In the 2007 Legislative Session: Archdiocese of Portland Lobbyist MIA

Dear Advocates of Life,

As we look back on 2007 we thank the Dear Lord for giving us grace to persevere through many obstacles. We remember:

How at the 2007 Session of the legislature Catholic values were not as well represented as they should have been by Roger Martin the lobbyist for Oregon Catholic Conference who had voted to legalize abortion as a legislator in 1969 and sponsored a bill in 1973 against parental or a husbands notification before an abortion of a child or wife.

How the Catholic hospitals didn't squawk at the thought of giving "Emergency Contraception" to women as matter of course if they said they were sexually assaulted, with no definition of "assault".

How our chancellor, Mary Jo Tully, who is the on the Ethics Board of Catholic hospitals, didn't submit testimony in the 2007 session to fight for the life of children at the earliest stage regarding Emergency Contraception.
How the Archdiocese has still not disclosed the letter from Oakland's Bishop Vigneron showing that he did indeed approve of homosexual activist priest, Father Jim Schexnayder and his scandalous homosexual workshop at St. Philip Neri parish.

How the Justice and Peace Office has tens of thousands of dollars in her budget and the Respect Life Office has none.

How our battle still rages against Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon participating churches and them allowing "masses" for Toni Tortorilla, the "first ordained woman" (impossible, VOCAL) in the Archdiocese. And how the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council still says that we should be involved with this pro-abortion/pro-homosexual group of Churches.

GOOD NEWS - Our faith in Jesus Christ and His Church won many battles in this spiritual warfare.

The embryonic stem cell/cloning bill lost by one vote. Even though Oregon Catholic Conference didn't lobby against this, Oregon Right to Life fought hard and had their conference speaker Father Tad Pacholczyk from the National Catholic Bioethics Center, stay two more days and change the course of this vote.

The two referenda petition drives for the right to vote on "Domestic Partnerships" and "sexual behavior/activity as a protected minority status" truly succeeded. Thousands of Catholics, Protestants from different backgrounds came together to gather 130,000 signatures, all voluntary, in a true ecumenical effort, and NO DEBT.

Sidenote -- February 1st a judge will determine whether the "domestic partnerships" will be voted on without another signature drive...the signature drive to put "sexual activity/behavior" with no definition WILL go forward. So....keep praying.

The Right to Life is still alive and well in the pews. Even though this is not a top priority with the Archdiocese, the Life is Sacred conference coming up on January 26th at the Expo Center will have thousands of lovers of life gathering. And the churches that have respect life offices are doing such good works to save lives.

We had a very successful "Justice in Pieces" series of workshops with Oregon Catholics understanding how dangerous to our souls the Saul Alinsky/Chicago/Portland connection is. We are learning and acting on this education. For a CD contact me and I'll send it out....

This year is one where we will need more perseverance aka "persisting in anything undertaken; maintaining a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly."

'"May prayer strengthen us for the spiritual battle we are told about in the Letter to the Ephesians: 'Draw strength from the Lord and from His mighty power' (Ephesians 6:10). The Book of Revelation refers to this same battle, recalling before our eyes the image of St. Michael the Archangel (Revelation 12:7). Pope Leo XIII certainly had a very vivid recollection of this scene when, at the end of the last century, he introduced a special prayer to St. Michael throughout the Church. Although this prayer is no longer recited at the end of Mass, I ask everyone not to forget it and to recite it to obtain help in the battle against forces of darkness and against the spirit of this world."'

Saint Michael the Archangel,

defend us in battle.

Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;

and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -

by the Divine Power of God -

cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,

who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

"Fired" by Archdpx. from a volunteer position./Not welcome at the Pastoral Center.

These actions proved to so many that truth does NOT count on certain things in the Archdpdx.  Case in point I was fired from the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (ACCW ) for speaking out.

I had been with these great ladies for almost five years and did the Prayers for Priests in the Sentinel each month for almost four years. I kept VOCAL separate from the ACCW in many ways....I respected this relationship and didn't misuse it.

However, the Archbishop isn't happy with me and there was mention of the Campaign for Human Development in the "dismissal" conversation by the president of ACCW and my problems with the CCHD.

There were already problems for me with ACCW because, in my opinion, we were not respected for our opinions. For example, our evaluation of the "Safe environments" programs that our children are subjected to. A four month Ad hoc committee I created led over forty ladies to submit a letter to the Archbishop stating this was not appropriate for the children.

Archbishop Vlazny fell back on information by Sister Rita Rae Schneider, who was very psychological in her very cryptic letter (not signed, as if it were copied and pasted), but not maternally protective and dismissed our concerns. Mom's know best. There just aren't any in leadership in the Archdiocese that I can think of who are pro-children to the core.

And remember when I was "escorted out" of the Pastoral Center when I mentioned a meeting with the School Superintendent, Bob Mizia, to discuss an opt out form that Cathy Shannon, the Safe Environments director said was not a parental option in all cases. So.....let's keep on our knees. For me too please.

I pray that you had a wonderful Christmas Season and Happy New Year. It's going to be a good one serving Jesus Christ and His Church.
On Sunday April 24th 1994, Pope John Paul II recommended this prayer be used by all Catholics as a prayer for the Church when he said:

'"May prayer strengthen us for the spiritual battle we are told about in the Letter to the Ephesians: 'Draw strength from the Lord and from His mighty power' (Ephesians 6:10). The Book of Revelation refers to this same battle, recalling before our eyes the image of St. Michael the Archangel (Revelation 12:7). Pope Leo XIII certainly had a very vivid recollection of this scene when, at the end of the last century, he introduced a special prayer to St. Michael throughout the Church. Although this prayer is no longer recited at the end of Mass, I ask everyone not to forget it and to recite it to obtain help in the battle against forces of darkness and against the spirit of this world."'

Saint Michael the Archangel,

defend us in battle.

Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;

and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -

by the Divine Power of God -

cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,

who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.