We stand at a cultural crossroads, the intersection of the Culture of Life and the Culture of Death. At this critical juncture, the choices we make matter, now and forever. Therefore, the members of Life is Worth Living, a lay apostolate, have chosen to promote the Culture of Life.

Our mission is to strive to affirm -- in thought, word, and deed -- the infinite preciousness of human life; to encourage service to others rather than radical self-interest; and to promote a climate of public opinion that recognizes the right of all human beings to life, respect, compassionate care, appropriate medical treatment, and equality under the law.

 

E-Letter #105, June 23, 2008

posted by Julie Grimstad
Monday, June 23, 2008


Dear Members and Friends,
 
I hope that none of you have been adversely affected by the floods, tornadoes and other inclement weather much of the United States has been experiencing. One lesson we can learn from losses and suffering is that nothing is sure in this life except that everything which happens to us is the Providence of God. From Father Peyton's Rosary Prayer Book, here is a little meditation on The Nativity which sheds light on the meaning of Providence: "The courtyard was prosperously overcrowded, with room for more; but no room for Mary. The best that Joseph could do for her was a dark, damp, ill-smelling cave. Drama there was none; they were just cold and tired, and at peace. And in this 'God-forsaken place,' God was born. Some people call pleasant things 'providential.' Mary and Joseph thought everything was. Nothing is 'God-forsaken'; everything God-foreseen. A truth for me to live by!"
 
Providence has placed us, not in Bethlehem in the Year of Our Lord's Birth, but in the United States of America in the 21st century. Yet, as Mary and Joseph were, we are called to bring Jesus and His pro-life message into a dismal anti-life social climate. How? Through our prayers, our words and our actions. That is, in essence, the mission of Life is Worth Living, Inc.
 

In 2008, the Physician-Assisted Suicide (PAS) battle is fierce. This is one of the most crucial moral issues of our time.

 

In the U.S., PAS is legal only in Oregon. In the last 20 years, opposition coalitions have defeated numerous efforts to legalize it in other states. Nevertheless, PAS promoters are optimistically determined to win this year. See item #1 (the lone item this month) for more on PAS and what you can do to help defeat Initiative 1000 and educate the public.

 

Now, on to another topic. Darcy Bunn, a founding member of Life is Worth Living, sent an e-mail in April which brought an important life issue to our attention. She wrote: "I just finished a George Weigel book, Faith, Reason and the War Against Jihadism. Have you read it? What struck me about it, at least in regard to the mission of Life is Worth Living, is how much the jihad mentality is that of 'death.'  Death to the infidel, even if that means death to self in the process. Weigel makes it clear that he believes this is a war of ideas. Not only do we need to reach hearts in the Islam faith, but people of the US need to understand why we deserve to win this war, what our country stands forÂ… that we meant it when we declared the right to life. Life is Worth Living is in the business of praying, but also about educating people about life. Right? Especially in regards to the website revamp, could we have some material surrounding this issue?" 

 

If any of you would like to contribute your thoughts or suggest other sources of information to educate ourselves and others, please send them to me by replying to this e-mail.

 

Also, please check out our new website at www.lifeisworthliving.com. Darcy and Jason Bunn have given us a wonderful gift by setting up and maintaining our website. Now, we need to use it and tell others about it.

 

Have a beautiful summer!

 

In the Sacred Heart, 

Julie Grimstad

Executive Director

 

Item 1. "OREGON PLUS ONE"

 

Compassion & Choices (formerly the Hemlock Society), the U.S. organization leading efforts to legalize Physician-Assisted Suicide (PAS), has adopted the slogan "Oregon Plus One." PAS promoters are determined to legalize assisted suicide (which they call "aid-in-dying") in at least one more state in 2008. They are targeting Washington State in particular, hoping to place their "Death With Dignity Act," Initiative 1000, on November's ballot. The initiative would allow doctors to prescribe lethal drugs fpr patients who are predicted to have six months or less to live.

 

Initiative supporters have until July 4 to turn in 225,000 valid signatures to qualify for the November ballot. Initiative 1000's campaign manager is confident that they will achieve that goal. 

 

GET INVOLVED! Everyone who opposes PAS is vitally important in this battle. We can help defeat Initiative 1000. If we do nothing, we are part of the problem,

Pray, speak out against assisted suicide and give your financial support to fighting PAS. To find out what YOU CAN DO, visit the Washington Coalition Against Assisted Suicide website: http://www.noassistedsuicide.com/.

 

Tax deductible donations which will be used to educate people about Euthanasia and PAS may be sent to the International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, PO Box 760, Steubenville, OH 43952. For more information, visit the ITF website at http://www.internationaltaskforce.org/.

 
THE END
 
 

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