CONSIDER THIS OBSERVATION BY A NEW YORK DOCTOR.

"Eleven years ago while giving an anesthetic for a ruptured ectopic pregnancy (at two months gestation) I was handed what I believe was the smallest living human ever seen. The embryo sac was intact and transparent. Within the sac was a tiny human male swimming extremely vigorously in the amniotic fluid, while attached to the wall by the umbilical cord. This tiny human was perfectly developed, with long, tapering fingers, feet, and toes. It was almost transparent, as regard the skin, and the delicate arteries and veins were prominent to the ends of the fingers.

The baby was extremely alive and swam about the sac approximately one time per second, with a natural swimmer's stroke. This tiny human did not look at all like the photos and drawings and models of "embryos" which I have seen, nor did it look like a few embryos I have been able to observe since then, obviously because this one was alive!

. . .When the sac was opened, the tiny human immediately lost its life and took on the appearance of what is accepted as the appearance of an embryo at this stage (blunt extremities, etc.)."

Paul Rockwell, M.D.

Did you know that in Canada children in the womb may be killed at anytime, by any means, and for any reason, right up to and during their birth?

"Whatever you do to the least of My brethren, you do it to Me." (Matt.25:40)

"Many misguided people would prefer to think that the unborn child is not human in order to justify abortion. The fact is that the fetus is fully human right from the moment of conception." (Dr. Bob McDonald)

"We see this attested in the many biblical passages which respectfully and lovingly speak of conception, of the forming of life in the mother's womb..." (E. V. #44)

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you." (Jeremiah 1:5)

"All human beings, from their mother's womb, belong to God who searches and knows them, who forms and knits them together with His own hands, who gazes on them when they are tiny, shapeless embryos and already sees in them the adults of tomorrow whose days are numbered and whose vocation is even now written in the book of life." (Psalm 139:1, 13-16)

"The value of the person from the moment of conception is celebrated in the meeting between the Virgin Mary and Elizabeth." (E.V. #45) When Elizabeth, five months pregnant with John the Baptist, heard Mary's greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit cried out "Blest are you among women and blest is the fruit of your womb." (Luke 1:42)

Today, thanks to ultrasound technology, we can view the baby leaping in the womb.

Ultrasonographer Shari Richard states "The ultrasound is a stage upon which the voiceless, unborn babies can show off their inherent beauty and humanity." The ultrasound demonstrates that the unborn baby's heart beats at just 24 days. By the 8th week the baby's skeleton, head, face, arms, legs, fingers, toes, circulatory and major muscle systems are complete; the unborn baby squints, swallows and moves his tongue. "At 9 weeks his fingerprints are present and everyone knows that one's fingerprints are a unique identification mark for each human being." (Dr. Bob McDonald)

Ultrasound technology has also viewed an actual suction abortion. It showed a twelve week old unborn little girl turning around and sucking her thumb. The next minute she was squirming with pain as the suction tip of the abortionist's instrument punctured her tiny body. Then this innocent human being was literally torn apart by a powerful vacuum. (The Silent Scream video)

The Pro-Life Movement has often been criticized for showing pictures of these aborted human beings. The Rev. Ted Colleton responded best when he said: "Of course some of the pictures are shocking and may disturb - but not for long, I believe! And they are the truth. The Gospel tells us, "The Truth will make you free." Yes. But only if we accept it and stand for it." He goes on to say:

"The picture of a Man with a thorn-crowned Head, with Hands and Feet nailed to a Cross and a Heart pierced with a lance is not a pleasant sight. But it has probably done more for the world than all the pictures ever painted, because it tells us the Truth about sin. St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) wrote towards the end of his life, 'I learned more at the foot of the Crucifix than from all the books I ever read'."

The Second Vatican Council defines abortion as an "unspeakable crime." "Today's acceptance of abortion in the popular mind, in behavior and even in law itself, is a telling sign of an extremely dangerous crisis of the moral sense, which is becoming more and more incapable of distinguishing between good and evil, even when the fundamental right to life is at stake." (E.V. #58) "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness." (Is 5:20)

It was indeed troubling to me when I heard a well-known politician say, "It is true that I am Roman Catholic but I am not prepared to let any one religion impose its beliefs on the rest of the population. I believe in the woman's right to choose."

In the Gospel of Life, Pope John Paul II clearly states:

"A Law which violates an innocent person's natural right to life is unjust and as such is not valid as a law. I urgently appeal to all political leaders not to pass laws, which by disregarding the dignity of the person, undermine the very fabric of society." (E.V. #90)

Pope John Paul II ends his Encyclical Letter with this special and very beautiful message to women who have had an abortion:

"The Church is aware of the many factors which may have influenced your decision, and she does not doubt that in many cases it was a painful and even shattering decision. The wound in your heart may not yet have healed. Certainly what happened was and remains terribly wrong. But do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope. The Father of mercies is ready to give you His forgiveness and His peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation." (E.V. #99)

The whole object of the Pro-Life Movement is to inspire people to speak up for the babies who cannot speak up for themselves. How much longer can the cries of the unborn go unheard?

In the words of Archbishop Adam Exner of Vancouver:

"IT IS TIME TO STOP MAKING EXCUSES. IT IS TIME TO STOP BEING AFRAID OF WHAT OTHERS WILL THINK WHEN WE STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT. IT IS TIME TO CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO. IT IS TIME TO PUT OUR FAITH INTO ACTION. IT IS TIME TO BE RESOLUTELY PRO-LIFE BOTH IN PRIVATE AND IN PUBLIC. A CHILD IS NOT A PROBLEM TO BE ELIMINATED, BUT A GIFT ALWAYS TO BE CHERISHED."

Compiled by Susan Streng Pro-Life Representative Blessed Sacrament Parish.

A Message From Ottawa Archbishop Marcel Gervais.

Modem technology can do amazing things, even show us life in the womb. Doctor Rockwell's testimony about seeing a perfectly formed infant at play in the embryo sac fills us both with awe and sadness. This particular infant could not live, but so many others are not given the chance.

It is definitely not easy for a woman or for parents to be faced with an unexpected or unwanted pregnancy. It may be simpler or more convenient not to have the child. However, what if you or I were that child? Would we not want to live? Does the unborn child not have a right to life?

Crisis pregnancies are a very real problem in our society. Much is currently being done to assist mothers in need. Much more could be done.

In March 1997, Cardinal Thomas Winning of Glasgow, Scotland, launched a major initiative to help women. In doing so, he said:

"If you need pregnancy testing or counselling...we will help you. If you need help raising your baby on your own...we will help you. If you want to discuss the adoption of your unborn child...we will help you. If you need financial assistance or help with the equipment for your baby and feel financial pressures will force you to have an abortion...we will help you. If you cannot face your family, or if pressure in your local area is making you consider abortion, come to us, we will find you somewhere to have your baby surrounded by support and encouragement...we will help you. If you have had an abortion, if you are torn by guilt...we will help you. Please allow us to help you avoid making one of the biggest mistakes of your life." Could we do as much?

May this year's Pro-Life Sunday provide all of us with an opportunity to review what we are doing to promote life, from the moment of conception until natural death. Your additional efforts can make a big difference.

Sanctity of Human Life.

God spoke the world into existence.

But He reserved His very breath for man...

Life is sacred.