INDEX
Articles: by title
Priests for Life Canada,
1996, Introduction Issue
Articles: by author
Fr. Jim
Whalen, National Director, Priests for Life Canada
Other
Priests for Life Canada,
1996, Introduction Issue
MEMBER
PRIESTS AND DEACONS ARE ASKED TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING PRIVATE
COMMITMENT...,
Priests for Life Canada,
1996, Issue 1 (Fall)
The aim is to
have more Catholics involved
in Protecting the Sanctity of
Life....
Priests for Life Canada
1996, Introduction Issue
"How do we convince more Catholics to become involved in the
Protection of Life?" This is a question that has been asked for the past
25 years by those Catholics who have already been involved in pro-life
activities.
A dedicated group of individuals in Renfrew County (near Ottawa,
Ontario), feel they have the answer. Get the Priests involved first. But
their idea is not new.
The Pro-Life movement in the United States, after years of virtual
"Abortion on Demand", is experiencing some success. Part of this success
must be credited to a group of American priests who call themselves
"Priests for Life". A new Canadian group is now ready to draw on that
success to make pro-life one of the most important issue for Catholics
in Canada.
A steady stream of pro-life educational material, sample homilies and
other supportive pro-life information is being sent to over 30,000
priests and deacons and many more lay people in the U.S. on a regular
basis. Two Priests, Father Frank Pavone and Father Richard Hogan, along
with their small staff operate this full time ministry to keep the
pro-life movement alive in American Catholic parishes.
Canada is not far behind. As in the U.S., Canada also has it's share
of dedicated pro-life priests. But more needs to be done. Doctor Bernard
Nathanson, a former abortionist has commented to clergy: "We would have
never gotten away with what we did if you had been united, purposeful
and strong." Today, the abortionists would not be getting away with it
if all Catholics would be united behind their clergy to fight abortion.
Though there are many priests working heroically to promote the
sanctity of life, the question of increased participation by the clergy
is still a crucial one.....and a recurring one. At lease one new answer
is now emerging across Canada.
A group of lay people in the Pembroke Diocese, assisted by two
deacons and Father Paul Burchat, have taken on the task of duplicating
the U.S. Priests for Life success. A Committee has been formed to
organize a "PRIESTS FOR LIFE, CANADA".
The mission of the Committee is quite simple: Encourage priests and
all Catholics across Canada to become a member of PRIESTS FOR LIFE,
CANADA and then provide them with the material they require to become
proficient in pro-life issues. PRIESTS FOR LIFE, CANADA will distribute
a regular newsletter, offer homily materials, videos, and audio tapes to
Canadian priests, deacons and the laity.
One of the first quests for the committee is to find a priest able to
take on the role of National Director. It is suspected that this role
will soon become a full-time commitment. As soon as a National Director
and clerical support is in place, Priests for Life will be able to
travel the country providing much needed resources to priests and
pro-life groups. Additionally, as priests come forward to take on
leading roles in the organization, the lay people now involved will
become supporting members. The intent of PRIESTS FOR LIFE, CANADA is
that the organization be run mainly 'by priests' and 'for priests'.
The laity also have a role to play in our own Catholic pro-life
organization. With the support of all Catholics, PRIESTS FOR LIFE,
CANADA will soon be a household word in all Catholic parishes and
schools across Canada. Members will receive regular newsletters and
other pro-life information geared specifically to Catholics. As a lay
person, becoming a member of PRIESTS FOR LIFE, CANADA will also show a
commitment by Catholics to stand behind their priests on one of the most
important social issue of our time.
The formation of PRIESTS FOR LIFE, CANADA may be the one missing link
needed to restoring a respect for all life from conception until natural
death, here in this great country of ours. If all Catholics could become
truly united and stand against the forces of death facing our unborn,
elderly and handicapped, we will once again see a restoration to the
sanctity of life. This is the opportunity for all Catholics to become
involved in the pro-life movement. We know we can make it happen because
PRIESTS FOR LIFE, CANADA is teaching the 'message of truth' as
instructed by Jesus Christ Himself and by our Holy Father, Pope John
Paul II in the 'Gospel of Life'.
It is a known fact that Catholics in Canada obtain abortions as often
as non-Catholics. Euthanasia, also referred to as 'Mercy Killing' is at
our doorstep. Many Catholics are unable to distinguish the difference
between a 'dignified death' and the term 'mercy killing'. It is the duty
of all Catholics to involve themselves in educating their Catholic
brothers and sisters on pro-life issues. Support by all Catholics to
PRIESTS FOR LIFE, CANADA can make the difference.
Priests, Deacons, Catholics and non-Catholics (as supporting members)
can help PRIESTS FOR LIFE by becoming a member for a $15.00 annual
membership. Additional donations are also appreciated to help this
organization get started. Please send donations to: PRIESTS FOR LIFE,
CANADA, Box 8087, Pembroke, Ontario, K8A 6W8. PRIESTS FOR LIFE, CANADA
also request your prayers for their success in the pro-life movement. +
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Priests for Life Canada
1996, Introduction Issue
- Offer Masses for pro-life intentions. This can either be a
"special event" or a regular scheduled Mass, the intention of which
relates to pro-life.
- Establish a Pro-life Prayer Group in the parish, dedicated
specifically to prayers and teachings on the value of human life.
- Offer pro-life holy hours, rosaries, Scripture services.
- Preach frequently on abortion, both by entire homilies on the
topic and by reference to it in other homilies.
- Invite community based pro-life groups to speak on life issues
after Masses.
- Include abortion in the General Intercessions at Mass.
- Place inserts into the bulletin about pro-life. These can be
full-page inserts which can be given to the bulletin company in
advance, or short (1-3 line) messages. These are available from
Priests for Life, Canada. Present pro-life topics in religious
studies, marriage preparation courses, instructions for sponsors, etc.
- Have special education evenings with speakers and/or videos.
- Have a "Life Mission" with a guest speaker/workshop for several
days.
- Use the parish bookrack to make good pro-life literature/tapes
available.
- Use parish bulletin boards inside and outside the Church to convey
a pro-life message.
- Set up a permanent pro-life sign on the property.
- Make pro-life resources (Precious Feet pins, bumper stickers,
buttons, etc.) available to the parishioners.
- Sponsor a pro-life essay/poster contest amongst the children of
the parish. Display winning poster.
- Have readily available at all times concrete information about
alternatives to abortion.
- Have information available on post-abortion healing programs like
"Second Chance Ministries".
- Bring people out for a Life Chain or peaceful prayer vigil.
Publish and encourage these events well in advance.
- Encourage a parish pro-life committee to form and grow. Give
constant encouragement.
- Commission a pro-life committee at a special liturgy.
- As always, read good books and periodicals on life issues. Consult
with those who know more, and take advantage of resources provided by
local pro-life offices and Priests for Life, Canada.
- Have a plaque or monument erected in memory of the children who
have died from abortion.
- Call for special parish days of voluntary prayer and fasting to
end abortion.
- Establish a parish pro-life newsletter.
- Encourage parishioners to become members of your local community
pro-life group.
This information is available in pamphlet form. E-mail or order
from,
Priests for Life, Canada
Box 43, Cumberland, ON K4C 1E5
Back to the index
After only a few
months of searching, Priests for Life Canada
finds a National
Director.....
Priests for Life Canada
1996, Issue 1 (Fall)
Priests for Life, Canada now has a National Director. After nine
short months since the first meeting of the steering committee, Priests
for Life is now fully established in Canada, complete with a priest as
National Director. Additionally, nine Canadian bishops have already
responded to our appeal for members.
Supported by seven lay people, two deacons and a priest, our first
meeting was held in December of 1995. Since that time, we have been busy
spreading the news of our new Canadian organization. It was expected
that it could take up to two years before a priest could be found to
take on the national leadership, but after only a few months of
promotion, a priest has already taken on the position of National
Director.
In about mid August a call came to us from Archbishop Gervais of the
Archdiocese of Ottawa. He had received the Priests for Life 'Pro-life
Information Package' produced by the steering committee and was
delighted to nominate Father James Whalen, a priest in his diocese, for
the position of National Director. We wasted no time in approaching Fr.
Jim who has eagerly taken on the position.
Father Jim, pastor of Saint Margaret Mary bilingual parish in
Cumberland (just outside the City of Ottawa), was born in 1939 and has
been a priest with the Ottawa Archdiocese since 1972. Prior to becoming
a priest, Father Jim taught in the Ottawa Separate School system for 8
years. After earning his Doctors of Philosophy Degree in Formation
Spirituality, complete with writing a thesis which was published and
used as a teaching text by Duquesne University, Pittsburg, PA, Fr. Jim
taught Religious Science for two years at the Ottawa University. In
addition to being bilingual 'enough to get by', he presently serves as
the spiritual director of The Senatus (Governing Body of the Legion of
Mary, Northern Ontario). He has also spent many years assisting the
Native people of Canada as Chaplain for Native Peoples of Ottawa. He was
also one of the founders of Odawa Native Friendship Center. Further
involvements includes his work assisting the Ottawa area Catholic Home
Schoolers Association.
Father Jim is not new to the pro-life movement. For the past five
years, he has been the designated Pro-Life Researcher and Analyst for
the Archdiocese of Ottawa. Though Fr. Jim will remain as the pastor of
the Cumberland parish, he is willing and able to rearrange his
priorities to take on the leadership of Priests for Life, Canada.
When asked why he is willing to take on the challenge as the National
Director for Priests for Life, Fr. Jim said "as a priest, we cannot 'not
be involved'. We must use all the forces available to us to attack the
problems of abortion and euthanasia. His past commitment to pro-life
will prove to be a valuable asset to our Priests for Life movement. +
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Priests for Life Canada
1996,
Issue 1 (Fall)
We are also fortunate to have Fr. Ted Colleton come on board. Fr.
Ted, probably the most admirable, sensible, witty and likable priest to
many Canadian pro-lifers, has agreed to assist as a board member. We
look forward to working closely with Fr. Ted to draw on his many years
of experience as a priest and as a dedicated pro-lifer. Fr. Ted's
convictions to defend life over the past thirty years has even earned
him some time in jail. We hope to keep him out. At the age of 83, we
need every ounce of pro-life blood he has left in him. With this kind of
direction and support, we're well on our way. +
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"DO YOU LOVE ME" (Jn 21:15)
by Fr. Jim Whalen, National Director, Priests for
Life Canada
1996, Issue 1 (Fall)
Jesus had a way of cutting to the truth, the bottom line. When Simon
Peter, our first Pope, was asked this basic fundamental question by
Jesus, He replied: "You know I love you." (Jn 21: 15, 16, 17). Jesus
gave him the command "Feed My Lambs". (Jn 21: 15, 16, 17). Our Lord is
not satisfied with mere words. This is brought to our attention: "Let us
love...in deed and in truth." (1 Jn: 3:18). "Feed my Lambs" in terms of
pro-life issues can be seen as having the highest priority in our
mandate.
Pope John Paul II reminds us, that we are called to build a
civilization of love and peace, a 'Culture of Life'. (Letter to
families, 1994). Mother Teresa stated clearly there can be no peace as
long as we have abortion. Like St. Joseph, the just man, who protected
Jesus, before and after birth, we must be willing to struggle for
justice: "Do Justice." (Isa 1:10-17). Christ's basic conditions for
peace are clear: "Seek you first the kingdom of God and his justice and
all these things shall be added unto you." (Luke 12:31). Jesus was the
innocent victim, the lamb who was crucified for our sake, to save us. Do
we love Him enough to accept to carry the cross, to be persecuted, to be
put on the cross and suffer for the sake of His innocent lambs? Abortion
and euthanasia are not options for us. Victimizing the handicapped and
the elderly is not acceptable.
Innocent victims are being nailed on the cross. This abomination must
stop. (50 million yearly in the world; 300 daily in Canada). Many have
forgotten the way of the Cross. God's plan and blueprints for pro-life
and family life are being rejected by many, but the negatives are still
preserved in scripture. St. Teresa of Avila reminds us: "Let nothing
stand in the way of accomplishing the work given by God." We are
determined to make Canada Christian again. We have been promised moral
evil will be overcome by the triumphant cross: "Making peace through the
Blood of His Cross". (Col 1:20). The war against children, moments of
great catastrophe, are often the eves of great spiritual renaissance.
Pray that it is so. "I will give you treasures out of the darkness". (Isa
45:3). +
by Fr. Jim Whalen, National Director, Priests for
Life Canada
1996, Issue 1 (Fall)
What is the significance of this sacred image? Why does our Lady of
Guadalupe wish her sacred image to be perpetuated among the people of
the western hemisphere today? Why is she being recognized and accepted
more and more as our pro-life patroness? Pope Pius XII believed it was
for our protection and safety. The increase in the intensity of satan's
attack on Our Lady and her children was announced at Fatima in 1917. Our
Lady's role in defeating and crushing satan's head was foretold in
scripture, and prophesied at Fatima: "In the end my Immaculate Heart
will triumph". Pope Paul VI warned us in 1972 of the signs: "obscure
domination, doctrinal errors, devil worship, and the occult."
In his book, "The Wonder of Guadalupe", Francis Johnston writes:
"There is a striking parallel between our own age and that of the Aztec
civilization immediately before the apparitions of 1531. Now as then,
societies dominated by godlessness, pagan excesses and immorality,
countless innocents today are sacrificed alive on the altars of
abortion. False deities abound everywhere. Aztec polygamy and depravity
are more than matched by today's universal moral collapse. A decisive
collision seems inevitable and imminent, as it was in 1531."
As in 1531, today in 1996, only a small minority of clerics and
followers are persevering in prayer, fasting and personal sacrifice. We
must strive to multiply these few and appeal to her for help in the
rosary as they did in the past. Our Lady of Guadalupe's pledge gives us
hope. "I am your Merciful Mother, the mother of all who live united in
this land, and of all mankind, of all those who have confidence in me.
Here I will hear their weeping and their sorrows, and will remedy and
alleviate their sufferings, necessities and misfortunes...Do not be
troubled or weighed down with grief. Do not fear any illness or
vexation, anxiety or pain. Am I not here who am your mother? Are you not
under my shadow and protection? Am I not your Fountain of Life? Are you
not in the folds of my mantle? In the crossing of my arms? Is there
anything else you need?" (words spoken to Juan Diego at Guadalupe,
1531). +
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WHAT
PRIESTS CAN DO
TO
STOP ABORTIONS...
Priests for Life Canada
1996,
Issue 1 (Fall)
1. Offer Masses for pro-life intentions.
2. Establish a parish pro-life prayer group.
3. Offer pro-life holy hours, rosaries, scripture services.
4. Preach frequently on abortion and euthanasia.
5. Invite community based pro-life groups to speak after Mass.
6. Place pro-life inserts into the parish bulletin.
7. Have special education evenings with speakers/videos.
8. Have a "Life Mission" Sunday.
9. Make pro-life books, tapes, etc. available.
10. Include abortion in the "General Intercessions'.
11. Set up a permanent pro-life sign on church property.
12. Make 'precious feet' pins and bumper stickers available.
13. Sponsor a pro-life essay/poster contest.
14. Have ready information about abortion alternatives.
15. Bring people out to a peaceful protest.
16. Encourage a pro-life committee to form and grow
in your parish.
17. Keep up to date on abortion and euthanasia issues.
18. Encourage parishioners to become members
of your community pro-life group.
Back to the index
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