December 2023
Advent greetings from the Pro-Life office!
We hope you are all enjoying a peaceful and prayerful season of anticipation and preparation. The feasts of the Immaculate Conception of Mary (Dec 8) and Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec 12) are additional gifts we receive during this time that remind us of God’s love for us and for Mary. They also remind us to journey with the Blessed Virgin Mary, an expectant mother who faced many challenges, toward the birth and celebration of her only begotten Son.
I also want to share something new (and very cool) that I just learned from my son, who is a Seminarian, shared with my family about the “Great Antiphons” which are sung during Advent. Not only do they poetically and beautifully express the longing for our Savior, but the first letter of each word read backwards form the Latin words “VERO CRAS” which means, “Truly I will come!”
Sapientia (O Wisdom O holy Word of God)
Adonai (O sacred Lord of ancient Israel)
Radix Jess (O Flower of Jesse’s stem)
Clavis David (O Key of David)
Oreins (O Radiant Dawn)
Rex Gentium (OKing of the Nations)
Emmanuel (O Emmanuel)
Viergo Virginem (O Virgin of Virgins)
These antiphons are meant to help us draw more deeply into the mystery of the Incarnation and to know the “power and goodness of the One to come” - something we pro-life people need to remember as we battle for life in our world. To see the full verses and learn more about the “Great Antiphons” read, www.goodcatholic.com/o-antiphons-an-ancient-cry-for-a-present-christ.
We wish you a very Merry Christmas. May God bless you.
Debra, Ann Marie and Melissa
NEWSLETTER CONTENT
Newsletter Content
- Upcoming Events
- Ongoing Events
- Past Events
- Walking with Moms/Embrace Grace Update
- Pro-Life Community Partners - How we can help!
- December USSCB Prayer Guide
- December "Word of Life"
UPCOMING EVENTS
- January 3 - Parish Coordinator Christmas Celebration & New Year Kick-Off Meeting
- January 13 - A Justice For All interactive pro-life seminar
- January 16 - 24 - 9 Days for Life Novena
- January 18 - 20 - National March for Life Pilgrimage
- January 24 - IGNITE - MAKE PLANS TO COME!
Pro-Life Parish Coordinator Christmas Party
& New Year Kick-Off Meeting!
Please RSVP by clicking the "sign up" link below.
Christmas Party & New Year Kick Off Meeting
Wednesday, January 3rd at 6pm at Holy Spirit Catholic Parish - 11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park. An optional Mass will take place at 5:30pm, before the event begins.
Appetizers and beverages will be served.
Attendee
Abortion: From Debate to Dialogue:
A Justice For All interactive pro-life seminar
Archdiocesan March for Life DC Adult Trip
Jan 18-21 2024
Join other adults from the Archdiocese, and thousands from across the country, to pray and march for unborn children and their mothers at the National March for Life in DC. The trip is co-sponsored by the Evangelization and Pro-Life Offices. Participants will make their own travel arrangements to DC then join in community for the Rally & March for Life as well as several prayer opportunities with Archbishop Naumann and priests from Kansas. For more information and to reserve a room in the Archdiocesan block of hotel rooms, visit https://archkck.org/national-march-for-life.
SAVE THE DATE!! The Kansas Rally, Mass and March for Life will be taking place in Topeka on Wednesday, January 24! See flyer for more details!
ONGOING EVENTS
PAST EVENTS
The Pro-Life Office sponsored an event showcasing a new ministry - a Mother/Daughter group class called “Growing Up Girl” that we will be offering to our schools and parishes. We hosted our first one at St. Michael’s and got wonderful feedback. More information provided below in our "Community Partners" section.
WALKING WITH MOMS | EMBRACE GRACE UPDATE
RESOURCES
USCCB's Respect Life Action Guide for the Anniversary of Roe v. Wade,
click button below for resources.
Baby Bottles - up for grabs!
The Pro-Life Office has several large baby bottles that can be used to collect loose change for the purpose of fundraising (e.g. your parish's Respect Life Ministry, a local pregnancy clinic...). This can be placed in your parish office or someone's place of business. Let us know if you would like to have any!
We will bring them to the upcoming Jan 3 Meeting at Holy Spirit or let us know if you would like to have any!
GABRIEL PROJECT UPDATE
The Gabriel Project has been busy this past month. We had Turkeys and the fixings donated to us and were able to provide Thanksgiving meals to four families. We have had a couple babies born and two moms who have been with us for over a year that are still needing help. We gave out two bouncy chairs, two pack-n-plays and two diaper bags filled with baby items, and a few things for the mom. We also provided clothing for four babies. In addition, we provided five Gift Cards for food and a Gas Card. One family we help has five kids and were out of food, so we were able to give them gift cards as well as three bags of food, courtesy of the Wyandotte Pregnancy Center.
For Giving Tuesday, we exceeded our goal and will be able to provide gift cards to meet the increase in food prices. We are so grateful for the support of our donors! Have a blessed Christmas!
If you know of anyone who would like to become an Angel, please direct them to gabrielprojectkc.org, to the Volunteer page in the drop down menu in the upper right corner of the website. They can also call Ann Marie at 913-621-2199.
PRO-LIFE COMMUNITY PARTNERS
The ProLife Office is excited to announce a new partnership with Molly Price and her new FACTS (Fertility Appreciation and Christ’s Truth) Ministry! Molly Price is a Family Nurse Practitioner, Board Certified Marquette Method of Natural Family Planning Instructor, Devoted Wife and mother, and parishioner at St. Michael the Archangel parish in Leawood. After spending over 12 years in the medical field, she has seen countless women frustrated with the lack of understanding they have with their own fertility and bodies. She has medically treated and counseled numerous women in NFP, and has heard, "I want my daughter to know what wasn't taught to me so she is prepared."
Because of this experience, she believes in educating girls from a young age, in an age appropriate way, about the beauty and design in which our Heavenly Father so thoughtfully and WONDERFULLY created them! Molly has designed a Mother/Daughter group class called “Growing Up Girl” that we will be offering to our schools and parishes. We hosted our first one at St. Michael’s and got wonderful feedback. Visit www.fertilityandchriststruth.com to learn more, and stay tuned for programs we’ll be offering our high school girls!
Coalition Life is seeking a part-time LIFEChoice associate. The purpose of the LIFEChoice intern is to assist in the execution of the Coalition Life mission of “Ending Abortion Peacefully and Prayerfully” through sidewalk counseling activities at the local abortion facility in Overland Park and collaboration with volunteers, churches and donors.
Furthermore, the LIFEChoice intern assists with office and outreach related tasks as assigned by the intern’s supervisor. Requirements include: pray daily for the mission of Coalition Life; no experience needed; flexible work schedule; 20-29 hours per week; work three-four shifts per week; maintain equipment and signs at sidewalk counseling/prayer vigil locations; and assist with banquet and other fundraising or outreach activities.
Wyandotte and Olathe Pregnancy Clinics are looking for dedicated, big-hearted client-care advocates, both full and part-time. Bilingual client care advocate is also needed. If interested in more information, please contact Lissel at 913-287-8287.
Please visit "Planned Parenthood Exposed" to stay informed on what is happening at the Kansas City KS PP location on Leavenworth Rd. Sidewalk witness needed! Stay connected through their website below.
MONTHLY USCCB RESOURCES
Click HERE for the USCCB's Monthly Prayer Guide for Decembe.
December Word of Life
Below is the link to the USCCB Word of Life resource for December.
It contains petitions, bulletin quotes, graphics, reflections, and adoption education resources. It is a useful tool available to us every month!
Debra Niesen
Lead Consultant, Pro-Life Ministries
913-276-8615 | dniesen@archkck.org
