Respect Life Mass, Focus on Life Dinners, 40 Days for Life and more Respect life Events Scheduled this Fall
SAGINAW — There are a number of respect life events scheduled across the Diocese of Saginaw in the next few months, including prayer outside a local abortion clinic with the Most Rev. Joseph R.Cistone, Bishop of Saginaw. The events are listed below:
WHAT: Focus on Life Dinner with Mary Rathke - Arenac County Right to Life
WHEN: Monday, Sept. 8
WHERE: Knights of Columbus Hall, 263 S. Main St., Au Gres
As an adopted daughter whose birth mother had been raped, Mary shares that even after
such a horrible encounter, one can choose life and joy. Mary’s story includes her birth mother’s experience and how her adopted mother’s tragic past was restored through adoption. Mary is a pastoral intern and licensed minister at Bay Valley Christian Church. She speaks monthly at the Good Samaritan Rescue Mission Chapel and for the pro-life organization “Save the 1.” She is the vice president of Beacon of Hope Pregnancy Care Center’s Board of Directors and is the president of HELPeople INC., which is creating The Great Lakes Dream Center. Cost is $20 for a single reservation ($5 for students) and $160 for a table of eight. Those interested in more information may contact Gerry Reno at 989-846-9366 or arenacrtl@charter.net.
WHAT: Memorial Service for Aborted Children
WHEN: Noon on Saturday, Sept. 13
WHERE: Saginaw Knights of Columbus, 4840 Shattuck Rd., (near Center) Saginaw
A solemn vigil will be held to remember the victims of abortion and to pray for a final end to abortion during the National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children. More information is available by contacting Mrs. Ann Zazo at 989-790-4873.
WHAT: Prayer Service with Bishop Cistone as 40 Days For Life Begins
WHEN: 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 24
WHERE: Outside the Saginaw abortion clinic, 3141 S. Cabaret Trail, Saginaw
The Office of Christian Service's Respect Life Ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw has, once again, partnered with 40 Days for Life to pray for an end to abortion. 40 Days for Life is a nationwide, ecumenical, pro-life campaign that is focused on ending abortion in America through prayer and fasting, constant vigil and community outreach. On Wednesday, Sept. 24, the Most Rev. Joseph R. Cistone, Bishop of Saginaw, will join local efforts by praying outside the Saginaw abortion facility. The 40 Days for Life campaign is happening locally from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. from Sept. 24 to Nov. 2 outside of the Saginaw abortion clinic at 3141 S. Cabaret Trail, Saginaw. Those interested in participating in 40 Days for Life or who have questions about 40 Days for Life in Saginaw, may contact Sandy Buza at 989-754-0091. All are welcome.
WHAT: Focus on Life Dinner with Rebecca Kiessling - Midland County Right to Life
WHEN: Doors Open at 5:30 p.m., Dinner Program begins at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 30
WHERE: Midland Resort, Garden Room, 1500 W. Wackerly St., Midland
Midland County Right to Life Focus on Life Dinner will feature Rebecca Kiessling. Rebecca was conceived in rape and targeted for abortion. As a child of a brutal assault, she puts a face, a voice and a story to the issue of exceptions to abortion. She makes the case that all human life deserves protection. Cost is $45 for a single reservation and $320 for a table of eight. More information is available by contacting 989-835-2222.
WHAT: Focus on Life Dinner with Mary Rathke -Tuscola County Right to Life
WHEN: Doors Open at 6 p.m., Dinner Program begins at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 30
WHERE: Knights of Columbus Hall, 903 Ryan Rd., Caro
As an adopted daughter whose birth mother had been raped, Mary knows firsthand that even after a horrible encounter of rape one can choose life and joy. Mary’s story includes her birth mother’s experience and how her adopted mother’s tragic past was restored through adoption. Mary is a wife and mother of four, she volunteers as a counselor for a local crisis pregnancy center and
volunteers for a local homeless shelter in Bay City. More information is available by calling Tuscola County Right to Life at 989-872-3259
WHAT: March For Life Registration Starts Oct. 1, 2014
WHEN: March Takes Place from Jan. 21-24, 2015. Registration
WHERE: Washington, D.C.
A group from Saginaw will travel by bus to Washington, D.C. to raise awareness of the 55 million babies who have been aborted since the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion. The Most Rev. Joseph R. Cistone, Bishop of Saginaw, will be travelling with the group. The registration deadline is Friday, Dec. 5, 2014. Registration forms will be online at www.saginaw.org starting Oct. 1. The cost is $250. The group will celebrate Mass on the morning of Jan. 21 before departing for Washington, D.C. The Mass will take place at 8 a.m. at Holy Spirit Church at 1035 N. River Rd. in Saginaw. All are welcome at this Mass. More information is available by contacting local parish formation staff or by calling Sandy at 989-754-0091 or Mark at 989-797-6639.
WHAT: Respect Life Mass
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5
WHERE: Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption, 615 Hoyt Ave., Saginaw
Respect Life Sunday, Oct. 5, marks the 42nd anniversary of the Respect life educational program in the Diocese of Saginaw. The program was started by the Catholic bishops of the U.S. in October 1972. The Respect Life Mass allows an opportunity for the Church to focus on life issues. The Mass will be celebrated by the Rev. William Rutkowski, Vicar General for the Diocese of Saginaw.
WHAT: Focus on Life Dinner with Shauna Prewitt - Bay County Right to Life
WHEN: Doors Open at 5:30 p.m., Dinner Program begins at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday,
Oct. 8
WHERE: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 1 Wenonah Park Place, Bay City
Shauna Prewitt is an author, attorney, advocate and public speaker. While attending the University of Chicago, the course of Shauna’s life changed forever when she became a victim of sexual assault. Shauna soon thereafter learned that she was pregnant from her attack. After deciding to continue the pregnancy and raise her child, Shauna was shocked when her attacker sought custody of her baby girl. She was even more astonished when she learned that few legal protections exist to protect the women who become mothers as a result of a rape. Spurred by these events, Shauna made a commitment to do what she could to change custody laws around the nation. More information and tickets are available by calling 989- 895-8481.
WHAT: Focus on Life Dinner with Shauna Prewitt - Saginaw County Right to Life
WHEN: Doors Open at 5:30 p.m., Dinner Program begins at 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday,
Oct. 14
WHERE: Horizons Conference Center, 6200 State St., Saginaw
Shauna Prewitt is an author, attorney, advocate and public speaker. While attending the University of Chicago, the course of Shauna’s life changed forever when she became a victim of sexual assault. Shauna soon thereafter learned that she was pregnant from her attack. After deciding to continue the pregnancy and raise her child, Shauna was shocked when her attacker sought custody of her baby girl. She was even more astonished when she learned that few legal protections exist to protect the women who become mothers as a result of a rape. Spurred by these events, Shauna made a commitment to do what she could to change custody laws around the nation. More information is available by calling 989-799-4464
WHAT: Focus on Life Dinner with Randy Royston – Central Michigan Right to Life
WHEN: Doors Open at 6 p.m., Dinner Program begins at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 13
WHERE: Bucks Run Golf Club, 1559 S. Chippewa Rd., Mount Pleasant
Randy Royston has served as a development coordinator for Right to Life of Michigan since 1994. In this role, he helps affiliates with their benefit dinners and fund raising programs.
Randy is senior pastor at New Hope Community Church in Charlotte, Mich., and the author of a booklet “Getting Serious About God.” He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pastoral Studies from North Central University in Minneapolis, Minn. and has also attended the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, Missouri. Cost is $25 for a single reservation ($15 for students) and $180 for a table of eight.
WHAT: Focus on Life Dinner with Peter Brooks – Right to Life of Gladwin County
WHEN: Silent Auction at 5:30 p.m., Dinner Program begins at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23
WHERE: Knights of Columbus Hall, 751 S. M-18, Gladwin
A Michigan native, Peter Brooks’ radio career began in high school and he has worked at stations in Michigan, Ohio, and New Mexico. Currently, Peter is the station manager at Family Life Radio WUGN and is the co-host of the network’s Morning Show heard nationwide. Peter has been active in the pro-life movement, serving on Right to Life boards in Lansing and Albuquerque, N.M. More information is available by calling Madonna White at 989-426-8245. Cost is $15 for a single reservation and $80 for a table of six.
WHAT: Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat
WHEN: Nov. 21 to 23
WHERE: Saginaw
Rachel's Vineyard Ministries helps to rebuild hearts that have been broken by abortion. Through weekend retreats, women and men can find a supportive, non-judgmental environment to work through painful post-abortive emotions. Abortion Alternatives Information is a local facilitator for Rachel's Vineyard, helping to connect people with the support they need to heal and find hope for the future. The retreats and registration are strictly private. All inquiries will be answered confidentially. For additional information or to register, call Sandy at 989-754-0091.