Prayer for Life

Photo by Loci B. Lenar

Prayer for Life

O Mary, bright dawn of the new world,
Mother of the living,
to you do we entrust the cause of life:
Look down, O Mother, upon the vast numbers
of babies to be born,
of the poor whose lives are made difficult,
of men and women who are victims of brutal violence,
of the elderly and the sick killed
by indifference or out of misguided mercy.
Grant that all who believe in your Son
may proclaim the Gospel of life
with honesty and love to the people of our time.
Obtain for them the grace
to accept that Gospel as a gift ever new,
the joy of celebrating it with gratitude
throughout their lives
and the courage to bear witness to it resolutely,
in order to build,
together with all people of good will,
the civilization of truth and love,
to the praise and glory of God,
the Creator and lover of life.

-Pope John Paul II

More Prayers: http://www.christian-miracles.com/devotionalprayers.htm

 

Dr. Alveda King Calls Martin Luther King, Jr. a “Pro-Life Social Conservative”



Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - Photo by Loci B. Lenar

 

Dr. Alveda King Calls Martin Luther King, Jr. a “Pro-Life Social Conservative” | Fox News Insider

The following excerpt is from FoxNewsInsider.com:

As we remember the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., his niece, Dr. Alveda King, tells Peter Johnson, Jr. that she believes her uncle would have been considered a pro-life social conservative if he were alive today.

Earlier on Fox and Friends, King discussed her uncle’s beliefs and said that since MLK was someone who gave his life to all humanity, “he would really support the best quality of life, and that is conception until natural death.”

Read more: MJK

Martin Luther King Jr. Niece to Tout Pro-Life View at Memorial

King Memorial - Photo LifeNews.com

Martin Luther King Jr. Niece to Tout Pro-Life View at Memorial - LifeNews.com

The photograph and following excerpt is from LifeNews.com:

In conjunction with Sunday’s dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial, his niece, Alveda King, will present the pro-life message at an event at the offices of the Family Research Council.

King, who is the full-time director of African-American Outreach for Priests for Life, a Catholic pro-life group, will host a panel discussion and video presentation on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. “Redeem the Dream: The State of the Quality of Life in the 21st Century,” will present a frank assessment of how far African-Americans have come since Martin Luther King gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech on August 28, 1963, and how the dream has been imperiled by the abortion industry.

“He was unequivocally pro-life, and it would break his heart to know that so many African-American leaders endorse freedom of choice over the right to life.”  King said in a statement to LifeNews.

“As people gather in the nation’s capital to remember and celebrate the life of my Uncle Martin, it is an opportune moment to declare that were he here today, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would be standing with those working to stop the violence of abortion against children in the womb and restore them to equal protection under the law,” King said.

The memorial to King is a four acre site that includes a towering granite sculpture of the civil rights leader and visitors to the King memorial filter through two pieces of granite carved to resemble the sides of a mountain. The 30-foot tall statute was sculpted by Chinese artist Lei Yixin and it shows King appearing to emerge from a mountain. The statute is placed facing southeaster towards the Tidal Basin to the Jefferson Memorial.

(The memorial to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is between the Jefferson and Lincoln memorials on the National Mall in Washington.)
Read more: King Memorial

Astonishing Variety of People Joining Catholic Church this Easter

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

US Catholic Church Finds Astonishing Variety of People Joining this Easter - U.S. - Catholic Online

The following excerpt is from Catholic Online:

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA) - A Muslim, a family of seven, a marine, a former abortion clinic administrator - these are just a few of the many faces of people from around the country who are slated to join the Catholic Church at Easter.

The U.S. bishops' conference recently profiled a handful of unique stories from individuals in different states, each of whom will be either baptized or confirmed during the Church's universal celebration of the Easter Vigil on April 24.

Although the numbers are still trickling in for this year, the conference reported that in 2010, there were over 43,000 adult baptisms in the U.S. and more than 75,000 people received into full communion with the Church.

Soon-to-be baptized New Orleans resident Ahdija Cheumbike Baker was raised a Muslim. The daughter of a Detroit man and a Tanzanian woman, Baker is one of the 282 catechumens and candidates that the Catholic Church in New Orleans will be welcoming at Easter.

Baker said that she struggled with some of her Muslim beliefs throughout her life and that ultimately, the "love of the Lord" as well as a love interest drove her to start attending a local Catholic church, St. Peter Claver.

Eighteen year-old Kalene Laforest is a Marine and feels compelled to join the Catholic Church before going on assignment in June. A catechumen at St. Peter's Church in LaGrange, Georgia, LaForest said that she wanted a faith with depth, history, deep spirituality, tradition, and "no all-over-the-place craziness." She is among 1,912 who will join the Catholic Church in the Atlanta archdiocese this year.

Across the U.S. in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, a family of seven will be welcomed into the Church. James and Michelle House, who are parishioners at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, will come into full communion at the Easter Vigil. In the following week, infant David, 2 months old, will be baptized, while his siblings Kristina, James, Alexandra and Joseph will be received into the Church.

Michelle House said the family, who are former Episcopalians, found a welcoming community at St. Catherine's when they moved to northern California.

In Austin, Texas, Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood clinic director and author of the bestselling book "Unplanned," is getting ready to enter the Catholic Church.

Due to a personnel shortage at the abortion clinic she used to work in, she was called in to assist in an ultrasound-guided abortion for the first time in September 2009.

The next few minutes changed Johnson's life irrevocably, as she watched the 13 week-old baby -whom she had believed to be incapable of feeling anything- squirming and twisting to avoid the tube into which it would be vacuumed.

Shocked by what she had seen, Johnson still initially continued her work running the clinic and promoting its work. Just a few weeks later, however, she was in the nearby office of the Coalition For Life, telling its director Shawn Carney that she could no longer continue helping women have abortions.

Johnson and her husband have grown in their faith during the past year, and are now preparing to enter the Catholic Church.

Read more: Variety of People Joining Catholic Church this Easter

A Sun Phenomenon at the World Apostolate of Fatima, USA

Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima
Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

By Loci B. Lenar

As a follow-up to the One World Praying for Life and Peace that was televised live by EWTN on Sunday, October 18, 2009, I am releasing previously unpublished photographs of the event. The prayer service was organized by The World Apostolate of Fatima, USA.  I attended this beautiful event at The Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima which is part of the apostolate at 674 Mountain View Road in Washington, New Jersey.

It was estimated that millions of viewers had tuned into the program and joined in prayer for the sanctity of life and peace.

Visitors Photographing the Sun
Photo by Loci B. Lenar

I believe Our Lady of Fatima acknowledged the prayers of the faithful by giving a sign to humanity through her divine son, Jesus Christ.

Sun Phenomenon at Shrine
Photo by Loci B. Lenar

Numerous visitors were blessed to witness a sun phenomenon and took photographs. I believe the sign was given as an affirmation of God's love for humanity and to acknowledge the prayers of everyone on this special day.

The sign I believe is intended to help evangelize the world through the gospels of Jesus Christ with Our Lady of Fatima's message. To read the message of Fatima, please visit the following link: http://www.wafusa.org/fatima_message/full_message/fatima_message_fullarticle.html

Visitors taking photos of Sun
Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

In John 12:46-47, Jesus said, "I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world."

Celebration of Mass at Prayer Service
Photo by Loci B. Lenar

Additional information about the event with more interesting photographs can be seen by visiting the website of Christian-Mircales.com at the following link:
http://www.christian-miracles.com/miracleatfatimashrine.htm

Please pray for the Lord's blessing and grace of mercy to enfold humanity and the unborn in order for all to respect life and for an era of peace to unfold.

Thank you very much for the kind prayer support.

Pope Benedict XVI Composes Prayer for the Unborn

Pope Benedict XVI composes prayer for the unborn - Catholic News Agency (CNA)

The following news item appeared on the Catholic News Agency:

Vatican City - CNA - The Pope prayed for the protection of life and the family at the conclusion of the Prayer Vigil for the Unborn on Nov. 27. The prayer, which was composed by Benedict XVI, asks God to bless families and to inspire society to embrace each and every life.

Below is the complete prayer translated into English by Vatican Radio:

Lord Jesus,
You who faithfully visit and fulfill with your Presence
the Church and the history of men;
You who in the miraculous Sacrament of your Body and Blood
render us participants in divine Life
and allow us a foretaste of the joy of eternal Life;
We adore and bless you.

Prostrated before You, source and lover of Life,
truly present and alive among us, we beg you.

Reawaken in us respect for every unborn life,
make us capable of seeing in the fruit of the maternal womb
the miraculous work of the Creator,
open our hearts to generously welcoming every child
that comes into life.

Bless all families,
sanctify the union of spouses,
render fruitful their love.

Accompany the choices of legislative assemblies
with the light of your Spirit,
so that peoples and nations may recognize and respect
the sacred nature of life, of every human life.

Guide the work of scientists and doctors,
so that all progress contributes to the integral well-being of the person,
and no one endures suppression or injustice.

Give creative charity to administrators and economists,
so they may realize and promote sufficient conditions
so that young families can serenely embrace
the birth of new children.

Console the married couples who suffer
because they are unable to have children
and in Your goodness provide for them.

Teach us all to care for orphaned or abandoned children,
so they may experience the warmth of your Charity,
the consolation of your divine Heart.

Together with Mary, Your Mother, the great believer,
in whose womb you took on our human nature,
we wait to receive from You, our Only True Good and Savior,
the strength to love and serve life,
in anticipation of living forever in You,
in communion with the Blessed Trinity.

Pope Benedict Calls for Worldwide Prayer to End Abortion

Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict Calls for Pro-Lifers Worldwide to Pray Against Abortion - LifeNews.com

The photograph and following excerpt is from LifeNews.com:

Pope Benedict XVI has issued what Catholic pro-life advocates are calling an unprecedented request for prayers worldwide from all pro-life people against abortion.

The head of the Catholic Church will begin Advent by celebrating a solemn “Vigil for all nascent human life” at St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, November 27.

The call is not limited to Catholics as the Pope is asking that “all Diocesan Bishops (and their equivalent) of every particular church preside in analogous celebrations involving the faithful in their respective parishes, religious communities, associations and movements.”

Mary McClusky, the Special Projects Coordinator at the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, says the call is especially important at a time when attacks on the dignity and worth of human life seem to be at an all-time high.

“At this moment in history, when societies are now endorsing the killing of humans as a perceived solution to social, economic, and environmental problems, the Holy Father is reminding us of the necessity and power of prayer to protect human life,” she said. “Despite the challenge of these events being held on Thanksgiving weekend in the United States, Catholics should not miss this opportunity to pray for unborn life.”

She said the Pope’s call “may help increase awareness among family and friends about abortion, embryonic stem cell research, and other threats to children in their earliest days and weeks of life” while women who have had abortions “may be inspired to learn more, or to begin a much-needed conversation about healing from a past abortion.”

Human Life International is calling on pro-life people to join in the historic event.

“We hope that Catholics understand the historical significance of Pope Benedict’s invitation,” said Joseph Meaney, HLI’s director of international coordination.

Monsignor Ignacio Barreiro-Carámbula, interim president of HLI, says Christians of all stripes can find unity in the call to prayer against abortion.

“We recognize with the Holy Father that as the assaults on human life that are accelerating around the world have evil as their root cause, the most powerful response we in the Church can make is to pray in unity for an end to the assault,” he says.

Barreiro will be present at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome with Pope Benedict to pray for the protection of human life on November 27th.

Read More: Pope Benedict Calls for Prayer Worldwide

Pro-Life Champions Dr. Alveda King and Representative Chris Smith Speak on Abortion and Healthcare

The following excerpt is from a press release received from the Pro-Life Ministry, St. Cecilia's, Rockaway, N.J. 07866

Rockaway, N.J. - A new video on You Tube, produced by the St. Cecilia's Pro-Life Ministry, takes aim at Washington's present health care proposals and longstanding policies on abortion. The video also offers a disturbing perspective on euthanasia, eugenics and racial genocide and the link to abortion. Featuring national Pro-Life leaders Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.-4) and Dr. Alveda King, the ten-minute video recalls highlights from their powerful presentations at an inaugural Pro-Life Community Evening at St. Cecilia Church in September (2009).

Congressman Smith co-chairs the bi-partisan congressional pro-life caucus in Washington. Dr. King is a niece of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and a pastoral associate at Priests for Life. The video also features special guest, Kristen Day, executive director at Democrats for Life, and the author of "Democrats For Life: Pro-Life Politics and the Silenced Majority."

St. Cecilia's Pro-Life Ministry Members
Media Contacts:
John Byrne, Email: jaidanbyrne@optonline.net
Tom Haltigan, Email: bubbie31@aol.com

Niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Speaks at St. Cecilia's Church in NJ

Dr. Alveda King
Photograph By Loci B. Lenar

News Story by Loci B. Lenar

On September 18, 2009, Alveda King, the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke on behalf of the pro-life movement at Saint Cecilia's Church, located in Rockaway, NJ.  Congressman Chris Smith (R-4th District) of New Jersey, joined Dr. Alveda King in championing the cause for life at the Catholic church with a presentation that included video of the civil rights era and made a comparison to the civil rights of the unborn.

Dr. Alveda King and Congressman Chris Smith

Photograph by Loci B. Lenar

Dr. Alveda King is advocating to prevent abortion from being included in health care reform on a federal level.  Dr. Alveda King is also a Pastoral Associate of Priests for Life and Coordinator of the African-American Outreach.

Dr. Alveda King said, “We are living in turbulent times, but in the midst of these times, there is always hope and promise.”  Dr. King is encouraged in helping to make a difference with her cause in support of civil rights for the unborn.  She believes in working collectively to achieve bipartisan support on the issue.

Prayer to End Abortion 

Lord God, I thank you today for the gift of my life,

And for the lives of all my brothers and sisters.

I know there is nothing that destroys more life than abortion,

Yet I rejoice that you have conquered death

by the Resurrection of Your Son.

I am ready to do my part in ending abortion.

Today I commit myself

Never to be silent,

Never to be passive,

Never to be forgetful of the unborn.

I commit myself to be active in the pro-life movement,

And never to stop defending life

Until all my brothers and sisters are protected,

And our nation once again becomes

A nation with liberty and justice

Not just for some, but for all,

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen!

By Father Frank Pavone

National Director, Priests for Life

Photographs Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar

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