Respect Life Action Team

                                                                           Minutes

                                                            Thurs., February  9,  2012

Attendees:  Barb DeGrood, Bob Spangenberg, Karen Bollmann, Bob Walz, Mike Mangan, Marian Mangan

The meeting opened at 6:30 with the Spiritual Adoption prayer.

The January minutes were approved.

OLD BUSINESS

LCCE  OPEN HOUSE:  It was noted that several members as well as Fr. Rodger, visited Lifecare Center East,  on their open house, January 22.  It was noted  that the recent remodeling that was done, due to a grant that they received,  was a very big improvement!

SPIRITUAL ADOPTION:   On the weekend of January 21-22, Guardian Angels was introduced to the Spiritual Adoption program  through a pulpit announcement .  Marian  reported that we received 135 pledges on our kick-off.  The magnets that were given out were well received. The preferred one was  “Take my hand not my life”.  Barb suggested that instead of the pink and blue colors for the pledge cards and hearts,  we should  use pastel colors next time.  It was also agreed that we should find a smaller item for collecting the pledges since the doll crib was a bit too big.

NEW BUSINESS

HHS MANDATE for Contraception/Sterilization Coverage:

               Marian read parts of the recently issued  mandate noting  that while “the other services on HHS’s list seek to prevent disease—breast cancer, lung cancer, AIDS.  Pregnancy is NOT a disease.””  And that while there are exemptions to this mandate, it is “an incredibly narrow  ‘religious employer’ exemption that fails to protect many.”  (from a statement issued by USCCB)

PRO-LIFE STATIONS:

 It was reported that Fr. Rodger plans to use the pro-life stations for at least one of the Fridays during Lent.  Members will be notified which Friday.   It was felt that  35 copies would probably be sufficient, since stations aren’t generally too well attended.

VIDEO “A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death”---USCCB.

  This 15 min. video was viewed and a short discussion followed. Some key points were:

• The Catholic teaching against the death penalty is clearly articulated in the encyclical:

The Gospel of Life (John Paul II and Catechism of the Catholic Church

• This issue involves our faith and the central principle that human life is sacred. We are called to reflect upon “Thou shalt not kill “  Exodus 20:13.
• More  violence  only makes our society  more violent.

Bob Walz will keep the video at GA for others to view.

OCTOBERBABY:

 This is an up-coming movie which beautifully portrays the sanctity of human life and the power of foregiveness.  A DVD with scenes was viewed.  Mike & Marian attended the premier, and STRONGLY ADVISE everyone to attend this movie and promote it extensively!!  It opens on Friday, MARCH 23^rd!!

 A poster  with theatre information, and a notice in the bulletin will be put up in March.  A note has also been submitted for the up-coming Angel News.

OUTDOOR PRO-LIFE SIGNAGE:

               We again addressed the issue of having a permanent  pro-life sign(s) outside at the church parking entrance.  Karen B. will  check on this possibility with Denny.  If it’s approved, she will order 1 or 2 signs from Pro-Life Across America.  Plans are to have them up sometime in April.  Karen has also gratefully offered to pay for them. 

OTHER:

               Bob W. asked the committee if we could change our meeting date to the second Tuesday of the month to facilitate an effort to cluster some of the parish meetings to the same night.

All  agreed to this change beginning with our next meeting,  Tues.,MARCH 13. 

               It was announced that Fr. Rodger will be joining our table for the LCCE fundraiser on April 28 at the Lake Elmo Event Center.

The meeting adjourned with a prayer for Karen Spangenberg’s  father.

The next meeting will be Tues., March 13.

Respectfully submitted by Marian Mangan