Your signature on petition sheet not protected .....

Dear Friends, You might be interested to know that your name on a signature sheet does not receive the same value as your name on a ballot. Today, Federal Judge Mosman ruled against the voters of Oregon, in my opinion. According to him, a signature is not a protected right of the people when signing a petition sheet, since I, as a chief petitioner can eliminate some signatures that would effect the "formula" used by the Secretary of State. This "cleaning process" lessens their validity. The problem with this, is that as a chief petitioner, I am, under pain of prosecution, made to jump through certain hoops. If I don't I can be fined or worse. Also, if YOU sign a signature twice in different elections YOU can be fined, or worse. This insanity was the scenario at the Federal Courthouse today. The domestic partnership was put on hold until today. The attorneys for the rights of Oregon Voters were stellar and clear minded. The State was an embarrassment on all levels. There is NO standard for counties in making sure signatures are genuine and this was proved. The gal who gives seminars, to give the county clerks "tools" to use are their own discretion, is stealing tax payers money, in my opinion when it comes to this. The judge clearly said that those FIVE signers on which this case rested should have been contacted by the counties, instead of the chief petitioners and all the wonderful volunteers making sure we had the numbers. And they should have standard as is required by Oregon law (ORS and OAR) HOWEVER....his mood changed when the last lawyer, a woman for Basic Rights brought up the same-sex unions and how this was a hardship on them....something he stated in his opening statement the the proceeding was NOT about. He gave her a little nod and then she almost started crying and that was that...Any other person would have been reprimanded for bringing this subject up, however, the homosexual community has deep roots that, in my opinion, go to the judges chambers. Never fear.. The Godly lawyers and folks who endured five hours of judicial education did in fact learn a lot. We will really do this over and do it even better. We will overcome this evil with good...the people will get to vote in November, no matter how much influence the homosexual lobby has. Our work was NOT in VAIN...God Cannot be outdone in generosity of our time, talent and treasures. Keep praying. God Bless you and yours, Carolyn www.vocalnews.org 503-769-4767 Member of Catholic Media Coalition - "In line with the Church, on-line with the world"

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.

Abortion Facility Contractor Hired by Catholics

Dear Friends of Life, Before we can celebrate the Feast of the Birth of the King, please read and respond to this message from Bill Diss of Precioius Children of Portland. The fight to keep Planned Parenthood from having an abortion facility and kill the souls of Our Lord's creationshas fallen to Oregon Catholics. It seems that Walsh Construction Company, who is doing the proposed building of this site has done many, many construction projects for Oregon Catholics. Please read Bill's letter below. With the aging of the population, much money can be made in constuction projects and Walsh has made their share from the Catholic Sage-Fede Corporation. Father Michael Maslowsky is the Director of the Sage-Fede and needs to be aware of their plans. I'm sure that Father wouldn't want his projects associated with Walsh Construction and their mission. I've been told that Walsh says they are working for Beech Street Partners and building for them...however, morally they are responsible and so are we. Sage-Fede - Our Mission www.villagesage.com Services for All Generations Enterprises (SAGE) is a corporate provider of management and care services in a variety of settings. Working closely with Village Enterprises, a nonprofit developer of faith based communities, SAGE responds to the needs of the aging, disabled, students and the poor. Sage honors the innate human dignity of all people by providing compassionate and professional care daily. (innate human dignity and compassion for the unborn is needed too. VOCAL) SAGE currently operates St. Anthony Village and Villa St. Margaret in southeast Portland, Oregon; Assumption Village in north Portland, Oregon; and Trinity Court next to Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. SAGE also manages Sacred Heart Villa in Portland's Brooklyn Neighborhood. Father Mike Maslowsky's contact information is SAGE-FEDE 3911 SE Milwaukie Ave. #221, Portland, OR 97202 (503) 245-7899 michael.maslowsky@sage-fede.com Maybe he can help us. We must speak out and take action as the Lord leads us to stop this project. Prayer is the foundation, but a writing blitz and calling those involved would be great. FROM BILL DISS of PRECIOUS CHILDREN OF PORTLAND please read...important.! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dear Brothers and Sisters for Life, Please continue to pray and listen to our Lord to see how He wants you to protect lives and purity on this most important project. For all of the Christians reading this message, we wish you a Holy Christmas Season. Thanks to all people of all faiths who have endeavored for months with us on this effort. There is still no contract or permits so keep up the prayers and your acting on prayer! Christmas Card Writing Session & Gathering: (sorry that I didn't get this out in time...VOCAL) This Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 7:30pm at Immaculate Heart Church on 2926 North Williams Avenue ( map) near Emmanuel Hospital we will be sending out Christmas cards with some simple messages to city officials and officials involved with building the proposed abortion center. There will be a lot of good food and music so bring the family, sign some cards and make a difference for life and purity this Christmas. Inform Contractors about Walsh, Beech St. Partners & Ankrom Moisan Architects: Please tell anyone you know who has anything to do with construction, plumbing, wiring, remodeling, etc. to not do any business with Walsh, Beech St. Partners or Ankrom Moisan. These people are all working on building one of the largest abortion centers in the country on MLK Jr. Blvd. The developers, Beech St. Partners consist of Tim Ray, James Adamson, Brett Anderson, and Bruce Heywood. So please spread the word and let anyone you know in the building business that the end user of this building will be Planned Parenthood the largest abortion company in our country and last year they killed 264,943 babies and wants to kill thousands up on MLK Jr. Blvd. and Beech St. No permits have been filed and no contract has been signed and hopefully there won't be any if all of you work as if everything depended on you and pray as if everything depended on God. Tell your priests, sisters and ministers about Walsh: Walsh Construction has done a lot of work in Portland for the Catholic Church. They have built care centers such as Assumption Village by Roosevelt High School, facilities for Providence Health and Services and they recently did some remodeling work for De La Salle North Catholic High School. Frankly we do not see how the Archdiocese of Portland can work with Walsh Construction if they decide to build the abortion and sex product center on MLK Jr. Blvd. Planned Parenthood's philosophy and acts go against thousands of years of Catholic Teachings. Planned Parenthood and the Church are very much opposed to each other on life in the womb and the purpose of human sexuality. So ask your priest or a sister or minister to call Bob Walsh at 503-222-4375 or his right hand man, Andrew Beyer at 503-849-7168. All of you can call or write or visit. (More contact information at bottom of letter). Thanks to Churches and Organizations: Thanks for the following on letting us pass out information and speak or our project this past week: Father Corpora and Holy Redeemer, Knights of Columbus Council in Tualitin, Pastor Dale McNeil and Beaverton Christian and Bishop Daniel and Daniels Memorial Church of God in Christ. (TRUE ECUMENISM - notice NO Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon Churches help...VOCAL) Prayer Requests: Please pray for Father Painter of The Madeline Church in northeast Portland. He is in the hospital and he and his parish have been very helpful on the cause for LIFE. Please continue to pray for our fellow brothers and sisters fighting Planned Parenthood in McMinnville, OR, Denver, Colorado and Aurora, Illinois. Special Thank You Request: I do want to ask all of you to thank the only PDC commissioner who voted against Planned Parenthood this spring. Her name is Bertha Ferran and her contact information is: (503) 464-9215, Email: bferran@windermere.com Bertha Ferran Windermere Mortgage Services Series LLC/AT Irving Branch 636 NW 21st Avenue Portland, OR 97209 Your Work May Save Whom? As you ponder on how much you should help by standing with on MLK, 15th & Fremont, Beaverton or McMinnville, as you wonder if you should write or call, ... your work does make a difference! We do not know if you people have heard but Tim Tebow the Heisman Trophy Winner this year was almost aborted. Read full story: http://www.baptistboard.com/showthread.php?t=45601 . So your work will always save some precious child. Read more on the numbers: http://www.hli.org/sl_2007-12-14.html . God Bless of All of You, Your Families and Your Work for Life and Purity, Bill Diss 503-334-6183 Christmas Card Writing: Please just ask the following people to not build the abortion center with Planned Parenthood on MLK Jr. Blvd. WALSH CONSTRUCTION CO. 1. BOB WALSH 2. ANDREW BEYER 2905 SW First Ave. Portland OR 97201 ---------------------------------------- Stewart H. Ankrom ANKROM MOISAN ARCHITECTS 6720 SW Macadam Ave., Ste. 100 Portland OR 97219 ---------------------------------------- CITY OF PORTLAND (5 cards) 1221 SW Fourth Ave. Portland OR 97204 MAYOR TOM POTTER | SAM ADAMS | RANDY LEONARD DAN SALTZMAN | ERIK STEN ---------------------------------------- BEECH STREET PARTNERS TIMOTHY RAY Beech Street Partners 2814 NE 40th Ave. Portland OR 97212 JAMES ADAMSON Beech Street Partners 2044 E Burnside, Ste. C Portland OR 97214 ---------------------------------------- PORTLAND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION BRUCE WARNER, Exec. Dir. PDC 222 NW Fifth Portland OR 97209 PDC Commissioners (private sector jobs): MARK ROSENBAUM Rosenbaum Financial 1675 SW Marlow Avenue, Ste. 401 Portland OR 97225 SAL KADRI ValueCAD 1839 NE Couch St. Portland OR 97323 CHARLES A. WILHOITE Willamette Management 111 SW Fifth Avenue, Ste. 2150 Portland OR 97204 JOHN MOHLIS Columbia Pacific Bldg. Trades Council 3535 SE 86th Ave. Portland OR 97266 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ After Christ was born, the First Martyrs, the Holy Innocents, the children killed by Herod in his search to kill Christ, have their Feast Day, December 28th. May we find strength to know we did what we could to save any other children, Holy Innocents, from being killed. Then we can truly have a merrier, more joyful Christmas. God Bless you and yours, Carolyn www.vocalnews.org And of what should we be afraid? Our captain on this battlefield is Christ Jesus. We have discovered what we have to do. Christ has bound our enemies for us and weakened them that they cannot overcome us unless we so choose to let them. So we must fight courageously and mark ourselves with the sign of the most Holy Cross. -- St. Catherine of Sienna Member of Catholic Media Coalition "In line with the Church, on-line with the world"

Lawsuit to Restore Marriage Between One Man & One Woman‏

Dear Friends,

As a chief petitioner for the two referenda: same-sex marriage aka domestic partnership and sexual behavior/activity as a protected minority, I personally experienced confusion while going through the petition sheets determining which signatures were valid or not.

The Oregon Revised Statues (ORS), laws and the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) that were to be followed weren't followed, in my opinion. It was too late once we actually looked at the ORS's and OAR's. These will come out as the lawsuit progresses.

A glaring omission is that on back of each petition sheet are the "rules for circulators" and the "rules for signers". No where are there directions for "further" rules and regulations, although we are supposed to somehow know that more actually exist. And, when they are found, after much searching, the rules didn't correspond with reasons why the Secretary of State threw out voters signatures and whole petition sheets. This was very frustrating.

We all learned that there seems to be efforts to silence and NOT have Oregonians voices  heard. It was then a miracle of sorts that this grassroots campaign had HB 2007 (same sex marriage) down by only 96 signatures....and SB 2 (sexual activity/behavior/perception as a protected minority ) was down by less than 1,200.

There will be another petition drive for Oregon Voters to be able to vote on these issues. Catholics will need a grassroots effort since the Archdiocese doesn't seem to have the right person for the job to put forth Roman Catholic values. Case in point for the 2007 Session:

The Oregon Catholic Conference, led by Roger Martin our lobbyist who voted for legalizing abortion when he was a legislator, embarrassed thousands of Oregon Catholics by his lack of defense of marriage and family values. And his "complete" testimony cannot be found even though, at the hearing, he said it would be on the record.

Also, the law firm that the Archdiocese of Portland uses is listed in the Gay Yellow Pages of Portland: Schwabe, Williamson and Wyatt. Now this might not mean anything, however, this law firm has apparently been paid by the Archdiocese for years during the homosexual scandal. Are there not other law firms that support our values?

Our Catholic Church teaches that Marriage is a sacrament and is between one man and one woman. Thank God we have our Protestant brothers and sisters helping the Body of Christ. NOT ONE Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon Church supports this issue. Seems like we need to detach ourselves.

Here's the article. Please pass it around and pray for it's success. Also for the Archdiocese of Portland and those who work at the Pastoral Center. Souls are at stake and Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead.


PORTLAND, Ore. - Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a lawsuit Monday in federal court against the Oregon Secretary of State and several county clerks after those offices wrongfully invalidated voters' signatures on a citizen referendum. If sustained, the referendum would place onto the November 2008 ballot an option for voters to repeal the state legislature's domestic partnership bill.

"Our country is founded on the basic principle of government of the people, by the people, and for the people. It is un-American that Oregon citizens are being denied the right to have their vote count in an important referendum," said ADF Senior Legal Counsel, Austin R. Nimocks.

"The county clerks must fulfill their duty, which is to make sure that every citizen's legitimately submitted signature counts," Nimocks added. "The right to exercise one's voice in the democratic process is a crucial one, and state and county officials must not infringe upon that right."

ADF attorneys filed a lawsuit on behalf of several Oregonians whose signatures were invalidated by clerks' offices in 12 different counties. Many of the citizens sought, in person, to have their signatures revalidated since no legitimate reason existed to reject their signatures, but the clerks refused.

Signatures were improperly invalidated for various reasons, including determinations that signatures did not match their corresponding voter registration cards, though they did. Other signatures were excluded for voters allegedly not being registered, though they were. Another signer's signature was excluded because the clerk considered the signature "illegible," though it could be read. None of the 254 signers who had their signatures excluded by clerks were ever contacted about the matter.

"In Oregon elections, where most citizens vote by mail, voters are routinely contacted about missing, old, or non-matching signatures, all in an effort to give the voter every chance to make sure that their vote counts," Nimocks explained. "Yet, when it came to Referendum 303, clerks were unconcerned about ensuring that every vote counted and contacted no one. The law allows them to contact the signers, but they refused."

Though the number of signatures for the referendum submitted to the office exceeded the required number by more than 6,000, the Secretary of State publicly announced on Oct. 8 that there were not enough signatures to sustain the referendum. On Oct. 26, when the final results were certified by the Secretary of State, Referendum 303 was only five signatures shy of gaining access to the ballot.


A copy of the lawsuit filed at the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon in the case Lemons v. Bradbury can be read at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/LemonsComplaint.pdf.
ADF is a legal alliance defending the right to hear and speak the Truth through strategy, training, funding, and litigation.

Lemons v. Bradbury

The above lawsuit follows prodigious and tireless efforts by the Restore America/Concerned Oregonians Team in conjunction with ADF attorneys to confront the unlawful and unwarranted refusal by State and County officials to accurately verify signatures for Referendum 303 relating to the repeal of Oregon House Bill 2007.
You are encouraged to read the entire filing, and support our efforts financially. We are a faith based tax deductible non profit organization dependent upon the good will and support of our readers. Donations between December 1 and the end of December qualify for the $17,500.00 Matching Grant and therefore double in value.

We are greatly encouraged and believe HB 2007 creating marriage by another name, through this lawsuit, will be placed on the November 2008 General Election Ballot for Oregonian Voters to VOTE on. Please help us make that a reality.


"Impress upon your children the truth that the exercise of the elective franchise is a social duty of as solemn a nature as man can be called to perform; that a man may not innocently trifle with his vote; that every elector is a trustee as well for others as himself and that every measure he supports has an important bearing on the interests of others as well as on his own." Daniel Webster, October 5, 1840


Copyright © 2007, Restore America. All Rights Reserved.

This Advent, which is called the "little Lent", let us pray to Mary, the Undoer of Knots to straighten things out at the legislature, in our Church and in ourselves.

" Accusations that the Church is homophobic are "simply ideological and false," says Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco.

"We calmly say that this criticism is simply ideological and false, and contrary to the spirit and practice of total acceptance of all people."

Archbishop Bagnasco, responding to criticism directed at Benedict XVI, said: "I would like to express to the Pope the heartfelt closeness of the Italian bishops' conference for the superficial slanders made against him."

"It is Christ and his Gospel that urges us on, nothing else.

"We proclaim him as the measure of our humanity, not to reveal weaknesses or underline defeats, but to show obedience. That is essential, first and foremost, for us as bishops and promoters of true freedom for all."

"When we appeal to consciences," continued Archbishop Bagnasco, "it is not in order to be intrusive, but to call people back to those things without which each person would lose their bearings, especially for those less fortunate."

"Our words contain no hidden meanings," underlined the archbishop. "With the utmost transparency we are at the service of joy."

"We do not see a sad people, hollowed out by nihilism and tempted by decadence. We see a people who are alive, capable of renewing themselves through their own resources and discipline, able to lead their young people, able to speak credibly in an international assembly."


Remember "Justice in Pieces" CD donation of $5 is great, but it "could" be a Christmas present to you from me....:-) Learn about how the Am (American) Catholic Church is taking money from the Roman Catholic Church to undermine the TRUE Church Teaching.