Reclaiming Our Children

Silent No More

Being "Silent No More" at the Rockland "40 Days for Life" today

 

NY Subway Ads

Found the comments to this post on Feministing http://www.feministing.com/archives/020333.html#more pretty interesting. I actually agree with some of them.  Wish I could have added a comment but they are closed.

I particularly liked TabloidScully's comments. She was honest and kind of expressed a "stuck in the middle" mentality...while I do not think abortion is ever ok because it takes a human life, I can relate to her feelings.

It drives the pro aborts crazy that anyone would admit to or validate "negatives" around abortion....still, the ads obviously have awakened a lot in many women with the truth of the feelings for many who have experienced abortion.

Hidden Abortion

"They just told her that if she concealed it from her family, that it would be free of charge and no financial responsibility."

This makes me so sad and angry. The ongoing fact that a minor cannot get an aspirin in school yet can be sent for a life altering abortion without anyone in her family knowing, in fact, with encouragement not to tell her family.

The complete disregard for the mental well being of this teen and the damage this action has caused to her family  is  beyond expression. They say they are protecting the girls privacy..it is amazing that it is only abortion we do this with...where are her privacy rights if she  does anything else?

Pray for her and her family...I have met way too many teens who have hidden an abortion from family and live in despair and depression without their parents knowing what happened. Hopefully this girl will get the help and love she needed from the beginning, from people who love her, instead of strangers who have no business being involved.

I hope this family finds a way to sue the school district...

Pray for them...

Mother furious after in-school clinic sets up daughter's abortion

KOMO-TV STAFF

The mother of a Ballard High School student is fuming after the health center on campus helped facilitate her daughter's abortion during school hours.

The mother, whom KOMO News has chosen to identify only as "Jill," says the clinic kept the information "confidential."

When she signed a consent form, Jill figured it meant her 15-year-old could go to the Ballard Teen Health Center located inside the high school for an earache, a sports physical, even birth control, but not for help terminating a pregnancy.

"She took a pregnancy test at school at the teen health center," she said. "Nowhere in this paperwork does it mention abortion or facilitating abortion."

Jill says her daughter, a pro-life advocate, was given a pass, put in a taxi and sent off to have an abortion during school hours, all without her family knowing.

"We had no idea this was being facilitated on campus," said Jill. "They just told her that if she concealed it from her family, that it would be free of charge and no financial responsibility."

The Seattle School District says it doesn't run the health clinics at high schools. Swedish Medical Center runs the clinic at Ballard High and protects the students' privacy.

the rest is here: http://www2.seattlepi.com/articles/417276.html

Stuck in the MIddle

I wrote this 15 years ago...it has gotten much better with groups like Silent no More around and other venues where post abortive women and men are speaking out, but there is still a lot of judgment out there  on all sides and we are still (and always will be ) in need of Gods Mercy!                                                    

Stuck in the Middle Again                                                  1995

 

For years after my abortion I longed to talk to someone who would legitimize the pain I was feeling. I guess you gravitate towards those who will meet your needs. I was filled with guilt and shame and deeply mourning the baby I had lost, in silence. Our society does not speak about abortion, unless it is in the context of the political debate.

Friends and family seem to think that if it is ignored you can go on with your life as if nothing has happened. Those of us in touch with our pain often find in time, the pro- life side to enroll with. Knowing too well that we killed our unborn child and how terrible it was, we feel a sense of connection, for after all, they are trying to end the destruction of the unborn.

 Those of us who have fled from the guilt and pain through denial often find themselves in the pro-abortion ranks, defending abortion at any cost. To do otherwise would mean having to look at the reality of what we have done. It seems noble to protect a woman's right to choose. Even necessary.

 I have often likened it to the story of Judas who betrayed the innocent life of Christ. Instead of trusting in the love Jesus had for the apostles, and believing Jesus had their best interest at heart, Judas took the situation on himself. He thought he knew better. Not unlike those of us who found ourselves pregnant and in a difficult situation. Jesus was not doing things the way Judas wanted. Neither one of us listened to Him.

 The Scribes and Pharisees were looking for someone to sell Jesus out and Judas fell right into their hands, betraying Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. We who were pregnant fell into the hands of a "woman's choice" society.

 After the arrest of Jesus, Judas felt instant remorse. The reality of what he had done sunk in and Judas realized what a grave mistake he had made. Filled with grief and shame, he returned to the Scribes and Pharisees and gave them back the 30 pieces of silver, but they wanted no part of him. They had accomplished what they had set out to do and now told him in his despair “what do we care about that…it is your business.” An echoing of the denial of the after effects of abortion on women in our society.

 I am sure Judas thought he could never approach those who were mourning Jesus either, for he thought they would hate and judge him and would never understand his reasons for the betrayal, as wrong as they may have been. I am sure there were voiced thoughts among those who loved Jesus of “how can anyone do this” or “I would never do that if I were in his situation”. Judas left alone, gave in to despair, went and hanged himself.

 It is too bad Judas didn’t realize that the one he could go to, the one who would have understood was Jesus Himself. There he would have found forgiveness and mercy and I am sure, would have become the greatest apostle, singing the praises of God.

 The isolation often felt by post abortive people in our society speaks in volumes, the same message…”you killed your child…"we do not want to talk about it"…"it is your problem”. Yet the abortion debate continues to be one of the biggest issues in each election our country has.

 The chants of a woman s right to choose are echoed in the pro-abortion candidate’s statements and speeches, as are the rights of the unborn in the pro-life candidates. But no one is willing to speak or to listen to the millions who know the real truth about abortion… those who have lost their children.

 Many post abortive people follow the path of Judas with self-destructive behavior. Their lives are filled with despair, addictions, promiscuity, shame, guilt, and yes sometimes even suicide. Others of us have been blessed in time, and have gone to the ones who can heal us; God and our children, who are only too happy to offer us forgiveness and mercy. I’d like to think that we then become as Pope John Paul II says the "greatest advocates for life". As the love shown to us by God increases and we find healing, we are dedicated to proclaiming the mercy and love of Jesus and are equipped to combat the evil of abortion with the truth we know full well.

 Things have improved, there are post abortion ministries and some outreach by the church, but our words still often fall on deaf ears treating us as if we had no right to voice an opinion at all, for after all, we are ones who willingly killed our children. We can seek healing, but no one wants to listen to what we have to say. We need to keep in our place, still separated from our children. Like before our abortions, everyone else is all too ready to proclaim what is right and tell us what to do leaving us feeling compelled to pick sides depending on what we ourselves are experiencing.

 I have found the truth is in the middle of this debate. Abortion is always wrong because it takes the life of an unborn child, but I also know that the lack of compassion and understanding and the quickness to judge those who have had abortions is also wrong. Although their bodies are still alive, these PA children of God have no life in them, for their souls are most times dead.

 I believe abortion continues because both sides think they have the answers. "A women's right to chose", "Save the unborn". The pride is often so strong that they too are committing the sin of Judas…they think they know better than Christ does.

 I understand. Who am I to judge. Me who have needed so much mercy and have been forgiven and blessed to come to know in such depths the love of Christ. So, I reach out to those still suffering in the hopes my healing will give them the hope they need to be healed. I listen to their pain and legitimize their feelings…they are right on target. Most of all, I thank God that I am stuck in the middle now, knowing abortions truth through the light of His love.

 Theresa Bonopartis

 

 

Abortion Doula

So, now, sadly, we are seeing the rise of abortion doulas.  In reality, it just is an extension of the false compassion abortion is based on.

Here in NY we actually have "The Doula Project" http://www.doulaproject.org/

I guess it is really no different than an OB-Gyn who bring babies to birth in one room and kills them in another.

I just have to wonder when we our hearts became so hard that we can switch back and forth so easily and somehow, it is all ok...

To all you abortion doulas out there...there will come the day when you will not see this as the very noble act you now proclaim it to be. Someday the truth will set in, that not only have you helped a baby die, but you have aided in the destruction of the woman's soul...

Lumina events/spread the word!

• On Thursday, March 25^th from 11-12:30pm we will be at the Spring Valley, “40 Days for Life” holding “I Regret My Abortion” signs

• Sunday, March 28^th, Fr Mariusz Koch, CFR and I will be on “Sunday Night Live”, at 7pm, with Fr Benedict Groeschel, CFR, speaking about our post abortive work

 

• April 8^th we will be at Columbia University from 12-1:30pm doing a Silent No More presentation

 

• April 10^th is our Poor Pre Natal retreat, a retreat for couples who aborted due to a adverse diagnosis

 

• Tuesday, April 13^th we will be doing an “Evening of Prayerful Remembrance” at Caldwell College in Caldwell NJ in conjunction with the college and the Diocese of Newark

 

• Wednesday, April 14^th at 7pm we will be giving a presentation along with SNM at Fordham University

 

• Monday, April 19^th, “Treating the Post Abortive Client”, a training for mental health professionals and clergy , will be held at Dunwoodie Seminary in Yonkers, NY

 

• April 21, Wednesday, we will be giving a talk at Sacred Heart High School in Greenwich Ct

 

• Saturday, April 24^th, a “Day of Prayer & Healing” women’s post abortion retreat

 

• Saturday, May 1^st, a “Day of Prayer and Healing” for men
  

For details on any of these events please call 877-586-4621 or email: [email protected]

Even the best laid plans

Well, I am back..or should I say, I never really left..or at least not for long.

Our retreat weekend, "In the Cross is Salvation" was cut short by the storm last weekend. I won't even get into all the "stuff" there except to say thank God we are all safe.

Then I headed to Rhode Island for a few days vacation and a visit with Fr Juniper only to head back within 24 hours because my brother in law had a heart attack. (Sorry Father...no dinner!)

Thank God (as always) my brother in law is doing well now and on the mend.

Goes to show even our best laid plans may never happen and the only thing we can always count on is God alone!

So, back in the office and catching up...hope to begin posting regularly again tomorrow!

In the Cross is Salvation

I will leave you for the coming week with the theme from our retreat...

Merciful Jesus, who obtained our salvation by Your ultimate sacrifice on the cross

help us always to keep our eyes on You

May we never fail to recognize that there is nothing we can do to make up for our abortions, but that we do not have to because You have already made up for them.

May we gaze lovingly on You without fear or dread. In spite of any feelings we may be tempted with, may we always believe in Your love and mercy for us.

Help us to see at the cross, not only the abyss of our sins, but the abyss of Your love and mercy.May we recognize our right to be forgiven because of You and who You are.

May we always adore the cross in the company of Mary, Our Merciful other. May she, given to us out of Your love for us, accompany us on our healing journey into heaven, there to be with You and our children for all eternity.

Amen.

Remember in Prayer

Please say a pray for my friend Fr Michael Sepp, http://reclaimingourchildren.typepad.com/lumina_a_ray_of_light_aft/2009/03/fr-michael-sepp.html who went home to be with the Lord one year ago tomorrow March 13th...whenever I think of him it is with a smile on his face and deep peace...

we love you Father Michael!

Help After Abortion

Help After Abortion Subway ad campaign offers compassion and healing

By CLAUDIA McDONNELL

An ad campaign in the New York City subways this month offers hope to women who are suffering from a problem that's often hidden or suppressed, with painful consequences: sadness and distress following an abortion. The ads point the way to peace of mind, and it all begins confidentially, with a visit to a Web site. "Abortion Changes You" is the name of the campaign. It is aimed not only at women but also at men who have been affected by abortion. It is nondenominational and is not connected to any church or religious group; it's an outreach to people of all faiths or of none. Private donors have underwritten the cost. The ads went up March 1 and will remain through March 28. This is the second time the ads have appeared in the subways; a previous campaign took place in the fall of 2008. This time, however, the outreach is more extensive; the number of subway cars with the ads has doubled to 2,000. The campaign conveys an additional message, besides the one that appears in print: If the pain of abortion has gone deep, like a subway train descending into a dark tunnel, there is a way out of despair. Those who suffer can find hope, help and healing. The ads carry the words "Abortion changes you," with a photo of a woman or man and a simple statement: "I thought life would be the way it was before," or "My child would have been 6 this year" or "We made the decision together but I've never felt so alone." Below that statement is the campaign's Web address: abortionchangesyou.com. The site offers a compassionate message, suggestions on how to begin healing and resources for further help. The campaign is being sponsored by the archdiocesan Family Life/Respect Life Office. The office is directed by the Sisters of Life, whose apostolate includes postabortion ministry. The sisters have a program, Entering Canaan, which offers days of prayer and healing for women and for men. Theresa Bonopartis helped the Sisters of Life to develop Entering Canaan. She is the director of Lumina, a postabortion ministry sponsored by Good Counsel Homes, and she has worked for 20 years with women suffering from negative thoughts and emotions including grief, remorse, anger, shame and guilt. Last weekend Lumina presented its first program for siblings of aborted children. Discussing the Abortion Changes You campaign in an interview, Ms. Bonopartis said, "Personally, I love the ads," and added that the campaign "is probably more effective than we'll ever know," simply because it might encourage women to seek help on their own—whether or not they approach a particular program. Ms. Bonopartis herself had an abortion, and she said that women with postabortion stress "are walking around feeling isolated and alone." Even family members usually don't talk to them about what they are experiencing, she said. "The ads let them know they're not alone," she said. "They legitimize what they're going through."

read the rest here:http://www.cny.org/archive/ld/ld15031110.htm