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| ST. GEORGE SPIRITUAL ADOPTION PROGRAM |
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Month 9 - November 8, 2009 |
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In the last two months the baby continues to gain weight. She is developing a layer of fat that will keep her warm after she is born. In the 9th month she will shift to a head-down position, preparing for birth. Her lungs are now fully developed and capable of making the transition to breathing air. After birth, she will continue the human growth process for many years to come.
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After reading the information provided below, if you would like to participate in the St. George Spiritual Adoption Program, click here.
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Here is an amazing short video to share with others that shows human development in the womb from 8 weeks to 9 months using 4-D ultrasound imaging. If clicking on the link doesn't work, you can cut and paste to your browser. http://babystepsdvd.com/index.html
KC #4030 and St. George Respect Life Committee
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Background
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Over 30 years ago a court decision was rendered which
legalized abortion throughout the entire nine months of pregnancy. This decision, Roe v. Wade, is the
reason over 1 million abortions have been committed in the U.S. each year.
To help stop the anti-life push around the world, the late Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen encouraged
the spiritual adoption of an unborn child. This is done by praying that one anonymous baby, that
only GOD knows, be spared abortion and be allowed to continue to live.
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At St. George
Hence, the Respect Life Ministry at St. George Catholic Church, with assistance
of Mother of Mercy Council 4030 of the Knights of Columbus, is now beginning such a program. It is part of our
continuing emphasis on and expansion of our Pro-life advocacy to include the entire life cycle from conception
to natural death. The mission of this new program is to increase prayers and spiritual awareness for more pro-life
decisions that will lead to greater political involvement, and ultimately, end abortion in this country.
The program entails inviting parishioners, adults and children, to adopt, "in a spiritual sense,"
both an unborn baby that only GOD knows is in danger of abortion and the child’s mother. Parishioners will have the
option of spiritually adopting either a selected local mother and child who was in danger of abortion but the mother
has chosen life and/or an anonymous mother and unbord child. Participants will pledge to pray for nine months for the
mother and unborn child of their choosing. The program will be carried out with the cooperation of the Catholic Charities’
Sanctuary for Life House for unwed mothers, which is where the local mothers currently reside.
Sign-up cards, pre-prepared posters, prayer cards, and thank you notes will be used. While the anonymous child and mother
will, of course, remain unknown to the “spiritual parent,” the locally selected mother knows that we are
praying for her and
her child. To keep the “spiritual parent(s)” in their prayer activities focused on the reality that their prayers
are helping to save a particular baby from the harm of abortion, participants are encouraged to name the mother
and child of their choosing.
Participants will receive updates about their baby's development in the womb and other related information through
the Knights of Columbus website, email, handouts at Mass, information tables, website bulletin board and the parish
bulletin. Each month a different poster will be displayed on the church bulletin board illustrating the progress of
the developing child. Thank you notes will be available on the bulletin board and may be sent by email.
During the 3rd or 4th month, Mother of Mercy Council 4030 of the Knights of Columbus will conduct a campaign to raise
funds for Catholic Charities’ Sanctuary for Life House. The campaign will utilize a “Baby Bottle” program that entails
distribution of miniature “Baby Bottles” with a description of the needs of Sanctuary for Life House inside. The “Baby
Bottles” will be offered to parishioners on one Sunday asking that they consider making a donation and asking that they
return the “Baby Bottle,” with or without a contribution the next Sunday.
At the conclusion of the pregnancy, there will be a parish celebration with a final report on the birth, if appropriate.
A baby shower or birthday party will be held, perhaps after Mass, for those who have been participating for the past nine
months. Parishioners will be invited to donate new baby items and/or make a monetary gift to assist in providing a good
start in life for mothers and babies. Attendance by the local mother and baby will be at her discretion and the Sanctuary
for Life. If no mother and baby attend, the gifts and funds will be donated to Sanctuary for Life House and used to help
mothers who chose LIFE for their babies.
With the grace of God, all who participate will benefit, as well as, the mother and child whether local or anonymous.
While it is not always possible to see the particular effects of prayer, we know through Scripture
that God wants us to pray, and we know by faith that He answers all prayers. Participation will help to emphasize that
the unborn, at all stages, is a human creation of God. It will foster an awareness of the precariousness of the mother’s
decision and the need for continued support and prayers. Additionally, both adults and children will receive a short
education about prenatal development.
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Suggested Prayers
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen recommended an individual say the following
daily prayer for a period of nine months.
“Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you very much. I beg you to spare the life
of [baby’s name] the unborn baby that I have spiritually adopted who is in
danger of abortion.”
From Pope John Paul II, The Gospel of Life, §105:
"O Mary,
Bright dawn of the new world,
Mother of the living,
To you do we entrust the cause of life:
Look down, O Mother,
Upon the vast numbers
Of babies not allowed to be born,
Of the poor whose lives are made difficult,
Of men and women
Who are victims of brutal violence,
Of the elderly and the sick killed
By indifference or out of misguided mercy.
Grant that all who believe in your Son
May proclaim the Gospel of life
With honesty and love
To the people of our time.
Obtain for them the grace
To accept that Gospel
As a gift ever new,
The joy of celebrating it with gratitude
Throughout their lives
And the courage to bear witness to it
Resolutely, in order to build,
Together with all people of good will,
A civilization of truth and love,
To the praise and glory of God,
Creator and lover of life."
From the Louisiana Pro-life Council:
"Dear Jesus, child of Mary, I love you and thank you for your unconditional love. I
plead with you to save the life of ______________, the unborn child whom I have
spiritually adopted and whose life is threatened by abortion. May this child be
allowed to grow in wisdom, age and strength in Your presence and in the sight of
all. Amen"
For the Unborn child and the mother who has chosen life:
Dear Lord, thank you that this mother has chosen to allow her baby to live,
even though it was a hard decision. Give her the strength to continue carrying
her baby to term. Help her to know that your love and your grace are always with her.
Help her baby to grow in wisdom, age and strength in Your presence and in the sight of all.
Amen
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Proudly serving St. George Parish
and all those in need of assistance
Copyright 2010, Knights of Columbus -
Mother of Mercy, Council 4030 |
