Right to Life of Owensboro Newsletter February 2015

Volume 41 Issue 2

February 2015

Newsletter

So many people are on facebook nowadays, even our Grandmas. Facebook has a positive and a negative aspect in our society. As a pro-life community, let’s increase our awareness to change people’s lives. So our challenge to you during the month of February is to invite your friends to like our page. We currently have 2,354 likes. Let’s see if we can get to 3000 likes by June of this year. Pass the word.

If you would like to receive the newsletter via email bi-monthly, (February, April, June, August, October and December) let the office know what your email address is. Let’s increase our educational avenues. We will begin with our updated email list this month.

Word of Appreciation We would like to thank several of our area churches for allowing us to come in to explain what we are all about: Immaculate Catholic Church Bellevue Baptist Church

St Mary of the Woods, Whitesville St. Mary Magdalene, Sorgho St. Joe & Paul, Owensboro St. Williams and St. Lawrence, Knottsville Peace Lutheran, Owensboro

We are also very appreciative to those who allowed us to have a second collection or donation basket:

If you would like to us to speak at your church please let us know at 270-685-4922. Remember abortion is not a political issue, it is a moral one.

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EDUCATION

Questions and Answers Concerning the End of Life

By James Lamb

The public exposure of physician-assisted suicide in the wake of Brittany Maynard’s YouTube video and subsequent suicide will lead to more pressure on states to enact pro-assisted-suicide legislation.

This can lead Christians to ask questions such as …

Where should the Christian begin in discussing assisted suicide? We begin with the value and purpose that God gives to life regardless of circumstances.

God creates life, He redeems life in Jesus, and He desires to call every life into a relationship with Him. How does this relate to assisted suicide? Assistedsuicide advocates speak of the “quality of life” and claim that life’s value and purpose diminish with diminished physical and mental capability. But when value and purpose come from God, then diminished capabilities are irrelevant. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9a).

Okay, so as long as God gives life, He gives life meaning and purpose. But it doesn’t seem that God works in suffering. How do we know He brings good from it? He promises to. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

We all know that promise, but it’s hard to believe sometimes. Can we be certain? Certainty comes from another promise. “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32) We know God brings good from suffering because of the good—forgiveness and eternal life—He brought from Jesus’ suffering. The certainty that God brings good from suffering comes from a cross and an empty tomb, not circumstances.

Still, can’t we see death as our friend? When a Christian dies, suffering ceases and there is eternal peace. Death is not our friend. Death is our enemy and foreign to God’s intentions. Death results from sin and should be equated with God’s wrath.

But Paul said, “My desire is to depart and be

with Christ, for that is far better” (Philippians 1:23). What’s wrong with wanting this “far better”? There is nothing wrong with wanting this.

But Paul says in the next verse,“But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.” We live in the tension between the “far better” of being with Christ and the “more necessary” of continued living.

God is in charge of the more necessary.

Assisted suicide is often paired with euthanasia.

What’s the difference? The difference is in who does the last act that causes death. In physician-assisted suicide, the doctor prescribes the pills. The recipient does the last act that causes death by taking the pills.

In euthanasia, someone else does the last act, usually a lethal injection.

Is euthanasia really an issue? No one advocates euthanasia laws. It is an issue because physician-assisted suicide leads to euthanasia.

How do we know? We know by looking at countries where physician-assisted suicide has been legalized.

The Netherlands, for example, moved from assisted suicide to euthanasia and from euthanasia for the terminally ill to euthanasia for the chronically ill and from the chronically ill to those with psychological distress. They have moved from voluntary euthanasia to involuntary euthanasia.

I notice that these laws are never called “AssistedSuicide” laws but have names like “Death with Dignity.” Why is that? The axiom says, “Verbal engineering always precedes social engineering.”

“Suicide” has stigma attached to it. The devil loves to make evil look good.

Still, taking some pills and “falling asleep” does seem more dignified than dying in pain hooked up to machines, doesn’t it? We can control pain in most circumstances, and the majority of people do not die hooked up to machines. But most importantly, “death with dignity” has an entirely different meaning for the Christian. Stephen “fell asleep” (Acts 7:60), but his death was by stoning! Nevertheless, Stephen died with dignity, not because of the circumstances of his death, but because he died in faith, trusting in the mercy and will of God.

EDUCATION (cont.)

Maggie Karner, director of LCMS Life Ministries, who has a stage-four brain tumor, said this: “Death sucks. And while this leads many to attempt to calm their fears by grasping for personal control over the situation, as a Christian with a Savior who loves me dearly and who has redeemed me from a dying world, I have a higher calling. God wants me to be comfortable in my dependence on Him and others, to live with Him in peace and comfort no matter what comes my way. As for my cancer journey, circumstances out of my control are not the worst thing that can happen to me. The worst thing would be losing faith, refusing to trust in God’s purpose in my life, and trying to grab that control myself.”

But can we go too far in in sustaining life with all the modern technologies? We should use treatments that sustain our lives. However, we need not use treatments that only prolong the dying process. When a person is dying, certain treatments such as IVs or feeding tubes may do more harm than good. We must base our judgment upon the worth of the treatment, not the “worth” of the individual. We can and we should allow the dying to die. We must never intend for the death of the living.

What if we realize we made wrong decisions or if we are not sure of decisions? We live in grace.

Nothing can touch our lives without passing through

grace. God forgives wrong decisions. He sustains our faith in uncertainty. We trust in His faithfulness, not ours.

What about “advance directives”? There are two types, the Living Will and the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. The first is about making decisions concerning treatments that you may or may not want. In the latter, you designate someone to make healthcare decisions for you.

Is this okay for a Christian too? Certainly, just be careful. Standardized Living Will forms often contain ambiguous language. Plus, you can never be sure what the future might bring.

What do you suggest? For many people a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care is the best option.

This allows someone you trust, and who knows your values, to make decisions for you.

What would you say is the bottom line in all of this? “It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:20).

Article taken from http://www.lutheransforlife.org/

Having trouble conceiving?

Check into John Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction at http://www.popepaulvi.com/ The Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction was founded in 1985 to answer the call for reproductive health care that fully respects life. The challenges in Pope Paul VI’s 1968 letter Humanae Vitae prompted Thomas W. Hilgers, MD, to begin scientific research in the applications of natural fertility regulation and to open the Pope Paul VI Institute in order to build a culture of life in women’s health care throughout the world. The Institute has developed a new approach to women’s health care that embodies the best principles of medicine and offers superior treatments to women and challenges mainstream medicine, which relies on contraception, in vitro fertilization, and abortion.

Its healthy, moral solutions to issues in women’s health care impacts the lives of thousands of women, couples, doctors, medical students, priests, and babies on national and international levels. The Institute’s developments — Creighton Model FertilityCare™ System and NaProTechnology — are building a culture of life in women’s health care through its current programs and services.

Today, the Institute is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and is a 14,000-square-foot international research, education, medical, and service center. With a staff of 22 fulland part-time professionals and a mere annual budget of $1 million, the Institute is dedicated to continuing its founding mission to build a culture of life in women’s health care throughout the world.

Kentucky Senate Passes Pro-Life Bill to Inform Women of Abortion Risks, Alternatives

by Sarah Zagorski The Kentucky Senate passed an informed consent bill that will require a meeting between the pregnant woman and the abortionist at least 24-hours before an abortion takes place. The bill, SB 3, passed the pro-life chamber by an overwhelming majority of 30-5.

Currently in Kentucky, an abortionist, licensed nurse, abortionist’s assistant or a social worker must verbally inform the woman of the medical risks and abortion alternatives at least 24-hours before an abortion; however, it does not specify that the information be given in a face-to face meeting. In the past, the information has even been relayed via telephone call.

According to River City News, the sponsor of the bill, Sen. Julie Raque Adams (R-Louisville), said, “The importance of a face-to-face medical consultation prior to consenting to a surgical procedure is a widely accepted medical standard of care – and Kentucky woman deserve no less.”

Sen. Mike Wilson (R-Bowling Green) also added that abortion-related measures always prompt a lot of discussion about women’s rights but not about a baby’s rights. He said, “Somebody has to be the voice of those children. Life begins at conception.”

In the United States, 27 states have informed consent laws in place; but unfortunately, most abortion advocates stand against the common-sense legislation. This is because they claim that it causes “undue burden” for women seeking abortion. However, as LifeNews previously reported, “Informed Consent” is standard operating procedure for physicians and

patients considering a medical treatment, procedure, surgery or drugs.

Additionally, the U.S. Supreme Court has expressed its approval of informed consent laws and they’ve repeatedly been upheld as constitutional, withstanding multiple legal challenges. In both Planned Parenthood v. Casey in 1992 and Gonzales v. Carhart in 2007, the Supreme Court affirmed “the principle that the State has legitimate interests from the outset of pregnancy in protecting the health of the woman.” This includes an “interest in ensuring so grave a choice is well-informed.” The Court also stated, “[a] s with any medical procedure, the State may enact regulations to further the health or safety of a woman seeking an abortion.”

Here’s more about the proposed legislation in Kentucky:

Sen. Ralph Alvarado, R-Winchester, said he was compelled to publicly explain his vote since he was the only medical doctor currently serving as a Senator.

He said informed consent is basically an ethics doctrine.

“I don’t see how anyone could possibly want to restrict this from an individual,” he said. “Informed consent should be looked on as a process rather than a signature.”

Sen. Dan Seum, R-Fairdale, voted for the bill but complained legislators “never include daddies’ rights” in abortion-related measures. Sen. Denise Harper Angel, D-Louisville, explained why she voted against the bill.

“This bill is just another annual assault on women’s right to make a personal decision,” she said.

“It is demeaning to all women and particularly burdensome on working women and women in rural areas.

Politics don’t belong in the exam room.”

Sen. Reginald Thomas, D-Lexington, was also against the bill. “I don’t know why it is we have to impose upon these women a guilt trip … ,” he said. The measure now goes to the House for consideration.

WE NEED You! Right to Life of Owensboro needs you!

Board Members Officers

yourself and are not sure where

Jerry Embry, President Gayle Rhodes, First VP Matt Valego, Second VP Stacey Davis, Secretary Wes Hamilton, Treasurer

to look? You have found the

Executive Director

right place! Right to Life of

Robin Beatty

Are you wanting to give of

Board Members at Large

Jason Tanner, Newsletter Editor Katelyn Stallings Michelle Byrne Taryn Rice Bailey Stiff Kevin Dorth Dillon Schueler Matt Fitzgerald Laura Ruth Edge Allan Stockinger

Owensboro is seeking volunteers to help with light office work, answer phones, fold newsletters etc. We need you. Those who can’t defend themselves need you! Call 270-685-4922, email rtlo1973@att.net, or stop by the office TODAY. We are located at 1115 Tamarack Rd, Suite 200, Owensboro, KY.

Here is a list of times you can volunteer: Monday 2-4 Tuesday 12-2, 2-4 Friday 12-2, 2-4 Our volunteers are so wonderful.

I want to say thank you to all of them for their hard work and dedication to life. We could not do as much as we do if we did not have YOU!

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT This week people gathered all over this country to honor all those who have lost their lives to abortion. We honored those who have been deeply affected and forever changed by the pain of abortion. January 22, 2015 marked the 42nd anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision by the Supreme Court that legalized the killing of unborn children anytime before birth in all 50 states.

Since that fateful day in 1973 more than 57 million young lives have been ended. Some dissolved with chemicals, some violently torn from their mother’s womb, and other partially born only to have their spinal cord cut.

History has shown us the brutality of mankind. The horrors of the Holocaust remind us that 11 million people were exterminated simply because they were deemed inferior and of no value. More recently the images of twin towers burning and collapsing remind us of nearly 3,000 souls that were lost in an organized attack of terrorism. Today, in America, more that 3,000 lives are ended every day all under the guise of choice and women’s reproductive health.

I ask you, when will the killing end? How can we allow it to continue? What will you do to stop the atrocities? Let us continue to pray that hearts would be changed. Let us continue to educate our communities on the truth of abortion. Let us continue to stand up and be a voice of those who have no voice. May God have mercy on us and may He forgive us for callously growing cold and unconcerned about abortion.

Jerry Embry

Each of us is a MASTERPIECE Of God’s Creation Imagine yourself pausing in front of a design of great beauty.

Your soul quiets and is filled with wonder and awe.

SAVE THE date!

February 28th, 2015 Annual Chili Supper and Silent Auction

Begins at 5:30pm Blessed Mother Catholic Church

If art, created by man, can evoke such a response within us, How much more is the same wonder, reverence and respect due to each person we encounter, who was handcrafted by the very God who spoke the world into being?

Bring your family and friends for a hot bowl of chili and fun, family entertainment. We will have music, games for the children, and a silent auction for adults.

Now think of an artist stepping back from a great work of art and admiring his or her creation.

When God created each of us, He did so with precision and purpose, and He looks on each of us with love that cannot be outdone in intensity or tenderness.

Moreover, the Lord invites each of us to behold ourselves and each other with the same wonder and awe.

Local Pro-Life Agencies Care Net Pregnancy Center 270-685-5077 Birthright 270-570-5319

No matter how the world might view us or others, let us treat each person as the masterpiece that he or she is.

Opportunities for Life 1-888-496-3638

‘Even the weakest and most vulnerable, the sick, the old, the unborn and the poor, are masterpieces of God’s creation, made in his own image, destined to live forever, and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect.”

Pope Francis’ Day for Life Greeting

Project Rachel 270-683-1505 Rachel’s Vineyard 1-877-467-3463

A Pro Life Prayer For Our President And Public Officials Lord God, Author of Life and Source of Eternal Life, Move the hearts of all our public officials and especially our President, to fulfill their responsibilities worthily and well to all those entrusted to their care.

the innocent unborn. Change the hearts of those who compromise the call to protect and defend life. Bring our nation to the values that have made us a great nation, a society that upholds the values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all.

Help them in their special leadership roles, to extend Mary, the Mother of the living, help us to bear witness the mantle of protection to the most vulnerable, to the Gospel of Life with our lives and our laws, especially the defenseless unborn, whose lives are through Christ, Our Lord. threatened with extermination by an indifferent society.

Amen.

Guide all public officials by your wisdom and grace to cease supporting any law that fails to protect the Imprimatur: fundamental good that is human life itself, which is a January 22, 2009 gift from God and parents.

Most Reverend Robert J. Baker You are the Protector and Defender of the lives of Bishop of Birmingham in Alabama

2015 Calendar of Events Chili Supper/Silent Auction at Blessed Mother Catholic Church - Feb. 28 May Community Event - May 7 Art Show - TBA Golf Scramble - July 18 Walk for Life beginning at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church - Sept. 5 Banquet at The Hines Center - October 15

Other Community Life Events Life Chain - October 4 Rosary Rally - October 2

CALL 1-800-822-5824 OR 270-685-5077

NEED HELP?

Phone: 270-685-4922 Fax: 270-684-0625 rtlo1973@att.net Online: www.rtlo.org

Jerry Embry President

Robin Beatty Executive Director

1115 Tamarack Road - Suite 200, Owensboro, KY 42301

Right to Life of Owensboro, Inc.

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