Take a few minutes to Contact your Representative and Senator before this week's final votes on the extreme abortion bill - The Pro Act

Urge your Senator to resist the throwaway culture and vote NO on the protect reproductive options act (S.F. 1 McEwen). It has already passed the MN House, and is heading to the Senate soon!

This bill goes farther than just "codifying Roe," and instead works to enshrine into law an abortion regime that disregards prenatal human life, even the life of a pre-born child whose heart is beating, who can feel pain, and who is viable outside the womb. 

Beyond abortion, the bill directs state courts to protect the “fundamental right” to reproductive freedom, regardless of the wisdom or ethics of those technologies or procedures. This element has gone unnoticed by many observers and legislators, but its impact could be enormous:

Likely outcomes:

• Minor children will be able to be sterilized without parental consent or notice
• Beyond what is already permissible, minors will be able to receive hormonal contraceptives, medical treatments, and sex-transition therapies without parental consent
• New lawsuits in the courts related to the scope of this fundamental right at the intersection of bioethics and new reproductive and fertility treatments
• Infringement on the conscience and religious liberty rights of individual and institutional medical providers who do not wish to provide these treatments

Potential outcomes:

• Taxpayer-funded reproductive healthcare for low-income persons
• Mandated insurance coverage of a broad scope of reproductive healthcare, even for religiously affiliated employers
• Judicial recognition of surrogacy contracts, effectively legalizing the industry in Minnesota
• And more (see Teresa Collett memo)

What MCC has done so far:

• Minnesota's Bishops sent a letter to all members of the legislature, urging them to reconsider their position on this bill and vote no. LETTER.
   
• Bishop Chad Zielinski of the Diocese of New Ulm testified before the Senate Health and Human Services committee to share our opposition: WATCH.
   
• Maggee Hangge and Jason Adkins have submitted testimony to the House Health Finance and Policy Committee explaining the reasons why this bill is unnecessary and out of step with the world of this bill: TESTIMONY.
   
• Jason Adkins has submitted testimony to the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee and the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee explaining the unintended consequences and legal implications of this bill.
   
• We are collaborating on a postcard campaign with select parishes from around the state, asking them to encourage their legislators to vote pro-life. 

Now we need YOUR voice to stop this bill. 

The PRO Act is a direct attack on life:

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2258) states "Human life is sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God and it remains for ever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end. God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end: no one can under any circumstance claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being."

Act Now:

Encourage your legislator to protect our state’s common good by taking a stand against the PRO Act!

If you have...

One Minute: Send a message to your State Senator urging them to protect women and their unborn children from the PRO Act.

Three Minutes: After sending your elected officials a quick email, take another minute to call their office or send a video message. A suggested script and talking points will show up on your device. Legislators do not often get calls from their constituents, so a follow-up call or video will greatly increase your impact and further build your relationship.

More Time: Join us for our pro-life advocacy day, United for Life on February 28! This first-ever event will bring together pro-life organizations and individuals from across the state to make one common voice heard at the Capitol in support for life and the unborn! You can find more information and get your *free* tickets at unitedforlifemn.org.

February 9 - Dr. Mary Healy, 7:00 pm

February 18 - Mardi Gras Dinner (tickets on sale after weekend Masses)

February 19 - Music Cafe - 5:00 to 7:00 pm

Winter Faith Study
Divine Mercy
Begins end of January 2023

Renowed speaker and author Fr. Michael Gaitley tells the dramatic history of God's love and mercy as interwoven through the transformative message of St. Faustina, the miraculous appearance of Mary at Fatima, the witness of Maximilian Kolbe, and the world-changing papacy of Pope St. John Paul II. Featuring the brilliant cinematic artistry of the Augustine Institute's film studio, the vast panorama of God's work of mercy in the world unfolds as a story to be experienced. Look for more information to come!

For Such a Time as This: Christian Witness in a Post-Christian World

Why are you alive now? What is God’s pur

pose in placing you on planet Earth at this time in history? It has rarely been more difficult to be a Catholic and give a shining witness to our faith than it is in our world today. Yet how blessed we are that God has chosen us to live in these challenging times! This talk will unpack what Scripture says about your indispensable role in God’s plan and how to live the gospel with conviction, courage and joy in the midst of a hostile culture.

Dr. Mary Healy is a professor of Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, a best selling author and international speaker, and one of the first women ever to serve on the Pontifical Biblical Commission.
 
The presentation will include some tips on how to talk to family members who are no longer practicing their faith due to the pull of today's culture.
 
All are invited! Join us Thursday, February 9 at 7:00 pm. Brochures on this event are in the Gather Space!
 

IHM will be hosting a Memorial Blood Center Drive on Tuesday, February 14, from 1:00 to 6:00 pm. Please contact Anne Koss at anne.koss@comcast.net or 612-418-2954 or to reserve a donation time. Thank you for giving life!

Join our vibrant IHM Community! Click HERE for our new member registration form. This form can be filled out online if it is opened in Internet Explorer.

Once completed, please save it to your computer and then email it as an attachment to psutherland@ihm-cc.org. 

Welcome to IHM!

Liturgical Ministers Schedule

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