January Newsletter, 1996, Part 1

Quarterly Issue

As pro-lifers pray outside an abortuary, the secular media records the mourners. Children of the Rosary carry small crosses at Lenten Rosaries as a reminder of the suffering and death of Our Lord.

BEHIND THE MASK
PRO-LIFE ADVERTIZING
THE RALLY
PRO-LIFE HINTS OF THE MONTH

BEHIND THE MASK, PART 3 OF 4

By Nancy Vogel

In November of 1989, I ran across a Federal Grant document that proposed a "Pregnancy and Breast-feeding Hotline," 258-2900, funded by U. S. West Communications and funds to be matched with Federal dollars. ( I have many ladies to thank involving me in reading grants, and going to the legislature and others community meetings. That was before I home-schooled, I don’t now. Our Lady changed our lives, since then, for the better).

I called 258-2900, the "Pregnancy and Breast-feeding Hotline" on November 13, 1989 and asked what they offer. The reply was free pregnancy testing, eligibility for AHCCCS, adoption, and transportation for keeping appointments.

I asked, "If a gal calls for an abortion, what then?" The answer was "we refer them, depending on the area". I called again November 15, 1989, and this time I was told of three referral locations for abortion: Planned Parenthood (PP) at 277-1168 and A-Z Women's Center at 957-8535 and Robert Tamis at 486-3848. For counseling, I was to call 997-4793. I called 997-4793; it would not answer. I called the "Hotline" back and I was told to call PP or A-Z Women's Center or Florence Creighton Center at 274-7318.

This grant also had local government phone numbers to call. I started with Maternal Child Health, (Title V, Federal Dollars), 542-1870, Susan McCraw Helms. To make a long story short, Ms. Helms called it "counsel referral", not "abortion referral," which it is. Also, Title V has no restrictions or guidelines when it comes to abortion. (This needs to be remedied). This one million dollar Federal Grant was used for TV and radio. Remember now, U.S. West put their dollars up, too. When those ads came on TV and radio I called them and they removed them. That was easy, AMEN!

There were also the bright yellow and black flyers with a telephone receiver illustration and the phone number 258-2900 to be used by school nurses, and I spied one at Luke Air Force Base's OB/Gyn office. I told the Major there and her that the flyers phone number was for abortion referral and that the Air Force Baseis not into abortion!? She did not take that well and replied, "As long as I don’t hand you the phone number that flyer is OK." Later that year I noticed on a TV program that Florida had an 800 number called the SHE Center, Lynn Leight, contact person.

I called to see how many other states were into 800 numbers for a Pregnancy Hotline. I was told Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Maine, and Missouri but Arizona was not mentioned. (Rape Hotlines can do the same as a Pregnancy Hotline).

That’s all I could do for l989; Children of the Rosary was just getting into gear.

PRO-LIFE ADVERTIZING

By Sue Widemark

Monthly, you have read about ways we, the average citizens can keep the Pro-life cause in view of those around us. You have probably wondered if these things really work and I am here to tell you that they do.

One way which has been suggested is putting a bumpersticker on your car (on some of today's modern cars, which lack bumpers, the back window will do!). I chose one with the message, "Hitler made 6 million choices - Some choices are wrong!" My reasoning for selecting this was that although, thanks to the media, the word "Pro-life" often connotes to people a mindless fanatic, the word "choice" was a positive one to most Americans, reminding them of their freedom (another media image - freedom does not include the privilege of murdering another human being and never did!). The sticker cleverly uses the word choice and hits the reader in the face with the fact that Hitler CHOSE also and that HIS choice was not much different from the choice to abort the 4,400 preborn babies who die by abortion daily.

I know that people read this sticker. First of all, I've gotten nasty notes on my car telling me that Hitler's choice to terminate human life was NOT like the choice to have an abortion. Noteworthy there is the fact that the sign has angered the note-writer, which means that s/he will think a lot about the subject. Secondly, the sticker is subtle enough that some folks don't understand it and it's not uncommon for me to pull up to a stoplight and have the riders in the neighboring car roll down their windows and ask me what the sticker means. This, of course, is a golden opportunity to give a testimony for Pro Life.

Another way you can advertise our cause is to order those pro-life checks. This is something I tried, just to support the cause, and was pleasantly surprised to see how effective this has been. Every clerk to whom I hand a check stops to read the caption. The checks have artistic photos of babies on them and that is what catches their eye. An amazingly high percentage of clerks and cashiers have expressed positive opinions of the checks. The checks bring home the fact that abortion kills babies. Some clerks wince and I can tell that they are pro-choice, however, they usually remain silent about my check and I know that they have been reminded of the personhood of the tiny ones killed in abortions.

When you send checks to your creditors, each check passes through many human hands. I can envision the scene daily with clerks and cashiers being multiplied and those handling my check being reminded of pro-life issues. It certainly is well worth taking a few minutes to order those checks!

I carry leaflets (which I obtained from Children of the Rosary) in my purse and my gym bag. I randomly place one inside the stall of the lady's washroom in which I find myself from time to time. I also place a leaflet inside one of the lockers of the gym where I work out. I always pick up reading material left in stalls (AND lockers) and I'm quite certain that my leaflets are more often read than not. The leaflet pictures a dog on the front with the caption, "It shouldn't happen to a dog" and goes on to describe some of what a preborn baby faces in abortion. It's sad that a picture of an animal will get more interest than a dead human baby, but nevertheless, the leaflet is powerful, to say the least. You can purchase these for a ten cents each, well worth the expense.

Finally, I use stickers on envelopes. They (the ubiquitous 'they'!) say that an envelope mailed may pass through the hands of as many as 20 human beings. A catchy sticker will likely be read by several processing the mailed letter or bill. You can obtain all types of stickers. One of my favorite styles is made by the same folks who produce the pro-life checks. They have cartoons with captions which are very satirical. The humor is biting, bound to get anyone's attention in a tasteful manner. Other stickers, available through Children of the rosary, are miniatures of some popular bumper stickers.

You can order bumper stickers, envelope stickers, posters, pro-life shirts and literature right from Children of the Rosary. The address where to get pro-life checks can be found in the advertising section of this publication. Why wait another day when you could be helping spread the truth about life?

THE RALLY

By Katherine Sabelko

Mark your calendar for January 21, 1996. Children of the Rosary has committed to run an annual statewide rally. We are very excited about the speakers and activities planned under the title "Coalition For Life."

We are honored to have His Excellency, Thomas J. O'Brien, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, give the Invocaton and the opening talk. Mr. Benjamin Bull, senior litigating officer of the Phoenix office of American Center of Law and Justice, and Mr. Trent Franks are scheduled speakers. Shiela Riely, Carrie Weston and others will cover pro-life topics.

The annual March down 15th Avenue will have specials entries, including a Kids Marching Band. Everyone is encouraged to dress their tots in pink or blue and have them join the 'marching band.' Please have the children bring their toy instruments for the March. Music will be provided for the tots. Schools and groups are encouraged to enter. Wildlife World Zoo is donating a group pass for the group which has the most participants for the Kids Marching Band.

This Rally challenges the annual anniversary of the infamous decision of Roe v. Wade. The case of Norma McCorvey who was Jane Roe, legalized abortion through all nine months of the preborn child.

Considered a new beginning of a grassroots movement of pro-life in Arizona, abundant pro-life literature and information will be available.

Several special elements will be evident. Clowns for Life, St. Helen Clowns, other clowns will spark laughs. Music will be provided by Ken Walker, local D.J. and entertainer, at Encanto and at Wesley Bolin Plaza. St. Helen's Choir, led by Bill Greb, will highlight the entertainment at the Plaza.

We encourage you to wear your CoR shirts and sweatshirts. It would be wonderful to have a sea of the Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Rally!

CoR is recruiting all who can help that day. It will be easy and the different "jobs" will still let you enjoy the Rally and be with your family.

We definitely need access to mobile phones for good communication. Come to the announcement area at Encanto to find out how you can help in this area.

Bring your video cameras! We are hoping for over 5,000 this year so we must be ready to help in any way we are needed at the function.

Your participation will make this truly The Rally Of The '90s - so call 715-643-5046 to offer your help.

PRO-LIFE HINTS OF THE MONTH

It is surprising how much fun it is to help in the pro-life cause. Many areas need help and there are a variety of ways you can support.

This month we will list inexpensive ideas to help support crisis pregnancy centers. These centers face a constant challenge of stretching their finances so they can help as many women as possible.

We suggest you check with your favorite center before you begin your plans or choose from the list of ideas we present. Each center has particular needs:

When you're grocery shopping, select some baby food jars on each trip. Food is inexpensive and simple to store at home until you deliver it to one of the to the centers.

Clip coupons for diapers, baby food and infant items. Drop them in the mail to a center to help reduce the center's cost to purchase items.

See if the center has a program for emergency food boxes. Many times young families could use a good hearty box of food. With your name on the list, the center can call and know that a box can be picked up or delivered at a moment's notice.

Stop by garage/yard sales in your area. Try to time your stop near the end of the day's sale. You'll be surprised what wonderful children's furniture, clothes and toys you can pick up for minium cost to be donated to the Center.

A special gift of a baby's frilly dress or baby booties might be something your Center could use to give to a woman considering abortion.

Handmade blankets and baby items show the young mothers that we really care. Handmade items express not only that we realize the preciousness of life but we care enough to take the time to make the clothes and blankets.

Does your church have a monthly Cradle Sunday? A Sunday each month can be designated to have people drop off their items at church. It is simple for the donors and the monthly announcement in the bulletin again lets young women know we really do care!

Schools can have contests between classes for collection of items. The children could write letters to a "Special Mom" that centers can hand to a young woman in crisis.

Centers are always in need of professional services: plumbing, painting, building repairs. Give them a call!

If you speak both English and another language, consider having your name listed as a volunteer interpreter. Many times it can be very effective if the woman in crisis can speak to someone in her native tongue. You could volunteer to call clients to remind them of medical appointments or to pass information on to them.

You might consider helping set up a system of supplying beverages and snacks for a center so when people come in they can be invited to have a cup of coffee, juice or a soda.

And the list goes on. You probably now have thought of something you'd like to do. If so, just pick up the phone and call to volunteer!