Respect Life Ministry

• Portland Planned Parenthood (NE MLK & Beech Street) on Wednesdays, 7:30-11:15am.

• Lovejoy Surgicenter (933 NW 25th Ave.) on Thursdays, 6:30-9:00am, and Fridays, 6:30-10:00am. Call Therese first as times can vary: 503.997.1884.

• Beaverton Planned Parenthood (12220 SW First St.) on Fridays, 8:00-10:00am, and Saturdays, 9:00-9:30am

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.
 
(Evangelium Vitae, §105)

Love's Choice was created to take an honest look at the painful beauty of adoption, and to provide tools to help each woman honestly assess the choices before her. 
Love's Choice provides facts about adoption and tools to help plan for birth, adoption and parenting. Most importantly, we share personal stories from real people who have experienced adoption - adopted children, adoptive parents, and birthmothers.


Click here for more information. 

Northwest Family Services:  We have been providing Natural Family Planning education for over 25 years, and offer classes nationally, online and through mail-in correspondence. Whether you are engaged, newly married or have been living out your vows for years, NFP is a great way to manage your fertility while respecting your body and your marriage bond. For more information, call (503) 546-6377.
 

Oregon Right to Life 
 
Abby Johnson is an American pro-life activist. Johnson had previously worked at Planned Parenthood as a clinic director, but resigned in October 2009. She later stated that she resigned after watching an abortion on ultrasound.  Click here for more information from Abby's website.

Our mission is to develop a culture of life in our parish and community consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church.  We evangelize respect for life at all stages from conception to natural death through prayer, service, and education.  Our goal is to increase awareness in an inclusive, non-judgmental way that promotes healing and changing of hearts.

We meet on the second Sunday of the month in the school staff lounge, from 12:15-1:00pm (except for September, January, and May). All are welcome to join us!

Life Issues Forum article 

“Walk with each other. Do not be afraid to embrace God’s gift of life. Whatever storms or trials we face, we are not alone. He is with us. ‘Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age’ (Matthew 28:20).” 
USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities 2017-18 Respect Life Program

Every year on Respect Life Sunday, the first Sunday in October, the Church renews its focus on human life issues. The theme of this year’s (October 2017 - September 2018) United States Conference of Catholic Bishop’s (USCCB) Respect Life Program is “Be Not Afraid”.  It marks the 45th anniversary of this successful educational program which was started by the Catholic bishops of the U.S. in October 1972.

That year, and each succeeding year, the bishops have focused on many critical concerns of the day — abortion, euthanasia, marriage and family life, capital punishment, poverty, immigration issues, chastity, natural family planning, post-abortion healing and reconciliation, the culture of life, biotechnology, children, teens, persons with disabilities, the elderly, those who are dying, and more.

The USCCB has published numerous materials to help Catholics reflect on this theme. The following pamphlets are available at www.usccb.org/prolife:  How to Build a CULTURE OF LIFE, Understanding Conscience, CATHOLIC Considerations for Our Earthly Passing, WHAT TO DO When a Friend is Considering Abortion, Death Penalty: Catholic Q & A and Top Reasons to Oppose ASSISTED SUICIDE.

The following is a list of some potential red flags and indicators of human trafficking to help you recognize the signs. Visit  www.humantraffickinghotline.org to learn more.

Common Work and Living Conditions:
- Is not free to leave or come and go as he/she wishes
- Is in the commercial sex industry and has a pimp / manager
- Is unpaid, paid very little, or paid only through tips
- Works excessively long and/or unusual hours
- Is not allowed breaks or suffers under unusual restrictions at work
- Owes a large debt and is unable to pay it off
- Was recruited through false promises concerning the nature and conditions of his/her work
- High security measures exist in the work and/or living locations (e.g. opaque windows, boarded up windows, bars on windows, barbed wire, security cameras, etc.)

Poor Mental Health or Abnormal Behavior:
- Is fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, or nervous/paranoid
- Exhibits unusually fearful or anxious behavior after bringing up law enforcement
- Avoids eye contact

Poor Physical Health:
- Lacks medical care and/or is denied medical services by employer
- Appears malnourished or shows signs of repeated exposure to harmful chemicals
- Shows signs of physical and/or sexual abuse, physical restraint, confinement, or torture

Lack of Control:
- Has few or no personal possessions
- Is not in control of his/her own money, no financial records, or bank account
- Is not in control of his/her own identification documents (ID or passport)
- Is not allowed or able to speak for themselves (a third party may insist on being present and/or translating)

Other:
- Claims of just visiting and inability to clarify where he/she is staying/address
- Lack of knowledge of whereabouts and/or of what city he/she is in
- Loss of sense of time
- Has numerous inconsistencies in his/her story

To report suspicious behavior, call:

• Oregon Human Trafficking Task Force Hotline: 503-793-9221
• Catholic Charities Outreach and Support to Special Immigrant Populations: 503-688-2713
• Sexual Assault Resource Center: 503-640-5311
• National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888 or text BeFree (233733)

• Global Health Promise, 503-913-1336,  bwillis@globalhealthpromise.org
• Door to Grace, 503-747-5474,  http://www.doortograce.org/get-involved/

• www.StandUpGirl.com:  Maybe you’re pregnant, or worried that you might be pregnant. You feel scared, overwhelmed, alone. Need someone to talk to…someone you can be real with?  We’re here for you.  Women who get what you’re going through, because they’ve lived through it. Women who care and can help.  Confidential.

• Catholic Charities Pregnancy Support:  We are here to help, regardless of faith or life circumstances.  Call to learn more about how we can support you whether you choose to parent or to place your child in an open adoption.  All services are free and our qualified staff are available 24/7.  Call 503-238-5196 for immediate and confidential help or email us at PSA@CatholicCharitiesOregon.org.

• Mother & Child Education Center provides pregnancy testing, classes, clothing and supplies for new mothers.  Our goal is to provide a place where new mothers can go for support, so children can be welcomed and nurtured. Call 503-249-5801 or click here for more information.

• Pregnancy Resource Centers will help you answer the hard questions with an unplanned pregnancy.  They have professional, licensed staff that provide compassionate care in a non-pressure environment.  Physician and community referrals.  Ultrasounds. Maternity services.  Pregnancy Tests.  Open M-F:  Beaverton; 503-643-4503 Clackamas; 503-659-3336  Click here for info.  Free and confidential services.

• Father Taaffe Homes provide nurturing homes for young women, ages 12 to 20, who say yes to life. The family-like, peaceful, welcoming environment at the Father Taaffe Homes helps young women rise above life’s challenges. They learn skills to help them succeed as single mothers, from parenting to running a household to creating a healthy future for themselves and their babies. Those who come to live in a Father Taaffe Home are provided with basic amenities, including food, laundry facilities, access to local transportation, and computers to help with school work and job search. Contact Catholic Family Services, 3737 Portland Rd. NE, Salem.  Call 503-390-2600.

• Precious Children of Portland  exists to offer concrete resources and prayers to people entering abortion facilities, and women and families who need resources and help in their pregnancies and with their young children.  We advocate for, and assist families with our time and treasure, and do everything we can to help them in their time of need.  We exist to help promote and provide for the sanctity and dignity of every human life, born and unborn. Contact Therese at 503-997-1994 or at ruesinktherese@comcast.net.
   
• Saint Child exists to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of pregnant women who are caught in a cycle of abuse, poverty and neglect, who are seeking help in transitioning from poverty and hopelessness to sustainability and faith.  Call 503-648-4227 or go to www.saintchild.org.

• Madonna's Center for Life provides support for any pregnant woman, of any age, in Clackamas County and the surrounding area who is without the means to afford the basic necessities to take care of her child on arrival. For more information call 503-635-1595.

• Moms Helping Moms:  The Catholic Charities’ Moms Helping Moms program is looking for positive role models to mentor pregnant and parenting mothers in the community. Your commitment, encouragement and guidance are invaluable in the lives of women and children from all walks of life.  For more information please call (503) 688-2615.

Project Rachel, a service offered by Catholic Charities,  is a confidential ministry for anyone who desires healing after being impacted by abortion. This includes the mothers and fathers of children lost to abortion, grandparents and other relatives, health care providers, and many others. Abortion crosses all boundaries of religion, race, age and socio-economic position.

Rachel's Vineyard Retreats are a powerful healing weekend where acceptance, non-judgment, forgiveness, and mercy are present. Healing and restoration can begin for anyone impacted by abortion.

You can get more information about Project Rachel and Rachel's Vineyard Retreats on the Catholic Charities website.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:  The US Bishops on June 16, 2011 approved “To Live Each Day with Dignity. The following is an excerpt from this document.
 
To live in a manner worthy of our human dignity, and to spend our final days on this earth in peace and comfort, surrounded by loved ones—that is the hope of each of us. In particular, Christian hope sees these final days as a time to prepare for our eternal destiny.
 
Click here to read the full document. 
 

Physicians for Compassionate Care Education Foundation:  When the voters of Oregon approved the legalization of physician-assisted suicide in 1994, many physicians in Oregon responded by forming an organization called the Physicians for Compassionate Care Education Foundation (PCCEF). PCCEF has worked to affirm an ethic that all human life is inherently valuable and affirm that physicians' roles are to heal illness, alleviate suffering, and provide comfort for the sick and dying. Our members work to ensure appropriate care for their patients, to speak out for the inherent value of human life, and to uphold the time-honored values of the medical profession.  For more information, click here. 

Catholic Charities Pregnancy Support and Adoption Services

2740 SE Powell Blvd., #7 (Third Floor)
Portland, Oregon 97202 
phone (503) 238-5196
 
Catholic Charities has been placing children in adoptive homes since 1902. Their mission is to support and encourage women to make life-affirming decisions for their unborn children. Since their adoption program is rooted in their Pregnancy Service, most of the children they place are infants. Over the years they have been blessed with exceptional openhearted adoptive parents who genuinely desire a life-long relationship with the birth parents of their adopted children. Their adoptive families are the backbone of the program. They work with families without distinction as to race, color, or creed who are ready for an open adoption. They have found that although many prospective adoptive parents have an initial skepticism about open adoption, once they have received more information and have attended their Orientation class, they heartily endorse and enjoy this respectful and loving form of adoption.