Walk For Life Honored at St. Patrick Seminary Gala!

It's a twofer! The Walk for Life West Coast, represented by co-chairs Dolores Meehan and Eva Muntean (who were the apples of Fr. Malloy's eye) is/are being honored at St. Patrick Seminary's 'Four Pillars' Gala on September 9. California Catholic Daily has the story:

Prudence requires courage

St. Patrick’s Seminary honors Walk for Life founders

On September 9, St. Patrick’s Seminary will hold its annual Four Pillars Gala. The event is the sole yearly fundraiser for the seminary, which serves the Archdiocese of San Francisco, most of the other dioceses of California, as well as the dioceses of Honolulu, Reno, and Spokane.  The seminary is currently forming 64 men for the priesthood, and this year’s class includes seminarians from as far away as Korea. 

Each year at the gala the seminary honors a person or organization who has contributed greatly to the mission of the Church. Past honorees include the Knights of Columbus and the Serra Club. This year, the seminary honors San Francisco’s Walk for Life West Coast, the second largest pro-life event in the country. Accepting the honor for the Walk will be two of the Walk’s co-founders, who are also the Walk’s co-chairs, Dolores Meehan and Eva Muntean.

Seminarians at the 2015 Walk for Life West Coast

Eva Muntean told CalCatholic: “I’m beyond elated…this is a dream come true. If you had told me in 2005 that we would be honored by the Seminary, a place where the young men who are the future of the Church are being formed, I would not have believed it. And you know, one of our great joys at the Walk every year is the presence of so many seminarians. It’s great for them and it’s great for all the lay people, especially the young, to see them there, standing for the little defenseless lives. This is more than I ever hoped for.”

Read the whole thing...and buy your tickets to support the seminary here! 

Does Archbishop Cupich believe in the Real Presence?

On November 30, Archbishop Blaise Cupich of Chicago was interviewed by Norah O'Donnell on Face the Nation. O'Donnell asked about giving communion to pro-abortion politicians--that is, Catholics who are persisting in grave sin:

“So, when you say we cannot politicize the communion rail, you would give communion to politicians, for instance, who support abortion rights.”

Cupich responded:

I would not use the Eucharist or as they call it the communion rail as the place to have those discussions or way in which people would be either excluded from the life of the church. The Eucharist is an opportunity of grace and conversion. It's also a time of forgiveness of sins. So my hope would be that that grace would be instrumental in bringing people to the truth."

This reasoning obviously applies to any mortal sin: murder, rape, sodomy, you name it.

Speaking as an all-too-frequent sinner, I DO NOT receive communion when in a state of mortal sin. My frequent sinfullness has given me the opportunity to reflect on why:

Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar is in the same situation as Jesus on the Cross. As was the case at Golgotha, He is utterly defenseless, helpless For me, or anyone else, to receive Jesus when in a state of serious sin, is to attack an utterly defenseless Person.

That of course is presupposes a belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Sacrament. And reading the Archbishop's statement, I remind him  that the "time of forgiveness of sins" is during the sacrament of penance.

Attention Young Pro-Life Artists!

More great outreach to the young from the Walk for Life West Coast! From Friday's California Catholic Daily:

Walk for Life West Coast asks youth for help
Design-a-shirt contest

"From its inception, San Francisco’s Walk for Life West Coast has been notable for the presence of thousands of pro-life youth. The attraction of the pro-life cause to young people is pretty clear: in addition to the obvious moral objections, anyone born after Roe v. Wade understands that had they been killed through abortion it would have been perfectly legal. That attitude is well expressed though groups like the Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust. But it is also true that Walk for Life West Coast organizers have consciously reached out to the young, counting on them for important functions at the Walk, such as the distribution of signs and with college age students, helping with security.

For the 2015 Walk, organizers have provided the youth with another opportunity to contribute: a pro-life Design-a-Shirt contest. From the Walk’s website:

“As we prepare for the January 24, 2015 Walk, we are offering a great opportunity for all young artists to use their creative talents in the service of the littlest among us. We are sponsoring a new Walk for Life West Coast Design-a-Shirt Contest.

There will be two divisions: one for high school age artists and one for college-age artists. The winning graphic will adorn Walk for Life West Coast t-shirts, which will be offered through the Café Press website.

Winning entries in both age categories will receive a prize of $500; second place, a prize of $350; and third place, a prize of $150. What’s more, First Place winners who are attending the Walk will be interviewed live on EWTN’s January 24, 2015 Life on the Rock pre-walk television show.

Asked what inspired the idea, Walk co-chair Eva Muntean said “I remember about five years ago during San Francisco’s 40 Days For Life a bunch of young people from St. Peter’s Parish came out to join the vigil at Planned Parenthood. This one kid had this unbelievably cool hoodie. It was black with a violet silhouette of Padre Pio. It was so cool! I asked him where he got it and he said he and his friend had designed it and had it printed.”

Submissions are due on December 15, 2014 and winners will be notified on December 22.

For more information, visit www.walkforlifewc.com/event-info/design-a-shirt-contest/

And remember, the Walk for Life is on January 24, 2015!

Planned Parenthood 'waging a less-than-truthful PR campaign''

An edited version of this article appears in today's California Catholic Daily.

'A less-than-truthful PR campaign’
SF’s Planned Parenthood claims ‘harassment’—but where’s the evidence?

On Sunday July 27, the San Francisco Chronicle reported on complaints from the proprietors of San Francisco’s largest abortion business. The Chronicle’s article “Planned Parenthood gripes about S.F. Protestors” covered the latest fallout from the Supreme Court’s McCullen v. Coakley ruling, which defended the First Amendment rights of pro-life activists. The article began:

“Planned Parenthood executives say San Francisco police and the city attorney aren't doing enough to protect patients and staff from ‘harassment and intimidation’ at the organization's health center on Valencia Street.

‘Each week, as the harassment and intimidation escalate ... the city's ordinances are violated ever more flagrantly,’ Planned Parenthood's Bay Area chapter leader, Heather Saunders Estes, wrote in a July 22 letter to City Attorney Dennis Herrera.

And when center staffers call police, they are told that ‘there is nothing they can do,’ Saunders Estes wrote.

The latest protest rift was brought on by last month's U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down Massachusetts' 35-foot no-protest zone around clinics.

The protesters now ignore San Francisco's 25-foot buffer zone as they pass out literature, and film staffers and patients entering the building, clinic reps complain.

While other California cities ‘have come out in strong defense of their ordinances,’ Saunders Estes told Herrera, ‘your office continues to dither.’

In response, Herrera said his office shares ‘some of the understandable bitterness and disappointment’ over the Supreme Court ruling and is working with legal experts elsewhere to figure out how to respond.

The real fear, according to insiders, is that defending San Francisco's 25-foot zone could invite a suit by antiabortion activists - which could leave the city on the hook for big legal expenses if they win.”

The Chronicle also reported that San Francisco’s Supervisor David Campos is weighing in. Campos made national news in January on another free speech issue: he introduced a resolution officially opposing banners carrying the “Abortion Hurts Women” message of the Walk for Life West Coast. The banners were hung along the City’s Market Street in preparation for the Walk. Although Campos’ resolution passed—a foregone conclusion with the SF Board of Supervisors-- it was opposed by editorials in both the liberal San Francisco Chronicle and San Francisco’s ABC affiliate, KGO TV.

The Chronicle reported that “Supervisor and Assembly candidate David Campos - who showed up at the clinic Thursday to see the situation firsthand - said police are awaiting a city ‘policy decision on how to proceed.’

‘I hope we stick as close to the (existing) ordinance as possible, because I think the only way to protect women's access to the clinic is to continue to enforce a buffer zone," Campos said. ‘Even if there are legal risks involved.’ ”

An obvious point was made in the comments section to the article: that if harassment really was occurring, it would not be difficult to prove. One commenter wrote: “Get the cameras rolling. As soon as one of them commits obvious battery, show it to the da/cops. If they STILL drag ass, make a citizens arrest.”

To which another commenter responded: “Trust me, they are. The cameras are rolling constantly, by both sides, at abortion clinics. The fact that you aren't seeing damning videos posted, by either side, shows that whoever is crying to the press is waging a less-than-truthful PR campaign.”

Happy First Anniversary, Fr. Malloy!

Today is the first anniversary of the rebirth into eternal life of our dear Fr. John Malloy, SDB. How can we thank him for all he has done for us and for the Church?

His unheralded 2001 arrival (at age 79!) at Saints Peter and Paul parish in San Francisco introduced an unapologetic champion of Catholic orthodoxy, of life and the family, into the city of St. Francis, which had become ground zero for the culture of death.

It was the 2004 rally in defense of marriage, which he hosted as pastor of Saints Peter and Paul, that fired the opening shots in the defense of marriage and family in our City. Fr. Malloy was not alone in fighting that battle, others worked with him, but as was said of the first Salesian pastor of Saints Peter and Paul, Fr. Raphael Pipierni, he “started the fight when it was hard to start.” That war to restore sanity to the culture has just begun, and it will continue for generations.

The marriage rally galvanized the pro-family and pro-life movement in San Francisco, and gave birth to the Walk for Life West Coast, the best thing going in San Francisco!

Now our City is blessed with an even more prominent champion of marriage and the family, our good Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone. Who would have believed that 10 year’s ago?

Father, we thank you for all you did for us when you were here on earth. And we know you are still fighting the good fight and praying for us unceasingly in heaven!

More Pre-Walk for Life West Coast Friday Events!

More important updates about the most Catholic weekend of the year in San Francisco from the blog of the  Walk for Life West Coast. The picture at lest is from last year's all-night Eucharistic Adoration for Life at Saints Peter and Paul. Check it out:

"The Standup 4Life Rally and Walk is not the only Walk-related event going on tomorrow. Check out these great opportunities:

YOUTH CONFERENCE
St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1111 Gough Street, San Francisco, 9:00AM

All teens (7th to 12th grades) are welcome to a morning of prayer and reflection with the Sisters of Life. There will be a special Mass celebrated by Bishop Thomas Daly at 10:30 am. The event flyer may be downloaded here. Contact Vicki Evans atvevans1438@gmail.com or 415-614-5533.

LAW OF LIFE SUMMIT WEST
St. Mary’s Cathedral Conference Center, 1111 Gough Street, San Francisco, 4:00-6:00PM by RSVP only (space very limited)

First ever “West Coast Summit” sponsored by Life Legal Defense Foundation, Ave Maria School of Law and the National LIFE Runners. An action-packed event bringing together pro-life leaders and students to create measurable and achievable objectives for overturning Roe v. Wade and for defending the sanctity of human life. Contact Lawlife.org for more information.

ANNUAL PRAYER VIGIL FOR LIFE
St. Dominic’s Church, 2390 Bush St, San Francisco, 5:00 pm

The Sisters of Life will host their annual Prayer Vigil for Life! This year, TWELVE of the Sisters will be with us, including Mother Agnes Donovan, SV who has been a past WFL Rally Speaker. Vespers will be at 5:00pm and Mass will be celebrated at 5:30pm by Bishop Thomas Daly of San Jose. Everyone is welcome! The event flyer may be downloaded here. Contact the Sisters of Life atevangelization@sistersoflife.org or (845) 357-3547.

THE 7TH ANNUAL CONVERSATIONS 4 LIFE BENEFIT DINNER
St. Margaret Mary Church, 1219 Excelsior Avenue, Oakland, 5:30 pm

Guests include Father Frank Pavone, Star Parker, Rev. Clenard H. Childress, Abby Johnson, Jeff White, Cecilia Chavez, and Lori & Walter Hoye. For more information, visit here. The event flyer may be downloaded here. Contact Joni at 925-550-3122.

PRO-LIFE YOUTH MASS
Saints Peter and Paul Church, 666 Filbert Street, San Francisco, 7:00PM

ALL NIGHT EUCHARISTIC ADORATION FOR LIFE
Saints Peter and Paul Church, 666 Filbert Street, San Francisco, 8:00PM-7:00AM
Adoration begins at 8PM, and will last until 7AM on Saturday, January 25."

"It is not “progressive” to try to resolve problems by eliminating a human life"

In the first Apostolic Exhortation of his Pontificate, “Evangelii Gaudium” (Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis writes about abortion:

"Among the vulnerable for whom the Church wishes to care with particular love and concern are unborn children, the most defenceless and innocent among us. Nowadays efforts are made to deny them their human dignity and to do with them whatever one pleases, taking their lives and passing laws preventing anyone from standing in the way of this. Frequently, as a way of ridiculing the Church’s effort to defend their lives, attempts are made to present her position as ideological, obscurantist and conservative. Yet this defence of unborn life is closely linked to the defence of each and every other human right. It involves the conviction that a human being is always sacred and inviolable, in any situation and at every stage of development. Human beings are ends in themselves and never a means of resolving other problems. Once this conviction disappears, so do solid and lasting foundations for the defence of human rights, which would always be subject to the passing whims of the powers that be. Reason alone is sufficient to recognize the inviolable value of each single human life, but if we also look at the issue from the standpoint of faith, “every violation of the personal dignity of the human being cries out in vengeance to God and is an offence against the creator of the individual”.

Precisely because this involves the internal consistency of our message about the value of the human person, the Church cannot be expected to change her position on this question. I want to be completely honest in this regard. This is not something subject to alleged reforms or “modernizations”. It is not “progressive” to try to resolve problems by eliminating a human life. On the other hand, it is also true that we have done little to adequately accompany women in very difficult situations, where abortion appears as a quick solution to their profound anguish, especially when the life developing within them is the result of rape or a situation of extreme poverty. Who can remain unmoved before such painful situations?"

Walk For Life: "You can avoid the truth, but you can't avoid the traffic!"

A shorter version of this article appeared in today's California Catholic Daily.

Apostolic Nuncio, 50,000+ Pro-Lifers at SF’s Walk For Life West Coast
“You can avoid the truth, but you can’t avoid the traffic!”

On Saturday, January 26, more than 50,000 pro-lifers overflowed San Francisco’s Civic Center and Market Street for the Ninth Annual Walk for Life West Coast. Pope Benedict XVI’s representative to the United States, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano delivered a message from the pope along with his papal blessing. Pope Benedict’s message, which was also sent out on a Vatican Twitter feed, said, His Holiness “is grateful to all those who take part in this outstanding public witness to the fundamental human right to life and the moral imperative of upholding the inviolable dignity of each member of our human family, especially the smallest and most defenseless of our brothers and sisters.”

“You are a powerful witness that God’s truth cannot be silenced,” said San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone, who blessed participants to begin the event. “Yes, we are here to stay because life is good and life is holy.”

The speakers at the Walk included Lacey Buchanan, the mother of a disabled child; Elaine Riddick, who was forcibly sterilized by the state of North Carolina at age 14; Kelly and Matthew Clinger who regret their abortions; and the Rev. Clenard Childress, Jr., who has spoken at nearly every walk since its founding in 2005.

The rally closed with an impassioned speech by Reverend Childress, Director of L.E.A.R.N. and one of the country’s leading crusaders against (especially) the holocaust of African-American babies slaughtered by abortion. Rev. Childress shared the story of St. Telemachus, a fifth century monk, who attempted to stop a gladiatorial combat in a Roman Colliseum. Telemachus was stoned to death by the crowd, but his example moved the Emperor Honorius to put an end such contests--permanently. Three times Childress quoted the Saint: “The killing must end!”

“Truth is rising up and you are the picture of that truth,” said Rev. Childress to loud cheers. “We will not draw back until every child is free.”

As always there were small counter-protests. A 10:00 AM counter-rally held at Justin Herman Plaza, drew “more than 300” pro-abortion demonstrators, according to ABC. The rally featured San Francisco Supervisors Eric Mar, David Chiu, and David Campos, as well as state Senator Mark Leno, and free-contraception advocate Sandra Fluke. According to the Bay Guardian, Magalie Bonneau-Marcil, director of Oakland nonprofit Dancing without Borders, was to attend the opposition rally with a “flash mob” and expected “… between 400 and 500 dancers to descend upon the plaza.” That apparently did not happen.

By all accounts the rally and Walk were the largest in the event’s history. ABC TV gave a figure of more than 40,000; Walk organizers would only give an estimate of “more than 50,000.” An observer at the corner of Kearny and Market Street, about halfway down the Walk’s route, said that walkers took 50 minutes to pass. That squares with ABC accounts that it took “the better part of an hour” for pro-lifers to empty Civic Center Plaza and enter Market Street. Confirmation of the Walk’s magnitude came from unusual sources.

Commenting on the media’s downplaying of the Walk, co-founder Eva Muntean said: “We got some decent coverage from our local ABC affiliate. The San Francisco Chronicle’s and KTVU television coverage attempted to ‘balance’ the two events. While that appears to show objectivity, it doesn’t really, because it ignores the difference in magnitude. It’s like giving equal time to kids playing a pickup game and the Super Bowl, just because they’re both football games. When the media does not report on an event the size of the Walk for Life West Coast they are objectively not doing their job, with consequences for the citizens. We saw a post yesterday on an online message board from a man who was complaining about being stuck in traffic because of the Walk. He said he had not known about the Walk, and that he was ‘shocked’ at the number of people in attendance, and that he was stuck in traffic for two hours. Well, why didn’t he know? Why was he ‘shocked’? Every year the Walk For Life West Coast is here. We are one of the largest annual events in San Francisco. And every year we hear the same thing—these are actual quotes: ‘I’m shocked’, ‘I ran into this absolutely enormous anti-abortion march,’ and ‘I never heard of this!’ That’s the media failing their responsibility.”

Co-founder Dolores Meehan added “You can avoid the truth, but you can’t avoid the traffic!”

Lila Rose Nails PP Again: "Every Woman a Planned and Wanted Woman"

LIVE ACTIONer: "I was worried that I would get judgement for terminating because of gender..."

PLANNED PARENTHOODer: "Oh, no"

Once again Lila Rose's group nails Planned Parenthood on tape, this time facilitating sex-selective abortion. After all, possible grounds could they have for objection? As a commenter on Jeff Miller's blog said some time back, they're just making sure that "Every woman is a planned and wanted woman."

Check out the video.

More Obama HHS SF Protest Photos

Click on any image for a larger version.

The folks holding the red "NoBama" fingers are members of the "Bay Area Patriots"--the local Tea Party affiliate.

Walk for Life West Coast co-founder Eva Muntean joined the young man up in the tree!

That's where she got this shot of the other protestors. Up the street a little were the legal marijuana advocates. They were having a little "tea party" of their own...

More banners and flags.

Security was of course very tight. The Tea Partiers had one great chant:  "We love the cops! We love the cops!"

Viva Cristo Rey!

Me with one of John Herreid's great signs.

Posted by Gibbons J. Cooney

Great Walk for Life West Coast Video

By "Nukecry":

Abortion Survivor Movie "October Baby"

The Blaze is reporting on the new movie "October Baby" about a woman who survived a failed abortion. The film was inspired by the story of Gianna Jensen, a real life abortion survivor, and the filmmakers, brothers Andrew & Jon Erwin, may have been further inspired by her testimony at the 2008 Walk for Life West Coast. From The Blaze:

"Hannah (played by Rachel Hendrix), the central character, is a beautiful 19-year-old college freshman. Despite her youth and her good looks, she has always had a sense that something was missing — a sense that she doesn’t really have a right to exist.

Her world is turned upside down when she finds out that she was adopted. While shocking enough on its own, this is the only beginning of her personal tale. In addition to grappling with this new-found knowledge, she also learns that she was the survivor of a failed abortion — a startling fact for the young girl to process. So, she decides to embark on a road trip with her friends in an epic journey to find her birth mother. This, of course, is the premise of 'October Baby.'”

You can watch the trailer for October Baby below, and the film's website is here.




And here is Ms. Jensen's testimony at the 2008 Walk for Life West Coast:

Life versus Death, Love versus Hate

Thomas Aquinas College students at the Walk for Life West Coast on Saturday,
witnesses for life in the face of hatred.



http://walkforlifewc.blogspot.com/

More Pre-"Walk for Life" Press Coverage

From this mornings Catholic San Francisco newspaper:

"Tens of thousands expected for Walk for Life West Coast in San Francisco "

"Tens of thousands of people are expected to join the seventh annual Walk for Life West Coast on Jan. 22, gathering at an 11 a.m. rally at Justin Herman Plaza in downtown San Francisco and then walking more than two miles to Marina Green.

“The Walk for Life is now a tradition in San Francisco,” said San Francisco Archbishop George Niederauer, who will attend along with nine other California bishops, including Auxiliary Bishop William Justice, Auxiliary Bishop Robert McElroy and retired Bishop Ignatius Wang of the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

“It has become an increasingly important event here in a very brief few years,” Archbishop Niederauer said. “I believe that the walk is inspired by the Holy Spirit who accomplishes it through women and men who listen to his call.”

The walk was founded in 2005 by a small group of San Francisco and Bay Area residents with about 7,000 joining the first grassroots event. In 2010, more than 35,000 walked along the city’s Embarcadero.

“Abortion hurts not just babies, but all women and men, because violence against any is violence against all of us,” said Dolores Meehan, co-founder of the Walk for Life West Coast and a fourth-generation San Franciscan. “As our mission statement says, our goal is to shed light on all issues of life, but particularly to change hearts hurt by the violence of abortion.”

This year the walk falls on the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling legalizing abortion.

Abby Johnson, former manager of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Texas, will speak about her conversion to pro-life advocacy through her experience assisting with an abortion performed using ultrasound in 2009. Johnson also will talk about her relationship with 40 Days for Life, a national prayer ministry that had conducted six 40 Days vigils outside the clinic where she worked.

Other speakers will include Mary Poirer, who had an abortion; Denise and Brian Walker, founders of Everlasting Ministries; and Kathleen Eaton, founder of Birth Choice Health Clinics.

The day will begin with 8 a.m. Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral, celebrated by Archbishop Niederauer and concelebrated by brother bishops, said Vicki Evans, Respect Life coordinator for the archdiocese. Joining to concelebrate will be Priests for Life founder Father Frank Pavone; Ignatius Press founder Jesuit Father Joseph Fessio; and University of San Francisco President Jesuit Father Stephen Privett.

A youth rally will be held at 3 p.m. at Fort Mason.

The 24th Annual Interfaith Memorial Service for the Victims of Abortion will be held at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at the cathedral. Speakers will include Orthodox Abbess Mother Melania of Holy Assumption Monastery in Calistoga; 40 Days for Life founder David Bereit; and Father Pavone.

EWTN will broadcast live from the Walk for Life beginning at 10 a.m. in Justin Herman Plaza. A rebroadcast will air Jan. 23 at 6:30 a.m.

For more information on the youth rally, www.youthrally.blogspot.com; on the walk, http://www.walkforlifewc.com/.

___________________________________________________________

And here's more from the Walk for Life West Coast Media blog:

Walk for Life co-founder Eva Muntean was interviewed on Teresa Tomeo's "The Catholic Connection" show today on Ave Maria radio.

You can listen here: http://avemariaradio.net/archiveListen.php?file=cc_20110111_2

Here's Eva (in the white scarf) at the 2010 Walk:

And with co-founders Dolores Meehan and Karen Hodel and Pastor Jim Garlow at the 2010 rally:

Her segment begins about 1/3 into the show.

____________________________________________________________


"Speaking of inteviews, here's Walk for Life West Coast committee member Lisa Hamrick interviewed on the Craig Roberts "Life!Line" show on KFAX radio. Lisa's segment is found in the January 6 link, and begins at about 1:20 into the show.

This is Lisa (in red) with a familiar face when he visited San Francisco some years back:

Lisa will also be interviewed later today on Immaculate Heart Radio. We'll link it as soon as it is live."