Urgent! FILIPINOS! UNITE FOR LIFE! Interfaith Rally against RH Bill

I've been informed via Filipinos for Life of an upcoming interfaith rally against the Reproductive Health (RH) bill in the Philippines. LifeSiteNews also mentioned this (More details below:

The Interfaith Prayer Rally against RH Bill has changed its venue and date to February 13, Sunday, 4:00 PM onwards at PICC Grounds, Roxas Blvd. The Coalition of Family and Life are composed of Christians, Muslims and Catholics. We will march and pray together against the RH Bill. Listen to Pro-Life Congressmen, Senators, and other leaders as they speak out on why this anti-life bill should not be passed. Groups represented in this event include:

Couples for Christ-Foundation for Family and Life

Human Life International

Pro-Life Philippines

ALFI

Ligaya ng Panginoon

CFC Global

Concerned Citizens Movement

Knights of Columbus

Catholic Women’s League

Serviam

Servants Comm.

Sangguniang Laiko

Sanctuario de San Jose

Diocese of Paranaque

Muslims for Life

Intercessors for the Philippine Evangelical groups

Ang Kapatiran Party

Buhay Party List

Phil. Solidarity

El Shaddai

CFM and counting!

Magsuot ng light blue armbands at magdala ng plakards at kandila sa rally. Tumawag sa pro-life office at 7337027 or text 09192337783. Makinig sa Radyo Veritas 846 para sa dagdag na detalye. Makibaka laban sa Batas RH!

FOR THOSE IN CEBU:

PRAYER RALLY IN CEBU

“CEBUANOS UNITE FOR LIFE PRAYER RALLY”

Feb. 11, 2011

Fuente 0smena Circle

1:30pm-5:30pm

Attention Cebuanos: March for Life called by Archbishop Jose Palma is, Friday 1:30-5:30 pm converging at Fuente Osmeña. Invited are pro-life politicians: Gov. Gwen Garcia, Cong. Pablo Garcia, Cong. Cutie del Mar, Mayor Mike Rama, Cong. Manny Paquiao.

Defenders of Life, it’s time to unite and protect our generation from the anti-life mentality that brings moral decay to our society.

We will have simultaneous Pro-Life activities this week.

February 10, Thursday, Healing Mass at Sto. Domingo Parish, 5pm-7pm

February 13, Sunday, Subic Marian Peace Regatta, 2pm-10pm, Subic Bay Boardwalk

February 13, Sunday, Interfaith Rally PICC Grounds, 4pm

February 24, 2011: Michael Voris of Real Catholic TV to give a talk for Defensores Fidei Foundation on February 24, 2011, 7-8 P.M., at Christ the King Parish in Greenmeadows, Quezon City. Please spread the word. He will discuss how lay Catholics should respond to theological dissent, drawing upon the experience of lay American Catholics. Any questions, you may contact Carlos Antonio Palad at caloyraj AT yahoo DOT com.

2011 Walk for Life West Coast photos & videos

A couple of days ago, we celebrated my son's first birthday and yesterday (Saturday, January 22, 2011) we took him to his very first Walk for Life (West Coast) held in Justin Herman Plaza in San Francisco, California, USA. It was a wonderful witness to life as we saw, young and old, gathered together every year here in this part of the country. While we weren't able to stay that long to join the thousands who walked from the Embarcadero to the Marina Green after a short program, I was able to take some photos and few video clips that I wanted to share with the blog readers.

What a crowd! There were more who later joined the Walk.

"Abortion is always the wrong choice" -- But of course!

Ah! Is that a biretta I see?

Couples for Christ. The charismatic group that originated in the Philippines have always turned in large numbers during this Walk for Life events. I had been an active member of the CFC Singles for Christ (a ministry for single adults) some years ago and I was glad to see some familiar faces. I haven't been involved with CFC or SFC for quite sometime now since I'm more preoccupied with the Traditional Latin Mass community of St. Margaret Mary's Church in Oakland, CA.

Dolores Meehan, co-founder of the Walk for Life West Coast

Abby Johnson (former Planned Parenthood leader). Make sure you get your copy of her book "Unplanned". Portions of her sharing can be viewed at the bottom of this post.

David Bereit, National Campaign Director of the 40 Days for Life. The 40 Days for Life campaign was instrumental to Abby Johnson's dramatic turnaround from being pro-abortion to being pro-life!

Canon Jean Marie Moreau (Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest) waving the Vatican flag alongside the Institute banner before the walk started.

The Vatican flag being supported by some colorful balloons (a smart way of getting one's group easily identified if ever one is ever separated!

Family photo with Dolores Meehan (co-founder of the Walk for Life West Coast and fellow parishioner at St. Margaret Mary's Church)

More photos of the 2011 Walk for Life West Coast can be viewed on my picasa web album.

Here are some videos:

Portions of David Bereit's (National Campaign Director of 40 Days for Life) introduction to the first speaker of the 2011 Walk for Life West Coast program, Abby Johnson (former Planned Parenthood leader).

Portions of Abby Johnson's (former Planned Parenthood leader) sharing during the 2011 Walk for Life West Coast at San Francisco, CA last January 22.

Portions of Mary Poirier's (Prayerbreaks Ministry) abortion testimony during the 2011 Walk for Life West Coast at San Francisco, CA last January 22.

Knights of Columbus Crab Feed at St. Margaret Mary's

Last weekend, our Knights of Columbus Council (Cardinal Merry del Val Council 4840 of Oakland, CA) hosted a successful Crab Feed at St. Margaret Mary's Church. Proceeds from this event will go to a pro-life monument to be placed in the outdoor garden of St. Margaret Mary's. One special highlight of the Crab Feed was the raffle that took place while dessert was being served. Half of the money raised would go to the monument, while the other half was split into 3 cash prizes.

Raffle Prizes

Crab Feed ticket

Delicious pasta!

After the long wait, the crab was finally served (it was worth the wait though!)

Bro. Thomas Henriksson, Grand Knight

More photos can be found here.

HLI Pro-Life Congress in Manila (Nov. 6 - 8)

I hope this pro-life congress is well attended (I'm sure my friend, The Pinoy Catholic, will also post this). From the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines:

HLI holds international pro-life congress

MANILA, Nov. 1, 2010—Human Life International (HLI) for Asia and Oceania is holding its 17th Asia-Pacific Congress on Faith, Life and Family, at the Dusit Hotel, Makati City on Nov. 6-8.

The congress will be preceded by a three-day international pro-life training for clergy, religious and lay leaders of Asia and Oceania on Nov. 3-5.

Ligaya Acosta, executive director of HLI-Asia/Oceania said that the congress is timely and urgent in the face of “massive attacks on the church and the much more aggressive push for the passage of the RH bill.”

“I pray that our clergy, religious and lay leaders will take this opportunity to know much more about the global agenda, and the many deceptions [and] subtle attacks against life and family,” she said.

Resource speakers during the pro-life training for clergy, religious and lay will be Dr. Brian Clowes, Dr. Ligaya Acosta, Atty. Jo Imbong, Fr. Francis Lucas, Fr. Melvin Castro and Archbishop Paciano Aniceto.

Dr. Brian Clowes is the director for research and training of Human Life International in its USA central office.

He will speak on two topics during the pre congress. On November 4, Clowes will talk on “How dissenters plan to remake the Catholic Church to their own image” and on November 3, he will speak on the topic, “Winning pro-life debate.”

Clowes will again speak on the congress proper. Other speakers include Raymond de Souza, an international Catholic apologist and program host of EWTN; and Dr. Rene Bullecer, Executive director of Human Life International, Philippines.

CBCP president and Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar will give an inspirational message to the participants during the congress while Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal will deliver the keynote address.

The closing mass on November 8 will be presided by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.

A press conference will be held on November 6 at 9-10:30 am.

Participants will be required to pay a registration fee of P2,500 for the pre-congress training while those attending the congress proper will pay a registration fee of P3,700. (CBCPNews)

Divine Mercy Pro-Life Conference

A few weeks ago, a new book on Exorcism arrived, and I got a chance to skim the first few chapters. The Exorcism and the Church Militant was very well organized and Fr. Thomas Euteneuer really laid out very nicely the topics in a Question & Answer format. He even had Fr. John Corapi write a foreword for the book! An interesting section on the appendix titled "The New Rite of Exorcism: A Potent Weapon is Weakened" caught my eye. Here Father compares the 1614 exorcism ritual, "De exorcizandis obsessis a dae monio" ("On Exorcising Those Obsessed by a Demon") and the watered-down 1999 revision titled "De exorcismis et supplicationibus quibusdam" ("On Exorcisms and Other Supplications"). Hmmm. The story sounded familiar. Anyway, compared with the other books on exorcism, I find that this is the the easiest to read.

I first encountered the name of Fr. Euteneuer in the pro-life movement, since he's the President of Human Life International. To my surprise, I found out later that he's also an exorcist! When I read an email from the Divine Mercy mailing list that Fr. Euteneuer would be visiting the Bay Area again (I missed the opportunity to see him give a talk at the East Bay Men's Conference at the Oakland Cathedral last May), I made a point to go the Divine Mercy Pro-Life Conference at Holy Spirit Parish (Fremont, CA) last Saturday, August 7. He was joined by Dr. John Bruchalski, a former abortion doctor who has since then converted to the Catholic faith and runs the Tepeyac Family Center based in Fairfax, VA.

Me and Dr. John Bruchalski. His conversion story was very moving. Also learned from him the need to pray for the doctors in the abortion industry which can really work wonders (him being an example!).

Me and Fr. Thomas Euteneuer. I mentioned to him a priest friend in the Philippines (who also is an exorcist). He said "Oh yes, the Philippines needs more exorcists!". Out of curiosity, I asked Fr. Euteneuer if he ever had a chance to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass (better known as the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite). He said, "No, but I'll need to learn that" (or something to that effect). At least he has shown interest and he knows he has to get himself trained somehow. When I mentioned to him that I go to St. Margaret Mary's where the Traditional Mass is being offered on a daily basis, he was impressed.

A nice autograph from Fr. Euteneuer.

The seats were full to capacity (though this photo was taken during the lunch break). There were lots of Filipinos! (I'd say definitely more than half of the conference goers!)

I visited the Perpetual Adoration Chapel afterwards. I learned from the conference that the Holy Spirit Parish is the 2nd in the Diocese of Oakland to have a 24-hour Adoration chapel (the first is the Divine Mercy Chapel at El Cerrito, CA).

Here's Fr. Euteneuer on EWTN's World Over Live discussing "Exorcism and the Church Militant".

Bishop of Oakland Speaks Out on Public Funding of Abortion

This morning, Bishop Salvatore Cordileone of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland, California was interviewed on Fox News America's Newsroom on the topic of the pro-abortion provisions in the Senate health care legislation. Bishop Cordileone laid out with great clarity why the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is supporting Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI) and his fellow pro-life Democrats. What Bishop Cordielone said is something that all pro-life people can agree on, no matter what their faith.

Walk For Life West Coast 2010

From the Walk For Life West Coast website:

“Awesome!” “Fabulous!” “Life Changing!” “Marvelous!” Those are just a few of the words that we’ve heard to describe the 6th Annual Walk for Life West Coast! California had been pounded the last couple of weeks with one storm after another, but you didn’t let that keep you away. You came to San Francisco by the tens of thousands. Often huddled together under umbrellas as the pouring rain let loose from the Heavens, the rain never dampened the spirit and energy of the vast crowd assembled together to proclaim one voice as we Walked for Life! The Heavens may not have cooperated (weather-wise) as much as we would have liked, but somehow none of that seemed to matter. As one of the participant’s wrote to us afterwards: “In spite of the cold feet from standing in the mud, the holy water from the skies washed us all and allowed us to appreciate the sun for the end of the event.” You stood together as one – whether it was pouring rain or whether it shined! You stood up for the rights of the unborn! You stood up for those who could not speak! Your very presence under rather difficult conditions at times, made your witness all the more palpable and beautiful!

We thank all who participated and came from far and near to walk and pray with us -- from all over the United States and Canada! We thank the many organizations, groups, schools and universities, who really have been promoting the Walk for Life throughout the year back in your own hometowns. We thank in a special way: all those who volunteered on the day itself in one way or another; the many vendors who participated in our Info Faire at the Marina Green; Silent No More Awareness and Immaculate HeartRadio who had your own programs on your stages at Marina Green; and the many vendors who offered all types of goodies to feed the hungry masses as they gathered on the soggy lawns at Marina Green. We couldn’t do this year after year without all of you – we offer you our heartfelt thanks! Lastly, we offer our humble thanks to the countless legions of people around the world -- who while not able to physically participate, nonetheless are with us each year in spirit and heart through your many prayers and sacrifices!

This year, we were delighted to present The St. Gianna Molla Award to David Bereit,National Campaign Director of 40 Days for Life. He challenged the crowds when he said: “We come here not out of convenience, but out of conviction . . . as we hear that call to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, we have a decision to make. Will we ignore the call and pretend it didn’t happen, or will we say YES?! What are you going to say today?!”

Frank Lee, coordinator of Asian Americans Pro-Life, led the rally in a prayer at the start, saying: "Every life is precious and should be cherished. We have a tough battle in front of us, but we shall overcome when we combine our efforts to make it a perfect whole!"

Paul Ginoux-Defermont, one of the Organizers of the Marche Pour le Respect de la Vie which is held each January in Paris, came to speak and participate with us all the way from France! We are very blessed that San Francisco and Paris are now truly sister-cities as we cover both sides of the globe and stand together in spirit and heart to proclaim the sacredness of all human life from conception!

Abby Johnson, a former Director of a Planned Parenthood Clinic in Texas, was most warmly received with enthusiasm and support from the gathered crowd. Abby has seen first-hand the ravages of abortion from inside a clinic. Her words were powerful and clear – “If you’re here, you’re an activist!”

Lila Rose, President of Live Action, addressed the crowds at the Rally with these powerful words – “Look around at your neighbors . . . what you’re looking at and what you are is the greatest of God’s creation. And that’s really why we’re here today. We’re not just here today because abortion is ugly, because it hurts people, because it’s evil. We’re here because of the person next to you and because of yourself. Because, we’re made in the image of God. Because, what we’re fighting for, not just what we’re fighting against, is the ultimate dignity of the human person made in God’s image!”

Jim Garlow, Lead Pastor of Skyline Church in San Diego, gave a very heartfelt talk:“As an Evangelical Protestant, I want to ask forgiveness for any ways in which we put division between us. Praise God, those days are over! And because of this oneness, because of this oneness, we’re going to see an outbreak of morals in this country and spiritual renewal . . . we’re seeing the precursor of a great revival and spiritual renewal coming to our land today.”

Irene Beltran with Georgette Forney, of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign, delivered their powerful and moving post-abortive testimonies. There are no more powerful witnesses than those who have borne the scars of abortion and can turn and offer hope and healing to others who are suffering from the effects of abortion.

Rev. Clenard Childress, Director of LEARN, rallied the crowd before everyone left the Plaza for the Walk: “You are the only movement that can bring America back to its’ rightful place. You are the only movement that says ‘we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all mankind is created equal’. . . You believe that! You believe that all of our citizens have the right and should have access to the dream and the right to life!”

As the vast crowds moved out of Justin Herman Plaza towards Marina Green in the pouring rain, the mood was neither dreary nor somber. On the contrary, our hearts and spirits were full of energy and light. Countless prayers, hymns, songs, and words of praise were said as the crowds moved down the Embarcadero towards Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf. It was a very moving and beautiful sight to behold – people walking as far as the eye could see!

We anticipate that Walk for Life West Coast will continue to grow more and more each year! Next year, it will once again be on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade – Saturday, January 22, 2011!

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I had the opportunity to meet Lila Rose (one of the featured speakers mentioned above) when she visited the University of California Berkeley campus (my workplace) a few months ago. The Berkeley Students for Life was successful in putting up a huge display of abortion pictures for two days.

The pictures of the Walk below were taken by Richard Wang (fellow parishioner at St. Margaret Mary).

Youtube video: Canon Moreau leading the Chaplet of Divine Mercy

More pictures can be found here. A complete video coverage of the walk can be viewed here.