Under the guise of Women’s Health Care, the Governor of New York State and his backers in the State Senate and Assembly are fostering a war on the unborn which is a straight path to infanticide.  Besides permitting abortion up to the time of birth, and hiding decisions of the young from their parents, the Cuomo-driven legislation would allow people who are not doctors to commit abortions. 

Candidate for President 2016
Legislative Gosnell?

Dismembered Babies

This is being written the day after Kermit Gosnell was found guilty of murder.  The horror stories of dismembered unborn, nearly born and actually born babies have filled the news.  Even people who say they support abortion are scandalized and horrified at what Gosnell has been found guilty of perpetrating.  He clearly has blood on his hands, but what the NYS Governor, Senate and Assembly intend to do, with ink on their hands, may not be all that much different.  If the atrocity is committed with surgical instruments or with death-driven laws, isn’t the result the same?   If Gosnell had perpetrated his horrors in NYS next year, would he be “not guilty?”  Has destroying the unborn become the new rite of passage to the White House?

Why?

The big mystery is why so many politicians are standing in line to dip their hands in Cuomo’s ink, and to share his guilt, and why so many lack the courage to “just say no!”

If you have written an editorial or letter to the editor in favor of LIFE, opposing Gov. Cuomo’s expansion of abortion in all its horrificc forms, please scan and send a copy to info@FestivalforFreedom.com for the possibility to include on this website.  Similarly, if you have pictures of an exhibit at your church or in the public square which opposes the Cuomo expansion of abortion, please send us those pictures to publish.  Thank you.

Today we present the nominee, Dr. Rhonda Jones, whose Guest Essay was reprinted in the Daily Messenger newspaper in Canandaigua, NY. 

Hundreds of people answered the call to go to Albany on April 15, 2013 to protest to NYS legislators and the governor their sickening proposals to expand abortion, including virtual infanticide.  In our tiny corner of the state, buses picked up along the Thruway route, and others from the Southern Tier also headed up to Albany.  Prayers were offered in the Cathedral in Albany, led by Deacon Claude Lester using the Stations of the Cross, meetings were held with politicians,  and then a Vigil demonstration was held before participants left and returned home.  Those not able to attend still offered their prayers wherever they were.

The following pictures have been offered to us by Joe O’Mara (Steelers ‘Gold’ in the picture below) to share with our viewers:

Sadly, on the return home, news reached the buses of the terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon.  The message of how all life is precious was again reinforced.  Whether life is taken by the government through its premeditated laws, or by terrorists in a public gathering, it is still an egregious offense against life and its Creator.  Let us pray.

People from all over NYS will be heading to Albany on Monday, April 15th for a CandleLight Vigil for Life to send an important message to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and others who

• so devalue life that they are willing to extend abortion right up to the time of delivery!  
• are so lacking in respect for the mother carrying the child that they are willing to let any old “health care provider” do the dirty work (as more doctors, remembering their oath, decline to do so.)  
• who are so disrespectful of parental rights that children who can’t go on a school bustrip without parental permission can nevertheless have an abortion without a parent’s knowledge! 
• And who willingly undermine the conscience rights of everyone and erode the very meaning of the Bill of Rights!

Welcome to NYS under Andrew Cuomo,

Abortion Capital of the U.S. 

Soon be the Infanticide Capital as well?

What to do?  Stand up and be heard!  Buses will be leaving in the morning from various points in the 12-county Rochester Diocese on April 15th, and returning that evening.  Cost is $25 for adults, $15 for students.  There will be an opportunity at about 2:30 PM to visit with legislators, to get a bite to eat (bring your own food, or pick something up on a Thruway stop), then to attend the Vigil and pray.  Names of petitioners opposing the threatening legislation will be delivered to show the widespread resistance to the Cuomo catastrophe.

To make arrangements, contact Deacon Claude Lester at Albanyvigil@dor.org or by phone at 585-750-7524.   All reservations must be accompanied by payment.  Visa and Mastercard will be accepted.  Checks may be sent to Festival for Freedom, PO Box 196, Canandaigua, NY 14424.  Call also if you are carpooling and wish to coordinate plans.  All reservations must be made and monies received by Thursday, April 11, 2013.  See also http://www.nyscatholic.org/ and www.newyorkersforlife.org for additional information.

It is better to light one candle at the Albany Vigil

than to curse the darkness when the lights of life go out.

The reason that God gave us Freedom of Religion and the reason the State (Nation) is supposed to protect it is so that we can exercise that Freedom on behalf of our Creator, as He calls us to do.  And nowhere do we show more faithful exercise than when we speak out and act on behalf of the weakest and most vulnerable.  But no one is more vulnerable and weak than the infant in the womb.  When the governor of a state (or the president of a country) threatens to enact more laws that will further lead to destruction of the most vulnerable human beings, it will not be surprising to see future legislation extended to such abominations as infanticide up to 2 years old, forced abortions especially of ‘less than perfect’ humans, forced euthanasia, refusal of necessary medical treatment to avoid premature death, and worse.  

Thus,  the quicker people stand together in opposition to atrocities, the more likely they can postpone or never have to deal with the next atrocity bound to come, when people do not resist.  And, make no mistake, anyone who can permit the killing of a baby in the womb most assuredly is capable of doing much worse.

We do not stand alone in the Body of Christ, we stand together.  And there is no place for toleration of intrinsic evils, or for permitting Cuomo’s pending legislation to destroy life, variously called S-438, RHA (Reproductive Health Act) or Women’s Health Act.  Health is not about killing; it is about saving and protecting life.  There are 879 people, who attend St. Benedict’s Parish (St. Mary Canandaigua and St. Bridget Bloomfield), who had the courage to stand together and say “NO!” to Gov. Cuomo.  Here is a picture of what their “NO!” looks like:

Each person signed a peition in the format commonly required in New York State; i.e with addresses.  

In addition to the paper petitions,   their names were also transferred to the signage shown in Church.

It  shows how the Body of Christ can stand together, encouraging each other, rather than feeling alone or uncertain how to proceed. 

   It is a powerful statement of spiritual solidarity. 

Now, dare we dream, that every Church might do the same?

On April 15th there will be a procession to Albany to register our “NO!” and to pray for life. 

Watch this website for more information.  Meanwhile it is not too early to begin to gather signatures. 

The wording on the petition is shown in the box to the left.

It is not about us.

It is about God’s weakest and most vulnerable.

879 and Counting…

…on YOU!