What “I Know My Limits” Really Means

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Lisa at Lucy's Baptism

My social media feeds blew up several days ago with friends near and far sharing their disgust over words an Iowa lawmaker spoke on the floor of the Iowa House. The lawmaker at the center of the kerfuffle is Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell who stands in opposition to a bill here in Iowa banning telemed or webcam abortions. The partial transcript of her speech follows. Or watch here if you prefer to hear straight from the source. “I want to let you know that we as women know about babies. … [Read more...]

20 Ways (and counting!) At-Home Moms Can Volunteer for the Pro-Life Movement

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Pregnant Woman

V is for Volunteer. Read other “Blogging from A to Z” posts here. I recently received an email from a young at-home mom with limited access to transportation requesting advice on how she can get involved in the pro-life movement given her current stage of life and vocation. Here's part of the email: "I am interested in becoming more involved in the pro-life movement but have little resources to offer. I'm an at-home mom to a young toddler. We have one car, and my husband is often gone … [Read more...]

Biking for Babies on EWTN — TONIGHT!

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biking-for-babies-photo

Passing along a note from Jimmy Becker, our friend, brother in Christ, co-founder of Biking For Babies, and now ... a Catholic TV celebrity. We knew you had it in you, buddy! (Note below is edited slightly for formatting purposes.) ~ ~ ~ Dear Family and Friends, God bless you and your family!  I pray this email fills your heart with joy and brings an enormous smile to your face. THE GOOD NEWS: As some of you are aware, Mike Schaefer and I were recently interviewed on EWTN's Life on the … [Read more...]

President Obama’s Prolife Principles

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Photo courtesy of Glyn Photoworks, used under creative commons license.

The president lectures America on equality and dignity of all persons. President Obama would make a terrific advocate for the unborn. No, really! He totally has the language down. Here are 18 quotes from his 2013 inaugural address (full text here) that in isolation might fool one into thinking he regards the unborn with the same inherent dignity as everyone else.  What makes us exceptional, what makes us America is our allegiance to an idea articulated in a declaration made more than … [Read more...]

We Belong Neither to Darkness Nor to Night

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Mourning the Loss of a Child

Did you know? Planned Parenthood personnel have aborted over 5,300,000 children since 1970. That's equal to the entire population of Colorado. During fiscal year 2011-2012, Planned Parenthood reported receiving a record $542 million in taxpayer funding in the form of government grants, contracts, and Medicaid reimbursements. Taxpayer funding consists of 45% of Planned Parenthood’s annual revenue. So much for safe, legal and rare --- Planned Parenthood performed a record high 333,964 … [Read more...]

What It Means to be Prolife: A Teenage Perspective

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Katherine, a March for Life essay winner

Editor's Note: Please welcome guest contributor Katherine Bourne, a Catholic high school sophomore from Urbandale, Iowa. Katherine has profound respect and love for her Catholic faith and a great big passion for life. Katherine's joy in the Lord comes forth most readily in her sense of humor, her lightheartedness, and through her love of music. Katherine's essay is a winning entry in the Basilica of St. John March for Life essay contest. Katherine and her mom Lisa will accompany the Iowans for … [Read more...]

A Vanity Pro-Life License Plate?

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Pro Life License Plates - Iowa

So I saw this personalized license plate the other day. In a fit of wishful thinking I had to wonder if the person in the driver's seat was showing opposition to Plan B. As in the emergency contraception drug. As in the drug Planned Parenthood says will "prevent pregnancy from happening if you've had unprotected sex." As in the drug both the Food and Drug Administration and its makers admit can "prevent attachment (implantation) to the uterus (womb)."  So Plan B can cause a woman's body to … [Read more...]

Follow-Up: Resources for Miscarriage, Stillbirth & Perinatal Loss

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Perinatal Casket

We recently asked for input given Joel and I are working on developing a new miscarriage/stillbirth/perinatal loss support group for our diocese. Wow, ask and you shall receive! I shouldn't be surprised. 25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Many of us have been emotionally jolted by the loss of a child (or grandchild/niece/nephew, etc), and feel passionate about helping others who find themselves in the throes of it, too. Joel and I are grateful for the heartfelt and emotional comments and … [Read more...]

Have you Experienced Miscarriage, Stillbirth or Perinatal Loss?

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Healing from Perinatal Loss

We are seeking your input in order to help others My husband Joel and I are collaborating with others to form a diocesan-wide support program for families experiencing the loss of a child through miscarriage, stillbirth, or other type of perinatal loss (more info here). Joel is currently in deacon formation, and this work is an extension of his diaconal studies. We have felt called to develop such a ministry given our personal experience with miscarriage and the lack of support we … [Read more...]