“The People’s Override” petition is underway The Knights of Columbus, the Michigan Catholic Conference and Right to Life of Michigan have formed a partnership to allow voters the opportunity to sign petitions so that the House and Senate can ban partial birth abortions in Michigan. The campaign’s kickoff was Jan. 15. Q. Why do we need this petition drive? A. This petition will end partial-birth abortions by declaring any partially born child to be a person with full legal protection. In Oct. 2003, Gov. Granholm vetoed this same law after it was passed by wide margins in the House and Senate. With enough signatures and a simple majority vote in the House and Senate, this initiated legislation will become law, completely bypassing the Governor. Q. When will this be on the ballot? A. It won’t. This petition is for citizen-initiated legislation, meaning with enough registered voters’ signatures (verified by the State Board of Canvassers), it will become law with a simple majority vote in the State Legislature. The governor has no role in approving or vetoing the law. Q. Is this the same legislation that President Bush signed? A. President Bush did sign a federal partial-birth abortion ban, but it was immediately suspended pending several challenges in the courts. This initiative takes an entirely different legal approach than the federal law. If challenged, the Legal Birth Definition Act will be heard by different courts and may have a higher likelihood of being upheld as constitutional. Q. Is partial birth abortion ever medically necessary? A. Experts in the fields of obstetrics and gynecology have testified over and over again that the procedure known as partial birth abortion is never medically necessary to save the life or health of a pregnant woman.

NFP Awareness Week (July 20-27)

• planning a family? Migel and Kathy Gatica share firsthand the blessing of natural family planning
• Top 10 benefits of natural family planning
• Contraception: how it can endanger your health
• Love and Self-Mastery: how self-control strengthens marriage By Dr. Janet Smith

The Gospel of Life

Building a Culture of Life

Human Cloning

Natural Family Planning

1972-2002 USSCB Respect Life Program celebrates 30 years Read more

Ministries in support of Life

• Adrian CPC Pregnancy Counseling & Services (517) 263-5701
• Ann Arbor Ann Arbor Pregnancy Counseling Center 
  (734) 930-0013
  Problem Pregnancy Help (734) 975-4357
• Charlotte A New Beginning Pregnancy Center
  (517) 543-7077
• East Lansing Pregnancy Services of Greater Lansing
  (517) 332-0633 or (800) 223-4442
• Fenton The Listen Center (810) 629-1876
• Flint Flint Crisis Pregnancy Services (810) 767-7153
  Flint Pregnancy Counseling Center (810) 767-1262
  Heartbeat of Greater Flint, Abortion Alternatives (810) 232-3101
  Answer Center for Women (810) 234-7777
  Catholic Social Services of Flint (810) 232-9950
• Howell Pregnancy Helpline (810) 632-5656
• Jackson Birthline (517) 784-9187
  Catholic Social Services (517) 782-2551
  Center for Women Pregnancy Counseling (517) 787-4673
• Lansing Project Rachel (800) 968-0968
  Shared Pregnancy Women’s Center (517) 484-1882
  Hannah's House (517) 482-5856
  Sister’s Maternity Home (517) 371-3128
• Owosso Pregnancy Resource Center (989) 723-4025
  Catholic Social Services (989) 723-8239
• St. Johns Beacon of Hope CPC (989) 224-0328
• Ypsilanti Family Life Services (734) 434-3088

Project Rachel: is a Catholic ministry that helps women and men who have had a traumatic experience because of an abortion. A team of trained counselors, clergy, and support group leaders are available to those who are seeking help with abortion issues. Don’t be afraid to get the help you need to find peace. Call Wilson Perkowski, program director of the Diocese of Lansing Project Rachel office, at (517) 342-2581, or toll-free (800) 968-0968. Or, visit the Web site at: home.catholicweb.com/projectrachel/

Remembering Roe v. Wade

• Pro-Life Events Remember Roe v. Wade
  Events in the Diocese of Lansing, during the week of Jan. 22, 2001
• Roe vs. Wade Remembrance Rally Speech
  Jan. 20, 2002 Rally, Michigan State Capitol, Lansing
  by Ed Rivet, Legislative Director for Right to Life of Michigan
• Homily at Vigil Mass for Life
  Cardinal Bevilacqua's homily at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Jan. 21, 2001)
  

Please send articles and contact information of pro-life ministries in the Diocese of Lansing to webmaster@faithmag.com

FAITHbooks

Three Approaches to Abortion: A Thoughtful and Compassionate Guide to Today's Most Controversial Issue By Peter Kreeft

Why do pro-choice people always describe abortion as a "difficult" and "complex" issue, whereas pro-life advocates see it as clearly wrong? January 22, 2003, marks the 30th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision to legalize abortion, which remains "the single most divisive public issue of our time." Catholic author and philosophy professor Peter Kreeft approaches this topic with simple logic and sensitivity, in an effort to bring a greater understanding of the pro-life position to people on all sides.

The first of the "three approaches" involves objective, logical arguments. Kreeft has a talent of making philosophy accessible to the general reader, and with words filled with wit and conviction, he gives us a large dose of common sense. The second approach is more personal, demonstrating 15 subjective reasons to work for the protection of the unborn. The book concludes with an interpersonal perspective, in the format of a pro-life/pro-choice dialogue, addressing 15 common pro-choice arguments.

Whatever your position on abortion, this book will certainly shed more light on the scientific, moral and legal implications of the pro-choice mentality as well as the reason why Mother Teresa said, "If abortion isn't wrong, then nothing is wrong." - Alton Pelowski (Ignatius Press; ISBN: 0898709156; March 2002)