Events

On September 7th, 2013, Dana Cody & Allison Aranda of Life Legal Defense Foundation will present a powerful seminar focused on the free speech rights of pro-life advocates in the Southeast:

Life and Freedom:
Protect Your Rights or Lose Them?

This seminar is open to the public at no cost, and will take place from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Church of the Reconciler in Fairfield, Alabama. Lunch will be provided, so please RSVP to sarah@cecforlife.com as soon as possible.

Co-sponsor CEC For Life and Life Legal Defense Foundation invite every pro-lifer in the Southeast area to attend!

• DATE: Saturday, September 7, 2013
• TIME: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• LOCATION: Church of the Reconciler, 4607 Gary Ave, Fairfield AL 35064
• PRESENTERS: Dana Cody, Executive Director of LLDF, & Allison Aranda, Senior Staff Counsel

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Dear Friends,

Please take the time to read the powerful stories below from former abortion workers who attended the healing retreat sponsored by Abby Johnson’s ministry “And Then There Were None” and conducted by Fr. Frank Pavone and myself.

Seeing these former workers surrender there hearts to Jesus and then willingly take part in this intense discipleship retreat where they participated in confession, repentance, forgiveness, grace and healing was one of the most joyful and rewarding experiences I have ever encountered.

In His Mercy,
Fr. Terry Gensemer

From Abby Johnson of And Then There Were None…

Last weekend, several former abortion clinic workers from all different states joined together for a healing retreat through ATTWN.  Father Frank Pavone and Father Terry Gensemer led the retreat and helped the former clinic workers open up. As the workers shared their stories with each other, they realized how much they had in common with one another.

Bitter divorce, broken families, drug and alcohol abuse, and abortions in their own pasts  were all major factors in these women’s decisions to initially begin working in the abortion industry. “I’m angry at my ex husband… the abuse,” said ‘Amy,’ who was employed by Planned Parenthood for many years.  “I felt worthless and thought ‘what difference does it make where I work?'”

Also common among former clinic workers is how secretive they were (and still are) about working in the abortion industry-it’s something they’d rather keep from their friends and family.  “I hate to admit that I ever worked at a place like Planned Parenthood,” said ‘Jamie,’ who had tears in her eyes.

“I still grieve the person that people think I am,” said ‘Molly.’   Even though she left the abortion industry many years ago, she still struggled with telling her adult children about it. “How can I tell them I was capable of that [working in a clinic]?”

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by Sarah Howell

The book of Nehemiah, at first glance at least, seems more like a long list of names and numeric figures than an in-depth story.  However, the verses I read last night hit an unexpectedly deep chord within my heart, especially in regards to the pro-life work that I, and so many that I know, spend days on end working to accomplish.

There’s a passage in chapter 4 where the Israelites are working to rebuild the wall of Judah.  If you are unfamiliar with the book, Nehemiah, the author, requests permission from King Artaxerxes to travel to Judah and rebuild the wall after hearing news that his people were in “great distress and reproach.”

At this point in their history, the Israelites have only just been released from 70 years of captivity under Babylon.  Those who have survived are scattered, disorganized, and unprotected.  Nehemiah comes to set all of that right, and, as usual, there is a lot of opposition from their less than friendly neighbors.  Which brings us back to chapter 4….

As the Israelites are working hard to rebuild the wall and gates of their city, they hear tell that their ‘neighbors’ are conspiring to form a sneak attack and stop them.  Nehemiah reacts immediately – first, by stationing men at the exposed parts of the wall, and, second, by reminding the people Who it is that they serve and toward what goal they are always moving.  Nehemiah says to his people: “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses.” (Neh 4:14)

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Here’s how it works:  In Alabama we have these wonderful pro-life lobbyists who work very hard with pro-life legislators (Republicans and Democrats) to get pro-life legislation passed through every session.

These tireless men and women travel to Montgomery all throughout the sessions.  They make calls and write emails; they meet with Senators and Reps; they sit through long filibusters, plan rallies, and keep the rest of the pro-life community up to date.

Meanwhile, we also have these very committed pro-life activists — sidewalk counselors, 40 Days for Life campaigners, Silent No More speakers, event planners and prayer warriors.  While the lobbyists work to reduce the political power and influence of the abortion industry, the activists keep the movement going on the streets.  They organize prayer vigils, offer women real abortion alternatives, and keep a vigilant watch on every abortion mill in the state, documenting events and incidents that abortion clinics risk everything to try and keep hidden.

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 18, 2013 / Christian Newswire / — The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has failed to respond to any information recently provided by Life Legal Defense Foundation (LLDF) regarding the possibility of unregulated and illegal abortion procedures at the Birmingham New Woman All Women (NWAW) abortion facility, which lost its license in May 2012.  LLDF has made repeated inquiries to ADPH on behalf of CEC For Life, Operation Rescue, Priests for Life, Physicians for Life, and other local and national pro-life organizations in Birmingham.  However, LLDF Council Allison Aranda reports that the Department has remained silent.

In May 2012, ADPH revoked NWAW’s operating license after an investigation revealed 76-pages-worth of deficiencies and violations going on within the facility.  That investigation began when NWAW landed three different patients in the emergency room in a single day.

As of February 2013, all appeals by NWAW to reopen were reportedly denied by ADPH, but, according to information received from recent patients who have visited or called the clinic, this facility is currently offering abortions, and, doing so without an abortion provider license.

Rev. Terry Gensemer of CEC For Life, as well as others, confirmed this information last Saturday when they witnessed abortionist Bruce Norman, at least one nurse, and a clinic escort all present at the NWAW building, with a full parking lot and women going inside.

NWAW has also maintained its website since the shutdown, which clearly advertises as an Alabama abortion provider, and has never even changed their business voicemail, which lists abortion services, fees, and office hours.

According to ADPH regulation, any facility advertising as an abortion provider must be licensed by the state.  New Woman’s license has been revoked for an entire year.  This, alone, should be enough to bring on action from ADPH, but the Department remains totally silent.

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As many may recall, last November I was invited to speak at the Atitude Youth Conference in Vitória de Santo Antão, Brazil.  I was supposed to be at the Conference for the first three days and then speak in other areas for the next nine days.  Unfortunately, I was forced by the Federal Police to leave Brazil after only 2 days.  Thankfully, however, and only by the grace of God, I was still able to speak to the amazing youth at the conference and encourage them to actively stand for the Sanctity of Life.  Recently, they responded enthusiastically and creatively to that call with a courageous pro-life witness!

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by Jessica Kessler

San Francisco, CA — Last weekend we walked for life in San Francisco, and I was tasked by the Bishop to report on our adventure.  The group and trip exceeded my expectation.  I suppose I should write about the amazing testimonies or the vast numbers; maybe I should write about how strong the Holy Spirit felt or how heavy the dark forces felt.  As interesting as all those may sound, I am just going to write something I know: God is on the move, and it is happening so fast that I have difficulty putting to words the events or significance of these moments.

On Friday, our pro-life brothers and sisters on the other side of the country walked with over 600,000 people in D.C., and the very next day we stood on the West Coast with 60,000-70,000 in one of the most liberal capitals of the country, San Francisco.  This country has a pro-life voice, and we will be heard with or without the media.  Even if we are heard from a window, on the sidewalk at a clinic, cheering at a rally, or by someone reading a shirt — the truth can only be hidden for so long.

This year in San Francisco, CEC For Life added an organized rally to our West Coast events; we worked with other local groups, including our friends at Survivors, and intervened in spirit through the Liturgy for the Preborn on the steps of San Francisco City Hall.  We took shirts in all different colors and bright signs sharing the message that “ALL Life Is Sacred.”  The color and energy set the CEC apart in a sense of bringing life into the movement.  We mourn for the lost and pray for the broken mothers, but we also love life, stress life and want to share it abundantly.

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