A Tale of Two Marches: First hand account

"It was the best of time; it was the worst of times" Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

How can a march that gave a voice for those who couldn't speak turn into a demonstration of privilege, abortion, and toxic feminism?

That is the question I have ponder the last few days when I attended the March for Life and the Women's March. After a heart to heart conversation with my mother (always eager to know about my travels), I felt like I had to write something comparing both of these marches. I encourage everyone who reads this post to pray for the conversion of those involved with abortion and for an end to both toxic feminism and masculinity that is dividing our culture.

March for Life January 18th 2019

I attended with 650,000 attendees who gave a voice to the voiceless (the unborn). As I took in the procession heading towards the Supreme Courthouse, I heard from the marchers singing, praying, and most importantly chants for the defense of life. They all were smiling and full of life.

Women's March January 19th 2019

The next day our nation's capital goes from a march for the voiceless to a march of being privileged and part of the walking dead. When I stood in downtown DC to watch tens of thousands of women take to the streets with abortion, anti-Trump, and even religious bigotry signs, my heart sunk. Why has our culture turned a blind-eye with apathy towards our neighbors? The Women's March was nothing but a parade for the walking dead and hypocrites in our culture who bought the counterfeit.

Even a brave small group of pro-lifers who countered the event received hatred from the participants to the point that they had to censor the anti-abortion signs. Two participants even claimed that I was brainwashed. One disclosed how she aborted two  children because she "was not ready for a child", but she became an adopted mother later in life.

We have much work that needs to done if we want to change the culture. The good news is that we have God and truth on our side.

To be combatant against this culture of death, selfishness, apathy, and even brokenness we must be equipped with love, mercy, and hope. The pro-life movement is one of love. Love conquers all. 

Pro Life Summer Reading List

 

It is that time of the year where we all go to the beach, the mountains, take a flight to another city, picnic in the middle of nowhere, and going where the roads will lead us.

I have put together a top 10 (plus a few honorable mentions) pro life summer reading list that can help keep promoting and learning from many pro-life heroes of the past while also polishing up on pro-life dialogue and also learning how to defend life form the moment conception until natural death.

1) Persuasive Pro-Life Trent Horn

Published in 2014 and using first hand experience during campus visits, CatholicAnswers.com's own Trent Horn shares first hand some of the dos and don'ts in engaging and challenging pro-choicers' viewpoints.

2) Unplanned Abby Johnson

Once a rising star for Planned Parenthood, Abby Johnson saw firsthand a defenseless life being killed by an ultrasound guided abortion in 2009. She recalled the times she saw volunteers for 40 Days for Life pray in front of her work at Bryan, TX. It would soon lead her to be a pro life advocate and a Catholic convert.

3) Single Candles Brendan Lyons

West Chester, PA native Brendan Lyons writes  a series of narratives form a chain of events that link several characters, all of whom demonstrate compassion and bravery in their commitment to the sanctity of life. In one piece, a senator defies his own political party; in another, a neonatal surgeon is asked to compromise her principles. Although the stories are fictional, the passion that informs the characters’ conviction is very real.

4) Rising with Roses Monique Ruberu

Dr. Monique Ruberu thought she was pro-life until she realized that she was prescribing birth control. Because of the help of many pro-lifers in Philadelphia, she reverted back to her Catholic faith and now promotes Natural Family Planning.

5) A Voice for Victoria: A memoir of healing from post-abortion trauma- Geraldine F Jacobs

A Voice for Victoria shares the author's journey toward understanding how childhood messages and current events played a part in her abortion decision and path to healing from post-abortion trauma through God’s forgiveness.

6) The Future of Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia Neil Gorsuch

Neil Gorsuch thoroughly assesses the strengths and weaknesses of leading contemporary ethical arguments for assisted suicide and euthanasia. He would argue against the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicie while using Netherlands and Oregon as prime examples. 

7) Johnny Got His Gun Dalton Trumbo

This anti-war novel, written in 1938, shares how a WWI solider who wakes up from his hospital bed with no limbs and half destroyed face. After his wishes of showing the country of the horrors of wars, he reflects on the realities and myths of war.

8) All Quiet on the Western Front-  Erich Maria Remarque

A German veteran of WW1 recounts the physical and mental stress while fighting in the war. It also shares  how detach from civilian life they were following the war's end. 

9) Racketeer For Life Joe Scheidler

A former monk recalls his early involvement in the pro-life movement. He has debated media personalities, politicians, abortion workers, and even fought the culture of death at the Supreme Court.

10) Gosnell: The Untold Story of America's Most Prolific Serial Killer- Ann McElhinney

Ann McElhinney details everything that happen inside of Kermit Gosnell's house of horrors in the Mantua neighborhood of West Philadelphia. Even advocates on both sides were horrified at the heinous committed by the most notorious serial killer of the abortion industry.

Honorable mention:

Love Unleashes Life Stephanie Gray

Stephanie offers a fresh approach to abortion dialogue. This time reaching the heart and minds of abortion minded people.

You Carried Me: A Daughter's Memoir Melissa Ohden

Melissa Ohden shares first hand how she survived a saline abortion attempt. Learning at the age of fourteen, she went on a journey to search for her biological parents. She would soon have a change of heart.

Bernard Nathanson

Aborting America- shares how he changed his views on abortion.

The Hand of God- Dr. Nathanson hared how he found God and began promoting life after performing 61,000 abortions, including his own son.

40 Days for Life- David Bereit

Started as a small group outside of the Planned Parenthood in Bryan, TX, this life-changing endeavor recalls how it has converted workers, changed hearts, and shut the doors of abortion facilities with prayer, love, and fasting.

Humanae Vitae- Pope Paul VI

Written in 1968 and celebrating 50 years, the encyclical Humanae Vitae is an eye-opening read written by Pope Paul VI as he foretells the repercussions of a society that accepts sexual promiscuity, abortion on-demand, and artificial birth control.

Hard list to put together, for sure. However, there are many pro life books to read such as any written by Scott Klusendorf, Ron Paul, Fr. Frank Pavone, Janet Morena, Janet Smithand so many more. 

LET'S CELEBRATE MOTHER'S DAY WITHOUT THE POLITICS THIS YEAR: MOTHERHOOD IS A "DIVINE BOND"

"Of all the women's rights given to us by God, being a mother is the most magnificent. Let us thank God as we 'Celebrate Motherhood.'" - Alveda King

By Dr. Alveda King's Blog Priests for Life
Breaking Christian News

For some, the call to Motherhood is biological; adoption beckons others; and beyond these important roles, God calls some to be "spiritual" moms. It is my prayer that we as human beings will set aside all political platforms this season, and just give thanks to God for the gift of mothers. 

While it's true that every woman isn't a mother, it can be understood that every mother is a woman. Furthermore, everyone who has been born, past, and present; all of us, male and female, were birthed by a mother.

"When Jesus therefore saw his [biological] mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, Jesus said unto his [supernatural birth] mother, 'Woman, behold thy Son!' Then Jesus said to the disciple, 'Behold thy mother!' And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home." John 19:26-27

We can see from this passage that the role of mother opens doors to many possibilities.

This year on Mothers' Day, women who are also mothers will be celebrated around the world. As mothers, we walk different spiritual paths. We are enjoying different seasons of life. What brings us together in celebration is this divine bond called Motherhood. 

Of all the women's rights given to us by God, being a mother is the most magnificent. Parenting has been said to be the great equalizer connecting us beyond race, religion, social status and income level. What joins us together now and forever is that we are all in the same human tribe: Born of One Blood. (Acts 17:26)

"Adam named his wife Eve, because she was the mother of all human beings." Genesis 3:20 (GNT)

"Children are a gift from God." Psalm 127:3

"Her children rise up and call her blessed." Proverbs 31:28

Of course, everyone living is special in God's eyes; yet on this special day we honor our mothers; past, present and future.

The awesome power within the bodies and hearts of women to bring children into this world and nurture them by birth or adoption is miraculously within humanity to acknowledge and celebrate. The career of Motherhood has a never-ending salary valued at: "Priceless." Of all the women's rights given to us by God, being a mother is the most magnificent. Let us thank God as we "Celebrate Motherhood."

Website: Breaking Christian News

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Pregnant, need help or know someone who does?  

National Hotline: Call 1-800-712-HELP or Text 'HELPLINE' to 313131.
In Southeast Penna:  Call the Community Women's Center at  215-826-8090

If you or someone you know is suffering after abortion, confidential non-judgmental help is available.  Call Project Rachel's national toll-free number 888-456-HOPE (4673) or visit hopeafterabortion.org.