Respect Life News
For more information please contact the Respect Life Coordinator Katherine Miller at ksmillerhome@verizon.net.
For more information please contact the Respect Life Coordinator Katherine Miller at ksmillerhome@verizon.net.
The Abortion Amendment is Not Yet a Reality and We Cannot Let It Become One! Sadly, the Maryland House of Delegates voted to accept two bills that expand abortion access and force Maryland taxpayer to pay for all abortions by large margins (93-42 and 89-47 respectively). The bills are:
- HB1171 Declaration of Rights - Right to Reproductive Liberty - Women in Maryland already have reproductive freedom. What is new is that making abortion a “fundamental right” in Maryland’s constitution will: remove all restrictions on abortion (even late-term or partial birth abortion), guarantee public funding of ALL abortions, compel physicians, hospitals and other healthcare providers to participate in abortion, in violation of their rights of conscience and free exercise of religion, and bar all future attempts to pass lifesaving legislation that would restrict when abortions could be performed.
- HB0937/SB0890 Abortion Care Access Act commits public funding ($3.5 million) for abortion training and eliminates the requirement that abortions are performed under the supervision of a licensed medical physician.
The bills are now with the Maryland Senate Finance Committee for discussion/vote and then go to the full Senate for a vote. This is our last chance to stop these bills. If the HB1171 passes both chambers by a 3/5’s vote, then the amendment only needs to be ratified by the simple majority of people voting on the question in November. The question that would be placed on the ballot makes no mention of abortion. The proposed referendum question (as set forth in the bill):
The proposed amendment confirms an individual’s fundamental right to the individual’s own reproductive liberty and provides the State may not, directly or indirectly, deny, burden, or abridge the right unless justified by a compelling State interest achieved by the least restrictive means.
The concern is that, since we have a dishonest press, people would not know what they are voting for. If you find it shocking, like we did, please email or CALL to your legislators and the committee members and let them know that you want them to vote NO on these bills. Then share this with friends and family and pastors to ask them to join you in being a VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS by visiting MDRTL.ORG and selecting the Take Action Button. The site provides your representatives contact info along with scripts you can use if you would like.
Tent Prayer Revival for Life on Saturday, March 19 from 3PM - 5PM. There will be an Ol’Fashion tent meeting behind Planned Parenthood (located at 929 West Street) on Smithville Street in Annapolis to Praise and Worship the Lord, Listen to Pastors/Believers Testimonies and Cry Out to the Lord for Life. Dr. Haywood Robinson, Former Abortionist and Current 40 Days for Life Medical Director will speak to us in person. For more information, contact Katherine Miller @ksmillerhome@verizon.net / 410-991-1597.
40 Days for Life Spring Campaign Runs from March 2 to April 10th (Palm Sunday) – Please join Holy Family and be a Voice for the Vulnerable pre-born babies and their mothers, by praying and fasting to end abortion! Please stand vigil and pray with us outside Planned Parenthood of Annapolis for an hour during these 40 days. This peaceful prayer vigil runs daily 7 am - 7 pm, and Holy Family covers two hours each week: Friday, 11 am to noon and Friday, 2 to 3 pm. Depending on the number who show up for the hour we split up and stand at the Front and back of the building. There is parking on Smithfield Street at the back of PP between 9 and 3. As the social and political environment is becoming more hostile to life, it is critical to to anchor ourselves to the Lord and put our efforts towards, praying, fasting, outreach and be God's hand and feet in defense of the voiceless pre-born babies and their mothers. For questions contact Katherine Miller @ksmillerhome@verizon.net / 410-991-1597. See 40daysforlife.com/annapolis for maps, parking details, to sign up for a different hour and other information.
WHY SHOULD I PRAY AT PLANNED PARENTHOOD?
BECAUSE IT BRINGS THE LOVE OF CHRIST TO WOMEN WHO ARE IN CRISIS
Our world is difficult and challenging, and many women, when they are with child, are stressed. To know that people are praying about this issue—not judging but praying—has been a comfort to some women who have seen the “40 Days” participants praying on West Street outside of the Annapolis Planned Parenthood, and at other prayer vigils across the nation. How do we know this? They have approached us and told us… that, far from feeling judged or criticized, they took heart at knowing that other people cared.
BECAUSE IT HELPS PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT THEY HAVE OPTIONS
Did you know that 78.3% of women experienced “pressure” to abort their babies, 58.3% chose abortion “to make others happy” and 66% said they knew they were making a mistake? The Annapolis Pregnancy Clinic (at 934 West Street) across the street from Planned Parenthood of Annapolis, offers sonograms, ongoing counseling, and financial/other assistance, to women who are pregnant. If you talk to someone who is considering an abortion, you have more than just “good will” to offer women who are under pressure and afraid. You can turn them to a large group of caring and loving people—at the Annapolis Pregnancy Clinic—who want to help them.
BECAUSE A CHILD IN THE WOMB IS A CHILD OF GOD
Through public witness, we can help people remember that a child’s life is sacred. Abortion is an emotional issue, and one that can bring up hurtful memories for men and women who have been involved in an abortion. For healing after an abortion contact www.project-rachel.net.
Natural Family Planning
Sara Shaffer, CNM
and Tracie Severson
Learn how these methods can positively impact your marriage and spiritual life.
You will learn about the science behind and the effectiveness of several methods of NFP.
Sara and Tracie are Holy Family parishioners and members of the Respect Life Committee.
For more information contact Sara Shaffer at sarashaff@gmail.com.
Sara Shaffer, CNM
and Tracie Severson
Learn how these methods can positively impact your marriage and spiritual life.
You will learn about the science behind and the effectiveness of several methods of NFP.
Sara and Tracie are Holy Family parishioners and members of the Respect Life Committee.
For more information contact Sara Shaffer at sarashaff@gmail.com.