Civil Union Advocates, Opponents Gather

Bishop Larry Silva Addresses the Catholic Faithful on HB444

U.S. Bishops Call on Parishes to Help Stop Abortion Funding in Health Care Reform

From the Desk of Father Paul

This is from the Catholic Catechism:
#2270: Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his (her) existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person - among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life. "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you" (Jer.1:5; cf. Job 10:8-12; ps. 222:10-22). "My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made a secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth" (ps. 139:15).
#2271: Since the first century the Church was affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to moral law: "you shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish" (Didache 2:2 - the Didache is an ancient first century Christian document).

The 2010 legislative session will be opening before we realize it. Although we should rejoice in this beautiful Christmas Season, we must be ready to defend our religious beliefs, and yes, our religious rights, in the public forum. We already know that the phrase "separation of church and state" is NOT included in the Constitution and has only been used to intimidate Christians from speaking up. It is time now for us to learn how to take our society back from those who would destroy the standards and virtues that have built this great nation. In an article published by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, it states: "…responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation. As Catholics, we should be guided more by our moral convictions than by our attachment to a political party or interest group." Do we all need to run for office? No, but politicians are always looking ahead to the next election. We need to identify ourselves to them as constituents from their district WHO VOTE. They will hear us.

On November 20, 2009, a group of Christian leaders met to create what has now been called the "Manhattan Declaration." It is a document outlining the "fundamental truths about justice and the common good" that the authors feel are under assault in today's society. Specifically, they are: 1) the importance of protecting human life; 2) the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman; 3) the importance of freedom of religion and the right to exercise conscience in business or medical practice. Please "google" the Manhattan Declaration. Read what you find there and sign the petition if you are in agreement. It is one way to let our leaders know what you value.

Next week, I will make available a list of our senators and representatives. I will also provide you with a list of do's and don'ts that will help you to make the most effective contact with them. Along with exercising more and giving up smoking, please add getting more politically involved to your list of New Year's resolutions.

Gotta go boot up my hard drive! Aloha----

The end of the year is always a busy time. We will celebrate Thanksgiving soon, and not long behind that will be Christmas. As we establish priorities heading into the Advent Season, let's also consider that the legislature will begin its session around the middle of January. We must begin to pray for those who will make decisions regarding the ultimate gift, life itself. There is a growing resolve in Christians everywhere to step up for what we believe. It's only right that as Catholics we make our concerns known.

What exactly are we asked to do as Catholics? We are asked to work to 1) Ban federally-funded, mandated and unrestricted access to abortions;
2) Prevent the legalization of same-gender civil unions;
3) Prevent assisted suicide and euthanasia;
4) Protect freedom of conscience rights for health care workers and institutions;
5) Ensure access to health care for all, with a special concern for the poor;
6) Ban federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

Currently Hawaii law allows late-term and partial-birth abortions. A 13-year old girl can legally obtain an abortion without parental permission or notification.

On Tuesday, November 3, Sacred Heart parish on Wilder Ave. will be holding a "Culture of Life Catholic Action Seminar." The purpose is to help us to be more pro-active legislatively. More information will be available next Sunday. In the meantime, mark your calendars.

Our daughter has downloaded HB3200, the House version of the proposed new government health insurance program. She has also opened a Word Document to run simultaneously for note taking. Trust me when I tell you that there are stipulations in the bill that will change society as we know it. The trick is to read carefully.

I found a letter written by Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia and Chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, addressed to his representative in the House. He expressed concern over two fundamental issues concerning abortion: 1) The legislation delegates to the Secretary of Health and Human Services the power to make unlimited abortion a mandated benefit in the "public health insurance plan;" and 2) in order to get around the concept of direct federal funding for abortion, the committee created a "legal fiction," an imaginary separation between federal funding and abortion: Federal funds will subsidize the public plan, as well as private health plans that include abortion on demand; but anyone who purchases these plans is required to pay a premium out of his or her own pocket (specified in the Act to be at least $1.00 a month) to cover all abortions beyond those eligible for federal funds under the current amendment. So…..proponents of the bill will say that your premiums not federal taxpayer funds will support abortion. That's a little confusing, I know, but what we as Catholics have to realize is that the current administration is determined to make abortion available to a woman up until and even immediately after delivery if abortion efforts fail.

Regardless of your thoughts on the overall health bill, please contact your senators and representatives and remind them that you support life from conception to natural death and that YOU VOTE: Inouye, http://inouye.senate.gov; Akaka, http://akaka.senate.gov; Abercrombie,
http://www.house.gov/abercrombie; Hirono, http://hirono.house.gov.

Gotta go boot up my hard drive!

The new Life Issues Ministry met for the first time on Thursday night, July 30. Five people came, committed to the value of human life from conception to natural death. There are several others who indicated they were interested in joining the ministry but had conflicts that night. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, August 19, at 7:00 PM. Anyone who is interested in checking us out is free to attend.

All parishes throughout the diocese are encouraged to form a Life Issues Ministry. The current presidential administration has strong feelings that abortion should be made available freely and at federal expense. Late-term abortions, the most horrific of all, are considered a woman's right. The undelivered child, who at that point could often survive on his or her own, has no voice. We need to be that voice.

On the other side of life, we can see the stress of financial and care-taking worries getting in the way of allowing our elderly to live their lives to their natural end.

It's time for us to speak up as Catholics.

Life is Beautiful. Aloha------

Recently it was brought to my attention that the Hewlett Packard Foundation (Hewlett Packard Corporation makes computers, printers, etc.) has granted Planned Parenthood $8.3 million dollars to support their worldwide abortion efforts. International Planned Parenthood is the most powerful abortion provider in the world today and one of its stated goals is to crush the efforts of pro-life groups. Unfortunately I have an hp computer and an hp printer on my desk. Fortunately, however, the printer is broken and not worth getting fixed. You can bet that the next one I get will not be Hewlett Packard. Please join me in not buying hp products.
While I am on the subject of Pro-Life, I would like to get started in our Parish a "Respect Life" ministry. I have brought this up once before and received no inquiries. This is too important an issue to just ignore and we, as Catholics, should always be in the forefront in the battle against the degradation of human life. Please consider being part of this ministry and let me know as soon as possible. Mahalo!

"In Germany they came for the Communists, and I didn't
speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up
because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't
speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak
up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me, and by that time no one was
left to speak up."

Father Paul has asked over the last few weeks for people to commit to a "Right to Life" ministry. Several of you have indicated that you are interested. I would like to serve as coordinator of this group at least until we get organized. If you are interested, please call me (391-4884) or contact Laura at the church office (676-4700) or leave your name and number with Fr. Paul. This poem could be furthered: "They came for the unborn, and I didn't speak up because I had my life. They came for the weak, and I didn't speak up because I was strong. They came for the aged, and by that time I couldn't defend myself."

We must speak up for those who can't speak for themselves.

Gotta go boot up my hard drive.

Pray to our Mother for answers

If you are in conflict over a right to life issue, pray to our Blessed Mother for guidance and help. What better person to pray to for answers and guidance, than she who said "yes" to God when given a difficult and awesome choice. She put her complete trust in our Lord and chose life. The life that would bring "The Light" into the world.

Section 334 establishes a new “Office for Global Women’s Issues” headed by an ambassador-at-large in the Office of the Secretary of State. This legislation directs that this office coordinate and support efforts regarding “women’s empowerment” around the world.

On April 22, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified before the Foreign Affairs Committee that this administration “will protect the rights of women, including their rights to reproductive health care” including access to abortion.

Congressman Chris Smith offered an amendment to prevent this new office from promoting abortion around the world, but that amendment is not being allowed to come up for a vote.

Please contact your Representative today and ask that they vote against HR 2410.