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 #112, July 7, 2009
posted by Julie Grimstad
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Dear Members and Friends,
This 4th of July weekend found me reflecting on the glory days of our nation, when we truly were "one nation under God," striving for "liberty and justice for all." To spell out the betrayals of that legacy in this letter would be "preaching to the choir," so I will not indulge myself. We cannot go back. We must go forward with hope and courage. We can and must persevere in prayer for God's protection and blessings on our nation; for an end to abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, embryonic stem cell research, and all other murderous acts; for religious freedom and the consequent protection of conscience rights; for church and government leaders; and the list goes on.
Last month, our e-letter dealt with contraception, noting the anniversary of Griswold v. Connecticut, the 1965 U.S. Supreme Court decision which overturned the CT law prohibiting the sale and distribution of birth control drugs and devices. In order to gain a deeper understanding of this critical subject, I encourage you to read Contraception and Catholic Denial, the excellent article attached to this e-letter. Its author, Thomas Reynolds, teaches theology in the Diaconate Formation Program and presents the Pre-Cana Program - Theology of the Body - for the Archdiocese of New York. Tom is a friend of LWL and subscriber to our e-letter.
Next, an article By Phil Lawler in the latest Catholic Culture e-newsletter seems providential because, for several months, I have been contemplating revisiting a key bioethical issue -- "brain death." Dead or Alive: 'Brain Death,' the Vulnerable, and the Slippery Slope is a must-read. Simply click on this link:
That's all for now. There will be no e-letter in August. I'm taking the rest of the summer off in order to get ready for our move to Texas in September. If you need to reach me for any reason, my cell phone number is 715-340-4308.
In the Sacred Heart,
Julie Grimstad
Executive Director