St Michael Society

Category Archives: prolife

Helping Expectant Mothers and Churning Miracles

August 30, 2010

In our ongoing battle to end abortion and help the poor, SMS has been blessed to work with Father Stefan Starzynski in his mission to care for expectant mothers through maternity homes in Virginia. Over the past three years, the Paul Stefan Foundation – www.paulstefanhome.org has cared for and nurtured over 80 expectant mothers and babies in our homes in Central and Northern, VA.

The PSF not only cares for these women and their newborns before, during and after the baby’s birth, we also help them find jobs, and further their education to help them get back on their feet in society.

We are now raising money not only for the essential daily care of these women and their newborns, but also to open more homes in the region.

On Saturday, September 25, the Paul Stefan Foundation will have its annual Gala Dinner — Celebrating Life.

I hope you will consider either purchasing a table or making a contribution to this heartwarming charity.

Information on gala here: http://www.paulstefanhome.org/celebration-of-life-gala/

Two events happened separately and came together for the formation of The Paul Stefan Home of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The first event was a trip in October, 2005 by Father Stefan Starzynski to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico. While there he prayed for Randy and Evelyn James and their unborn child. After many tests, the doctors had advised Mr. and Mrs. James that the baby had a diaphragmatic hernia and could not survive delivery. They recommended an abortion. Randy and Evelyn said the pregnancy would continue and the outcome would be in the hands of God.

Father returned home and brought with him a beautiful picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe which he blessed and gave to Sharon Fentress. She had given him money and requested that he bring her something from Guadalupe.

Sharon subsequently met Evelyn James at mass. When Sharon later found out there was a problem with Evelyn’s pregnancy, she took the picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe to Randy and Evelyn’s home and left it with them. The picture was taken along to the hospital when Evelyn was ready for delivery.

The James baby was born on December 13, 2005. He was given the Name Paul Stefan James. He died about an hour after be was born. To read more about the miracle of Paul Stefan, go to the area on this web site dedicated to Paul Stefan James.

The second event began on November 30, 2005. Father Stefan started a novena to Saint Andrew that was to end on Christmas day. On December 4th, which was Confirmation day at St Patrick church, Father prayed for the Holy Spirit to come down. On that day two parishioners, Kathleen Wilson and Theresa Rousseau, decided to join Father in making that novena. It was decided they would pray for a home for unwed mothers.

Father began to talk to other parishioners and also spoke from the pulpit about prayers being said for a home for unwed mothers. A parishioner told Father Stefan that her husband would arrange to lease fifty acres of land for a dollar a year and the donation of two houses on that land so a home for unwed mothers could be established.

A Board of Directors was formed and what to name the home was discussed. Everyone agreed it should be named in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Paul Stefan James. Thus the home was christened the Paul Stefan Home of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Please pray for the PSF Mission, the women and their babies.

Thank you and God Bless you.

Also posted in Catholic Life, Catholic culture, Ecumenism, Healthcare, Priests – 0 Comments

$600,000 to be Awarded to Life Saving Heroes

August 16, 2010

Exciting news out today from the Gerard Health Foundation …

The foundation again will be awarding $600,000 in prize money to those who have succeeded in saving human lives and awakening the conscience of America at an invitation-only event this January in Washington DC.

That’s some prize money!

Ray Ruddy, founder of the Gerard Health Foundation, shared this at the launch of this year’s program:

Our Foundation has a profoundly simple mission: to save lives. Life Prizes works to honor those who have best accomplished this noble goal and to inspire the next generation to break the mold in their life-saving work. As last year’s winners will tell you, ordinary people can achieve extraordinary goals. We look forward to celebrating six new heroes and thanking them for their ingenuity, dedication, sacrifices and leadership.

You may recognize most if not all of the six inaugural award winners 2009:

Jill Stanek – Nurse who first publicly exposed infanticide of abortion survivors
Lila Rose - Student leader who has launched several successful, undercover investigations exposing statutory rape cover-up and racism at Planned Parenthood
American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG) - A professional voice reaffirming the unique value and dignity of individual human life in all stages of growth and development from conception onward.
Richard Doerflinger – Associate Director of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, bioethics expert, and consummate researcher
Kay Coles James – Founder of The Gloucester Institute and of Black Americans for Life, pro-life advocate in the highest levels of government for decades
Margaret “Peggy” Hartshorn – President, Heartbeat International, a preeminent network of more than 1,000 pregnancy resource centers

As Human Events’ Elisabeth Meinecke notes in her piece , the 2009 ceremony and reception “drew over 1,200 attendees, with Laura Ingraham serving as master of ceremonies” and was held in January of 2009. The popular rock band BarlowGirl headlined the fantastic event and several St Michael Society editors were fortunate enough to attend. It truly was like the Oscars of the pro-life movement.

LifeNews.com also aptly notes that

… with the mainstream media frequently ignoring or twisting the coverage of pro-life advocates and Hollywood awards ceremonies featuring a who’s who of pro-abortion celebrities, the Gerard Health Foundation decided to create its own awards ceremony to honor pro-life heroes working against abortion.

Watch last year’s event video and read the ceremony speeches at www.LifePrizes.org.

We can’t wait until October when the award winners will be announced!

Also posted in Catholic Life, Catholic culture, abortion, activism, personhood – 1 Comment

Pro-Life Foundation Helps Expectant Mothers Choose Life

July 1, 2010

The Paul Stefan Foundation is an amazing mission. It was inspired from the tragic experience of a family told to get an abortion and through the prayers of a parish priest in Novena to St. Andrew and at the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Read this inspiring story here.

Since its 2006 founding, the PSF has helped over 70 women and babies. While they maintain three homes in Virginia, they are looking to open homes in Maryland soon, as well as in other parts of the country.

These homes are not only a great mission that SMS encourages our fellow Catholics to support, they are also important to our pro-life mission to overturn Roe vs Wade. Overturning Roe is inevitable, and when it is overturned these life or death decisions will be left to the states to legislate. An argument long used by pro-abortion advocates is what do you do with women who are pregnant and abandoned or abused who cannot afford a baby. The answer is the Paul Stefan Foundation and its Homes for Expectant Mothers.

The PSF just announced that its 3rd Annual Celebration of Life Gala will be in Historic Fredericksburg, VA on September 25 and will feature former Virginia First Lady Susan Allen and acclaimed pro-life Catholic Doctor John Bruchalski, Founder and President of the Tepeyac Medical Center and Divine Mercy Care.

For more information on the event or how you can support this important mission read below.

Former First Lady of Virginia, Susan Allen, To Headline Virginia “Celebration of Life” Event for Expectant Mothers and Newborns

Fredericksburg, VA—The Paul Stefan Foundation, a Virginia-based charitable organization dedicated to providing homes for expectant mothers and their newborns, announced today that Susan Allen, former First Lady of Virginia, will be a featured speaker at the organization’s Third Annual “Celebration of Life” Gala Event to be held September 25, 2010 at the Fredericksburg Expo Center.

The former First Lady joins acclaimed Doctor Dr. John Bruchalski, Founder of the Tepeyac Medical Center and Divine Mercy Care as a featured speaker. Tickets for the event can be purchased by calling 540-854-2300, or online at http://www.paulstefanhome.org/celebration-of-life-gala/

“I am so excited to be a part of this event and this great cause. When you see how the Paul Stefan Foundation, with its three homes in Virginia, is helping expectant mothers in need and their newborns, it is inspiring and incredibly heart-warming. I look forward to seeing and meeting others in support of this cause at the Gala. It will be a truly beautiful evening in so many ways,” Ms. Allen said.

Founded in 2006, The Paul Stefan Foundation www.paulstefanhome.org

operates three homes in Virginia, two in Orange County and one in Fairfax. Since opening its doors to pregnant women in need, the PSF has helped over 70 women and newborns. The Foundation was inspired through a Catholic priest, Father Stefan Starzynski, and by the death of Baby Paul Stefan James, who died less than an hour after birth. Learn more about this miraculous story at http://bit.ly/bx2kCM

“We are so grateful to Ms. Allen for accepting our offer to speak at this year’s event. She is an inspiration to us all and we are extremely honored to have her involved in our cause,” said Randy James, CEO of the Paul Stefan Foundation.

“We hope that with such great speakers this year to further enhance our cause of saving women and babies in a more ecumenical way. There are so many women right here in Virginia, who find themselves pregnant, abandoned, some abused, others living out of their cars — they have no where to turn. It is the goal of our Foundation to provide these women and their pre-born babies homes of safe haven where they will receive loving care, support and nourishment necessary for their further growth and development,” said Evelyn James, Director of Homes for the PSF.

Also posted in Catholic Life, Catholic culture, Ecumenism, Healthcare, abortion – 0 Comments

New “Morning After” Takes Life Up to Five Days After Conception

June 18, 2010

Please join us in supporting this petition drive by Students for Life. The FDA Advisory Committee for Reproductive Health Drugs just approved what they claim is a contraceptive drug, ella. But the ella drug is more than a contraceptive drug, it is also a pill which destroys the life of a human embryo.

Read more below from Students for Life and please sign the petition.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Lucy McVicker, 703-351-6280, lmcvicker@studentsforlife.org

SFLA Reaction and Petition Against FDA Approval of New Abortifacient Drug
www.ellacausesabortions.com

Arlington, VA – On June 17th, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Advisory Committee for Reproductive Health Drugs approved “ella”, a dangerous abortifacient drug, for sale within the U.S. The drug now goes before the FDA for final approval.

While being billed as a contraceptive pill, “ella” does not only prevent conception from occurring but it can also terminate the life of an existing human embryo. Women can take the drug up to five days after intercourse, well after life has been created. Because “ella” blocks the progesterone receptors needed for the continued development of the human embryo, “ella” causes an abortion if taken after conception occurs. This makes “ella” an abortion drug, not a contraceptive drug.

Kristan Hawkins, SFLA’s Executive Director, stated, “Because of the deceptive tactics by Planned Parenthood and their abortion industry allies, many women will take this drug thinking it will only prevent pregnancy. However, if they take it after fertilization – when a new human life, separate from the mother and father is created – ‘ella’ will cause an immediate abortion.”

In response to the FDA Advisory Committee’s decision of this new super-abortifacent, Students for Life of America has launched a petition, www.ellacausesabortions.com, against the FDA decision, addressed to the Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius. “We want the Secretary to know that pro-life Americans will not tolerate these new life destroying and deceptive tactics from the abortion industry,” said Kristan Hawkins.

Students for Life of America is a non-profit organization dedicated to equipping the pro-life generation with the resources they need to end abortion in America. Since launching its historic Field Program in 2006, SFLA has helped start over 350 new student pro-life organizations and trained thousands of pro-life students. For more information on SFLA, please visit www.studentsforlife.org.

###

Students for Life of America
4141 N. Henderson Rd., Suite 7
Arlington, VA 22203
Phone: 703.351.6280 Fax: 866.582.6420
www.studentsforlife.org

Also posted in Healthcare, abortion, contraception – 0 Comments

Andrea Bocelli: Almost Aborted, Devout Catholic

June 4, 2010

Award-winning pro-life blogger Jill Stanek has posted a great piece “Almost Aborted: Tenor Andrea Bocelli .” Her story links to video of the esteemed opera singer sharing his personal connection to abortion, which is both moving and beautiful:

This is a powerful reminder that every life truly is special and worth fighting for despite difficulty, pain, risk and even “expert” opinion. I’m inspired by Mrs. Bocelli having the courage to continue with her pregnancy even while knowing her child may have a severe disability. Only God could have foreseen that her child would bring so much joy – to her and to millions of people around the globe – through the gift of his voice.

It’s sad to think of how many people like Andrea we are missing today because parents feared a disability for their child and thought it was better to abort. There are so many friends, colleagues and family members we should have in our lives, but don’t. Let Andrea’s story inspire those facing difficult pregnancies, and remind us to encourage and support those who parent children with disabilities. God blesses each child with gifts, talents and the ability to touch so many lives regardless of their ability or disability.

This isn’t the first time Bocelli has publicly stood for what he believes in. As a devout Catholic, he declined the invitation from friends Tom Cruise and Katie Holms to sing in their wedding ceremony in 2007 because of his faith. He attended the post-ceremony festivities, but did not join them for the Scientology wedding “because I’m Catholic. I didn’t think it was respectful for my religion to be there.”

What a class act. Bocelli follows his faith and his heart in a respectful yet assertive way. Hollywood could stand to benefit from a whole lot more than singing lessons from him.

Also posted in Catholic Life, Catholic Moment, Catholic art, Catholic culture, abortion, catholic – 1 Comment

Earth Day: Nature’s Greatest Gift

April 22, 2010

UPDATE: The Daily Caller published an opinion piece by St Michael Society editor Patrick Looby on this ad campaign. Check it out here.

CatholicVote.org has created another masterpiece to commemorate Earth Day and celebrate what should be considered our world’s greatest natural resource … people!

Rock star pro-life blogger Jill Stanek shares which cities it is running in here and deems the organization “ever-hip” and “ever-relevant.” Watch the YouTube video capturing the reactions from those in Chicago who have already experienced the campaign firsthand.

Hats off to you, CatholicVote.org!

Also posted in Catholic Life, Catholic Moment, Catholic culture, Healthcare, abortion, catholic, personhood – 2 Comments

Miracles: New Book Documents Visions, Miracles Through Humble Priest

April 14, 2010

Remember the many miracles Jesus performed in his 33 years on earth as revealed in the Bible? And when He promised the gift of miracles would persist in the Church (Mark 16:17 )?

According to the humble priest and author of a new book – whom several of the St. Michael Society editors have had the priviledge to know – miracles were not just made manifest in the days of old; Jesus is performing them through believers in this very day in age. Fr. Stefan Starzynski shares:

I personally believe that Jesus never intended his miracles to lessen or cease, but we slowly began to accept the idea that miracles are rare in the Church; they are usually associated with very holy men and women or holy places like Lourdes, France,” Father Stefan shared. ” With this belief, came a reduction in the number of miracles. Many people conclude that because I am not a saint, Jesus would not work a miracle through me. I believe that Jesus is once again moving his hand to work great signs and wonders among his people to awaken a skeptical age.

Read about Fr. Stefan’s new book Miracles: Healing for a Broken World below. We’d highly recommend this moving and inspirational book as a gift or personal read. Visit Amazon.com or call 1-800-348-2440 to purchase a copy.

MIRACLE STORIES, VISIONS DOCUMENTED IN NEW BOOK INSPIRE RENEWAL OF FAITH AND HOPE FOR MANY

NEW BOOK SHOWS HOW GOD AND THE BLESSED MOTHER WORK THROUGH A HUMBLE PRIEST

WASHINGTON, DC – “The existential miracles that have happened through Father Stefan have become a new flame of hope set to rekindle the mind of the contemporary Christian and a world in desperate need of hope.” So writes Reverend Father Boniface Ewah in his brilliant introduction to a new book by Father Stefan Starzynski titled: Miracles: Healing for a Broken World (Published by Our Sunday Visitor).

The book not only documents how God is working through Father Stefan, who worked closely for months with Blessed Mother Theresa, it also demonstrates the amazing power of prayer and faith that is often lacking in today’s modern society. Indeed Father Stefan reveals how prayer and faith are unequivocally linked to the various miracles Father Stefan outlines in the book supported by full and beautiful, if not heart wrenching, testimonials from the various individuals on the receiving end of these miracles.

Through prayer, faith and his increasingly popular Healing Mass, Father Stefan recounts numerous stories ranging from the healing of the sick, including babies, to miraculous events that occurred on his ordination day to the death of a newborn baby that through prayers at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe inspired the Paul Stefan Homes for Expectant Mothers . Father also addresses visions he has received that have lead to miraculous events all of which are supported by the witnesses themselves in subsequent chapters at the end of the book, titled “Testimonials.”

Writing in his book, Father Stefan uses Church history and tradition to help readers understand the concept of miracles in every day life. “Why are miracles important? We live in an unbelieving time. It is readily accepted that God worked miracles in the early Church to convert Pagan Rome and to establish his Church.”

“I personally believe that Jesus never intended his miracles to lessen or cease, but we slowly began to accept the idea that miracles are rare in the Church; they are usually associated with very holy men and women or holy places like Lourdes, France. With this belief, came a reduction in the number of miracles. Many people conclude that because I am not a saint, Jesus would not work a miracle through me. I believe that Jesus is once again moving his hand to work great signs and wonders among his people to awaken a skeptical age.” In reading Miracles: Healing for a Broken World, few will disagree.

To purchase the book, visit Our Sunday Visitor website at www.osv.com or call 1-800-348-2440.

Also posted in Books, Catholic Life, Catholic Moment, Catholic culture, catholic – 3 Comments

The Feast of the Annunciation

March 25, 2010

As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation, I am struck by two things: the significance of our Lord taking the same human form as each of us began our lives, and how the Virgin Mary said “yes!” to a life of pain and suffering, knowing her Son would be King but that His crown would be very different from other rulers.

The angel of the Lord appeared to Mary and said,

Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

The angel did not say “Mary, God is sending a great military leader and you are to be his earthly mother.” Or “would you care to sit on a golden throne with the Son of God, eat fine food and drink the finest drink for the rest of your life?” No, the angel Gabriel told Mary that God Almighty wanted her to give birth to a tiny baby – His baby, their baby – and that God was sending the Holy Spirit to knit that divine child in her womb! So it’s not a coincidence that this feast day falls nine months to the day before Jesus’ birth on December 25^th.

It’s also not a coincidence that Jesus first took the form of a human being as a tiny embryo – vulnerable, microscopic and completely dependent upon the nourishment of fellow human being, for whom he would eventually suffer and die to save.

What would have happened if Mary said “thanks, but no thanks?” Or if fear, poverty, inconvenience or any number of other circumstances won instead of her free will and courage? Her fiat is a model to us all – especially mothers and fathers who feel unprepared to bring an unborn child to term – because “through Him all things are possible.”

For those parents, let us ask our Virgin Mother’s intercession in praying,

Hail Mary, full of grace

The Lord is with thee;

Blessed art thou amongst women

And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now

And at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Also posted in Catholic Life, Catholic Moment, Catholic culture, Saints, abortion, catholic, lent, personhood – 0 Comments

Culture of Death Knocks on Congress’ Door, Catholics Called to Action – Day of Prayer and Fast

March 13, 2010

Last week was a crazy and confusing week given the latest twists and turns emanating from the final days of the health care battle. Pro-government run health care forces are doing all they can to play parliamentary games to try and pass pro-abortion, pro-euthanasia, government imposed health care on the American people, despite the peoples’ fairly obvious objection — over and over again.

SMS has covered the health care debate ad nauseum. This is because of the tremendous life-altering impact health care “reform,” as proposed by pro-abortion/euthanasia forces in Washington, mainly President Obama and his allies in Congress, Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, will have on the American people and our culture. Obama, Pelosi and Reid are trying to pull out every trick in the book to force the American public, the taxpayer, to fund elective abortion on demand and sign up for policies that lead to rationing of care, as well as force doctors to perform abortions and engage practices that ration care.

A new study out by the New England Journal of Medicine says that almost 1/3 of Doctors say they would leave the health profession if the Obama Democrats version of health care passes. Yet we see little of this in the national media.

The USCCB issued a Call to Action that will appeared in many bulletins on Sunday urging Catholics to call their Represenatives and Senators and once again make our voices heard in defense of the sanctity of life, from conception to natural death. It also declares that a conscience protections clause must be in the final bill, protecting the rights of doctors, nurses and other pro-life medical professionals who refuse to engage in life ending practices or counseling on abortion or euthanasia.

You can read the Call to Action and bulletin insert here.

Additionally, SMS is asking our supporters to pass the word in joining Bishop Paul Loverde, Bishop of the Diocese of Arlington, VA in his call for Monday, March 15th to be a national day of prayer and fast to protect the sanctity of life in any health care legislation that comes from Congress.

Learn more about the fast here.

Make no mistake, the health care bill that will be voted on this week will include taxpayer funding for abortion, will lead to rationing of health care and is devoid of sufficient protections for pro-life doctors, nurses and medical professionals. The culture of death is knocking on Congress’ door. Given that no life-protecting measures are in the bill to be voted on next week, SMS urges our supporters to call their Representatives and Senators and tell them to vote NO!

Call your Congressman at 202-225-3121

Call your Senator at 202-224-3121

Also posted in Catholic Politicians, Catholic culture, End of Life, Healthcare, abortion, activism, assisted suicide, bishops, prayer request – 0 Comments

Join Us in Taking Bishop Loverde’s Declaration to Fast & Pray National

March 13, 2010

As we near the end of the healthcare debate, the Most Rev. Paul Loverde, Bishop of the Arlington Diocese of Northern Virginia, has declared tomorrow Monday, March 15th a day of prayer and fasting for the intention of “protecting the life, dignity, health and conscience rights of every human person in any legislation that Congress considers.”

The St Michael Society applauds this initiative and, with your participation, can help make this a National Day of Fasting and Prayer.

Bishop Paul Loverde

Catholic teaching tells us that our support for the dignity of life includes access to affordable health care. This support, however, cannot come at the expense of the respect for life at all stages, from natural conception to natural death …

… Through our fasting and prayers, we ask the Lord to lead the hearts and minds of our nation’s leaders as they make crucial decisions concerning the protection of life.

Read his full letter here, and please pass this onto fellow Catholics to join us in solidarity for these crucial intentions.

You can also brush up on the power of “true” fasting here.