January Vigils

Recognizing the grave injustice of abortion and our responsibility as Christians to bring about an end to the shedding of innocent blood in our nation, on Saturday, January 21, we will gather to pray at Family Planning Associates and the Planned Parenthood Surgical Center.  On Sunday, Janurary 22, we will gather at the San Diego County Administrative Building.  Bring your rosary, bible, devotionals and prayer books as we ask God’s forgiveness and beg for His mercy for "the least of these" (Mt. 25).


Life Saving Prayer Vigil
Saturday, January 21, 2006
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Family Planning Associates
2850 6th Ave, across from Balboa Park at Palm St.

We will then walk one mile to Planned Parenthood Surgical Center (Those wishing to remain at FPA are invited to do so) from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 2017 First Ave at Grape St.

 

Candlelight Memorial Prayer Vigil
Sunday, January 22, 2006
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. along Harbor Drive, North and South of the County Administration Bldg. Pick up signs and candles in front of Administration Building on Harbor Drive


Both prayer vigils will occur rain or shine.  Each are legal expressions of our First Amendment Rights.  If you plan to attend, please do not block sidewalks or driveways.  Respond peacefully to those who may disagree with our message.  In keeping with our purpose to combat the evil of abortion, please maintain a solemn and prayerful disposition throughout each vigil.  Participants may need coins for parking meters during the Saturday vigil. 

For additional information contact Sue Lopez  619-276-7525
 

Number 3:   On January 21, 2006, come to San Francisco to be a vocal and visual message that people of the West Coast stand for life.  Reach out to women harmed by abortion.   Inform society of the damage done to women by abortion.  We will walk along San Francisco's waterfront, a great example of natural and manmade beauty, as we demonstrate for that most beautiful gift--life!

SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2006
Catholic Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral. – All are welcome!  8:00 a.m.
1111 Gough St., San Francisco
Celebrant: Most. Rev. John C. Wester
Concelebrating Bishops include:
Most Reverend Ignatius C. Wang, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of San Francisco,  Most Reverend Daniel F. Walsh, Bishop of the Diocese of Santa Rosa, and Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron, Bishop of the Diocese of Oakland

All priests are welcome to concelebrate.

http://www.walkforlifewc.com

Walk for Life West Coast Time: 11:00 am – speeches and rally, Walk to follow
Justin Herman Plaza on Market Street

Please check the Route Map section of this site for more information.

There will be an Information Fair at the end of the Walk at Marina Greens.

Below is a quote on the West Coast Walk for Life from Cathy Cleaver Ruse, Director of Planning and Information, Pro Life Secretariat of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops


"Pope John Paul II has said abortion is the greatest civil rights issue of our day, and has called all people of good will to a 'radical solidarity with the woman in need'. How much has that solidarity been lacking! In the West Coast Walk for Life, you are walking in solidarity with the 4,000 unborn children who lose their lives everyday to abortion, and with the 4,000 young women who turn to abortion because they feel they have no other choice, because their boyfriends or husbands threatened to leave, because their parents said a baby would ruin their life, or because they were told over and over again the big lie that Abortion is a safe and simple and convenient solution. You are making a difference!"

For more information, contact: Linda Arreola at 858-490-8327
 

Number 4:   It's time to mark your calendar for the Culture-of-Life Fair 2006 in the El Centro Deanery, with Bishop Brom as keynote speaker and 7 breakout sessions  -  Thursday, February 16, 2006, 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Parish, 795 La Brucherie Road, in El Centro.

 

Breakout session will include:

Michaelene Jenkins - Life Perspectives -
"The Ever-Evolving Pro-life Message"

Deacon Harry Guess - Interfaith Committee for Woker Justice - "Advocating for the Working Poor"

Kent Peters, S.T.L. - Office for Social Ministry
"Making Civilized End-of-Life Decisions"

Linda Arreola - Office for Social Ministry
"Domestic Violence and the Faith Community"
Este taller también será presentado en español.

Jim Walsh and Cuco Hernandez - Office for Social Ministry - "Detention Ministry... Is it for Everyone?"

Fr. Richard Huston - Senior Associate Pastor at Good Shepherd Parish in Mira Mesa and Spiritual Advisor to Courage and Encourage - "Ministry with Homosexual Catholics"  Este taller también será presentado en español.

Fr. Peter Ruggere - Director, Office for Missions, Diocese of San Diego - "Justice for Immigrants: a Journey of Hope"  Este taller también será presentado en español.
 
 

El Centro Deanery Culture of Life Fair 2006
Thursday, February 16, 2006
5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
St. Mary Catholic Church
795 La Brucherie Road
El Centro, CA, 92244


For information or questions about the Culture of Life Fair contact Kent Peters at 858-490-8323.

Starting January 5, 2006, a downloadable brochure for this event will be available at:

www.osmelink.org/colf/pdf

Number 5:  The OSM is in the process of scheduling a Mass and presentation in mid-February with Fr. Giacomo Capoverdi, who joined the Priests for Life staff in 2005 - watch for an announcement in the upcoming January 27th e-link bulletin

Father Giacomo Capoverdi was raised in Providence, Rhode Island.  He attended a then, all boys’ Christian Brother High School in Providence, La Salle Academy, graduating in 1984.

After High School, Father Capoverdi attended Rhode Island College and achieved a degree in Politics with a minor in Philosophy.  He was involved in Rhode Island State Politics, working for the Rhode Island House of Representatives and for two mayors of Providence.

He entered the Seminary in 1992 in Washington, DC, at the Pontifical school of the Catholic University of America where he obtained a Masters degree in 1996. While in seminary, Father Capoverdi was the president of the Graduate Students For Life group.

He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Robert E. Mulvee of Providence, on June 14th 1997. He served for 6 years at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Bristol, Rhode Island, and then at St. Mark’s Church in Cranston. In 2005, Father Capoverdi was given permission to work full-time for Priests for Life, traveling around the country to raise awareness of the importance of ending abortion in America.

Father Capoverdi hosted a radio show the first few years of his priesthood, which was aired on WRIB in Rhode Island. He currently hosts a television show "Let the Fire Fall," which is produced by the "North American Catholic Educational Programming Foundation."

Father Capoverdi is the Founder of The Society of St. Joseph.  The group’s purpose is to meet once a year on or near the Feast of St. Joseph to honor the saint, have a good Italian meal, and honor a Pro-Life, Italo-American, Catholic Politician.
 

Number 1:   Mission San Luis Rey hosted a vigil for victims of violent crime and Stanley "Tookie" Williams on the evening of December 12, 2005

In the quiet of Mission San Luis Rey's chapel in Oceanside, over the course of the evening, about 40 participants prayed, sang hymns, and shared thoughts and readings about Stanley Williams, victims of violent crime, and the ending of the use of the death penalty in California. 

Later that evening, at exactly 12:34 a.m., at San Quentin State Prison, Stanley Williams's life was ended by lethal injection.  We mourn those whose lives have been taken in violent crimes and those whose lives have been taken by the hand of the state.

Earlier in the month, about 30 individuals gathered at the Pastoral Center to view Redemption, a movie on the life of Tookie Williams, and write letters to Governor Schwarzenegger asking for clemency in his regard.  Needless to say, the group's letters did not move the Governor to mercy.  The Office for Social Ministry would like to thank all those who participated in the many attempts to save Tookie's life and the vigil.  May he rest in peace.

In November of this year, a new document, A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death, was developed by the Committee on Domestic Policy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It was approved by the full body of bishops at its November 2005 General Meeting and has been authorized for publication. 

This wonderful document can be found on the USCCB web site:

http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/penaltyofdeath.pdf

Number 2:   Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice Second Annual "Voices for Justice" Breakfast drew a crowd of more than 500 and raised more than $70,000 -

By Denis Grasska of the Southern Cross

SHELTER ISLAND - San Diego priest Father Michael Ratajczak was among the main honorees, Dec. 7, at the annual Interfaith Committee For Worker Justice (ICWJ) benefit breakfast.  

(see photo at left of Fr. Ratajczak with Mayor Sanders) 

The ICWJ is an organization of clergy and people of faith which campaigns in support of low-wage workers in San Diego County, supporting such proposals as improved wages, benefits and working conditions...

Read the complete story

http://www.thesoutherncross.org/default.asp?issueid=03-sept-11&cid=1&aid=217
 

Life Request:

They're at it again.


Planned Parenthood (PP) has brought back its offensive "Choice on Earth" Christmas cards, turning a holiday celebrating Jesus' birth into a fundraising opportunity to support abortion.  In a recent e-mail encouraging its members to "send a holiday gift with real meaning," PP tells potential donors they can choose from one of five "Choice on Earth" Christmas cards.  The abortion business hopes donors will make a contribution in honor of a friend or relative and send them a pro-abortion Christmas card as an acknowledgment.  The number of abortions PP performs has risen in each of the last two years and is now almost 20 percent of the 1.3 million abortions that take place annually in the United States.  According to figures from PP's annual report, its centers nationwide performed 244,628 abortions in 2003, a 6.1 percent increase from the year before.  PP is the largest abortion provider in the United States.

The cards come in five varieties this year and four feature the message "Choice on Earth."  One even includes the Christian dove symbolizing peace and another extols the virtues of "hope, justice, and empowerment."

View the cards: http://www.ppaction.org/network/cardviews.html

ACTION: Send a note to Planned Parenthood telling them how offensive their Christmas cards really are at: communications@ppfa.org.  You can also call them at 212-541-7800 or send a fax to 212-245-1845.  Ask Planned Parenthood to stop the desecration of Christmas.

Thank you.

Dignity Request:


The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) this past weekend. 

Your calls are needed again, but this time to thank our Representatives for hanging in there when it comes to domestic abuse and funding some of the essential services desparately needed by many of violence.  The only regret we have is that gender-neutral language was not added to the bill, ensuring male victims would receive similar services.

VAWA creates notable new focus areas such as:

·  developing prevention strategies to stop the violence before it starts,
·  protecting individuals from unfair eviction due to their status as victims of
   domestic violence or stalking,
·  creating the first federal funding stream to support rape crisis centers,
·  developing culturally- and linguistically-specific services for communities,
·  enhancing programs and services for victims with disabilities, and
·  broadening VAWA service provisions to include children and teens.

Representatives Filner, Davis and Issa voted in support of reauthorization.  Rep. Hunter did not vote on the measure
 

Please call your Representative and thank him or her for passing VAWA.  Do mention, however, that when this legislation comes up again in the House calendar, that they should add gender neutral language.

Simple message:

Thank you for passing the Violence Against Women Act.

To Duncan Hunter the message is:

Please vote in favor of VAWA the next time it comes before the House.

**************************************************************

How to find your U.S. Representative?

Go to http://www.vote-smart.org/ (or use the logo below) and place you nine digit zip code in the designated box on the left side of the screen.


From the list of your elected officials, click on your California Assembly member's name, and his or her data, including phone numbers, should appear. 

Then just make the call.  Thank you!


 

And then, as always, please report back via e-mail reportback@diocese-sdiego.org on how the call to your U.S. Representative went.

Life Response:

Yesterday I called the offices of Senators Feinstein and Boxer to register my hope that they would not use Roe v. Wade and support for abortion rights as a litmus test in the Judge Samuel Alito Confirmation vote.  I asked them to consider, rather, whether Judge Alito possessed the basic qualification needed to serve on the Supreme Court.

In Senator Feinsteins D.C. office I talked with a nice young gentleman named Nick who, oddly enough, was from San Diego.  He was very reasonable and polite, and indicated that he would gladly share my message with the Senator.

Senator Boxer's D.C. office was closed, so I talked with another nice aide, Judy, in her L.A. office.  A bit more rushed than Nick, she also indicated she would share my message with the Senator Boxer.

If thousands of calls like this were to come across the Senators' phone lines, it would be much easier for them to move in our direction.

Kent Peters

 

Dignity Response:


This morning I phoned both of the California Senators' offices to encourage them to co-sponsor the Dream Act of 2005. 

I called Senator Feinstein's office in Washington DC and quickly got through.  I explained to the woman who answered the phone that I wanted to encourage the Senator to co-sponsor the Dream Act of 2005 S. 2075.  The woman responded that she was familiar with the legislation.  She asked for my zip code and thanked me for my call.  I then asked to receive a response in writing and she curtly responded that in order to receive a response in writing I must send in a letter.  I thanked her and we disconnected.

I then called Senator Boxer at her Los Angeles office.  My call was promptly answered.  The woman who answered thanked me for the call.  I then asked for a response in writing and she informed me that written responses are only sent to letters and emails. 

Thanks!
Joseph

1. Pregnancy Resource Center in Oceanside is searching for Client Services Director -  Duties include management of volunteers, daily client operations, and community networking.  Pregnancy Resource Center, 4095 Oceanside Blvd., Suite B, Oceanside, 92056   760-945-HOPE

This is a paid position up to 40 hrs/wk.  Candidate must have experience in managing volunteers and peer counseling.  Center services include abstinence education; compassionate counseling for women facing unplanned pregnancies, free pregnancy testing and ultrasound services, abortion recovery & sexual healing groups, parenting classes, maternity clothing and resources.  Please e-mail resume to: jane@pregnancyresourcecenter.com


2. Prayerful witness for life at two locations (Sixth and Palm in San Diego and Pomerado Road in Poway) in San Diego County

Each Saturday of the month:  20 decades of the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet are prayed at Family Planning Associates, Sixth and Palm, San Diego, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.  For more information, call 858-748-2109.
 
2nd Saturday of the month:  20 decades of the Rosary are prayed in procession past 4 clinics following the 7:30 a.m. Mass, 15546 Pomerado Road, Poway.  For more information, call 858-748-2109.

3. St. Dismas Guild sponsors two weekly hours of prayer for the unborn in North County

Join members of St. Dismas Guild for a rosary picket at Womancare, 120 S. Craven Way, San Marcos, (across from Cal State San Marcos), Tuesdays, 9-10 a.m.

The Guild also sponsors prayer (the rosary) in front of PayLess at Mission Avenue and Escondido Blvd. 347 W. Mission on Thursdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m.  For information on these prayer vigils, call 760-751-8541.
 

4. St. Rose of Lima sponsors a regular Thursday Pro-Life Prayer Vigil in Chula Vista

Please join St. Rose of Lima parishioners every Thursday after the 8 a.m. Mass at St. Rose of Lima, Chula Vista, for a pro-life prayer vigil at the clinic located at 261 Church Street, Chula Vista.   For more information, call Evangely Aliangan, 619-427-0230.

5. St. John the Evangelist Parish in Encinitas Pro-Life Mass and Rosary held on the first Monday of each month.

The first Monday of every month is designated Pro-Life Monday at St. John the Evangelist Church, 1001 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas.  The 8:00 a.m. Mass will be followed by a Rosary for Life.  For more information, please call Helene McIlhon at 858-756-0622.

6. Most Precious Blood Parish Rosary Prayer Vigils held on Wednesdays and Saturdays each week

The Pro-Life Prayer Group from Most Precious Blood sponsors a Rosary Prayer Vigil in front of the Clinica Medica abortion facility at 1550 Broadway, Chula Vista every Wednesday and Saturday at 8:45 a.m.  For more information, please call Shirley Henry at 619-420-7096 or Luis Mendoza at 619-300-5563.


7. Culture of Life Family Services offers an evening of discovering the philosophy of Pope John Paul II

Culture of Life Family Services presents an evening discovering the philosophy of Pope John Paul II.  This class will be given by Leo Serevino on Wednesday, January 11, 2006, At 7:00 PM at the Escondido Clinic on 430 Rose St., in Escondido

For More Information Call Elena Fiske, 430 Rose St., Escondido, CA 92027, Office: 858-277-8354, Cell: 760-533-4798, E-mail: elena@colfs.org


8. Upcoming Winter and Spring Rachel's Hope Post-Abortion and Healing Retreats for women and men

Women's Retreats in English, January 13-15, 2006 and March 10-12, 2006

Women's Retreat in Spanish, May 5-7, 2006