KNIGHT’S LIFELINE Published by the Knights of Columbus Office of Pro-life, Marriage and Family Values

MARCH FOR LIFE 2010

In the 37 years since Roe v. Wade an estimated 51 unborn children have been killed be legal surgical and medical abortions. Countless others have died through chemical abortions. Each abortion also represents a woman, and a man, who are the mother and the father of a child. Thus, millions of people in millions of families have been affected by abortion, and have suffered the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual consequences of their choice. There are many hurting people throughout the land. The March for Life in Washington, D.C. on Friday, January 22, 2010 and the Annual Walk for Life in San Francisco on Saturday, January 23, 2010 both need to be the largest demonstrations of their kind, ever, if the Culture of Death is to be replaced by the Culture of Life!

Reserve a bus seat now, or, better yet, reserve a bus! Encourage each Knight in your council, members of your parish, and high school and college students to stand up for life!

ULTRASOUND INITIATIVE

Since the start of the Ultrasound Initiative, state and local councils have teamed up with the Supreme Council to provide funding for ultrasound machines for pregnancy care centers. When a pregnancy center meets certain criteria, and the local/state council has raised at least half of the funds needed to purchase an ultrasound machine, the Supreme Council will provide the other half of the funds. Some of the donating state and local councils and the centers receiving Supreme Council funds so far are:

Florida State Council Women’s Help Center - Jacksonville, FL

Georgia State Council Women’s Enrichment Center - Dalton, GA

Iowa State Council Choices Medical Clinic - Iowa City, IA

Mother of Mercy Council 4030 Care Pregnancy Clinic - Baton Rouge, LA

Massachusetts State Council Problem Pregnancy Center of Worcester -Worcester, MA

Councils in District #8, Michigan Center for Women - Jackson, MI

Nebraska State Council Life Choices Pregnancy Center - Kearney, NE

Councils in District #5, Tennessee Tomorrow’s Hope Pregnancy Center - Paris, TN

Texas State Council Loreto House - Denton, TX

California State Council/Councils in District #113 Culture of Life Family Services - Escondido, CA

Rhode Island State Council Mother of Life Center – Providence, RI

40 DAYS FOR LIFE

One of the founders of the first 40 Days for Life campaign in 2004 was the then grand knight of Texas A & M College Council 10,624 at Texas A & M University in College Station, TX. Since then, 40 Days for Life has become the largest international pro-life event in history, with prayer, fasting and witnessing outside abortion clinics around the clock for 40 consecutive days and nights. The night time hours have become known in many locations as the “Knight” hours, because of the large presence of members of the Knights of Columbus who maintain a presence at the clinics then.

In the recently completed Fall 2009 campaign, held in about 230 locations throughout the United States, Canada, and Denmark, 607 women are known to have broken their appointments at abortion clinics, nine abortion clinic employees quit their jobs and, shortly after the campaign ended, at least two abortion clinics closed permanently.

The next 40 Days for Life campaign is set for February 17 to March 28, 2010. Details and sign-up information is available at www.40daysforlife.com.

December 2009/January 2010

A people of Life

and for Life

CULTURE OF LIFE FUND

The purpose of the Culture of Life Fund, which is funded by a $2 assessment on each Knight, is to move public opinion toward respecting the dignity of the human person and the fundamental right to life as a significant step towards the long term goal of building a culture of life that Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI have so strongly urged.

Some of the programs being supported by this fund include our own Ultrasound Initiative, the Sisters of Life, Birthright International, National Life Center, the Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF) in Canada, the National Catholic Bioethics Center, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Pro-Life Office, and pro-life and pro-family state referenda campaigns concerning protection of marriage, assisted suicide, and embryonic stem cell research.

Every member is encouraged to make such additional voluntary contributions to the fund as his personal resources may permit.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

After the Maine legislature passed and the governor signed a bill legalizing same sex marriage, Maine voters successfully petitioned for a referendum and then in November vetoed the same sex marriage bill by a vote of 52.8% to 47.2%, with 60% of eligible voters voting, a record turnout for an off-year election.

In New York the state Assembly passed a same sex marriage bill in May, 2009 by a vote of 89-52. However, on December 2, 2009 the New York Senate defeated the bill 38-24, killing it for the session.

The New Jersey Senate was scheduled to vote on a same sex marriage bill in January. If passed in the Senate, it would still need to be considered in the House.

Knights must remain vigilant to uphold marriage as the union of one man and one woman and ready to oppose any encroachment the same sex marriage bills may have on religious freedom.

PRO-LIFE ADDED AS SIXTH SERVICE

PROGRAM CATEGORY

Pro-life projects have always had an integral role in the Service Program activities of local councils. A newly created “Pro-Life” category has been added for the 2009-10 fraternal year.

The new version of the Columbian Award application (SP-7) with the new Pro-life program activity award category is now available on-line in the Council Forms section at www.kofc.org. The new version of the State Service Program Awards form (#STSP) is also available there.

RESPECT LIFE PROGRAMMING IDEAS

Memorials to Unborn Children

In 1992 Cardinal John O’Connor ofNew York

Knights of Columbus units throughout the

tribute to the

memorials in Catholic cemeteries, on council hall grounds, and at parishes.

monuments have been built.

These monuments, ranging from simple headstonesto elaborate memorials, stand as testimony to one simple fact: Human life is a sacred gift from God to

conception to natural death. The monuments have different messages. Some examples are:

• “In memory of all innocent victims of abortion.”

• “Please pray for an end to abortion.” • “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,”

Jeremiah 1:5 • “Rachel mourns her children, she refuses to be

consoled because her children are no more.” Jeremiah 31:15-17.

“WE CHOOSE LIFE” SIGNS

These signs measure 13”x 20” and are for carrying in a march or in a walk for life, while sidewalk counseling, or during similar public demonstrations or displays. Call 203-752-4402 to order signs.

To contact the Office of Pro-life, Marriage and Family Values, call 203-752-4402 or william.obrien@kofc.org.