A Pro-Life Apostolate of Good Shepherd Parish
Mission Statement: Life is a precious gift from God which we receive at the moment of conception. Each life has a purpose to bring glory to God. Love for Life’s mission is to pray, inform, and participate in the promoting of a culture of life.
Resources for all stages of life are listed below.
MEETINGS: Group will meet as needed at the Parish Center. Trying to find a better time for more parishioners to be involved. We are grateful the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart and the Feast Day of the Nativity of John the Baptist. Work continues as states needing to provide further laws protecting the unborn, and the increasing use of deadly abortion pills. Our focus remains with the morning Rosary to end abortion as well as the various life issues gathered into a monthly flyer for our parish bulletin and our commitment to praying the 40 Days for Life Rosary, Sept.-Nov. (2024 was our 11th year). Members have attended off-island gatherings with other pro-life groups including Massachusetts Citizens for Life, the annual March for Life in January in Washington, DC, and the Respect Life Walk in Boston.
OUTREACH: Our previous outreach efforts included an annual Gifts for Babies in Jesus’ Name, held in conjunction with Epiphany Sunday in January, which is a collection drive of maternity and baby clothes, along with other baby items and monetary donations supporting Birthright of Falmouth; we have sold generously donated yard sale items, with proceeds to support the Sisters of Life, and to help women’s pregnancy centers, including the purchase of an ultrasound machine by Abundant Hope in Attleboro; and we hosted a showing of the pro-life movie Unplanned, Nov. 16th, 2019. The group annually holds a 40 Days for Life prayer campaign beginning near the end of September and we previously have welcomed visitors to St. Elizabeth Church during the annual Christmas in Edgartown festivities. There are various brochures in the racks by the front door of the churches.
We are a people of life! For more information contact Donna Gazaille: dagazaille@comcast.net or 508-454-8284; or Sue Pagliccia sue@goodshepherdmv.com or 508-693-0342.
+ + + + + + +
2024 was our eleventh year praying with 40 Days! That’s 440 Rosaries! Held annually end of Sept-beginning of Nov. Join with us in prayer M-F following morning Mass from 8:30-9:00 am, at St. Elizabeth Church, EDG and/or weekends at St. Augustine’s chapel following the Sat. 4 pm and Sun. 9 am Masses. We join our hearts & voices with people in over 66 nations worldwide through prayer. We are so grateful for our prayer community!
41th Annual Christmas in Edgartown, 2022. Was held Dec. 8-11th, 2022. We were unable to participate this year but St. Elizabeth’s Church was again open to visitors. 
Thanks to those pre-covid who visited St. Elizabeth’s Church in 2019 on Fri. 12/13 from 3-5 pm, or Sat. 12/14 from 10 am- 3 pm as we welcomed you to leave a prayer intention, purchase stocking stuffer items or make a donation for our annual Gifts for Babies in Jesus’ Name. Also cancelled for Jan. 2023.
52nd annual March for Life will be held on January 24th. The 2025 theme “Life: Why We March” will encourage pro-life advocates to draw renewed energy for this challenging moment in the movement by reflecting on the basic truth that inspires the pro-life cause: every human life – including the unborn and their mothers – is beautiful, has unique dignity, and worthy of protection. “Life: Why We March” invites all Americans of goodwill to recognize and unite around this truth.
In the two years since the Dobbs decision, the pro-life community has fought the advancement of relentless and radical pro-abortion legislation at both the state and federal level; faced attempts to destroy and discredit pro-life pregnancy resource centers; and even battled deadly misinformation campaigns related to state pro-life protections – all which allow medical treatment to save the life of pregnant women.
+ + + + + + +
We have made donations to the Sisters of Life who visit the island during the summer, and to Abundant Hope Pregnancy Resource Center in Attleboro. Abundant Hope is a Christian pro-life ministry serving the Greater Attleboro, Southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod communities. Thank you for your financial support and prayers for women and couples who face an unplanned pregnancy.
Love for Life members Margaret Penicaud, Donna Gazaille, Sue Pagliccia, Jean Billingham and Angela Candreva with some of the Gifts for Babies in Jesus’ Name first collection drive.
Resources:
Natural Family Planning
The Catholic Church supports the methods of Natural Family Planning (NFP) because they respect God’s design for married love. In fact, NFP represents the only authentic approach to family planning available to husbands and wives because these methods can be used to both attempt or avoid pregnancy. When learning about NFP, it is important to know that:
Natural Family Planning is an umbrella term for certain methods used to achieve and avoid pregnancies. These methods are based on observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle. Couples using NFP to avoid pregnancy abstain from intercourse and genital contact during the fertile phase of the woman’s cycle. No drugs, devices, or surgical procedures are used to avoid pregnancy.
NFP reflects the dignity of the human person within the context of marriage and family life, promotes openness to life, and recognizes the value of the child. By respecting the love-giving and life-giving natures of marriage, NFP can enrich the bond between husband and wife. (Standards for Diocesan Natural Family Planning Ministry, p. 23)
Also, Christopher West writes in his book Good News About Sex and Marriage, “Contrary to popular belief, the Church does not oppose artificial birth control because it’s artificial. She opposes it because it’s contraceptive. Contraception is the choice by any means to impede the procreative potential of a given act of intercourse. Furthermore, the Church approves of NFP (when there is just reason to avoid pregnancy) not because it’s ‘natural’ as opposed to ‘artificial,’ but because it’s in no way contraceptive. NFP is not ‘natural contraception.’ It’s not contraception at all.”
For more information: USCCB on Natural Family Planning
or NFP website Natural Family Planning Intl
Birthright of Falmouth
320 Gifford St. – Homeport off Jones Rd. – Falmouth, MA 02540 – (508-457-0680)
Helpline (Toll Free) 1-800-550-4900
Birthright of Falmouth is dedicated to helping women with an unplanned pregnancy. Did you know if you or someone you know needs their help, Birthright will pick her and a friend up at the boat and return them too? Contact them at 508-457- 0680, http://birthright.org/en/landingpage/lp-falmouth. They are available 24/7 through their toll free hotline. It is their belief that, “It is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth, and the right of every child to be born.” They offer love, friendship, and support to women who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant. Birthright services are always free, non-judgmental and confidential. Birthright’s focus is on loving the mother, and reminding her that there is hope and ensuring she is not alone.
Adoption Information
Adoption by Choice: A Pregnancy Counseling and Adoption Program of Catholic Social Services of Fall River, Inc.
Adoption By Choice explores options that benefits everyone; birth parents, adoptive parents, and the child. Licensed counselors assist birth parents and adoptive families as they determine the degree of connection most comfortable for them and in the best interest of their child. They offer:
Confidential Pregnancy Counseling: Assists expectant parents and their families in the decision whether parenting or adoption is best for their child and for them. Today’s open adoption practices offer more flexibility and choice than in the past.
Placement of Child: If the choice is made for adoption, expectant parents select the family and are encouraged to meet and work together.
Post Birth Services: Parents are supported in raising their child or in developing a relationship with the adoptive family
Call or email: Phyllis Habib, MSW, LCSW, Program Coordinator: 508-674-4681, phabib@cssdioc.org
Offices in: Fall River, Tiverton, New Bedford, and Hyannis
+++++++
Adoptions With Love, Inc.
Adoptions With Love, Inc. is a private, non-profit, full-service, licensed domestic adoption agency. For 28 years we have been assisting expectant/birthparents to make loving and thoughtful adoption plans for their children. Adoptions With Love assists prospective adoptive parents build or expand their families. We would be honored to work with you.
Toll free and Confidential–Call 24/7: 1-800-722-7731 or Text 24/7: 1-617-777-0072
+++++++
National Council for Adoption, Washington, DC 202-328-1200
Pregnancy Resource Centers in MA
Abundant Hope Pregnancy Resource Center
182 East Street
Attleboro, MA 02703 Phone: 508-455-0425
Email: Director@ahprc.org
A Woman’s Concern
484 Highland Ave.
Fall River, MA 02720
Phone: 508-646-2665
Text: 781-629-9930
Email: info@learnyouroptionsnow.org
A Woman’s Concern
48 Camp St.
Hyannis, MA 02601
Phone: 508-790-0584
Text: 781-629-9930
Email: info@learnyouroptionsnow.org
Birthright
320 Gifford St.
Falmouth, MA 02540
Phone: 508-457-0680
Birthright
2 Acushnet Ave.
New Bedford, MA 02744
Phone: 508-996-6744
Birthright
78 Broadway
Taunton, MA 02780
Phone: 508-822-2921
Daybreak/Boston Center for Pregnancy Choices
101 Tremont St., Suite #514
Boston, MA, 02108
Phone: 617-742-9170
Post-Abortive Counseling Centers in MA
Project Rachel – Archdiocese of Boston
Phone: 508-651-3100
Project Rachel – Diocese of Fall River
Phone: 508-997-3300
Project Rachel – Diocese of Worcester
Phone: 508-791-HOPE
Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats – Diocese of Springfield
Phone: 413-452-1686
Compassion Ministries of Massachusetts
140 Pinkham Road
Sandwich, MA 02537
Phone: 508-888-7438
24 Hour Hotline 1-800-848-LOVE
Shelter Homes for Women in MA
Friends of the Unborn
P.O. Box 692246
Quincy, MA 02269-2246
Phone: 617-783-7903
Toll Free: 888-761-8538
Life Saver Ministries/My Father’s House
83 Middlesex St.
North Chelmsford, MA 01863
Phone: 978-251-8191
St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children
90 Cushing Ave.
Dorchester, MA 02125
Phone: 617-436-8600
Spring House
P.O. Box 112
Berlin, MA 01503
contact@springhouseberlin.org
Visitation House
119 Endicott St.
Worcester, MA
508-798-8002
The Later Years: End of Life/Healthcare Proxy
To live in a manner worthy of our human dignity, and to spend our final days on this earth in peace and comfort, surrounded by loved ones—that is the hope of each of us. In particular, Christian hope sees these final days as a time to prepare for our eternal destiny.
What the Church Teaches: Since God is the giver of life, only God has the right to take life. While we humans might have skill and/or desire to help others to end their lives, we do not have that right (Physician Assisted Suicide or Euthanasia).
We must act with care and compassion and protect people from pain and suffering, while at the same time allowing God’s grace to offer them opportunities we might otherwise deny them and God to experience opportunities unknown to us but of significance to these people we are caring for. In 1980 St. John Paul II wrote his Declaration on Euthanasia in which he stated that the church opposed mercy killing, but permitted the increased use of pain killers and a patient’s refusal of extraordinary means of sustaining life. Ordinary means are nutrition and hydration. Extraordinary is employing the many forms of advanced technology when the person has already reached the process of dying.
For a wealth of information check out the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops website, specifically: USCCB Life and Dignity, To Live Each Day and USCCB End of Life.
Healthcare Proxy
It is important for all people to have a Health Care Proxy. A document that designates a health care agent of your choice, usually a family member, who will make decisions on your behalf. It is important to choose a health care proxy who understands and shares your Catholic values.
You can go to www.macatholic.org to look at the Catholic Health Care Proxy. You may also obtain a copy at the Parish Center.
Other resources:
A Catholic Guide to End-of-Life Decisions (National Catholic Bioethics Center) www.ncbcenter.org
John Paul II: Dying with Dignity, by Rev. J. Daniel Mindling, O.F.M. Cap. www.usccb.org
Assisted Suicide: What is at Stake? Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, www.usccb.org
Caring for Others, Even Unto Death, Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, www.usccb.org
March for Life
January 22, 1973 is ingrained in the minds of pro-lifers because on that infamous historic day the Supreme Court invalidated 50 state laws and made abortion legal and available on demand throughout the United States in the now-infamous decisions in Roe v Wade and Doe v Bolton.
The March for Life in Washington, D.C., began as a small demonstration and rapidly grew to be the largest pro-life event in the world. The peaceful demonstration that has followed on this somber anniversary every year since 1973 is a witness to the truth concerning the greatest human rights violation of our time, legalized abortion on demand.
At the 40th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, we mourned the death in 2012 of Nellie Gray, the founder of the March for Life and the “Joan of Arc” of the pro-life movement. In October 1973, months after the Roe and Doe decisions, a group of thirty pro-life leaders gathered in Nellie’s home in Washington, D.C. to discuss how to commemorate the one-year anniversary of Roe. There was a fear that January 22 would pass as any other day rather than allow for a moment to reflect upon how legalized abortion had hurt women and taken babies’ lives over the course of the year. That was the day that plans for the first March for Life began.
Massachusetts Citizens for Life 
Mission Statement: In recognition of the fact that each human life is part of a continuum from conception to natural death, the mission of Massachusetts Citizens For Life, Inc. is to promote respect for human life and defend the right to life of all human beings, born and pre-born. We will influence public policy at the local, state and national levels through comprehensive educational, legislative, political and charitable activities.
http://masscitizensforlife.org/
Location: The Schrafft Center
529 Main Street, Suite 1M9
Boston, MA 02129
Phone: (617) 242-4199
Fax: (617) 242-4965
Rachel’s Vineyard Springfield, MA
Rachel’s Vineyard began after Dr. Theresa Burke discovered that most of the women in a support group she led had abortion trauma in their past. In 1986, she founded the Center for Post-Abortion Healing, which offered one of the first therapeutic support groups for post-abortive women.
Rachel’s Vineyard retreats began to spread across the country because of their dramatic effectiveness. In 1999 there were 18 retreats which has grown to over 1,000 retreats annually, held in 48 states and 57 countries, with many new sites in development. Describing the atmosphere at a retreat, Trista Littell, Assistant Director of the Office of Pro Life Apostolate for the Diocese of Lafayette, LA says, “We engage in a number of exercises which allow retreatants to examine their grief and experience God’s love and mercy, which can eventually lead to forgiveness of self and others. Nothing is ever forced on anyone at any time.”
Toll free 1-877-HOPE-4-ME
Contact: Judy Suddaby 413-452-0661 or Suzanne DeFriesse 203-417-0504
Silent No More, Lakeville, MA
Silent No More has four main goals: 1. Reach out to people hurt by abortion, encouraging them to attend abortion after-care programs. 2. Invite those who are ready to break the silence to join us in speaking the truth about abortion’s negative consequences and the hope found in healing. 3. Educate the public that abortion is harmful emotionally, physically and spiritually to women, men and families, so that it becomes unacceptable for anyone to recommend abortion as a ‘fix’ for a problem pregnancy. 4. Share our personal testimonies of hurt and healing to help others avoid the pain of abortion.
www.silentnomoreawarenesscampaign.org 
Contact: Edith Daniel 508-942-4461