FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW YORK, February 25 - Terri's Foundation and Priests for Life are happy to announce that Ave Maria University will host “The National Mass for Terri’s Day” at the Ave Maria Oratory at Ave Maria University, located near Naples, Florida.
Father Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, will be the main celebrant, along with Father Thomas Euteneuer, President of Human Life International.
Priests for Life and Terri’s Foundation established the "International Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Terri Schindler Schiavo, and All of Our Vulnerable Brothers and Sisters" (“Terri’s Day”) last year. Its purpose is to foster education, prayer, and activism regarding discrimination against the disabled, and advocacy for people in situations similar to what Terri and her family faced so that no one will again suffer as she did. Terri’s Day is recognized each year on March 31st, the date of Terri’s death.
“As we just witnessed with Italy’s Eluana Englaro’s tragic death by dehydration, people with disabilities, like my sister Terri, are routinely being denied their most basic rights. These cases are spreading like a virus and my family is committed to stopping this form of discrimination against people with disabilities,” noted Terri’s brother Bobby Schindler.
In addition, it is critical to raise the awareness of the potential threat of hospital "ethics committees" across the country that are seeking to remove food and water even from those who are not terminally ill. Indeed, in all but ten states doctors and hospitals have been empowered to disregard advance directives when they call for treatment, food or fluids.
All are invited to attend “The National Mass for Terri’s Day” on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 5:15 PM ET. Address: Ave Maria University 5050 Ave Maria Boulevard, Ave Maria, FL 34142-9505
You can visit Terri's Foundation ( www.TerrisFight.org ) and Priests for Life (www.priestsforlife.org) to learn more about defending the vulnerable. The website www.TerrisDay.org also provides suggestions for observing Terri’s Day.
Terri's Foundation is dedicated to promoting the Culture of Life, embracing the true meaning of compassion by opposing the practice of euthanasia.
Priests for Life is the nation's largest Catholic pro-life organization dedicated to ending abortion and euthanasia. For more information, visit www.priestsforlife.org.