not in the earthquake...
not in the fire...
but in a gentle whispering sound.
I Kings 19:11-12
Pro-Life
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery September 4, 2010
Today I attended a memorial service for the aborted babies, whose bodies were rescued from trash containers in 2008 by Dr. Monica Miller and others. Today's ceremony commemorated the setting of the headstone, with Archbishop Allan Vigneron presiding. It was a very beautiful outdoor setting, in the infant section of the cemetery, next to the graves of so many little ones, who graced the lives of their families for such a short time, and were loving placed to rest. In stark contrast, the babies we came to honor were never given the chance to be loved and to love in return. Below is a link to the video "Requiem for the Disappeared",depicting the funeral of these babies in 2008, set to the song, "Tell Me Who I Am". This video beautifully delivers a very powerful message of truth of the aftermath of abortion in the lives of the aborted. Some of you may know that after watching this video for the first time in 2009, I immediately felt inspired, and the song, "The Lost Ones", (on the Hopeful Silence CD) came to be. Please click on the link below the photos, and perhaps you will be inspired to take an active part in this cause - pray, fast, speak up. There are many pro-life organizations throughout our nation, that would be honored to have you join them in the battle to save the unborn. If you would like to know more about Dr. Monica Miller, visit www.prolifesociety.com.
http://www.vimeo.com/6526349
Perspective from the front row…. August 21, 2010
I attended a pro-life event today that was entitled “Revelations. Stories of redemption and hope. 11 renowned panelists conceived in rape, and pregnant by rape share powerful testimony.” It was sponsored by the Lennon Pregnancy Center of Dearborn Heights and took place at St. Francis Cabrini in Allen Park. It was truly powerful. Men and women from all walks of life, brought into this world by the most horrific of circumstances, giving thanks to God for their life, and thankful beyond words for the gift of life their mothers gave them in renouncing the ‘choice’ of abortion. Those conceived included a college professor, a lawyer, a mom of three and grandmother of four, a woman conceived through incestuous rape, and a soft spoken gentleman from Texas who urged us all to continue doing all we can to help women in crisis pregnancies. Among the women who became pregnant, there were some who gave their babies up for adoption, and others chose to raise them themselves.
I wanted so much to hear these testimonies because when speaking out against abortion you often hear the question, “but what about rape – why should someone be forced to carry a baby conceived that way?” In reality it is often the case that women who choose abortion feel that they have NO other choice – no help, no resources, no support system. The women on this panel who chose life did not have it easy, but they were unanimous that rather than being resentful towards their child, the child in fact helped to bring about healing from the experience for them. They didn’t consider the baby to be the ‘rapist's’ baby, but he/she was their baby, a victim like themselves, having done nothing to warrant death, but rather, a great blessing in their lives.
This experience is really making me rethink my commitment to pro-life. It is so very important to continue praying for a reversal of the Roe v. Wade decision, but I now feel strongly that perhaps this isn’t enough for me. There are several crisis pregnancy centers in my area, and how much do I do to be ‘Christ’ for the women looking for help and support? Our Lord laid down His life for them – what does He want us to do? What does he want me to do?
Karen
March For Life 2010
Dear Friends,
I’ve Just returned (and had a long nap), from the 'red eye' bus trip to Washington D.C. to participate in the 2010 March For Life. I hope those of you who couldn’t make the trip were able to see this event on the news broadcasts. For many years, with the exception of EWTN, the secular media has been noticeably absent from the March, but this year Fox News and CNN were also there. It's been three years since the last time I participated in the March For Life, and I was in awe at how the numbers of participants had grown in only three years. In 2007 the estimate was 200,000 marchers. The unofficial estimate for this year is 450,000 marchers - a truly enormous gathering of people from many faith backgrounds, and all age groups. It was especially gratifying to see so many teens, young adults, young families, and young religious enthusiastically giving their time for this cause, along with the more ‘seasoned’ marchers. For a claustrophobic person this may have been an uncomfortable experience, but I believe there were many there who endured this difficulty, along with those who experienced other types of pain (aches, cold, waiting and waiting in lines), who offered these sufferings up to the Lord as a type of prayer in reparation for this atrocity called abortion.
We hear the word abortion used a lot in daily conversations: ‘abort the upload’, ‘abort the mission’, etc., that to abort the pregnancy doesn’t sound so bad. When we call it what it really is – child killing – then we are making a statement that shocks, offends, angers. Some would say it is wrong to call it killing, they feel it is a medical procedure, a ‘choice’. While walking from Union Station in D.C. to the Mall for the events of the day, I passed by a number of large billboard size posters showing the reality of this ‘choice’. I saw some of the same posters in 2007, but it was too hard for me to speak of them at that time. Body parts of aborted children, no bigger than a dime. A photo of a 24 week premature born baby in an incubator, in contrast to a photo of an aborted 24 week old baby. Does anyone have the right to choose to deny God’s gift of life to the second child? Both are unrepeatable individuals who will have (or would have been given) different gifts from God to serve Him and the human race. How could it be a good thing for a human, a creature, to have the right to selfishly say “NO” to that individual growing inside of them, or their wife, or their girlfriend, or their daughter. We are not the Creator. We, the created must work in cooperation with our Creator to protect and respect human life at all stages – unborn, born, growing, developing, sick and dying. Life, being born, is the first fundamental right.
I recall the gut wrenching feeling I had as a young person in 1973 when the Roe v. Wade verdict was made. We were so sure that God would not let this happen. But God does not force His will on anyone. Freedom of choice to embrace the good of God, is part of God’s divine plan. Adam and Eve rejected it, choosing death, and on down the line. So then, the rejection of the good of God, as reflected in Roe v. Wade shouldn’t surprise us. Those of us who have experienced God’s healing touch, and strive everyday to pull ourselves out of the mire of self satisfaction and self gratification, understand that we truly battle evil in this fight to end abortion.
In 2007 my experience and reflections from the March For Life were a little different than this year, and yet while both were profound, this year I feel more than ever, the urgency that perhaps many others are feeling, that this has gone on too long. Many men and women have been diligently fighting this fight for 37 years or longer, but others of us (myself included) have been too busy, too young, too old, too tired…. Please join in doing something while we still have the time. Pray, fast, write letters, witness at the abortion sites, and talk to others that they too will realize the truth about abortion. The work here on earth depends on us doing it. While we still live and breathe, we are God’s hands, feet, and voice. God bless you in your personal resolve.
Peace
March for Life 2007
My sister and I took the Michigan Right to Life “red-eye” bus to Washington D.C. on January 21, to participate in the 33rd March for Life – in protest to the 1973 ruling in Roe vs. Wade. We left Michigan at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, arrived in D.C. on Monday, at 3:30 a.m., participated in the day’s activities, and then departed D.C. at 6:00 p.m., arriving back in Michigan, Tuesday at 4:00 a.m. – thus the name “red-eye”.
During the ride there was plenty of time for prayer and reflection, and I thought back to the time when the original trial was taking place, and how we prayed, and hoped that the judge would rule in favor of life. We were all stunned at the outcome, but resolved to continue to pray and work for justice for the unborn. I also thought back to when I was 36, and pregnant with my third child. My caregiver recommended that I have the amniocentesis procedure as part of my pre-natal care. I asked her what the reasoning was for having this test? She said that due to my age there was a greater risk of my child being born with birth defects. The intention of course was to abort if the test indicated retardation. I looked her in the eyes and said that I was against abortion for any reason, and would never take the life of my child. I hope it was a very awkward moment for her. How presumptuous of her, and the medical world that she was a part of, to assume that if my child – a beautiful gift from God – wasn’t perfect in the eyes of the world, that he or she was disposable.
As I said, our bus arrived in Washington D.C. at 3:30 a.m. at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Inside, in the lower portion, many people who had arrived the day before, were sleeping on the marble floors. In the crypt church, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was being held throughout the night, accompanied by song and prayers. At 6:00 a.m. we were graciously served coffee and donuts, and at 7:30 a.m. Mass was celebrated, with Donald W. Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington D.C. presiding, and thousands in attendance. At noon the official activities of the March began on the Mall. From 12 to 2 there were a number of dynamic speakers, including clergy, elected officials, and prominent pro-life persons. However, I couldn’t help being anxious for the “March” to start – my chance to do something for the unborn. Finally, at 2 p.m. we began. Walking amidst a crowd of over a hundred thousand people, I initially felt insignificant, but slowly I realized this wasn’t true. I had a sense that I was a drop in the ocean – but I was part of the ocean none the less! We were an ocean of supporters winding our way through the streets, up Capitol Hill, to the steps of the Supreme Court, wave after wave of a living, breathing ocean.
Afterwards, to my amazement, I learned that there had been little to no media coverage of the event (except for EWTN), as if we were invisible, or nonexistent. But even so, I believe that we were a voice that was heard all over Capitol Hill that day. I know that many individuals work hard each day in the political arena for the cause of the unborn, and as Christians, I feel strongly that every man, woman, and child of us need to keep fervent prayer at home and in our churches to provide spiritual support for this battle. I’ve renewed my commitment to this cause, and I hope that others will do the same. Pax.
Prayers: MY MORNING OFFERING Almighty God and loving Father, I thank you for this day. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be Karen Zawadzki
Help me to make choices that will bring me to a closer relationship with You,
that I may be an instrument of Your love and mercy to others.
I offer to You any burdens or sufferings I may experience.
May they contribute to my sanctification and the sanctification of others.
Forgive me the sins and failings of my past.
Help me to recognize and resist temptation,
and to seek and to see Your will in all things.
I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Who lives and reigns in unity with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever .
Amen.
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The Daily Mass Readings
The daily Mass Readings have had a huge impact in my life. You don't need to purchase any special publication for them, they are easily found on-line, and you can use your own Bible. If you do a Google search, the first two sites that come up are the USCCB and EWTN, but there are many other sites that offer the readings, along with other prayers and meditative readings. Immersing yourself in God's word is the best way I know to come closer to the Lord. I encourage you to begin and enjoy the journey.
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The Rosary
It's not just for Cathlics. This prayer, in which we meditate on the life of Christ can bring peace to us and to the whole world. There are many web sites that explain how the rosary is prayed, but the most important thing to remember is that while we pray, we meditate on the life of Christ as depicted in each particular 'mystery'. If you are interested in praying this prayer, or perhaps you have prayed it in the past and would like to revisit it, but haven't got a set of rosary beads, I would be happy to send you one at no charge. Just send an e-mail request to me on the Contact Page, and include your address. A group of ladies in my church make these rosaries with the intention of giving them away to anyone in need, and I said I would help in any way I could with this. If you would like to dialog about this, please e-mail me on the Contact Page.
