Vol. 2007 Issue 4
November 3, 2007

From The Director’s Desk: As we continue to pray for all those affected by the many wildfires throughout southern California and for the full containment of the fires, we are once again reminded of the precious nature of all life. Over and over again we were reminded by the people who had lost everything that they were so thankful for their lives and the safety of their families. We must continue our struggle to help everyone make the connection at all stages of life.

Baby Day at St. Paschal’s was a rousing success again this year. We were fortunate to receive diapers, layette items, gently used clothing, equipment, formula, cereal and more. We also received almost $600.00!

Jennifer Dominy chose us for her Gold Award (Girl Scouts’ equivalent to the Eagle Scout). She offered a one-day opportunity to learn CPR and First Aid. She also gathered baby items with the help of St. Anthony’s and held a baby shower for us (complete with games and goodies). Jennifer had the help of a younger Girl Scout troop in making the layettes. She got Patagonia to donate wonderful twin-size blankets which we have already started to give out to whole families for Christmas. Thanks, Jen!

Charlie Rollino has chosen to help Life Centers for his Eagle Scout project. We are hopeful that his project isn’t too ambitious a task. More on it later.

Forty-some youth from Thomas Aquinas, home schoolers, St. Augustine and youth ministry participated. We are grateful for the $549.00 check .

Thank all of you who volunteered time at our booth at the Ventura County Fair in August. We gave out 2,552 more pieces of literature than last year! We got a couple of new volunteers as well as a few requests for speakers and information. It is always an uplifting experience. Perhaps you will want to volunteer next year.

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We are in the midst of trying to enlarge the number of entities helping in our poinsettia sale. If you have any ideas, please call. If you are one of the people who pick up their poinsettias at the Oxnard Centers’ Open House, you will see some changes on your tour of the Center. Rob & Dodie Bueche are spearheading the project to move our clothing and equipment into our Education room. The brochures and library will move to the front of the hall.

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I have great news for all of you in regards to the smooth transition at Life Centers as Alan & I prepare to head back to Idaho.

The Board of Directors offered Myrtis Ellis the position of Executive Director. She was in the office all of October learning the ropes and now is flying solo. I will be counseling and taking helpline calls until our departure which will happen in the next one to seven months. It has been an honor to be associated with such a great organization. God bless you all. Myrt will fill you in on herself in the next newsletter.

Planned Parenthood Clinic Delayed in Opening

An alert construction worker at a building site became suspicious when the building he was working on had installed bullet-proof windows and security cameras. Informing his pastor of his suspicions launched the formation of Families Against Planned Parenthood by Eric Scheidler, Pro-Life Action League Communications Director, an Aurora resident and the son of Pro-Life Action League founder Joseph Scheidler. The Families Against Planned Parenthood spear-headed a forty day prayer vigil, protests – one drawing 1200 individuals - and a packed town meeting in Aurora, Illinois against the Gemini Office Development LLC, a subsidiary of Planned Parenthood.

The 22,000 square-foot clinic with the name Gemini Health Center had been built with permits applied for by Gemini Office Development LLC. “Official notice” was a small classified ad in the Chicago Sun-Times run in May 2007. Planned Parenthood under the guise of Gemini Development Office LLC told city officials in Aurora as late as July 2007 that the intended tenant of the facility was “unknown at this time.” Chicago Area Planned Parenthood (PP/CA) President Steve Trombley claimed in a statement that PP/CA “had publicly announced its intention to operate a medical facility providing a full range of reproductive services.”

Scheduled to open September 18, US District Judge Charles Norgle in Chicago ordered the clinic closed September 20, pending an investigation into the procedures used to obtain permits to build the facility. In Judge Norgle’s ruling he stated that Planned Parenthood had not met the legal requirements for the clinic. The case had set a precedent which was being watched nationally. City officials stated that this case was not about abortion but about the city’s right to regulate the use of its land. Some of the issues included Planned Parenthood’s apparent attempt to avoid having to obtain a special use permit required by city code which requires public notice in a local paper, public hearings, and written notice to nearby residents of the intended special use. None of this was done by Planned Parenthood.

The facility was allowed to open October 2. A rally organized by Families Against Planned Parenthood protesting the clinic was held October 27. Eric Scheidler stated, “We will be at this facility until abortions are no longer performed and this deceitful

business is out of our city. We will be a peaceful, ever-present reminder of the atrocities that go on inside those walls and a constant thorn in Planned Parenthood's side."

Aurora has been described as a family and church friendly community. The town had closed down a smaller abortion clinic previously.

Planned Parenthood Facing Indictment by Kansas Grand Jury Allegations brought against Planned Parenthood in Kansas by Johnson County District Attorney Phill Kline include charges of “unlawful failure to determine viability for late-term abortion,” “making false information” and “unlawful failure to maintain records.” A grand jury indictment of 23 felony counts and 84 misdemeanor counts is pending. The counts are based on just 29 patients’ abortion records dating to 2003.

Pro-life advocates are asking Congress for suspension of the over $300 million of tax-payer funding for Planned Parenthood citing this case in Kansas. If the case succeeds it could open up Planned Parenthood to further litigation in other states.

“If just 29 records from one Planned Parenthood abortion clinic in Kansas have produced 107 criminal charges, isn't it possible that similar abuses are also occurring at other of the 860 Planned Parenthood facilities nationwide?” asked Dr. David Stevens, the head of the Christian Medical Association. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tiny Joys

Last spring a 10-ounce baby girl was born at 25 weeks gestation to Andreas and Petra Mueller of Germany. 10.2 inches long, little Kimberley had a 1000-1 chance of survival but was sent to her home in Hanover at six months after intensive efforts to help her survive. Weighing 5.5 lbs. and at 17 inches, she still requires artificial feeding and continues on oxygen as her lungs develop.

The smallest baby known to survive is Rumaisa Rahman who was born at 8.6 ounces in Chicago in 2004.

The number of women in Ireland seeking abortions in England has fallen 25% in the last six years according to the latest statistics. The number of foreign women seeking abortions in The Netherlands has also declined.

WATCH FOR NOTICES IN YOUR CHURCH BULLETINS OR FROM AREA REPRESENTATIVES.

Beautiful red poinsettias in 6½” pots make perfect gifts and decorations.

$9.00 each or a box of 6 for $50.00

Your donation makes possible Life Center Services and Educational Programs.

You may reserve and pick up your Poinsettias at
Life Centers
410 N. A St.
Oxnard. 93030