St. Francis Affirms Life
40 Days for Life
Sept. 23 - Nov. 1, 2009
Ann Arbor will be joining up with 211 other cities in the US, Canada and Denmark for the Fall 40 Days for Life campaign. It promises to be the biggest Pro-Life event ever! Our campaign will be a continuous 24 hour prayer vigil so we need plenty of prayer warriors to pray at the abortion clinic and fast for an end to abortion. Last year we filled about 90% of the hours so this year, let's try for 100%! Please sign up for hours at www.40daysforlife.com/annarbor
Life Chain 2009
Sunday, October 4th, 2009, from 2-3:30 PM Line the sidewalks on Huron Parkway from Washtenaw Ave. to Professional Drive. Stand and be counted in a visual statement against abortion. For one and a half hours family friendly signs will be available to hold with statements such as: Adoption the Loving Option, Jesus Forgives and Heals, Abortion Kills Children, and other pro-life messages. Of course you can create your own family friendly signs. The Life Chain is a powerful testimony to all who drive by, that many local residents believe that abortion is wrong. Seniors should feel free to bring folding chairs. The route is handicap accessible. We will be there rain or shine. This is a legal activity. Suggested donation of $1 to cover costs. For more information contact the Pro-LIFE Action Network 734-973-2422.
Rescue those unjustly sentenced to death, do not stand back and let them die. Proverbs 24:11
NFP
For engaged and married couples wanting to learn aspects of living a chaste and holy life within their marriage covenant, The Couple to Couple League (CCL) offers Natural Family Planning classes. From a series of classes, a couple can learn a method of natural family planning, which can be used to help infertile couples as well as those needing to delay pregnancy. Natural family planning is also in keeping with the Catholic Church's teaching. more...
To learn more about the church's teaching on contraception visit the USCCB website.
Committee Meeting
Our next Pro-Life committee meeting is September 17, 2009 at 11:30 in the church library. Please join us to pray, reflect and share ideas. We will also be discussing the annual Life-Chain event. We hope to see you! Our meetings are open to all parishioners.
"Won by Love"
Jane Roe of the Roe vs. Wade decision that legalized abortion in the United States, authored a book by the title of "Won by Love". Recently, it was on our reading list at St. Francis. The book is a story of her conversion from being a staunch supporter of abortion to becoming a pro-life spokesperson and advocate. To see what Norma McCorvey (the real Jane Roe) is doing now please watch "Jane Roe's Prolife Commercial".
- Books & Publications
- Research Information
- International Organizations
- Campaigns
- Prayers
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Take Action
- Calendar of Events
2009 Pro-Life Mass Intentions and Schedule
- September 15 Tuesday 9:15 Respect for Human Life
- October 11 Sunday 8:45 AM Sanctity of Human Life
- November 19 Thursday 9:15 Protection of Human Life
Campaigns
Join The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Campaign:
People of Life
U.N. Petition for the Unborn Child Please View and Sign
Books & Publications
Research Information
Stem Cells and Hope for Patients
International Organizations
Keep up with what is happening at the United Nations C-FAM
Prayers
Liturgical and other Prayers for Life
Fill Me, Lord
by Mariele Courtois, age 11, 11/01/2004
Fill me with understanding, Lord, so I can find the love that is hidden in others.
Fill me with faith, Lord, so I can be the best follower I can be.
Fill me with loyalty, Lord, so I can do whatever you ask of me.
Fill me with passion, Lord, so I can care for all of Your creation.
Fill me with courage, Lord, so I will not be afraid of evil.
Fill me with Your destiny, Lord, so I can accomplish Your will.
Fill me with intergrity, Lord, so that I can be fair to all of Your people.
Fill me with myself, Lord, so I can dedicate all that I have to You.
Fill me with Yourself, Lord, so people can look into my eyes and see You. Amen
Prayer for Protection of Human Life at its Beginning
God our Father, you lovingly knit us in our mother's womb. Grant that each human embryo will be respected as a human being, and not dismissed as a product to be manipulated or destroyed. Grant us the courage and conviction to be your voice for our sisters and brothers at the very earliest stages of their development, and for all defenseless unborn children. Jesus, Divine Healer, foster in those conducting medical research a commitment to finding cures in ways that respect these little ones and all your vulnerable children. Holy Spirit, grant us the wisdom to develop morally sound treatments for conditions now thought to be incurable. Help us persevere in defending human life while alleviating suffering. Show mercy to all who have cooperated in killing our tiniest brothers and sisters. Bring them and all who support destructive embryo research to true conversion. Grant them the ability to see the immeasurable dignity of all human beings even in the first days of life. Father, we ask this in Jesus' name, through the Holy Spirit. Amen
Prayer to the Holy Spirit, the Advocate
O Holy Spirit of God, You were promised to us by the Lord Jesus as an Advocate, as one who pleads our cause and speaks up for us in the heights of heaven. "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever..." (Jn.14:15 ). The apostle Paul has taught us that You intercede for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in speech ((Rom. 8:26). We praise You today for the gift of salvation, for we are deeply aware that we cannot save ourselves. We have sinned, and we cannot win forgiveness on our own. We need an Advocate. We ask You, O Holy Spirit, to make us ever more aware of those who need us as advocates. Grant that we may hear the cries of our youngest, smallest brothers and sisters, those still in the womb, who cannot speak or defend themselves, and who cannot even pray. Holy Spirit, as You are the Advocate, so make us advocates. As You hear our cries for mercy, so let us hear the cries of others for mercy. Save us from the misfortune of seeking mercy only for ourselves, while being deaf to others. As you loosened the tongues of the apostles at Pentecost, so grant us today a Pentecost for the unborn, that we may speak for them before the great and the small, before governments and institutions, and before all Your people. Amen.
Take Action
Send Them A Message
Federal Government President
President Barak Obama, The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Washington D.C. 20500
Comments: 202-456-1111. Switchboard: 202-456-1414. Fax: 202-456-2461. email
U.S. Representatives and Senators
Contact your U.S. Representative and Two Senators
Pregnancy Resources
The Elizabeth Ministry
Elizabeth Ministry - is for all parishioners in need of temporary care! Are you experiencing a life-changing event and are in need of temporary assistance such as meals, help with laundry, emotional support, encouragement, visits or prayers? Please contact the Elizabeth Ministry.
Pregnancy Help Center offers material and spiritual support. Services
Social Ministries at St. Francis
Other services and financial assistance are available through the other St. Francis Social Ministries such as the St. Vincent de Paul Service Committee, the Counseling Assistance Program and others. For more information, please contact: Scott Wright at 821-2121 or swright@rc.net. You may also see what is available at Social Ministry.
Volunteer Opportunities
The Elizabeth Ministry
The Elizabeth Ministry is open to women who wish to help and support members of our parish through difficult times. Volunteers provide meals, do laundry, and offer prayer, emotional support, encouragement, etc. If you have any questions or would like to be involved in this ministry, please contact the Parish Office at: 734-769-2550 or stfrancis@rc.net . You may also fill out a volunteer form.
Pregnancy Help Center: Distribution Volunteers
These caring individuals are organized and have good customer service skills. They assist at the center on Packard Road during its open hours (Tues. 1-4 pm, Thurs. 9:30 - 11:30 am, Sat. 10 am - 1 pm), distributing supplies and clothing to clients and receiving donations of used and new items. Distribution volunteers work anything from one to four shifts per month. Please contact: (734) 994-8863
Pregnancy Help Center: Materials Coordinators
These volunteers work at Pregnancy Help Center on Wednesday afternoons, when the Center is not open to the public. They help sort and match clothing, organize supplies, package diapers, and prepare the Center to receive clients. Please contact: (734) 994-8863
ArborVitae Women's Center: Receptionists
Receptionists will be the first welcoming smile for ArborVitae's clients. Receptionists should have strong customer service skills and willingness to be trained in answering crisis calls. Receptionists also complete light office and organizational tasks. Time commitment: minimum 4 hours per month. Please contact: (734) 994-8863
ArborVitae Women's Center: Client Advocates
Client Advocates walk with clients through their experience at ArborVitae Women's Center. These sypathetic and caring listeners complete acourse of study and training which readies them to provide accurate answers to clients' questions about pregnancy, parenting, abortion, adoption, support services, etc. Persons with some counseling experience are particularly welcomed. Please contact: (734) 994-8863
ArborVitae Women's Center: Nurse Ultrasonographers
Nurses (R.N., L.P.N.) and Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographers are welcome to volunteer their services. Registered Nurses with no experience in limited obstetrical ultrasound will be trained. Continuing education credits available. Please contact: (734) 994-8863
ArborVitae Prayer Support Team Members
Prayer is the heart of ArborVitae's service to mothers and unborn babies. You are welcome to join our prayer support team which meets once a month, or commit to pray in your home for our intentions, which we will be happy to e-mail you on an ongoing basis. Please contact: (734) 994-8863
PHC is a pro-life, non-profit, non-denominational organization with over 30 years of serving women and families in need in the Washtenaw County & Ann Arbor area. The counseling and the material support that we provide are essential in assisting women facing crisis pregnancies to choose life for their unborn. To provide the help that we give, we rely entirely on your support. Make a life saving impact for both the mother and child through difficult times.
We will provide training to ensure that you are equipped to help women in need. Please contact: (734) 994-8863