San Francisco 8th Annual Walk for Life
January 21, 2012 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
There will be a new route (from City Hall, down Market Street to Justin Herman Plaza) 11:00 am Info Fair, 12:30 pm rally, 1:30 pm Walk begins for 2012. More information is available at their website - www.walkforlifewc.com.
The Gabriel Project
Many mothers faced with crisis pregnancies feel abandoned by their families, the fathers of their babies and their communities. More and more, they are poor and in their teens. Some are homeless. Most feel afraid. For too many reasons, abortion seems the only answer. Churches and pro-life service groups have sought ways to expand their embrace of women in crisis pregnancies. Now comes a way they can do so together ... a way to combine the special power of prayer with a commitment to service – – The Gabriel Project !
The Gabriel Project is an ecumenical movement of churches standing together in their commitment to offer assistance to women and families facing crisis pregnancies.
Participating congregations will "advertise" this commitment by placing a "Sign of Hope", with its "800" number helpline, which assures any mother that the local church community cares for her and is prepared to offer immediate and practical help with her pregnancy. Callers to the helpline are referred to the nearest appropriate church coordinator. The coordinator, works with the local pro-life pregnancy center and the church volunteers to meet the mother's needs.
Coming Soon: The role of our church in The Gabriel Project
Natural Family Planning (NFP)
Studies show that natural family planning, a medically based method of fertility awareness, is one of the most effective methods for either delaying or achieving pregnancy, without the harmful side effects of many other methods. In fact, for those struggling with infertility, NFP has a success rate (achieving pregnancy) of nearly 80%.
For more information, contact Ed Hopfner at our Family Life Office, or visit www.eastbaynfp.net.
Prayer for the Protection of the Unborn Child
by: Pope Benedict XVI
Lord Jesus,
You who faithfully visit and fulfill with your Presence
the Church and the history of men;
You who in the miraculous Sacrament of your Body and Blood
render us participants in divine Life
and allow us a foretaste of the joy of eternal Life;
We adore and bless you.
Prostrated before You, source and lover of Life, truly present and alive among us, we beg you.
Reawaken in us respect for every unborn life, make us capable of seeing in the fruit of the maternal womb the miraculous work of the Creator, open our hearts to generously welcoming every child that comes into life.
Bless all families, sanctify the union of spouses, render fruitful their love.
Accompany the choices of legislative assemblies with the light of your Spirit, so that peoples and nations may recognize and respect the sacred nature of life, of every human life.
Guide the work of scientists and doctors, so that all progress contributes to the integral well-being of the person, and no one endures suppression or injustice.
Give creative charity to administrators and economists, so they may realize and promote sufficient conditions so that young families can serenely embrace the birth of new children.
Console the married couples who suffer because they are unable to have children and in Your goodness provide for them.
Teach us all to care for orphaned or abandoned children, so they may experience the warmth of your Charity, the consolation of your divine Heart.
Together with Mary, Your Mother, the great believer, in whose womb you took on our human nature, we wait to receive from You, our Only True Good and Savior, the strength to love and serve life, in anticipation of living forever in You, in communion with the Blessed Trinity. Amen
