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Dear
e-link
Subscriber,
Having completed six years of "e-link" publication, Linda, Jim,
and I want to thank our faithful readers, a few who go all the
way back to the beginning, March of 2003, for remaining
steadfast in the mission of building a culture of life in the
Diocese of San Diego. We hope you will continue to use e-link
as a primary resource. In that first month there were 8
members; today there are more than 1,714.
We are pleased to report that registration is growing at a very
rapid pace, due to the work of Mary Kuper and parish
Culture-of-Life Coordinators, and, if all goes well, e-link
should surpass 5,000 registered members by early Fall of 2009.
The OSM would like to welcome all newly registered members!
***** We want to remind readers that the
Catholic legislative advocacy that was sponsored by e-link is
now being done primarily through the Catholic
Legislative Network (in cooperation with the OSM).
Please see the above link to register.
We also pray that your Lenten preparation for Easter
results in much peace and joy in the Easter Season!
As always, we remind current members and inform new members that
past e-link bulletins and this current bulletin can be viewed at
www.osmelink.org.
God Bless!
Kent Peters, Linda Arreola, and Deacon Jim Walsh
     
Tuesday, April 7, 2009 OSM e-link
Bulletin #76
Table of Contents
Remarks from Richard M. Doerflinger,
Associate Director of the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities,
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, on Science's
Rightful Place
Key Upcoming Culture-of-Life
Gatherings/Projects (please join us)
1. Fourth Annual Good Friday Pro-life Stations of
the Cross, Friday,
April 10, Noon to 1:30 p.m. starting at St. Joseph
Cathedral -
participants will meet in front of the Cathedral -
procession is
to Horton Plaza and back to the Cathedral
2. 18th annual Good Friday Walk with the Suffering
in Downtown San Diego
on April 10, starting at the San Diego Rescue Mission
on Elm Street and
Second Avenue - from 8:30 a.m. to about 11:00 a.m.
3. Join the San Diego Chapter of Friends of Fair Trade
for "A Fair Trade Open
Market Celebrating World Fair Trade Day"
on Saturday, May 9,
2009, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Christ Lutheran
Church on 4761
Cass St. in Pacific Beach - music, food, shopping,
films, and loads of fun!
4. Saint Brigid Parish is sponsoring an evening workshop
"Internet
Pornography, What you Need to Know to Help a
Spouse, Family
Member, Friend, or Co-Worker" on Monday,
April 20, 2009 at
7:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall - 4735 Cass Street in
Pacific Beach
5. National Alliance on Mental
Illness (NAMI) "NAMIWALK" set for
Saturday, April 18, 2009 at Balboa Park - Registration
opens at 6:30 a.m. -
Walk begins at 8:30 a.m. Join with Diocesan
Disability Facilitators
to raise awareness, hope, and resources for NAMI San
Diego
Short Reports on Office for Social
Ministry Related Issues/Events
1. Life Perspectives Communications Director,
Suzanna Kennedy, Receives
Susan B. Anthony Young Leader Award in
Washington D.C.
2. OSM Says Farwell to Bishop Salvatore Cordileone
3. Update on Traditional Marriage by Mary
Kuper
4. OSM produces video for Rachel's Hope's
revamped web site currently
under construction - watch the 11-minute
after-abortion healing video
5. The Ignatian Volunteer Corps brought together
170 friends, developed
resources for its important work, and honored Michelle
Dunne at its
annual Della Strada Award Dinner on
March 22, 2009
Web and
e-mail-based Resources
- Professor Robert George, Professor at Princeton
University, Launches Pro-Life
Web Site to Track Obama Abortion Record:
www.moralaccountability.com
Local and Regional
Events/Gatherings/Projects
1. Attend the San Diego Friends of Fair Trade
monthly meeting on Wednesday,
April 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the Open Door Book Store in
Pacific Beach
2. "Get Acquainted with Detention Ministry"
monthly information/training
session offered by Deacon Walsh at the Pastoral Center
- The next
training session will be offered on Wednesday, April
15, 2009, from
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
3. North County prayer witness at the
Carlsbad Planned Parenthood Clinic
scheduled for every third Monday of the month from
10:00 to 10:30 a.m.
4. Prayerful witness for life at two locations in
San Diego County - every
Saturday and Wednesday at 7340 Miramar Road, just East
of the Pyramid
Building, adjacent to Carroll Road and the second
Saturday of every
month at 15546 Pomerado Road in Poway
5. St. Dismas Guild sponsors two weekly hours of
prayer for the unborn
in front of the North County Women's Medical Clinic on
Craven Way
6. St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Carlsbad
also supports the St. Dismas
Guild prayer ministry in front of the North County
Women's Medical
Clinic on Craven Way
7. St. John the Evangelist Parish in Encinitas
Pro-Life Mass and Rosary held
on the first Monday of each month
8. Most Precious Blood Parish in Chula Vista
Rosary Prayer Vigils held every
Wednesday at 8:45 a.m.
9. Prayer partners are needed at 1079 Third Ave.,
suite 3, in Chula
Vista - abortions are performed at this facility - Meet
each Wednesday
from 8:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
10. Join neighbors and friends to pray in front of
the new Planned
Parenthood facility in El Cajon on Fridays
and Saturdays
11. The Goretti Group is offering a chastity prayer
gathering and a speaker
training monthly along with a Mass to celebrate
chastity
Article/Statement for April 7, 2009
- An unbelievable compilation of 25 presidential
decisions reflecting an
absolute adherance to the culture
of death, from November 5, 2008 to
March 17, 2009, as reported by
LifeNews.com
Remarks from Richard M. Doerflinger,
USCCB
Science's Rightful Place
Richard M. Doerflinger
Though tempered by sober realism, President Obama’s inaugural
address in January delivered a message of hope – including a
hope that science will help our nation solve its serious
problems. “We will restore science to its rightful place,” he
said, “and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s
quality and lower its costs.”
But now the President has decided to force U.S. taxpayers to
subsidize research that requires destroying live human embryos.
That decision actually ignores his pledge to take science
seriously -- because science is moving on, and embryonic stem
cells are becoming “obsolete.”
That’s the considered judgment of the first female director of
the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Bernadine Healy, writing
in the March 4 issue of U.S. News and World Report. Dr. Healy
cites a recent study in Israel, showing the formation of
multiple tumors in a boy’s nervous system after he was treated
with derivatives from early fetal stem cells.
In January, a study in Nature Biotechnology confirmed that
embryonic stem cell cultures generally contain abnormal cells
that can cause cancer – and there is no simple way to tell which
cells are abnormal, as they have a normal genome and may seem to
be the healthiest and most viable cells. Dr. Martin Pera, stem
cell expert at the University of Southern California in Los
Angeles , comments: “Ultimately it may be difficult or
impossible to rule out with certainty that a given culture is
totally free of abnormal cells.” How reassuring for those
needing therapies!
Producing genetically tailored embryonic stem cells that cannot
be rejected as “foreign” by a patient’s body also remains a
challenge. To solve this problem, teams around the world have
tried to obtain usable stem cells from cloned human embryos, but
failed. Cloning also requires a huge supply of women’s eggs –
and according to the February 1 issue of the American Journal of
Epidemiology, the drugs needed to stimulate women’s ovaries to
produce these eggs boosts the women’s risk of, yes, cancer. The
bizarre approach of using eggs from animals instead was approved
last year in Great Britain, but scientists now find that animal
eggs (big surprise) do not program a human genome properly.
That’s the sobering reality. Here’s the hope. Adult stem
cells, obtained without harming the donor, are benefiting more
and more real patients, reversing the symptoms of multiple
sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease in the latest published
trials.
An advance hailed by the journal Science as the top scientific
breakthrough of last year – a technique for reprogramming
ordinary adult cells into “induced pluripotent stem cells” –
looks better with each passing month. These “induced” cells can
be an exact genetic match to any patient, and the journal Nature
just published two studies showing that initial concerns about
the safety of the procedure are being resolved. If there is any
research purpose for which embryonic stem cells have an
advantage, these reprogrammed cells seem able to perform that
task as well or better, without ethical problems.
Science and ethics are pointing the way forward together. The
only thing standing in the way now is an ideology favoring
embryo destruction – an ideology that is reflected in the
President’s new executive order, but that the American people do
not support.
Mr. Doerflinger is Associate Director of
the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops. Go to
www.usccb.org/prolife to learn more about
the bishops’ pro-life activities.
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Key Upcoming Culture-of-Life
Gatherings/Projects
Number 1:
Fourth Annual Good Friday Pro-life Stations
of the Cross in Downtown San Diego, Friday, April 10, 2009, from
Noon to 1:30 p.m. - the group will meet in front of St. Joseph
Cathedral, 1535 3rd Ave.
To view a four-minute expressive video
of last year's Stations of the Cross produced by Laura Lopez, visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10R56EfRkFw&feature=channel_page
The Fourth Annual Good Friday Pro-Life Stations of the Cross will be
held on April 10, 2009 at Noon, in Downtown San Diego. The event
will start at St. Joseph Cathedral, with a procession to Horton
Plaza and a return to the Cathedral.
Participants will pray the Stations of the Cross for an end to
abortion, making the link between the killing of the innocent Jesus
and the innocent unborn. There will be no graphic abortion pictures
present at this event. Everyone is invited to bring a Crucifix.
Banners will be available that read: "Take my hand not my life,"
"I'm a child not a choice," and "Life is Precious," as well as signs
that read "Stop killing the innocent unborn".
Bring coins for metered parking in the area. Come early and carpool
if you can.
Please spread the word to others who you
 think
would be interested.
Last year was a very holy and moving experience for everyone, as
well as a powerful public witness for Life.
Good Friday Pro-life Stations
of the Cross
Friday, April 10, 2009, at Noon
Starting at St. Joseph Cathedral
Fourth Ave. and Beech St.
San Diego, CA
For information or questions about the Good Friday Pro-life Stations
of the Cross, contact Roger Lopez: 619-990-1341 or
sandiegohelpers@earthlink.net
Number 2:
18th Annual Walk with the Suffering Good Friday Stations of the
Cross - Friday, April 10, 2009, 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. - Beginning and
ending at the San Diego Rescue Mission, 120 Elm St., corner of
Second Avenue and Elm, downtown San Diego - Last year more than
150 individuals participated in the Walk
The annual Walk with the Suffering is coordinated by the Ecumenical
Council of San Diego County and features students from two local
Catholic high schools depicting scenes from Jesus’ walk to Calvary
on Good Friday.
Walk participants stop outside various public venues in the downtown
area, reflecting and praying about issues that create suffering in
the community while the students act out a particular scene from
Calvary on the back of a flatbed truck.
Representatives from faith-based community organizations like the
San Diego Rescue Mission, San Diego Organizing Project, Safe Place
Faith Communities, Affordable Housing Coalition, and others lead the
group in prayer and song at each ‘station.’ This year, participants
will stop and pray at First Lutheran Church, Catholic Charities,
City Administration Building, the Metropolitan Correctional
Facility, the County Courthouse, Sempra Energy, and Horton Plaza.
The walk with begin and conclude at the Rescue Mission where free
parking will be available in the Rescue Mission Parking Structure on
Second Ave. between Elm and Fir.
Sponsored by the Ecumenical Council of San Diego County
For more information, phone (619)702-5399 or visit the Ecumenical
Council website at: www.ecsd.org
Approximate length of walk is 2 1/2 miles
18th Annual Walk with the Suffering
Good Friday Stations of the Cross
Friday, April 10, 2009
8:30 a.m to 11:00 a.m.
Starting and Ending at San Diego Rescue Mission
120 Elm Street, San Diego
Number 3:
Join the San Diego Chapter of
Friends of Fair Trade for an "Open Market
Celebration of World Fair Trade Day" on Saturday, May 9,
2009, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, 4761
Cass Street. in Pacific Beach - Lunch available - Free parking on
site - World's Largest Coffee Break, too!
Hear great music, taste wine and chocolate,
have lunch, and shop Fair Trade items till you drop! Also, the day
will offer fair trade films, vendors, and special kids activites.
Come and enjoy learning about how you
can make Fair Trade work for your church or place of business - You
can Reach Across the World!
What is Fair Trade? It’s about justice. Fair Trade
provides an alternative trade model which insures healthy working
conditions and a living wage for farmers. Fair Trade aims to improve
living conditions in producing communities. Membership guidelines
and regulations for Fair Trade are managed by the non-profit
certification group, TransfairUSA. For more information on Fair
Trade, go to
www.transfairusa.org.
More information at:
www.fairtradesd.org or 858-274-0587
To download and print the 11" by 17" Pdf poster below for
placement in your parish or institution, go to:
http://www.osmelink.org/messages2005/FariTradeOpenMarketPoster5.10.09pdf.pdf
The Fair Trade Open Market is sponsored by:
- San Diego Friends of Fair Trade,
- Café MOTO,
- Karma Market,
- Office for Social Ministry,
the Diocese of San Diego,
- Open Door Books,
- Christ Lutheran Church, and the
- Interfaith Committee For Worker
Justice of San Diego County
Fair Trade Open Market - Celebrating World Fair Trade Day
Saturday, May 9, 2009, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Christ Lutheran Church - Next to St. Brigid Parish
4761 Cass Street
Pacific Beach, CA, 92109
More information at:
www.fairtradesd.org
Number 4:
St. Brigid Parish invites you to attend an important
workshop: "Internet
Pornography, What You Need to Know to Help a Spouse, Family Member,
Friend or Co-Worker" on Monday, April 20, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the
Parish Hall
Because of the easy availability, access, and privacy of internet
pornography, many family members struggle with sexual addiction
today that had not struggled just a few years ago. It has been
reported that more money is spent per year on pornography
 and
the adult sex industry than on all major sports combined - football,
baseball, basketball and hockey.
At the workshop, participants will view the new documentary,
"Somebody's Daughter, A Journey to Freedom from Pornography" and
dialogue with Aaron J. Reinicke, a local family therapist, about the
struggle involved with sexual addiction.
Aaron
is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist working in private
practice since 1985. Along with his wife Melinda, he is the founder
and director of Reinicke Counseling Associates. As a recovered sex
addict, Aaron has run men’s sexual integrity therapy groups for two
decades. Aaron has been instrumental in developing Christ-centered
sexual-addiction recovery groups for men, For Men Only, eight of
which are currently available throughout San Diego and Orange
 Counties.
(At Right: Aaron Reinicke, MFT, of
Reinicke Counseling Associates)
Join concerned Catholics as we learn more about the problems of
pornography and sexual addiction and the hope that is now available
for those who struggle with sexual issues.
Learn more about the documentary and view a trailer at:
http://www.somebodysdaughter.org/
Here are just two reviews of "Somebody's Daughter."
"Raw and realistic, gripping, tender, and convicting - Somebody’s
Daughter stands in the gap between Satan’s promotion of sexual sin
and God’s redeeming hope for a free future."
-Marnie C. Ferree, M.A., LMFT
Director, Bethesda Workshops, Nashville, TN
A Christian based clinical workshop program for sexual addiction
recovery
"The
Somebody’s Daughter DVD is by far the best artistic presentation
available to help people who have struggled with pornography or to
help prevent that struggle in their children’s lives."
-Dr. Doug Weiss Heart2Heart Counseling Center, Colorado Springs,
Colo.
"Internet Porgography, What You Need to Know..."
Monday, April 20, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
St. Brigid Parish
4735 Cass Street
Pacific Beach,
All are welcome to attend this important workshop.
Number 5:
Whether it's Depression, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Eating Disorders,
Schizophrenia, or one of a host of other serious disorders, nearly
every Catholic family has been touched by mental illness. Join
Parish Disability Facilitators on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 7:30
a.m. at Balboa Park to "Walk for the Mind of America" with NAMI, the
National Alliance on Mental Illness
******Balboa Park at 6th and Quince******
Get ready to join San Diego County's NAMI Walk for the Mind of
America! The journey
 your
footsteps will make at Balboa Park will join those across the nation
to fight for the cause of mental illness. The fundraising goal for
NAMI of San Diego this year is $150,000.
NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) is the nation’s
largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving
the lives of persons living with serious mental illness
and their families. Founded in 1979, NAMI has become the nation’s
voice on mental illness, a national organization including NAMI
organizations in every state and in over 1100 local communities
across the country who join together to meet the NAMI mission
through advocacy, research, support, and education.
One in five people will be treated for a biological brain disorder
at some point in life.
 NAMI
Walks for the Mind of America, the annual NAMI San Diego County
fundraiser, is a big part of the solution. Financial support that
NAMI receives from the Walk is used for its programs that increase
mental health recovery and reduce mental illness stigma.
NAMI is dedicated to the eradication of mental illnesses and to the
improvement of the quality of life of all whose lives are affected
by these diseases.
Saturday, April 18, 2009, 7:30 a.m.
Schedule of Events:
6:30 a.m. Registration Opens
8:00 a.m. Welcome to NAMI WALK
8:10 a.m. Presentation from Honorary Chair
8:20 a.m. Warm-Up
8:30 a.m. WALK Begins!
REGISTRATION - Runners/walkers can register
online at:
www.nami.org/namiwalks/CA/sandiego You may also register the
day of the walk. If you register under a team, your team captain
will pick up your race bib and t-shirt coupon.
WARM UP - Be ready at 8:20 to participate in
warm-up stretching! Post race repeat stretching to make sure muscles
quickly recuperate.
START - The race will start promptly at 8:30a.m.
POST-RACE FESTIVITIES - This year, along with
our usually wonderful resource fair, we also have activities for
children and food vendors so teams can picnic in the park after the
race!
INFORMATION - Call Shannon Jaccard at
619-584-5564 or visit:
www.namiwalksandiego.org NAMI San Diego, 4480 30th Street, San
Diego, CA 92116
shannonjaccard@namisd.org
Walk for the Mind of America with NAMI
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Balboa Park, at 6th and Quince
Check-in time starting at: 6:30 a.m.
Walk/Run Start Time: 8:30 a.m.
Short
Reports on OSM Related Issues/Events
Number 1:
Life Perspectives' Communications Director,
Suzanna Kennedy, Receives Susan B. Anthony List Young Leader Award
in Washington D.C.
From the Susan B. Anthony List Young Trailblazer Award
Remarks:
Susan B. Anthony was a trailblazer during her time for the rights
of women and the unborn. Through this next award that we have
chosen 4 young women to receive, the SBA List honors a new
generation of trailblazers.
The young women we honor tonight represent a diversity in age and
experience – all to one effect: a great sense of hope and
confidence that our cause (and our replacement plan) is well
provided for. And here is what is strong and unique in these
women. Like all human rights trailblazers, they are not seeking
popularity and the good opinion of cultural elites - - though they
deserve it and very well may receive it. They are each applying
their immense talents and finding themselves in a cause much greater
than themselves. And they are changing the culture around them to
one that embraces Life.
Suzanna Kennedy...
Suzanna has chosen to devote the use of her considerable talents and
abilities to advocate for the protection of human life and to bring
hope and healing to men, women, and family members who have lost a
child through abortion. As President of USD’s Students for Life
group, Suzanna
 investigated
resources available on campus for pregnant and parenting students.
Suzanna joined Life Perspectives’ team as Communications Director in
October of 2006 where she played a central role in developing the
Abortion Changes You (tm) outreach.
Trailblazer Award Recipients with Michaelene Fredenburg,
Director of Life Perspective (Right): Suzanna Kennedy (Left) and Lia
Mills, 12-year-old Candian pro-life speaker sensation from YouTube -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOR1wUqvJS4
(Middle)
Suzanna has become an expert on the topic of reproductive grief and
loss and the impact of abortion on the entire family. Suzanna’s
compassion for men, women, and family members that have been touched
by abortion, has been the hallmark of the look and feel as well as
the messaging of the core outreach resources. Although Suzanna has
already made a tremendous impact on countless men and women, she has
only just begun.
The "Abortion Changes You" outreach can be found at:
http://www.abortionchangesyou.com/
The Office for Social Ministry would like to thank and
extend our congratulations to Suzanna Kennedy and Life Perspectives
for this wonderful honor.
Number 2:
Farewell Bishop Cordileone - A portion of following
remarks on Bishop Cordileone's appointment to serve a Bishop of
Oakland, California, were taken from a diocesan press release -
Photos of Bishop Cordileone below were taken from OSM photo files
and diocesan photo files
Bishop Salvatore Cordileone Appointed Bishop of Oakland,
California
In Rome, at noon today, Monday, March 23, 2009, it was announced
that the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has appointed Bishop
Salvatore Cordileone, Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego, to be the
fourth Bishop of Oakland. He will be formally installed on Tuesday,
May 5th, at 12:00 noon at the Cathedral of Christ the Light.
A native son of the Diocese of San Diego, Bishop
 Cordileone
was born on June 5, 1956, and with his family was a member of
Blessed Sacrament Parish.
He received his B.A. in Philosophy from the University of San
Diego in 1978, after which he went on for theology studies in Rome
where he was a seminarian at the Pontifical North American College,
and received a Bachelors Degree in Sacred Theology from the
Pontifical Gregorian University in 1981.
Ordained a priest for the Diocese of San Diego by Bishop Leo T.
Maher
 on
July 9, 1982, Bishop Cordileone served for three years as associate
pastor of St. Martin of Tours Parish, after which he returned to the
Gregorian University in Rome for Canon Law studies, completing a
doctorate in Canon Law in 1989.
Returning to San Diego, Bishop Cordileone held diocesan positions
for two years before serving as pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Parish, Calexico, from 1991-1995.
In the summer of 1995, Bishop Cordileone returned to Rome to work
as an assistant at the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.
Bishop Cordileone was appointed by Pope John Paul II as an
Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of San Diego on July 5, 2002, and
was ordained a bishop on August 21, 2002 by Bishop Robert Brom.
Responding to the news of Bishop Cordileone’s appointment, Bishop
Brom has made the following statement in behalf of the priests and
people of the Diocese of San Diego:
"We are grateful to
God for Bishop Cordileone’s years of ministry as both priest and
bishop in our diocese, and for the service he rendered to the Holy
See. Above all, we want to assure him of our support and prayers as
he assumes his responsibilities as Bishop of
Oakland."
Bishop Cordileone expressed gratitude for the trust that the Holy
Father has placed in him. “I am also grateful,” Bishop Cordileone
said, “to Bishop Brom, Bishop Chavez, my brother priests and all
with whom I have ministered in the Diocese of San Diego, which will
always have a special
 place
in my heart.” He added, “I now look forward to ministry with the
priests and priestly people of the Diocese of Oakland where, after
the manner of the Good Shepherd, I hope to lay down my life for
those entrusted to my pastoral care."
The Office for Social Ministry made the following statement
following the announcement of Bishop Cordileone's appointment:
"A
profound loss for our region, especially as Bishop Cordileone was
such a strong voice for those marginalized in our midst, his
appointment to Oakland should be heralded as a true blessing from
God. We will be forever grateful for both his presence and his
public witness that brought attention to the unborn, to those who
struggle economically, to immigrants, to those affected by domestic
violence, to the incarcerated, to those who work to protect
traditional marriage, and to so many others. May God bless Bishop
Cordileone's Episcopal Ministry in the Diocese of Oakland. We will
miss him dearly."
Below is the Men's Leadership Forum
2006 Poster featuring Bishop Cordileone.
His comment? "Real men of faith bear witness to love, not
violence."
"May Bishop Cordileone lead the faithful of Oakland to a
better shore, where respect for and promotion of human life and
dignity will reign supreme."
The OSM
Number 3:
An Update on Marriage by Mary Kuper, Culture-of-Life
Coordinator at Nativity Parish in Rancho Santa Fe
Mary Kuper
Within the next 90 days, we will learn of the fate of Proposition
8. Will it be upheld by the California Supreme Court Justices, or
overturned?
On Thursday March 5 in San Francisco, the California Supreme Court
Justices heard oral arguments from Attorneys representing the
supporters and opponents of Proposition 8. Opponents postured that
Prop 8 would mandate a “revision” to the constitution rather than
an “amendment”. A revision is a quantitative or qualitative
change to the constitution and would require a 2/3 legislative
vote of both houses prior to being placed on the ballot. An
amendment requires a 51% vote of the people (which is what
occurred with prop 8). Opponents also contended that the
California Constitution must protect a minority group from a
majority vote; hence they claimed Prop 8 is invalid.
Interesting enough, one or two of the Justices focused on the
precedence set by the implementation of the death penalty as an
example of how a minority group was not protected by the voting
power of a majority group.
The above conversation and other statements led attorneys
representing Protect Marriage to believe that the Justices would
vote 5-2 in support of upholding Proposition 8.
Outside the courthouse, thousands of supporters and opponents
gathered to watch the
 hearings
on a jumbo screen, and to also make their voices heard and
opinions seen - one of the most profound signs was “Jesus had two
dads, why can’t I”. After the hearings, the crowd yelled and
chanted at the base of the courthouse during the press conference
– covered by local, national and international press.
The Supreme Court Justices will render their opinion within the
next 90 days whether to uphold or overturn Proposition 8.
Meanwhile, on March 19, 2009 a group called “Yes on Equality”
received “Title and Summary” from California Attorney General
Jerry Brown for a new initiative called the “California Marriage
Equality Act Initiative”. Proponents are attempting to qualify
this initiative for the 2010 election. If passed, this initiative
will amend the California Constitution and reinstate same sex
marriage. In order to qualify for the 2010 ballot, proponents
must collect approximately 1.1 million signatures by August 17,
2009.
And, on March 9, the attorney general provided “Title and
Summary” to yet another initiative that would abolish marriage
altogether in the state. The initiative, titled, “Substitutes
Domestic Partnership for Marriage in California” , “Replaces the
term ‘marriage’ with the term ‘domestic partnership’ throughout
California law, but preserves the rights provided in marriage.
Applies equally to all couples, regardless of sexual orientation.
Repeals the provision in California’s Constitution that states
only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in
California.”
Visit the Protect Marriage web site:
www.protectmarriage.com
Action: Stay vigilant. Encourage people to register to vote, and
participate in the 2010 election. Inform people on the importance
of natural marriage. Pray for the sanctity of marriage.
God bless,
Mary Kuper, Nativity Parish, Rancho Santa Fe
Number 4:
Office for Social
Ministry produces video for the Rachel's Hope web site under
re-construction - You can preview the Rachel's Hope video now at
www.osmelink.org/rh.wmv on Window Media
Player
The Director of Rachel's Hope (RH), Rosemary Benefield, RN, shared
a little known fact with the OSM that sparked an idea for a
promotional video.
Only about one half of the women who
 contact
Rachel's Hope to inquire about it's three-day after-abortion
healing retreat actually attend. To date, more than 530 women
have participated in this "miracle of healing." That may seem
like a significant number, but the flip side should not be
overlooked. Half of those who have expressed interest have not
taken advantage of the retreat and all it has to offer.
Rosemary was seeking a method of portraying the beauty,
healing, and hope the retreat provides and how participants are
profoundly impacted by the experience. This led to a
proposal to produce a video that would feature past RH attendees.
Having the "graduates" themselves share personal stories might
just make a difference for women exploring pathways of healing.
Five graduates courageously stepped forward and were interviewed
at length about their abortion experiences and their healing
 journeys.
(Photo at right: Rosemary with the RH video participants)
Will the video provide an insight into the potential of the RH
Retreat for those seeking healing?
You be the judge.
Watch the video:
www.osmelink.org/rh.wmv
If you think the video might make a difference in the life of
someone who has been affected by an abortion experience, please
share it. Just pass along the above link with a personal note
indicating your concern and hope. Thank you.
Number 5:
The Ignatian Volunteer Corps brought
together friends, developed resources for its important work, and
honored Michelle Dunne at its annual Della Strada Award Dinner on
March 22, 2009
Over 165 people gathered as part of the Ignatian
 Volunteer
Corps of San Diego on March 22nd to honor Michele Dunne with the
2009 Della Strada Award.
(At left are: Michele Dunn, center, with award, Ginger
Infantino to Michelle's left, and several other IVC Regional
Council members)
Michele served at Catholic Charities in the Diocese of San Diego
for 26 years. Starting as a case worker in 1982, she recently
retired as the Department Director of Emergency Services.
The celebration featured a traditional Italian Sunday dinner
prepared by Fr. Gil Gentile ,
SJ, and members of the Culinary Arts Program of St. Vincent de
Paul Village.
(At right: Fr. Gill takes a much deserved break after more
than 8 straight hours of food preparation)
A silent auction and live entertainment by “Three Tenors” added to
the enjoyment of the afternoon.
IVC is a national service ministry of volunteers and for
volunteers that connects the experience and talents of men and
women, age 50 and older, with the real and many needs of people
who are materially poor. IVC San Diego is one of 15 regional
programs nationwide. Locally, 16 Ignatian Volunteers serve in 12
community agencies and programs. Many more agencies and
organizations are seeking Volunteers. For more info, contact
Margie Carroll, Regional Director, at
mcarroll@ivcusa.org or
619-881-9509.
Web and
e-mail-based Resources
www.MoralAccountability.com
From Washington, DC (www.LifeNews.com)
Professor Robert George Launches Pro-Life Web Site to Track
Obama Abortion Record
(Robert P. George is McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence
and Founder and Director of the James Madison Program in American
Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University.)
Fearing that the Obama administration will “swiftly begin an assault
on pro-life laws" professor Robert George has joined forces with
other academics from around the country to create a web site which
he says will hold pro-life voters accountable who backed
pro-abortion President Barack Obama. (see the article at the
conclusion of this e-link bulletin)
George, who serves on the President’s Council on Bioethics, launched
moralaccountability.com to record the president’s platform as well
as news on abortion and bioethics issues like embryonic stem cell
research.
“With this web site, everyone who offered an opinion on these
issues, the effect of Obama’s policies and the sincerity of his
claims, could be held accountable,” George said in an interview with
The Daily Princetonian. These voters “argued that it is legitimate
and desirable to support … Obama because despite his differences of
opinion on this issue … his policies would actually reduce the death
toll of abortion because they would strike at the root causes of
abortion, specifically economic distress,” he explained.
George said he is concerned that Obama has already acted in favor of
the pro-abortion position, revoking the Mexico City Policy. “That’s
the first thing he did because he could do it by executive order,”
George said. “So now American taxpayers’ money will flow into the
coffers of abortion providers such as Planned Parenthood and other
organizations that make abortions more widely available abroad.”
Visit
www.moralaccountability.com
Especially interesting is a section of the web site dedicated to
shining a light on the arguments of Catholics and other Christians
who publicly supported Barak Obama during the election. It can be
found at:
http://www.moralaccountability.com/the-record/the-pro-life-case-for-barack-obama
New
Local/Regional Events and
Gatherings
If you are planning an event that falls within the mission of social
ministry, send the particulars four to five weeks in advance to the
Office for Social Ministry via e-mail,
osmelink@diocese-sdiego.org. The OSM reserves the right to
publish or not to publish any proposed event information. We hope
this will assist your local efforts to re-build a culture of life.
1. Attend the San Diego "Friends of Fair Trade" monthly
meeting
San Diego Friends of Fair Trade is a coalition of non-profit
organizations and congregations attempting to advance the cause of
fair trade. They work to insure that all individuals who toil, both
at home and around the world, to provide consumers with commodities
are paid a living wage, one that can sustain a life with dignity.
The next SD Friends of Fair Trade meeting will be on
Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. at the Open Door
Book Store on 4761 Cass St., Pacific Beach - For more information
please contact Carolyn Lief at
fairtradesandiego@gmail.com
2. Get Acquainted with Detention Ministry in the Diocese
of San Diego
Join Deacon Jim Walsh each month for an Information and Training
Seminar on detention ministry and restorative justice at
the Diocesan Pastoral Center, 3888 Paducah Drive, San Diego, 92117
For the month of April...
The next Information and Training Seminar will take place on
Wednesday, April 15, 2009, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at
the Pastoral Center - Visit the web site for more information:
www.diocese-sdiego.org/restore
Sorry, no walk-ins. Contact Deacon Jim Walsh for reservations or
questions: 858-490-8375 or e-mail Deacon Jim
jwalsh@diocese-sdiego.org
3. North-County prayer witness at the Carlsbad Planned
Parenthood Clinic
North County parishioners meet the third Monday of every month
from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. to peacefully pray the rosary in front of
the Carlsbad Planned Parenthood Clinic. The clinic is located at
1820 Marron Rd. (in the shopping center just west of Plaza Camino
Real Mall). For more information contact Jahna White of St.
Margaret Parish at 760-586-6356.
4. Prayerful witness for life at two locations (7340 Miramar
Road in San Diego and 15546 Pomerado Road in Poway) in San Diego
County
Helpers of God’s Precious Infants weekly rosary prayer vigil from
8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. every Saturday and Wednesday at 7340 Miramar
Road, directly above Metro Flooring in the complex with the Pyramid
Building, adjacent to Carroll Road. Prayer warriors also needed as
early as 7:30 a.m.
Call Roger Lopez 619/990-1341 for more information.
Second 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.
5. 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 North
County Women's Medical Clinic, 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.
6. St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Carlsbad also supports the
St. Dismas Guild prayer ministry in front of the North County
Women's Medical Clinic on Craven Way -
Please join the St. Elizabeth of Seton Culture of Life prayer
vigils at 10:00 a.m. every Tuesday morning at "North County Women's
Medical Clinic": 120 Craven Road, San Marcos (http://www.womensmedicalclinic.com/).
Those interested can carpool from St. Elizabeth Seton's upper
parking lot at 9:30 a.m. If you don't want to carpool, please feel
free to meet us at the Abortion Center at 10:00 a.m. or at any time
between 10:00 a.m. and Noon. These vigils are not confrontational.
We give witness by being present in prayer and entrust our message
to the Blessed Mother. Contact Gene
ejzoval@yahoo.com or
760-804-9656 for more information.
7. 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.
8. Most Precious Blood Parish Rosary Prayer Vigils held on
Wednesdays each week
The Pro-Life Prayer Group from Most Precious Blood sponsors a
Rosary Prayer Vigil in front of "A Womans Choice" Clinic abortion
facility at 1550 Broadway, Chula Vista every Wednesday at 8:45 a.m.
For more information, please call Shirley Henry at 619-420-7096 or
Luis Mendoza at 619-259-3906.
9. Prayer partners are needed at the office of Feliciano
Rios M.D., 1079 Third Ave., suite 3, in Chula Vista - Dr. Rios
performs abortions at his medical facility - Meet each Wednesday
from 8:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
Please contact Luis Mendoza, a Missionary of The Gospel of Life
Lay Associate, at 619-259-3906, with questions or to share interest
in this prayer ministry.
10. There is a Planned Parenthood facility located at 1685
East Main, just off the Greenfield Drive exit in El Cajon - join
friends and neighbors in prayer
According to the PP website, chemical (RU-486) abortions
only are done at this location - not surgical abortions. They do
refer women for abortions to their surgical center on First Ave.
Join the group each Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and Saturday
from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Contact: Debbie 619-933-7776.
11. The Goretti Group offers chastity prayer and speaker
training monthly
Every First Friday of the month the Goretti Group
will Celebrate a St. Maria Goretti Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary,
1654 State Street, at 6:15 p.m.
Every Second Monday of the month: ChasteMasters Meeting at Our
Lady of the Rosary, Giovanni Room, 7:00 p.m. - Please join us in
prayer, a roundtable discussion, and providing feedback as chastity
speakers refine their talks.
For more info please visit:
www.thegorettigroup.org or call David at: 619-733-8439
Watch for OSM e-link bulletin #77 around Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Article/Statement for April 7, 2009
A note from the OSM:
Many e-link readers are familiar with LifeNews.com, undoubtedely the
most comprehensive distributor of any and all pertinent information
on human life issues in the world. Please visit the LifeNews web
site -
www.lifenews.com
- and while you are there, consider making a donation.
I made a personal financial contribution to LifeNews on April 6,
2009, and consider this investment in LifeNews critical to
rebuilding a culture of life in the USA. Kent
From LifeNews.com
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The following is a compilation of
bill signings, speeches, appointments and other actions that
President Barack Obama has engaged in that have promoted abortion
 before
and during his presidency. While Obama has promised to reduce
abortions and some of his supporters believe that will happen, this
long list proves his only agenda is promoting more abortions.
Post-Election / Pre-Inauguration of 2008
November 5, 2008 - Obama selects
pro-abortion Rep. Rahm Emanuel as his White House Chief of Staff.
Emanuel has a 0% pro-life voting record according to National Right
to Life.
November 19, 2008 - Obama picks
pro-abortion former Sen. Tom Daschle as his Health and Human
Services Secretary. Daschle has a long pro-abortion voting record
according to National Right to Life.
November 20, 2008 - Obama chooses
former NARAL legal director Dawn Johnsen to serve as a member of his
Department of Justice Review Team. Later, he finalizes her
appointment as the Assistant Attorney General for the Office of the
Legal Counsel in the Obama administration.
November 24, 2008 - Obama appoints
Ellen Moran, the former director of the pro-abortion group Emily's
List as his White House communications director. Emily's List only
supported candidates who favored taxpayer funded abortions and
opposed a partial-birth abortion ban.
November 24, 2008 - Obama puts
former Emily's List board member Melody Barnes in place as his
director of the Domestic Policy Council.
November 30, 2008 - Obama named
pro-abortion Sen. Hillary Clinton as the Secretary of State. Clinton
has an unblemished pro-abortion voting record and has supported
making unlimited abortions an international right.
December 10, 2008 - Obama selects
pro-abortion former Clinton administration official Jeanne Lambrew
to become the deputy director of the White House Office of Health
Reform. Planned Parenthood is "excited" about the selection.
December 10, 2008 - Obama
transition team publishes memo from dozens of pro-abortion groups
listing their laundry list of pro-abortions actions they want him to
take.
Pro-Abortion Presidential Record - 2009
January 5, 2009 - Obama picks
pro-abortion Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine as the chairman of the
Democratic Party.
January 6, 2009 - Obama chooses
Thomas Perrelli, the lawyer who represented Terri Schiavo’s husband
Michael in his efforts to kill his disabled wife, as the third
highest attorney in the Justice Department.
January 22, 2009 - Releases
statement restating support for Roe v. Wade decision that allowed
virtually unlimited abortions and has resulted in at least 50
million abortions since 1973.
January 23, 2009 - Forces taxpayers
to fund pro-abortion groups that either promote or perform abortions
in other nations. Decison to overturn Mexico City Policy sends part
of $457 million to pro-abortion organizations.
January 26, 2009 - Obama nominee
for Deputy Secretary of State, James B. Steinberg, tells members of
the Senate that taxpayers should be forced to fund abortions.
Nominee erroneously says limits on abortion funding are
unconstitutional.
January 29, 2009 - President Obama
nominates pro-abortion David Ogden as Deputy Attorney General.
February 12, 2009 - Obama nominates
pro-abortion Elena Kagan to serve as Solicitor General.
February 27, 2009 - Starts the
process of overturning pro-life conscience protections President
Bush put in place to make sure medical staff and centers are not
forced to do abortions.
February 28, 2009 - Barack Obama
nominates pro-abortion Kathleen Sebelius to become Secretary of
Health and Human Services.
March 5, 2009 - The Obama
administration shut out pro-life groups from attending a White
House-sponsored health care summit. Planned Parenthood, the nation's
largest abortion business, made the invitation list as did other
pro-abortion groups.
March 9, 2009 - President Barack
Obama signed an executive order forcing taxpayer funding of
embryonic stem cell research.
March 10, 2009 - Obama announces
the creation of a new foreign policy position to focus on women's
issues. He names Melanne Verveer, an abortion advocate, to occupy
the post.
March 10, 2009 - Reverses an
executive order to press for more research into ways of obtaining
embryonic stem cells without harming human life. The order Obama
scrapped would have promoted new forms of stem cell research.
March 11, 2009 - Obama signed an
executive order establishing a new agency within his administration
known as the White House Council on Women and Girls. Obama's
director of public liaison at the White House, Tina Tchen, an
abortion advocate, becme director of it.
March 11, 2009 - Obama
administration promotes an unlimited right to abortion at a United
Nations meeting.
March 11, 2009 - Obama
administration officials deny negative effects of abortion at United
Nation's meeting.
March 17, 2009 - President Barack
Obama makes his first judicial appointment and names pro-abortion
federal Judge David Hamilton to serve on the Seventh Circuit Court
of Appeals. |
