Let Me Go To The Father's House

As I watched the canonization Mass yesterday, I was impressed when Raymond Arroyo said that Saint John Paul had shown us how to live and taught us how to die.  It has been a while since I recommended Let Me Go to The Father's House, the story of John Paul's final illness and death.  With all the confusion about end of life issues Let Me Go becomes more and more invaluable.  ​ It has the exact balance between doing everything that should be done to preserve life without getting carried over into the disproportionate.  And you are reading about dear JPII.  It is worth reading a first, second, or more times.  You will be refreshed and so much more confident. While we're on the topic, please check out the talks from the MCFL Convention.  Fr Maher was very informative on the end of life, http://masscitizensforlife.org/the-mcfl-convention-videos/ Those of us who believe in saints believe the world now has such help!  ​Anne ​

Student Lobby Days

It is wonderful to have young people who are interested in protecting life and are willing to act on their commitment!  Our Student Lobby Days are drawing to a close for 2014, with May being the last month.  The dates run from January through May.  Each day includes presentations by legislators about the process and pro-life bills, a private tour of the State House, free lunch, and visits to lobby local legislators.  It is probably late for a school that hadn't planned to come this year, but I urge teachers to arrange a Lobby Day as soon as school starts in the fall.  You and your students will have a very productive day!  Here is a link to a recent Student Lobby Day with Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth.   Anne ​

Why the Pro-Life Movement is Winning on Abortion

Sometimes we get so caught up in the effort necessary to protect life that we don't have a chance to stand back and see how we are doing. Jill Stanek (LifeNews) and Dave Andrusko (National Right to Life News) explain that we are winning and why.  Whether it is actual number of abortions, rate of abortions, polls, or positions of pols, we are winning! Here's the article by Jill Stanek and here's the one by Dave Andrusko. Mass Citizens for Life needs to keep up the fight.  We depend on your support.  Please consider a generous donation today.  Thanks again and again!  Anne

A Pro-Life Easter Gift to You!

"Tomb, thou shalt not hold Him longer; Death is strong, but Life is stronger; Stronger than the dark, the light; Stronger than the wrong, the right..."                                          Phillips Brooks, An Easter Carol Easter blessings to you and your family from the Board and Staff at Mass. Citizens. I think you'll like the little gift below. Anne "Our Creator, not government, gives to all people 'unalienable' natural rights," the opinion asserts, arguing that state laws protecting children after birth also cover the unborn. The concurrent opinion by Chief Justice Roy Moore, who once fought the state over the display of the Ten Commandments, Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2014/04/protection-for-children-includes-unborn/#Ld2coz1lr04qI6jH.99

Why You DON'T Want to Support March of Dimes Walks

The March of Dimes (MOD) is organizing benefit Walks across the country over the next few weeks.  I need to remind you that the MOD still supports research on aborted babies and donates to pro-abortion organizations.  The irony is that they claim they are working to reduce birth defects.  A main cause of birth defects is prematurity, a main cause of prematurity is a prior abortion. ​ You may remember The Michael Fund, the pro-life alternative to the March of Dimes.  They are still doing great research.  ​ Find the information you need about The Michael Fund and the MOD on the MCFL website, http://masscitizensforlife.org/problems-with-the-march-of-dimes/    Please be sure to spread the word about the MOD! Thank you, Anne ​

You Could Have Paid Less in Taxes...

Have an abortion, get a tax deduction! And here's what does happen with the taxes you do pay... At the risk of sounding opportunistic, may I remind you that donations to the Mass. Citizens Charitable Trust are tax-deductible?  You know we appreciate your generosity and put it to good use educating 10,000 youngsters a year.    John and Marie are currently raising the last $375 for the Oratory Contest winner to go to the National Right to Life Convention and we are getting the Summer Academy together.  Since it involves feeding youngsters, it is a hefty project.  We are most grateful for your support!      Thank you, Anne

Great Videos From Great Speakers at MCFL Convention!

Many. many of you have asked about videos from the Convention - even those who attended and want to hear a talk over again.  John has posted them on the website here.

You have the chance to see Dr. Angela Franks take apart Margaret Sanger, eugenics and Planned Parenthood.  Dr. John Howland explains that Massachusetts Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) could be misused and dangerous but that it has its place in medical decisions.  More important, it is used in Massachusetts and people need to know how to use it.

Dwight Duncan makes the history of religious freedom roaring good fun.  I'll be back to you with more about the videos.  I know you will enjoy them all.  We are so grateful to all the wonderful speakers who participated! 

Anne

PS: The Convention is just one of our many educational efforts.  With your support, we can educate more and more people on the value of each human life.  Please support MCFL as generously as you can.  

Many, Many Thanks to 40 Days for Life!!! You Still Can Help.

The word from each and every 40 Days in Massachusetts is how many more people are coming all the time - literally answers to prayer.  I want to point out especially the coordinators who do incredible work!

All told, 498 babies have been saved so far.  And think of how many souls are being saved by the pro-lifers praying. 

The Lenten 40 Days ends on Sunday, so you still have time to join your prayers with all these wonderful people.  The contact information is below.  Bless all these efforts! 

Anne


40 Days for Life is a peaceful, prayerful – and proven effective – pro-life campaign that has already been embraced by more than 600,000 people worldwide, saved 8,245 lives from abortion, led to the conversion of 88 abortion workers, and seen 44 abortion facilities close down for good.

40 Days for Life features three components:
1. PRAYER & FASTING: Join together with other believers for 40 days of fervent prayer and fasting for
an end to abortion.
2. PEACEFUL VIGIL: Stand for life during a 40-day peaceful public witness outside the local abortion clinic
3. COMMUNITY OUTREACH: Bring a positive pro-life message to every corner of our city through media
efforts, advocacy and public visibility

    ATTLEBORO
http://40daysforlife.com/attleboro.htm
Four Women, Inc.
150 Emory Street
Attleboro
Contact: 40DFLAttleboro@comcast.net

    BOSTON
http://40daysforlife.com/boston.html
Planned Parenthood
1055 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston
Contact: Rita Russo 781-762-4391 or rita.a.russo@gmail.com

     HAVERHILL
http://40daysforlife.com/haverhill.html
Merrimack Valley Women's Health
288 Groveland Street
Haverhill
Contact: Paula Lahti, pblahti@hotmail.com

      LYNN
http://40daysforlife.com/lynn.html
North Shore Women's Health Center
480 Lynnfield Street
Lynn
Contact: Cori Connor-Morse, cconnorcpa@aol.com

     SPRINGFIELD
http://40daysforlife.com/springfield.html
Planned Parenthood
3550 Main Street
Springfield
Contact:40daysWM@gmail.com

     WORCESTER
http://40daysforlife.com/worcester.html
Planned Parenthood
470 Pleasant Street
Worcester
Contact: Pauline Morris, 508-425-3087or prolifeworcester@townisp.com

Press Release: MCFL Calls on State to Close Four Facilities Doing Illegal Abortions

Charlestown, April 9, 2014            For Immediate Release        Contact Anne Fox, 617-242-4199     Massachusetts Citizens for Life sent a letter to Secretary John Polanowicz, Executive Office of Health and Human Services, on March 31, 2014 calling on the state to close four abortion facilities because of the illegal abortions performed in those facilities.   The law in Massachusetts mandates that after the eighteenth week of pregnancy an abortion must be performed in a hospital licensed to provide medical/surgical services. None of these facilities is a hospital. Accordingly, their practice of performing abortions "up to 20 weeks" (Four Women, Attleboro; Merrimack Valley Women's Health, Haverhill; North Shore Women's Health, Lynn;  and Metro West Women's Health, Natick) and "up to 23 weeks" (Women's Health Services, Brookline) is illegal.   In her letter, Anne Fox, President, Mass. Citizens for Life, stated, "Consider the outcry which would occur if a store advertised that it sells cigarettes to 10-year olds. These clinics' flagrant violations of Massachusetts law pose an imminent threat to the safety and proper health care of pregnant women who are clinic patients... To safeguard the health and safety of pregnant women using the services of these clinics I urge you to exercise your authority under 105 CMR 140.130 to suspend the licenses or the parts of licenses covering abortion services in these facilities and end the illegal practice of abortion beyond the eighteenth week of pregnancy."   As of today, Mass. Citizens has not heard from Secretary Polanowicz.  A copy of the letter is available on the organization's website, org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/scan-letter-to-public-health0001.pdf   Massachusetts Citizens for Life, the oldest and largest right to life organization in the state, has been working for forty-one years to protect life at all stages of development.

Abortion Facilites Are Safe - NOT!

 

As you know, since last spring, we have been working to put a public policy question on the ballot this fall.  I am still working with the Attorney General's office on the final wording of the question which will appear in 40 state representative districts.  It will give citizens the chance to vote that abortion facilities must be licensed and inspected. 

The Guttmacher Institute says there are 40 abortion facilities in Massachusetts.  There are 17 hospitals that perform abortions.  There are three licenses which cover five clinics.  The other 17 facilities are not licensed as clinics.  That means, of course, they are never inspected.  When people go into a "medical" facility they assume a certain level of professionalism and oversight.  

 

It is not just Massachusetts where this situation exists.  The same story is all over the news today in New York.

 

Then we come to an actually licensed clinic which doesn't seem particularly safe.  Of course, the Boston PP does so many abortions every year (6,899 at last report), that maybe these problems are just part of doing business.

 

Doing the research for the public policy question, we noticed that many facilities advertise that they do abortions later than 18 weeks.  This is against the law in Massachusetts - those abortions must be done in hospitals.  I'll be forwarding to you the letter we sent last month to the Commissioner of Public Health requesting that those facilities be closed until they comply with the law.

 

You'll be hearing very soon what you can do to help with the public policy question! 

Anne

Please Open if You Are a Friend or Admirer of Dr. Jefferson

I was delighted to receive this note from Dr Jefferson's cousin, Rev. Roberts.

 

Anne

Hope you and family are well.  I am on a committee to develop a memorial park in Carthage, Texas (her hometown) which will display a bronze bust of Dr. Jefferson.  We have secured (with limited funds) a sculptor and he has made the clay casting of her.

I am attaching several photos for you and friends. The sculptor added the cap to give her the look she so often displayed. The finished casting will have her wearing a cap like the picture. Let me know what you think of the casting.

If any of her friends would like to donate to the effort, please let me know.  At this point we certainly can use it.

Thanks,

Kirt Roberts
Dr. Jefferson Cousin

If you would like to send something, please send to:
Mt. Olive Baptist Church
c/o Rev. Kirthell Roberts
235 CR 4610 Mt. Pleasant, TX 75455

Warning About the Group "Save the "Children"

Lila called to say that "Save the Children" is collecting door-to-door in the West Roxbury area.  Very wisely she asked what they did.  Their agenda was so wide-ranging and global that alarms went off and she did some research.  She found this which explains all the different pro-abortion groups they work with.  Thanks to Lila being on the ball, none of us would want to consider donating to them.  Who knows where they will next be attempting to collect? Also, thanks to Ruth, who sent along linked article, saying "This is someone who gets it!!"  http://spectator.org/articles/58627/nancy-pelosi-accepts-margaret-sanger-award ​ ​We are so lucky to have fellow pro-lifers who are aware and anxious to share their findings with us. Anne P.S.  Billy and I manned the Mass. Citizens table at the Worcester Men's Catholic Conference yesterday.  Those of you who are fans of Steve Ray will be glad to hear that he spoke out very strongly in defense of life - especially pre-born babies - and he had a new hat!

Dr Jefferson Oratory Contest Winner!

We had some eloquent young orators who competed on Saturday during the Convention.  MacKenzie Long finished on top.  He will represent Massachusetts at the National Right to Life Convention in June. 

MacKenzie presented his speech to our entire Convention and people are sure he will do us proud.  We are very grateful to his teacher, Amanda Tarantelli, for coming with him on Saturday.  Here is MacKenzie with Mattina Falco, the First Runner-Up (on the left) and Isabelle Germino.

John Curry and Marie O'Donnell have been showing the movie October Baby across the state to raise the money for the contest.  They have done an amazing job.  If you would like to have them bring October Baby to your area, please reply to this email.

After working so hard, John and Marie are still $600 short of the cost to send MacKenzie and a chaperone to Louisville.  Please consider making a donation to help them raise that last $600!

Bless you,

Anne

Compassion and Choices: What Did They Get for Their Big $$ in New England?

I just received word that Compassion and Choices (formerly the Hemlock Society) reports having spent $190k on lobbying and more than $65k on ads just in Connecticut.  What has happened in CT?  There were hearings on March 19th.  There was good testimony.  The pro-life people made hundreds of phone calls.

According to the CT Mirror, "The campaign for passage of an aid-in-dying law in Connecticut in 2014 ended Tuesday with a concession that the bill does not have the support in the legislature's Public Health Committee to reach the House floor."

​The New Hampshire Union Leader reported, March 6, 2014,  "The House Thursday soundly rejected legislation that would have allowed a terminally ill patient to seek a lethal prescription from cooperating physicians.  The [New Hampshire] vote against the bill was 219-66.

​In Maine recently the bill was killed in committee.

​As you know, the bill barely passed in Vermont after years of an underfunded but savvy fight on our side.  It is working so poorly - not working at all - that there is a good chance our people can overturn.

​Pro-lifers are gearing up in Rhode Island but nothing has developed yet.

​And, of course, in Massachusetts the bill died in committee last week - thanks to you !!!

C&C deals strictly with suicide/euthanasia.  They spent a quarter of a million dollars just in Connecticut. Their death lobby allies attack life at other stages.  We deal with life from conception to natural death.  We work so much harder than the death lobby because we do not have their money and our cause is just. 

Please consider a sacrificial gift to Mass. Citizens.  We must ramp up our efforts or the constant, big money assault of the death lobby will begin to win.  Once they get suicide/euthanasia in place, they will be able to kill more people at the end of life than they do now through abortion.

I can always  count on you to call, write, and educate your friends - that is why we succeed.  I know I can count on you also for much-needed financial support.

Thank you for whatever you can do! 

Bless you,

Anne

DPS: A Secret Weapon and Tomorrow's Convention

The Public Health Committee normally has 17 members.  Katherine Clark was elected to Congress and has not yet been replaced so we were able to hold back the doctor-prescribed suicide bill with our eight votes. Carl Sciortino, another member of the committee, has announced he will not run again for the House.  That leaves another opening.  Next January, when the legislature convenes, the Public Health Committee will again have doctor-prescribed suicide before it.  They will have replaced the two missing members and, possibly made some other changes.  At that point our eight votes will not be enough! We do have an ace in the hole.  We have about 40 weeks, 280 days to pray about the make-up of the committee.  Please keep the committee constantly in your prayers during that time.  Bless you! Earlier in the week, when we had to tell Assumption how many lunches we would need for the Convention, registrations were pouring in, so we over-ordered.  That means that you can register today and still get lunch.  You can register online here or call 617-242-4199. I am looking forward to hearing our wonderful speakers and our Oratory Contest winner! Anne

Did You Get It?

Our beautiful new Quarterly Magazine has arrived at member's homes.  We have been receiving compliments by the bushel!  Kudos to Editor Helen Cross and all who helped her with this new format.  We are very proud of the job she did.  We feel that the magazine format will make the important information available to more people.  I love all the pictures, which are worth you-know-what.

Mass Citizens is the oldest, largest pro-life organization in the state.  We are the only one who deals with pro-life public policy, education, and files legislation.  If you are not yet a member, I urge you to join so we can send you your copy right away. 

I want to get your magazine right out to you!

Anne

The Mayflower Compact

Today, some of the members of the Pro Life Club at Bishop Stang High School in Dartmouth came to the State House for their Student Lobby Day.  They are delightful, knowledgeable young people.  Eva and John and I had a grand time introducing them to legislation and to the State House.  In the Hall of Flags, I was able to point out especially the mural of the signing of the Mayflower Compact.  It was a great way to tell them that today is the day the HHS Mandate cases are being heard by the Supreme Court.  Our amicus brief deals especially with the tradition of religious freedom, beginning with the Compact, established in the Colonies.  Talk about civics in action!  We are so grateful to Dwight Duncan and the law students who worked with him on the brief. We still have dates open between now and the end of May for school or homeschool groups to have Student Lobby Days.  We'd love to have your students come. Anne ​

We Would Like to Feed You!

The MCFL Convention is this Saturday.  We have brought together experts on all the topics you need to know right now.  You are welcome to register at any time.  If you wish to be sure of having lunch, you must register today.  I know you will be very glad you attended! Anne PS  Reminder: your favorite high school junior or senior is welcome to participate in the Dr Jefferson Oratory Contest to win two free trips to the National Right to Life Convention or cash prizes.

Something so Awful...

	Aborted and miscarried babies are being burned to heat hospitals.  After you come to grips with the horror, you may think, "Thank goodness that is in England."  Then you realize whom we are following medically... What is there to say? Anne  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/10717566/Aborted-babies-incinerated-to-heat-UK-hospitals.html ​

This Friday is a Very Special Day!

Friday is World Down Syndrome Day.  My thanks to Anne Marie for sharing this charming video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ju-q4OnBtNU

I would add two things: "Dear Mom, Your baby could be the MCFL Walk Baby!"

​
        Julia - 2013 Walk Baby
Respect Life Walk to Aid Mothers and Children

And: Dr Jerome Lejeune, who identified the cause of Down Syndrome, was one of the pre-eminent doctors of the 20th Century.  He tells the most amazing story, which may explain his dedication to helping people with Down Syndrome,  https://www.facebook.com/savingdowns/posts/499495096748659

"Many years ago, my father was a Jewish physician in Braunau, Austria. On a particular day, two babies had been delivered by one of his colleagues. One was a fine, healthy boy with a strong cry. His parents were extremely proud and happy. The other was a little girl, but her parents were extremely sad, for she was a Down syndrome baby. I followed them both for almost fifty years. The girl grew up, living at home, and was finally destined to be the one who nursed her mother through a very long and lingering illness after a stroke. I do not remember her name. I do, however, remember the boy's name. He died in a bunker in Berlin. His name was Adolf Hitler."

​

 

40 Days is Doing a Fabulous Job, Still Needs YOUR Help!

This year, 40 Days for Life is running from March 5 - April 13, 2014.  Already they are saving babies.  You can be part of this wonderful effort!  Below is information on the various locations.  Be sure to click on the website of the location nearest you to volunteer for whatever little, or large, time you can offer. 

Remember, "Work as if it is all up to you.  Pray as if it is all up to God."  These are great prayer opportunities. 

Anne

40 Days for Life is a peaceful, prayerful – and proven effective – pro-life campaign that has already been embraced by more than 600,000 people worldwide, saved 8,245 lives from abortion, led to the conversion of 88 abortion workers, and seen 44 abortion facilities close down for good.

40 Days for Life features three components:
1. PRAYER & FASTING: Join together with other believers for 40 days of fervent prayer and fasting for
an end to abortion.
2. PEACEFUL VIGIL: Stand for life during a 40-day peaceful public witness outside the local abortion clinic
3. COMMUNITY OUTREACH: Bring a positive pro-life message to every corner of our city through media
efforts, advocacy and public visibility

​  ATTLEBORO
http://40daysforlife.com/attleboro.htm
Four Women, Inc.
150 Emory Street
Attleboro
Contact: 40DFLAttleboro@comcast.net

      BOSTON
http://40daysforlife.com/boston.html
Planned Parenthood
1055 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston
Contact: Rita Russo 781-762-4391 or rita.a.russo@gmail.com
​
   HAVERHILL
http://40daysforlife.com/haverhill.html
Merrimack Valley Women's Health
288 Groveland Street
Haverhill
Contact: Paula Lahti, pblahti@hotmail.com

​        LYNN
http://40daysforlife.com/lynn.html
North Shore Women's Health Center
480 Lynnfield Street
Lynn
Contact: Cori Connor-Morse, cconnorcpa@aol.com

​        SPRINGFIELD
http://40daysforlife.com/springfield.html
Planned Parenthood
3550 Main Street
Springfield, Massachusetts
Contact:40daysWM@gmail.com

​    WORCESTER
http://40daysforlife.com/worcester.html
Planned Parenthood
470 Pleasant Street
Worcester
Contact: Pauline Morris, 508-425-3087 or prolifeworcester@townisp.com

​

2 Down, 1 to Gooooooo

Besides H - 1998, Doctor-Prescribed Suicide going to study committee yesterday, HB - 2092 also went to study.  This was the perennial bill to lower the age of consent for abortion to 16.  We testified, let the legislators know the position of MCFL, and posted our position.  We didn't feel it was necessary to take your time to do more than that because the legislators remember that Shannon O'Brien handed Mitt Romney the Governorship when she announced she favored lowering the age. You won't believe what is happening with H - 3793, the teach-children-how-to-get-an-abortion-without-their-parents- knowing-bill.  Because it has already been to the floor (remember, it was set to be voted on Jan 15th until we pushed it back into the Ways and Means Committee), it does not have to be reported out today.  The committee actually has until the end of the session (probably July 31st) to decide what to do with the bill.  We'll have to be sure they know we haven't forgotten about it. Again, thank you, thank you for all you do! Anne P.S. If we are going to keep succeeding, we must be informed and motivated.  Please come to the MCFL Convention on March 29th at Assumption College in Worcester.  You can get details and register here.

Vote on H - 1998

	Your calls worked!  The doctor-prescribed suicide bill, H - 1998 has been sent to study committee, essentially killing it for this session!!!  Of course, it will rear it's ugly head again in January, 2015.  We'll get it then, too. You did a marvelous job.  Staff at the State House are shaking heads. As soon as we hear anything about H - 3793, I'll let you know. Thank you!  Thank you!