It almost feels like a place has been taken from you, an opportunity to save a life right before your eyes. That's something hard to live with, especially when you know the person.

See, my friend's sister became pregnant not too long ago and I was very concerned because she has had abortions prior to this. I thought that since she has two children one a teenager and the other almost a teenager she would be able to handle this pregnancy. I offered all the support I could, I believed in her. She promised she would keep this baby and that she was ready for this baby even thought the father was not willing to participate. I kept in touch with both sisters, somewhere deep down inside I felt I couldn't trust them. Both of them have a history of abortion as a method of birth control but at the same time I also figured they were grown ups now with children. I went as far as to telling the two of them that if by chance abortion crossed her mind I would take the baby in as my own if the other sister couldn't.

Some time went by and one day I couldn't get her out of my mind. I decided to call her sister and ask her how she was doing, sadly she broke the news to me that her sister aborted the baby the day before. After all the advice, pleading, alternatives, even offering to raise this innocent baby as my own, the baby paid the ultimate sacrifice...he/she was murdered. I thought I was doing all the right things, but the devil was watching the whole time. He played his part, in her mind and in her heart.

I wonder how women go on living knowing that they could have had a child no matter the age. I have a facebook and I use most of it to inform people about the facts of abortion and to my amazement, people are more interested about what's for dinner or how many miles someone ran for the day. When it comes to reality it seems as though people are blinded or don't want to accept the truth. Ever since joining facebook, I've realized that people are more afraid of being judged on their likes and dislikes on this social network than they are about being judged by God.

It's so sad to see this truth, but it's a reality. The problem is I sense people aren't seeing it this way or denying it to themselves. For example: I have a close friend whose Catholic, goes to Church every Sunday, doesn't believe in Confession, tells me she does not believe in the Bible because it was man written, but she lives and breathes by the book "The Secret" ( a book that teaches you how to use the power of the universe to your advantage)...I don't get it, that book was very recently man written. I ask myself, "What is this world coming to?" Then I have to answer my own question, "Only God knows."

October 1, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - On Saturday, November 27th at St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate a “Vigil for All Nascent Human Life” coinciding with first vespers of the First Sunday of Advent.

The Holy Father has also requested that “all Diocesan Bishops (and their equivalent) of every particular church preside in analogous celebrations involving the faithful in their respective parishes, religious communities, associations and movements.”

Acknowledging that in the U.S. the Vigil falls on “Thanksgiving Weekend” and that many parishes have complicated Mass schedules on Saturday evenings, the USCCB provided four possible schemes for observing the vigil, which may include a Marian Procession, Evening Prayer, recitation of the Rosary, Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament.

The bishops say they will distribute customizable prayer guides, as well as a Rubric will for priests and liturgy directors.

"We are grateful to dioceses that have already made plans to celebrate this special Vigil in union with our Holy Father and the Church all around the world," said the bishops, who noted that more information is forthcoming.

Thanks to the election of Chris Christie as governor of New Jersey, Planned Parenthood's empire of death is shrinking. Using his power as governor, Christie vetoed funding for 'family planning'. As a result, PP-SNJ stands to lose as much as $160,000 in taxpayer funds. The abortion mill on Haddonfield Road in Cherry Hill will be the first to close.

After Christie cut the funding, the state legislature approved a bill to restore it on a 30-10 vote on the Senate, more than enough to override the veto. However, Republicans who supported the bill would not buck their party's governor by supporting the override vote. Although a majority of the Senate voted to restore the abortion businesses' funding, the Senate voted on a party-line 23-17 vote, well short of the two-thirds needed to override.

Although national news always seems to grab the headlines, state governors and legislators have the power to make a huge difference on the ground, if they have the will to use it. When you vote in this next election, don't forget the importance of pro-life state and local candidates.

In the recent California gay marriage decision, we have just seen a lawful election, in which a majority of Ca. voters, following all the rules, voted to amend their state constitution, overturned by one federal judge. Because he didn't like the result, he ruled that marriage between one man and one woman, an institution founded by God and practised all over the world for thousands of years, was bigoted and therefore invalid. If this ruling is allowed to stand and become precedent, which is entirely possible, what is to prevent other activist judges from overturning any election they please because the result goes against their own personal opinions?

Federal judges are appointed by the President, but must be confirmed by the Senate, and can be impeached by the Senate if they overstep their bounds. And that Senate is elected by us.

Since its inception, this country has been blessed by God in countless ways. People from all over the world continue to come here to find freedom and opportunity. But, like the Rome, the British Empire, and even the kingdoms of Judah and Israel, those blessings are not guaranteed indefinitely. If those blessings are to continue, we must take our responsibility as citizens seriously. Please take the time to prayerfully consider the candidates running in this November's election, and exercise your right and responsibility to vote.

Notice in the Aug. 1 bulletin of Maternity BVM Church:
"Kidney Donor Wanted
There is an urgent need for a man who is in renal failure and is in need of a kidney transplant. The donor must be in reasonably good health and have Type “O” Blood. The gentleman requiring the transplant is an aspirant in the Permanent Deaconate Program at St. Charles Seminary as well as a husband and a father. If anyone is interested or has any questions, please call Deacon John Hynes, 215- 968-2362."

A couple years ago, I donated a kidney myself. All you have to be is reasonably healthy. The hospital doing the transplant does lots of tests (and I do mean lots), all of which are free. You never have to pay for anything at all, and you can change your mind at any time with no hard feelings. My operation was done at Jefferson Hospital (1-888-955-TRAN (8926) ) and they treated me very well. I spent about a week in the hospital. It hurt the first week, but after that it was OK. I have a very physical job, so I had to stay home from work for 8 weeks. People with more sedentary occupations can get back to normal sooner. Donating a kidney leaves no ill effects on your health, and if, God forbid, you ever need a transplant yourself you go right to the top of the list.

People needing kidney transplants are on dialysis, which only works for so long. They are hooked up to a machine that filters their blood for several hours, usually 3 times a week. It is very draining, both physically and emotionally. Their liquid intake is severely restricted and there is always a danger of infection. Basically, their lives are taken over by their condition.

You can give someone their life back. You can donate to a specific individual, or you can do what's called an 'altruistic' donation to whoever needs it. you can learn more about the process at www.livingdonorsonline.org .

This year's nation-wide 40 DAYS FOR LIFE campaign will take place from September 22 to October 31, but it won't happen unless you help. Mark it on your calendars and pray for success. Find out what 40 Days for Life is all about, and exactly what's involved in conducting the 40 Days forLife campaign by downloading the"Campaign Overview Report" PDF document online at: http://www.40daysforlife.com/report. We'll keep you updated as the event approaches.

On July 10, 40 Days For Life sponsored a live webcast of 10 1-hour presentations of various aspects of the pro-life movement. They are all available for download here, or at EndingAbortion.com.

Individual sessions can be downloaded here:
The Case for Life
- Get a foundational pro-life education and learn why every human life is sacred, the developmental stages of a child in the womb, answers to common "pro-choice" arguments, and how to effectively articulate your pro-life position. Presented by Gianna Jessen, Abortion Survivor, Speaker ; Scott Klusendorf, Life Training Institute; and Dr. Haywood Robinson, Life Education and Resource Network.
The Abortion Crisis
- With more than 51 million children killed by abortion since Roe v. Wade, and millions of women wounded, learn how abortion was sold to America, understand the harm caused by abortion, and discover the dirty secrets the abortion industry covers up.Presented by Carol Everett, Former Abortion Facility Owner; David Kupelian, World Net Daily, Author; and Dr. Tony Levatino, Former Abortionist, Speaker .
Planned Parenthood's Abortion Empire
- Discover the shocking reality of Planned Parenthood -- America's largest abortion chain -- and learn the billion-dollar-a-year organization's troubling history, its racist roots, and the deadly agenda it is trying to impose on the world. Presented by Mark Crutcher, Life Dynamics; Abby Johnson, Former Planned Parenthood Director; Lila Rose, Live Action; and Jim Sedlak, American Life League, STOPP International.
The Power of Prayer
- Even though the magnitude of the abortion crisis is staggering, we know that "with God ALL THINGS are possible" -- even ending abortion. Learn how prayer can change hearts and minds, save lives, and impact eternal souls. Presented by Lou Engle, TheCall ; John Ensor, Heartbeat International, Author; and Rev. Tom Euteneuer, Human Life International.
Pregnancy Help Centers: Compassion in Action
- While the number of abortion facilities is rapidly declining, pregnancy help centers are spreading across the globe. Find out how these centers offer compassionate care, factual information, and life-saving help for mothers, fathers, and their children. Presented by Melinda Delahoyde, Care Net; Tom Glessner, NIFLA; and Peggy Hartshorn, Heartbeat International.
Saving Lives Outside Abortion Facilities
- From prayer vigils and peaceful demonstrations to effective sidewalk counseling, discover how you can "speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves" right outside of the centers where abortions are happening. Presented by Shawn Carney, 40 Days for Life; Eric Scheidler, Pro-Life Action League; Chris Slattery, Expectant Mother Care; and Wendy Wright, Concerned Women for America.
Hope & Healing for Post-Abortive Women & Men
- In addition to 51+ million babies killed by abortion, millions of women -- and men -- have been victimized. Get the facts about the pain caused by abortion, recovery and healing options, and the power of post-abortion testimonies. Presented by Theresa & Kevin Burke, Rachel's Vineyard; Georgette Forney, Silent No More Awareness; Allan Parker, Operation Outcry, The Justice Foundation; and Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life.
Legislative & Political Efforts
- Rather than sit back and wait for Washington bureaucrats to fix the abortion crisis, learn how YOU can positively impact the legislative and political process in your community, throughout your state, and across the nation. Presented by Marjorie Dannenfelser, Susan B. Anthony List; Tom McClusky, Family Research Council; and Charmaine Yoest, Americans United for Life.
Pro-Life Youth Advocacy
- Youth are not only the future of the pro-life movement, they are already helping to lead the charge in rebuilding a culture of life. Discover the latest cutting-edge strategies for educating, equipping, and empowering youth for the pro-life cause. Presented by Kristan Hawkins, Students for Life of America; Bryan Kemper, Stand True; Matt Lockett, Bound4LIFE; and Jim Nolan, Crossroads Pro-Life.
Influencing the Culture
- Find out how hearts and minds can be changed -- and lives can be saved -- as you positively influence the culture through innovative approaches to entertainment, the news media, minority outreach, technology, and much more. Presented by Jason Jones, Bella Hero; Alveda King, Niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Jill Stanek, Nurse, Columnist, Speaker, Blogger; and Eduardo Verastegui, Actor, Human Rights Advocate.

For the last 7 years or so, I have read so many NFP pamphlets in our Catholic Church racks across the board, that I am compelled to finally speak out….. I believe most of our bishops, priests, and lay people in the Catholic Church who have taken the liberty to teach NFP are in error and causing added confusion…Catholic’s do not, nor ever did plan their Children. Tradition on Faith and Moral can’t be changed it has already been defined and explained through scripture by the Early Church Fathers, Popes encyclicals, and saints well before Vatican ll. Vatican ll and any encyclicals thereafter are ONLY to explain in more depth the Traditional Teachings held previous…..Confirming but NEVER changing them and the GIFT of CHILDREN always was and always will be the PRIMARY reason for marriage…not UNITIVE. That’s where the unclear teaching has caused many to use NFP as Birth Control and without significant GRAVE REASON, this is a serious sin, even if not artificial! The end and means must be in accord with Traditional Catholic Teaching….anything in between is the devils work.

PERIODIC ABSTINENCE , previous called before Vatican ll, is ONLY to be used for GRAVE REASONS. And how do we come to this conclusion? Through prayer and by contacting a priest to guide us in doing GOD’S WILL, and not one that will agree with OUR WILL and not so GRAVE REASONS…and then only to be used during the duration of the GRAVE REASON, if the GRAVE REASON, persist, than with both spouses approval, that it would not lead either one into a more serious sin, must abstain INDEFINITELY , offering up this great sacrifice to God and for the good of the marriage. Of course, prayer being the root of their lives. For apart from God we can do nothing!

And is keeping charts, take temperatures, planning when or not when to have sexual relations, natural?….I don't think so, there is nothing Natural about Natural Family Planning. Instead of people in the Catholic Church teaching constantly about NFP, to engaged couples and young people alike, those in the Church should be teaching the Sacredness of the Sacrament of Marriage and the Blessings of Children. Instead of setting couples up in thinking before they even get married about not having children, they should be helping them deepen their Catholic Faith, relying on the Providence of God to give them all the necessary graces to stay true to their Marriage vows and for raising families of whatever size, God has PLANNED for THEM, even when it is difficult. There is just TOO much talk about Natural Family Planning, and it is NOT CATHOLIC! Since when have the words "Family Planning" become Catholic? It sounds like PLANNED PARENTHOOD, are they Catholic too? When we also, have those outside the Catholic Faith agreeing with NFP, a red flag should go up immediately, since when do most Catholic’s obeyed Catholic teaching, let alone Protestants? This is a watered down Teaching if any and we must help correct it, in whatever way we can, through letters, e-mails etc. We have taken the TRUST IN GOD out in our thinking and replacing it with TRUST IN OURSELVES.

…The word RESPONSIBLE PARENTING in the Catholic Catechism is not Catholic either…for a Catholic is being responsible ONLY when we are Faithful and Obedient to the TRUE TEACHINGS of the Catholic Faith already laid down for us by the ancient Church Fathers, Popes and Saints. Is it possible to change what was previous taught? We must test everything and anything modern since the Protestant Reformation and Vatican ll with TRADITION and if it isn’t the same, or it isn’t bringing us closer to being holy and perfect as our Heavenly Father is Perfect, it’s a false teaching or if not false a dangerous one that can lead us astray from the TRUE TEACHINGS, and put our souls at risk for hell. We must pray for the hierarchy and ourselves in the Catholic Church to get back to the TRUE TEACHINGS and correct these errors when we are given the opportunity.

I pray that not only married Catholic Couples, but All Catholic's start to embrace the TRUE teachings that have been handed down for over 2,000 years way before Vatican ll, because THE CATHOLIC FAITH didn’t begin with Vatican ll but began 2,000 years ago…… and the TRUE CATHOLIC TEACHING is and always will be, that Children are the PRIMARY, UNO, NUMBER ONE reason for marriage, a GIFT from GOD, whether they are OUR WILL or NOT!

*There has been NO fruits since the 1965 Teaching on NFP....

The average nuclear family, including Catholic's no longer consists of 2.4 children. Official figures show that today's woman has 1.64, the lowest average level of births since records began in 1924. National Family and Parenting Institute.

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you shall know them. Do men gather grapes off thorns, or figs off thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, and the bad tree bringeth forth bad fruit. A good tree cannot yield bad fruit, neither can a bad tree yield good fruit. Every tree that yieldeth not good fruit, shall be cut down, and shall be cast into the fire. Wherefore by your fruits you shall know them.

Comment from Marilyn Ablaza

Wow! What a powerful article! I could really sense your frustration with NFP teachings, especially coming from the Catholic Church. You've also helped me see a side to NFP that I've never noticed before. It's cunning how such a "plan" can seem like the right thing to do, but the devil is ever so cunning too! I would love it if this article could be placed in the weekly bulletin for the Church. I believe everyone deserves the right to be informed truthfully...not conveniently!

One of our most effective weapons against the evil of abortion is prayer. Prayer for the women facing a life-changing decision, prayer for the unborn children at risk, and prayer for the abortionists and their staffs. Many abortion doctors, nurses, and other staff have left the business because of the prayers of faithful Christians. You can see the testimonies of several of them here.

The abortionist at Planned Parenthood NE is a man named Dr. Charles Benjamin. He is a gynecologist, with 32 years experience. He was educated at the Phila. College of Osteopathic Medicine, and did his residencies at Albert Einstein Medical Center and the College Of Medicine Of Yeshiva University. Like all God's children, Dr. Benjamin has the potential to change his ways and be a blessing to the world. Please make it a point to pray frequently for him, that God will give him the gift of faith and the grace of conversion.

One has to think…is it right to be Catholic and Pro-Choice? It makes no sense, its complete hypocrisy. Catholicism teaches that Life is given to us by God. For God has said, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you”. (Jer. 1:5) No one is entitled to choose whether or not an unborn child should come into this world. However, there are some “Catholics” that support Pro- choice. Some Pro-Lifers believe that it’s okay to have an abortion if the child was conceived due to rape. We have to remember, the baby is innocent of any crime. We have to consider the victim’s feelings of course, that’s why there’s adoption, counseling and other resources available. Unfortunately, most victims are unaware of these services. They feel there’s no way out and abortion is the only way.

Hypocrisy is becoming more and more widespread in the Catholic Church when it comes to this issue. How do I know this? Because people let it be known such as, politicians, friends, family, and the list goes on. I’ve come across people whose reaction to abortion is almost always the same. As long as they live their life “right”, they don’t care what others do, even if that means murdering babies. I wonder how they can sleep at night when there’s a modern day genocide happening at a rate of approximately 3,500 babies a day in the U.S. alone!

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but, no one is entitled to decide if a child of God is to live or be murdered. I believe that you can’t be both; Catholic and Pro-Choice. You’re either one or the other. That’s why I find myself questioning the faith of people as they enter the Church, listen to the Homily and receive Communion. Do they contemplate the word of God that’s being spoken? Or do they just go to fulfill a task? Believe it or not, some babies murdered due to abortion come from Catholic families. Not to say that all Catholics are Pro-Choice, but there are some out there. There’s no such thing as being Catholic to your convenience. When did God come down from Heaven and change the rules? If He did I surely missed it! That being said, what are YOU, Pro-Life or Pro-Choice? If you’re confused I hope you will see the light. If not, I hope you can help someone else understand that you have to choose Life not Hypocrisy.

Comment from Joyce Williams

Your article was very well spoken and your faithfulness to the Catholic Faith is commended. We as Baptized Catholic's have a MORAL OBLIGATION to know our Faith...we must test everything and search through Oral and Sacred Tradition those TRUTHS that have been handed down to us from the Apostles, Early Church Fathers and Saints, well before the Protestant Reformation and even before Vatican ll!! Our Catholic Faith did NOT start there, but 2,000 years ago ...and believe me, if Catholic's had been taught and were LIVING out these TRUTHS ....there NEVER would have been a ROE v. WADE...because there would have been an outcry of Catholic's world over that would have rose to the occasion! So, for those of us today, who want change in our Government and Church, our task has doubled. We MUST not only STAND UP and SPEAK OUT on Abortion Issues, for Abortion is the just one of the many EFFECTS, but for the LACK of AUTHENTIC CATHOLIC teaching over the past half century which has helped contribute to this evil.

My Precious Little Girl,
I have created you and it is I who have given you the gift of life. So do not think that it is you who have created the child whom you are carrying. The little one whom you are bearing is mine. I love you so tenderly, and the little one tenderly, too. If you have been hurt, know that I, too, have been hurt. Do you realize that your little child, too, has a soul and a spirit that will live eternally, and you have been chosen to bring this child to the light of day for me. It is my will for this child to live, just as it is my will for you to live. But I have given you free will because love cannot be demanded.

So, if you cannot have this child, I want you to bring it to birth and then you can give it back to me, for I have others who want so much to care for my little ones for me. But do not destroy this child of mine. If you need help, call one of my servants because they, too, care about your baby. They will love you both with my love. And remember that you and the child have my eternal love. I died that you and the child might live.

In our overly feminized and pc culture, we are continuously bombarded with the unspoken assumption that men are, at best, not necessary, and at worst, potential predators. On TV, fathers are routinely portrayed as dolts.(Think Homer Simpson) And sadly, ever since Adam wimped out on Eve, far too many of us have lived down to these low expectations.

In fact, men are called by God to be the leaders of our families. Just as women are created by God to be nurturers, mem are called to be the primary providers and protectors for the women and children in our lives. The apostle Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians "Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her ". Remember the final scenes of the original Titanic movie? The men sacraficed themselves by remaining on board so the women and children could survive.

Women today are being brutalized by the abortion industry, their lives haunted by remorse . Children are being murdered in the name of choice. Today's Christian men need to step up to the plate in their defense. Every day of the week, there are public prayer vigils outside of abortion clinics all over the Philadelphia area. Find one near you, or start one on your own, and make it an important part of your week. There are crisis pregnancy centers that need your material support. And there are the souls of the abortionists and their victims that need your prayers.

Action, support, and prayer. Show our women that they are not alone.

Woman often decide to have a life altering procedure called a Tubal Ligation after having a few children, sometimes one. Once this procedure is done the sperm that needs to travel through the fallopian tube and reach the egg can’t gain access because the fallopian tubes have been tied or clamped or sometimes just cut off. When women decide to do this, they are very emotional and don’t give it intensive thought. Remember, most of these procedures happen right after childbirth, and as far as I know for the most part not many women want to think about giving birth again at that moment or even after the next couple of days. Anyway, women go ahead and continue with the procedure as planned.

What they don’t have at the time is professional counseling to determine if this woman is truly prepared to give up her ability to conceive for the rest of her life. At such a time, there should be counselors provided to make sure the decision is the right one and it’s not due to the pain experienced from the very recent childbirth or that she’s not being pressured into doing it. So in goes the woman and lets a doctor rid her of the most important thing; the organs that help her conceive naturally.

The problem is that this procedure is almost like abortion. No, you’re not murdering a baby in the womb, but you are getting rid of the potential of having any more children. Every time you are sexually intimate with your loved one and you’re “fixed”, all those potential babies have nowhere to go, so the human body just disposes of them. Different from abortion visually, but in this case it's millions that didn’t get a chance.

We’ll never know what one of those tiny little sperm cells combined with your egg would’ve become. Maybe, president of the United States, possibly the one who finds a cure for cancer, maybe even someone so great and loved that people will listen to and change their worldly ways because of him/her.

There are other resources, like Natural Family Planning. Unfortunately, I wasn’t aware of these types of services and chose to go for the tubal ligation. I say with all sincerity, it’s the biggest mistake I’ve ever made in my life. I’m full of regret for making this choice. I had no support at the time and didn’t know any better. Now I want a baby with everything I have, I guess that’s the price I pay for committing such a sin. I’m sure there are many women out there that feel the same way. That’s why I believe there should be a time period before the decision is made along with counseling. I regret my decision, don’t regret yours.