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- Newsletters -
Lent - Easter 2007 Apostles for Life is a Catholic lay initiative to inspire and support pro-life prayer, education and action in conformity with the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. We publish bi-monthly and distribute free to anyone who works and prays that the Gospel of Life will flourish. We have a wide range of information on many pro-life topics and want to share with whoever is open to hear the pro-life message. Donations are welcome. Editor: Angela Martello, PO Box 831, Lismore 2480 Email: 25angela@apostlesforlifesite.org
Dear friends, We are already in the wonderful month of March. It is a very big month for us in that we celebrate not only the feast day of the foster father of our Lord Jesus, Saint Joseph, but one week later, the very conception of Our Lord and Saviour, who came to us through the FIAT of our Blessed Mother, Mary, and took the form a Child in the womb of His Mother. From the moment of her words: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word, (Luke 1:38) the world changed forever. God first came to live among us as an unborn child. We in the pro-life apostolate remember this when we celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation (25th). See page 5 for Sydney celebration. Is your parish doing something special on that day?
Meanwhile we are now in Lent, as we prepare for the greatest season of the year, the Easter Season. Our Blessed Lord gave us His Flesh to eat and His Blood to drink, He gave his very Life for us on the cross and on the third day He rose from the Dead. How great is our religion and how small our faith! His Victory over death makes it possible for us to be free from the slavery of sin, and it enables us to take up the fight against the evil one who is already under the heel of Virgin, for it is by her seed, Jesus Christ, that the woman crushes the serpent's head (Genesis 3:15). May you celebrate all the great feasts with a sense of awe and of great joy. A Happy and Holy Easter Season Angela ~~~~~~~~ Be a Hero, Save a Whale; Save a Baby, Go To Jail. Graham Preston of Protect Life jailed again for pro-life action 16 February 2007 A comment from his wife, Liz Preston e-mail: contact@protect-life.info Recently I spoke with a woman whose teenage daughter was pregnant. She was convinced that the only sensible way forward was for her daughter to have an abortion. The timing was wrong, the relationship was very uncertain, the finances were too tight, her daughter’s future education or job was in jeopardy, she would lose her friends as she would not be able to do all the things teenagers do and anyway how would the teenager and she, (her mother!) cope with a baby. She understood there were some risks but they were outweighed by the inconvenience of this child (she called the baby a ‘baby’.) She understood that there could be joy but couldn’t see that it was going to work – she was just hoping that her daughter would see things sensibly too. Ever since we heard about the rescues/sit-ins I knew we were to go down this path. However in my mind and heart there were some obstacles that took some time to hurdle. Interestingly my obstacles were very similar to those of the woman above. There’s never a good time to do it. There would be strains on our family’s relationships. Perhaps the finances would be a struggle. What of the future? There are other good things that could be done. How would others react? In short how would we cope? I finally came to a point of acceptance, trusting in God for the future, not expecting everything to be fine but trusting that he is here with us. Once we had accepted that endeavouring to protect children through the rescues was the way for us to go and that at this point it was to be Graham who did the actions, the possibility of him spending time in jail became real. The same obstacles came up in my mind again. There is never a good time to go to jail. How would our relationship fare? There are too many other (worthwhile) things to be doing. What would people think? In short how would we cope? In spite of these challenges I felt convicted that, if I am endeavouring to encourage women to do something that could cost them in many ways, how can I not be willing to face those same challenges and costs. I don’t believe that God calls everyone to act as we are acting. However, just as the woman I met recently would find much joy amongst the challenges if she acted to let her grandchild live, there is great joy and peace in doing what one is called to do, in amongst the challenges. Please support Graham and Liz with you prayers and moral support. Graham is on remand till 27th April. You can write (send an Easter card) to Graham at Woodford. Receiving letters and corresponding are the highlight of the day!! Do not send stamps or writing paper as they are not accepted. Please address letters to John Preston (his second name is Graham so don’t use that!) Woodford Correctional Centre PMB 1 Woodford QLD 4514 You can read his writings: “Do ‘rescues’ at abortion clinics just add to the problems?” http://www.apostlesforlifesite.org/200610_newsletters.htm And from behind bars: “In For Life” http://www.apostlesforlifesite.org/2005_11_newsletters.htm ~~~~~~~~ That’s True, She Said; You Never Forget On Saturday 24th February, I had hoped to rise at 6 a.m. so that I could make my way by two buses to join my daughter Miriam, along with other Helpers of God’s Precious Infants who witness, pray and counsel outside the abortion “clinic” at Salisbury Road Camperdown between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. each Saturday. I slept in and so by the time I dressed and had a bite to eat it was already 8 a.m. I had phoned the transport agency to check my route, bus numbers and times. I got to the city where I hopped on the bus whose number I had been given. A young woman moved over so I could be seated. She was dressed in black, and had dyed black spiky short hair, and an ugly devil tattooed on her right forearm. I felt a pang of compassion for a young person who so identified with evil that she had been tattooed with its main protagonist. I also felt a shiver of fear and started to say Hail Mary’s while wondering if she would actually be able to feel the power of prayer and act out against it. Then I thought to myself that I needed to invoke Saint Michael, which I did with utter sincerity. I hoped that I would be protected all the way to the clinic. Then the bus turned up a street that I knew would not lead me to my destination, so I quickly rose and hopped off the bus. I must say that I was never so pleased to have been on the wrong one, and I was relieved to be off it.
While we finished praying the Sorrowful Mysteries the lone man got in his car and drove away. We began to pray the Precious Blood Way of the Cross. At about the seventh station, a car abruptly pulled into the space in front of us; there was a small boy in the back seat and the young woman driver jumped out and stood in front of us and began to verbally lambaste us: Who do we think we are? What rights have we to make people feel bad? Etcetera. My eyes met hers, so I beckoned her to come with me, away from the praying group, in the hope of engaging her in conversation. She responded to my call. She asked me: What makes you people think that you have all the answers to all the world’s problems? I assured her that we certainly didn’t believe that, but that we were very concerned that in that building over the road babies are being killed. This she knew already, of course, but at least she heard the message that, for some people at least, it is a source of anguish. I felt that she took that on board, strange as it might seem to her. I also asked her how she would react if she knew that the little boy sitting in the back seat of her car was going to be killed. Wouldn’t she react in some way? She didn’t answer me directly, but she said: I just know that whatever I say, you are going to have an answer ready. I agreed with her on that, at least I hoped that I would have. It seemed to be almost a source of irritation to her that we people are so sure of ourselves. She seemed to regret that she did not have that surety. But, she said, when women come here they have already decided what is best for them. I disagreed: it is often the case that the child’s father or grandparents have made a firm decision with which she is not entirely in agreement, and sometimes she is forced into it. Sometimes she feels that she has no other choice and we are there to give her a choice, that she has up till now been denied. We are prepared to do anything to help that woman to be able keep her baby. I explained that, although it is true the majority of women refuse to accept our offers of help, even if one woman should turn back and save her child, all our efforts will be worthwhile. I explained there are many women who want nothing more than to be offered a last minute reprieve from going through what will be undoubtedly the worst experience of their lives. She agreed with me that no woman wants to have an abortion. She said, it is a terrible thing to have an unwanted pregnancy. I said that for every pregnancy there are difficulties of one kind or another; but at the end you will have the joy of a new life, whereas at the end of an abortion you will have only emptiness and grief. Many women do not suffer at all after abortion, she said. I said that although for many women, abortion may give an immediate feeling of relief, there are old ladies in nursing homes who go in search of their babies whom, deep down, they have never forgotten. That’s true, she said; you never forget. But, she said, some women suicide because of their situation. No, it’s not true that suicide is a problem for women who go ahead with a difficult pregnancy. Actually it is women who have abortions who are prone to suicide and all sorts of other mental health problems. The research bears it out without a doubt; though that research is not readily published. Then I told her about the recent New Zealand study by a so-called “pro-choice” researcher. (See: Abortion Causes Mental Disorders: New Zealand Study May Require Doctors to Do Fewer Abortions http://www.afterabortion.info/news/Fergusson.htm ) She seemed to mind less that we “had all the answers” at least to her questions on abortion. You are lucky to have the Faith, were her last words to me. There was a prayer sheet lying on the ground, which she graciously picked up and handed to Jane, who commented to me later that she had left smiling. Please remember to pray for “Michaela” with the devil tattoo; and for “Donna” that she will continue to seek and to find, and that the door of Faith (and forgiveness?) will be opened for her. ~~~~~~~~ DAY OF THE UNBORN CHILD
ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL Commemorating the Feast of the Annunciation: 12noon Gather inside St. Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, to pray the Angelus led by Bishop Porteous (following the usual 10.30 High Mass) Followed by prayerful Street Procession 1.30pm Conclude with Benediction at the Cathedral Celebrant: Bishop Julian Porteous
~~~~~~~~ “Certain fashions will be introduced that will offend Our Lord very much.” Our Lady of Fatima, 1917. Are you concerned when you see young women and even small girls wearing fashions that draw attention to and reveal their bodies, rather than concealing, as clothing is meant to do. And the Lord God made for Adam and his wife, garments of skins, and clothed them (Genesis 3:21.) I recently came across a set of two CD’s called Immodesty, the Seductive Fashion. Based on the writings of Fr Bernard Kunkel who died in 1969 (R.I.P.), it is an eye-opener and a mine of useful information and warnings of the dangers of falling into grave mortal sin in the way we dress. It is also on the internet at http://cora.dashjr.org/trad/modesty.html and the CD’s are available through the Australian Catholic Truth Society which has been born again in Brisbane http://www.acts1.info/ An excellent book has also been published: Dressing with Dignity by Colleen Hammond. In this ground-breaking book, Colleen Hammond challenges today’s fashions and provides you the information you need to protect yourself and your loved ones from the onslaught of tasteless, immodest clothing. Colleen Hammond shares real-life examples of how women can accentuate the grace and beauty of their femininity, and she shows that modest definitely does not mean frumpy !! DRESSING WITH DIGNITY covers it all .
- Specific documents about manners of dress from the Magisterium, the Popes and the Saints. - How to talk to your daughters about the privilege of femininity so they will want to dress with dignity. - How to awaken chivalry in men and be treated with respect. - How to regain and teach the lost charm of interior and exterior femininity - An Outfit Test that helps you understand the impact of your clothing choices. - How to dress in an attractive, dignified, and classy manner (according to your state in life). - How to inexpensively update your wardrobe and give it style, polish, and distinction. - Comprehensive guidelines for choosing tasteful attire. There is a difference between dressing attractively, and dressing to attract, and with Colleen’s help, you’ll be able to dress fashionable while still maintaining your dignity! $13.20 + postage from Christian Art and Wisdom 3 Gladswood Ave South Penrith NSW 2750 PH (02) 47 362442 Sales enquiries: sales@christianart.com.au ~~~~~~~~ New South Wales State Election 24th March 2007 You Wouldn't Even Ask This article is from Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life. It’s good clear advice to keep in mind when we go to the polls. http://www.priestsforlife.org/elections/wouldntask.htm If a candidate who supported terrorism asked for your vote, would you say, "I disagree with you on terrorism, but where do you stand on other issues?" I doubt it. In fact, if a terrorism sympathizer presented him/herself for your vote, you would immediately know that such a position disqualifies the candidate for public office -- no matter how good he or she may be on other issues. The horror of terrorism dwarfs whatever good might be found in the candidate's plan for housing, education, or health care. Regarding those plans, you wouldn't even ask. So why do so many people say, "This candidate favors legal abortion. I disagree. But I'm voting for this person because she has good ideas about health care (or some other issue)." Such a position makes no sense whatsoever, unless one is completely blind to the violence of abortion. That, of course, is the problem. But we need only see what abortion looks like, or read descriptions from the abortionists themselves, and the evidence is clear. Abortion is no less violent than terrorism. Any candidate who says abortion should be kept legal disqualifies him/herself from public service. We need look no further, we need pay no attention to what that candidate says on other issues. Support for abortion is enough for us to decide not to vote for such a person. "Above all, the common outcry, which is justly made on behalf of human rights —for example, the right to health, to home, to work, to family, to culture — is false and illusory if the right to life, the most basic and fundamental right and the condition for all other personal rights, is not defended with maximum determination" (John Paul II Christifideles Laici, 1988). False and illusory. Those are strong and clear words that call for our further reflection. "I stand for adequate and comprehensive health care." So far, so good. But as soon as you say that a procedure that tears the arms off little babies is part of "health care," then your understanding of the term "health care" is obviously quite different from the actual meaning of the words. In short, you lose credibility. Your claim to health care is "illusory." It sounds good, but is in fact destructive, because it masks an act of violence. "My plan for adequate housing will succeed." Fine. But what are houses for, if not for people to live in them? If you allow the killing of the children who would otherwise live in those houses, how am I supposed to get excited by your housing project? It's easy to get confused by all the arguments in an election year. But if you start by asking where candidates stand on abortion, you can eliminate a lot of other questions you needn't even ask. ~~~~~~~ You can check who is standing in your electorate by phoning 1300 135 736. Before you vote find out by asking crucial questions about life: Will you use your vote in the Legaslative Assembly • to protect the unborn child? • to oppose the legalisation of euthanasia? • to oppose legalisation of human cloning? It is important to let candidates know that these questions are foremost when it comes to casting votes. ~~~~~~~~ A note about EMILY's List Australia EMILY's List is a political network formed to increase the number of women Labor parliamentarians who are “pro choice”. The aim of EMILY's List is not so much to get women into Parliament but to get pro-abortion women into government. It is not necessary to belong to the Labor party to get support from EMILY's List. Keep your eye on this page: http://www.emilyslist.org.au/candidates/candidates.asp?id=nsw It will be progressively updated as more candidates profiles become available. NSW Recommended Candidates The women listed below sound good if you read their profiles but they have one thing in common. Only two of them express their support for abortion on the EMILY’s List website, but even if their profile makes no mention of it, they all support the right of women to kill their babies. Linda Beattie – Standing in Willoughby Nicole Campbell - Standing in Epping – “strongly supports the principles of pro-choice. Nicole's opponent is Greg Smith; strident anti-abortionist, anti-feminist as well as the former President of NSW Right to Life Association. Greg Smith is a flag-bearer for the right wing extremists that have taken over the NSW Liberals. “I don't believe his extreme moral agenda is representative of the Epping electorate”, says Nicole.” Wilma Chinnock - Standing in Bega Meryl Dillon - Standing in Barwon Sonia Hornery - Standing in Wallsend Denise McHugh - Standing in Tamworth Michelle Miran - Standing in South Coast Alison Rahill - Standing in Vaucluse Linda Scott - Standing in Sydney Tabitha Winton - Standing in North Shore – for Decriminalisation of abortion Hon Carmel Tebutt - Member for Marrickville
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amartello@apostlesforlifesite.org
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Apostles
for Life News 
Eventually I got on the right
bus and asked the driver to let me know when we were in Salisbury Road. I must
say that he was about the rudest and grumpiest driver I have ever encountered,
though he did fulfill my request. I hopped off my third bus and made my way to
the “clinic”, greeted the counselors along the front of the building and its
carpark, then crossed the road to join the pray-ers. There were a couple with
their two little boys and two other women; they were just starting the Sorrowful
Mysteries of the Rosary. There was also an elderly man, seated on a small
fold-up stool praying alone apart from the group. We all faced towards the front
of the clinic. Immediately in front of us a car was parked with its window wound
down and a Divine Mercy sticker on the back window, obviously belonging to one
of the group. 
Sunday
25TH MARCH 2007 
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The history and forces behind the changes in fashion 
