China modifies one-child policy - rejoice with All Girls Allowed!

 

Chai Ling, who received an award at our Banquet recently, has expressed the way we all feel about the change in Chinese policy. 

Let's hope the government will remove all restrictions on families!  Anne

October 29th, 2015 started as a rainy, cloudy, and cold day in Boston, MA. But that is far from how the day will forever be remembered.

Among a team who has been keeping watchful eyes over China's brutal One-Child Policy, the news headlines carried by the media sent bursts of excitement through smartphones, emails, and Facebook: "What?! This is happening? Yes, yes, yes!" "Have you heard this news?" "I couldn't believe my eyes when I read the news!" "It is like a dream come true." "I thought I would never see this headline in my lifetime." "Thank you God, you did it! You did it!" "Today, the history of our nation has turned a new page!"

The above statements were the collective reactions from the staff members, friends, Board members, supporters, donors, and prayer warriors of All Girls Allowed -- In Jesus' Name, Simply Love Her -- following China's announcement on Thursday morning to officially end its 35-year-old One-Child Policy, allowing all couples to have two children.

The news emerged from the Fifth Plenum of the Central Committee held in Beijing this week. Various sources claim that China's escalating demographic crisis and the desire to rebrand its human rights record were the driving force behind this decision. However, at All Girls Allowed, we see a bigger force at work. A month ago, when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited America, we released a statement with the following remarks:

"May this trip mark the time when President Xi Jinping takes courage to declare the end of the One-Child Policy and to replace it with an All Children Allowed Policy or All Girls Allowed Policy, in honor of God, of men, and of our shared country China!"

We see that God, in His sovereign timing in the year of Jubilee, has answered our prayers mightily and swiftly! The rest are coming! Yet on this day, our minds are overcome with memories and emotions of the people affected by this policy in the past 35 years: the 400+ million babies who were aborted under force or coercion; the millions of mothers like Feng Jianmei who cried helplessly to protect and save their unborn children; women who suffered forced sterilizations and families who faced staggering fines, torn-down homes, and  loss of jobs for exceeding their birth limits; the 13 million "over-quota" children who are unable to attend school, travel between cities, and receive medical care; the 37 million missing girls; and all the victims of female infanticide, child abandonment, child trafficking, and other forms of gendercide resulting from China's traditional male preference. All these sufferings, and more! But now, these sufferings have an ending! God promised that He "will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21:4)

So today, All Girls Allowed commends the Chinese leadership for taking this courageous step to publicly abolish a policy that has caused so much physical, emotional, and spiritual damage to the families in the nation. We encourage them to move to an All Children Allowed or All Girls Allowed Policy swiftly. We celebrate this exciting milestone with our supporters, the people of China, and women and men across the world. We give God all the glory and praise for this important victory in our battle to restore life, value, and dignity to Chinese mothers and daughters!

When All Girls Allowed was founded in 2010, we intentionally made one of our missions to be "revealing the injustice of China's One-Child Policy", for we believe the credit and glory for ending  it can only go to God. In the past 5 years, God invited us to be on the front row seats as we witnessed how He answered our unceasing prayers and led us step by step on this triumphant journey to transform a great nation, from rescuing a dying abandoned infant on the roadside to reuniting a trafficked toddler "Little Bean" with her family; from rescuing a pregnant mother Nie Lina from forced abortion to lifting her out of "black jail"; from bringing a lady out of coma on a One-Child Policy anniversary to the changing of Popes; from enabling our hero Chen Guangcheng's miraculous escape from China to the ending of the brutal late-term forced abortions in 2012; from uniting the U.S. Congress through speaker Boehner in commemorating the 25th Tiananmen Massacre anniversary to passing the "Girls Count Act" led by Senator Rubio and Congressman Chris Smith; from shining a light to end sexual violence on all fronts to sending missionaries into China to teach millions of believers when life begins......

Today is another day the Lord has done a great and mighty thing. Today is the day we watched God part China's red sea -- the One-Child Policy -- an act few ever thought was possible! The Lord answered our prayers in this year of Jubilee, the year of freedom and celebration! God is bigger than any government. Today we also honor our "Wilberforce" hero Congressman Chris Smith who has been fighting against China's One-Child Policy and forced abortions since the very beginning of its enforcement. God will honor and remember all the kind and tireless work he has done, and is still doing, to help the people of China. 

Today we take comfort that those 400 million babies are with God. God will continue to comfort His people and will settle families in a good land. We have an even greater task ahead to get to the promised land of a free and peaceful China. But today is a day that will enter China's and the world's history! Today is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!

 

October is Down Syndrome Month

I must apologize!  All during October, I have been planning to send out an email about Down Syndrome Month.  There have been so many fires and I do regularly send out nice stories about people who have Down Syndrome...  National Right to Life News saved the day with these two marvelous articles, one with a delightful Boston twist.

http://www.nationalrighttolifenews.org/news/2015/10/baby-abigail-who-received-terminal-diagnosis-now-expected-to-live-and-thrive/#.VjO8LyvQiRI

http://www.nationalrighttolifenews.org/news/2015/10/buenos-aires-relentless-dog-befriends-toddler-with-down-syndrome-2/#.VjO8yyvQiRI

Enjoy the little ones tomorrow!  Anne

We are still way behind in Springfield DPS poll!

We have come from practically nothing but we are still 10 points behind.  this is an MA poll so you know they'll use it if we finish behind.

Please vote NOW!  Poll part way down next to article on the right

http://wwlp.com/2015/10/27/some-terminally-ill-adults-want-more-end-of-life-options/

Thanks, guys!

Sen Ted Kennedy, Jr. opposes DPS!

The Massachusetts Alliance Against Doctor-Prescribed Suicide has sent every member of the Massachusetts the article below stating CT State Senator Ted Kennedy Jr's opposition to doctor-prescribed suicide.  They will receive it tomorrow, Monday.  It should be influential with the legislators and raise the buzz before the hearings on Tuesday.

We want to be sure every legislator is aware of the statement and we want them to know their constituents are aware and concerned

.

This is what each of us needs to do:  we must call our own senator and representative tomorrow.  The message is that the legislator has received the article about Sen Kennedy's opposition to doctor-prescribed suicide.  You are calling to encourage him/her to read the article as soon as possible.

You will find the phone numbers for your senator at https://malegislature.gov/People/Senate and your representative at https://malegislature.gov/People/House

If you do not know the names of your legislators, you may look them up here.  http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.aspx

We think this statement is so important that we want to be sure people are talking about it at the State House.  Your call will make that happen!  Anne

Why Does CT State Senator Ted Kennedy, Jr. Oppose

Doctor-Prescribed Suicide?

The statement from CT Senator Ted Kennedy is from an interview with Steven M. Mazzacane that was published on August 3, 2014 in BradfordSeven.com Business News. 

"[The end of life] is a very intimate and very personal time in someone's life," [Kennedy] explains. "I don't think the government should have any role in interfering in that process. I've had this position for a long time; I think people with disabilities feel their lives are already devalued by society.
"When I was told I was going to lose my leg, the first thought I had was that I would rather be dead…I don't think we should let those type of ideas infiltrate what should be a medical decision.
"Secondly, if you are terminally ill and have made those wishes to your doctor saying 'I don't want to be kept alive, I'm in pain and I want to go,' right now, that's what happens. It's not like people are being artificially kept alive against their own will.
"My wife is a psychiatrist, she spends her life trying to prevent people from killing themselves, and now we are going to say 'it's okay, you can do that.' I just don't see it."
Kennedy states that he wants to increase services, such as visiting nurse care, so that people don't feel as if they are at that point.   

Ted Kennedy, Jr. is a healthcare attorney, business entrepreneur, and lifelong advocate for people with disabilities. He is a graduate of Wesleyan University, Yale University's School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and the University of Connecticut School of Law. Ted has lived in Branford for more than 15 years with his wife, Katherine "Kiki" Kennedy, M.D., an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University and an environmental activist. They have two children, Kiley and Teddy.

In early 2014, Ted joined the national law firm of Epstein Becker & Green as a partner in its Health Care and Life Sciences practice. He advises clients on the critical legal and reimbursement policy issues related to the changes posed by healthcare reform. He provides counsel to healthcare providers, commercial insurers, and life science companies.

Prior to joining Epstein Becker & Green, Ted co-founded the Marwood Group, a leading healthcare-focused strategic advisory and financial services firm. For the last 12 years, he served as its president. Under Ted's direction, the Marwood Group grew to become one of the leading healthcare advisory firms in the country, with more than 100 professionals and offices in New York, Washington, D.C., and London. Many of the nation's foremost healthcare companies and trade associations have looked to the Marwood Group's policy
For a printable copy of the article, click here: Kennedy on DPS.pdf

Firm DPS hearing date and time, next PP Protest date

 

It is confirmed that the hearings for H-1991, the Doctor-Prescribed Suicide bill will be October 27 from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm in Gardner Auditorium.  H-1991 will be the only bill to have hearings before the Public Health Committee that day.  

 

The next Planned Parenthood protest date has just been announced with ho further details yet.  It is Saturday, October 10.

 

Additional 40 Days info,

Kick-off Event at Haverhill Clinic, 288 Groveland Street.
Wed., Sept. 23, 8am

The 40 Days for Life Haverhill Fall Campaign is in memory of a prolife prayer warrior - John Cronin - who spent hundreds of hours praying at the Haverhill clinic.  Kick-off event will be followed by a 9am Mass at St. John the Baptist Church, 110 Lincoln Ave., Haverhill.  John Cronin's widow, Connie, will be present at the event.

We're also starting a new initiative -- The Prayer Partner Hotline will match people with a prayer partner so they can pray with another person at the clinic. Email us 40daysforlifehaverhill@gmail.com to become a prayer partner and help others feel comfortable praying at a clinic.

 

Doctor Prescribed Suicide Informational Public Meetings

     Sept 23, Chicopee Public Library, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

     Sept 24, Westfield Athenaeum, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

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

     Sept 29, Danvers Public Library, 7:00 pm 0 8:00 pm

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

 

Oct 4,  Mass for Pro-life Month, St Jerome, Weymouth, 10:30 am

 

Oct 4, North Adams Life Chain, noon - 1:00 pm

 

Oct 14, Celebration of Life Day at the State House featuring PRC's, Great Hall 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

 

Oct 17, Death With Real Dignity Seminar, 9:00 - noon, Assumption College

 

Oct 18, Eleanor McCullen at St Catherine's, 3:00 pm, St Catherine, Norwood.

 

Oct 22, MCFL Banquet featuring Karen Santorum, with emcee Scott Wahle

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF THESE EVENTS, CHECK http://masscitizensforlife.org/

 

 

Good news and then there is the way your congressman voted.

 

Good News
     Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 3134 to stop, for one year, taxpayer funding going to any Planned Parenthood Federation of America unless it certifies that it will not perform or provide any funding to any clinic that performs abortions.  The bill now goes to the U.S. Senate.  
      The U. S. House also passed HR3504 The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.  It is straightforward bill that requires that infants who survive an abortion are entitled to the same standard of care of any child born alive.  The bill should now go to the Senate.

The way your congressman voted

If you ask me how your congressman voted, I won't even have to ask you who your congressman is.  No matter where you live in Massachusetts, your Congressman voted to fund abortions at Planned Parenthood with your tax money and to allow babies who are born alive to be mutilated in the ways we saw and heard in the PP Scandal videos.

 

When you are in the pocket of the death lobby you don't have to think.

 

Next Tuesday, the U. S. Senate is scheduled to vote on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 36).  Let's see if it can pass in spite of our senators.  Anne

 

Another great letter on DPS!

We know people all over the country are watching the doctor-prescribed bill here in MA.  This was brought home to me when someone from CT sent this along:

One of your folks - Mark Rollo, MD – recently wrote a letter to the editor in Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise: http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/letters/ci_28995303/dont-give-doctors-right-kill

Please write to your paper.  We have good tips: http://masscitizensforlife.org/writing-an-effective-letter-to-the-editor/

Or, you could take some of the good technical tips from this webpage from Compassion and Choices (formerly the Hemlock Society) and turn their arguments to our advantage by telling the truth. http://compassionandchoices.org/userfiles/Letter-Writing-Guide.pdf

Please send copies of your letters so we can share them.  Thanks, Anne

U.S.House votes to curtail PP funds - MA 0-6

This press release from National Right to Life explains the latest vote to cut most of Planned Parenthood federal funding for a year.  I checked the roll call.  All nine of our Congressmen voted "no" ie, in favor of funding PP.  Anne

U.S. HOUSE PASSES PRO-LIFE RECONCILIATION BILL 

 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the "Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act," (H.R. 3762), 240-189. Among other things, the bill would block, for one year, most federal payments to affiliates of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA).

In advance of the vote, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of state right-to-life organizations, advised House members that the roll call on passage of the bill would be included in NRLC's scorecard of key right-to-life votes, and added, "Our members and affiliates will view the roll calls on H.R. 3762 as votes for or against stripping $400 million from Planned Parenthood."

H.R. 3762 is a special type of legislation called a "reconciliation bill." This means that it cannot be blocked in the Senate by the filibuster, which has been the main obstacle to previous attempts to pass legislation to defund Planned Parenthood. Nevertheless, the bill faces formidable obstacles in the Senate.

"Planned Parenthood now commands about one-third of the total abortion 'market'," said Carol Tobias, National Right to Life president. "For far too long federal taxpayer dollars have been funneled to the nation's abortion giant, and it's time for that to stop. We applaud passage of the reconciliation bill and we urge the U.S. Senate to act quickly."

The bill would close the largest pipeline for federal funding of Planned Parenthood, Medicaid, and apply as well to the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and the Title V and Title XX block grant programs. These sources account for roughly 89% of all federal funds that currently flow to Planned Parenthood. Under the bill, the amounts denied to Planned Parenthood are reallocated to community health centers.

Planned Parenthood is the nation's largest provider of abortions – at least one-third of all abortions in the U.S. are performed at Planned Parenthood-affiliated facilities. According to their most recent annual report, Planned Parenthood received at least $528 million annually from the federal government or state and local governments.

Based on data from their own annual report from 2013-2014, nearly one in eight women walking through the door of a Planned Parenthood clinic has an abortion. A background memo from National Right to Life is available here:http://www.nrlc.org/communications/ppfamediabackground 

 

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!)