Tag: life

On
Tony Magliano

Protecting unborn in a ‘throw-away culture’

What a sight! Over 25 times from the top of Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., I have seen a sea of people marching to proclaim the dignity of unborn human life and how death-dealing abortion sends the unholy message that some human beings are disposable.

As I write, I plan to march with and view that sea of people once again during the 42nd annual March for Life on January 22. It’s always a moral and spiritual shot-in-the-arm for me.

We have to do more

But good as they are, the Washington March for Life and the Walk for Life West Coast in San Francisco, as well as dozens of similar events at state capitols throughout the U.S., are simply not enough.

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On
Abbot Marcel Rooney, OSB

Adaptation and renewal of Religious Life

Reflections on Religious Life column by Abbot Marcel Rooney

Editor’s note: During this Year of Consecrated Life, this is the first in a series based on the Second Vatican Council’s document, Perfectae Caritatis (Decree on the Adaptation and Renewal of Religious Life) written by Abbot Marcel Rooney, OSB, former abbot primate of the Benedictine order who now resides in Madison.

Pope Francis has declared this year as one to be dedicated to the Life of Religious Consecration.

This is not a one-sided emphasis, since this is also the year of the Synod of Bishops which will be dedicated to the discussion of married life. It is important to see both ways of life as at the heart of the whole Church’s life and calling to witness Jesus.

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Cathy Lins, Catholic Herald Correspondent

Respect Life Retreat held at Durward’s Glen

The Servants of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Vigil for Life held their seventh annual Respect Life Retreat at Durward’s Glen Retreat and Conference Center in Baraboo on December 19 to 20.

The weekend provided an opportunity for participants to encounter Christ in the silence of their heart through prayer, the sacraments, Adoration, and Catholic Advent mediations.

“I was just excited to be at Durward’s Glen again for another Advent retreat,” Will Goodman, director for the Servants of Our Lady of Guadalupe, said as he shared some of his observations from the weekend.

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On
Tony Magliano

Respecting life outside our comfort zone

True respect for life requires us to get out of our comfort zone. Oh, we might say, “I respect life, I vote for ‘pro-life’ politicians who claim they will work to end abortion.” However, in a democracy voting is usually easy and comfortable.

But are we willing to regularly stand outside of an abortion mill on a freezing winter morning or hot summer afternoon praying and witnessing to the humanity of our unborn brothers and sisters? That’s harder and somewhat uncomfortable.

War kills life

Now for those who are willing to get uncomfortable in support of the Catholic Church’s efforts to protect unborn human life, try to move into an even more uncomfortable zone: acknowledge the truth that war does much to disrespect life. War kills life — mostly innocent life.

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On
Kevin Wondrash

Life in the Spirit Seminar in Boscobel

BOSCOBEL — Corpus Christi Parish is presenting a Life in the Spirit Seminar on the Sundays of Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26 and Nov. 2 and 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 405 E. LeGrand St.

There will be speakers, witnesses, music, discussion groups, and prayer for the release of the Holy Spirit. Education and teaching credits will be available. There is no charge for the seminar.

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Kevin Wondrash

Sauk City parish joins 40 Days for Life efforts

SAUK CITY — Divine Mercy Parish is joining with volunteer efforts in Madison and around the world by involving students and parishioners in pro-life opportunities during 40 Days for Life.

From September 24 to November 2, Madison and surrounding communities are uniting with hundreds of locations across America, as well as other countries, for the largest and longest coordinated pro-life mobilization in history — the international 40 Days for Life campaign.

 

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On
Alison Hetue, For the Catholic Herald

What is Natural Family Planning?

Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an umbrella term for certain methods used to achieve and avoid pregnancies. These methods are based on observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle.

NFP is not “Rhythm.” The Rhythm (or Calendar) method was developed in the 1930s. It was based on the scientific theory that ovulation could be predicted by calculating previous menstrual cycles. This method was often inaccurate because it did not take account of the unique nature of each woman’s menstrual cycles.

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