The Holy Cross and Our Lady of Sorrows
What would it be like to watch your child be tortured and killed, and to feel like you were virtually all alone?
In addition to the evil and the abandonment which our Lord clearly suffered, the pain and suffering of our Lady seem too much to imagine. To sit and watch, and to feel that there was no one who cared about defending the innocent....
This past week--which was so closely linked to the 10th anniversary of 9/11 for our nation--the Church celebrated both the mystery of the Holy Cross and the sorrows endured by the Blessed Virgin as she entered so deeply into the death of Innocence and Life. There is no easy answer to the question of why bad things happen to good people, but the fact that God himself let the worst of things happen to his only Son certainly means that the Lord stands in solidarity with all those who suffer.
He asks us, however, to stand in solidarity with those who suffer as well. There are many ways to do this, but please allow me to finish by asking two questions....
Have you written the Department of Health and Human Services yet regarding the mandate on contraception (including abortifacients) and the restrictive definition of "religious employer"? We need as many people as possible to take this stand and to help get the HHS "Interim rules" revised in a way that affords genuine respect for conscience and religious liberty. For more information, please see: http://www.usccb.org/about/pro-life-activities/preventive-services-backgrounder.cfm.
Have you signed up for the 40 Days for Life campaign, or made a commitment to pray for an end to abortion at your home or parish? Please check out the following: http://www.40daysforlife.com/aurora-il/ or http://www.40daysforlife.com/downersgrove/
Have you ever considered participating in a "Life Chain"? For more information, see our website: http://www.dioceseofjoliet.org/life/documents/LifeChains2011_000.pdf
Thank you for taking up your Cross, whatever that might be, and for offering your prayers and sacrifices for the conversion of hearts and minds in our country and around the world. Isn't that a great way to console our Sorrowful Mother?
In Christ's Peace,
David
Youth Rally and Mass Registration
Important changes have been made regarding ticket registration for the “2012 Youth Rally and Mass” at either the Verizon Center or DC Armory. This year, all tickets must be obtained through your home diocese. The Joliet Diocesan Life Office is the appointed liaison for this purpose. If you will be participating in our Diocesan pilgrimage, there is no need to call, however, if you plan to travel to Washington with another group not sponsored by the Life Office, you will need to contact us to reserve tickets in order to be admitted to the rally. All requests for tickets must be submitted by October 1st. We will have a limited number of tickets available on a first come first served basis. Please call JoAnne at 815-834-4075 for more information or to reserve tickets.
Saturday, September 17, 9:00 AM: Monthly Protest at Planned Parenthood: Join the protest at Planned Parenthood, 3051 E. New York Street. Picket signs will be provided. These monthly protests punctuate the ongoing Life Support effort, offering prayer and assistance for Planned Parenthood clients every hour the facility is open. For further information visit http://fvfapp.org.
Saturday, September, 17, 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Waterleaf Women’s Center “Fall Festival for Life”: Featuring hay rides, inflatables, games, and a huge 10-acre corn maze! The event will take place on the grounds of Marmion Abbey Farms, 850 Butterfield Rd., Aurora. Tickets are $7.00 special advanced ticket pricing! Call (630) 701-6270 for more information or visit www.waterleafwc.org.
Tuesday, September 20, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Webinar – Threats to the Lives of People with Disability, Part II: Physician Assisted Suicide: Presenters: Richard Doerflinger, Associate Director, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities; Fr. Dan Mindling, OFM Cap., Theologian, Academic Dean, Mount St. Mary’s Seminary; Sr. Janice McGrane, SSJ, author, national presenter, disability advocate. Moderator: Jerry Freewalt, Program Director, Office of Social Concerns, Diocese of Columbus. Live Internet Seminars Registration opens August 1 at www.ncpd.org. *Please note the Diocese is an Affiliate Member of NCPD, so when the registration asks for that information mark “YES” – which then allows you to participate in the webinar for free.
Thursday, September 22, 5:30 PM – Reception, 6:30 PM – Dinner and Program, Aid for Women Annual Benefit Dinner: Featuring Keynote Speaker, Marjorie Dannenfelser, President and Chairman of the Board of the Susan B. Anthony List, a national organization dedicated to helping elect pro-life candidates and educating voters on pro-life issues. Presentation of the Presidium Vitae Award to Vicki Thorn, founder of Project Rachel and the Executive Director of the National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation & Healing. Invocation by the Most Reverend Francis J. Kane. The benefit dinner will take place at The Union League Club of Chicago, 65 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago. Tickets are $150 per person. For further information and to purchase tickets please call Aid for Women at (312) 621-1100.
Friday, September 23 & Saturday, September 24, National Catholic Bioethics Center Fall Two-Day Seminars: Two-day seminars are designed to assist health care professionals, pro-life workers, clergy, and others with a clear understanding of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services and their application to clinical cases. Seminars are taught by NCBC staff and other noted professionals. This seminar will be held at the Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, KS. Continuing education credits are available for doctors, nurses, and chaplains. For additional information on these programs, visit the NCBC website at www.ncbcenter.org or call Julie Kelley at (215) 877-2660.
Sunday, September 25, 12:00 Noon – 8:00 PM, LIFEapalooza 2011: The Crusaders for Life Club in Lombard, is hosting their 2nd Annual LIFEapalooza, a picnic for pro-life teens and young adults to bond over food, sports, and unforgettable fun. Bring all your pro-life friends! Crusaders for Life will be selling t-shirts and accepting donations for the pro-life cause, but otherwise the event is entirely free. LIFEapalooza will be held at the Madison Meadow Park in Lombard. More information, including map and directions can be found at http://generationsforlife.org/lifeapalooza2011/
Wednesday, September 28 – Sunday, November 6, Forty Days for Life
40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life campaign that has already mobilized over 400,000 people worldwide, saved more than 4,300 lives from abortion, led to the conversion of 52 abortion workers, and seen 13 abortion facilities close. 40 Days for Life is made up of three components:
Prayer and Fasting: believers throughout our city are invited to join together for 40 days of fervent prayer and fasting for an end to abortion.
Peaceful Vigil: stand for life during a 40-day peaceful public witness outside an abortion clinic.
The Community Outreach: help take a positive, upbeat pro-life message to every corner of our city through media efforts, advocacy, and public visibility.
40 Days for Life will take place at the following clinics in the Diocese of Joliet:
Access Health Center, 1700 75th Street, Downers Grove, Illinois 60516
Learn how you can speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves in Downers Grove by contacting Caron (630) 484-7274 or Kim (847) 651-6649.
Planned Parenthood, 3051 E. New York Street, Aurora, IL 60504
Learn how you can speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves in Aurora by contacting Mary Ellen O’Rourke (630) 747-6474.
Wednesday, September 28, 8:30 AM - Mass, 40 Days for Life Kick-Off: All are welcome to come to Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 1500 Brookdale Rd., Naperville. Following Mass the Rosary will be prayed outside the Planned Parenthood, 3051 E. New York Street, Aurora. For further information, please contact Mary Ellen O’Rourke by email at marymoolah@hotmail.com.
Thursday, September 29 – Friday, October 7, MULTINATIONAL PRO-LIFE NOVENA FOR UNBORN BABIES is a special 9 days Novena for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to be offered and the Rosary to be prayed. The intention for all Masses and Rosaries is offered for the protection of unborn human persons. You may be a part by doing one or both of the following: Offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass or pray the Rosary on each day. Registration information, a bulletin insert/poster, a bulletin announcement, etc. can be found at www.SaintMichaelTheArchangelOrganization.org. Persons who do not have access to a computer may request information by writing: Saint Michael the Archangel Organization, PO Box 41257, Memphis, Tennessee 38174. (Please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope if you live in the USA.)
Friday, September 30, 6:30 PM – Reception, 7:30 PM - Dinner, The 39th Annual Illinois Citizens for Life Benefit Dinner: The guest speaker will be Rebecca Kiessling, who was conceived when her mother was raped and who is the author of the 1976 pamphlet “Conceived in Rape: A Story of Hope”. Rebecca has appeared on numerous television shows and works as a family law attorney specializing in adoption cases. Her website is www.rebeccakiessling.com. She has a compelling story to tell. This event will be held at the Carlisle, 435 W. Butterfield Rd., Lombard. The donation is $70 per person, ($80.00 at the door), $650 for a table of ten, $35 for clergy and students. For reservations (required) please contact Illinois Citizens for Life at (630) 852-5448, or email icl@icl-life.com. Three lucky winners will be “adopted” by the ICL Angel who will refund the price of their ticket!
Saturday, October 1 & Sunday, October 2, 10 AM – 6 PM, Illinois Right to Life Pro-Life weekend at Pumpkin Fest 2011: Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm, 17250 S. Weber Road, Lockport, IL 60441. Siegel’s Pumpkin Farm offers fun for all ages with their cornfield mazes, hayrack rides, haunted barn, wagon train ride, petting zoo, kiddie train, and much more. Bring your entire family to this FUN-raising event! Individual tickets are $14 each (Children under 3 are free) Purchases of 25 or more tickers are $13 each. Tickets purchased from Illinois Right to Life are good for either day. For more information call (312) 422- 9300.
Sunday, October 2, RESPECT LIFE SUNDAY
Sunday, October 2, LIFE CHAIN, 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
(except where other times noted)
AURORA – New York St. at Oakhurst Dr. (Planned Parenthood)
Contact: Chuck Jones (630) 896-3826
DARIEN/WOODRIDGE/DOWNERS GROVE – 75TH St. west of Lemont Rd
Contact: Betty Girdwain (630) 963-0654 or (630) 718-2121
GLEN ELLYN – Roosevelt Road at Finley Road
Contact: Carol Wright (630) 469-2165
HINSDALE – York Rd. south of Ogden Ave.
Contact: Maureen Sager (708) 352-5834
JOLIET – Six Corners (Intersection of Raynor/Black Road and Rt. 30) by the University of St. Francis.
Contact: Karen Hatfield (815)744-6339
LISLE – Ogden Ave at Main St.
Contact: Carole Gassett (630) 960-2916
NAPERVILLE – Ogden Ave. at Washington
Contact: JoAnne Mehon (630) 357-6876
NEW LENOX – Cedar Road at Rt. 30 (waiting for confirmation)
Contact: Melinda Grundhofer (815) 424-0371
WOOD DALE – Advantage Clinic, 203 E. Irving Park Road
Contact: Mary Stuhr (630) 250-7521
NOTE: Sunday, October 2, 2011 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
BRAIDWOOD – Route 53 at Route 113
Contact: Linda Hanahan (815) 458-0014 or (815) 790-8316
Saturday, October 8, 7 PM: Knights of Columbus Good Shepherd Council #5573 presents John Truncali – “The Man with Many Voices”; Rick Saucedo – “Elvis, The Legend Lives On”; and Denny Diamond – “A Tribute to Neil Diamond”: Proceeds from this event will go towards purchasing an ultra-sound machine for a local pregnancy center. This event will take place at St. Mary Immaculate Parish, 15629 South Rt. 59, Plainfield. Tickets are on sale now! Seating is limited, so order your tickets early! To order tickets or for more information call (709) 456-7089 or visit www.kofc5573.org.
Sunday, October 9, Life Chain, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM: Rt. 47 (Division St.) from Main St. to Benton St., signs at 118 E. Jefferson St., Morris, IL . Contact: Marilou Warrick (815) 942-5575 or (815) 942-4047 or Renee Zettek (815) 941-9121
Sunday, October 9, 6 PM: 2nd Annual St. Jude Respect Life Prayer Service: All are welcome to join the Prayer service which will be led Fr. Don Bates, OSA, at Planned Parenthood, located at 3051 E. New York Street, Aurora, IL 60504. A caravan will leave St. Jude, 241 W. Second Ave., New Lenox parking lot at 4:45 PM. For further information please contact St. Jude Parish Office at (815) 485-8049 or Doris at (815) 463-0941.
Friday, October 14 & Saturday, October 15, National Catholic Bioethics Center Fall Two-Day Seminars: Two-day seminars are designed to assist health care professionals, pro-life workers, clergy, and others with a clear understanding of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services and their application to clinical cases. Seminars are taught by NCBC staff and other noted professionals. This seminar will be held at the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Philadelphia, PA. Continuing education credits are available for doctors, nurses, and chaplains. For additional information on these programs, visit the NCBC website at www.ncbcenter.org or call Julie Kelley at (215) 877-2660.
Saturday, October 15, 9:00 AM: Monthly Protest at Planned Parenthood: Join the protest at Planned Parenthood, 3051 E. New York Street. Picket signs will be provided. These monthly protests punctuate the ongoing Life Support effort, offering prayer and assistance for Planned Parenthood clients every hour the facility is open. For further information visit http://fvfapp.org.
Sunday, October 16, Cocktails - 4:30 PM, Dinner – 5:30 PM, Archdiocese of Chicago Chastity Education Initiative Benefit Dinner: Leah Darrow, former model and reality TV star from the show American’s Next Top Model, will give the keynote address. She will share her moving testimony and stick around Chicago for a 3 day modesty/chastity speaking tour. This event is being held at Drury Lane. For full details visit: www.RespectLifeChicago.org.
Monday, October 26 – Thursday, October 29, Healing Vision – Understanding the Aftermath of Abortion: The conference is for anyone with an interest in post-abortion healing, people running ministries or programs, mental health professionals, drug and alcohol counselors, medical professionals, clergy of all denominations and interested others. The conference will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Speakers include Henry Venter, who will speak about pseudo-recovery and authentic recovery; Anne Speckhard PH.D., a pioneer in this work and world renowned traumatologist who did research on abortion’s aftermath in Eastern Europe; Althea Hayton, who is an abortion survivor and runs the website www.wombtwin.com; Greg Lester, Ph. D., who will be the banquet speaker Friday evening speaking about self-care and will also speak about personality disorders; Kathleen Gray, founder of the Centre for Reproductive Loss in Montreal and author of Grieving Reproductive Loss: The Healing Process (Death, Value and Meaning), Vincent Rue, Ph.D. Catherine Coyle, Ph. D., both pioneers. Men’s grief will be addressed as well and touch on healing in the African American Community. Friday will have tracks for Project Rachel with Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, KS as the keynote. Workshops on specific topics will be presented on Friday for those not involved in Project Rachel. For further information on this conference please visit www.healingvision.info.
Saturday, November 5, 6:00 PM - Cocktails, 7:00 PM – Diner, Choices for Life Banquet: Join a night of fun and support for Woman’s Choice Services as they celebrate their mission of helping mothers in need. Featured guest is David Bereit, 40 Days for Life National Campaign Director. David Bereit became an outspoken pro-life advocate after Planned Parenthood announced plans to build an abortion clinic in his Texas town in 1998. He helped to build a local grassroots coalition that rallied 60 churches and thousands of people together and dramatically reduced abortions in the region. Today his pro-life work has been featured in the media hundreds of times, including coverage on Fox News, HBO, ABC, NBC and CBS television stations, numerous radio programs, and in over 100 newspapers across the country. The banquet is being held at Drury Lane, Oakbrook. You may purchase tickets online at www.isupportwcs.com or by calling (630) 261-9564.
Monday, November 7, 7:00 PM, “Pro-Life Means More Than You Think”: Carol Wright will be speaking at St. Joan of Arc, 820 Division St., Lisle, in the Parish Center. Carol will help explore how our traditional values and teachings of the Catholic Church are under attack. From the new regulations that will require us to pay for free birth control for everyone to the inevitable rationing of health care at the end of life. Human embryos are being destroyed in a futile effort to find cures that are already taking place with ethical adult stem cells. Become informed and involved. Please contact Carole Gassett at (630) 960-2916 with further questions.
Background on Carol Wright: Carol has been active in the pro-life movement for 39 years. She has president of Illinois Citizens for Life for five years, and currently is their Publicity Director. Carol also served on all levels of the Council of Catholic Women. She served twice on the Diocesan Board, and is currently serving on the Western DuPage Kendall Deanery Board (for the past 29 years). At a parish level, she is involved with the Catholic Council of Women, and is the Pro-life Coordinator at St. James the Apostle in Glen Ellyn. This November she will be married 50 years to Dan, and has eight children, all married, and thirty-two grandchildren, all living in the Chicago area.
Saturday, November 19, 9:00 AM: Monthly Protest at Planned Parenthood: Join the protest at Planned Parenthood, 3051 E. New York Street. Picket signs will be provided. These monthly protests punctuate the ongoing Life Support effort, offering prayer and assistance for Planned Parenthood clients every hour the facility is open. For further information visit http://fvfapp.org.
Enroll Now! Educational Opportunities in Health Care Ethics Begin This Fall. The NCBC (National Catholic Bioethics Center) offers educational programs designed for health care workers, chaplains, educators, and others who are interested in learning more about the Catholic moral tradition in health care. Up to 12 graduate credits now available. Visit their website for information on these popular programs at www.ncbcenter.org.
