Unveiling the Horrors of Abortion: the Kermit Gosnell Trial

By: Therese Bermpohl

Every so often a veil of lies is lifted, forcing us to look at the truth of a situation we may otherwise have chosen to avoid.  This was the case back in the late 1990’s when Americans were confronted with the gruesome truth about partial birth abortion, watching as Congress debated whether or not it was “needed” to preserve the “health of women.” During those debates, the country recoiled, learning exactly how barbaric partial birth abortion really is. Those debates had such an impact that even today, many who self-identify as “pro-choice” are quick to say that they are not in favor of partial birth abortion.

24 week preemie (photo cred: Dallas Brown)

Again, today, the thin façade of civility is peeled away from the abortion industry so that the American public has to take a good look at the “choice” it has made to tolerate legalized abortion.  The Hermit Gosnell trial has stunned, shocked and horrified all who have had the stomach to follow it.  What went on in the Gosnell facility is the same thing that goes on in every abortion facility, the slaughter of unborn children. No matter how we size it up, the end result of abortion is one dead human being and a vast number of wounded souls, not the least of which is the mother of the child.

I remember reading an article in a prominent newspaper in which the author was bewildered about why the child homicide rate had skyrocketed over the past 30 years.  It was 2003, just thirty years after the Supreme Court of the United States of America legalized the killing of unborn children in the U.S.  I remember thinking, “Can they seriously fail to make the connection between legalized abortion and the vast rise in the child murder rate?”

The Gosnell trial has given us an opportunity to see one of the greatest scourges in the course of history in full force.  The question becomes, will people of good will take heed of the destructive reality of abortion?  There has been much talk of peace lately, and I continue to harken back to the words of the late Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, who said,

“…the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a war against the child – a direct killing of the innocent child – murder by the mother herself. And if we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another?”

Let us not lose this opportunity as a nation to do the right thing, to look at abortion for what it is – the taking of innocent human life – and change barbaric abortion laws to defend the rights of children in the womb. Maybe then, as Blessed Teresa predicted, the world will become a safer place for all.

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March for Marriage, March for the Family

By: Therese Bermpohl

There is another March coming to Washington, D.C., and this one may be equally as important as the March for Life that occurs every January.  This is the march for traditional marriage:  one man, one woman.  As we know too well, so goes the family so goes the culture, and what can destabilize a society more than dismantling its foundational institution of marriage?

Couples celebrate at the Marriage Jubilee Mass

On March 26, the Supreme Court will begin hearing two days of oral arguments challenging the constitutionality of California’s voter-passed Proposition 8, as well as the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bill Clinton.  The outcome of the high court’s decision will have a significant impact on the future of marriage in our country.

Much is at stake here, and it would well be worth the effort to carve out time to flood the streets of D.C. to show our support for traditional marriage. As Bishop Kevin Rhodes, Chair of the USCCB’s Committee on Laity, Women, Family Life and Youth, said in a recent letter to the bishops, “The march will be a significant opportunity to promote and defend marriage and the good of our nation, to pray for our Supreme Court justices, and to stand in solidarity with people of good will.”

To learn more about the march visit http://www.marriagemarch.org/

Schedule Events for the March for Marriage:

Tuesday, March 26^th

8:30 a.m.:  Gather at National Mall between 10^th Street and 12^th Street NW

& between Madison Drive NW and Jefferson Drive SW

9:30 a.m.:  March to Supreme Court and then return to the National Mall

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.:  Rally begins at the National Mall

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Could You Repeat That?

An elderly man had grown increasingly worried that his wife was losing her hearing.  One night, to test it out, he stood behind the sofa and said, “Darling, can you hear me?”

There was no response.

So he crept a bit closer and asked her again, “Darling, can you hear me?”

Still no response.  Very worried now, he moved up right next to her ear and said again in a loud voice, “Darling, can you hear me?!”

At which point she turned around and shouted “For the third time Henry, yes I can hear you!”

Like many jokes, this one hides a kernel of truth.  Like Henry, we often believe we have a clear picture of what’s going on in our lives, except for one flaw – we forget to factor ourselves into the equation.  Indeed, when talking about relationships and communication, many of us have been to enough talks on these subjects that we figure we could deliver an abridged version ourselves.  So why bother going to another one?  Yet like the plot twist in the joke, the answer to that question may seem obvious upon reflection – have we really applied what we’ve learned to our own lives?

I went to a conference six months ago, and one of the speakers recounted his conversion story from many years before.  For a year after his conversion, he felt the Holy Spirit in a tangible way every single day.  He felt righteous; he felt inspired; he felt holy.  In fact, he admitted to us, at that electrifying part of his faith life, he couldn’t imagine how he couldn’t be a saint right then and there, and he genuinely wondered what everyone else was doing wrong.  He went to see his spiritual advisor, and after telling him all the wonderful things he had been experiencing, the priest asked him “Well in that case, how have you been treating your wife?  Your children?  Your neighbor on the street?”  And without a drop of irony he resopnded “Father, what does that have to do with anything?”

Like this well-intentioned speaker, we can all fall victim to ‘holiness by osmosis’ – I understand the ideas, I’ve surrounded myself with like-minded folks, and I certainly feel great about where I’m at.  Yet if a quick examination of our relationships – and in particular, how well we relate to others – lends a less than perfect picture, it may be a good time to re-approach communication with open ears, with a mind toward adopting what we learn.

With that in mind, the Office for Family Life and the Alpha Omega clinic is once again offering its annual relationship series, this time as a three part workshop focused on communication skills.   Led by licensed social worker Carolyn Hansen, the workshop is open to all adults 21 and over, including married couples, engaged couples, dating and singles.  The workshop will be held at St. Agnes parish hall in Arlington from 6 – 9 pm on consecutive Wednesdays—November 2^nd, 9^th, and 16^th.  A wine and cheese reception will precede each presentation, and a $10 donation is suggested per person per night (or $25 for the series).

Register now!

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Scythian to Headline Third-Annual Catholic Family Festival

By Therese Bermpohl, Director, Office for Family Life

Call it a blowout Catholic Picnic. Call it a festival. Call it a chance to eat good food, listen to great music and enjoy the entertainment of talented local performers.

But no matter what you call it, don’t miss out on this opportunity to celebrate with Catholics from all over the Diocese of Arlington at the third-annual Catholic Family Festival on Saturday Sept. 24, 2011, from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville, Va.

What does the Washington Post have to say about this year's Catholic Family Festival's headlining band? “Scythian’s enthusiasm is contagious, and shows seem to end with everyone dancing, jumping around or hoisting glasses.”

This festival promises enjoyment for the entire family. The kids will relish the free games including laser tag, a giant inflatable slide, a moon bounce and face-painting, as parents sample foods from around the globe while listening to the infectious sounds of popular local band, Scythian, of whom the Washington Post writes: “Scythian’s enthusiasm is contagious, and shows seem to end with everyone dancing, jumping around or hoisting glasses.”

Sports enthusiasts can enjoy an organized soccer tournament or play pick-up soccer, Frisbee and football, while shoppers peruse the many vendors and exhibitors who will be selling jewelry, art, and other crafts and collectibles.

Finally, don’t miss out on the opportunity to worship at a Holy Mass celebrated by our own Bishop Paul S. Loverde. The exhilarating Gospel choir from St. Joseph Parish, Alexandria, will sing during the Mass.

With free parking and entry (a donation of $5 per car is suggested) at the beautiful Bull Run Park, this promises to be a day of fun and free activities for the entire family to enjoy. Don’t miss out on the fun!

Things to remember:

Bring cash for food and vendors (there are no ATMs and only some vendors will accept  other forms of payment)

• Bring a chair or blanket and lots of sunscreen!
• No pets and no alcohol allowed

For more information on the festival visit our website, www.catholicfamilyfestival.org, or call (703) 841-2550

To learn more about volunteer opportunities, contact Anne at cff@arlingtondiocese.org

To learn more about vendor opportunities, contact Tom at cff@arlingtondiocese.org

To download a printable flyer, click here.

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Two Different Kinds of Heroes

By: Therese Bermpohl

Did you see the final episode of American Idol last night?  I admit, I saw parts of it.  I watched with curiosity as the two Christian teens battled it out to gain the title of “American Idol.”  Their parents waited in anticipation and copious tears were shed as the name “Scotty” was shouted out to the millions of viewers – the newest “American Idol.”

The final show was a bizarre mixture of wholesome and decadent American values.  On the one hand, there were the two young teens who professed to love God and value what is right, as they said things like, “I have to be good, because my principal is here tonight,” and “Thank you, Lord.”

On the other hand, there was Lady Gaga, with a performance that could’ve made even Mae West blush.  Lady Gaga, Catholic girl turned rock icon, sang her latest song in a skimpy two-piece costume while provocatively dancing (if you could call it that) with a man lying on a makeshift stage, all while a cross dangled from the upper part of her ensemble. She received a standing ovation from the riveted audience.

This is apparently fortune and fame?  One is forced to wonder what was going through the minds of the two American Idol finalists and their parents as Gaga performed for the millions of viewers.  By supporting these sorts of performances, what are we saying to the world that we value and esteem?

Earlier that day, on a different kind of stage, in stark contrast to American Idol, I watched a video on Christian persecution throughout Africa, Asia and the Middle East.  I heard testimony after testimony from those who, despite horrible tortures, refused to renounce Christ and from those who watched as beloved family members were murdered for their adherence to the Faith.

As I ponder the frivolity of the standards of the American entertainment industry that make an idol out of fame, I am grateful to God for the witness of so many faithful Christians.  They are a reminder of what is most important in life:  faithfulness, obedience, love and respect for the dignity of the human person.

Let us take a cue from our brave Christian brothers and sisters who have the courage to face torture and death for the love of Jesus Christ.  Let us remember them in prayer and through sacrifice, these modern-day martyrs who shed their blood for the good of the world.  Through their example, may we be inspired to stand up for Christ and speak the truth in a world that values money and fame above all else.

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Defending Marriage and the Family, the Cornerstone of Society

By: Therese Bermpohl, Director of the Office for Family Life

The Obama Administration announced yesterday that it will no longer defend in court the Defense of Marriage Act that was enacted by Congress and signed into law in 1996.

This law in particular has implications for the good of society as a whole.  Marriage between one man and one woman, ordained by God, is the primary building block for a healthy society and must be maintained for the culture to flourish.

I cannot help but think that a significant contributor to current attitudes toward marriage began with the acceptance of contraception by many in the Western world.  At the 1930 Lambeth Conference, the Anglican Church was the first to break with years of Christian tradition that upheld the dangers of separating the sexual act from its life-giving potential, thereby sanctioning the use of artificial contraceptives.

Other Christian traditions soon followed suit, and although the Catholic Church has always maintained that contraception is a moral evil, many individual Catholics have chosen to break with the Church on this crucial teaching, with devastating consequences for the Church and society.

Since much of our culture no longer considers openness to life to be a constitutive part of the marital act, and since many no longer consider God as the author of marriage, anything goes.  We have seen the societal effects of this in the ravages of divorce, sexual exploitation, abortion and broken lives.  If the family – the cornerstone of every society – is to flourish, we must pray that God will guide our culture back to a proper respect for marriage and human sexuality.

Further, the President has a sworn Constitutional duty to see to it that the laws of the land are faithfully executed. When a President begins to pick and choose which laws should or should not be enforced or upheld, the entire country should not only be concerned, but alarmed.

Here is the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ response to the President’s decision:

USCCB DECRIES REFUSAL TO SUPPORT DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT

WASHINGTON – The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issues the following from its Office of General Counsel:

“Marriage has been understood for millennia and across cultures as the union of one man and one woman.  Today, the President has instructed the Department of Justice to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act, a federal law reiterating that definition of marriage, passed by a Republican Congress and signed by a Democratic President just fifteen years ago.  The principal basis for today’s decision is that the President considers the law a form of impermissible sexual orientation discrimination.

“This decision represents an abdication of the responsibility of the Executive Branch to carry out its constitutional obligation to ensure that the laws of the United States are faithfully executed.  It is also a grave affront to the millions of Americans who both reject unjust discrimination and affirm the unique and inestimable value of marriage as between one man and one woman.  Support for actual marriage is not bigotry, but instead an eminently reasonable, common judgment affirming the foundational institution of civil society.  Any suggestion by the government that such a judgment represents “discrimination” is a serious threat to the religious liberty of marriage supporters nationwide.”

February 23, 2011

Anthony R. Picarello, Jr.

General Counsel

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

# # # # #

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Money, Sex, Marriage and Contraception

By: Therese Bermpohl, Director of the Office for Family Life

“How has the Church and the Culture influenced the priorities and attitudes of women of faith?”

“What do you think are the leading burdens on the lives and consciences of women today?  Is it all about money and time? Or, is there something deeper that troubles us?”

“Why are the ‘markets’ for sex and marriage in the United States today skewed toward males’ worst preferences and not females’ best hopes?”

“What is the relationship between the laws on abortion, same-sex marriage, contraception and today’s ‘markets’ for sex and marriage?”

These are just some of the thought-provoking questions proposed by Helen Alvaré that will be directing the discussion at the 2011 Women’s Conference hosted by the Diocese of Arlington’s Office for Family Life and the Arlington Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. The conference is entitled, “Exploring the Challenges Confronting Women of Faith.”

This won’t be your average conference.  It will be more like a conversation between the presenters and the audience.  Our keynote speakers have been examining these issues for the past 30 years; as a result, they come well-prepared to present, listen and offer their expert advice.

Helen Alvaré

Helen Alvaré is a distinguished professor of law at George Mason and an expert on the intersection of family law, Catholic theology and the new feminism.  She is also a member of the Pontifical Council on the Laity, appointed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006. Theresa Notare, Ph.D., is the assistant director for the Secretariat for Family Life, Laity, Women and Youth at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and she travels throughout the country speaking to diocesan leaders on marriage and family issues.

Theresa Notare, Ph.D.,

Each of our distinguished speakers will offer a 30-45 minute presentation during the morning segment of the conference, followed by a short period of questions/comments.  The afternoon sessions will include a short summary by each of the speakers and will conclude with 30-40 minutes of conversation between the speakers and the audience. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to share your thoughts and questions on these pressing issues.

• When?: The conference begins on Saturday, March 12 at 7:45 a.m. with continental breakfast and 9 a.m. Mass with Arlington’s Bishop Paul Loverde.
• Where?: It will be held in Burke Hall, located at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More, Arlington .
• Cost?: The registration fee is $35 on or before February 11 and $45 after that.  All registrations must be received before March 10.
• For more information: Visit www.arlingtondiocese.org/women or call (703) 841-2550.  If you miss the deadline, please call the office to find out if seating is available. Space is limited.

• For more information on the Arlington Diocesan Council of Catholic Women visit http://home.catholicweb.com/ADCCW.  For more information on the programs offered by the Office for Family life visit www.arlingtondiocese.org.

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Is the Single Life a Vocation?

By: Therese Bermpohl

The single life:  Is it, or is it not, a vocation?  This question goes to the heart of the struggle confronting Catholic singles striving to do the will of God.  The inner monologue can often sound something like this: “Do I or do I not have a vocation?  Am I not working hard enough to discern God’s will?  Am I not praying hard enough?  Is it my own fault that I don’t have a vocation?  Was the guy I chose to ignore on the metro at 7 a.m., whose cheery morning demeanor made me certain of our incompatibility, my one chance at marital bliss…?”  Does God give us one opportunity to say “yes” to His plan for us and if we miss that one opportunity, He proclaim like the Soup Nazi, “No vocation for you!”

While we know it is possible to ignore a call, it is quite possible that the single life is right where God wants you for today.

The life call comes from the Good Shepherd.  It can be a communal call, “Franciscans, over here.  Carmelites, over there.  Married people, on that side.”  Yet even in this, He calls each individual by name.  He forgets no one.  One of Satan’s great illusions is to convince good holy single people that their lives are in a holding pattern.  There is no such thing!  Every moment is weighed.  Every response matters.  The single life may not have a particular structure or rule of life; it may not have a particular community or spouse through which God beckons a committed response, but the Lord is calling the single person by name to holiness, to love and to Divine usefulness.

It could be called a vocation of readiness and flexibility to the daily response to the voice of the Good Shepherd.  If you are single, maybe one day you will be called to marriage, to priesthood or to religious life, but you can rest assured that God has not forgotten you.  He knows exactly where you are and where He needs you to be as part of His mysterious salvific plan. So, as the Lord tells Jeremiah, let us not lose heart but be joyful in the Lord who has for each of us a plan with a future full of hope.

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“God Never Forgets About Us”

By: Therese Bermpohl

Allow me to share with you a heartfelt note of thanks from a mother who was the recipient of your generous donations to the Office for Family Life’s Gabriel Project (outreach to pregnant women). I am reprinting it here with “Ellen”’s permission.

A new mother welcomes her baby into the world.

Dear Gabriel Project,

I’m Ellen. I’m writing this letter to you because I wanted to thank you for what you and the Project did for me. Thanks to you and your support every time I called you; I made it.

You helped me a lot with everything. It was really hard for me to become a mother. My life wasn’t on the right path to have a baby. But when I got to know about the Project and the way you guys helped me, it let me see that God exists and that there are people who work for Him to help people like me. I don’t know how to explain with words how thankful I am. I’m always going to remember you and I will never forget what you told me: “God never forgets about us.” Your words are big and I thank God for making a person like you, and the ones who work in the Gabriel Project.

Now my life is better than before. I’m glad to be a mother. My son’s name is Shaun Jesus. He is already one month old and when he grows I’m going to let him know about the angels who work in the Gabriel Project who make it possible that he lives. Thank you so much for everything that you did for me. God is going to keep blessing you for what you did for me. Thanks for not letting me fall and always being there for me.

Sincerely,

Ellen

Blog note: Gabriel Project Arlington helps pregnant women with long- or short-term needs by offering assistance at the parish level. It involves a network of churches, volunteers, crisis pregnancy centers and other agencies working together to assist the mother with physical, material, spiritual and emotional support. To find out ways to help this important ministry, visit here.  Thank you for giving the GIFT FOR LIFE.

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Letter to the editor penned by prominent physicians falls on deaf ears

By Therese Bermpohl, Director of the Office for Family Life

Eight doctors, six of them from Virginia, take issue with an article entitled “Contraceptive Choices in Women with Chronic Disease” that appeared in the Sept 15, 2010, edition of American Family Physician because it fails to acknowledge the scientific advances that have been made with regard to natural methods of family planning.  As they put it “not one of the options reviewed by the authors reference any currently available and scientifically validated non-contraceptive natural family planning method, all of which are 100% medically free of side effects.”

Because their letter was not printed in American Family Physician, I post it here in hopes it will encourage women looking for a natural, drug-free alternative, but who may not know they exist:

 

 

“In Contraceptive Choices in Women with Underlying Medical Conditions (American Family Physician, Sept. 15, 2010, a journal of the American Academy of Family Physicians), Bonnema et al. discuss what contraceptive options family  physicians can recommend to women with specific chronic medical conditions.  The emphasis in the article is on how physicians can select a contraceptive method that represents a lower medical risk profile for women diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension or lupus, are obese or women who engage in habits like smoking. Unfortunately, not one of the options reviewed by the authors reference any currently available and scientifically validated non-contraceptive natural family planning method, all of which are 100% medically free of side effects.

It is highly probable that the authors of the above article are not dissimilar from most physicians, including Obstetricians and Gynecologists. They likely are unfamiliar with the utility and wide applicability of natural methods of fertility regulation for purposes of avoiding pregnancy, which was established by the multi-center trial of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the 1980’s. WHO defined the umbrella term, natural family planning (NFP), as “methods for planning and preventing pregnancy by observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of the menstrual cycle, with the avoidance of intercourse during the fertile phase if pregnancy is to be avoided.”

Fortunately, natural methods of fertility regulation are currently being provided both nationally and internationally in a variety of ambulatory care settings. In the United States, the major methods in use include the Billings Ovulation Method, Creighton Model FertilityCare System, the Sympto-thermal Methods and the Marquette Method.  Modern natural methods are not to be confused with calendar rhythm and are not dependent on the regularity of the woman’s cycle.

In addition, the authors of the above article made no reference to population-based surveys that have demonstrated a significant interest in NFP—about 25% of women are interested in NFP to avoid pregnancy, 33% are interested in NFP to conceive, and about 40% of men are interested as well. This interest is not associated with religion, education, age, or income (Journal of Family Practice 1998; 46: 65-71).

Natural methods have been evaluated in the medical literature (Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 1998, British Medical Journal, 1993, etc.) for their use-effectiveness to avoid pregnancy and have been found to be highly reliable.  Effectiveness data was presented to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services when the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) was updated to include Counseling and instruction in natural family planning to avoid pregnancy (V25.04) and Procreative counseling and advice using natural family planning (V26.41).  An overview presentation “Natural Methods of Family Planning” may be viewed at www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/icd9/att4_NFP_mar06.pdf

In the United States and increasingly in other countries including Ireland, England and Poland,  increasing numbers of family physicians and obstetrician-gynecologists recognize that many hormone-based contraceptive pharmaceuticals and devices such as IUDs  have mechanisms of action that have the potential to interrupt a pregnancy in embryonic development (see Postfertilization Effects of Oral Contraceptives and Their Relationship to Informed Consent, http://archfami.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/9/2/126).

Physicians trained in natural methods of fertility regulation and in the emerging field of NaProTechnology, frequently observe that women are seeking to enhance their fertility, particularly those who have experienced one or more spontaneous miscarriages or have never been able to achieve a pregnancy. By actively tracking their cycles, natural methods of fertility regulation empower women to be able to recognize gynecologic abnormalities sooner and come to appreciate their fertility as a sign of health, not of a disease.

In order for women in general and women with chronic medical conditions in particular to make an informed decision regarding family planning methods, physicians are ethically bound to provide their female patients with the option of learning effective methods of natural fertility regulation—methods which are free of all medical side effects.

We invite all physicians to develop confidence and competence in recommending a non-contraceptive, natural family planning system by attending an annual meeting of the American Academy of FertilityCare Professionals (see www.aafcp.org) or to contact a local natural family planning center (see www.fertilitycare.org;  www.ccli.org; www.Boma-usa.org;  www.nfp.marquette.edu).”

Robert F. Conkling, MD, FCP -  Family Medicine and FertilityCare practitioner
P.O Box 7221, Woodbridge, VA
tel:  202-320-8834 email: quovadis.lifecoach@gmail.com

Leslie Chorun, MD, CFCMC, FCP
FertilityCare Medical Consultant and Practitioner
4148 Booth Place #7 Kansas City, Kansas
email: st.lydwina@gmail.com

Karen D. Poehalios, MD, Family Medicine
125 River Bend Dr. Suite 3, Charlottesville, VA
tel: 434-984-4200 email: firstmedfp@yahoo.com

John T. Bruchalski, MD Obstertrics and Gynecology
Tepeyac Family Center 11135 Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA
tel: 703-273-9440 email: jtb@tepeyacfamilycenter.com

Frank Dennehy, MD Family Practice
140 West 11th Street Front Royal, VA
email: fdennehy@valleyhealthlink.com

Theodore F. O’Donnell, MD, CFCMC, Family Practice
100 Highline Drive, East Wenatchee, WA
tel: 509-884-0614 email: todonnell@wvmedical.com

Lorna CVetkovich, MD FACOG (Obstetrics and Gynecology)
Tepeyac Family Center, 11135 Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA
email: lcvetkovich@pol.net

Vivian Lugo-Eschenwald MD, DABFP, Family Medicine Ass. of Alexandria
2000 N. Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA
tel: 703-370-2400 email: vlugomd@gmail.com

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