A Valentines gift of the heart

It's Valentine's Day.

You would expect a little token from the one you love, right?

Just a sweet little something -- a loving glance, a kiss, some time alone -- obeying the guideline: "It's the thought that counts."

What gift could be better than to know that someone is thinking about you all the time -- occupies their thoughts with you always?

That's what God does...are you ready to receive His gift? Are you willing to give the same to Him?

Spend some time getting to know God better. And, you'll be surprised what you'll learn about yourself, and how much God truly loves you!

Make a date this Valentine's Day to spend some time with the God who thinks about you every moment of your life; Who loves you with an everlasting love; Who wants to spend eternity with you.

It's time to return the love.

He's given you His Sacred Heart, will you give Him yours?

Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

O most holy heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore you, I love you, and with lively sorrow for my sins I offer you this poor heart of mine. Make me humble, patient, pure and wholly obedient to your will. Grant, Good Jesus, that I may live in you and for you. Protect me in the midst of danger. Comfort me in my afflictions. Give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs, your blessing on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death. Amen.

One Word on the HHS Mandate

I took a break, a small one, to read, pray and consider all that was swirling about us in the news with regard to the HHS mandate. It was clear to me that persecution was the objective; it was also clear that it is a unifying factor -- at least among the bishops. They have been in the spotlight more in the last couple of weeks than in the last several decades, as far as public policy and influence are concerned.

The Catholic Thing, a web magazine that I love to read and highly recommend, put together what they are calling: A Symposium of Threats to Our Religious Liberty. Dr. Robert Royal starts his piece in this symposium with one word -- None. Brad Miner, in his,  the final of three articles in the collection, closes with one word -- Why?

I would like to begin and end my piece here at Faith on the High Wire with one word.

How?

How does this happen in the United States of America? A country founded on the premise of religious freedom. A country whose first immigrants were pilgrims willing to freeze and starve for the right to practice their particular worship of God freely without dictates or mandates from a government.

It was those pre-Constitution settlers on whose sacrifice religious freedom was forged. It should be no surprise then that the First Amendment to the Bill of Rights protects this foundational freedom -- Freedom of Religion, (along with other rights that are guaranteed in that same amendment).

It does remind me, however, of the Ten Commandments, those natural laws written in our hearts, the ones that should be obvious to any thinking man, that God needed to write down as a reminder of those tenets. Funny that the right to religious liberty had to be written down, too.What wisdom did it take to realize that in the future, freedom of religion would need protecting? But, I suppose oppression of such freedom is a stark reminder.

How?

How does a president, elected by the people, and for the people, snub his nose at the Constitution designed to protect their rights, in regard to religious freedoms? This is nothing more than an assault on the very foundations of the United States of America. We are not the United States of "the government will take care of that for you" -- that is the tyranny our ancestors fled. And, no. The Catholic Church is not trying to take control and implement Theocracy, as I read in the comments on Bishop Chaput's article in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Chaput did call the compromise both "insulting and dangerous", though.

The Church simply wants to protect a Catholic's right to act within and not against their conscience. It is part of the doctrine of the Faith that Birth Control, sterilization, abortofacients, etc. constitute grave sin. Catholics are not to participate in such acts. And, yet, the president wishes to disregard the First Amendment and literally force Catholics to behave against their conscience. It will not be so, and the bishops have spoken clearly and decisively in that regard, with at least 85% of them issuing public statements in opposition to the mandate.

How?

How has it come to this? Catholics women are reported to be eager users of contraceptives in defiance of the teachings of the Faith. This fact cannot be ignored. Women, and men, have been the victims of propaganda from institutions and organizations that promote contraception -- and worse -- with relative silence from the pulpit. Leticia Velasquez, a Catholic author and co-founder of KIDS, suggested it might be Catholics' "dirty little secret" -- see her piece, Obama finally crosses the line with  HHS contraception mandate.

Well, it's time to make that dirty little secret disappear. This seems to be a time of purging. President Obama is actually doing Catholics a bit of a favor in forcing this issue into the light. We are getting to take a good long look at who we are, what we profess to believe, and what our short comings are in terms of proper catechesis of the flock.

Anyone who doesn't wish to follow the Church is free to leave. That isn't what the Church wants; however, she will not interfere with your free will to practice differently. Likewise, the Church should at least be able to expect her rights to be respected without interference in the practice the Faith according to her doctrine. This is the American way, and a right guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution. How can this be happening in America?

How?

St. Joseph, revitalize me for the challenges that lay ahead

After a couple of weeks of what has seemed like relentless battle, I am entrusting myself, my family and all that I am to St. Joseph. I was on emotional overload yesterday, and decided it was time to take a break --  a much needed one from FB. I will post what I write here and at examiner there, but for a little while, I am going to place my heart firmly back in the arms of Our Blessed Mother within the Holy Family and limit my distractions. I am hoping that this will also be of some small benefit to what is ahead for us as Catholics in the fight to overturn the HHS law and the one year deadline for compliance. The bishops need prayer, sacrifice and action on our parts.

To all who have felt the strain of the past couple of weeks with regard to our need to defend the Faith and regain our First Amendment Rights, will you please join me in this prayer to St. Joseph? I beg him in particular for renewed strength and courage so that I may be up to this task that is before us as Catholics and as Americans.

Leave a comment and let me know you are praying.

Prayer to St. Joseph

"Glorious St. Joseph, model of all who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work in the spirit of penance in expiation of my many sins; to work conscientiously by placing love of duty above my inclinations; to gratefully and joyously deem it an honor to employ and to develop by labor the gifts I have received from God, to work methodically, peacefully, and in moderation and patience, without ever shrinking from it through weariness or difficulty to work; above all, with purity of intention and unselfishness, having unceasingly before my eyes death and the account I have to render of time lost, talents unused, good not done, and vain complacency in success, so baneful to the work of God. All for Jesus, all for Mary, all to imitate thee, O patriarch St. Joseph! This shall be my motto for life and eternity." - Pope Pius IX

Komen PR confusion: Epic Fail

So which is it: support Planned Parenthood, or spin with the media and confuse people so much that they have no idea whether to support your cause or not? That's the question Komen for the Cure, the largest provider of funding for breast cancer research and screenings, has to definitively answer right now.

Two days ago, Komen said that, under their new guidelines, Planned Parenthood would no longer qualify for funds. The announcement of this fact was made public by Planned Parenthood, whose modus operandi is to handle their disputes in the public forum rather than to discuss the issue, and potentially resolve the matter, with the actual grant funding organization. As a result, they created a firestorm of negativity; a fight so bitter that Komen  had to spin their decision causing even further confusion.

But, why spin Komen? What was wrong with your initial press release?

According to one of Komen's board members, the hype that they had reverse the decision was just a misrepresentation of the facts. But in a statement representing the board of directors by Brinker, founder and CEO of Komen for the Cure, she says:

Our original desire was to fulfill our fiduciary duty to our donors by not funding grant applications made by organizations under investigation.  We will amend the criteria to make clear that disqualifying investigations must be criminal and conclusive in nature and not political. That is what is right and fair. [emphasis added]

This particular portion of the statement suggests two things:

1. They no longer hold to their original intent in revising their guidelines

2. They are going to change said guidelines to making them more amenable for Planned Parenthood to qualify.

This seemingly contradicts the statement from board member, John Raffaelli, that nothing has changed. Right there, in Brinker's own words, she states that their policy will change based on a desire to mollify their donors.

Many on the Prolife side are disgusted, a majority of the Planned Parenthood supporters have been duped by false reports that the policy has been reversed. Sorry folks, not reversed, only amended. Planned Parenthood still has to come out of the Congressional investigations unscathed.

In the end, it seems Komen has managed to alienate both sides of the argument. And that qualified them for the stigma:

Komen EPIC FAIL!

Komen announcement signifies hope, specter remains

In recent days, the Susan G Komen for the Cure Foundation has rocked the breast cancer research world, and many of their own supporters. Komen, the largest grant provider in the nation for breast cancer research, announced that it would no longer fund Planned Parenthood, an organization under investigation by Congress for alleged malfeasance of Federal funds to support abortion and lack of proper oversight of criminal conduct. This announcement received a backlash of commentary on their Facebook page and via email from Planned Parenthood supporters decrying Komen's decision; some using language that would make a sailor blush.

Quietly, and amidst the storm created by the Planned Parenthood response, the organization also halted it funding for embryonic stem cell research issuing this statement. According to the Lifesitenews story, it is only available at their site because it and the original Planned Parenthood statement have been removed from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure website .

In their place is this statement from Susan G. Komen for the Cure:

We are dismayed and extremely disappointed that actions we have taken to strengthen our granting process have been widely mischaracterized.  It is necessary to set the record straight.     
Starting in 2010, Komen began an initiative to help us do a better job of measuring the impact of community grants. This is important because we invest significant dollars in our local community programs--$93 million in 2011, which provided for 700,000 breast health screenings and diagnostic procedures.  
Following this review, we made the decision to implement stronger performance criteria for our grantees to minimize duplication and free up dollars for direct services to help vulnerable women.  To support this new granting strategy, Komen has also implemented more stringent eligibility standards to safeguard donor dollars.  Consequently, some organizations are no longer eligible to receive Komen grants.
Some might argue that our standards are too exacting, but over the past three decades people have given us more than just their money.  They have given us their trust  and we take that responsibility very seriously.
We regret that these new policies have impacted some longstanding grantees, such as Planned Parenthood, but want to be absolutely clear that our grant-making decisions are not about politics.  Throughout our 30 year history, our priority has always been and will continue to be the women we serve.  As we move forward, we are working to ensure that there is no interruption or gaps in services for the women who need our support most in the fight against breast cancer.

Komen clarifies its position of fiscal responsibility to provide the greatest impact on breast cancer research and assistance for screening of the more vulnerable women in our society. Komen  dispels any misconception that this decision is politically motivated.

Whether intending to or not, this announcement touches upon the most sensitive of political hot button topics: abortion and embryonic stem cell research. No matter how savvy the the spin on this announcement, Komen must confront the angry left with regard to this decision, many of whom have stated they will pull their support from the organization.

Prolife organizations and news outlets have been lauding Susan G. Komen for their bold move and encouraging their supporters and readers to contact Komen to voice their enthusiasm and make a donation. With an effective and organized prolife base rallied in support and concerned about true "health care" for women, Komen may see a positive impact on their current giving figures from a new pool of private donors. 

Planned Parenthood, distressed by the news, will have to make up for the shortfall in grants that Komen had previously provided. According to a story in the Washington Post, Planned Parenthood will have no trouble replacing Komen's funding. Already they have, "reportedly already raised $250,000 on news of Komen’s decision" leaving them approximately $330,000 short of Komen's grant funding last year.

Of concern is how Planned Parenthood will find the revenue from the remaining lost funding. Abby Johnson, author of unPlanned, former Planned Parenthood Director clearly maintains in an article for Lifesitenews:

An abortion is expensive. Its cost includes pay for the doctor, supporting medical staff, their health benefits packages and malpractice insurance.  As clinic director, I saw how money affiliate clinics receive from several sources is combined into one pot, not set aside for specific services.

When revenue needs to increase, the pressure goes us to increase the number of abortions. Abortions make money. In relating the figures for abortion services provided to their clients in a February 2011 document, Planned Parenthood reported a 2.3% increase in the number of abortions according to Johnson. In the same article she reports that the number of abortions has increased each year since 2006.

While Susan G. Komen for the Cure should and must be praised for upholding their new stricter standards for scrupulous management of grant funding and the cessation of funding to Planned Parenthood and embryonic stem cell research, the specter of the Planned Parenthood abortion as a significant means of revenue model and research using embryonic stem cells still exists.

Prayers for Bella Santorum and her family

According to Rick Santorum's official campaign website, he and Karen have admitted their daughter, Bella, to Children's Hospital in Philadelphia. Bella has a genetic syndrome called Trisomy 18. This disorder, also known as Edward's Syndrome, is more common in girls and results in a variety of of physical and cognitive anomalies.

This may seem like an insurmountable setback for the Santorum campaign. But, Rick Santorum won't flinch, or even worry about making this decision to take a moment off from campaigning. This candidate, this father -- Rick Santorum -- has his priorities straight. He's exactly where he's supposed to be, at the head of his family.

Perhaps, as an unintended result, it may even win the hearts of more voters because it shows the extraordinary character of the man.

He's a family man, he's a fighter and he's conservative! It's a winning combination!

Please pray for the Santorums for strength and healing -- especially for Bella health.

Prayer for a Sick Child

St. Gerard, who, like the Savior, loved children so tenderly and by your prayers freed many from disease and even death, listen to us who are pleading for our sick child. We thank God for the great gift of ( name of child ) and ask him to restore this child to health if such be his holy will. This favor, we beg of you through your love for all children and mothers. Amen.

To communicate well, first be silent

I have been lambasted over the last several weeks by people who oppose the teachings of the Catholic Faith.

I'm confused, honestly.

When people post their lewd pictures, comments or other items that I find morally offensive on social networking sites (on the rare occasion when I believe a comment is necessary or worth my energy), I always try to approach it with charity, keeping my comments concise and kind.

Why don't those opposed to my beliefs afford me the same level of respect?

Why is vitriol the first weapon drawn instead of intelligent and cogent debate?

Here's what I have had to contend with lately:

"Anyone who thinks that way is a right wing, conservative, religious whacko!"

"[T]he church also believes that people shouldnt use alt methods to get pregnant (hypocrital much?) so i guess with that rational my two daughters wouldnt be here. sorry but i will take the church seriously when they allow the prosecution of all the pedophiles they call priests. and as for the medical aspect there are millions of women myself included who benefit from using birth control. god gave us free will for a reason. not to mention not everyone shares the belief in God so who is the church to tell grown women what they can or cannot do with their bodies." [copied as written]

I couldn't make this up, and I'm not alone. Catholics are being persecuted for believing and witnessing to the Truth every minute of every day, and with more venom it seems, as of late.

Pope Benedict XVI, in his papal message for World Communications Day said this about communication:

When messages and information are plentiful, silence becomes essential if we are to distinguish what is important from what is insignificant or secondary. Deeper reflection helps us to discover the links between events that at first sight seem unconnected, to make evaluations, to analyze messages; this makes it possible to share thoughtful and relevant opinions, giving rise to an authentic body of shared knowledge. For this to happen, it is necessary to develop an appropriate environment, a kind of ‘eco-system’ that maintains a just equilibrium between silence, words, images and sounds.

In other words, it's not advisable to respond in haste. Time and reflection will help keep discourse civil and virtuous; "thoughtful and relevant", as the Holy Father, puts it.

Emotional responses can be our worst enemy, especially in a society focused on immediate gratification for the sake of pleasure or pride. Self control is significantly lacking. And, the idea of an interior life, a life that seeks out God in the silence of one's heart, is foreign to so many.

I am reminded of St. Peter's warning in his letter to Jews in the diaspora:

Finally, all of you, be of one mind, sympathetic, loving toward one another, compassionate, humble. Do not return evil for evil, or insult for insult; but, on the contrary, a blessing, because to this you were called, that you might inherit a blessing. For:
“Whoever would love life and see good days must keep the tongue from evil and the lips from speaking deceit, must turn from evil and do good, seek peace and follow after it.     (1 Peter 3: 8-11)

We must keep the tongue from evil. Pope Benedict states clearly, silence is of great necessity to civil communication. Silence helps us to hear others, assess what they are saying, discern in our hearts what should or shouldn't be said in response, and ask for heavenly assistance in sharing our opinions and perspectives.

Perhaps we don't want to hear what other people have to say because we disagree with them. If no one shared contrary opinions, nothing would get done. No one would explore beyond their own shallow knowledge base, and mankind would stagnate. Conflicting opinions often spur the human mind to create, explore and seek out new information. It is good to share them, it is also good to listen to them. God can inspire us in many ways -- and we can learn a great deal, about God, the world, ourselves, if only we would take the time to be silent.

I am certain we would respond to each other with a more charitable tone, if only we assessed first in our hearts and minds what is to come forth from our lips.

Bishop Loverde speaks out against Health & Human Services mandate

Excerpt from my article at examiner.com:

Calling this decision by the Obama Administration "ill considered policy" a "radical break" with liberty Bishop Loverde defends the tenets of the Catholic Church held since its inception at Pentecost. The teaching on the dignity and freedom of all human life has not changed in the Catholic Church in over 2000 years. To mandate that the Church follow a human law that contradicts over two millenia of consistency in living the teachings of Christ Jesus causes Bishop Loverde to insist that this is a "terrible lapse of judgment by our civil leadership here at home." (read more at link below)

 Arlington bishop calls Health & Human Services mandate radical and dangerous

photo courtesy of cdu.edu

St. Blogustine: 2012 March For Life in Washington DC....St. Veronica Youth Group Pictured

Photo taken by Matt Cassens

Yesterday, the St. Veronica Youth Group attended the March for Life Youth Rally with Cardinal Wuerl of the Archdiocese of Washington, Archbishop Vigano, the Papal Nuncio to the United States, Bishop Loverde of the Arlington Diocese, and a host of other priests and bishops from around the world.

It was an exciting and faith-filled time in defense life. After the Youth Rally, the group marched; a group photo was taken by Matt Cassens at St. Blogustine. Be sure to stop by and see the other amazing photos he took and read his impression of the March for Life this year.

St. Blogustine: 2012 March For Life in Washington DC....Cold and Wet, But Determined!

Click here to read my take on the March for Life.

Dolly Parton on Morality: Joyful Noise hits sour note

Dolly Parton, the siren of country music and not the most modest blond bombshell of movies in the '80's, is speaking out about our lost culture. In an interview on FOX promoting her new movie, Joyful Noise, co-starring Queen Latifah, Parton offered, "We [the culture] just seem to have lost all our morals and principles and values these days." Her new movie, however, is antithetical to her statement. It's plot suggests that the only way to succeed is to throw off the lead weight of tradition and embrace what is new and vogue. That seems mighty "pro-culture", even if the setting for the film is a Southern Bible Church and its surrounding community.

Parton, who, to her credit, is married to the same man for 46 yrs. according to the interview, sends another confusing message in her statement about the culture. The dialog in the movie takes some pretty significant pot shots at Parton's one nip, one tuck too many character. In response to one of the rather off color jokes about plastic surgeries, Parton's character responds, "God didn't create plastic surgeons so they could starve!" Granted it's a line from a movie, but it speaks volumes about what science is capable of doing versus what they ought to do, and the rationale that being comfortable with who you are and how God created you isn't enough.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:

If morality requires respect for the life of the body, it does not make it an absolute value. It rejects a neo-pagan notion that tends to promote the cult of the body, to sacrifice everything for its sake, to idolize physical perfection and success at sports. By its selective preference of the strong over the weak, such a conception can lead to the perversion of human relationships. (CCC 2289)

As a voluntary candidate for multiple surgeries to enhance her looks, Parton embodies the idea that she isn't comfortable in her own God-given skin and is willing to sacrifice integrity of the body for the sake of her career. It's an issue of vanity that plays into the culture's fascination with the "cult of the body". In an interview with People Magazine discussing celebrity plastic surgeries,  Parton even described herself as a "show dog".  For to a culture that is already too consumed with "self", a message about values, morals and principles, from a high profile actress/recording artist who continues to present herself in a manner that contradicts some of those very values, morals and principles is at least suspect.

There's another troubling issue with Parton's new movie. It's rated PG 13.  Why would a movie that wishes to improve and uplift [tongue in cheek] our culture with good news about God need a PG 13 rating? It's listed as containing "language and brief adult content". Is this how we bring people to God, to a new sense of values and principles? Or, does this portray just one more deficit in our culture -- relativism. Parton also seems to embody the principle that I can speak a good game but, I have trouble living up to the the standard.

Joyful Noise got sagging results at the box office. Perhaps it needed a little tweaking?

Hundreds of thousands marched, little to no counter protest

We were about a 1/4 mile behind the big yellow Life balloon. Thousands of people in front of us, thousands of people behind.

The estimate for today's March for Life was over 200K+ participants. How exciting, considering that the Office of Personnel Management, in a move that baffled most people from the Washington, D.C. area, announced that the Federal Government would be closed until 11am today. The threat of ice was too hazardous to have people travel into the District of Columbia or surrounding areas to government agencies.

Odd, Fairfax County public schools were on time, and most other counties had only a two hour delay. The Federal Government will typically offer liberal leave on days that offer questionable wintry weather conditions, but to close until 11 am, on the day of the March for Life, well that was something that made a few people scratch their heads -- myself included.

With the marchers fired up and ready to go, there was an electricity in the air that seemed to exceed prior marches. The youth rally required people to be up and out of their homes and en route to the dangerously icy D.C. at 5am. Everyone arrived at the Verizon Center filling it and cheering for the cause of the unborn's right to life. My daughter was one of those who attended the rally.

The rest of us headed down to D.C. around 12pm with rain ponchos and boots, ready to march. We merged into the March, and off we headed to the pass by the Supreme Court and offer prayers for the scourge of abortion to end in our country.

Surprisingly, there were very few counter protestors. They must have heeded the weather warnings. When 200K+ people show up in your city to march peacefully and exercise their right to free speech, you expect something of a counter protest. I personally saw no one. Someone else that was with a different group said there were about 5 people that were standing on a corner shouting at marchers.


Or, maybe they just didn't feel the urge to rally a counter protest based on the President's less than impassioned commentary on the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. Here's what he said:

As we mark the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we must remember that this Supreme Court decision not only protects a woman’s health and reproductive freedom, but also affirms a broader principle: that government should not intrude on private family matters. I remain committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose and this fundamental constitutional right. While this is a sensitive and often divisive issue—no matter what our views, we must stay united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, support pregnant woman and mothers, reduce the need for abortion, encourage healthy relationships, and promote adoption. And as we remember this historic anniversary, we must also continue our efforts to ensure that our daughters have the same rights, freedoms, and opportunities as our sons to fulfill their dreams. (from barakobama.com)

A paragraph. Ho hum...I guess killing babies is just too common place. Not much thought went into a statement that makes this comment: "ensuring that our daughters have the same rights, freedoms, and opportunities as our sons to fulfill their dreams.

When's the last time an abortion was performed on a man? The same rights, huh? What on earth is he talking about? Babies shouldn't limit a woman's opportunity to excel in the work place? Really? Who will work if women don't have babies?

Well, 200K+ people showed up today to peacefully disagree with what's in that paragraph. This event can't simply be dismissed. The internet is bigger than ABC, CNN or any of the other media outlets that will try to down play the significance of the March for Life. And try as they might to derail it, you can't control the weather and you will never be able to. How lame to manipulating the weather reports and close down the government.

200K+ people still came, still marched and still voiced their disapproval of a law that allows for the innocent to be slaughtered often for matters of simple convenience. That fact cannot be denied.

And the voice of the opposition -- seemingly mute. A sign of hope for the future.

This was at the very end of the March for Life 2012 -- on the street in front of us thousands of people marched by!

Why I march

photo courtesy of lifesitenews.com

I don't want to march.

For so many selfish reasons, I don't want to march.

It's going to be cold and rainy tomorrow.

It's hard to manage children in such a large crowd.

My body will ache when I'm done.

I don't have boots that fit me, or pants, or gloves that are warm enough.

But, like I said, these are selfish reasons. And, I have this gift of reason because I was given the gift of life.

My mother didn't choose me. I was a gift of the Sacrament of Marriage, and I was welcomed into a family.

I don't want to march, but I will march tomorrow with my children, my friends, my co-workers at CDU, my parish and with thousands of others who realize that what is conceived is a life, a human baby, who needs to be protected.

I will march because our laws are fundamentally flawed when they fail to recognize the first most essential detail of natural law: "According to St. Thomas, the natural law is "nothing else than the rational creature's participation in the eternal law" (I-II.94).

 There is eternal law in which we participate. We are reminded by God what this means in the Ten Commandments -- lest we behave like our forefathers in Faith and forget what is written on our hearts that helps us to participate in a fully human way in the eternal law.

And knowing that my sacrifice of simple comfort tomorrow is necessary to help correct and bring into the light what is fundamentally flawed makes my marching the right thing to do.

Still, I don't want to march.

I don't want to march because I wish there was no need to march. I wish that the essential truth about life was recognized by all men. I wish that every life was loved and protected by those of us who have that very gift right now. And, I wish that the moral fiber of our country were stronger, more deeply rooted in personal dignity and human freedom. Life and its beginnings belong within the context of marriage. Because our society has accepted so many alternative ways of behaving that are incompatible with virtue and chastity, we have forgotten how to behave. We have forgotten what it means to be human, fully human.

I don't want to march tomorrow  -- but, I will because my conscience compels me to. I will hope that my prayer is answered and I won't have a reason to march next year.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of Life, pray for us.

March For Life 2012