40 Days for Life - Anchorage

In 18 days the 40 Days for Life campaign will begin across the country. This movement has done so much to prevent abortions, convert hearts, and put pressure on death clinics. The 40DFL organization has mobilized pro-life warriors like no other group.

As of today there are 238 communities that are going to be participating in this falls campaign. The campaign includes Prayer, Fasting, and Constant Vigil. From their website here is what they say about their mission:
40 Days for Life is a community-based campaign that draws attention to the evil of abortion through the use of a three-point program:

Prayer and fasting
Constant vigil
Community outreach

40 Days for Life takes a determined, peaceful approach to showing local communities the consequences of abortion in their own neighborhoods, for their own friends and families. It puts into action a desire to cooperate with God in the carrying out of His plan for the end of abortion in America.

The 40-day campaign tracks Biblical history, where God used 40-day periods to transform individuals, communities ... and the entire world. From Noah in the flood to Moses on the mountain to the disciples after Christ's resurrection, it is clear that God sees the transformative value of His people accepting and meeting a 40-day challenge.

Vision and mission
40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life campaign with a vision to access God’s power through prayer, fasting, and peaceful vigil to end abortion in America.

The mission of the campaign is to bring together the body of Christ in a spirit of unity during a focused 40 day campaign of prayer, fasting, and peaceful activism, with the purpose of repentance, to seek God’s favor to turn hearts and minds from a culture of death to a culture of life, thus bringing an end to abortion in America.

Unfortunately, there isn't a Kenai Peninsula campaign. But, there is an Anchorage one. You can find the information at the: 40 Days for Life  - Anchorage site, their campaign starts September 23rd. If you want more information, you can contact the head of the Anchorage leadership team:

Christine Kurka

(907)306-3263

cekurka@mtaonline.net

For more information please see:

Anchorage: 40 Days for Life

40 Days for Life Blog

Alaska Proposal 2: Pure Social Justice

Non-Alaskan readers, this post is for you as well, so don't be scared off by the title. I use it simply as a means with which to illustrate my point.

What does it mean?

Social Justice. What in the world does it mean? If you asked 5 people you would get 6 definitions. Sure they would all more than likely be correct, but you wouldn't really have a solid answer... you would have a bunch of, well, opinions.

The term has become a hot topic in most modern parishes. The modernist Catholic front has used it as a battle cry. They use it in a way that hearkens to the action of Jesus, and His purpose here on earth. (I don't want to dive into the theological implications of that statement, but I think it is fair to explain it in those terms.) They make it hard to argue with their programs and projects, and although my purpose is not to deconstruct their causes in a theological way, I do want to point out an inconsistency. The problem isn't really with what they are doing, but more with what they aren't.

The Silent Scream

How many of you readers know of things at your parish that are done under the umbrella of Social Justice? Prison Ministry, "Option for the Poor", Environmental Ministry, etc... we see them all the time. All of them are completely valid ministries that the Church should be participating in, but not at the expense of other ministries. What exactly do I mean? I mean the Pro-Life ministry. I mean Child Catechism ministry. I mean Teen, Young Adult, and Family Ministries. We cannot be good stewards of the One True Church to others, if we are not first good stewards of ourselves.

The Archdiocese of Anchorage for example, has a good webpage that discusses these ministries on their web page dedicated to Catholic Social Teaching. The modern trend is unfortunately not so inclined to include the Pro-life battle as a ministry under the umbrella of Social Justice. I can't put my finger on exactly why that is the case. I will concede that in some parishes the Pro-Life ministry is so large and so strong, that it does take on a life of its own. This should be seen as a positive thing. At the other end of the spectrum are parishes that don't have a large Pro-Life ministry and don't include it in their Social Justice ministry either. This is what is perplexing and heart-wrenching.

Pro-Life as Social Justice...

Why isn't the Pro-Life battle seen as the penultimate Social Justice cause? This isn't to say that it is the most important in some hierarchical (read: funding priority) sense, but in a philosophical sense. When we see our parish from afar, what do we want to see? What are the big sparkling gems to we want to project to the world? Again, this is not to say that the ministries which Catholic Parishes participate aren't worthy. They are. In fact, they are crucial to a broad and authentic parish evangelism. Yet, included in that vision must be an active and vibrant Pro-Life ministry.

When we think of Social Justice we think of doing the work of Jesus in societal areas where the most defenseless and vulnerable of people exist. Where is that more prevalent than in the unborn child & mother relationship? I would argue that the unborn child & mother relationship is the most sacred social issue of our times. Therefore, it should be the focus and philosophical battle cry of the Catholic Social Justice movement.

The Link

The idea of Pro-Life work being Social Justice Ministry might seem a little tenuous to some, but I assure there is a link. You see, when we as Catholics decide to undertake some action in the name of ministry, we are saying something about our faith. Our action is part of a two-fold call to holiness. Ora et Labora ~ Work and Pray. Why then would we not include in our Social Justice ministry that are which is so symbolic and central to the anti-Christian secular world? Why does the Social Justice "worker" not champion the Pro-Life cause? (NB: I do not mean to say that all who work in the aim of Social Justice ignore the Pro-Life movement. I know I am using a very broad brush. My point, and I think a fair one, is that many (most?) parish Social Justice ministries do not engulf the Pro-Life cause under their banner.)

So the link, what is it? Well, my argument is that it isn't (a link), but that it should be. Let me explain that awkward sentence. The Link that should exist between all Social Justice causes in the ministry of Social Justice should be the Pro-Life battle. Why? Well, because at a very simple, but not overstated, level - life is the genesis of all other necessity. Therefore, every cause that falls under the banner of Social Justice ultimately has a Pro-Life component to it. The philosophy upon which the principles and teachings of the Faith rest in regards to Pro-Life ideas is ultimately the same set of philosophical precepts which guide other Catholic Social Justice. Pro-Life philosophy is the Why behind all the other causes championed by the Church.

We must demand that the Social Justice movement not ignore the important heart of Catholic Social Teaching. As parishioners in the Catholic Church we must require of our spiritual leaders, both lay and clergy, their desire and commitment to the Pro-Life battle. For true Social Justice we must include those in our society that are given no voice, no choice, and no justice. We must be consistent and philosophically sound in our desire for peace and justice. We must stand for innocent life... we must protect the unborn. Otherwise... what do we really stand for? What are we really trying to protect?

Alaska Proposal 2

In Alaska we will exhibit our belief in our commitment to this idea of Social Justice. Proposal 2, which is a parental notification measure, will be decided upon on August 24th, 2010. This issue should ring through the sanctuaries and bulletins of every single Catholic Church in Alaska over the next 7 days. Every priest, deacon, and lay leader should have YES ON 2 on the tip of their tongue. Ballot initiatives like this one are at the forefront of the Social Justice movement and should be treated as such. Rarely can a collective group more readily affect worldly change than through the ballot box. Unfortunately, we rarely see Social Justice issues on ballots. They usually are relegated to the courts and the editorial columns.

Here though, Alaskan Catholic Parishes have an opportunity to make their commitment to Social Justice readily apparent. This is a golden opportunity for all those that champion the causes of the meek, vulnerable, and disadvantaged to shine as advocates and warriors of the Catholic Faith. We must pray that those in positions of leadership and authority will rise to the occasion and show the world their commitment to Life and the dignity and sanctity of the teachings of Holy Mother Church.

Alaska's Proposal 2 - YES!

I haven't blogged about proposal 2 in a while. This is due mostly because of the happenings in Anchorage. For my non-Alaskan readers... I promise I will get to more universal topics, but this one is important even if you aren't an Alaskan Voter.

We haven't heard it in our area during any homilies lately... but that doesn't mean that this issue isn't CRUCIAL to Alaskan Catholics. (For the record, I cannot make it to daily Mass, due to my job and the times in which daily Mass is held in my area.)

I plan on doing more posts soon, but the Catholic Anchor is doing a bang-up job with their coverage. So head over there and check out their posts.


And remember to vote on August 24th.

Abortion advocates spending big money to defeat Alaska Prop. no. 2

It seems that Abortion advocates are spending BIG DOLLARS to defeat Prop. 2 in Alaska. By big dollars we mean a 10:1 ratio. Here is the story from LifeSitenews.com: Spending Big to Stop Parental Notification Vote

(An excerpt):

Planned Parenthood is bringing in the big bucks in its campaign to persuade Alaska voters that they should not support a ballot measure in August that would allow parents to know when their minor daughters are considering an abortion. Jim Minnery, the chairman of Alaskans for Parental Rights, is battling back.

Nearly 50,000 Alaskans signed a petition distributed by Minnery's group saying Alaska voters should be able to vote on parental involvement.
"Planned Parenthood, the $1 billion abortion corporation, is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to deceive Alaskans through radio and television stations statewide," Minnery said today.

"Currently, they are outspending us roughly 10 to 1. Their message is inundating the airwaves and there is a very real chance that they will defeat us at the polls on August 24," he added.

Alaskans for Parental Rights is fighting back and has just released a hard-hitting television to share the pro-life side of the debate with Alaskans across the state.

As Catholics, this is a MUST VOTE. Also, if you can spare a little money, you might think about donating to help the cause. When you are going up against a Goliath like PP, you need all the money you can get.

You can donate to Alaskans for Parental Rights here: Donate

Excellent Pro-Life Video from Fallible Blogma - MUST SEE!

Matthew Warner over at Fallible Blogma has made a MUST SEE pro-life video...

It has been making the Catholic Blog rounds... but I had to link and re-post because it is a must see!

Please use the "Add This" button at the bottom to share this post... people need to see this simple message, especially the Pro-"Choice'rs":

Miracle Baby! (QP)

Rarely do I just quick-post (QP) but on this one I have to, because there is so little to say except MIRACLE!

Miracle Baby: 9oz - 25weeks

9oz!!!
25 weeks!!!
Surviving......

Now, nine months after his birth, doctors have allowed the unnamed boy's parents to take him to the family home in Eighsfeld, central Germany, after ruling that he is strong enough to survive.

Please pray!

Pending Court Decision in Alaska re: Parental Notification

The fight for Parental Notification before a minor can get an abortion is currently in a judges hand. A decision is due within the next few weeks and could drastically change the war against abortion in Alaska. The Catholic Anchor, the Archdiocesan paper from Anchorage has been chronicling the battle. The latest fight has been a challenge to the movement by Planned Parenthood to prevent the initiative by the Parental Rights group from getting the issue onto a forthcoming ballot.

This is a very pivotal fight in the war against abortion.

This is the most recent article from the Catholic Anchor:

Upcoming ruling may impact parental notification initiative regarding minors’ abortions in Alaska

By STEVEN ERTELT
LifeNews.com

On Feb. 24, an Alaska court held a hearing on a ballot initiative proposal that would allow parents to be informed when their minor daughter is considering an abortion. The Alaskans for Parental Rights submitted signatures in January to get the measure on the ballot but Planned Parenthood filed suit.

If the measure makes it before voters and receives their approval, then abortion centers in the state would be required to tell the parents of a teenager before performing an abortion on her.

Advocates of the proposed law say it will give parents a chance to guide their daughter towards positive alternatives.

Planned Parenthood presented its case in court Feb. 24, saying the state should not allow Alaska voters to consider the measure to reduce abortions.

Jeff Feldman, the attorney for Planned Parenthood of Alaska, argued the language of the proposed ballot measure is misleading and confusing.

“It omits very significant details of the burdens that are placed on minors and physicians. It fails to inform voters immediately about the option for court representation. It talks about a minor obtaining a judicial bypass. Well, I don’t think very many lay citizens know what a judicial bypass is,” he said.

Kevin Clarkson, the attorney for the initiative’s sponsors, said Planned Parenthood is grasping at straws and assuming Alaska residents aren’t smart enough to figure out the details of the proposal.

“What they need to know is if this initiative goes on the ballot and it passes: What is the law going to be. That’s the main feature of the initiative. What it changed before is just nuance,” he said, according to a KTUU television report.

And Jim Minnery with Alaskans for Parental Rights, the group that sponsored the ballot measure, said the number of petitions the group turned in shows Alaskans want to vote on the pro-life measure.

“People are smart in Alaska. They knew exactly what they were signing. Should parents be engaged in medical decisions made by their teenage girls? And the answer was an astounding ‘yes’,” he said.

The judge in the case is expected to deliver a ruling by March 17.

The measure has broad support from pro-life advocates.

Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz asked Catholics across the archdiocese to sign the petition, and he strongly encouraged all 32 parishes in the archdiocese to support the drive from the pulpit and in bulletins and Web sites — and to host signature-gathering volunteers at parishes.

Additionally, hundreds of volunteers from other Christian denominations also collected signatures statewide in more than 200 churches.

According to the latest statistics by the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics, 2,575 abortions have been performed on Alaska teens between 2003 and 2009.

In November 2007, the Alaska Supreme Court overturned a state law the legislature overwhelmingly passed in 1997 that required parental consent before an abortion on a minor girl. Elsewhere in the U.S., parental consent or notice laws are on the books in over half the states.

-Posted by: Joe

Acting, Baseball, Hockey and Our Youth...

Today, I went with my parishes Youth Group to a hockey game. Unfortunately it wasn't the Red Wings, but it was fun to at least get out to a hockey game.

Anyway, before the game there was a youth rally the Diocese sponsored. The Bishop - a really great guy from Philadelphia - came to speak to the kids and told us about something he noticed while watching baseball games. Acting.

You see, if you watch closely, you will see many baseball players go through a little routine before stepping to the plate, and even in between pitches. Now, although every player has a different routine that they do, be it checking their distance from the plate, adjusting their batting gloves, spitting, kicking dirt, or checking their bat for cracks there is one little routine a lot of players have in common. The sign of the cross.

What's interesting about (some of) those players, is that they like to make sure that people see them bless themselves. They then step up to the plate, maybe swing a few times, let a few balls go by, then hit the ball. They run down to first base as the ball is picked up and hurled over to the bag; it's a close play; and the batter is out. Well, what's the first thing that that player usually does? Goes over to the umpire, gets in his face, and argues. Using some...chioce words. And of course you can see exactly what they are saying. All this after they just got done letting the world know they "believe and follow Christ." So now we have to wonder what the point of blessing themselves was? Was it a true act of faith, or some sort of act that benefits them professionally?

The point of the story was that far too many of our youth (and adults!) act like Christians when it may benefit them. Now, you have to remember (and this was part of the Bishops point) that it isn't necessarily that people are hypocrites, or bad people, just not perfect. Like those baseball players (indeed, not just baseball, but many sports players) we as Catholic adults need to make sure that we are setting a good example for our youth by living out our faith in all that we do, and not "follow the crowd."

We need to make sure that our faith is not something that we show only when it is convenient, or beneficial to us, but rather the opposite. We must show our faith when it is difficult and non-conforming to the norm. Luckily, it isn't hard to see some of the fruits of good Catholics, and the way they live out their faith.

This weekend, my parish is sending over 40(!) youth to Washington, D.C. to walk in the March For Life. Certainly, in today's Culture of Death, standing up in front of your nation for the unborn is very uncomfortable and hard. I know that our youth face ridicule even in their circle of friends for taking a stand for life. So I just want to acknowledge all youth who, unlike many athletes, live their faith when it is difficult and hard to do. Please keep all those traveling to D.C. this weekend, and the unborn in your prayers that they may inspire a Nation to heed the call of Christ and do what is not easy, but what is necessary.

-Posted by: Brian