Kathy Myers: WHY SPEAKING FOR PHL IS SO IMPORTANT
Our youth need encouragement, re-enforcement and love.
Today's young people are constantly being bombarded with mixed messages. They instinctively know that it is really a 'baby' inside the womb. Many have seen the shows on the Discovery Health Channel like DELIVER ME, or BIRTH DAY. Some have their own sonogram picture in their baby book. Recent movies like JUNO and Bella are pro-life and popular.
However, Planned Parenthood, the media and the culture are doing their best to undermine our message. Because abortion is so prevalent, many have become de-sensitized to the issue.
Yet, I feel energized when I speak to various grade levels because most appear open to our information. They are inquisitive, courteous, and engaged. I share the effect that Roe vs. Wade has had on demographics, our economy, the elderly, the disabled, women's physical and emotional health - and they listen attentively.
When we speak in a kind, non-judgmental, informative way and present our fetal models, exquisite ultrasound pictures, DVD's, etc., they respond.
Who will get this point across if we don't? Students have not had their belief's 'etched in stone.' Just like the movers and shakers of the '60's, we too can be part of history by trying our best to close this ugly chapter. Please come and help us. Make a New Year's resolution to put PHL on your calendar 2-3 times a month for 2010. We can do this, one class at a time.
Victoria Naoe: COURAGE
Who would have thought that I would be sharing the story of how decisions I made thirty years ago have influenced my life.
I share my abortion testimony in senior high school and college classes. The students are very attentive, you can hear a pin drop. Some cry, some are aghast, some shake their heads in disbelief. It is vital that they understand the pain and anguish I suffered because of my three abortions. I want them to hear the other side of the story - one they will not hear in a Planned Parenthood clinic.
I am always nervous as I begin my story because it brings back such pain and sorrow. I want the students to understand that an abortion is the wrong decision. I hope they can see the shame and regret I experienced.
I was astounded by letters I receivedafter I had shared my testimony recently and I cried when I read them. They thought I was courageous, and that my story changed their mind about abortion. Some said they were moved and that I was a strong woman. I cannot believe that I made such an impact. I only know that it has been through the power of God that I am able to speak and share my story. God has given me the courage to be able to speak to students today.
I want to continue to share my testimony to anyone and everyone because it is such an important message. It is a message of hope and love. At the end of my story I tell everyone how I have been blessed by being forgiven. You see, the children I aborted were two boys and one girl, and God has blessed me with three grandchildren, two boys and a girl.
Marybeth T. Hagan: SPREADING THE WORD
A few years ago, if someone had suggested that someday I would be a pro-life apologist, write a book about abortion and become a PHL speaker, I would have smiled politely while thinking "I don't think so."
But life is full of surprises.
Pregnancy, one ultrasound and maternal loss through miscarriage made me think about the plight of the unborn and the pain of losing a child before birth. These life lessons forced me to focus on the issue of abortion from the perspective of both the unborn and women who find themselves suffering long-term effects after the quick fix of abortion.
During a return to Temple University to complete a bachelor's degree in journalism, I discovered my writer's voice and learned how to support my emotional responses to issues through research and reason. Although my published opinion pieces in newspapers like The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Philadelphia Daily News, and others covered many topics, the issue of abortion acted like a demanding child until I gave it my undivided attention.
All of the above led to the writing of the book Abortion: A Mother's Plea dor Maternity and the Unborn, a newly released Liguori/Triumph publication.
PHL's Director Martha Short invited me to become a speaker for the group after reading my book. Martha also encouraged me to join PHL'ers in their booth at the National Catholic Educator's Association convention in Philadelphia, and bring along copies of my book.
Attendees of the NCEA convention warmly welcomed both PHL's soft pretzels and life-affirming message, along with my book. And the knd folks who manned the PHL booth warmly welcomed me.
So this writer and mother of three counts herself lucky to be among those who plea for life verbally.
Speaking for PHL was something
I felt I wanted to do to promote
the pro-life cause. I didn't expect
to enjoy the experience as much
as I do. The simple, beautiful truth
that is PHL's message is generally
received with interest, questions
and -what is so gratifying to me-awe.
I wish I could describe the expressions
on the faces as the students watch
the development of the baby, or
listen to the heartbreaking stories
of the victims of abortion. There
may not be much verbalization or
discussion during some presentations,
but many times students will come
up to me after a presentation with
quiet thanks or enthusiastic, spontaneous
remarks about the beauty of life.
On the days I don't feel I have
the energy or sharpness to do a
good presentation, I am always thankful
that the combination of the Lord,
my real passion for the cause and
the powerful simplicity of the message
are all that is needed for a successful
presentation.
When I was 19 years old, I
was extremely shy and very afraid
to speak to people I did not know
well. I was so intimidated by the
confidence and the social skills
of my co-workers, that I would not
even compliment someone on a new
outfit or hairdo. But maturity brought
me confidence and conviction, and
at age 33, I volunteered to speak
for a church group on the gifts
of marriage. At age 49, I was compelled
to address audiences for my job,
and at 54, I began to speak as a
volunteer for PHL. That was one
year ago. I still get nervous before
each presentation, but I know that
I am communicating a powerful message
and that thought mitigates my fear.
The life message IS a powerful message:
The knowledge that life begins at
conception and ends at natural death,
and that no human being has the
right to terminate his/her own life
or the life of another; the recognition
that Life is a Gift! This is the
message that PHL has strived to
communicate since 1972.
During the past year, I have
given seven presentations in grade
schools and high schools. I am still
very green and new to this task.
The first time I give a presentation
on a specific level, I study the
material and write an outline. The
material is not yet a part of me.
But the belief that there is a need
to speak for life, has become a
part of me, and I want to share
this message.
The psyche of our beings needs
affirmation, and I do get that from
the students and teachers when I
visit schools. Sometimes I am planting
seeds; sometimes I am watering seeds
and sometimes I see the fruit of
the labors in others.
My regular job is extremely
demanding, requiring me to work
many nights and some weekends. One
advantage is the flexibility at
certain times of the month. I am
able to volunteer for PHL a few
hours one or two days each month,
although some months I cannot give
any time at all. Training, outlines,
and resource material are provided
for each level of presentation.
Won't you consider becoming a volunteer
speaker? The personal inner growth
is wonderful, and planting seeds
gives hope of the fruits that will
grow and feed others.
| Katie
and Pierce Keating:
|
Speaking for PHL has been a
most gratifying experience. Not
only do we feel like we are bringing
a much needed and much desired message
to the young people, the impact
it has made on our own children
has been invaluable. It's opened
the door for discussion for many
life issues in a non-threatening
and relaxed manner. Our children
are genuinely interested in the
response of the kids to whom we
speak, and our respective answers
to challenging questions. Without
intending to, we've set them up
for their own answers when confronted
with the life issues in their own
world. The facts surrounding abortion
remain unchanged no matter what
the setting, by sheer osmosis (being
exposed to the videos as we review
them at home, pamphlets left around
the house, precious hands and feet
pins) our own children, and thankfully
many of their friends have embraced
the culture of life with open arms.
There is an increasing array
of signs that we pro-lifers are
winning. The clearest of these signs
is that of the younger generation
taking moral stands on abortion,
chastity, and other sanctity of
life issues.
When we adults were kids we generally
believed what we were told and did
what we were told. Today's kids
don't do that. Faced with a blizzard
of confusing and conflicting moral
information from the secular media
on one side and their parents and
teachers on the other they have
no alternative but to think for
themselves. And they do! And they
come out not simply believing but
knowing right from wrong.
We PHL speakers can and do
take great satisfaction from knowing
we are an important part of that
thinking process. We are not just
another source for the facts these
young people think about. Unlike
the continuous messages from other
sources the PHL speaker represents
a kind of booster shot of pro-life
thinking material.
The end result of being a speaker
for PHL is not just the personal
but very real gratification of doing
something useful and welcomed but
also the recognition of being part
of a morality upgrading process
that is actually working.
