"The Audacity of Life"
Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood once said that "the most merciful thing that a large family does to one of its infant members is to kill it." Unfortunately for the founder of Planned Parenthood, such a perverse mercy was never awarded to me. Unfortunately for the founder of our country’s only government
approved genocide provider, I have a say.
As the fourth of eleven children born to a loving mother and a dedicated father, my life was not as lavish and filled with the bells and whistles that many Americans expect; however, my life was filled with joy and happiness that many Americans do not understand. I never had a new Nintendo with which I could play the newest video games. I had my brothers, with whom I could play a wide array of games in our backyard. I never owned a pair of Air Jordan’s to wear during my basketball games. I had my older brother’s shoes which helped me to learn that it is not the equipment that you use that makes you successful. I could type until my fingers bleed about how my parents’ love of each other and of God have made my life better in spite of any inference that could be made by Planned Parenthood’s founder Margaret Sanger, but honestly, I do not have the interest, time or mental dullness to debate the joy and love that I have experienced in my life against the misguided ideologies of a racist, bigoted old bat.
My parents said yes to life. My voice, my say is in tribute to their sacrifice and out of respect and understanding for the temporal hardships that they may have endured to raise me as a man. I will use
my say to demonstrate, support and carry on the love and wisdom shown by my parents in their acceptance of life. I will have children, and if I am able to pass along 10 percent of the lessons and faith that my
parents have passed onto me, then my children and their children will continue to testify to the love that is life.
I would like to thank my mother and my father for understanding the role of parents in a world that is led by those that would seek to corrupt and belittle the selfless efforts of my parents. I have a say because my parents had the courage to choose life. I enjoy my say because my parents chose life again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again.
A collection of voices expressing thanks that their parents chose life and are thus able to stand up and say "I have a say!!"
I Have A Say Thanks to My Mom and Dad!!!
Being the oldest of 11, I am so thankful, especially now, for my Mom and Dad saying "yes" to life! Growing up, we never had a ton of money. My Dad was a high school chemistry teacher and my parents decided from the beginning that they wanted to have one of them home with us. My mom gave up her teaching career, and raised me, followed by 10 others! My Mom also taught all 11 of us at home for part of our childhood before we would head off to Nativity Catholic Grade School. My Dad worked long hours, eventually earning other degrees so that he could first become dean, then principal, and finally, when I was a sophomore, he was named Roncalli High School's first president. My Dad and Mom both sacrificed SO MUCH for us.
I remember, even as a young person, getting stared at by people, and I remember the comments they would make. I can still hear a dental receptionist asking my Mom "Are these all yours? You know how children are made right?" followed by a real insidious but ditzy chuckle, followed by a secretarial gum crackle. My Mom and Dad were always tight budget wise, and I'm sure at times ached with a desire to not have to take bags of clothes from other families so that we could have clothes. I'm sure my Mom and Dad had desires to simply go to Nordstrom and buy us and give us all our own new clothes and Gameboys and Reebok Pumps etc. I'm sure they at times really wished they could just get a new car and not have to drive a fifteen passenger van around. I'm sure at times they wanted really badly to just go to a restaurant and sit back and enjoy a big expensive meal instead of having to cut coupons and craft together economic meals on the stove.
But they chose life for us, and they chose sacrifice for themselves.
I often think about that ditzy secretary now when our family gets together almost every weekend for dinner to laugh and hang out. Some of the siblings might be out of town or busy with other obligations, but inevitably, all weekend long, every weekend, our family gets together. Sometimes, when we're out at a restaraunt, I see the couples who are alone with each other. They hardly talk to each other and the loneliness is palpable. A part of me feels bad that we're having so much fun with our 8 tables shoved together, telling stories, laughing good hearty and healthy laughs. Sometimes I wonder if one of the couples sitting in the restaurant quietly and solemnly is that dental secretary - who now has piles of money and can eat wherever she wants, but doesn't have hardly anyone to share it with. My heart breaks for the people who are alone, especially the ones who are alone because, when they could have been having children, they instead bought into the contraception lie and lived for themselves only.
I have a say today, and so do my ten younger brothers and sisters, because my parents chose life. Mom and Dad - thanks a million!!!
I remember, even as a young person, getting stared at by people, and I remember the comments they would make. I can still hear a dental receptionist asking my Mom "Are these all yours? You know how children are made right?" followed by a real insidious but ditzy chuckle, followed by a secretarial gum crackle. My Mom and Dad were always tight budget wise, and I'm sure at times ached with a desire to not have to take bags of clothes from other families so that we could have clothes. I'm sure my Mom and Dad had desires to simply go to Nordstrom and buy us and give us all our own new clothes and Gameboys and Reebok Pumps etc. I'm sure they at times really wished they could just get a new car and not have to drive a fifteen passenger van around. I'm sure at times they wanted really badly to just go to a restaurant and sit back and enjoy a big expensive meal instead of having to cut coupons and craft together economic meals on the stove.
But they chose life for us, and they chose sacrifice for themselves.
I often think about that ditzy secretary now when our family gets together almost every weekend for dinner to laugh and hang out. Some of the siblings might be out of town or busy with other obligations, but inevitably, all weekend long, every weekend, our family gets together. Sometimes, when we're out at a restaraunt, I see the couples who are alone with each other. They hardly talk to each other and the loneliness is palpable. A part of me feels bad that we're having so much fun with our 8 tables shoved together, telling stories, laughing good hearty and healthy laughs. Sometimes I wonder if one of the couples sitting in the restaurant quietly and solemnly is that dental secretary - who now has piles of money and can eat wherever she wants, but doesn't have hardly anyone to share it with. My heart breaks for the people who are alone, especially the ones who are alone because, when they could have been having children, they instead bought into the contraception lie and lived for themselves only.
I have a say today, and so do my ten younger brothers and sisters, because my parents chose life. Mom and Dad - thanks a million!!!
Dear Father John,
ReplyDeleteI am a catholic who has not been in a church in over 30 years. Primarily, because I felt like the church didn't stand for anything. It would tolerate any and all who had money to put in the collection plate. I'll agree one should "love the sinner, but hate the sin", but even I had my standards. I only hope that your message is supported by others in the Catholic Church hierarchy, although I have a feeling that you'll find yourself alone and alienated by the final curtain call. I could easily find myself extremely active in the Church if my cynnicism was proven unfounded regarding the Catholic Church. I also sincerely believe that I'm not alone with this feeling. I must admit, I watched your "I have a say" missive and was truely inspired. This is the first time I've felt engaged enough to comment on any internet site although do read alot of content. May you not be a lone voice in the Catholic church on this matter. I am aware of the recent actions by the Bishops on the Obamacare mandates although they once again became quickly quelled by his end around in regards to their concerns. Yes, their reluctance to continue the mission supports my cynicism with regards to the Catholic Church. Fight the good fight Padre, and thanks for at least this moment of inspiration.
-SDragon, Connecticut
SCragon, he is not alone. We have many priests in our area who are engaged. Many pray outside of PP, too. I am Catholic and I fight every day. My oldest son started a pro-life student group and they go and pray at the PP clinics. He also (He was elected at the age of 16!) seves on the board of Room at the Inn of the Carolinas -- a maternity home for homeless pregnant women and their children (they acept women who have previous children). Just wanted to let you know there are Catholics out here fighting the Culture of Death.
DeleteSCragon, like Pattie said, Father Hollowell isnt alone!! I am an 18 year old young Catholic male who has been fighting vigorously for the Catholic Church, and the Bishops havent given up the fight! They are continuing to push this issue until this disease no longer affects our freedom of religion. I'm sorry to say that you never felt that the Catholic Church stuck up for anything, but as lay people we have voices too, and must use them! I'm only 18 years old, but i use mine loud and clear to protect the Catholic faith that i love so much! The Church truly needs more of its Catholics to take up the standard in this fight, and i encourage you to do so! Every voice counts!!! God Bless
DeleteI came accross your video online and I am absolutely amazed that you have openly challenged planned parenthood. GOOD FOR YOU!!!!! I am not a Catholic but I am a brother in Christ. I have been blessed to marry a wonderful woman who was adopted in 1973. We have attended Pro Life rallys and marches here in Nashville, TN which are largely sponsored by the Catholic Church and TN Right to Life. I applaud you Sir for your convictions and dedication to the teaching and morality of our Lord and Savior. Please know that you have a very large support base in the Protestant congregations, and that we stand with you for the lives of our children. If anyone in Tennessee is reading this please look into and support TN Right to Life and buy a CHOOSE LIFE license plate for your vehicles. This license plate infuriates planned parenthood and the aclu. May you be blessed with courage and boldness and authority Sir.
ReplyDeleteFather John, I'm an evangelical believer, and I was very excited to see your "I have a say" video. I have been praying for my Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ in regards to the recent attack on the Catholic church by the federal government. I will continue to pray for blessing upon you and your efforts to stand up publicly regarding the matter with the government, as well as the issue of abortion in general. Be encouraged and be bold as you continue your efforts!
ReplyDeleteJohn T – Nashville
John,
DeleteWill do. All followers of Christ stand at a crossroads and it is time to decide if we'll stay passive or stand up for what we believe in!
I have been battling Planned Parenthood and the culture of death for years in my blog, online forums, in letters to the editor of our local newspaper, and in conversations with others. I embedded your video on my own blog and I pray that your passion for life may touch others. Thank you for speaking out and doing so strongly.
ReplyDeleteKelly
http://catholicponderings.blogspot.com/
Kelly,
DeleteKeep up the good work!
The tenth ammendment of the constitution exists so that unconstitutional laws can be nullified by each state. Large groups can influence their state legislatures to make null any federal ukase that strays beyond constitutional bounds. Tom Woods (Catholic) is the go to guy on this - http://www.tomwoods.com/
ReplyDeleteEven atheists should have a problem having to pay for somebody else's birth control, which makes the tent bigger. This is not just an attack on Catholics - the federal gov't has placed a gun to everyone's head to make us pay for this. This is freedom? This is what tyranny looks like, folks.
Sir, I am a member of a Presbyterian church, with, ironically, a non-calvinistic theology. I am a member of this church because of that little passage in 1 Corinthians 1:10-17. We can, and should, work together! You have our support sir! May the Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ, bless your work!
ReplyDelete