Week in Review
Life Wins in 3 States; 7 States Pass Abortion Ballot Initiatives
According to several news outlets covering the 2024 US election results, it was sadly reported that seven out of the 10 states with abortion ballot measures passed by significant margins.
These seven states that voted in favor of destroying innocent human life were Maryland, Missouri, Arizona, Colorado, New York, Montana, and Nevada.
In Maryland, 74.1% of the total votes were in favor of enshrining abortion in its constitution, while only 25.9% voted against it. In Missouri, 51.9% of the 2,959,180 total votes said YES to removing Missouri’s restrictions on abortion and establishing abortion in its state constitution. Though Arizona is still counting votes, it along with Colorado and New York, also voted yes to establishing constitutional “rights” to abortion in these states, with similar percentage margins to one another. Montana saw 57.4% of votes in favor of its abortion rights amendment, which additionally will prohibit holding abortionists responsible for committing abortions. Lastly, Nevada voted 63.3% in favor of establishing a fundamental “right” to abortion until 24 weeks with exceptions past that gestational age.
However, pro-life Americans were able to stop abortion expansion in Florida, South Dakota, and Nebraska. In Florida, only 42.9% voted no on the “right to abortion” amendment, meaning the popular vote was in favor of the abortion amendment. However, because the measure needed 60% of the total votes to pass, Florida was unable to pass this abortion measure. More encouragingly, South Dakota voted against a constitutional right to abortion by 59.7%, and Nebraska voted in favor of an amendment by 55.3%, which prohibits abortion past the first trimester. Pro-lifers in Nebraska also voted against a counter-amendment which would have enshrined abortion as a “right” into the state’s constitution.
While we praise and thank God these three states were spared from enacting constitutional “rights” to abortion, the results from the other seven states serve as a reminder that pro-life Americans have much work to do. We know big money goes into the pro-abortion side, especially during election seasons. But God and His truth will prevail, and we will work overtime to help others see that.
Living the Golden Rule
What if everyone in the world lived according to the teaching that we should only do to others as we would have them do to us? Imagine the harmony, the love, and the compassion that would exist. Imagine the hatred that would dissolve. Logically, we know that this is unrealistic, but does that mean we shouldn’t even try?
Of course not! Nor does it mean that we shouldn’t teach our children this valuable lesson. Every person who lives according to this Golden Rule makes the world a better place. This is what God commands us—to use His teachings and His laws to create a society where all people are valued and respected.
And when we teach our children from the time they are small that others matter just as much as they do and that kindness and respect are integral, they will be more likely to live this as they grow.
As parents, grandparents, and teachers, we must reinforce this lesson every day. We must repeatedly teach that we treat others as we would like to be treated and that we should see others through God’s eyes. When we make it a habit of asking ourselves “Is this how Jesus would respond?” or “Would Christ be proud of my behaviors?” we learn to reflect on our actions before we make them.
Teaching young children this valuable lesson is the reason we created our newest lesson for first and second graders.
Entitled Living the Golden Rule, this lesson teaches young children to treat others as they would like to be treated. This is one of the earliest foundations of building a culture of life—where all people are respected and cherished. Our one-class lesson helps children see the importance of treating people with respect, of speaking kindly, and of performing acts of kindness for others. Additionally, it reminds students that all people are created in the image and likeness of God and that all deserve respect and love.
If kids don’t learn this valuable lesson, they find it much more difficult later to see the inherent dignity in others.
Living the Golden Rule is a beautiful lesson for little ones, and you can teach it at home, in a regular classroom, or in the CCE classroom.
This is one of the amazing aspects of the Culture of Life Studies Program. Our standalone lessons for kids in pre-K-12thgrade can be taught in all types of learning environments. Parents and teachers do not need to have a background in theology or in the subject matter. We provide all the learning materials and discussion questions and answers. Plus, we incorporate real-world scenarios and fun crafts/activities to reinforce the lesson. All lessons are age appropriate and include topics such as kindness to others, the uniqueness of the human person, human development, abortion, euthanasia, the sanctity of marriage, saints and pro-life heroes, our Blessed Mother, and more!
The lessons CLSP teaches are invaluable, and they are so necessary in our increasingly secular world. If we are to build a culture of life, we need everyone to play a role. Pro-life education starts in the home, and it never ceases.
ALL in the News
Hugh Brown’s work in the pro-life movement and his role as a high school football coach continue to make headlines. This week he was featured in a story from American Family News.
Susan Ciancio, editor of Celebrate Life Magazine and director of the Culture of Life Studies Program—ALL’s pre-K-12 pro-life education program—wrote an article about the rosary and CLSP’s latest Advent booklet. It was featured in Catholic World Report this week.
Twice a week, Judie’s commentaries are distributed to an expansive media list. The list contains over 100 media outlets such as Fox News, The Federalist, Breitbart, and The Daily Caller, among others. Judie’s commentaries are each featured on the front page of ALL.org.
Pro-Life Education
Culture of Life Studies Program
The Golden Rule and Love for Those Who Hurt Us introduces middle schoolers to the part of Jesus’ teaching from the Sermon on the Mount known as the Golden Rule. In this lesson, students will learn the importance of doing to others as they would have others do to them. Through discussion, examples from Jesus’ time, and real-life scenarios, students will develop both compassion and empathy in their dealings with family, friends, and those they may not like. ORDER HERE
ALL’s Education Materials
Why Do We Oppose Planned Parenthood? This eye-opening brochure provides the facts concerning objectives, such as advocating premarital “safe sex” for teens, the abortion solution, profiting at the expense of preborn babies, and reducing minority populations. SHOP NOW
Pro-Life Social Media
PRIEST’S HOMILY: You Cannot Be Catholic and Divorce Your Faith from Your Political Views
“He should know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” – James 5:20
This instruction from the letter of St. James ought to motivate priests and bishops into winning souls for Christ. Sadly, it often feels like clergy aren’t willing to win souls so much as to win favors from their flock. They don’t want to upset some people, they fear.
Fr. Joseph Morgan is not one of those priests. Fr. Morgan is a priest of the Fathers of Mercy, and his October 13 homily instructs his listeners on the evils inherent to specific parties and association, namely, the Democratic party. The below excerpt taken from his 17-minute homily explains the errors of modern Catholic thinking regarding the intersection of faith and politics.
“You CANNOT be a practicing Catholic and be part of the current democratic party”
— 👑💥 Serenity 💥👑 (@polishprincessh) October 28, 2024
Pastors, now is not the time to be neutral. When you say, “I don’t want to get political,” it’s like saying “I don’t want to take a stand for righteousness.” pic.twitter.com/Rn742Un3u6
Exactly right.
— MermaidMoose (@ann_wileyfamily) October 29, 2024
If we do not stand against evil, we are standing aside for it.
Finally a priest talking about it
— Cynthia Nielsen (@nie50974) October 29, 2024
This type of frank, moral honesty from the pulpit is refreshing. Well said, Father Joe.
— Anquiro (@Anquiroveritas) October 30, 2024
I wish more Catholic Priests would be this clear about the faith and morality
— Kitten (@kit3588) October 29, 2024
We need more brave priests.
— Tosca Austen (@ToscaAusten) October 30, 2024
