Archdpdx "Called to Protect" aka "Called to Infect" our Children? - WE DO HAVE A GREAT OPTION..

Dear Advocates for Life,

The Praesedium "Armatus" Called to Protect program used by the Archdpdx to help prevent sexual abuse of our children should raise red flags. For those who have expressed alarm, you're not alone (Praesidium 624 Six Flags Drive, Suite 110 Arlington, TX 76011 817.801.7773 800.743.6354 toll-free Praesudium for Archdiocese of Portland and US

* The senior Vice President of Praesedium, Jane C. Hickerson, Ph.D., has co-authored a book for the Gay, Lesbian, Transgendered etc. community. With her pro-homosexual activity promotion, according to the 'book review' below, it seems a poor choice for the USCCB and this Archdiocese. There are healthy options.

Book Review
http://www.psychservices.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/56/5/618

Affirmative Practice: Understanding and Working With Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Persons
by Ski Hunter and Jane C. Hickerson; Washington, D.C., NASW Press, 2003, 417 pages, $44.99

Jack Drescher, M.D.

Ski Hunter and Jane C. Hickerson are professor and assistant professor, respectively, in the School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Arlington. They have written Affirmative Practice: Understanding and Working With Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Persons as a textbook for "graduate and undergraduate ... students in applied human services fields (for example, social work, counseling, mental health, nursing, psychology, sociology, and education).
.......The volume is unapologetically gay affirmative, which is its major strength but sometimes a weakness. Although the book is statistically informative, the authors are less then dispassionate when they touch on the subject of violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. The authors often speak with the voice of forceful authority, which may be necessary in a text intended to help students decide how to think about a culturally charged subject. However, it can leave naive readers little room to question some of the authors' conclusions. For example, they cite one study to support the claim that people who hold anti homosexual values are "less empathic" or use "denial, isolate or turn from others, or look for blame outside themselves." Even to this sympathetic reader, that sounds like overkill. END.

MORE RED FLAGS ON PRAESEDIUM

* Children are NOT the problem. Parents should be educated and in turn help their children. This is Church Teaching.
* There is no solid Catholic componants to this program, Catholic dollars should be used to build up the Body of Christ, not the coffers of non-Catholics with questionable motives.

"Armatus covers sensitive material, including sexual and physical abuse. If you find the content disturbing, please discuss your concerns with your supervisor. Thank you for your commitment to protecting those in your care." From the website. If a child is exposed to this information and traumatized or has been abused and things "come out" ....the Archdiocese of Portland has no Catholic therapists or counselors available to cover this breech of innocence. Families are left on their own. This information received directly from the Child Protection Office.

It's important to be "in compliance" because of the homosexual scandal , but this program isn't better than the last the secular "Committee for Children" begun by advocates for prostitutes and also still used by some dioceses as an "in compliance" alternative.

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Parents, here is - A Moral Option guaranteed to be in compliance with Church Teachings. Created by Most Reverend Robert F. Vasa, Diocese of Baker, Oregon and his excellent team of Catholic professionals.

HEALTHY FAMILIES - SAFE CHILDREN - The Power of Relationships.

www.securechild.org is the website.

Here are clips of the lessons. They are great for parents and just to learn about prayer, love and how a Catholic family grows into a healthy place to be. For twenty short clips to help families, and keep children safe:

Bishop Vasa and Panel of Healthy Families: Safer Children


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The public schools accept that parents might want to "opt-out" their children from these types of programs. Two years ago after a meeting at the Pastoral Center, I had a question for Cathy Shannon, the Child Protection Director, about parents "opting out" their children of these "safe environment" programs. She told me there was NO opt out for children and directed me to Mr. Bob Mizia, school superintendent to ask why no opting out like public schools allow.

When I mentioned to his secretary the reason for my wanting a meeting was to have a forum of concerned Catholics to discuss the safe environments/opting out issues, she forced me to leave the Pastoral Center, "escorting me out". The reason for this rude action...."The Lawsuit"..aka bankruptcy. Hmm. Church teaching says that parents are the first teachers and they should be encouraged to be great parents. They should be respected for this vocation.

This is why I'm adding the affirmation of personal faith. Something we need to enforce or lose our children to an alternative Catholic faith with no foundation, and to also enforce our right to have those who live off of our collection plate actually believe in the True Catholic faith, not what they want it to be. The programs we pay for should also reflect this faith.

Remember, we still have NO Pro-life Budget in the Archdpdx: no protection for our youngest Oregon Catholic children subject to the ultimate child abuse. Archdpdx 503-234-5334.


Jesus says. "But he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea." 
Matthew 18:6

Beaverton Babies & 40 Days for Life/Oprah/Divine Mercy/Action Item

Dear Advocates for Life, Enjoy these photos of the Beaverton babies who brought their moms to fight for the right to life of their peers during 40 Days for Life. They joined the great team of dedicated workers for Life Thanks to these dedicated moms who show us that the future of the pro-life movement will continue until hearts and minds are opened as they teach their children well. Thanks to all who stood up for life around the state during these 40 Days and also when you are standing alone. ************************************************************************************************* Wonders never cease...now we have Oprah..our new pro-life lobbyist, she must have heard about our trouble with Roger Martin. Here's the link. Dr. Oz is explaining stems cells with Michael J. Fox, who was recently elated with Obama's tax payer funding for this "dead issue". http://www.oprah.com/media/20090319-tows-dr-oz-brain If you have a problem, just google - oprah dr. oz stem cells. For those who have forgotten, Roger Martin is the Oregon Catholic Conference lobbyist who voted to legalize abortions and voted against parental/spousal notification when he was a legislator in 1969 and 1973. If you'd like me to re-send legislative records of this, please just ask. Remember we still have NO BUDGET for the Pro-Life Office. ***************************************************************************************************** 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." For complete information http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/novena.htm Lord have mercy on those who do not see your great handiwork in the unborn. ************************************************************************************************ NO OREGON TAXPAYER MONEY FOR ABORTIONS - No on SB 5529 Human Services Subcommittee Membership: Sen. Alan C Bates, Co-Chair, 503-986-1703 Rep. Tina Kotek, Co-Chair, 503-986-1444 Sen. Margaret Carter, 503-986-1722 Sen. Jackie Winters, 503-986-1710 Rep. Mitch Greenlick, 503-986-1433 Rep. Bill Kennemer, 503-986-1439 Rep. Dennis Richardson, 503-986-1404 Rep. Carolyn Tomei, 503-986-1441 Staffing: Sheila Baker - Phone: 986-1838, (person to call for info on hearings) Eric Sorenson Link to Representative phone numbers http://www.leg.state.or.us/servlet/XSLT?URL=members.xml&xslURL=members.xsl&member-type=representative Link to Senator phone numbers http://www.leg.state.or.us/servlet/XSLT?URL=members.xml&xslURL=members.xsl&member-type=senator Legislative website www.leg.state.or.us To look up SB 5529, (on the right side), click on "Specific Measure Search" Thanks Cheri. *********************************************************************************************** This Easter is the 25th anniversary of our family being Catholic. It has been the most wonderful adventure into Eternity. There are many things that I "thought" being a Catholic would mean which was a great joke on me. Like all Catholics believe the same thing. After 25 years we all love Her madly and thank the Good Lord for His Great Mercy in letting us in. "The Catholic Church is the only thing which saves a man from the degrading slavery of being a child of his age"--G. K. Chesterton God Bless you and yours, Carolyn "It is finished." John 19:30 www.vocalnews.org VOCAL Voice of Catholics Advocating Life PO Box 458 Sublimity, OR 97385 503-769-4767 Member of the Catholic Media Coalition "In line with the Church, on-line with the World".