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RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY Even when times get tough Respect the life God has given you By remembering what He says about you
GOD
I am His child (John 1:12)
When life gets tough, let God’s words “ring a bell” To remind you who you are … and Whose you are. |
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WHEN CANCER STRIKES …
“Mr. Walsh, we are sorry to tell you that you have two different types of malignant cancer!”
The oncologists’ words last year hit me like a ton of bricks. My reaction was like many who are told such dreadful news, “You must be mistaken. Cancer? I can’t have cancer.” But the tests clearly showed that I did, in fact, have two types of malignant cancer: prostate cancer, and a new type of highly-aggressive skin cancer.
At the time, a biopsy test went terribly wrong and I nearly died with a fever of 107 from urosepsis ravaging my body. The oncologists then said it was very likely that both cancers had spread, and so, my prognosis wasn't very promising. I thought, “How can this be happening to me?” In a just a few days, I went from simply not feeling well to being seriously ill, literally at death’s doorstep with an ominous, painful road ahead.
And so, I immediately did the most important thing we should do in times of serious illness, I received the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Annointing, and the Eucharist.
No matter what lay ahead for me, I remembered that our belief in Respect Life that ALL LIFE, from the womb to natural death, is still a gift from God for all eternity – even physical life that is burdened with cancer and other debilitating illnesses.
This helped me to resist wallowing in worry or self-pity, and instead, I resolved that I was NOT going to allow my cancers to define who I am, or to hamper the rest of my days on earth. Rather, I decided to pick up my cross of cancer and carry it the rest of the way - not bemoaning my fate, but rather choosing to make the best of my lot and to thank God every day for the gift of life He blessed me with. I began by telling everyone that I only had two cancers ... not three.
As I met other patients in cancer waiting rooms and treatment centers, I encouraged them to include God in their fight against their cancer. I reminded them what Jesus said, “With God all things are possible.” It was so refreshing to see how well other cancer patients responded, especially when they knew I also had cancer. I encouraged them along with all my family and friends to offer Mass, the greatest form of prayer, for all cancer patients.
By the way, at the end of last year, following a number of operations and countless Masses, I was told by the oncologists at Sloan Kettering, Cornell and Columbia cancer centers where I was being treated as a unique case, that they were amazed to discover that they could not find any more cancer anywhere in my body. All the tumors were gone ... from both malignancies.
As soon as you or someone you know becomes seriously ill, make sure you have a priest come to administer the Sacraments, attend and offer a Mass, and pray with faith that God will do whatever is best. As Jesus said, “With God all things are possible.”
Pope Says All of Us Must Safeguard and Respect Life
Earlier this year, Pope Benedict XVI said, "I readily associate myself wth the Italian bishops on their message, ‘The force of life, a challenge in poverty'. In this current period of economic difficulties, the effect of those mechanisms which produce poverty and create deep social inequality becomes ever more dramatic, injuring and offending life, and striking especially at the weakest and most defenseless.”
“This situation calls on us to promote integral human development in order to overcome want and need, and above all to recall that the goal of each man and woman is not wellbeing, but God Himself, and that human life must be defended and supported at every stage. No one, in fact, is master of his own existence; rather, we are all called to safeguard and respect life - from the moment of conception until natural end."
The Pope expressed his appreciation for all those who work in the service of children, the sick and the elderly, and he encourages the activity of those who are committed to supporting life and the family.
If You - or Someone You Know - Has a Crisis Pregnancy There is free, confidential, compassionate help at: The Life Center of Long Island, 1767 Deer Park Ave., Deer Park, NY 11729, 631-243-2373, or toll-free 24 hours every day of the week at: 1-800-395-4357: Pregnancy test kits; crisis intervention counseling Pre-natal and post-natal guidance Sonogram by a licensed physician when necessary Baby furniture, cribs, car seats, clothing, diapers Help linking to community resources: maternity housing, continuing education, and job opportunities Life ... what a beautiful choice. Bob Walsh, Director of Respect Life Ministry 631-243-6326, email: walsh516@aol.com
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The Respect Life Office of Rockville Centre Lists these issues under the umbrella of Respect Life |
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Adoption Adult Stem Cells Assisted suicide Chastity Crisis Pregnancy/Abortion Death Penalty Disabled and Chronically Ill Embryo adoption Physically and Mentally Challenged Embryonic Stem Cells Emergency Contraception Genetic Counseling/Testing Human Sexuality Education for students IVF - In vitro fertilization Just War Doctrine Surrogacy Legal Issues (decision-making & living wills) |
Legislative Outreach & Advocacy March for Life, Washington, D.C. Marriage Maternity Residences,Care and Assistance Nutrition and Hydration Organ Donations Pain Relief for the Dying Positive decision-making (Avoiding destructive behaviors) Project Rachel/Entering Canaan Euthanasia/End of Life Issues Reproductive Technologies/Infertility Treatments Sexual abuse (rape, date rape, sexual abuse) Stem Cell Research & Cloning Suicide Theology of the Body |
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“The Gift of Life”
GOD SPEAKS OF LIFE IN THE WOMB “It was You who formed my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother's womb.” ~ Psalm 139:13
MEDICAL SCIENCE NOW CONFIRMS THE NATURE OF LIFE IN THE WOMB
After decades of research, medical science now understands how physical life begins in the womb at the moment of conception and grows until birth. Genetic instructions from the father and mother interact to create a new and unique individual. With 46 chromosomes in every cell, this genetic DNA code contains a continuum for life from conception to natural death. With a spark of life from God at conception, here is how each of us began life in our mother's womb:
First Day At conception, the baby's first cell divides into two, then the two into four, and so on.
1st Month The baby's heart begins to beat; his entire nervous system is laid down; and his blood flows in his veins separate from his mother.
2nd Month The baby's brain waves are detected; his skeleton is complete; all organs are present; reflexes are present; he makes spontaneous movements; his stomach produces digestive juices; his liver makes blood cells; and his kidneys begin to function.
3rd Month At this time, the baby is now fully developed, and needs only time and food to fully mature! He is sensitive to touch; he squints; moves his tongue; sucks his thumb; swallows; raises his eye brows; smiles; makes facial expressions; turns his feet; kicks his legs; curls his toes; moves his thumbs; makes a fist; bends his wrists; turns his head; opens his mouth; presses his lips together; and practices breathing.
4th Month The mother feels her baby's movements in her womb as he grasps his hands, swims and turns somersaults.
5th Month The baby's sleeping habits are apparent to his mother.
6th Month The baby now weighs 22 ounces, and is about 9 inches. Most babies born at this age have survived.
7th Month The baby's eye-teeth are present; his eyelids open and close; his eyes look around; his hands grip strongly; and ... he reacts to his mother's voice.
8th Month The baby's weight increases by over 2 pounds as the space in his mother's womb becomes cramped.
9th Month Physical birth typically occurs at 255 to 275 days after conception. opportunities |
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