Right to Life of Owensboro Newsletter July 2015

Volume 44 Issue 8 August 2015

Right to Life of Owensboro

NEWSLETTER

Don’t forget to like us on Facebook: Right to Life of Owensboro

GOLF SCRAMBLE Play golf!

WHEN

July 18, 2015 Registration 7:30 Shotgun tee-off 8am.

Lunch provided

WHERE

Fore Life Local Pro-Life Agencies

Ben Hawes Golf Club

WHY

Proceeds from the scramble will go to Right to Life of Owensboro Educational Fund

FORMAT

4-person scramble

ENTRY

$50 per person $200 per team The fee for the event includes all golf costs, lunch, refreshments, admittance for each player and a goody bag.

Prizes will be awarded.

Birthright 270-570-5319, Terri LaHugh Care Net Pregnancy Center 270-685-5077, Donna Flaspoehler Catholic Charities of Owensboro 270-852-8328, Rita Heinz Opportunities for Life 1-888-496-3638, Brenda Thomson Project Rachel 270-683-1505, Betty Medley Rachel’s Vineyard 1-877-467-3463, Debbie Ward, Cindy Vincent

EDUCATION LIFE ISSUES FORUM

June 19, 2015

A Trend in the Right Direction

By Deirdre A. McQuade: Assistant Director for Pro-Life Communications at the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The number of abortions is declining almost everywhere in the United States. According to an Associated Press (AP) survey using the most recent figures available, the sheer number of surgical abortions nationwide dropped 12% since 2010. This trend, though much-discussed, is actually nothing new. Abortions have been declining for 25 years.

What’s behind the welcome news?

Many may assume there are fewer abortions because there are fewer pregnancies. But the rate of unintended pregnancies has remained rather constant. Easy access to contraception has not had a noticeable impact on the pregnancy rate. Contraception is not – and has never been – a reliable way to reduce abortions.

Are more pregnancies being carried to birth? The AP survey doesn’t provide parallel data on birth rates in states where abortions went down. But it’s certainly hard these days to deny the reality of the unborn human being. Ultrasounds, posted on social media as well as on refrigerators in many households, now provide a window to the womb.

Those who were pregnant in the 1970’s and 80’s could more readily buy into the lie that their “products of conception” were just a “blob of tissue.” For some time now, the child in utero – often named before birth– has had a claim on our empathy in a way that was not common before.

The pregnancy assistance movement is also strong. Pregnancy help centers and maternity homes in this country outnumber abortion clinics three to one, offering free, confidential assistance to women and their families in need. The kind staff and volunteers who provide women with emotional support and material resources offer them the freedom to choose life for their children.

Since declines were measured both in states where pro-life laws have gone into effect and in states that have more permissive laws, the AP story claimed that pro-life laws have no effect on abortion rates. This is a misleading conclusion. We know from many analyses that laws limiting abortion funding, and those providing for informed consent for women and parental involvement for minors, help bring down abortion rates in the states that enact them. There can be a delay in their impact as the laws take effect, but then the impact is noticeable and long-term. Laws enacted more recently may not yet have had their effect, while older pro-life laws made their initial impact well before the time scope of this survey. And the states without pro-life laws that saw reduced abortion rates still often have much higher rates than states with such laws. The AP reporter’s assessment is based on a flat-footed understanding of how law helps change the culture.

Of course, since each human life is of immeasurable value, one abortion is one too many – wherever it takes place in the world, by whatever means, and for whatever reason. We will not rest in our pro-life advocacy until abortion is a sad and distant memory.

Annual Banquet Date: October 22, 2015 Location: The Hines Center Doors open 6:00 pm Dinner served 6:30 pm

GUEST SPEAKER Pam www.pamtebow.com

Tebow

Ticket Cost Paid Members: free admission for 2 Children 7-17 $15 each if parents are members *** Non-Members: $30 Individual Non-Members: $50 Couple Kids 6 and under: No Charge

We have new sponsor opportunities this year

Titanium $5000- receives full page ad in banquet program an ad for 12 months in RTLO newsletter free tickets for table of eight

Platinum $2500- receives 3/4 page ad in banquet program an ad for 12 months in RTLO newsletter free tickets for table of eight

Diamond $1000- receives half page ad in banquet program an ad for 12 months in RTLO newsletter free tickets for table of eight

Gold $500- receives 1/4 page ad in banquet program an ad for 6 months in RTLO newsletter 4 free tickets

Silver $250- receives 1/8 page ad in banquet program an ad for 3 months in RTLO newsletter 2 free tickets

Call our office to reserve your spot, make a donation, or to get more information.

Board Members Officers Jerry Embry President Gayle Rhodes 1st Vice President Kevin Dorth 2nd Vice President Stacey Davis Secretary Wes Hamilton Treasurer Board Members at Large Taryn Rice Newsletter Editor Katelyn Stallings Michelle Byrne Bailey Stiff John Thompson Matt Fitzgerald Laura Ruth Edge Allan Stockinger Stuart Squires Robin Beatty Executive Director

YEARLY DUES REMINDER Lifetime Dues $500 Family $30 Student $15

Amount enclosed:_____

Name:____________________________________ Address:__________________________________ _________________________________________ Phone:_________________ Email______________ Mail check to: Right to Life of Owensboro 1115 Tamarack Rd, Suite 200 Owensboro, KY 42301 For online payment call the office

Thanks to our First Vice President Gayle Rhodes and Board Member Allan Stockinger for getting our new sign up on the Greenbelt. Thanks to Mary Katherine and Will Wathen for donating for this project.

Would you like to advertise in RTLO’s newsletter?

Below are ad options:

Half page= $100 month for 12 months= $1200

Quarter page= $70 month for 12 months= $840 Eighth page= $50 month for 12 months= $600

Contact the office and get your information out monthly to the pro-life community.

RTLO NEWSLETTER Would you like to continue receiving the RTLO newsletter? We send out 1200 newsletters bi-monthly. We want to know you enjoy it and that we continue to educate you.

Our mission in part reads: The purposes for which RTLO is organized is to encourage among the general public an understanding of the dignity and worth of each human life, whatever his or her state or circumstances; to foster respect for human life before and after birth, particularly for the defenseless, the incompetent, the impaired and the incapacitated; to promote and encourage passage of amendatory and statutory measures which will provide protection and support for human life. Included in the protection and support are unborn children who are endangered by those birth control methods, commonly referred to as contraceptives, which are abortifacients in whole or part.

Our question for you is, do we meet this need for you? How can we do better? What would you like us to do to educate the community in a better fashion? If we do not meet these needs, help us by telling us what you would like.

Please let us know if you wish to keep receiving the newsletter by calling 270-685-4922 or emailing us at rtlo1973@att.net as we are trying to tidy up our mailing list so that we may better serve you. If we have not heard a response from you or you have not paid your dues by the end of 2015 your address will be deleted from our mailing.

Thank you for allowing us to serve you. It is our greatest pleasure knowing that we meet your pro-life needs.

Thanks to our local businesses who sponsored our 2015 Annual Golf Scramble Alan Braden Financial Anonymous Beckman Tire & Auto Bluegrass Internal Medicine Bob Glenn Bowen Tire Brescia University Care Net Pregnancy Center Carl Watkins, MD Cathy & David Graham MD Chris Hoskins, KY Farm Bur. Crosscheck Quality Ed & Mae Hoskins

David Danhauer, MD EDGEFit Evergreen Lawn Care Gayle Rhodes, MD Greenwell Chisholm Hard Top Design Harold Wayne Newton Harold’s Cleaners Infintech JMJ Construction Felicity & Joe Polio, MD Trasey & John Falcone, MD John Mulligan, MD

Danzer Orthodontics 745 Scherm Road Owensboro, KY 42301 270-926-9890

Kent Filbeck, MD Kurtz Auction KY Doctors for Life L Ruth Interior Modern Welding Robert Edge, KY Farm Bureau Robert Pope, MD SKS Quality Building Suzanne Miles Tommy Thompson TR Yard Work William O’Bryan, MD (Sponsors as of this printing)

Roberts Brothers Auto Mart www.robertsbrothersautomart.com

740 9th St Tell City IN 47586 812-547-7566

270-685-0054

Franey’s Food Mart

Bill Smith

217 E 25th Street Owensboro, KY 42303 270-926-3599 3511 Frederica Street Owensboro, KY 42301 270-684-2521

Outdoor Advertising Company And Crane Service, LTD 1111 Lyddane Bridge Road Owensboro, KY 42301 Phone (270) 771-5556 W. Duke Smith

W. Scott Smith

EDUCATION Rush Limbaugh: Abortion is at the Heart of Society Ills The Rush Limbaugh Radio Program, June 19

If you use the popularly accepted figure of 1.3 million abortions a year, go back to Roe vs. Wade 1973, 52 million taxpayers haven’t been born, is the way Washington looks at it. They don’t look at it morally. They don’t look at it in any kind of cultural way or any kind of cultural impact. They just say we’re 52 million people short. We have 52 million fewer people paying taxes. We gotta replace ‘em. Hello amnesty. The Democrat Party needs a permanent underclass in order to keep themselves alive as Santa Claus, to keep winning elections and stay in power ...

I just want to tell you something. I really think that abortion is at the root — you could do a flowchart — I think abortion is at the root of so much that has and is going wrong in this country. I think that the number of abortions themselves, but what in total it all means, culturally, in terms of the sanctity of life, how that’s crumbled, I think it’s almost at the root of everything. And if it’s not at the root of everything, it’s clearly had a profound impact on our culture, our society, and our politics, I think in ways that people don’t even stop to consider.

None of it good and it’s caused all kinds of horrible problems that nobody knows how to fix. Because they refuse to even accept that abortion is more than what it is. To most people, it’s just a woman’s right to choose, and it’s nobody’s business, and leave it alone and I don’t want to talk about it. But it’s really had much more impact on this country than just that. It’s had impact on crime. It’s had a profound impact on our politics. It is at the root of our cultural rot and decay.

You can trace the problems with accepting personal responsibility, no consequences for your actions, you can trace so much right back to it. And I’m not talking about the women. I’m talking the overall effect of a society having literally no problem with eliminating 52 million of its citizens. That can’t be good …

Letter from the PRESIDENT And so it begins. This past Friday the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states. A similar ruling like this was done was in 1973 when abortion became legal. I do not want to focus on whether same-sex marriage is right or wrong but on the process used to get to this ruling.

Just as with Roe v. Wade, the court took away the legislative process from the people. Why would they do this? It appears to be for political reasons because they were not getting the outcome desired. Just as in the days leading up to January 22, 1973, many states were putting abortion bans in place. Instead of accepting the will of the majority, the judicial system was used to accomplish the said goal. This is want I would call judicial tyranny.

It is sad even though not surprising to see America take another step further from God. Since 1973, we have seen a steady disintegration of American culture and our moral society. What can be done? It is time for those of us in the pro-life fight to clean up our own lives first. We must return to God in a deeper way than before. We must be the light in the increasing darkness. Our hope does not lie with elected officials but the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. May His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Jerry Embry President, RTLO

EDUCATION Celebrate Life May-June 2015

Pro-life parenting: Vaccines made from aborted babies: What's a parent to do?

By Debi Vinnedge

WOULD IT SURPRISE you to learn that, for over 50 years, pharmaceutical companies have been producing vaccines using the remains of aborted babies? Perhaps you’ve read rationalizations such as “Well, it was just two abortions from a long time ago. . . .” or “No new abortions are needed to produce vaccines today.” Unfortunately, these claims are grossly erroneous and don’t solve any problems for parents trying to protect their children from disease without compromising their religious or moral convictions.

So, let’s take a look at reality.

Data recorded as early as the 1930s reveals that hundreds of innocent babies were sacrificed to find suitable cell lines for virus cultivation used in polio and rubella vaccine research. Eventually, two cell lines, both taken from the lung tissue of electively aborted babies, came to be used in vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR); chickenpox; Hepatitis-A; and shingles; in addition to some polio and rabies vaccines.

For years, scientists have known that these cell lines will age and die off, thus needing replacement. Could vaccine companies use a source other than aborted babies? Absolutely! But because the industry perceives widespread public acceptance of these vaccines, it has no intention of doing so. Instead, other aborted fetal cell lines are emerging and are currently being used in clinical trials to develop vaccines for diseases such as Ebola, hepatitis-A, rabies, flu, Marburg, and Haemophilus influenzaetype b (Hib), and they will eventually replace the earlier cell lines.

What are parents to do if they object to these vaccinations?

First, 48 of 50 states allow religious exemptions from vaccination. However, due to the Disneyland measles outbreak earlier this year, several states were considering legislation that would eliminate such exemptions until, in at least four states, concerned parents informed state officials about vaccines made from aborted babies’ tissue.

Third, we continue to look into other avenues for obtaining morally produced vaccines, such as the research being conducted by our partner, Sound Choice Pharmaceutical Institute and efforts to obtain US licensing of a Japanese MMR vaccine.2 We won’t rest until we have safe, effective, and moral alternatives for parents.

To learn more, visit Children of God for Life at CogforLife.org or call 727-483-9251.

Debi Vinnedge is executive director of Children of God for Life (an American Life League Associate group; see ALL.org/associates or call 540-659-4171) and recipient of the Catholic Medical Association’s 2014 Evangelium Vitae Award for her work to end the manufacture and use of vaccines derived from aborted babies.

1

Visit CogforLife.org/voice-your-complaints to obtain Merck’s address and voice your complaints!

This vaccine is currently not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, so US residents must travel to Japan to receive it. Contact Children of God for Life for further information.

2

SUMMER STORY/CRAFT TIME 8 consecutive Thursday mornings 9am-10am starting June 18, 2015 Please come join our summertime adventure. Each week we will share a story and a craft with your child.

Reserve your child’s spot soon as space is limited. The age frame is 4- 7 years old. Space limited to 15 children.

EDUCATION Celebrate Life May-June 2015

My daughter's gift of selfless love

By Kathleen Yonker

“Mom, I’m pregnant,” whispered the voice on the phone. It’s bad enough to hear those words in person, but when your daughter is 900 miles away in a new town with a new job and no friends, the fear is overwhelming.

When she was a new university student, Natalie had cautioned me about giving unsolicited advice by saying, “I’m just telling you about this, Mom; I’m not asking for you to tell me what to do.” Now, with her voice cracking, she asked, “What should I do?” I worried about her reputation in a new community. And as an engineer, she was in a maledominated profession and had no support system.

Lifesaving and life-changing decisions I finally said, “This has to be your decision. You’re making your first decision as a mother.” I knew in my heart she would not choose abortion. “Just remember that you have to be able to live with this decision for the rest of your life.”

Natalie wanted me to tell her dad, but I refused: “No, you know we’re having problems. I think he’ll take the news better from you.” His advice was to abort the baby, telling her that having the child “will ruin your career.” She told him she couldn’t fathom having an abortion, and she refused.

At first Natalie rationalized keeping the baby: “It’s not like I’m a teenager. I’m 23, an adult with a good job.”

She knew someone who ran a day-care service in her home and would accept another child. I said, “If the baby is ill, then you can’t take the baby to day care, and you’ll have to stay home from work or find someone you trust to babysit.” I wasn’t looking to be negative, but having three children, I had a better sense of reality.

When Natalie talked about adoption, I wondered if she had any inkling of how difficult it would be to part with the baby. I wasn’t familiar with open adoption.* “How do you know the adoptive parents won’t move away?” I asked her. Would seeing the baby be reassuring or painful? From the little I knew about open adoption, it seemed to rely on instinct, trust, and faith. Having no one to consult but God, I prayed for guidance.

Ultimately Natalie focused on what she wanted for her baby girl and decided on adoption, telling me, “I want her to grow up having both a mother and a father, like I did.”

Preparing for the blessed event That July I flew to the East Coast, and in a tiny, stiflingly hot kitchen, I cooked Natalie her favorite foods and finally felt productive. We laughed at her fifth-month belly, walked on the beach, and celebrated the pregnancy. She was comfortable with her decision and that brought me peace.

Natalie forwarded the weekly emails she received that described the baby’s development. Her excitement grew along with the child within, and she monitored her diet for her baby. “Can you believe you’re going to be a grandmother?” she asked. “Yes,” I replied. But I didn’t share that I also mourned the fact that she wouldn’t know me as her grandmother.

At work, Natalie confided her news to the corporate officer who hired her. He offered to transfer her to a different position during the pregnancy. His wife, a minister, offered Natalie a room in their home so she wouldn’t have to be alone. Even though she refused both offers, I sensed that God was sending angels to watch over her.

EDUCATION Natalie’s situation was kept to our immediate family and my mother. I didn’t want to hear any comments or answer any questions that would divert my focus from Natalie’s needs. Afterward our family marveled at her strength and courage.

Natalie was adamant about finding the “right” parents for her baby. She finally found a couple, but suffered a setback in her eighth month. The adoptive couple learned they were expecting and withdrew from the adoption process. “Maybe this is a sign that I should keep the baby,” Natalie said. I prayed for her. I prayed for an easy labor and healthy baby, and I prayed that she would have peace with her decision.

Within two weeks, another couple was brought to her attention. There was an immediate connection. “They are churchgoers, both educators, well grounded, with similar values,” the adoption agency told Natalie. The couple was excited to find out that Natalie had never used drugs or smoked, and was thrilled to be getting a healthy baby.

Knowing that the firstborn can come two weeks before or after the due date, I booked flights so that my mother (Great-Grandma) would go for the two weeks prior to the due date and I would go for the two weeks after, overlapping by one day. We were fortunate. The baby came on time, and Great-Grandma was in the delivery room for the birth.

Having booked the flights in haste, I now realized that I would arrive at midnight, instead of 12:00 p.m. as I had intended. Natalie relayed this information to the adoptive parents, and they insisted on picking me up at the airport. I appreciated their gesture of kindness, but my nerves were jumbled. I desperately wanted to like them and for them to like me, since they would be raising my granddaughter.

Our new family I hesitated as I left the baggage claim area, not knowing where to head in the deserted terminal. My eyes met those of a man walking in my direction. I was looking for a couple, so I was about to pass him as he said my name. Pointing to the top floor, he said, “My wife is scouting all directions from up there. She wanted to be sure we didn’t miss you.”

The awkwardness faded quickly and conversation flowed like a beautiful symphony. We talked about Polish foods, family history, my Polish heritage, and the struggles that both of them and Natalie had faced in the past nine months. Their sincerity couldn’t be denied, and I was touched by their compassion. More than once, they said we were family. They said they would keep the name Natalie chose for the baby: Amy. The day after my arrival, I took my mother to the airport, and then took my daughter and granddaughter home from the hospital. We had only two days to bond with Amy and then let go. “I won’t come in during the night unless you call me,” I said to Natalie, not wanting to be overbearing. During those two days I snapped enough pictures to fill a photo album.

The birth father came to see the baby and sign the release papers. He was a college student from another state and emotionally unavailable to deal with the pregnancy. He had delayed telling his parents until Natalie’s seventh month of pregnancy. At first I was angry at his inability to participate in the process but later forgave him, realizing his input could have fomented more stress and possibly a different outcome.

The day arrived for Amy to go to her new home. In nervous anticipation, I made coffee and baked a couple of cakes for our guests. The adoptive parents arrived promptly at 1:00 p.m. As we sat around the kitchen table, talking about the birth and the plans made at the new home, the adoptive mother presented Natalie with a hand-crocheted doily made by her grandmother. “This is a family heirloom that I want you to have because you are now part of my family,” she said. Then she presented Natalie with a wrapped gift. Inside was a charm bracelet with one charm. “You have one, I have one, and our daughter has one,” she said. “Each year we will add to the bracelet as we are bound together as family.” No one held back their tears.

EDUCATION Finally the new dad said, “Can we pray?” In the living room, we stood in a circle surrounding little Amy, who was cradled in a car seat on the floor. We held hands and prayed the our Father (the Lord’s Prayer), and gave thanks for one another and the miracle that had brought us together. We became a family that day.

After they left, Natalie repeated something she told me a few months earlier: “The right thing to do isn’t the easiest thing to do.” I had witnessed my daughter’s transformation into a woman and mother who, honoring the gift of life, displayed unselfish love by providing her baby with the best possible foundation for her life.

The adoptive parents called Natalie the next day with a progress report. They continued the practice after each visit to the pediatrician. This contact was priceless in that it enabled us to celebrate Amy’s life. Each time I tell the story to family or friends, we always shed tears.

Amy will be 13 this year. She attends church, plays several musical instruments, is active in sports (she recently started bowling), and loves to assemble Lego building kits. Amy knows she is adopted and has extended family. In the early years she called Natalie “Angel Natalie.” Amy’s mother and Natalie stay in touch, and Natalie visits her at least once annually.

With little opportunity to travel, I have only seen Amy five times so far. My occasional card is always reciprocated with a picture or note. Amy’s mother has asked me for photos and family history for this inquisitive young girl.

Sure, I miss the fact that I don’t have a grandchild I can bake cookies with, tell stories to, and get hugs from.

But Amy knows she is loved by all of her families, and I am proud of the fact that—because of my daughter’s selfless love—Amy’s life is a blessing to so many.

Kathleen Yonker is a freelance writer in the Chicago area and the insurance liaison for a financial advisory firm. She has been a peer-group facilitator at her church for 10 years, helping the widowed and divorced work through their grieving process, and frequently sharing her written stories and prayers with them. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and was a publicist for the former Copley Chicago Newspapers.

The Crème Coffee House 109 E 2nd St, Owensboro, KY 42303 270-683-7787 A big thanks to Nikole & Mike from The Crème Coffee House for hosting the 2015 RTLO Celebrate Life Art Show that was held on Saturday, June 13. There were 21 exhibits displaying several local artists' expressions of life. Live music was provided by Clint Campbell and Caleb McManaway which kept toes tappin' through the evening.

Patrons and show attendees were encouraged to vote for their favorite art exhibit by making donations. Half of the total donations received were awarded to the artist who received the largest donations. Clint Campbell's piece titled “Peek-a-Boo” was chosen as the winner of the Art Show.

2015 Calendar of Events

Right to Life of Owensboro

Golf Scramble– July 18, Ben Hawes Walk for Life– September 5, Our Lady of Lourdes Banquet– October 22, The Hines Center

Other Pro-Life Events Life Chain– October 4 Rosary Rally– October 10

The RTLO mission, in part reads...

“The purpose for which RTLO is organized is to encourage among the general public an understanding of the dignity and worth of each human life, whatever his or her state or circumstances; to foster respect for human life before and after birth, particularly for the defenseless, the incompetent, the impaired and the incapacitated: to promote and encourage passage of amendatory and statutory measures which will provide protection and support for human life...”

Celebrate Life Celebrate Life Celebrate Life Celebrate Life Celebrate Life Celebrate Life Celebrate Life Celebrate Life Celebrate

NEED HELP? CALL 1-800-822-5824 or 270-685-5077 Jerry Embry Robin Beatty President Executive Director ________________________________________________ Phone:270-685-4922 Fax 270-684-0625 rtlo1973@att.net Online: www.rtlo.org 1115 Tamarack Road, Suite 200, Owensboro, KY 42301 ________________________________________________

Right to Life of Owensboro, Inc.

NON-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Owensboro, KY 42301