3 simple ways you can show support to children with Down syndrome

October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month and this year Pennsylvanians have a simple and direct opportunity to express support for children with Down syndrome.

 Nineteen State Senators, led by Senator Scott Martin (R-Lancaster) have sponsored Senate Resolution 174(SR174), which calls for the respect and protection of children with Down syndrome in the wake of the CBS News report on Iceland “eradicating” Down syndrome babies by aborting them.

 Here are three ways you can show support for children with Down syndrome.

1) Watch this video – A father from Lancaster County whose daughter has Down syndrome shared some insights in a recent interview. Click here to watch.

2) Share the video – This video presents an opportunity to provide more awareness and to help start a conversation surrounding abortion and children with Down syndrome.

• Video link: https://www.facebook.com/PAFamily/videos/10155561243806469
• Click here to forward this email.

3) Send an email to your State Senator on SR174 – To show your support for SR174, click here or go to tinyurl.com/SR174.

In honor of the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, we will have the Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, October 7th, at 12:00 Noon, on the front lawn of the Church. Bring your pets! All are welcome to attend.

Dear Friend, Great news! Late today the House passed H.R. 36 the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act by a bi-partisan majority of 237 to 189. We will let you know as soon as it is timely to shift our focus to the Senate. Thanks to all who sent messages, made phone calls and shared information on social media. Together we were heard! Please watch for another call to action shortly which will allow us to speak up for the vulnerable at the end of life. Thanks for standing with us and for all you do to build the culture of life. Sincerely,

Statement of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. Regarding Shootings in Las Vegas

“Like many Americans, I awoke this morning to learn of the horrific acts of violence that took place in Las Vegas. So many precious and innocent lives were senselessly lost in an evil manner and it fills all of us with an unspeakable sadness. As the number of dead and injured continues to rise, let us pray that God will receive the souls of those who have been lost, that He will heal the injured, and that He will pour His comforting grace upon all those bearing the heavy burdens of suffering and grief.

The terror that filled yesterday evening and its aftermath serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the very real presence of evil in our world. Let us resolve each day to treat our brothers and sisters with dignity, charity, and respect. May we all embrace that which is good so that the light of Christ will prevail.”

+Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.

Archbishop of Philadelphia

Our Congressional leaders in Washington are taking action to protect life, and they need your help! Please join me in urging your Congressman to support life by ending late-term abortion – tinyurl.com/EndLateTermAbortion.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), the U.S. House Majority Leader, just announced that he plans to bring H.R. 36—Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, October 3rd. This important bill would place a nationwide ban on late-term abortions of babies after 20 weeks (or five months of pregnancy), a point at which unborn babies feel pain. Every congressman – including yours – will be casting a Yes or No vote, so your voice can make a difference.

TAKE ACTION: Please join PA Family Council as we urge our Federal lawmakers to pass this vitally important bill that will save countless lives! You can easily send an email to your US House member urging them to vote for this bill by going to the Citizen Action Center.

“The Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act will protect the voiceless, the vulnerable, and the marginalized,” said Rep. McCarthy in a press conference on Tuesday.  “It will protect those children who science has proven can feel pain, and give them a chance to grow and live full and happy lives. We have an obligation to speak and defend for those who can’t speak for themselves.” 

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a previous version of this bill in 2015 by a vote of 242-184, but it failed to pass in the U.S. Senate. If the bill can pass through both chambers of Congress, it is expected that President Donald Trump would sign the bill into law. In a letter to pro-life leaders during the campaign, President Trump committed to “signing into law the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would end painful later-term abortions nationwide.” 

Thank you for taking action now to protect the voiceless and most vulnerable among us. Also, please forward this message to friends, family, and neighbors and encourage them to contact their U.S. Congressman as well. 

Defending life,

Michael Geer, President

Pennsylvania Family Council

TAKE ACTION: tinyurl.com/EndLateTermAbortion

What’s the latest on….

SB3 (improving abortion laws)? SB3 passed the State Senate but now needs the PA State House to act! For more on SB3 and to send your State Representative an email: click here or go to tinyurl.com/YESonSB3.

SB300 (Funding Women’s Health, not Abortion)? SB300 awaits action by the full State Senate after passing in committee by a 7-5 vote. For more on SB300 and to send your State Senator an email: click here or go to tinyurl.com/SupportSB300.

SB300 would reallocate funds away from entities providing abortion and invest in those providing better and more comprehensive women’s health care. Not only is Planned Parenthood the largest abortion business in Pennsylvania but they have failed a slew of safety inspections. Jeremy Samek, Senior Counsel for PA Family Institute, pointed out these Planned Parenthood facts at a rally in downtown Pittsburgh on Wednesday that was organized by the national organization Students for Life of America’s SockIt2PP tour. Here’s Jeremy with SFLA President Kristan Hawkins:

Governor Wolf’s Road Trip for Planned Parenthood? Hundreds of people across Pennsylvania have signed our petition calling out the governor’s continued advocacy for the largest abortion business in the state. Governor Wolf hosted a panel discussion this past Tuesday at Montgomery County Community College, his 3rd stop on his road trip that included visits to on-site abortion clinics in Warminster and Philadelphia. If you haven’t already, please sign our petition: click here or visit tinyurl.com/StopWolfTour.

School Choice Options? Expanding the Education Improvement Tax Credit program (EITC) is still an option for inclusion in the state budget. For more and to send your state officials an email: click here or go to tinyurl.com/ExpandEITC.

Boyertown? After Judge Edward G. Smith ruled on August 25th that the Boyertown Area School District can continue to violate the bodily privacy rights of their students, the legal team involved has 30 days to file an appeal. Preparations have been ongoing for an appeal, which should be announced soon. The next step would then be the case proceeding to the U.S. Court of Appeals.

Questions?

Feel free to email – mail@pafamily.org – or call us: 717-545-0600.

Upcoming Events:

• See You At The Pole – Wednesday, September 27: For over 25 years, this annual event encourages students to come together in prayer around their school’s flag pole. See You At The Pole, a day committed to global unity and prayer for this generation, will have students in every time zone gathering at their flagpoles and praying for their school, friends, families, churches and communities. “Fixing our eyes on Jesus” is this year’s theme from Hebrews 12:2. For more, go to syatp.com.

• Values Voter Summit – October 13-15: Join Michael and Susan Geer at “one of the conservative movement’s marquee annual events,” the Values Voter Summit. This forum helps inform and mobilize citizens across America to preserve the bedrock values of traditional marriage, religious liberty, sanctity of life and limited government that make our nation strong. PA Family Institute receives a donation for every registration we recruit: just click here to use this registration page or go to valuesvotersummit.org/register-fpc.

• City on the Hill Youth Leadership Conference – July 22-28, 2018: Mark your calendar for this truly “life-changing” experience available to high school teens. Also, keep this in mind as a Christmas gift option for any high schooler in your family. For more, visit pafamily.org/coth.

• Friends of the Family banquet – Friday, September 22: We are gearing up for our gathering in Hershey and excited for what the night will bring. Your prayers for the evening are appreciated. We truly are grateful to those attending and to so many others that partner with us. Thank you.

Pennsylvania Family Institute

23 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101

717-545-0600 | pafamily.org