Message from MA Alliance to Stop Public Funding of Abortion

Dear fellow pro-life advocate:
Regarding the petition to stop the public funding of abortion, we now have less than one month to gather the 64,750 signatures before the deadline date of November 18. We have collected a lot of signatures, but not yet nearly enough. So please, if possible, turn your effort up a notch!
More and more churches are getting involved. Some of the results from last week include St. Mary's in Melrose (280 signatures), St. Camillus in Arlington (233 signatures), and St. Mary's in Dedham (277 signatures). Many other churches, both Catholic and Protestant, are scheduled to have signature gathering campaigns in the coming weekend. If you have not already scheduled one at your church, please do so now!
Some Catholic pastors have stated that they wanted to postpone a decision whether to allow signature gathering at their church until they heard from their bishop. Please advise these pastors of the following:
Yesterday I met with attorneys representing the Massachusetts Catholic Conference. They advised me that, in each of the four Massachusetts dioceses, each pastor was free to do as he wished on the matter. (For confirmation of this, pastors can call the Massachusetts Catholic Conference at 617-746-5630.)
Accordingly, please see your pastor ASAP and ask for permission for his parish to get involved in this important pro-life endeavor.
If you need petition sheets, these can be obtained by contacting any of the following:

Rick Holland (Chicopee) 

413-324-8846 

richpay4u@gmail.com

Joe Godek (Auburn) 

508-407-8310  

 jogopapa7@gmail.com

Tom Harvey (Arlington) 

617-710-3616 

tharveyesq@aol.com

Ann Corkery (Walpole) 

508-627-0441  

anncorkery@comcast.net

Barry Pierce (Gardner) 

978-424-7243  

barrypierce44@aol.com

Agatha Bodwell (Sandwich)  

774-208-3480

Rob Aufiero (Melrose) 

781-307-1494 

robert@renewmacoalition.org

Kathy Anastos (Mansfield) 

kanastos1@gmail.com

Cathy Carrigan (West Roxbury) 

ccarrigan3@verizon.net

Sally Healy (Braintree) 

781-848-3796 

js244@beld.net

Joe Hamel (Natick) 

508-328-7380

Joyce Aucoin (Fitchburg) 

978-345-0129 

aucoinjoyce@gmail.com

  

Dan Grayton (Methuen) 

978-835-6993

C.J. Gangi (North Andover) 

cjgangi@gmail.com

You can also obtain petition sheets by emailing: 
stoppublicfundingofabortion@gmail.com or by calling 781-312-8755.
Thank you for whatever assistance you can provide in gathering signatures and advancing the pro-life cause in Massachusetts.
God bless you for your effort.

Tom Harvey
Chairman
Massachusetts Alliance to Stop Public Funding of Abortion

Babies saved so far: 349 - 10 days left to pray with 40 Days!

Sign up now for location closest to you - you'll be glad you did!  Anne

Attleboro: https://40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/attleboro/
Contact: Ron Larose
Phone: (508) 736-9813
E-mail: 40dflattleboro@comcast.net

Boston: https://40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/boston/
Contact: Rita Russo
Phone: (781) 762-4391
E-mail: rita.a.russo@gmail.com

Haverhill: https://40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/haverhill/
Contact: Debbie Papalia
Phone: (978) 490-5302
E-mail: 40daysforlifehaverhill@gmail.com

Lynn: https://40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/lynn/
Contact: Cori Connor-Morse & Padre Paul McManus
Phone: (781) 334-0029
E-mail: cconnorcpa@aol.com

Springfield: https://40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/springfield-2/
Contact: Tim Biggins
Phone: 413-342-0403
E-mail: N/A

Worcester: https://40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/worcester/
Contact: Lee Crowley (508) 887-1064
Pauline: (508) 839-7674
E-mail: prolifeworcester@verizon.net

 

I am speechless!

The MCFL Banquet last night was amazing!  I don't know where to start.

Karen Santorum was too ill to come.  We wish her a speedy recovery.  The Santorums have so much respect for the life issues that her husband, Rick, flew in from Houston to address us.

We have had most of the bright lights out there at our events and some of them were wonderful speakers but everyone in attendance agreed that we had never heard a speaker as good as Rick Santorum.  He tells the truth like it is, interjected with a fabulous sense of humor.  One is either about to tear up or is howling with laughter.  Motivational, inspirational, all those things delivered perfectly.  We were so very blessed to have him!

Another person with so much respect for the issue that he volunteered his professional expertise was emcee Scott Wahle.  Scott kept things moving along delightfully and made everyone feel at home.

Matt Hanafin, Bea Martins, their committee, and the whole MCFL Board were involved in presenting the marvelous evening.

We are so blessed!  Anne

 

DPS drug same as execution drug that has been ruled "cruel and unusual punishment" - terrific article!

When we were speaking at the public meetings on DPS we stated that the drug used in DPS is the same drug that is used in executions.  There has been trouble with side effects and inefficiency during executions and the drugs are very hard to get because the manufacturer does not want to be involved in capitol punishment.   Many executions are on hold because the courts are finding the drugs "cruel and unusual punishment".  This article from U S News and World Report is fabulous and truly opens the door to getting opponents of capitol punishment to oppose DPS!  I love the dark humor in this quote: 

"One issue with optimizing the medications is that drugs used for the purpose of killing are difficult to test for effectiveness."

The article is long but you can get a lot of useful info early on.  http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/10/16/drug-shortage-creates-hurdle-for-death-with-dignity-movement

This brings me back to testifying.  Someone needs to bring up the drugs.   There are many basic points that must be covered.  People have been asking that we share what we plan to cover to be sure that we cover the important points and to be sure that we don't have too much overlap.  Obvious things are stories about people who have out-lived their prognosis, about incorrect diagnoses, the concern that insurance companies will do the cheap thing rather than the right thing, the problems with depression. 

Then there are the myriad of problems with H 1991 itself: the lack of any waiting period,  the way the bill  forces doctors to be culpable, the implication that counseling for depression does not have to be done.   You will see that we have the most extreme bill in the country! 

I'll tell you what I am going to feature in my testimony: the movie, The Martian.  I hosey!  Anne

All the links you need are listed below.  There is information about transportation - please send more as you make plans.  And there is information for you to email written testimony if you can't come

Hearing:  Tuesday, Oct 27, 22015, State House, Rooms A1 and A2, 1:00pm - 5:00 pm  Come before 12:30.  It will be very crowded.  You need to get your stickers and your seat.

At the hearing, you will give the committee copies of your written testimony.  If you are not there, email to Senate Chair, Jason.Lewis@masenate.gov and House Chair Kate.Hogan@mahouse.gov.  Be sure the "subject" line says you oppose H-1991. 

Basic issue: http://patientsrightsaction.org/

http://noassistedsuicidema.org/

http://masscitizensforlife.org/h-1674-doctor-prescribed-suicide-massachusetts-compassionate-care-for-the-terminally-ill-act-full-text-and-sponsors/ 

Analysis of H 1991: http://www.patientsrightscouncil.org/site/massachusetts/

How to testify: http://masscitizensforlife.org/testimony-guides/

Bus from Lawrence area: contact Monica: mmsilvey@verizon.net

Car pools from Worcester and West: call Sandra, 508-799-7337

 

Latest on 40 Days for Life

 

Rita (Boston) and Debbie (Haverhill) both have spectacular news.
And Debbie shares this excerpt from the 40 Days international daily report of Oct 13

Rita says

We have added an extra Candlelight Rosary Vigil on Wednesday, October 28^th at 7 pm.

We will be led in prayer by Most Reverend John A. Dooher, Auxiliary Bishop of Boston, Regional Bishop – South. We are absolutely delighted to have the Bishop with us standing up for life.

Bishop Dooher said the Diocesan Respect Life Mass at St. Jerome's October 4^th in honor of "Respect Life Month" and has graciously agreed to fit us into his busy schedule.

Mark your calendars.  Please come and bring your friends.  Kindly extend a personal invitation to your priests to come to the vigil and support our Bishop. 

Candlelight Rosary Vigil on

 Wednesday, October 28^th at 7 pm at

Planned Parenthood

1055 Commonwealth Ave.

Boston, MA 02215

Our usual Candlelight Rosary Vigils on Friday nights at 7 pm (English) and Saturdaynights at 6 pm (Spanish) will continue through the month of October.

And Debbie shares this excerpt from the 40 Days International Daily Report of Oct 13 by Shawn Carney

"It was great to meet Debbie, the new 40 Days for Life campaign leader in Haverhill. 

"She found herself praying alone on Day 1 ... and she immediately prayed for help with the campaign. Later in the day, that help arrived.

"A woman came out to the vigil and said she had just found out about 40 Days for Life and wanted to help in any way possible. "And wow! Has she backed up her words!" Debbie said. "She has been a huge help and was an answer to my prayer on Day 1!"

"During this campaign, Debbie and her team are paying tribute to a longtime dedicated prayer warrior, John Cronin. John would pray every day at the abortion center in Haverhill during 40 Days for Life. He passed away on July 4 and Debbie wants everyone to make him proud.

"On the days when John felt really ill, he would still go to the vigil and remain in his car to pray. He was that dedicated and never complained. I was fortunate to meet John's wife, who was so inspired to see people coming out in his honor."

 

Great Events This Week! State House, Worcester, North Adams, Norwood, Milton

Oct 14, Celebrate Life Day at State House, Great Hall, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.  Lunch included. RSVP required,Robert@RenewMACoalition.org

 

Oct 17, "Death With Real Dignity" Seminar, Assumption College, 9:00 am - Noon, 
http://masscitizensforlife.org/death-with-real-dignity-event-october-17th/ 

 

Oct 17, Sing A Little Louder: Pro-life activist, Penny Lea, and an exclusive screening of the short film, "Sing a Little Louder". Saturday, October 17, 5pm at St. Elizabeth's Parish, North Adams, MA. Food and refreshments will be served. Contact debbie_pickering11@yahoo.com 

 

Oct 18, Eleanor McCullen on the Buffer Zone Supreme Court Case, St Catherine, Norwood, 3:00 pm, http://masscitizensforlife.org/get-involved/events/

 

Oct.18, Milton Respect Life Walk, St Mary's 1:30 to benefit Friends of the Unborn, Contact James Kackley for more information jamesjosephkackley@yahoo.com

 

 

Few Banquet Tickets Still Available. Call Before It's Too Late!

We are very excited to have Karen Santorum as our keynote speaker at our annual Fundraising Banquet next week on Thursday, October 22^nd. We have a few last minute tickets still available. If you and your family or friends would like to hear Mrs. Santorum's highly anticipated speech, please be sure to purchase your tickets ASAP! Seating is very limited, and this is an event you will not want to miss.

For tickets or for more information, call Matt at 617-242-4199 ext. 221. Tickets will be sold on a first-come-first-serve basis and they will not be sold at the door. Call now! 

 

$1,000,000 in Boston to push Doctor-Prescribed Suicide!

 

Well, not quite a million - only $900,000

When we talk about out-of-state groups spending big bucks to force Massachusetts to make doctors and all of us complicit in people killing themselves, this is what we mean.

This is how the death lobby will spend the night before the hearings at the State House.  They have to raise big bucks because they have to pay all the "activists" they have hired.  You can be sure that Dan Diaz and Barbara Mancini will testify - probably with VIP treatment

Go to our website to help you write your testimony. CLICK here.  

HEARINGS

OCT 27, 1;00pm - 5:00 pm

STATE HOUSE ROOMS A1, A2

Wonder who is doubling each donation?  Speculation claims his initials are G.S.

The stickers are at the printers.  Be sure to come on the 27th.  Anne

Boston, Massachusetts
Benefit Jeffersonian Dinner with Dan Diaz, whose late wife, Brittany Maynard, became the Face of the National Death with Dignity Movement
Monday, October 26th, 6PM at a lovely private home
Tax Deductible donation of $2,500 / person requested – which will be doubled by an anonymous donor for a total impact of $7,500

What is a "Jeffersonian Dinner"? Approximately twelve individuals gather for an evening of food and shared conversation with a purpose of discussing one issue. The purpose is to encourage dialogue among the guests with one person serving as the moderator and facilitator. This is the 5th time Compassion & Choices' has hosted a dinner of this type. Guests commented that it was one of the most interesting gatherings they'd ever attended and were pleasantly surprised by how much they enjoyed examining a topic they'd never discussed in a social setting that some might think taboo or uncomfortable. You can watch a Ted Talk about it by an officer at Monticello: www.tinyurl.com/TJDinner

Dan Diaz is the husband of Brittany Maynard, who died in November 2014 from a brain tumor. The couple moved from California to Oregon – one of five states that has authorized medical aid in dying. Dan advocates for expanding the availability of end-of-life options for terminally ill individuals and has partnered with the non-profit organization Compassion & Choices. As a result of Brittany's story, legislators have introduced bills to authorize medical aid in dying in 24 states and Washington DC.

Barbara Mancini lives in Philadelphia, PA with her husband and two daughters. She has been a nurse for over three decades. In 2013 she was arrested and prosecuted in Pennsylvania on the charge of aiding the attempted suicide of her dying 93-year old father after handing him his prescribed morphine four days before his death. A hospice nurse and police ignored his written advanced directives, and he was then hospitalized and treated in defiance of his end-of-life wishes. Barbara's prosecution lasted a year, during which time it garnered national attention, and it was roundly criticized throughout the media. A judge dismissed the case due to "a lack of competent evidence." She was interviewed about her case on NPR radio and CBS's 60 Minutes and has become a vocal advocate for expanded end-of-life options. She looks forward to being in conversation with you, discussing her case and the implications for everyone who will face end of life decisions.

  https://www.compassionandchoices.org/what-you-can-do/attend-an-event/

Oct 27th prep

The whole force of the death lobby can now focus on Massachusetts, the only state left with a doctor-prescribed suicide bill pending.  We need to be as prepared as possible!  These two articles are a big help.  Thank you for all you do!  Anne

Best round-up of situation:

http://www.nationalrighttolifenews.org/news/2015/10/what-next-now-that-gov-brown-has-signed-law-legalizing-doctor-prescribed-death/#.VhXLiivQiRI

How things should go - inspiring:

http://thefederalist.com/2015/10/06/my-mom-just-died-of-brain-cancer-heres-why-she-opposed-assisted-suicide/

Latest on 40 Days & Planned Parenthood Protests

 

Rita Russo reports from Boston:

The days are quickly passing and there is still so much work to be done.  Today is #14 and already 147 babies have been saved from a brutal death by abortion.  Praise God!  But so many more continue to have their little lives snuff out in a cold and grievously callous way in abortion facilities right here in Boston each and every day.  We need to reach out to the pro-life community and engage them to come down and pray outside Planned Parenthood every day during this campaign. 

A lot of myths were uncovered last week as Planned Parenthood's CEO, Cecile Richards, testified before Congress and admitted what many already knew ...

... mainly, that Planned Parenthood makes a fortune from abortion despite their misleading claim that it only represents 3% of their services ...

... their cancer screenings have dropped by 50% as abortions have increased ...

... and finally, Planned Parenthood does not own one mammogram machine. Not one.

We are having a huge effect on Planned Parenthood and the entire pro-abortion industry.  The ripple effect of the trafficking of baby body parts goes on and on.  Even the March of Dimes has been implicated, having admitted they use fetal body parts in some of their research studies.  For an organization whose motto is "A fighting chance for every baby!" these babies had no chance at all.  Shame on them.

JOIN US AGAIN THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10^TH FROM 9 TO 11 AM TO CONTINUE THE PROTEST.   HELP US KEEP THE PRESSURE ON PLANNED PARENTHOOD FOR THE SALE OF ABORTED BABY BODY PARTS.  Help us spread the word.  We will start with the monthly Rosary vigil by Helpers of God's Precious Infants, and we will introduce the new Massachusetts coordinator of Silent No More, Kathy Hill.  There will also be an opportunity to sign a petition to ban funding for abortion in Massachusetts.  Be sure to add your name to the list for your town!

Debbie Papalia from Haverhill

40 Days for Life will continue to pray at Haverhill Abortion Clinic on October 9^th at 8 AM.

Shawn Carney is one of America's youngest and most inspirational pro-life speakers. Come meet this extraordinary young Catholic man living out his faith.  He'll be visiting the area on Friday, October 9th, at 8am, to pray on the sidewalk in front of the Haverhill Abortion Clinic at 288 Groveland Street, Haverhill.    In 2004, Shawn helped to lead the first-ever 40 Days for Life campaign in College Station, Texas.  Today, 40 Days for Life takes place around the world with thousands of people praying and fasting for an end to abortion. Shawn has been interviewed by "The O'Reilly Factor," The New York Times, and Christian media, including National Catholic Register, EWTN, and Focus on the Family.  He lives in Houston, Texas with his wife, Marilisa, and their five children.   His passion for helping women and the unborn is contagious. For more information, contact 40daysforlifehaverhill@gmail.com or visit 40daysforlife.com/Haverhill

And Sandra Kucharski from Worcester:

The 2nd Protest Planned Parenthood will take place Saturday, October 10 from 11am-1pm at Planned Parenthood, 470 Pleasant St. in Worcester. Speakers during the 11am-12pm peaceful rally will include Marge Russell, Editor of the Catholic Free Press, and Dr. Joseph Roebuck.  The hour of prayer from12pm-1pm will dovetail with the America Needs Fatima Public Sq. Rosary, previously scheduled at that site, and will consist of Catholic prayers in reparation for the sin of abortion. The work of Planned Parenthood and the selling of baby body parts cannot go unchallenged.

Please do not park in the lots of the Medical Office building, 475 Pleasant St or Problem Pregnancy, 495 Pleasant St. Both are open for business that day and need parking for clients and staff.

Gov Brown signs CA Doctor-Prescribed Suicide!

 

Gov Jerry Brown has signed the Doctor-Prescribed Suicide bill in California, which was passed improperly in a special session called to deal only with cutting medial costs.  Of course, DPS has the potential to cut medical costs for all people who are terminally ill, elderly, disabled, depressed, etc. The 100 lethal capsules are much cheaper than proper treatment.

National Right to Life reports the situation very well (see below).

This puts a great deal of pressure on us as the last state dealing with DPS this year!.  We must show we are not California!

We must all be at the hearings on Oct 27 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm and we must all submit testimony! 

NB  Hearing location has been changed from Gardner Auditorium to Hearing Rooms A1 and A2, which are much more comfortable for wheel chairs.

Please plan on it!  Anne

NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE CONDEMNS CALIFORNIA GOV. JERRY BROWN 
FOR SIGNING BILL TO LEGALIZE DOCTOR-PRESCRIBED SUICIDE

WASHINGTON – The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of 50 state right-to-life affiliates and more than 3,000 local chapters condemned Gov. Jerry Brown for signing a bill to legalized doctor-prescribed suicide.

"Today's action by Governor Brown shows a blatant disregard for the lives of California's medically vulnerable citizens and sends a message to these citizens that their lives are less worthy to be lived," said Carol Tobias, National Right to Life president. "The so-called 'right-to-die' movement promotes these laws as simply 'another medical option' at the end of life, but their real goal is euthanasia on demand for any reason."

Ironically, the bill was passed during a special session of the California State Legislature, which was originally called to address cost savings for the state's MediCal program. Indeed, there are many who would see doctor-prescribed suicide as a "cost-savings" measure. Writing about the bill's passage in September in The New York Times, Ian Lovett included an observation by Dr. Aaron Kheriaty, director of the medical ethics program at the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine: 

...[Kheriaty] said that low-income and underinsured patients would inevitably feel pressure to end their own lives in some cases, when the cost of continued treatment would be astronomical compared with the cost of a few lethal pills.

With Governor Brown's signature, California becomes the fourth state to legalize doctor-prescribed suicide. (Additionally, the Supreme Court of Montana interpreted its law to make "consent" of the victim a defense in cases of homicide.)

The California bill is modeled after Oregon, which, in 1994, became the first state in the nation to legalize doctor-prescribed suicide. Proponents argue that such laws are necessary to provide "compassionate aid in dying for terminally ill patients," and point to safeguards similar to Oregon, but the rhetoric obfuscates the real truth.

There are no real safeguards. It is a well-established fact that nearly every terminally ill patient who desires death is suffering from treatable depression. In Oregon, fewer than 6% of patients have been referred for psychiatric evaluation before obtaining life-ending drugs. Rather than treat clinically depressed patients, the Oregon system, and the system that would be established by the California bill, indicates that you instead help the patients kill themselves.

MCFL Banquet tickets still available. Get your's today before it's too late!

We are very excited to have Karen Santorum as this year's keynote speaker at Massachusetts Citizens For Life's annual Fundraising Banquet on Thursday October 22, 2015! Mrs. Santorum, as you know, is the wife of presidential candidate Rick Santorum, but did you know she is also a nurse, a lawyer, and an author? Despite all of her credentials, she says that her most important job is being a loving wife and mother. Karen has a very unique, pro-life story to share with us on October 22^nd that you will not want to miss.
We will be returning to the Tiffany Ballroom at the Four points by Sheraton located at 1125 Boston-Providence Turnpike (Route 1 southbound) in Norwood, MA. The venue is always beautiful and the staff is so welcoming. Join us for our social hour at 6 PM. The Banquet dinner will begin promptly at 7 PM.
Tickets are still available for this year's event, but seating is limited, and no tickets will be sold at the doors. Ticket prices are $75 per ticket, or $65 per ticket when purchasing ten or more. To purchase your tickets today, or for more information, contact Matt at 617-242-4199 ext. 221. Don't delay!
Kindly RSVP by Monday, October 12, 2015. We hope to see you there!

Sincerely,
Matt Hanafin & Bea Martins
MCFL Banquet Committee Co-Chairs

Pray for Maggie Karner

Brave Maggie Karner had the same type of cancer as Brittany Maynard but Dr Karner handled it differently.  She died last Friday at the Connecticut Hospice in Bran ford. Read her beautiful words to Brittany:

http://www.lifenews.com/2015/09/28/this-woman-had-the-same-brain-cancer-as-brittany-maynard-but-her-response-was-priceless/

 

May she rest in peace, Anne

Live from the Big E!

Saturday I traveled to West Springfield to help volunteer at the Massachusetts Citizens For Life booth at the Big E. This was my first time attending the famous event that attracts over one million people annually, and it was my first time volunteering at a pro-life booth. While heading to the fair, I was wondering how perceptive the crowd would be to seeing us boldly pro-claiming the pro-life message.

After working my 6- 10 PM shift, I can honestly say that I left the fair knowing we are making a difference in this state, and the general public is opening up to the pro-life message, even here in Massachusetts.

I worked with Terry, a resident from the Pioneer Valley, who has volunteered at the MCFL booth for years and is truly a veteran at this yearly event. We had many conversations with individuals, some of which I will never forget.

The first and only encounter I had that would be considered confrontational was with a young woman, roughly twenty-five years old. She said "I know why you are here. So what do you tell women who have been raped and have an abortion. I was raped. I was forced to have an abortion. I didn't have an option!" As I began to talk with her, she started to speak again. I stepped back and did the best thing I could: listen. She never raised her voice, but she was clearly in pain – tears building in her eyes.

After letting her vent, the two of us had an amazing conversation. I explained my reasoning for not supporting abortion, even in the 2% of abortions that are performed as a result of rape or incest. I told her that I did not judge her and that my presence at the booth was not to judge anyone – that is never my job. I could see the tension leaving her body. I told her I was there to show individuals that life should be protected from conception to natural death and that there are many resources available to women and men who find themselves in any situation where they believe abortion is their only option. When our conversation ended, she took a lot of our materials, even the free twelve-week-old fetal model we were giving away. I gave her a brochure for Project Rachel, a post abortion counseling project that has helped countless men and women. Before she left, she said the abortion "was the worst thing in my life. I would never do that ever again." She thanked us, and walked away.

Another conversation that inspired me was with a young couple who two months ago had their first child; it was on their first "date night" since her birth. Our display showing the unborn baby's development in the womb caught the father's eye. He approached me and took one of our free fetal models and showed it to his fiancée, who later said she was a nurse. They asked many questions. They were shocked after asking how later abortions can be performed. "Are you serious?!" is all they could say when I told them abortion is legal on demand until the moment of birth. They asked questions about resources available to pregnant mothers who find themselves in a crisis pregnancy. What reassured me that we had done our job effectively is when the couple reached out their hands to thank us for what we were doing. They took some of our literature, signed the sheets to request more information, and said they were happy they stopped to talk with us.

We had many conversations with people of all ages and from all walks of life. The question I was asked the most was "how late can abortions be performed." Everyone guessed wrong and was mortified when they were given the answer of until the point of birth. Other questions were about the Planned Parenthood videos and laws that were in the works. Terry and I saw many pregnant mothers at our fetal model display saying "That's what my baby looks like," or mothers who brought their kids over and said "that's what you looked like in mommy's tummy."

The night was a huge success, and I applaud all of the volunteers who dedicate their time, energy, and gasoline to make the trip each year to staff this amazing booth. They are spreading the pro-life message to the millions of people who attend this event each and every year. As I said, I truly believe we are making a difference in this state, not only with the Big E, but through all of our educational efforts. The public is hearing our message and it is resonating with them.

I cannot stress enough to students and adults who are interested in becoming pro-life activists the importance of educating yourself on the many pro-life issues. My National Right to Life Academy training definitely came in handy on Saturday night. Massachusetts Citizens For Life offers educational programs for students and adults throughout the year and upon request. If you are interested in one of our many educational programs to educate yourself or a group of students or adults, please be sure to contact the MCFL office for more information at 617-242-4199.

For LIFE,

Matt Hanafin

MCFL Director of Outreach

(The picture above was taken after a very successful day at the Big E, after the crowds had left at 10 PM. We had so many conversations with people we almost forgot to show you our booth!) 

Easy, important, time-sensitive call - thank you!

 

As you know, the death lobby has filed H 1991, the doctor-prescribed suicide bill again.  State Sen Ryan Fattman has set up meeting for legislators to educate them about the bill.  We know that the more people know about doctor-prescribed suicide, the more they oppose it.

Please call your state senator or representative or both and get a couple of other people to call.  All of them have been invited to the presentation on H 1991, Doctor-Prescribed Suicide by three eminent doctors

 

Date, Thursday, Oct 1

Time 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Room 428 State House

Speakers: Mark Rollo MD, long-time expert on doctor-prescribed suicide

Giles Whalen, MD U Mass Medical School, Head of Cancer Surgery

William Lawton, MD Prof U Mass Med School, kidney expert who has dealt with dying patients throughout his career

 

All this is just background.  Message is for legislator: please do attend o become educated on this important issue

 

To find phone numbers for your representative and senator: https://malegislature.gov/People/House, https://malegislature.gov/ People/Senate 

 

If you do not know the names of your legislators (!!!!!!), check: http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.aspx

 

Please make your call(s) now so your legislator can plan to attend,  Thanks!  Anne

 

Mon, WALPOLE; Tues, DANVERS; Wed, LEOMINSTER - important D-PS meetings

Hearings are Oct. 27th, 1:00 - 5:00 pm, Gardner Auditorium, State House.  come to prepare yourself about Doctor-Prescribed Suicide

     Sept 28, Walpole Public Library, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

     143 School St, Walpole, MA 02081

     Sen Joseph Tim ilty's District

     Sept 29, Danvers Public Library,  7:30 pm 0 8:30 pm

      15 Sylvan St, Danvers, MA 01923

      Sen Joan Lovely's district

     Sept 30, VFW Hall, Leominster,  7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

      100 West St, Leominster, MA 01453

      Sen Jennifer Flanagan's district

I hope to see you at one of these very important meetings!  Anne

  

Cancer treatment doesn't harm unborn babies - new study in NEJM

I am so excited about this study!  Think of all the times you have had someone challenge you on the hypothetical case of the pregnant mother who needs cancer treatment.  While not completely definitive it is a huge step!  Go in confidence!  Anne

Cancer treatment DOESN'T harm an unborn baby: Pregnant women advised not to delay treatment after study finds chemo and radiotherapy are not unsafe

• The development of 129 children was tested at 18 months and three years 
• Found to be the same as children whose mother's did not have cancer
• Researchers say cancer treatment is no reason to terminate pregnancy
• Study found being born prematurely had more of an effect on development

Receiving cancer treatment while pregnant does not result in health problems for unborn children, researchers have found.

Neither chemotherapy, radiotherapy nor surgery harmed the patients' babies, according to a study published today.

The researchers said that women who are diagnosed with cancer while pregnant should not delay their treatment.

Professor Frédéric Amant, presenting his results at the European Cancer Congress in Vienna, said: 'Our results show that fear of cancer treatment is no reason to terminate a pregnancy, that maternal treatment should not be delayed and that chemotherapy can be given.

'The study also shows that children suffer more from prematurity than from chemotherapy, so avoiding prematurity is more important than avoiding chemotherapy.'

His team examined 129 children born after exposure to cancer treatment in the womb.

The data, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that the babies - aged 18 months and then three years when they were tested - had developed normally when compared to children whose mothers had not had cancer.

Professor Amant, of University Hospitals Leuven in Belgium, said: 'Compared to the control group of children, we found no significant differences in mental development among children exposed to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery alone or no treatment.

'Nor was the number of chemotherapy cycles during pregnancy, which ranged from one to ten, related to the outcome of the children.'

The most common cancers among the mothers were breast and hematological cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma.

Some 69 per cent of the children had been exposed to chemotherapy before birth, 3.1 per cent radiotherapy, 5.4 per cent to both chemo and radiotherapy, 10.1 per cent to surgery alone.

The team also found that premature birth - a major cause of development problems - was more frequent among children born to mothers with cancer, regardless of whether or not they received treatment.

Prof Amant said: 'In most cases, they were born prematurely due to a medical decision to induce preterm so as to continue cancer treatment after the delivery.'

But he warned: 'Our data include many types of chemotherapy, but we cannot guarantee that all types of chemotherapy are safe.

'We need to look at larger numbers of children and larger numbers exposed to each drug in order to be able to document the potential effects of individual drugs.'

Martin Ledwick, head information nurse at Cancer Research UK, said: 'Although the results of the study seem encouraging, it's important to acknowledge that a range of chemotherapy drugs and other treatments were used on the mothers so it may be hard to draw firm conclusions.

'It's already known that some breast cancer drugs may be safe to give after the first three months of pregnancy but it's unclear from the study which women fitted into this category.'  

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3252340/Cancer-treatment-DOESN-T-harm-unborn-baby-Pregnant-women-advised-not-delay-treatment-study-finds-chemotherapy-radiotherapy-not-unsafe.html#ixzz3n4Dwi2ic

 

Westfield Meeting TONIGHT! Big E Success

The Westfield meeting on Doctor-Prescribed Suicide is tonight at the Westfield Athenaeum at 6:30 PM.   Hearings on the bill are scheduled for Oct 27.  You must be prepared!  We have Dr. Paul Carpentier and Matt Valliere, Executive Director of Patients Rights Action Fund speaking.

We have received a lot of compliments on the MCFL Booth at the Big E.  Kudos to the people who designed and set up the booth - which is really a room-size display - and to Peggy Bradford and her 102 volunteers!  That is real pro-life commitment.

Hope to see you tonight, Anne 

Laudato Si and the selling of body parts

The visit of Pope Francis to the US this week has prompted an amazingly good article by Michael Dauphinais in Crisis Magazine which begins,

The recent revelations surrounding the selling of fetal body parts by Planned Parenthood highlight a crisis in contemporary society depicted in Pope Francis' Laudato Si'. With uncanny insight, Pope Francis had written, "the culture of relativism is the same disorder which drives one person to take advantage of another, to treat others as mere objects…. Is it not the same relativistic logic that justifies buying the organs of the poor for resale or use in experimentation, or eliminating children because they are not what their parents wanted?" (LS 123).

Pope Francis' recent encyclical has been referred to as the "climate-change encyclical," or described as an encyclical on the environment, which is surely a narrow understanding that may leave readers to wonder why the Pope speaks so often in defense of universal moral truths and man's unique nature and dignity. I suggest that a clue may be found in the subtitle of Laudato Si': "On Care for Our Common Home." The encyclical's focus may be viewed from the human virtue of caring. If we approach the encyclical through the lens of human caring, we will find help from an at-first unlikely source, the twentieth-century Christian writer C.S. Lewis. We will see that Laudato Si' has much to say about the ethical crises of our age.

The article is long but well worth the read,  http://www.crisismagazine.com/2015/laudato-si-and-the-selling-of-body-parts

Reminder:  Public Meetings on Doctor-Prescribed Suicide bill, H 1991, today in Chicopee. tomorrow in Westfield

Chicopee Library, Wednesday, 9/23, 7:00 – 8:00 pm  Sen Eric Lesser district

Westfield Athenaeum, Thursday, Sept 24, 6:30  Rep John Velis district

Walpole Public Library, Monday, Sept 28, 7:00 – 800 pm  Sen James Timilty district

Danvers Public Library, Tuesday, Sept 29, 7:30 – 8:30 pm  Sen Joan Lovely district

Leominster VFW, Wednesday, Sept 30, 7:00pm  Sen Jennifer Flanagan district

Plan to attend and bring a friend!  Anne

Majority of U S Senators vote to advance Pain-Capable Child Protection Act, BUT...

Needless to say, Sens. Warren and Markey voted against protecting unborn babies from excruciating pain.

Carol Tobias, President of National right to Life, who spoke at this year's Mothers' Day Dinner, puts the vote in perspective, "Today's majority vote is not a defeat, but a stepping stone towards victory. One-fourth of premature infants now survive when born at this stage – and there is strong evidence that they experience great pain, as they are torn limb from limb in late abortions."

http://www.nationalrighttolifenews.org/news/2015/09/majority-of-u-s-senate-votes-to-advance-pain-capable-child-protection-act-but-democrats-block-consideration/#.VgH1eJfQiRI

Weekly 40 Days Update

BOSTON

Candlelight Rosary Vigils in English: Friday nights at 7:00 pm, September 25

Candlelight Rosary Vigils in Spanish: Saturday nights at 6:00 pm, September 26

HAVERHILL

Join the new initiative -- Join the Prayer Partner Hotline and we'll match you with a prayer partner so you can pray with another person at the clinic.  Email us to become a prayer partner and help others feel comfortable praying at a clinic

Saturday, October 17, 6:30pm Bi-lingual Candlelight Service

Attleboro: https://40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/attleboro/
Contact: Ron Larose
Phone: (508) 736-9813
E-mail: 40dflattleboro@comcast.net

Boston: https://40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/boston/
Contact: Rita Russo
Phone: (781) 762-4391
E-mail: rita.a.russo@gmail.com

Haverhill: https://40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/haverhill/
Contact: Debbie Papalia
Phone: (978) 490-5302
E-mail: 40daysforlifehaverhill@gmail.com

Lynn: https://40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/lynn/
Contact: Cori Connor-Morse & Padre Paul McManus
Phone: (781) 334-0029
E-mail: cconnorcpa@aol.com

Springfield: https://40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/springfield-2/
Contact: Tim Biggins
Phone: 413-342-0403
E-mail: N/A

Worcester: https://40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/worcester/
Contact: Lee Crowley (508) 887-1064
Pauline: (508) 839-7674
E-mail: prolifeworcester@verizon.net

Wed. Weekly 40 Days Update

 

As we have in the past, I'll email you to tell you what is coming up for 40 Days during the coming week.  If you have not already signed up for your time, please do that now! 

Thank you, Anne

ATTLEBORO

https://40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/attleboro/

BOSTON

Prayer Launch: Sunday, September 20^th at 4 pm

Our Prayer Launch for this campaign will be held on Sunday, September 20th at 4:00 PM at Betania 2 Marian Center, 154 Summer St., Medway, MA. 02053.  Rev. Michael McNamara will celebrate a mass and commissioning service for all who attend.  Following mass, there will be a dynamic talk by pro-life speaker Anthony Gentile.  After a troubled youth, Anthony had a conversion experience.  He eventually co-founded Cry for Life Ministry and has worked full time in the Pro-Life Ministry and Pregnancy Care Centers. 

Kick Off: Wednesday, September 23^rd at 3 pm

The official Kick Off of the campaign is on Wednesday, September 23rd at 3 pm on the sidewalk in front of Planned Parenthood, 1055 Commonwealth Ave., Boston.  One of the Franciscans will speak and lead us in prayer. 

HAVERHILL

http://prolifeeventsfinder.com/event_listing.php?Event_ID=1114

LYNN

Also, the kickoff will be at 6:00 p.m. on September 23 at the clinic...but hours start at 7:00 a.m. that day...Cori took the first two hours if anyone would like to join her.  It is a Wednesday and therefore an abortion day at the mill...

SPRINGFIELD

https://40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/springfield-2/

WORCESTER

Join us for the 40 Days for Life Worcester Fall Campaign. Come to the Opening Candlelight Vigil on Wednesday, Septmber. 23, from 6:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. across from Planned Parenthood, 470 Pleasant St, Worcester.  Bring your own candle.  From 6:30p.m.-7:00 p.m. we will pray the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. From 7:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m., we will sing hymns, read from Scripture, pray, and have a Commissioning Service.

For further information about the Worcester 40 Days for Life campaign, contact Lee Crowley at 508-887-1064 or ed_crowley@verizon.net or Pauline Morris at 608-839-7674 or  pmorris42@verizon.net

https://40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/worcester/

Please email Gov. Jerry Brown NOW

 

Usually, I suggest that you contact your own elected officials only but this is similar to situations where people from all over the world ask a governor to commute a death sentence.  Please email today.  Ask Gov Brown to veto X2AB00012 - it is bad public policy.

Email Governor Jerry Brown directly by clicking HERE. You will be asked to give your name and email address. Under "Please choose your subject" scroll down near the bottom to "X2AB00012" and make that selection. We also encourage you to check the box asking for a reply. 

This is our last chance!  Thanks, Anne

"PP: The Hidden Harvest" Fox News, 9/4, 10:00 pm, 9/5, 1:00 am

 

 

Fox News Reporting: Planned Parenthood: The Hidden Harvest
Anchored by Shannon Bream
Friday, Sept. 4 at 10 p.m. ET
Saturday, Sept. 5 at 1 a.m. ET

"This summer, a series of secretly recorded videos have exposed a business in fetal tissue. Already a number of politicians have called for the defunding of Planned Parenthood, a primary target of the sting, while others support the organization and call this just another salvo in the War on Women. The Fox News Reporting special Planned Parenthood - The Hidden Harvest delves into the controversy, featuring exclusive new details about the making of those videos, and investigating an industry and field of scientific research that many didn't even know existed."