised picture is at  http://masscitizensforlife.org/memorial-to-the-unborn-at-the-respect-life-walk/. Thanks for coming to the Walk and enjoy your picture!  Anne

Thank You!

	Thanks to all of you who took part in Rose Drives for Mother's Day.  You have made such a difference in what we can accomplish to protect life! If there was not a Rose Drive at your church, please contact Janet Callahan about arranging one.  Call 617-242-4199 or email Janet jcallahan@masscitizensforlife.org. As Janet always says, "Rose Drives save lives!" Bless you for all you do! Anne

Cardinal Withdraws From BC Graduation - Please Thank Him

Cardinal O'Malley has issued a strong statement pointing out that Catholic institutions are not supposed to honor people whose public views oppose Church teaching.  He announced that he would not be attending the BC Graduation in which the Archbishop of Boston traditionally participates.  http://www.pilotcatholicnews.com/article.asp?ID=16007 The Cardinal deserves a show of support.  Please call 617-782-2544, 617-254-0100, or e-mail ArchbishopSean@rcab.org In case you need the other numbers to call urging withdrawal of the invitation: Rev. William P. Leahy, S.J., President, Boston College, tel. 617-552-3250, 617-552-8000, or e-mail William.Leahy.1@bc.edu Rev. Myles N. Sheehan, S.J., Provincial Superior, New England Province of the Society of Jesus, tel. 617-607-2800, or e-mail sjnen@sjnen.org This really has people's Irish up!  Anne

Another Monster Helps Teach the Value of Unborn Life

According to news reports today, Ariel Castro, the man accused of holding three women captive in his house for more than a decade, could face the death penalty if it's determined he is responsible for the deaths of the victims' unborn children, prosecutors said Thursday. The death penalty would mean he had been convicted of murder.  It would only be murder if those babies were human beings.  The situation is so outrageous that even hard-core pro-abs cannot object to his being convicted of murder.  Great news:  Besides teaching people about conditions and personnel in abortion clinics, the Gosnell trial has convinced a reporter covering it to change his pro-abortion commitment and become pro-life.  The more that people know, the more who will join him. http://www.lifenews.com/2013/05/08/reporter-covering-gosnell-murder-trial-changes-his-mind-on-abortion/ Keep up the good work! Anne

Bringing Abortion on Demand to Ireland. Why Would BC Honor the Architect?

Beth graduated from Boston College.  She sent the links below and the contact information.  She is horrified that BC is honoring Enda Kenney, Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland by giving him an honorary degree and having him speak at graduation. Kenney is trying to change Ireland's abortion laws which now protect babies and their mothers to make them even more permissive than ours.   In 1982, Ireland had a referendum to keep abortion illegal.  MCFL sent over thousands of packets of materials to help with the winning effort. The pro-life movement in Ireland is working very hard against these laws.  Why, then, would BC honor him?  Please make some calls on your own and to BC alums.  Thanks, Beth, for letting us know what we can do. Anne Rev. William P. Leahy, S.J., President, Boston College, tel. 617-552-3250, 617-552-8000, or e-mail William.Leahy.1@bc.edu Rev. Myles N. Sheehan, S.J., Provincial Superior, New England Province of the Society of Jesus, tel. 617-607-2800, or e-mail sjnen@sjnen.org His Eminence, Cardinal Sean O'Malley, Archbishop of Boston, tel. 617-782-2544, 617-254-0100, or e-mail ArchbishopSean@RCAB.org http://www.cardinalnewmansociety.org/CatholicEducationDaily/DetailsPage/tabid/102/ArticleID/2213/Boston-College-to-Honor-Irelands-Pro-Abortion-Leader.aspx http://www.bc.edu/content/bc/publications/chronicle/FeaturesNewsTopstories/2013/top-stories/commencement042413.html http://www.bc.edu/offices/commencement/

Doctor-Prescribed Suicide in Vermont!

DPS has passed in Vermont!  The final vote in the Senate came because an outspoken opponent of DPS flipped.  So the Senate originally passed a bill that didn't change the ways things are now.  Then the House passed Oregon-style language.  Our hope was that the Senate would hold out so the two bills would have to go to Conference Committee to be reconciled - which held great hope.  Vote on Tuesday was ok.  On Wednesday, language was added and passed which makes the Vermont language worse than Oregon.  It is expected that the House will accept this language, which means there will be no conference committee. Our amazing people in Vermont have not given up so the story is not over for sure. As soon as it is over for sure, the death lobby group, Compassion and Choices, formerly the Hemlock Society (which has an amazing PR machine), will be all over the national news claiming that the dam has broken and everyone in the country will soon have the "right" to control his death (most suicides are committed by men). Just remember, when the people spoke, it was to defeat DPS here!  And thank you all again for that vital victory! Anne