Friday, March 25, 2005

This Good Friday - A Last Plea for Terri and A Plea for Divine Mercy

Dear Advocates for Innocent Life, As we remember the Ultimate Sacrifice. Here's a press release to read and then an action item if you feel lead to act. I have called and the folks are very nice. Also, remember the Divine Mercy Novena and Divine Mercy Chaplet begins today. It ends the Sunday after Easter: DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY, and we really need His Divine Mercy. I will have this at the end of the message for the last plea to save Terri. The EWTN website www.ewtn.com has wonderful information regarding this devotion. The kids don't mind it because it's short! There is an intention for each day and an indulgence that is attached. We need this extra measure of the Lord's Grace. By the way, I did testify yesterday in support of all four of the pro-life House Bills before the House Judiciary Committee. There needed to be a Catholic presence, to be silent would have been a sin of omission and I have enough of them. May God grant us peace as we watch helplessly as a sister in Christ dies of thrist. We remember you Lord, as you said "I thirst". You also said, "Father forgive them, they know not what they do." May those involved come to their senses before it's too late. God Bless you all and Happy Easter. Carolyn Wendell He said, "It is finished." And he bowed His head and gave up His Spirit." John 19:30 Press Release written by: Cheryl Ford RN, nurse activist and spokesperson Fight4Terri@aol.com March 25, 2005 1:00 PM ET Despite the hundreds of pieces of evidence from nurses, physicians, speech pathologists, physical therapists, attorneys, the DCF, along with more recent statements made by: • Expert/specialist Dr. George Eddington McClane, M.D. Director Forensic Medical Unit Department of the Family Justice Center City of San Diego, stating in writing.. " Terri Schiavo's condition is consistent with attempted strangulation. Her healthy heart functioning for the last 14 years is not consistent with a "heart attack from an eating disorder" having ever occurred. Disallowing replacement of the feeding tube in this woman is homicide. Critical facts in plain view must have time to be reviewed. This can be accomplished in 7 days. " • Evidence showing how Terri was fraudulently admitted into a hospice facility by Dr. Victor Gambone in April 2000, admitting in a 2002 evidentiary hearing Terri was placed in into a hospice because Michael Schiavo told him to do so; • Evidence how Victor Gambone and Medical Director William Moore had signed and written on Terri's chart in 4/11/2000 -- "based on the patient's diagnosis and current condition, I expect this patient has a limited life expectancy of (six) months or less, if disease continues to take its usual course, and hereby certify patient as eligible for hospice" ..Yet Terri was NOT and NEVER was terminal or diagnosed with any DISEASE giving her 6 months or less to live... • Despite Evidence that Terri's so called "wishes " were only hearsay and not written testimony of them by her estranged husband was never Admissible under Florida's evidence code under FS 90.602. • Despite the fact that Michael testified that he found Terri face down and rolled her over, yet Paramedics (according to St. Petersburg Police Report) found her face down. • Despite Evidence from NOBEL PRIZE nominee Dr. William Hammesfahr, expert neurologist giving a complete review of his extensive hands on exam of Terri. • Despite evidence that Michael Schiavo announced his engagement to Jodi Centonze and made two children with her, clearly showing that by FLA MARITAL LAW he is an adulterer and has deserted Terri as her husband. • Despite Evidence from several board-certified neurologists that Terri is not PVS and the affidavits of more than 40 physicians that she can be rehabilitated. • Evidence that Michael Schiavo filed a 1992 malpractice suit for 20 million dollars, and was awarded 1.7 million after convincing the jury he needed the money to care for his wife, but later after having the money in his hand placed a DNR on her chart and motioned the courts to remove her feeding tube • Despite evidence that Michael has been carrying on in affairs for almost as long as Terri has had her unexplained tragic accident • Despite the affidavit of nurse Carla who cared for Terri stating Michael tried to harm Terri. • Despite the statement from Michael's previous girlfriend Cyndi Shook stating Michael stalked her and did not care about Terri. • Despite the statement of the recent nurse, Nora Wagner who came forth from Woodside Hospice on March 21, 2005, stating she worked with Terri and Terri laughed at her jokes. (Note: Mrs. Wagner immediately was fired from her job for speaking up about Terri) • Despite recent statement by Dr. Chesire of the Mayo Clinic stating he did not believe Terri was in a PVS • Despite affidavit from Dr. Craddock stating Terri's 5 teeth were extracted due to dental neglect. • Despite the fact that Terri's husband (as her supposed legal guardian) denied her dental care for more than 10 years. • Despite Terri never been allowed her OWN legal representation or DUE PROCESS • Despite the hundreds of other pieces of evidence showing Terri was neglected and there was possible abuse, provided by the DCF(Department of Children and Family) • Despite the majority vote in the United States Congress LAST WEEK passing a bill that would save Terri's life • Despite President Bush's recent statement on national TV" stating it is better "to err on the side of life" and his making a special trip to fly from his vacation home to sign the bill into legislation -Federal Judge Whittemore in Tampa Florida AGAIN DENIED AT 7:30 AM ET hearing what was to be a de novo review (allowing the Schindlers to open the case from the beginning with ALL the EVIDENCE) thus allowing the Schindlers the opportunity to have Terri's tube immediate reinserted while it is reviewed. - The Schindlers' have now filed an appeal with the 11th Circuit court and are awaiting a decision. - Terri lays inhumanely suffering from starvation and dehydration on her 7th day without food and water while the local judicial system denies her parents the legal right to provide ALL the pertinent evidence necessary to give her water and save her life. PLEASE CONTACT THE DCF IMMEDIATELY! CALL: 800.962.2873 TELL THEM 1. YOU KNOW OF A DISABLED WOMAN IN IMMINENT DANGER! 2. SHE IS BEING GROTESQUELY NEGLECTED. 3. SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED WATER SINCE 18 MAR 2005. **FORGET THE FOOD** 4. HER NAME IS TERRI SCHINDLER SCHIAVO. (SPELL SCHIAVO) 5. YOU ARE "FRIENDS OF HER FAMILY" 6. SHE IS LOCATED AT THE WOODSIDE HOSPICE CENTER IN PINELLAS PARK -County Pinellas- 6774 102nd Avenue N. Pinellas Park, Florida 7. YOUR FULL NAME AND PHONE NUMBER Remember to TAKE THE PERSON'S NAME AND EMPLOYEE NUMBER. They are very compassionate! DO NOTHING ELSE - CALL THEM NOW!!! Fight4Terri @aol.com www.fight4terri.blogspot.com Visit Terri's site: www.terrisfight.org Cheryl Ford, RN (Fight4Terri@aol.com) is not affiliated with any other group and works as an independent volunteer promoting the protection of Florida's disabled community. Fight4Terri does not wish to forward unsolicited mail. Please type the word "unsubscribe" in subject heading if you prefer to not receive anymore updates about Terri and your screen name will be immediately deleted from Fight4Terri's address book. DIVINE MERCY NOVENA Jesus asked that the Feast of the Divine Mercy be preceded by a Novena to the Divine Mercy which would begin on Good Friday. He gave St. Faustina an intention to pray for on each day of the Novena, saving for the last day the most difficult intention of all, the lukewarm and indifferent of whom He said: "These souls cause Me more suffering than any others; it was from such souls that My soul felt the most revulsion in the Garden of Olives. It was on their account that I said: 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass Me by.' The last hope of salvation for them is to flee to My Mercy." In her diary, St. Faustina wrote that Jesus told her: "On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy ... On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces for these souls." The different souls prayed for on each day of the novena are: DAY 1 (Good Friday) - All mankind, especially sinners DAY 2 (Holy Saturday) - The souls of priests and religious DAY 3 (Easter Sunday) - All devout and faithful souls DAY 4 (Easter Monday) - Those who do not believe in Jesus and those who do not yet know Him DAY 5 (Easter Tuesday) - The souls of separated brethren DAY 6 (Easter Wednesday) - The meek and humble souls and the souls of children DAY 7 (Easter Thursday) - The souls who especially venerate and glorify Jesus' mercy DAY 8 (Easter Friday) - The souls who are detained in purgatory; DAY 9 (Easter Saturday) - The souls who have become lukewarm. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy may also be offered each day for the day's intention, but is not strictly necessary to the Novena. First Day "Today bring to Me all mankind, especially all sinners, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me." Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen. Second Day "Today bring to Me the Souls of Priests and Religious, and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave me strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them as through channels My mercy flows out upon mankind." Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service,* that they may perform worthy works of mercy; and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your vineyard -- upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen. * In the original text, Saint Faustina uses the pronoun "us" since she was offering this prayer as a consecrated religious sister. The wording adapted here is intended to make the prayer suitable for universal use. Third Day "Today bring to Me all Devout and Faithful Souls, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. These souls brought me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were a drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness." Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces in great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this grace of You by that most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen. Fourth Day "Today bring to Me those who do not believe in God and those who do not know Me, I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy." Most compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who do not believe in God and of those who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your wonderful mercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most Compassionate Heart. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who do not believe in You, and of those who as yet do not know You, but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love You. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen. *Our Lord's original words here were "the pagans." Since the pontificate of Pope John XXIII, the Church has seen fit to replace this term with clearer and more appropriate terminology. Fifth Day "Today bring to Me the Souls of those who have separated themselves from My Church*, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter Passion they tore at My Body and Heart, that is, My Church. As they return to unity with the Church My wounds heal and in this way they alleviate My Passion." Most Merciful Jesus, Goodness Itself, You do not refuse light to those who seek it of You. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Church. Draw them by Your light into the unity of the Church, and do not let them escape from the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart; but bring it about that they, too, come to glorify the generosity of Your mercy. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Son's Church, who have squandered Your blessings and misused Your graces by obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their errors, but upon the love of Your own Son and upon His bitter Passion, which He underwent for their sake, since they, too, are enclosed in His Most Compassionate Heart. Bring it about that they also may glorify Your great mercy for endless ages. Amen. *Our Lord's original words here were "heretics and schismatics," since He spoke to Saint Faustina within the context of her times. As of the Second Vatican Council, Church authorities have seen fit not to use those designations in accordance with the explanation given in the Council's Decree on Ecumenism (n.3). Every pope since the Council has reaffirmed that usage. Saint Faustina herself, her heart always in harmony with the mind of the Church, most certainly would have agreed. When at one time, because of the decisions of her superiors and father confessor, she was not able to execute Our Lord's inspirations and orders, she declared: "I will follow Your will insofar as You will permit me to do so through Your representative. O my Jesus " I give priority to the voice of the Church over the voice with which You speak to me" (497). The Lord confirmed her action and praised her for it. Sixth Day Today bring to Me the Meek and Humble Souls and the Souls of Little Children, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly Angels, who will keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence. Most Merciful Jesus, You yourself have said, "Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart." Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy and they are the heavenly Father's favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek souls, upon humble souls, and upon little children who are enfolded in the abode which is the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by the delight You take in them: Bless the whole world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen. Seventh Day Today bring to Me the Souls who especially venerate and glorify My Mercy*, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over my Passion and entered most deeply into My spirit. They are living images of My Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death. Most Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol and venerate the greatness of Your mercy. These souls are mighty with the very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities they go forward, confident of Your mercy; and united to You, O Jesus, they carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be judged severely, but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate Your greatest attribute, that of Your fathomless mercy, and who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are a living Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy, and their hearts, overflowing with joy, sing a canticle of mercy to You, O Most High! I beg You O God: Show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in You. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus, who said to them that during their life, but especially at the hour of death, the souls who will venerate this fathomless mercy of His, He, Himself, will defend as His glory. Amen. *The text leads one to conclude that in the first prayer directed to Jesus, Who is the Redeemer, it is "victim" souls and contemplatives that are being prayed for; those persons, that is, that voluntarily offered themselves to God for the salvation of their neighbor (see Col 1:24; 2 Cor 4:12). This explains their close union with the Savior and the extraordinary efficacy that their invisible activity has for others. In the second prayer, directed to the Father from whom comes "every worthwhile gift and every genuine benefit,"we recommend the "active" souls, who promote devotion to The Divine Mercy and exercise with it all the other works that lend themselves to the spiritual and material uplifting of their brethren. Eighth Day "Today bring to Me the Souls who are in the prison of Purgatory, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice." Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy may be celebrated. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded: Manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen. Ninth Day "Today bring to Me the Souls who have become Lukewarm, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: 'Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.' For them, the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy." Most compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love, let these tepid souls who, like corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love, and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: Let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. Amen. The Divine Mercy Chaplet Using your Rosary 1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross, 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and The Apostles Creed. 2. Then on the Our Father Beads say the following: Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. 3. On the 10 Hail Mary Beads say the following: For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. (Repeat step 2 and 3 for all five decades). 4. Conclude with (three times): Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. Catholic Media Coalition: In line with the Church, online with the world

Tuesday, March 22, 2005

Schiavo means Slave - Coincidence?

Dear Advocates for Innocent Life, As our emotions rise and fall the Holy Week as we watch our sister in Christ, Terri Schiavo, suffer because of evil. Let this give us comfort that our fight is not in vain. We are in the historic spiritual battle between good and evil. And we cannot ever retreat. From Catholic Media Coalition - There is an irony to this case that no one has yet mentioned. In the second reading this Palm Sunday, Paul speaks of Christ coming to us as a slave. The Italian word for "slave" is... "schiavo". The war continues in Florida. We can be proud of the priests that spoke of the connection between Mary Schiavo, Terri's mother, who is searched and watched by Flordia police so she cannot put an ice cube to her daughter's lips, or rub her drying skin with lotion. She must stand by like Our Blessed Mother who could only watch her Beloved Son in His Agony. This is not irony, but we are re-living the Suffering of Christ through Terri Schiavo this Holy Week. Where are the Justice and Peace groups from our churches speaking out? Where are the anti-death penalty supporters who make money off of their endless speaches. Terri is in prison without a fail trial. Where are the animal rights people? What would they do if a dog was being deprived of food and water until it died? HERE ARE SOME THINGS WE CAN DO. FOR TERRI AND FOR OREGON. FAX THE GOVERNOR & PRES At once. YOUR JOB IS TO ENFORCE FLORIDA LAW 765.309 Mercy killing or euthanasia not authorized; (1) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to condone, authorize, or approve mercy killing or euthanasia, or to permit any affirmative or deliberate act or omission to end life other than to permit the natural process of dying. A JUDGE CANNOT NULLIFY LAW Please fax to Jeb Bush. Governor Jeb Bush (850) 488-4441 Fax 850-487-0801 Please fax to Pres Bush: Federal Law Title 28 35.130(e)(2) Nothing in the Act or this part authorizes the representative or guardian of an individual with a disability to decline food, water, medical treatment, or medical services for that individual. President Bush The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Comments: 202-456-1111 Switchboard: 202-456-1414 FAX: 202-456-2461 This Thursday, March 24th! Let's get educated about the process of our government and support those fighting for the Culture of Life. We can't get to Florida, but we can do something to bring common sense back to Oregon. Remember, Oregon Catholic Conference is NOT going to lobby on these bills, it's up to us to give a Roman Catholic presence to the hearing rooms. See you there! Legislative Update From Oregon Right to Life PAC Five Pro-Life Bill Hearings on the Same Day! On Thursday, March 24, 2005 five pro-life bills are scheduled to have public hearings in the House Judiciary Committee. There bills are: HB 2531 – Clinic Regulations sponsored by Rep. Brian Boquist (overview below) HB 2532 – Women’s Right to Know sponsored by Rep. Linda Flores HB 2550 – Unborn Pain Awareness sponsored by Rep. Greg Smith HB 2605 – Parental Notice sponsored by Rep. Dennis Richardson (see last week’s Update for overview) HB 2696 – Partial Birth Abortion Ban sponsored by Rep. Donna Nelson If you are in Salem on the day of the hearings Oregon Right to Life would be honored to have you to join us. The hearings will begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue throughout the day. You can come for the entire day or just part. It is always encouraging to be surrounded by fellow pro-lifers! Please contact the Committee members and graciously ask them to support life by voting YES on all five bills. Remember hand written letters are best; followed by phone calls and emails. Snail mail can be sent to: 900 Court St NE – insert office number – Salem, Oregon 97301 Representative Office Number Phone Email Wayne Krieger (R), Chair H-378 503.986.1401 rep.waynekrieger@state.or.us Greg Macpherson (D), Vice-Chair H 376 503.986.1438 rep.gregmacpherson@state.or.us Andy Olson (R), Vice-Chair H-491 503.986.1415 rep.andyolson@state.or.us Robert Ackerman (D) H-389 503.986.1413 Rep.repbertackerman@state.or.us Jeff Barker (D) H-476 503.986.1428 Rep.jeffbarker@state.or.us Linda Flores (R) H-287 503.986.1451 Rep.lindaflores@state.or.us Bill Garrard (R) H-484 503.986.1456 Rep.billgarrard@state.or.us Kim Thatcher (R) H-490 503.986.1425 Rep.kimthatcher@state.or.us Kelley Wirth (D) H-479 503.986.1416 Rep.kelleywirth@state.or.us Regarding HB 2531 – Clinic Regulations Under current Oregon law, performing surgical abortions is not regulated. There are no Oregon Revised Statues (ORS) or Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) that define sanitation requirements, emergency equipment regulations, etc. In fact, the four most common abortion procedures are specifically excluded from surgical center regulations. The Oregon Administrative Rules 333-076-0101 states: (c) An "ambulatory surgical center" (ASC) means a health care facility which performs outpatient surgery not routinely or customarily performed in a physician's or dentist's office, and is able to meet health facility licensure requirements: (A) In the case of outpatient surgery involving termination of pregnancy, procedures routinely and customarily done in physician's offices are the following: (i) Dilation and curettage; (ii) Suction curettage; (iii) Sharp curettage; (iv) Dilation and evacuation. This standard is unacceptable and dangerous. HB 2531 would place ambulatory surgical center regulations on any facility that meets any of these three qualifications: 1. Performs ten or more abortions a month or 100 or more abortions a year. 2. Advertises as an abortion provider 3. Has a licensed physician contracted to perform abortions either on duty or on call HB 2531 would not affect other – non abortive – procedures This bill is written to only apply to clinics performing the specified number of dilation and curettages, suction curettages, sharp curettages, and/or dilation and evacuations a month/year. Nothing would change for physician’s offices that do not perform these procedures. Notable Quote “The only way we would [investigate] is if we were following up on a complaint on a licensed facility. So if there was a hospital or ambulatory surgical center where we got a complaint about an abortion then we do have authority to go in, follow-up and investigate that complaint. When we’re talking about a physician’s office [and abortion clinics], that complaint would go to the Board of Medical Examiners.” DR. GRANT HIGGINSON. Department of Human Services, Health Services reveals that the DHS has no authority to investigate complaints against free standing abortion clinics. Testimony before the House Committee on Rules and Public Affairs, February 25, 2003. Please put this on your calendar. This is our Day to show our Support for Innocent Life. LIFE LOBBY DAY! Friday, April 8th 2005 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Oregon State Capitol Oregon’s tiniest citizens need your help! Let's get together and meet other pro-lifers. March 24th will get us ready for this great day. Step outside your comfort zone. It is a matter of Life and Death. God Bless Us and May God open the eyes of the blind. Carolyn Wendell VOCAL "Nothing seems tiresome or painful when you are working for a Master who pays well; who rewards even a cup of cold water given for love of Him." St. Dominic Savio Voice of Catholics Advocating Life PO Box 458 Sublimity, OR 97385 Member of Catholic Media Coalition: In line with the Church, online with the world

Monday, March 21, 2005

Hosanna in the Highest! Terri Schiavo!!

Hosanna in the Highest! Dear Friends, President Bush just signed the Terri Schiavo bill. Now she can have her day in court. At this point in time, her family has an ambulance ready to take her to a hospital and resume her feeding. We share their joy. This is a wonderful opportunity for dialogue within our Church regarding "Advanced Directives" and "Living Wills". This is no coincidence. It's amazing to realize the Our Dear Lord wants us to talk about HOW He wants us to depart this life: with true dignity. We can learn His ways. Just recently we heard of a failed assisted suicide in Oregon. The story was also carried in the Catholic Sentinel, the "punch line" was in the last two paragraphs (Catholic Sentinel on page 17 "Suicide") Regarding the natural death of her husband two weeks after the attempt Lynda Prueitt told the Oregonian her husband had been in the Presence of God, who sent him back to die a natural death. Steve Prueitt, the patient's brother, told the newspaper God chose his brother to show that assisted suicide is wrong. We are truly one family. We are One Body in Christ. As we begin this Holy Week, the power of God has already been revealed through prayer and the compassion and courage of the men and women who guide our country. God Bless them and may He open the hearts of those who can't see love and value in the eyes of a bedridden woman. Thank you Lord. Carolyn Wendell "Open wide the doors and gates, life high the ancient portals. The King of Glory enters." Psalm 23:9 VOCAL Voice of Catholics Advocating Life PO Box 458 Sublimity, OR 97385 Member of Catholic Media Coalition "In line with the Church, on line with the world."

And...Behind Door Number Three....

Dear Advocates for Life,

Oregon has another Representative for the Culture of Death: David Wu. Here is a list of the House Vote.


The 58 Congressmen Who Voted In Favor Of Allowing Terri Schiavo To Die

The following list is taken from the Congressional Roll Call. These 58 Congressmen (53 Democrats and 5 Republicans) voted to allow the starvation of Terri Schiavo to continue.

Is your Congressman on the list?


Republicans are listed in bold type.


Baldwin (WI)
Berkley (NV)
Bishop (NY)
Brown-Waite, Ginny (FL)
Butterfield (NC)
Capuano (MA)
Cardin (MD)
Carnahan (MI)
Carson (IN)
Castle (DE)
Clay (MO)
Cleaver (MO)
Clyburn (SC)
Conyers (MI)
Davis (FL)
Dent (PA)
Dicks (WA)
Doyle (PA)
Evans (IL)
Frank (MA)
Gutierrez (IL)
Hastings (FL)
Holt (NJ)
Hoyer (MD)
Israel (NY)
Kaptur (OH)
Kennedy (RI)
Larson (CT)
Levin (MI)
Lewis (GA)
Matsui (CA)
McDermott (WA)
McKinney (GA)
Miller (NC)
Moran (VA)
Murtha (PA)
Nadler (NY)
Olver (MA)
Pallone (NJ)
Pascrell (NJ)
Payne (NJ)
Price (NC)
Reichert (WA)
Rothman (NJ)
Schiff (CA)
Schwartz (PA)
Scott (VA)
Shays (CT)
Spratt (SC)
Strickland (OH)
Thompson (MS)
Van Hollen (MD)
Visclosky (IN)
Wasserman Schultz (FL)
Watt (NC)
Weiner (NY)
Wexler (FL)
Wu (OR)

David Wu's contact info. http://www.house.gov/wu/contact_information.htm

Representatives Walden, Hooley, DeFazio and Blumenauer all missed the vote.

Sunday, March 20, 2005

Hosanna in the Highest ...Terri Schiavo!

Dear Friends, President Bush just signed the Terri Schiavo bill. Now she can have her day in court. At this point in time, her family has an ambulance ready to take her to a hospital and resume her feeding. We share their joy. This is a wonderful opportunity for dialogue within our Church regarding "Advanced Directives" and "Living Wills". This is no coincidence. It's amazing to realize the Our Dear Lord wants us to talk about HOW He wants us to depart this life: with true dignity. We can learn His ways. Just recently we heard of a failed assisted suicide in Oregon. The story was also carried in the Catholic Sentinel, the "punch line" was in the last two paragraphs (Catholic Sentinel on page 17 "Suicide") Regarding the natural death of her husband two weeks after the attempt Lynda Prueitt told the Oregonian her husband had been in the Presence of God, who sent him back to die a natural death. Steve Prueitt, the patient's brother, told the newspaper God chose his brother to show that assisted suicide is wrong. We are truly one family. We are One Body in Christ. As we begin this Holy Week, the power of God has already been revealed through prayer and the compassion and courage of the men and women who guide our country. God Bless them and may He open the hearts of those who can't see love and value in the eyes of a bedridden woman. Thank you Lord. Carolyn Wendell "Open wide the doors and gates, life high the ancient portals. The King of Glory enters." Psalm 23:9 VOCAL Voice of Catholics Advocating Life PO Box 458 Sublimity, OR 97385 Member of Catholic Media Coalition "In line with the Church, on line with the world."

The Silence is Deafening

Dear Friends, Another note or two. Add Oregon Senator Ron Wyden to your prayer and call list. He is another embarrassment to our state with his lack of true compassion. His email is: http://wyden.senate.gov/ Note #2 Terri Schaivo is Catholic. This cannot be ignored, nor can the "deafening silence" of her Catholic brothers and sisters in positions of leadership. We need to wonder: where are the prayers and statements against this killing? Where are the Peace and Justice groups who speak out so readily against the death penalty of mass murderers, but are quiet about a helpless woman, who might have become too much of a nuisance to her husband. What happened to in "sickness and in health?" Out of curiousity, I have contacted Sister Helen Prejean, of Dead Man Walking fame. Picking and choosing who to defend isn't a consistent position. It will become almost silly to take these people seriously who make money off of the anti-death penalty issue. I'll let you know if/when she responds. Who's opinion are you curious about? Why not ask? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Sister Helen, As director of an Oregon-based apostolate VOCAL Voice of Catholics Advocating Life, I would like to know if you have spoken out against the death by starvation sentence levied against Terri Schiavo in Florida. We know that you are against the death penalty and we consider this to fit into this category. Please let us know what you have done to help her. Thank you, Carolyn Wendell VOCAL Voice of Catholics Advocating Life PO Box 458 Sublimity, OR 97383 503.767.3333 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note #2 1/2 Mea Culpa about the missing pieces of any emails. Thank goodness you can read between the lines. God Bless Us All, Carolyn

Thursday, March 17, 2005

STRANGE BEDFELLOWS – ARCHDPDX & EMO

Dear Advocates for Life,

Western Oregon Catholics are on the verge of possibly losing some of our churches and schools: properties bought and paid for with hard-earned "Catholic" money. We have already paid out more than fifty- three million dollars. The "problem" was a climate that enabled an anti-Culture of Life and Family attitude. Although only a handful priests acted out, the climate is still thriving and has to stop. This is another scandal in our Church.

When you're a parent it's important to separate your children from bad influences to keep them on the straight and narrow. The same holds true for relationships in adulthood and organizations. They too are affected by peer pressure and lose their way. On Monday, March 7th, I attended the Interfaith Advocacy Day put on by the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO). Oregon Catholic Conference represented by Bob Castagna and Anthony Granados were there representing Oregon Catholics. (The head of EMO, Philip Kennedy-Wong, was at Oregon Catholic Conferences Advocacy Day on Feb 21st. and the latter Interfaith Advocacy Day.)

EMO's Interfaith Advocacy Day reflected the member churches support for same-sex marriage. The listing on EMO's website includes homosexual churches : ie. Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches and all member churches seem to encourage same-sex marriage, some affliated with Basic Rights Oregon, a pro-activist homosexual organization. Check their links. Connect these dots.

http://www.emoregon.org/aboutemo.htm then: EMO Denominations
http://mccchurch.org/
http://www.basicrights.org/

Oregon Catholic Conference's legislative agenda has reflected the EMO agenda throughout the years. They have shied away from the Roman Catholic positions of supporting unborn life and monogamous heterosexuality. Even the packets distributed at both advocacy days were similar down to the color, identical font, spacing and same pages of some content. And remember the election? Oregon Catholic Conference had voter registration done on targeted Catholic churches by the EMO-connected National Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice http://www.nicwj.org/ out of Chicago using the same name as the U.S. Bishops: "Faithful Citizenship Program". I asked Bob Castagna if he thought Oregon priests would assume that this group was from the US Bishops.
In this climate, Catholic priests are feeling comfortable about speaking up for homosexual activity and use the judgmental and inaccurate term "homophobe" for those of us who support Roman Catholic Church teaching (Catholic Sentinel March 11 Letters to the Editor).

From the Vatican - Cardinal Arinzi, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacrament states "The question arises; take the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It says it is not condemning a person for having homosexual tendency. We don't condemn anybody for that. But a person stands condemned for acting on it.” Pope John Paul II suggested that the world-wide push for same-sex unions is part of an "ideology of evil". “It is legitimate and necessary to ask oneself if this is not perhaps part of a new ideology of evil, perhaps more insidious and hidden, which attempts to pit human rights against the family and against man.”

VOCAL was sent this information. It connects more dots. Judge for yourselves.

Oregon Churches and organizations calling themselves Catholic have homosexual componants that are not in compliance with Roman Catholic Church teaching.

http://www.catholiclesbians.org/ click on "Resources" then click on "Lesbian and Gay Friendly Places" then click on "Oregon"
http://www.koinoniacommunity.org/ Koinonia Catholic Community - Performs same-sex "marriages"(also a member of Basic Rights Oregon)

A distubing note on this group. Click on music. Koinonia former directors include Tom Conry and Patrick Loomis do music for the OREGON CATHOLIC PRESS. Are we singing songs that could be indoctrinating us?

Let's help the Climate of Oregon. We have to be good stewards of our money, time and talents.
Over the years the value of the relationship between the Oregon Catholic Conference and Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon has been questioned. VOCAL feels that it is time to end this relationship. In light of our bankruptcy, the lack of Roman Catholic teaching being understood and questioned, it is time for a real change. Silence implies consent of the support of anti-Catholic teachings.
Can we afford spiritually and financially to continue as we have? Does this truly help us help others serve the Living God?

It is the Springtime of the Laity following Jesus Christ:
The Way, the Truth and the Life.

Thursday, March 10, 2005

Would the OCC Support Withdrawing Food and Water from Terri Schiavo?

Dear Advocates for Life, Those of us who went to Oregon Catholic Conferences Advocacy Day (Monday, February 21st) were disappointed that only HB 2020 was mentioned in the Advocacy for Life Issues. Now, we are more concerned with, why we weren't told that the previous Thursday, Feb. 17th, Bob Castagna went before the Sentate Judiciary, speaking for all Catholic Oregonians, in support of Senate Bill 248. Maybe the following will explain why. FIRST - Words about the Dignity of the Human Person before an explanation of SB 248. In a speech last year, Pope John Paul II affirmed the inherent dignity of every human being: “Even our brothers and sisters who find themselves in the clinical condition of a ‘vegetative state’,” he said, “retain their human dignity in all its fullness.” They are not “vegetables,” but fellow human beings in need of our love and care. The Holy Father added that these patients have “the right to basic health care (nutrition, hydration, cleanliness, warmth, etc.).” He reminded us that providing water and food, even by artificial means, is “morally obligatory, insofar as and until it is seen to have attained its proper finality, which in the present case consists in providing nourishment to the patient and alleviation of his suffering.” " There are times when even such basic means may cease to be morally obligatory, because they have become useless or unduly burdensome for the patient. Deliberately to remove them in order to hasten a patient’s death, however, would be a form of euthanasia, which is gravely wrong." SENATE BILL 248 "Modifies power of guardian to withhold or withdraw artificially administered nutrition and hydration for protected person." "A guardian may consent to the withholding or withdrawing of artificially administered mutrition and hydration for a protected person only under the circumstances described in ORS 127.580 (1)(a), (b), (d), (e) or (f) and if the protected person has a medical condition specified in ORS (1)(b), (d), (e), or (f) and, if the protected person has a medical condition. ORS 127.580 Oregon Revised Statutes that are part of SB 248 ADVANCE DIRECTIVES FOR HEALTH CARE 127.580 Presumption of consent to artificially administered nutrition and hydration: exceptions. (1) It shall be presumed that every person who is temporarily or permanently incapable has consented to artificially administered nutrition and hydration, other than hyperalimentation, that are necessary to sustain life except in one or more of the following circumstances: (a) The person while a capable adult clearly and specifically stated that the person would have refused artificially administered nutrition and hydration. (NOT ALLOWED BY CHURCH) (b) Administration of such nutrition and hydration is not medically feasible or would itself cause severe, intractable or long-lasting pain. (ALLOWED BY CHURCH) (c) The person has an appointed health care representative who has been given authority to make decisions on the use, maintenance, withholding or withdrawing of artificially administered nutrition and hydration. (not part of SB 248) (d) The person does not have an appointed health care representative or an advance directive that clearly states that the person did not want artificially administered nutrition and hydration, and the person is permanently unconscious. (WHAT DO YOU THINK?) (e) The person does not have an appointed health care representative or an advance directive that clearly states that the person did not want artificially administered nutrition and hydration, the person is incapable, and the person has a terminal condition. (WHAT DO YOU THINK?) (f) The person has a progressive illness that will be fatal and is in an advanced stage, the person is consistently and permanently unable to communicate by any means, swallow food and water safely, care for the person’s self and recognize the person’s family and other people, and it is very unlikely that the person’s condition will substantially improve. (WHAT DO YOU THINK) go to www.leg.state.or.us for info and audio testimony. Senate Bill 248 does not reflect the words of our Holy Father. We will not succeed to make a Culture of Life, by making concessions. We must think with the Mind of the Church then, even if we fail at the Legislature, we haven't failed before Jesus Christ. VOCAL asks the Oregon Catholic Conference to pull support of SB 248 as it stands. If there are amendments that agree with Church teachings, we will be happy to support the OCC. This endorsement could be causing scandal to the Catholic Church. I don't want to be part of this. We believe it would have been better to say nothing at all, than support this poorly written law. There were six good pro-life Senate and House Bills passed over by the OCC. We are a voice for those who have no voice. If we don't speak up, who will? Jesus said, 'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth. REV. 3:16-17 God Bless, Carolyn Wendell “We shall be called to account not only for every idle word, but also for every idle silence.” St. Ambrose V.O.C.A.L. Voice of Catholics Advocating Life PO Box 458 Sublimity, OR 97385 Member of Catholic Media Coalition "In Line with the Church, on line with the World."