Abortion StatisticsSomewhere in America, a baby will be aborted every 20 seconds through surgical abortion and every 3 seconds through chemical abortion. Over 4,000 babies are aborted every day. More than 1/3 of our next generation is destroyed every year. As of 2008, over 48,000,000 babies have died from abortion in America alone, since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, which legalized abortion in every state.
Statistics tell us that 1 in 4 American women have had at least 1 abortion. This means that each one of us most likely knows someone who has been involved in an abortion experience – this includes our daughters, sons, co-workers, friends or relatives.
“Black Genocide Must Be Stopped! – Abortion is the leading cause of death in the African American community, killing more people than HIV-AIDS, cancer, heart disease, and all other deaths combined…”
Source: HLA Action News – Volume 30, Number 4, Summer 2008
Let us never stop fighting and praying for these precious little ones and their families.
Respect Life FactIn the miniscule body of an embryo, in the first stages of life, we “may see and almost touch the hand of God… The Love of God does not make distinctions between the newly conceived infant, still in his or her mother’s womb, the baby, the youth, the grown adult, or the elderly because in each of them He sees the sign of His own image and likeness.”
Pope Benedict XVI (speech on 2/27/06 to the international congress on “The Human Embryo Before Implantation.”) (National Catholic Register, 3/12-3/18/06)
“Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary.” – Pope Benedict XVI
Office of Family Life Resources
Pregnancy Loss Resources – Available online at www.arlingtondiocese.org/familylife/pregnancyloss.php including templates for a “Mass of Healing” for families who have experienced pregnancy loss: still-births, ectopic pregnancies, miscarriages, and abortions. Free bulk copies of the brochure entitled, “Mourning the Loss of a Child” are also available upon request. If you would like more information and/or assistance, please contact the Family Life office at (703) 841-2755.
Men & Abortion – The 2nd National “Men and Abortion” Conference, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, had 150 people attending from 27 states and 4 countries. Articles and a video testimony from the event can be found at: www.arlingtondiocese.org/familylife/menandabortion.php. Arthur Shostak, author of Men and Abortion, is featured in one of the blogs. His book is available FREE of charge from the Office for Family Life, along with copies of the brochures entitled, “For Men Only,” by calling (703) 841-2755.
Advance Medical Directives (Living Wills) – The Advance Medical Directive (AMD) is a simple two-part document (including an optional organ donation authorization) that can be filled out for use by all Catholics – whether young or old, healthy or dying. The Directive is a legal instrument, authorized by and meeting the requirements of the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Recent changes to the AMD can be found on the Errata Sheet.
The AMD is available at the St. Leo’s Rectory Office
John Paul II and His New Instruction on the Faith by Rev. Richard Hogan
A Practical Application of John Paul II’s Theology of the Body by Mrs. Gerri Laird
A Reflection on the Thoughts of Pope John Paul II (4-CD set of 12 lectures)
Contact the Office of Family Life for prices (see website link under “Pro-Life Websites.”
Stem Cell Research Resources
Stem Cell Research by Our Sunday Visitor, .20 each.
Stem Cell Research, Cloning & Human Embryos by Family Research Council, $1.50 each.
Human Cloning & the Abuse of Science by Family Research Council, .50 each.
Cutting Through the Spin on Stem Cells and Cloning (DVD) by Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk has an in-depth exploration of Church teachings. 77 min., $12 each.
The Human Experiment (Video) by the Family Life Office, 25 min., $9 each
Matching Gifts for Gabriel Project & Project RachelMany employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions made by their employees. To find out if your company has a matching gift policy, please visit: www.matchinggifts.com