2014-03-25 Supreme Court Hears HHS Mandate Cases and Upcoming Events

For Washtenaw County and Beyond!

Partial list as of March 24th, 2014 Compiled by Sandie Weathers

On March 25, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the historic Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties v. Sebelius cases which challenge the Obama Administration’s HHS Mandate, which are the first cases to be heard in the high court.

Join the Tweet Storm: From 9am-Noon on March 25, join a tweet storm for religious freedom to set the record straight on the mandate. Suggested tweets are below. Use the #religiousfreedomforall hashtag to draw national attention to our side. Sample Tweets Promoting #religiousfreedomforall: The HHS mandate forces the Green family to choose between violating their faith and violating the law. Let’s have #ReligiousFreedomForAll For a more complete list, please go to:   http://standuprally.com/2014/march25

Interfaith Prayers to Stop the HHS Mandate – on Day 7! We can fight injustice in many different ways, but we must never forget that our strongest weapon is prayer. Pray for Hobby Lobby and Conestoga cases and the defeat of the HHS Mandate. Though the devotion has its roots in Catholic spirituality, the prayers here are ones that people of any Christian tradition can pray. For entire novena, please go to: http://standupforreligiousfreedom.com/2011/entirenovena/#sthash.ndeIPw6B.dpuf

Stand Up Coalition to Rally at U.S. Supreme Court March 25 for HUGE Hobby Lobby Case! On March 25, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the historic Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties v. Sebelius cases which challenge the Obama Administration’s HHS Mandate, and the Stand Up For Religious Freedom Rally Coalition will be there. Check out the prayer vigil and rally at the U. S. Supreme Court from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on March 25. FB event:  https://www.facebook.com/events/204627633079260/.

Here in Washtenaw County two prayer rallies are being held to coincide with the Rally in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, March 25^th from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 1^st location: Intersection of Washtenaw Ave & Huron Parkway in Ann Arbor (site of the annual Oct. Life Chain). 2^nd location: Geddes Road Exit off of U.S. 23. Park and meet at Concordia University, 4090 Geddes Road in Ann Arbor. After exiting onto Geddes Road, go west on Geddes Road and turn south onto the first drive into Concordia University on the left. Follow the signs to the student housing parking lots. Rally signs will be available or you can make your own. Want to help, contact Sandie Weathers prolifeactionnetwork@gmail.com or 734-657-1936. For updates go to:  http://pro-lifeactionnetworkblog.blogspot.com/. Please remember our purpose is prayer and to Stand Up For Religious Freedom!

U of M Diag Rally to Commemorate the Annunciation and Defeat the HHS Mandate at University of Michigan Diag on Tuesday, March 25^th from 5:55 pm to 6:25 pm. Tuesday, the Feast of the Annunciation, marks 2014 years since the Word was made flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is also the day the HHS mandate will be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court. Please join us on the U-M Diag for Marian prayers and hymns both commemorating Mary's "yes" to Our Lord and begging her intercession to preserve the Church's freedom to carry out Christ's saving work. Note: The Angelus will begin EXACTLY at 6:00pm! Rally programs will be provided. -Sponsored by Catholic Street Evangelization at U-M. FB event:  https://www.facebook.com/events/539415809505017/

The 40 Film is showing Tuesday, March 25th at 7:00pm (doors open at 6:30) at the Maple Theater in Bloomfield Hills, 4135 Maple Road (west of Telegraph). For more info visit Themapletheatre.com or call 248-877-1000.This documentary investigates the effects of abortion over the last 40 years. Many well known prolife speakers are featured. If you would like to watch the trailer, go to www.the40film.com. Producer: Pro-Life Champions.

On Tuesday, March 25th, the Feast of the Annunciation, there will be a Mass, Chaplet and Rosary for the Unborn at St. Faustina Church in Warren (Formerly St. Edmunds). The Rosary begins at 6:30 P.M., the Mass at 7:00 P.M. and the Chaplet will be recited after the Mass. Info: Sarah Lonardo at helpersmi@gmail.com.

40 Days For Life News:

253 communities across North America and around the world began 40 Days For Life 2014 Spring Campaigns on Ash Wednesday, March 5th and will conclude on Palm Sunday, April 13th. 40 Days for Life (40 DFL) is a focused pro-life campaign with a vision to access God’s power through prayer, fasting, and peaceful vigil to end abortion.

Ann Arbor: We are again holding a prayer vigil at the Ann Arbor Planned Parenthood Facility, 3100 Professional Drive. To sign up for an hour of prayer at Planned Parenthood, please go to: http://40daysforlife.com/annarbor.html.   For add’l info contact Campaign Director, Kate Astrakhan at kateastrakhan@gmail.com or 734-249-4944. LIKE us on FB:  www.facebook.com/40daysforlifeannarbor    International website: http://www.40daysforlife.com/

Ann Arbor: Please join us, Saturday, March 29^th at 11:30 am at Planned Parenthood, 3100 Professional Drive, Ann Arbor for Byzantine Catholic Pro-Life Activism--Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God. For centuries, Eastern Christians, both Orthodox and Eastern Catholic, have prayed the Akathist Hymn to ask the intercession and protection of the Mother of God. Therefore, it is the perfect prayer to use for the purpose of asking for the Blessed Virgin's assistance in defeating the culture of death. FB Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1409424212653395/?notif_t=plan_user_invited.

Ann Arbor: Visit by Steve Karlen from National 40 Days for Life team on Wednesday, April 2^nd at 9:00 AM - Steve will be visiting all of the Michigan 40 DFL sites in a whirlwind tour of our state.  Steve was instrumental in having abortions stopped at a Wisconsin hospital and is now on the National 40 DFL team. Come and hear Steve’s inspiring stories.

Southfield: The Spring/Lent 2014 40 Days for Life campaign at Womancare of Southfield, starts March 5 (Ash Wednesday) and ends at 4 p.m. on April 13 (Palm Sunday).  We are emphasizing the Fasting aspects along with the Prayer at the vigil site (and elsewhere).

Our Lady of Czestochowa - the Black Madonna, coming to Michigan locations:

-March 25 – SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, MI
-March 26 – SS. Peter and Paul Church (West Side) in Detroit, MI
-March 27 – Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Lapeer, MI
-March 28 – Our Lady of Czestochowa Church in Sterling Heights, MI
-March 29-30 – St. Isidore’s Church in Grand Rapids, MI
-March 31 – St. Mary’s Cathedral in Lansing, MI

The Black Madonna has been traveling the world since 2012 defending LIFE and for the pro-life movement. More details will be coming! Learn more at the Ocean To Ocean Campaign In Defense of Life at http://www.hli.org/hli_campaigns/ocean-ocean-pilgrimage/

Pregnancy Helpline Annual Celebration of Life will take place April 3, at 6:30PM. Nationally renowned speaker and former abortionist Dr. Levatino and his wife Ceil will keynote the annual Pregnancy Helpline Celebration of Life fund and awareness raising celebration. The event will also feature our famous Appetizer & Dessert Buffet, Baskets for Life Challenge, Silent Auction, a client testimony, great music, and more! Where:  The Brighton Church of the Nazarene - 7669 Brighton Rd, Brighton. Cost:  $20 each - groups of 10 or more $18 each. Pastors and a guest Free!

RLM Annual High School Oratory Contest, sponsored by Washtenaw & Western Wayne County RTL, will take place on Saturday, April 5^th at Domino's Farms, EBA Cafe (lobby H, lower level). Obtain application, promotional flyer, rules & regulations go to: http://www.rtl.org/faith_school/oratory/oratorycontest.html. Or contact Karen Walacavage at (734)930-7474 or email:kwalacavage@rtl.org.

On Thursday, April 10th, the Knights of Columbus Michigan State Council will be hosting the 36th Annual Respect Life Dinner to benefit the Right to Life of Michigan Educational Fund. This year our special guest speaker is Chris Godfrey, Life Athletes Founder and President.  The Burton Manor in Livonia is located at 27777 Schoolcraft 48150. Social hour begins at 6:00 pm, dinner at 7:00 pm. Register on line at http://rtl.org/events/kofc/respectlife.html. For more details contact www.rtl.org or respectlife@rtl.org or (248) 371-0466. RSVP by Friday, March 28^th.

Save the Date: Come join Madonna University’s Respect Life Group for a Pro-Life Youth Conference “Save the Storks” on Saturday, April 12^th from 10-3:00 p.m. This is open to all high school students, college students and young adults. The cost is $15.00 per person ($10.00 Madonna University students). Please contact the Educational Center for Life, at 248-816-8489 or to go to www.edcenterforlife.org. Registration begins on February 3^rd. Location: Franciscan Center, 36600 Schoolcraft Rd, Livonia 48150.

Good Friday “Way of the Cross” at Planned Parenthood in Ann Arbor

Please join us for The Way of the Cross for Victims of Abortion, on Good Friday, April 18th at 10:00 am at Planned Parenthood, 3100 Professional Drive in Ann Arbor. Through His Holy Passion, Our Lord united Himself with all the victims of suffering in this life. None suffer more innocently than children in the womb whose lives are taken by abortion. None suffer more deeply than their mothers, who carry such a burden of guilt and shame. On Good Friday we remember all the victims of abortion—the children lost, the mothers wounded, the communities blighted—in a solemn, ecumenical prayer service. More info: Call or email Sandie Weathers at 734-434-8447 or prolifeactionnetwork@gmail.com.

Right to Life – LIFESPAN’s Annual “Celebrate Life” Dinner will be on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, at the San Marino Club in Troy.  Doors open at 5:45 p.m. with dinner at 7:15 p.m.  There will be a Silent Auction and “Tin Can Raffle”.  Cost is $25.00 per person for 21 years old and younger, $50.00 per person for over 21 years old.  The keynote speaker is Ryan Bomberger, Radiance Foundation CEO.  Ryan’s mother was raped, yet she courageously chose to give him Life.  He was adopted as a baby and grew up in a loving, multi-racial Christian family of 15.  With siblings of varying ethnicities, he grew up with a great appreciation for diversity.  Ten of the 13 children were adopted in this remarkable family.  His life defies the myth of the “unwanted” child as he was adopted, loved and has flourished.  He and his wife, Bethany, have four adopted children.  The Radiance Foundation has made an unexpected impact on the Pro-Life Movement with the bold TooManyAborted.com billboard/web campaigns.  Please call 248-816-1546 or e-mail oakmac@rtl-lifespan.org for further details about the dinner.  Reservations are required in advance.

Right to Life of Michigan Educational Fund is hosting a Youth Infographic Contest for high school and college-aged Michigan youth. Prolife youth from Michigan ages 13 to 22 as of July 1, 2014, can create and submit an original infographic, and contest finalists will have their works shared on the RLM FB page and judged by a public vote to determine the winners. An infographic is a graphic or visual representation of information, data or knowledge intended to present complex information quickly and clearly. Contestants will be split into two divisions, 13-17 and 18-22 with a first division prize of $300 and second division prize of $500. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, July 1, 2014. For info and application go to: .http://www.rtl.org/faith_school/infographiccontest.html

  

Family Life Services is in need of maternity clothing in all sizes and 3T-6 boys/girls clothing. If you have these items (new or gently used) and would like to donate them to a family in need, please drop them off at the center during our open hours. Tax receipts are available. FLS is located at 2950 Packard Road in Ypsilanti. Info contact Emily at (734) 434-3088.

To be added to the Prolife Action Network email group and receive updates for Life Chain,

Local Pro-Life Events and Religious Liberty Issues and Events

and to submit info on a Pro-Life event:

Contact Sandie Weathers prolifeactionnetwork@gmail.com or

Marilyn Geyer at 734-973-2422 or mgeyer@provide.net

 Visit us on Facebook: Prolife Action Network