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“Witness For Life” Group Defends the Unborn Outside Clinics

by Katie Vasquez

Prayers for the unborn, outside a planned parenthood in Brooklyn Heights. 

Every second Saturday of every month, the Brooklyn segment of the group “Witness for Life” is outside the Planned Parenthood on Court Street, praying for the lives of the unborn.

“I think for us as Catholics, we’re obligated to continue with what Christ taught us in light of what we see, what’s happening in the world, and how we need to defend all forms of life from conception to natural death,” said Witness for Life member, Omar Castro. 

They hope their presence will help the women getting an abortion consider another path.

“We’re not there to judge. we’re not there to confront anybody. we cannot make these mothers who are already under stress feel even worse. we’re there to help,” said Castro. 

The peaceful prayers happening after they’ve said their morning prayers.

The group walks to the clinic after 8am mass at St. Charles Borromeo church. It’s not a long journey, only taking the space of 2 blocks but the path has sometimes been blocked by pro-abortion protestors.

“I did have fear for the priests because they were all over them being irreverent to them, blowing pot smoke in their face and calling all kinds of obscenities and all kinds of things that the clergy has done and throwing it out on their face,” said Witness for Life member, Maria Cardenas. 

“We’re just simply praying there and all the people, all of them all for Planned Parenthood, you saw that. Really it is disheartening really, you know, and even elderly people, nobody seems to be for Jesus,” said 

Despite the danger, the group says they will still march for the unborn, both here in the diocese of Brooklyn, and in D.C. during the national March for Life.

“Through prayer and with the marches that we do, God is listening to us and, you know, we’re making strides and we must continue to fight.” said Cardenas.

And just like the March for Life, they hope to change the culture of America, to one where abortion is unthinkable.

If you’d like to join the group, you can meet up with them after the 8am mass on the second Saturday of the month.

That’s at St. Charles Borromeo church, 19 Sidney Place in Brooklyn Heights. 

Catholic News Headlines for Monday 1/22/2024

Tens of thousands marched for life in Washington D.C. despite the snow and the freezing cold hoping to end abortion around the country.

But the fight for life isn’t just once a year, every day’s a battle. Whether it be outside a Planned Parenthood or in the hearts of mothers. The Diocese of Brooklyn is protecting the unborn. Join Currents News for their March for Life special.

Supporting Women Year Round as a Sidewalk Counselor

by Katie Vasquez

Before the sun rises, a few people pile into the pews at the Church of St. Catherine of Siena on the Upper East Side.

One of them is Bernadette Patel. This is how she starts her day as a sidewalk counselor.  

“I’ll pray. One that God can use me as an instrument and that if I can say anything or do anything to help a woman choose life, that she does it,” said Patel. 

Once a week for almost five years, Bernadette boards the subway downtown to Planned Parenthood on Bleecker street, praying the rosary along the way.

Donning her signature pink vest, she hopes she can change the minds of women going in. 

Patel said, “Most of them, it’s like feeling forced to because of circumstances and then that prompts the question of like, how is this a choice?”

While Currents News was there, two women tried to enter the clinic but Bernadette convinced them to not support the abortion provider. 

“Planned Parenthood is famous for like, abortions, and when they find that out, they’re like, oh, I don’t want to support this place. like, you don’t have to. there’s different places you can go. so, like, the, just like regular, well, women’s exams or things like that,” said Patel.

Her ministry is not always met with positivity. 

“People that come up and just like, scream nasty things. We’ve had cases where we had to file police reports,” said Patel.

But it’s the rare success stories that motivate her. 

“We had a turnaround with this, so it was a couple, handed her this and with the pictures of development and the father just started crying and like the woman seemed really shaken,” said Patel.

Even when she’s faced with difficult situations, she reminds herself why she started this work. 

“So many women just going in. and i was like, they like someone needs to just talk to them. and then like, god just put on my heart, it’s you,” said Patel.

A calling she will continue for as long as she’s able.

National Prayer Vigil for Life Held in D.C.

March for Life activities really kicked off last night, at the National Prayer Vigil for Life. 

Almost 7,000 pro-lifers prayed for the unborn at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Bishop Michael Burbidge, the chair of the US Bishops pro-life committee, was the main celebrant. In his homily he reminded the crowd that though Roe V. Wade being overturned was a victory, the unborn are still in danger. 

His message was a rallying cry for the young pro-lifers, who want to keep advocating for unborn babies and their mothers. 

“We should be standing behind this like this is the true feminist movement. The movement to be there as a supporter of life, to be proud supporters of expectant mothers and to stand right by their throughout all of it,” said Sofia Tweed who attended the vigil mass. 

“Every single life is sacred, no matter when, what, where or what opportunity. and just to make it known to everyone that we care both about the mother and the child and that life is important no matter what stage,” said Maribel Boutrous, who attended the vigil mass. 

Pope Francis also sent a letter to the marchers, thanking them for  “this eloquent witness to the inviolable right to life of every person.”

Parishioners from the Diocese of Brooklyn Attend March for Life

by Katie Vasquez

The snow and frigid temperatures couldn’t stop these pro life advocates from letting their voice be heard,

marching in the nation’s capital, in the massive crowd was a group of 26 parishioners from the Diocese of Brooklyn, who are dedicated to the pro-life cause. 

Waking up early to brave the harsh weather, faithful from across the diocese are determined to spread the word. 

“When you see so many people in particular in your diocese that think the same way that you do and have the same vigor and passion, it’s really comforting, really comforting,” said parochial vicar of St. Helen’s Church, Father Michael Panicali. 

They traveled hundreds of miles to defend the unborn in D.C. 

“The issue of the dignity of life is core to our society. If we don’t have the dignity of life, then we don’t have anything,” said Blessed Trinity Church parishioner, Angela DiLalla. 

Because for them it’s more just a core tenant of their Catholic faith, it’s personal. 

“This is really where the tire hits the road for us. “It’s one thing to talk the talk,” said Holy Trinity Church parishioner, Frank Kazlausky,  “It’s another thing to take action and get involved. And I just became a grandfather two months ago, so it’s Frank ‘Pop Pop’ Kazlausky and I can’t imagine a life without this little baby girl. so that’s why we’re here.”

Walking through slush and puddles of water, tens of thousands march past the Capitol building and end at the Supreme Court.

The route not only marks the victory in the Dobbs decision but also shows the need to maintain a pro-life presence in Washington. 

Since Roe V. Wade was overturned, the issue of abortion has gone to the state level, and while there have been great strides in the legislature,  the marchers are not giving up until abortion is viewed as unthinkable. 

“There’s still a lot of work that has to be done within our tri state area in New York state, around,” said St. Thomas Apostle Church parishioner, Sal Isabella, “and we don’t stop the march. We won’t stop the fight until more happens.”

Even though this march is over, pro-lifers will continue to fight for the unborn. They are urging everyone to contact local lawmakers and advocate for life.

 

Catholic News Headlines for Friday 1/19/2024

The snow and frigid temperatures couldn’t stop these pro-life advocates from letting their voice be heard.

5,000 Pro-Lifers prayed for the unborn at the Basilica of The National Shrine of The Immaculate Conception.

Bernadette Patel was one of those thousands of marchers on the National Mall but her witness to life doesn’t just happen today.

March for Life: Organizers Working to Build Culture of Life in the U.S.

Thousands of people are in Washington, D.C., to attend the March for Life. 

Even though Roe v. Wade has been overturned, marchers are gathering because they say the necessary work to build a culture of life in the U.S. is not finished.

National Correspondent for The Tablet and Crux, John Lavenburg, joins Currents News from the nation’s capital to talk more about what to expect at the annual march. 

Pro-lifers will kick the day off with a concert at 11 a.m.

After that, they’ll hear from some prominent pro-life speakers at the rally from noon to 1:00 p.m.

Then it’s the main event, hundreds of thousands will march from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., ending between the Supreme Court and the Capitol building.

6 Year-Old Role Model With Down Syndrome Inspires Inclusivity After Mom Chose Life

By Jessica Easthope

6-year-old model Noah Jacob’s smile says it all – it’s been seen by millions, but there’s only one person who Noah wants to smile back.

“Noah is amazing,” said Yami Johnson, Jacob’s mother. “He is just the sweetest little boy, wakes up happy, goes to bed happy, and he is the joy of our family.”

Johnson shares what people don’t see when they look at his ads – his story. It started with a battle.

“It was literally a fight for Noah; that’s what the beginning of my pregnancy was.”

Jacob is the youngest of 4 boys. Johnson got pregnant with him at 44 years old. The call about his diagnosis shook her to her core.

“What’s the percentage of my child having Down syndrome?” “He said, ‘97%.’ When he said 97%, my heart dropped.”

Johnson’s unexpected pregnancy was quickly coming with unrelenting heartache. Her doctors were giving her little hope and even fewer options.

“The baby might be a vegetable, might not walk. They didn’t give me any pamphlets on Down syndrome to educate myself, didn’t give me any organizations that I could reach out to, just said, ‘Here are some clinics where you can terminate.'”

The pressure to abort Jacob became so intense that Johnson was second-guessing what she knew was right.

“I received a phone call, and they were arranging a termination without telling me. Am I doing something terrible by bringing him, you know, to this world this way?”

Johnson found strength in her faith and leaned into what God wanted from her – to bring her baby into the world.

“I’m gonna trust God to get me through this. I said to God, ‘Here’s the deal: if this is what you’re giving, I’m gonna take him anyway he comes, but I need you to give me the strength to get through it. I need you to help me because I can’t do this without you.'”

Jacob’s first year of life saw two open-heart surgeries, kidney and lung disease, blood transfusions, and oxygen 24 hours a day.

“You have to act like everything’s fine, but on the inside, you’re just horrified, wondering what’s going on with your child.”

But all those days in the hospital are what kickstarted Jacob’s modeling career. Johnson didn’t know it at the time, she was filling a void in the market.

“I would take pictures of him in the hospital every day with his little outfits. I thought it was going to be very difficult for him to be a model because you didn’t see children with Down syndrome in ads. You just didn’t see it.”

Today, Jacob has become part of a new wave of inclusivity of disabilities in ads and commercials worldwide. And when he gets on set, he’s in his element.

“It became like a movement because followers from everywhere were sending me pictures next to Noah’s picture. Especially parents of children with special needs. One little boy said he looks like me.”

Johnson says people might see Jacob as a supermodel; she sees him as a role model for compassion, change, and what it means to choose life.

“I didn’t understand my purpose, and then when I became pregnant with Noah, I kind of understood that, and that’s where my faith grew even stronger. If you truly believe in God, you know he doesn’t make mistakes.”

Johnson’s job as Jacob’s mom isn’t easy. Right now, his heart is stable, and he no longer needs oxygen, but he’ll require more heart surgeries in the future.

“It’s worth every tear, worth every sleepless night. It’s priceless.”

Many have been inspired looking at Jacob’s ads. Johnson is inspired every day when she looks into his eyes.

Johnson is looking to help other moms of babies with down syndrome by connecting them with the support groups and resources she didn’t have during her pregnancy. To support her cause you can donate at ChoosingNoah.com.

Catholic News Headlines for Thursday 1/18/2024

Catholic News, Catholic Teaching, Catholic Perspective, News, Catholic, Pope Francis, News, Catholic Faith, New York City

Tens of thousands of people will meet on the National Mall in D.C. tomorrow for the annual Pro-Life rally.

National Correspondent for The Tablet and Crux, John Lavenburg joins Currents News from D.C. 

A six-year-old from Canarsie has become the face of a movement.