I have prayed at abortion mills in every one of the 50 states. It’s more than the First Amendment freedom of speech; it’s a matter of intervening to save lives.

That’s why I am rallying people to take part in the “40 Days for Life” campaign that is taking place during Lent and again in the Fall of 2008.

The “40 Days” effort is a time of repentance, prayer, activism, and presence at abortion facilities – in some places, around the clock. The campaign is based on the fact that abortion is a local phenomenon, and needs to be ended community by community. This can happen even before laws change. Presence at the mills slows business down. The biggest fear within the industry is not that abortion will become illegal, but that while fully legal, there will be no clinics or doctors to provide it. And constant presence at those places hastens their closing.

The pastoral team of Priests for Life has been visiting the cities that are conducting this effort, leading them in prayer and encouraging their activities. Priests for Life has also provided many of the daily prayer devotionals that are used by 40 Days participants.

Moreover, Priests for Life is making a special call to clergy to preach on abortion, to mobilize people to come in prayer to the abortion mills, and to promote our daily prayer campaign (www.PrayerCampaign.org). We have “matched” each existing abortion mill to a particular parish, so that each killing center has many parishes praying for it by name (see www.priestsforlife.org/mills).

From November 22-24, 2007, Fr. Frank Pavone and Anthony DeStefano represented Priests for Life in Rome at the Second World Congress of the Ecclesial Organizations Working for Justice and Peace, sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. Fr. Frank was invited to take part in the conference by Cardinal Renato Martino, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, and member of the Advisory Board of Priests for Life.

Priests for Life, in conjunction with the Family Research Council, invites all deacons, priests and pastors of all denominations to come to Washington DC for the “Watchmen on the Wall” briefing to be held from Wednesday evening May 7 through Friday luncheon, May 9 at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill. It includes an unforgettable Spiritual Heritage Tour of the US Capitol, and talks by some of the top religious leaders of the day. Just $99. See www.WatchmenEvents.org for more info.

The Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation (www.TerrisFight.org), in collaboration with Priests for Life, has announced the “International Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Terri Schindler Schiavo, and All of Our Vulnerable Brothers and Sisters” (“Terri’s Day”) to be observed each year on March 31, the anniversary of her death. We invite individuals to spend time on that day learning about Terri, and praying for all whose lives are threatened in the same way that hers was.
 
We invite Churches to hold memorial services and to educate their people on the dignity of every human life, despite disability or disease.
 
We invite educational institutions to help dispel the myths and inaccuracies about Terri’s life and death, and to contribute to a mature reflection on the ethical demands of caring for the weak and vulnerable.
 
We invite all people to use the resources on our website and to help us continue to draw good out of the sad and tragic way in which Terri was treated.
 
At www.priestsforlife.org/terri, you will find prayers, outlines for memorial services, homily hints, and other suggested activities for this important observance.

Priests for Life has designated the following Sundays in 2008  as National Voter Registration Sundays: April 20, June 29, and  September 7. We urge Churches of every denomination to give  their congregations the opportunity to vote by having voter  registration forms at Church.
 
“This is not about partisan politics. This is about involvement as  citizens in self-government and involvement as Christians in renewing  the culture,” explained Fr. Frank Pavone. “It is completely legal and  perfectly appropriate that in the very places where people hear the  Word of God telling them to make the world a better place, they be  given one of the simplest tools to do that. Unless the Church enables  Christians to exercise their citizenship, the Church risks becoming  marginalized and irrelevant.”
 
Learn how to conduct Voter Registration Sundays at  www.priestsforlife.org/vote. See additional resources at  www.PoliticalResponsibility.org.

Prayer Intentions

You are encouraged to remember the following intentions as you pray the Liturgy of the Hours:

MARCH INTENTION: For pro-life organizations which are just starting.

APRIL INTENTION: That homilies on life issues will inspire listeners to effective action.

You can order at our online store at www.priestsforlife.org/store!  
Or order from: Priests for Life, P.O. Box 141172, Staten Island, NY 10314
Or fax it to (718) 980-3900
Or Email: orders@priestsforlife.org.
 

New Resource!
The Theology of Abortion
By Fr. Frank Pavone
How does a Christian evaluate abortion in the light of Scripture, the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, and other key tenets of our faith? This booklet explores those questions. Great gift especially for pastors, seminarians, students and teachers of theology… 80 pages; soft cover.

The Cross and the People of Life
 - 2 CD set

On Good Friday of 2007, Fr. Frank Pavone preached the Seven Last Words at Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, CT. Weaving the themes of the Passion and the pro-life cause, Fr. Frank gives a Biblically based, stirring call to draw strength from the cross to advance the Gospel of Life. This CD set also includes his homily at the Liturgy of the Passion.

A Life That Matters
Terri’s family – the people who loved her and knew her best – tell the story not only of the 15 years that Terri struggled to stay alive but of a gentle child who brought happiness to everyone she touched. A Life that Matters separates lies from truth, myth from facts, and politics from people. It challenges us to hear the words and feel the emotions of this warm and intensely private family.

Terri’s Final Hours
Hear Fr. Frank Pavone’s stirring “Reflections on Terri Schiavo” – A forty-minute talk on CD.

Voting with a Clear Conscience – Revised!
By Fr. Frank Pavone

When you vote in this year’s elections, do so with a clear conscience! This 47 page pocket size booklet will tell you how. This booklet meets all legal requirements for distribution by Churches and other 501 (c)(3) organizations.