Pope John Paul II has declared a Year of the Eucharist to begin this
October. The Church, during this special year, will meditate upon, celebrate,
worship and proclaim the great gift of the Lord's Body and Blood.
The Eucharist, in its essence, is Life, because it is Christ Himself.
Over the years, Priests for Life has prepared numerous resources reflecting on
the relationship between the Eucharist and our pro-life commitment. We have
brochures, prayers, and even the music video "This is My Body." This
material can be used in your parish for pro-life holy hours, educational groups,
and other events throughout the Year of the Eucharist. For more information, see
www.priestsforlife.org/eucharist
The pro-life commitment is Eucharistic; the Eucharistic commitment is
pro-life
Sacrament of Faith -- If we can see Jesus in the tiny Host, we can see him
in every human person, including the tiny unborn child.
Sacrament of Unity -- The Eucharist draws us all to Jesus, and therefore all
to one another in one body. While abortion divides the human family, the
Eucharist unites it, making us members of one another.
Sacrament of Perfect Worship -- The attitude of "pro-choice" is that my
choices belong to me. The attitude of worship, which reaches its summit in the
Eucharist, is that all our choices are submitted to Jesus, our King, and true
freedom is found only in him.
Sacrament of Life -- The Eucharist is the victory of life. "Dying you
destroyed our death" -- and also the death of every unborn child. The Eucharist
destroys the power of abortion.
Sacrament of Love -- Love says, "I sacrifice myself for the good of the
other." Abortion says, "I sacrifice the other for the good of myself." Abortion
is the opposite of love. The same words are used for both: This is my body.
Cardinal Renato Martino joins Board of Priests for
Life, Comments on Voting
Priests for Life is happy to announce that His Eminence Cardinal Renato
Martino, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace at the
Vatican, has joined the Episcopal Board of Priests for Life. "Cardinal Martino
has been a long-time friend of our ministry," explained Fr. Frank Pavone,
National Director. "I was privileged to get to know him when he served as the
Holy Father's representative at the United Nations and I was serving at the
Vatican's Pontifical Council for the Family. Then, when we opened our new
headquarters, he honored us by coming to bless our building. We have always had
the benefit of his wise counsel and long experience. We look forward to
continued fruitful collaboration."
Cardinal Martino was the 2002 recipient of the National Right to Life
Committee's "Proudly Pro-life Award." The other Catholic clergy who have
received that award over the years are Cardinal John O'Connor (1994), Bishop
James McHugh (2000), and Fr. Frank Pavone (2001).
In May of this year, Priests for Life interviewed Cardinal Martino in Rome on
the subject of the political responsibility of Catholics. Here are some excerpts
of the Cardinal's remarks.
" The Church must always take up the prophetic role and be ready and
willing to comment in the political sphere whenever and where ever the necessity
arises. This does not mean that the Church should involve itself directly in the
political debate but the Church must always be like "the voice crying in the
wilderness"… The Church teaches that we must be involved in the political life
around us. We must call upon our governments to promote and protect our lives
and provide us with peace, justice and security.
"…A Catholic or anyone with a well formed conscience, a well formed
understanding of right and wrong; good and evil can NEVER vote for a political
program or law 'which contradicts the fundamental contents of faith and morals'.
"As in the case of Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher and so many like them
through the ages, …a Catholic politician or a Catholic voter cannot separate
himself or herself from his or her moral responsibility. You cannot choose when
and where to be Catholic and that includes political life and voter
responsibility.
"It is in the voting booth and the ballot that the average citizen can
exercise that involvement, not only in the political life of their
neighbourhood, city or nation but also to become involved in assuring, as
Blessed Pope John told us, 'that every institution, whether economic, social,
cultural or political ...facilitate man's self betterment.'
"What better motivation can we have to be involved or become more active in
the making our societies, our world a better place? And what could be easier
than being an informed voter? Voting is a right and as well as a duty but it is
also essential to be informed and to vote as your heart and your conscience tell
you.
"The Holy Father speaks of the protection of life as the fundamental
realization and respect for human rights. Without that realization, without that
respect for the right to life, no other discussion of human rights can continue;
it must be based upon the foundation of human dignity and the right to life.
"In my time at the United Nations, the Delegation stressed that relationship
and interconnectedness between recognition of human dignity, the right to life
and the protection of other human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Unfortunately, there are too many people, delegations, states that refuse to
discuss that human dignity, they refuse to recognize that gift that binds all
human beings together."
EWTN Series on Elections 2004
During the six weeks before Election Day, The Eternal Word Television Network
(EWTN) will air six special programs to help prepare Catholics for our national
elections to be held on November 2. This series features interviews of Vatican
officials, commentary on the teachings of our bishops, and a clear affirmation
that the right to life is the number one issue in determining which
candidates to elect. This series is action-oriented. You will learn what
you need to do, not only to cast your vote, but to influence thousands of
votes! For information on air dates, and bulletin announcements, visit
www.priestsforlife.org/elections.
Priests for Life Expands Television Outreach
to New Audiences
We are proud to announce a new television series, produced by our ecumenical
branch, Gospel of Life Ministries. The program "Gospel of Life" will air
on the Sky Angel network, reaching new audiences of millions of Christians. Dr.
Paul Schenck, who recently joined the Priests for Life team, serves as Executive
Director of Gospel of Life and co-host of the program, together with Fr. Frank
Pavone and Janet Morana. You can use the announcement below to publicize this
new program! Visit the Sky Angel website, or call the number below, to find out
how you can receive the programs.
PRIESTS FOR LIFE presents
"GOSPEL OF LIFE"
A new pro-life television series airing every
Monday at 3:30 AM Eastern
Thursday at 8:30AM Eastern and
Saturday at 7:30 PM Eastern
on Angel One on the Sky Angel Satellite System
To learn more about how to get our program and other Sky Angel Christ-centered
programming, visit
"Los católicos estadounidenses han buscado
por mucho tiempo asimilarse a la vida cultural de este país. Pero al asimilarse,
hemos sido frecuentemente totalmente "dirigidos". Hemos sido cambiados
demasiado por nuestra cultura, y no la hemos cambiado lo suficiente. Si
somos levadura, debemos llevar todo el Evangelio a nuestra cultura, un
Evangelio de vida y alegria. Eso es nuestra vocación de creyentes. Y no hay
un mejor sitio para empezar que con la promoción de la belleza y la santidad de
la vida humana." ( Los Obispos Católicos de E.E. U.U., Vivir el Evangelio de
la Vida, 1998, no.25).
Prayer Novena for America
Starting August 31, Priests for Life has launched a national prayer campaign
of nine weeks leading up to Election Day. Please sign up and commit to prayers,
Masses, Divine Mercy Chaplets, and days of fasting. The intention is that
believers will be active in voting, and that our nation will embrace a culture
of life. For more details, see www.priestsforlife.org/elections. Let us know
your prayer commitment by writing to Priests for Life Prayer Campaign, PO Box
141172, Staten Island, NY 10314.
Prayer Intentions
You are encouraged to remember the following intentions as you pray the
Liturgy of the Hours:
September intention: That both private and public schools may promote an
understanding of human rights that places the right to life at the center.
October intention: That God's people may use their privilege of voting as a
way to advance the Culture of Life.
Our Latest Products to Prepare you for
Election Day
____ Study Guide on Living the Gospel of Life ($13). (Includes a copy of
the document itself.) Use this guide in the final weeks before the election to
help your people understand the issues in the light of Church teaching. Product
#1598
____ Bulletin inserts for your parish (Free. Available on internet for
download -- English and Spanish -- see www.priestsforlife.org/elections)
____ Homily suggestions for the final weeks before election day (Free -- see
www.priestsforlife.org/elections)
____ Ten Responses to Pro-Abortion Politicians (Brochure --
$0.20 ea. -- Product #1659)
____ You Wouldn't Even Ask (Brochure about why the right to life is the
fundamental issue. -- $0.20 ea. -- Product #1671)
____ CD of radio spots on Political responsibility (Can be used for
broadcast, or to play at educational or spiritual gatherings -- $6.00 --
Catholic Version _______ #1660; General Christian Version ______ # 1650)
____ What does the Church Teach About Life Issues (Published by Liguori --
Clarifies the meaning of the "Consistent Ethic of Life" -- Great for parish
bookrack -- $1.00 each)
We need your help today!
November 2, Election Day, is approaching. We need your help
today! Contact us at vote@priestsforlife.org or call our election team at (718)
980-4400, ext. 297. You can sign up for election-related activities at
www.votersunday.org/join.php where an online form will allow you to indicate how
you can help.
Assistance is needed, and training is available, to
Help people to register to vote;
Help those who cannot get to the polls on Election Day to vote early;
Inform voters of the positions of candidates;
Inform Catholics of the teachings of our bishops on political
responsibility;
Get bulletin inserts into Church bulletins;
Promote our "Study Guide" of the bishops' document Living the Gospel of
Life;
Promote our television series on Elections 2004;
Monitor polling places to insure fair elections;
Distribute voter education information from door to door.
Now is the time! You can be sure that pro-abortion people are
mobilizing their forces to make sure that the killing chambers continue to
operate with the blessing of public officials. They know a lot is at stake,
since the next President and Senate will shape the next Supreme Court, which
will decide issues like abortion for the next generation. Do not think any
amount of time or help is too small. Contact us today and experience the joy of
letting your voice be heard and helping to make history as the Church fulfills
her mandate to renew the face of the earth!
Attention, Pastors! Inform your People of Candidates' Positions
through www.VotingInfo.org.
