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August 6, 2012
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Pro-Life Wisconsin to host free sidewalk counselor training workshop


Sidewalk counselors in Milwaukee, Madison and abortion facilities across the state are making a difference every day. Just this past week in Milwaukee, sidewalk counselors were able to reach out to many women in need, including 4 women who are keeping their babies.

Unfortunately, we have found out that Affiliated Medical Services has resumed dispensing RU-486 (mifepristone), which is prescribed by abortionists for a drug-induced medical abortion. The average woman loses four times the amount of blood in a drug-induced medical abortion as compared to a standard surgical abortion. Several deaths have been attributed to mifepristone and therefore its prescription and use – from a medical standpoint alone – ought to be banned.

As part of our continuing efforts to reach out to abortion-bound women, Pro-Life Wisconsin will host a free Sidewalk Counselor Training Workshop on Wednesday, August 22 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The workshop will be held at Lux Mundi Studio, 1405 16th Street, Racine, Wis. and is open to all.

Whether you're interested in actively sidewalk counseling or just learning what it's all about, these workshops are an effective way to learn how to talk with abortion-vulnerable men and women.

Serving on the panel will be:
•    Steve Karlen (moderator)--Steve is the Director of Development at Pro-Life Wisconsin. He spearheaded the successful statewide effort to end late-term abortion plans on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus in 2009-2010.
•    Dan Miller--Dan is the director of 40 Days for Life-Milwaukee. His extraordinary efforts as a full-time volunteer counselor have helped save more than 200 lives over the last two years.
•    Laura Karlen--Laura Karlen is the Past President of Vigil for Life of Madison, where she helped lead Madison's 40 Days for Life campaign since 2008.
•    Lisa Sommers--Lisa is the director and founder of Rachels Vineyard-Stevens Point, an apostolate dedicated to helping post-abortive men and women find peace and healing.

Participants will receive Pro-Life Wisconsin's Sidewalk Counselor's Handbook. Please call Steve Karlen at 262-796-1111 ext. 14 with questions or for additional information.

Obamacare birth control mandate begins


The Affordable Care Act mandate requiring employer-sponsored health coverage to include contraceptives, sterilizations and abortifacient drugs began last Wednesday, August 1. It is estimated that 47 million women are currently enrolled in health plans that must cover these services with no co-payments or deductibles. Although there is a religious exemption, it is written so tightly that most religious organizations cannot qualify. For example, the exemption requires the qualifying religious organization to primarily hire and serve those of their own faith thus excluding religious hospitals, schools and social service agencies. A recent Pew Research Center poll reveals that Catholics who are aware of this controversy share their bishops’ views that the mandate is a violation of religious liberty.

The good news is that the attorneys general of eight states – Florida, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Alabama– have filed suit to block the Obamacare contraception mandate. Two private plaintiffs, Catholic Social Services and the Catholic Mutual Relief Society of America, have joined the states’ suit. More than 60 private organizations, schools, businesses and individuals have filed their own lawsuits, including Belmont Abbey College, Colorado Christian University, University of Notre Dame, Seneca Hardwood Lumber Company, Eternal Word Television Network, Priests for Life, and the Archdiocese of New York, St. Louis and Washington, D.C.

You can join too! Organizations, businesses and individuals can take a stand and join already existing lawsuits or initiate their own. Free legal assistance is available. Organizations like the Alliance Defense Fund, the Thomas More Law Center, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, and the American Center for Law and Justice are ready and eager to represent you free of charge. A federal judge recently granted a Colorado Catholic family business a temporary injunction against the contraception mandate! Please call Pro-Life Wisconsin legislative director Matt Sande at 262-352-0890 or email him at msande@prolifewisconsin.org if you are considering litigation.

Pro-Life Wisconsin intern opportunity


Pro-Life Wisconsin is looking to bring on an on-campus college intern for the 2012-2013 academic year. Duties may include assisting with activities like sidewalk counseling, assisting with 40 Days for Life, and organizing on-campus pro-life efforts. Any pro-life student pursuing an undergraduate degree is encouraged to apply. The internship includes a $500/semester stipend. For a detailed job description or to apply, email steve@prolifewisconsin.org or call 262-796-1111 ext. 14 with questions.

Donations needed for Annual Auction Dinner raffle


Great news. We're making an exciting change to our Annual Auction Dinner this fall. We're going to replace our silent auction with a more robust, high-quality chance raffle. So, just as we accepted contributions of items for the silent auction, we're requesting your help to provide popular items for the raffle and the oral auction.

Could you help us by contributing one or more of the following (or similar) raffle or oral auction items?
•    Tickets to sporting events--particularly for hard-to-get events OR premium location (like lower-level seating or sky box passes);
•    A flat-screen HD television;
•    Tools;
•    Tickets to a performing arts event or concert;
•    Fine Jewelry;
•    Restaurant Gift Cards--($50 or more)

This year’s Auction Dinner will celebrate PLW’s 20th anniversary. Save the date. The dinner takes place on Saturday, October 20 at 5:30 pm at the Olympia Resort in Oconomowoc. Bishop Donald Hying will deliver the invocation, and the keynote address will be given by Joe Scheidler.

Call PLW's Director of Development Steve Karlen at 262-796-1111 ext. 14 with questions or to make a contribution. Thank you for your support!

Pro-life news wrap-up


- Chinese officials ‘earn cash bonuses for every abortion they enforce’: expert. Read more here.

- Confirmed: President Obama to speak again at Al Smith fundraiser for NY Catholic Charities. Read more here.

- CHINA: Newborn baby girl discarded in bin and left to die in plastic bag with her throat cut. Read more here.

- Former IVF doc: My conversion began when confronted by a priest. Read more here.

- Heroic Chinese mother saved 30 children found dumped in the trash. Read more here.

Affiliate announcements


Sawyer County Affiliate (Hayward) - Queen of Peace, Protector of Life - will be again be offering offering the 'Cemetery of the Innocents' display of 400 crosses representing the thousands of daily abortions in the USA. In addition, we have a new display of fetal models consisting of 13 models, 5-35 weeks gestation and one newborn. These are professional grade, soft-touch models that can be handled, and are available all year, with or without the crosses. They're suitable for all ages. For more information call Bob Ornberg at 715-699-1287 or check out our new Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/bvmqp.

Pro-Life Wisconsin Walworth Co. prays at Planned Parenthood in Delavan, WI. Signs are provided. Contact Phil Cullen for info - 262-742-3299.

Pro-Life Wisconsin Juneau County gathers for prayer witness every Monday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Family Planning Health Services, 522 State Road 82 # F, in Mauston. Please call Richard Irwin, (608) 565-6706, for more information. They meet every second Tuesday of the month at the Hatch Public Library in Mauston at 7 p.m. in the Community Room.

Pro-Life Wisconsin Marathon County prays the Rosary once a month on Saturday at 10:45 a.m. at Family Planning Health Services. Call Ron Putzer at (715) 842-5368 to confirm date.

Pro-Life Wisconsin Fond du Lac County prays in front of Planned Parenthood, 333 N. Peters Ave., Fond du Lac, on the second Saturday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For information, call Ann at (920) 921-6062 or Julie (920) 923-0437. A pro-life Rosary is also said at 8:30 a.m. before the 9 a.m. Mass each Saturday at St. Mary's Church, Marquette St. at E. Merrill Ave., Fond du Lac.

Vigil for Life-PLW Dane County has a perpetual presence on the sidewalks in front of Madison's Planned Parenthood abortion facility (3706 Orin Road, Madison, WI 53704). Each day that Planned Parenthood is open for business (every week day), 2 people (at least!) will be scheduled to be present on the sidewalk. The times and days are as follows: Monday-Wednesday: 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.; Thursday 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.; and Friday, 1pm - 3pm. Individuals or groups are needed to sign up for these 2-hour shifts, especially on a monthly basis. You may also "stop by." Those interested should click here to view the online scheduling calendar or contact affiliate leader Laura Karlen at (608) 445-2064 or email laura@vigilforlife.org.

Pro-Life Wisconsin Chippewa Valley prays and gives public witness against abortion and contraception outside the Eau Claire Planned Parenthood (1231 Menomonie St.) every Thursday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and the first Saturday of the month at 11 a.m.

Pro-Life Wisconsin Milwaukee County gathers regularly on Saturday mornings at the Affiliated abortion center, 1428 N. Farwell Ave. in Milwaukee, between 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. SIDEWALK COUNSELORS ARE NEEDED! If you can come pray or counsel women entering the abortuary, please contact Peggy Hamill, (262) 796-1111, or e-mail info@prolifewisconsin.org for more information.

Pro-Life Wisconsin Outagamie County invites you to love your preborn neighbor as yourself, by going out to the places where abortions are sold and committed. Please plan to come and sidewalk counsel (beside the driveway), pray and witness with signs at Planned Parenthood Appleton North on 3800 N. Gillett St.

Pro-Life Wisconsin Kenosha has consecrated our fight against Planned Parenthood to Jesus through Mary. We pray every Saturday at 11 a.m. in front of the Planned Parenthood facility, located at Roosevelt Road and 36th Avenue in Kenosha. Please come and pray the Rosary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and other prayers with us. For more information contact Karie Kinzler at kakinzler7@yahoo.com or at (262) 656-0301.

Pro-Life Wisconsin Rock County members daily praise and thank God for the January 13, 2012 permanent closure of the Rockford, IL abortion mill.  Chapter members meet monthly (except June, July, August) in St. Jude's Hall, Beloit, WI.  The Spiritually Adopt-A-Baby initiative resumed March 24/25 at St. Jude/St. Thomas parishes, praying daily for nine months for pre-born babies. If you'd like information regarding this, contact Charlene Tolmie 608-362-3406 or Sister Rosalia Bauer 608-364-2830.

Courtesy announcements


Missionaries to the Preborn will have a pro-life picket on Saturday, August 18, from 11:30am to 1:00pm in Milwaukee at the intersection of S. 16th Street (S. Cesar E Chavez Drive) & W. National Avenue. Signs will be provided. Any questions call 414-462-3399 or email defendbabies@missionariestopreborn.com

Join the 2nd Annual “Rosary Cruise” benefiting Rachel’s Vineyard of Stevens Point.  Rachel’s Vineyard is a nationwide ministry providing weekend retreats where women and men can experience spiritual and emotional healing from the traumatic, and often painfully secret, wound of abortion. The next retreat is scheduled for September. The Rosary cruise will take place from 4:30 - 6:30 pm on Aug. 26 at Clearwater Harbor in Waupaca. There is no charge for attendance, but a donation will be greatly appreciated. Space is limited; registration required: call 715-204-9561 or email rvstevenspoint@gmail.com.

Rosary Rallies at the State Capitol: Fr. Isaac Mary Relyea and Fr. Rick Heilman invite you to kneel in prayer together every Thursday evening at 7pm, at the State Street steps of the Capitol in Madison. From June 16 - November 1.

 Witness for Life: Each Thursday, St. Mary Catholic Church in Kenosha will offer 8am Mass, followed by a Rosary procession to the nearby Planned Parenthood. St. Mary's is located at 7307 40th Avenue, Kenosha. For more information call Monica at 262-515-3132 or Laura at 262-358-0705.

 The Wausua 40 Days for Life group will continue their prayer vigil by meeting the first Thursdays of the month, May through August. We will meet at Family Planning Health Services, 719 N 3rd Avenue in Wausau at 3 pm. Please join us in prayer to be a public witness for the unborn and for mothers to make the right choice.

Kneel for Life: Capitol Campaign meets Wednesdays at the Capitol from 1-2pm. We try to precede with Mass at St. Patrick's at 12:10, then we walk over from there. Our purpose is to be a peaceful, joyful presence praying to tear down the evil strongholds present there and be an encouragement for the pro-life legislators/staff. We pray the Rosary, Chaplet of Mercy and St. Michael prayer as we walk in twos or independently, throughout the Capitol.

The third Monday of every month All Saints Catholic Church in Berlin says a Rosary for life at the church's monument for the unborn after a 5:15p.m. Mass. Everyone welcome.

The pro-life group at St. Frances Cabrini Parish meets to pray every Thursday evening from 6-6:30 p.m. at the West Bend Planned Parenthood, 532 Shepherd’s Drive, West Bend, WI. Located on the West end of town, approximately 1-1/2 miles west of Hwy 45 on West Washington Street (aka: Highway 33) in West Bend. It is in a shopping mall on the north-side of the street. We are on the sidewalk.

Holy Hour for the Unborn: St. John the Evangelist Parish, 8500 W. Cold Spring Rd., Greenfield, Wis. We come together every fourth Wednesday of the month from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. to pray for the end of abortion. The church has 24 hours of Adoration seven days a week. Contact Kathy Knaack with questions, Kathy.knaack@gmail.com.

Cenacles of Life meets every Saturday morning at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Cambridge at 8:30 am to pray two rosaries for an end to the culture of death.

Cenacles of Life meets at St Mary’s Good Shepherd Chapel, 108 McHenry St, Burlington, WI every Wednesday at 6 p.m., and recites the second oral Rosary in the main body of the church, finishing at 7:15 p.m.

Cenacles of Life meets every Saturday morning at 6:45 a.m. to pray two Rosaries for pro-life intentions before the 7:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Pine Bluff, west of Madison.

The Servants of Our Lady of Guadalupe has a prayer vigil every Monday at 4:30 p.m. in Wisconsin Rapids on 8th St. by the Shopko mall to pray for the closing of the Planned Parenthood. If you have any questions contact Will Goodman at (608) 698-7443.

The Servants of Our Lady of Guadalupe has a prayer vigil every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in Stevens Point in front of the strip mall next to Family Video to pray for the closing of Family Planning Health Services. If you have any questions contact Jen Dunnett at (715) 340-2779.

If you enjoy receiving the Monday Update every week, please consider donating to Pro-Life Wisconsin’s life-saving work. For your convenience, credit card donations are accepted by phone, (262) 796-1111 or toll-free (877) GOD’S WILL or use our secure online donation form. Thank you for your generosity!