A Good Counsel Speaker at a Catholic Conference

Self-publicists really make me cross! Therefore, let me just say that there will be a great one day Catholic Conference in London, on Saturday 9th June organised by The Latin Mass Society and one of the speakers is from Good Counsel.

VENUE: Regent Hall, 275 Oxford Street, London W1C 2DJ (opposite BHS, less than 5 minutes’ walk from Oxford Circus)

Conference Theme: 'The Traditional Liturgy and the Catholic Life'

This is the first time the LMS has organised a one-day conference, and we have some excellent speakers lined up for you. The conference is aimed principally at ordinary LMS members, although non-members are very welcome to join us. The Conference timetable is as follows:

9am Low Mass at St James's, Spanish Place.

10am Doors open.

10am -11am Registration. Stalls in the Conference Hall will be available to browse

11am - 11.50am 1st talk: Dr John Rao (Roman Forum): ‘From Darkness Into Light: Contemporary Barbarism, the Traditional Liturgy, and the Construction of a Civilized Society’

12 noon - 12.50pm 2nd talk: Stuart McCullough (Good Counsel Network): ‘Spiritual Warfare and the End of Abortion’ followed by Lunch.

2pm - 2.50pm 3rd talk: Fr John Zuhlsdorf (Fr Z): (Title of talk to be confirmed)

3pm - 3.50pm 4th talk: Fr Tim Finigan (columnist and blogger): 'Traditional Liturgy in the Modern Parish’

4pm - 4.50pm 5th talk: Rev John Hunwicke (of the Ordinariate): ‘Education without Religion a pure Evil?’

5pm - 6pm Panel discussion

6pm Close

BOOKING INFORMATION: Admission is by ticket only. Ticket prices: LMS Members £15 Non-LMS Members £20 (includes morning and afternoon refreshments) Optional: Buffet lunch including drinks £9 supplement.

You can buy your ticket by phoning the LMS office on 020 7404 7284, sending a cheque (payable to 'LMS') to LMS, 11-13 Macklin Street, London WC2B 5NH or online here.

Photo, Father Finigan giving Benediction in the small Good Counsel Network's chapel and the Server seems to be doing a good job.

Saving lives from abortion costs

Have you ever thought what it would feel like to know you’ve saved someone’s life? How many people can say that if it weren’t for their action or sacrifice, another human being would have died a premature death? Now there’s a way the average person can save one or perhaps more lives each year.

The Good Counsel Network has saved hundreds of babies from abortion at a cost of about £350 for each child saved.

Without generous individuals providing the funds to save these babies, the Good Counsel Network would be unable to save them.

Hence, all donors participate in our lifesaving efforts and are themselves truly lifesavers.
To recognise the people who help us save babies and to provide stable funding for our baby-saving work, the Good Counsel Network has established the Lifesavers’ Circle.

You are invited to belong to the Circle, which requires a £350 per year commitment, payable in one lump sum or in monthly instalments of £30. You will be the spiritual parent of the baby you help us save from abortion.

Click here to join the Lifesaver Circle (Print off form and post completed to the address at the bottom)

A counsellor from the Good Counsel Network was able to help this little baby thanks to the prayeful and financial support of people like you.

If you have a desire for even greater heroism, you might consider joining our St Margaret Clitherow Society, named after the heroic sacrifice of St Margaret Clitherow, martyr for the Faith who was martyred in York on 25 March 1586. St Margaret lived a life of total self-giving to God. As well as sheltering Priests from those who would arrest and kill them Margaret lived a holy married life. Her martyrdom was carried out by pressing her to death with a sharp stone under her back and a door on top of her on which heavy weights were laid. Margaret was pregnant when she was killed, but even this did not cause her to flinch from giving her life when called to, rather than betray the Catholic Faith.

St Margaret Clitherow Society members sacrifice at least £1,000 per year, either in a lump sum or in monthly or quarterly instalments.

Click here to join the St Margaret Clitherow Society (Print off form and post completed to the address at the bottom)

Many members struggle to give £84 per month. The value of their sacrifice, often disproportionate to their means, is laden with grace, not only for themselves but also for our apostolate.Note that pledges are not legally or morally binding. If circumstances require that you terminate or change your commitment, we understand completely. All we ask is a good faith effort.

If you would like to make a one off donation or set up a standing order online Via Justgiving Click Here and choose One-off Donation or monthly donation.

Urgent, Pro-Life Novena to St Philomena

If you can help us financially please see the options for donating here. We are finding it harder and harder to meet all of our financial commitments, as more and more women choose life for their children, and need our help. Please say the following prayer for the next nine days.

NOVENA PRAYER TO SAINT PHILOMENA

We beseech Thee, O Lord,

to grant us the pardon of our sins by the intercession of Saint Philomena , virgin
and martyr, who was always pleasing in Thy sight by her eminent chastity and by
the profession of every virtue. Amen.

Illustrious virgin and martyr, Saint Philomena, behold me prostrate before the
throne whereupon it has pleased the Most Holy Trinity to place thee. Full of
confidence in thy protection, I entreat thee to intercede for me with God, from
the heights of Heaven deign to cast a glance upon thy humble client! Spouse of
Christ, sustain me in suffering, fortify me in temptation, protect me in the
dangers surrounding me, obtain for me the graces necessary to me,

and in particular
That the Good Counsel Network will receive the funds needed to continue
their work and to assist all the Mothers, especially those considering
abortion, who approach them for help. (...and add your own intentions)
Above all, assist me at the hour of my death. Saint
Philomena, powerful with God, pray for us. Amen.

O God, Most Holy Trinity, we thank Thee for the graces Thou didst bestow upon
the Blessed Virgin Mary, and upon Thy handmaid Philomena, through whose
intercession we implore Thy Mercy. Amen.

BBC Live from an abortuary & the women they don't want to speak to

One that got away - A Baby Whose Mum Chose Life after Visiting an Abortuary
You will probably have heard by now about this programme at 10am today on BBC Radio 5 Live;

"Victoria [Derbyshire] speaks to doctors, nurses and patients live from an abortion clinic [sic].

It is hard to believe that this will be anything other than a bit of pro-death propaganda. No doubt some of the tragedy of abortion may come through, but it will be presented as a necessary evil, and a better option than raising a child in difficult circumstances - ultimately a good thing for society, but hard. That's our bet anyway. If you are listening-in, please don't hesitate to give some feedback to provide balance. The details are:

Call 0500 909693 [free from most landlines; other networks may vary]. Text:
85058 [standard message rate]. Email: Victoria@bbc.co.uk. Twitter: @vicderbyshire.

If you would like to hear the other side of the story, the real help that women need, and what it is like for a woman who changes her mind at the abortuary doorstep, or what it is like for those who go through the abortion because they have no other choice, or if you want to hear from someone who spends her life providing real help to women in crisis pregnancies, read on. Robert Colquhoun of 40 Days for Life, has interviewed 4 such women at the Good Counsel Centre.

Here are interviews with two women who turned around on the doorsteps of the abortuary, because Catholics were there to offer them help, when both felt had that they had no choice. http://www.divshare.com/download/17571772-a3d (10 minutes) & http://www.divshare.com/download/17571864-4dc (20 minutes)

This third women has had an abortion and needs her vioce to be heard. Please send this link to everyone you know; http://www.divshare.com/download/17571931-cd3 (20 minutes)
Finally here is Ronni a volunteer with Good Counsel; http://www.divshare.com/download/17571913-6ce (11 minutes)

To give Mums-to-be a real chioce involves a lot of time, money and prayer, - we don't have enough of any of these to help all the turnarounds currently needing our help - if we all do our bit to help, even more lives will be saved. Please spread the word.

Clare and Stuart McCullough

Mass this Friday will be offered for Good Counsel

"Everyday, Jesus humbles himself just as He did when He came from His heavenly throne into the Virgin’s womb; everyday He comes to us and lets us see Him in abjection, when He descends from the bosom of the Father into the hands of the priest at the altar."~ Saint Francis of Assisi

Join Juventutem London for Mass this Friday, 18th May, the feast of Saint Peter Cansius. Friday, 18th May, 6.45pm

Saint Mary Moorfields Catholic Church, 4-5 Eldon Street, London, EC2M 7LS

Music will be provided by Cantus Magnus and the Juventutem London Schola.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mass for Three Voices Byrd
Communion motet: Panis angelicus Casciolini
Marian antiphon: Regina Caeli Cavalli
Gregorian chant propers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After Mass there will be a social downstairs for those aged 18-35 with an exception for Priests and Religious.

The Mass is, of course, open to anyone of any age. It is only the social events that are designed for 18-35 year olds.

This Mass and all our monthly Masses are offered for the work of The Good Counsel Network, a pro-life pregnancy centre that reaches out to mothers in desperate need of support, who would otherwise feel they have no other option than to have an abortion. Their work is founded on prayer and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

If you plan on coming to the social please RSVP by clicking 'Attending' on our Facebook event page.

Please let others know about this Mass.

ASA Help the Campaign to Protect Marriage

Special thanks to the ASA for promoting this advert like nothing else could.

And if you haven't read about their bigotry, read on.

And most of all, if you haven't already, sign the petition.

Chen Guancheng, Sold Down the River??? Prayers Please

Chen Guancheng in the past and currently in hospital.
Image from Fr Finegan's blog.

Chen Guancheng the blind human rights activist who witnessed publicly to the policy of forced abortions and sterilisations in China, has been "released" into hospital by the USA, Mr Guancheng escaped from being under house arrest for a year or so and fled to the US embassy last week. Speculation is rife that Mr Guancheng's wife was tied to a chair and beaten by guards to force him to agree to return home. He had previously been prepared to stay in China, but now the family wish to leave the country. Prayers are urgently needed for their well-being.

It is worth remembering his courage and endurance: A friend who helped him to escape said "He injured his leg when he landed and it took him 20 hours to make his way around eight roadblocks. He told me he fell over at least 200 times, before he got picked up on Monday and driven to Beijing."

Please Say One Million Rosaries 4 The Unborn This Weekend

The Saint Michael the Archangel Organisation, based in Memphis, Tennessee, has launched a drive for one million rosaries for unborn babies between this Friday 4th May and this Sunday 6th May, from people all around the world. We urge all Catholics to join this wonderful pro-life campaign and spread the word among their contacts. For more details visit http://www.saintmichaelthearchangelorganization.org/

HT John Smeaton

Old Rite Mass on the 44th Anniversary of 'legal' abortion in England & Wales

"Renew your faith by attending Holy Mass. Keep your mind focused on the mystery that is unfolding before your eyes. In your mind's eye transport yourself to Calvary and meditate on the Victim who offers Himself to Divine Justice, paying the price of your redemption."
~ Saint Padre Pio

Join Juventutem London for Sung Mass this Friday, 27th April, the feast of Saint Peter Cansius.

Friday, 27th April, 6.30pm

Saint Mary Moorfields Catholic Church, 4-5 Eldon Street, London, EC2M 7LS

Music will be provided by Cantus Magnus and the Juventutem London Schola.

After Mass there will be a social downstairs for those aged 18-35 with an exception for priests and religious.

The Mass is, of course, open to anyone of any age. It is only the social events that are designed for 18-35 year olds.

This Mass and all our monthly Masses are offered for the work of The Good Counsel Network, a pro-life pregnancy centre that reaches out to Mothers in desperate need of support, who would otherwise feel they have no other option than to have an abortion. Their work is founded on prayer and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Please let others know about this Mass by forwarding on this email, by inviting your friends on Facebook or by word of mouth.

"For the sake of obtaining that eternal life no works of piety ought to seem too hard to a true believer, no toil too heavy, no pain too bitter, no time spent in labor and suffering too long or too wearisome. For if nothing is sweeter or more desirable than this present life which is so full of calamities, how much more desirable must that other life be deemed which is so far removed from all sense of evil or fear of it, which will in every conceivable way always abound in the unspeakable and unending joys, delight and happiness of heaven."
~ Saint Peter Cansius


What is Juventutem London?

Juventutem London is a very exciting initiative taking place in London. It is a part of the International Juventutem Federation, which is dedicated to the sanctification of the youth using the traditional forms of the sacraments - most obviously, the Traditional Latin Mass (also known as the 'Extraordinary Form' or the usus antiquior). There are no charges and no registration procedures for 'members' ('members' being anyone who comes along). We are in good standing with the archdiocese of Westminster, and are on good terms with Bishop Alan Hopes. More info; http://juventutemlondon.blogspot.co.uk/

National Day of Prayer & Fasting for Life

Please join our National Day of Prayer and Fasting for the end of abortion tomorrow, Friday 27th April - the 44th Anniversary of "legal" abortions being performed in England and Wales. See our website for more details, http://www.goodcounselnet.co.uk/Days-of-Prayer-and-Fasting.html

Is that what he will be remembered for? Bishop Henderson

Six years ago today Bishop Charles Henderson died, please say a pray for the repose of his soul. You can read his full obituary here, it starts, Bishop Charles Henderson will be remembered as a dedicated and tireless pastor and also as someone who led the way in putting into practice the Second Vatican Council’s documents on Christian unity and inter-faith dialogue.

To be honest with you this may be the case, but I'm sure that is not how he was introduced to God upon his death. Trumpets sounded and the Choirs of Angels burst forth in song, "Here stands the first Bishop to pray outside an abortuary in England."

There will be Mass for His Lordship today, in the Good Counsel Chapel.

[Bishop John Hine, Catholic auxiliary bishop of Southwark is joining the vigil at Marie Stopes abortion facility (where Bishop Henderson prayed), Brewer Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1RV, on Friday, 27th April 2012, the 44th aniversary of the Abortion Act. Bishop Hine is celebrating the 12.30 Mass at St. Francis's Church, Week Street, Maidstone. He is then joining in the vigil which begins with a prayerful and peaceful procession with an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe to the Marie Stopes abortuary and concludes with a return procession at 2.30 p.m.]

Pro-lifers Misleading Women?

Lovely to hear from some of our Mothers from recent years.
Hearing about the criticism BPAS made about pro-lifers, one posted a reply on facebook saying:

Maybe they should speak to women like me to see what a difference you make. Its been 7 years since i had my daughter....and i cant imagine life without her. So if there is a chance a lady somewhere out there gets your ...help today.....then whatever anyone says won't matter because 7years from now, she too will be sat in her garden watching her children play with a tear in her eye, eternally grateful that you guys never gave up!!!

Another texted me to say:

Hope u r all OK. It breaks my heart to hear that people are tarnishing the name of the only organisation that actually suffers together with the helpless Mothers who are not expected to make it through. Without people like you, people like my son wouldn't be in existence. I really wish I could come and participate in letting the world know what true saints you truly are.

Real Support Outside An Abortuary

I went to the 40 Days for Life vigil in Bedford Square, on the day Good Counsel covered the Vigil. I joined the other people who were there in praying the Rosary. About 2 decades into the Sorrowful Mysteries, a young girl walked past us, to the corner of the square and stood opposite the BPAS abortuary. She didn’t seem upset, and we didn’t know if she was going to BPAS, as she was on her phone. Also none of us really knew what to do!! I went and gave her a blue leaflet, which she took and smiled.

A couple of minutes later one of the gentlemen noticed that she was crying. After getting advice from Good Counsel about how to approach her, I went up to her and asked if she was alright. She told me that her name was 'Amelia', and she really didn’t want to go ahead with the abortion, but her family didn’t want her to have the baby. She carried on talking in a rush, like she wanted to get it off her chest, telling me that only her Grandmother who lives abroad supported her. She also told me that she is in her late teens, and has had 3 previous pregnancies; resulting in 1 miscarriage, 1 abortion and 1 Baby, and that the people in the BPAS centre weren’t very nice to her the last time she was there, ‘they just didn’t care’ she said.

I asked her if she would like to come and talk to someone, to look at all her options, to get the support she needs, and to get a free scan. She asked me if she could see the scan, telling me that in the abortuary they never showed her the screen, and I said that of course we would show her the baby. All the while the prayer volunteers were continuously praying for her and her unborn child. Amelia decided to come to Good Counsel, to have the scan and advice.

I made an appointment with her for Saturday which she seemed very happy with, and she said she wants to bring her partner to show him and to help him to understand her views.

Gaelle

Christians V Barbarians in Bedford Square

Nice to see the proponents of "choice" were out last night to deny us our right to free speech. It was a powerful vigil, especially as lent moves on towards Holy Week, as so many of the prayers and meditations referred to the ridiculing of Christ and of the rejection of Him. It was all very relevant to our society's rejection of the unborn.

It was a blessing to have the Bishop there. One that BPAS and their supporters had been deeply disturbed by. Even now we should write and thank Bishop Hopes who will certainly have got a lot of flack for coming, both from outside and probably from inside the Church, sadly.

There was something beautiful about standing and kneeling together in a dignified and peaceful, prayerful presence, while something sounding like the fighting Uruk-hai bawled and banged away next to us.

Oops sorry I meant...

If aliens landed in Bedford Square last night they would have instinctively stood with the pro-lifers, the other side looked like they would probably eat them.

I was proud to be standing with the Bishop and my fellow pro-lifers last night.

Oh and one last thing, if the pro-abortionists outnumbered us 2 to 1 last night, most of them must have been pregnant!

Clare McCullough

Our Lady of Sorrows and Bedford Square

On the Old Rite Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, let us pray for every single soul that sets foot in Bedford Square tonight, that after our conversions we may all merrily meet in heaven.

Clare McCullough

Good Counsel Launches Intern Programme

Happy Feast of the Annunciation. The Good Counsel Network chose today to launch it's new Intern Programme.

The Programme allows those wishing to get hands on experience in frontline pro-life work, such as pavement counselling and working in a Catholic Pregnancy Centre, to do so. All interns will receive expert training.

Interns receive free accommodation and living costs and will live together in a community, praying and working together. Our first female intern starts work next week when the Women's Intern House opens. The men's house will follow shortly.

Intern placements are available for periods of 2 and 3 months. please email us if you are interested info@goodcounselnetwork.freeserve.co.uk

Clare McCullough

Pro-Lifers Give DOUBLE During 40 Days

The Unborn: Help us to keep them safe and their Mothers supported!

A supporter of BPAS has set up a fundraising page called Boycott 40 Days for Life where pro-abortionists donate for each hour or day that 40 Days witnesses outside BPAS Central London abortuary. They are now approaching their fundraising target of £4,000 by 1st April, they have
raised over £3,000 so far. The intention is to deter 40 Days Vigillers by making them feel that their presence is raising money for the abortuary.

We are asking you to show women in need that pro-lifers care more for their Crisis Pregnancy Centres by donating double the total BPAS raise to Good Counsel.

As we blogged about last March, we have had a FIVE-FOLD increase in women coming to
us and receiving support instead of aborting. But we haven't had as great an increase in support in that time, we have had a drop in income, with the recession and higher living costs. We cannot survive this, and financially we are on the brink of disaster, so please support our
appeal, 'Pro-Lifers Give Double' today and help us raise £8,000 by 1st April.

Find all the options for donating here on our website including online donations. Direct transfers, the quickest way of donating can be made to:

THE GUILD OF OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL,

Sort code: 23 – 83 – 95 Account no: 00287036

and cheques made payable to THE GUILD OF OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL can be posted to GCN, PO Box 46679, LONDON, NW9 8ZT

You can also support us via http://www.justgiving.com/Pro-LifersGiveDouble page. This is not the fastest way to give. But we will be logging all the donations received there, so check in to see how generous pro-lifers really are!

Lastly, you can give by text message. Just text the code MQYD73 followed by £ and the amount you wish to donate (eg MQYD73 £1 if you want to donate £1) and send it to 70070.

As well as supporting our work financially, your donation will show your moral support for the peaceful, prayerful 40 Days Vigil. And will allow us to financially support 3 of the 4 turnarounds (the 4th did not need financial help when she chose life) they have had during this campaign so far. It will also prove the truth of the Title of this blog! So please help if you can and please spread the word.

Please attend the 40 Days Vigil if you can. Why not attend on Friday 30th March to support Bishop Hopes who will be there from 7pm - 8.30pm. The BPAS abortuary is at 26-27
Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3HP. Nearest tubes are Tottenham Court Rd or Goodge St.

Many thanks, Clare McCullough

Happy Down Syndrome Day

BPAS Campaign of Intimidation Against Bishop Hopes - or Theology 101 by BPAS

NO BISHOPS WANTED. BY ORDER OF BPAS.

The following comment appeared in The Evening Standard on 14th March. My comments are in bold.

"A major protest is now planned for March 30 at the clinic and campaigners claim it will be led by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Westminster, Alan Hopes.
BPAS said there was “no moral justification” for bishops to get involved in such a campaign."
BPAS talking about moral justification? The mind boggles.
"Abigail Fitzgibbon, policy manager for the 'charity' [my inverted comma's], warned that “vocal” anti-abortion MPs were also stirring up protesters.
She told the Standard:
“I can quite understand that people want a debate on abortion but it’s another matter when they’re haranguing and intimidating women and staff.“If bishops are getting behind this then I can’t see how it’s morally justified especially when women have already made up their minds.”
While it's nice of Abigail to be so understanding. I don't want a debate on abortion personally. I want every woman considering abortion to be given really good other options. I also want abortion to be made completely illegal.
Regarding her belief that there is no moral justification for a Bishop to support his flock in rescuing those who are being dragged to death, try Proverbs 24:11-12 Alison, it may clear this up for you somewhat.
Since January 2011, over 40 women who "had already made up their minds" according to BPAS were given leaflets outside abortuaries and came to Good Counsel to talk about keeping their babies and to obtain the help and support necessary to do so. Many of them complained about having the help leaflets taken from them by abortuary staff if they went into the abortuary and had to ask pro-lifers for new copies when they came out. Groups like The Helpers of God's Precious Infants and 40 Days for Life would be there if 1 woman had turned around, or indeed if none had.

Does anyone get the feeling that BPAS and their hoards are still reeling from the shock of about 200 people - yes that's 200 people - turning up to pray at the new Stratford abortuary a week ago with over 10 priests and religious joining them? No wonder they are desperate to stop Bishop Hopes attending.

The Guardian and it's pro-abortion cronies as well as the Standard were raging at 40 Days last week when someone turned up at the Vigil and filmed parts of it. The pro-death lobby were concerned that any woman may have been filmed. Yet a few days before this a group turned up to film Good Counsel's peaceful prayer vigil at Marie Stopes abortuary in Whitfield St. Volunteer, Justina was actually filmed while speaking to one of the expectant mums approaching the abortuary. Those doing the filming went in and out of Marie Stopes abortuary and chatted with the staff. Strange that the abortionists think that was ok.

Please pray for Bishop Hopes and please support the 40 Days vigil especially on 30 March when the Bishop attends. Please pray for Good Counsel's Whitfield St Vigil too and attend any day if you can Mon-Fri 9-1.30 and Wed 1.30-5.30 also.

Clare McCullough

A Father Who Taught Me How to Protect the Weak and the Innocent

My Father is the reason why I am pro-life.

His total fidelity to the Church's teaching wasn't a blind obedience. But it was a complete and a totally free obedience.

He often said that "abortion" was just a word to him when he first came to England in the 50's. Though he and his friends thought abortion was something degrading and scandalous, he never connected the word with a death of a baby. Much later on, when abortion was legalised, during the years when he had his own children, the real understanding of what abortion was dawned upon him. As an avid reader he followed news and politics and wrote and spoke out against abortion at every opportunity.

He was always a defender of the weak. The sort of man who stays there when someone is being threatened by some well-built thug. Who stands up for the person being ridiculed, at whatever cost to themselves. When he was 90, he wrestled with an intruder in our home to protect his family. So it makes sense that once he realised what abortion really meant he would fight it tooth and nail.

Being Catholic for me as a child was an uplifting experience. Both my parents had a very strong faith and loved devotions honouring the Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady.

My Mother has a very serene and gentle character, always full of goodness towards everyone, which lends itself to doing good. But my Father gave goodness very definite avenues, directing us all towards not just good works in general, but particularly those that defended the innocent and the weak - those that the Popes of his later years stressed as being the most urgent.

Abortion, euthanasia as well as the attacks on the Church and on morality.

I thank God for the grace to be born into a pro-life family.

And I thank God especially for the gift of my Father, Stanley McCarrick.

Today, on the 2nd anniversary of his death St Patrick's Day 2010, please pray for the repose of his soul.

Clare McCullough

Lenten Almsgiving: Don't Make A Mother and Baby Fast Everyday!

Choosing what to give alms to this Lent?

Why not give what you can each Friday in Lent to help Good Counsel feed destitute Mothers and Babies?

We spend £40,000 per year on feeding Mothers. And we give this help when a Mother has no wage, no right to benefits and no other means of support.

Some of our Mothers were sleeping on buses or on the street as late as 7 months into their pregnancies.

Many others considered abortion because of their devastating poverty when their baby's father chose not to support them in having their baby.

Those readers who have been pregnant and who know the awful hunger pangs you can endure in pregnancy even when you have plenty to eat will understand how terrible real hunger in pregnancy can be!

We always deliver the help that we promise an expectant Mother. We don't provide luxuries, but we do provide the basics. But at the moment funds are at an all time low.That's why we need your support especially during Lent.These women that we support witness to other women who are considering abortion - showing that there is real hope and real help for those in poverty who continue their pregnancies.

What does it cost?

It costs us £35 to feed an new Mother for 1 week.

It costs us £25 to feed an expectant Mother for 1 week.

It costs £15 to pay for baby milk each week when a Mother cannot breastfeed.

It costs us £7 a week to buy nappies for a baby.

It costs about £3.60 a day to feed an expectant Mother.

Can you donate any of these amounts weekly through Lent as part of your Lenten almsgiving?

Click here to donate online or to find out about other ways to donate.

Our Lady's Maternity Ward - A Birth At the Good Counsel's Mother and Baby Home

OUR LADY OF THE GOOD COUNSEL IS REALLY THE MEDIATRIX OF ALL GRACES!

Paraphrasing the sayings of St. Paul in one his letters to the Romans that for all those who love and trust in God, all things work for their good (see Rom.8:28), I begin this narrative about the miraculous birth of baby Moses inside the living room of Our Lady of Good Counsel Home for Mothers; another great sign of the powerfulness of the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary-Our Lady of Good Counsel.

Baby Moses' Mother went into labour about 3am on Sunday 19th and was sent to the hospital by ambulance by 6.30am. When the Nuns rang to know how she was progressing, they were told that this mother had been sent back home as the Labour was not very far along. By about 2.30pm, she was back at the house still in birth travail. She, with help of the Nuns and other mothers in the house went on strolling to help quicken the labour. Immediately after the supper, the labour seemed to advance as her waters broke about 7.40pm and hospital attention was called. The medic who answered the phone gave a conditional response saying that the woman could be sent in but would still be sent back if not found advanced in labour. And they said that the baby may not come in the next 24 hours. As the poor mother kept on screaming uncontrollably, we rang 999 for ambulance services. About twenty minutes after that came the ambulance with some paramedics. After examining Moses' Mother, they decided that she would not make it to the hospital and as they didn’t want him to be delivered inside the ambulance, they decided to deliver him in the Mother's House living room. What a miracle!
At about 11.50pm, there was a little bit of panicking as Moses' mother who is naturally a strong girl has started getting her strength exhausted. While the Pentecostal girls in the house continued praying in their Pentecostal manner outside the living room, the Nuns went before the Blessed Sacrament prostrating before the Lord, one of the Nuns said this prayer:
‘Beloved Mother Mary, God may not hear me instantly now as I want because of my sinfulness; but you our dearest Mother is sinless and therefore could be heard by God without delay. Please plead with your Son as you did in the wedding at Cana to loose whatever that is holding this baby, to let him come out so that we may hear this baby’s cry now.’
The Nun just had time to say Amen, and the next thing heard was "Waa! Waa! Waa!" Thus baby Moses’ cry that weighed 3.64kg at birth was heard at exactly 12.15am on a Monday in February. Moses became the first recorded baby born inside Our Lady of Good Counsel Home for Mothers. To God be the greatest Glory and Honour.
People may question why the Hospital exposed baby Moses Mother and her carers to such a big risk. It is only God who would give an appropriate response to the why. As for we the children of the Blessed Virgin Mary-the Mother of the Good Counsel and the Holy Family, the reason for all this is for all those who doubt the powerfulness of the intercession of the Mother of God to know that they are missing a lot by their failure to recourse to her.
Oh Mary conceived without original sin continue to pray for those who have recourse to Thee. Amen.

Donate to support this Catholic Pro-Life Home.

Mary Joseph J Ogbuokiri, HFSN.

Feed A Mum on Fridays

Choosing what to give alms to this Lent?

Why not give what you can each Friday in Lent to help Good Counsel feed destitute Mothers and Babies?

We spend £40,000 per year on feeding Mothers. And we give this help when a Mother has no wage, no right to benefits and no other means of support.

Some of our Mothers were sleeping on buses or on the street as late as 7 months into their pregnancies.

Many others considered abortion because of their devastating poverty when their baby's father chose not to support them in having their baby.

Those readers who have been pregnant and who know the awful hunger pangs you can endure in pregnancy even when you have plenty to eat will understand how terrible real hunger in pregnancy can be!

We always deliver the help that we promise an expectant Mother. We don't provide luxuries, but we do provide the basics. But at the moment funds are at an all time low.That's why we need your support especially during Lent.These women that we support witness to other women who are considering abortion - showing that there is real hope and real help for those in poverty who continue their pregnancies.

What does it cost?

It costs us £35 to feed an new Mother for 1 week.

It costs us £25 to feed an expectant Mother for 1 week.

It costs £15 to pay for baby milk each week when a Mother cannot breastfeed.

It costs us £7 a week to buy nappies for a baby.

It costs about £3.60 a day to feed an expectant Mother.

Can you donate any of these amounts weekly through Lent as part of your Lenten almsgiving?

Click here to donate online or to find out about other ways to donate.

Juventutem Mass for Good Counsel

"If we only knew how God regards this Sacrifice, we would risk our lives to be present at a single Mass."~ Saint Padre Pio

Join Juventutem London for Solemn High Mass (Old Rite) on the Friday.

Friday, 24th February, 6.30pm
Saint Mary Moorfields Catholic Church, 4-5 Eldon Street, London, EC2M 7LS

After Mass there will be a social downstairs for those aged 18-35 with an exception for priests and religious.

The Mass is open to anyone of any age. It is only the social events that are designed for 18-35 year olds.

This Mass and all our monthly Masses are offered for the work of The Good Counsel Network, a pro-life pregnancy centre that reaches out to mothers in desperate need of support, who would otherwise feel they have no other option than to have an abortion. Their work is founded on prayer and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

If you plan on coming to the social please RSVP either by emailing me, or by clicking 'Attending' on our Facebook event page.

Please let others know about this Mass by forwarding on this email, by inviting your friends on Facebook or by word of mouth.

If you are receiving this email but don't live in London or anywhere near it, I have sent it to you to keep you up to date with what we're doing and to request your prayers for Juventutem London and its members. If you'd like to be removed from this mailing list just send me an email saying so.

"Whatever we do in the political and social order, the indispensable foundation is prayer, the heart of which is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the perfect prayer of Christ Himself, Priest and Victim, recreating in an unbloody manner, the bloody selfsame Sacrifice of Calvary."
~ John Senior

Photo; St Mary Moorfields, Good Friday 2011

National Day of Prayer & Fasting for Life

And He said to them; This kind (of demon) can go out by nothing but prayer and fasting.

Gospel of Mark 9:29.

Since the 5th July 2008 The Good Counsel Network has organised monthly National days of prayer and fasting for life, the first was to prevent the passing of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. Although the bill was passed some of the more damaging anti-life amendments were not added to it, including an attack on pro-life counselling and the extension to Northern Ireland of the Abortion Act. There had also been 40 days of Prayer and Fasting in Northern Ireland to ensure that this law was not extended. This only confirmed what we already knew; it is clear from the work that we do at Good Counsel Network, advising women who are strongly set on abortion, that the struggle to end abortion is a spiritual struggle and not merely one of practical concerns or politics.

February 22nd, Ash Wednesday is the next National Day of Prayer and Fasting for Life. Please join us in fasting. You could fast from all food except bread and water for the day or fast from a particular food or luxury, e.g. chocolate, alcohol, cigarettes or tv. Fast from whatever you can given your state of health etc, but make sure that it is something that involves a sacrifice to yourself. We are asking people to say a Rosary (or an extra Rosary if you say it daily already). You could also offer an extra effort such as going to Mass, or an extra Mass, on the day, or going to Adoration.

And the people of Nineveh believed in God; they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least...God saw their efforts to renounce their evil ways. And God relented about the disaster which He had threatened to bring on them, and He did not bring it. Jonah 3:5,10.

For more information and a printable poster click here.

This Lent come and pray with us at an abortuary, there is our daily vigil in London, 40 Days 4 Life will start on Ash Wednesday in London, in Birmingham, in Brighton and in Manchester. For details of others vigils around the Country see here.

Any point praying outside an abortuary?

Good Counsel just had a call from "Susan" who is a turnaround from our daily vigil at Whitfield Street abortuary. She has just had a "beautiful baby girl". We first met her outside the abortuary, and after speaking to her for over 30 minutes managed to convince her to come to our centre instead of going into the Abortion 'clinic'. She had two children and was living with them in one room in a hostel, with no permanent job and no future prospects. Having another baby seemed impossible, to her. In the months since then we have been able to help her to find a three bedroom home, full-time employment (She is now on maternity leave) and convince her to keep her unborn child. She is now extremely happy to have her new baby. She is also determined to pay back all the financial help we have given her. This is a great success story and we must thank God and ask Him to continue giving "Susan" the grace to continue!


Please come and join us if you can. For details of weekend vigils and for ones outside London see here. Pray for the Mothers that we help. Donate so we can offer the help these Mothers need to keep their children.

I thank God, that my Mother did not abort me

I once wanted to makes stickers that said this in a speech bubble, to stick on adverts on the Underground. Nick Cannon was asked after he made this video, if he was Pro-Life, he said he was just Pro-Nick! Today is my 11th Wedding Anniversary, so I also thank God for my beautiful Wife's Mam & Dad.

Strange, but if my Mother chose not to have me, then my son would not be here, all of my nieces and nephews would have missed out on such a great uncle!

It may be a bit long, but please use this; #IthankGodthatmymotherdidnotabortme on twitter on you Birthday, Anniversary or whenever!

Pro-Life Mass on Friday, followed by a Social

"If we really understood the Mass, we would die of joy."
~ Saint John Vianney

Join Juventutem London as we celebrate the feast of Saint John Chrysostom with Solemn High Mass (Old Rite, normally offered for Good Counsel).

Saint Mary Moorfields Catholic Church, 4-5 Eldon Street, London, EC2M 7LS
Friday, 27th January, 6.30pm

Music:Missa Ecce sacerdos magnus (K, G, S, A) Palestrina
Ecce sacerdos magnus Victoria
Alma redemptoris Mater Palestrina

After Mass there will be a social downstairs for those aged 18-35 with an exception for priests and religious.
The Mass, of course, is open to all.

If you plan on coming to the social please click 'Attending' on our Facebook event page.
Please let others know about this Mass by forwarding this post or by inviting your friends on Facebook.

"When Mass is being celebrated, the sanctuary is filled with countless angels who adore the divine victim immolated on the altar."
~ Saint John Chrysostom

WHAT IS JUVENTUTEM?

Juventutem London is a group for young Catholic adults that meets with the blessing of Bishop Alan Hopes and Fr Peter Newby, whose parish church, St Mary Moorfields on Eldon Street, we use for Mass. We currently offer the only regular Solemn High Mass in London, which takes place on the 4th Friday of every month (generally - check 5-weeked months to make sure). Following Mass we have a social and a meal. We also meet for 'unofficial' socials on the greater feasts of the Church, after Masses offered in other locations in London.

The International Juventutem Federation is an international Catholic organisation for young people (18-35) with an interest in and love of the Traditional Latin Mass, also known as the Extraordinary Form and the 'Tridentine' or Gregorian Mass. They are in good standing with the Church and obedient to her Magisterium. They have received letters of praise from Cardinal Levada of the CDF. The name 'Juventutem' itself is the Latin word for youth and it appears in the opening lines of the traditional Mass.

Christi's Choice

As the result of an abortion, Christi Stile ended up in a persistent vegetative state for life. Presented as an emotional interview with her mother, Kay tries to explain what happened and how her family tries to cope with it.

This well made and very moving 30 minute programme will be on EWTN on Tuesday 24th January at 2am, 10.30am and 9pm (sky589 or online)

BLOODMONEY: THE BUSINESS OF ABORTION

BLOODMONEY: THE BUSINESS OF ABORTION

Dr. Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. exposes the truth behind the Abortion Industry from the Pro Life perspective, and hosts an examination of the history of abortion in America.

This very well made 60 minute programme will be on EWTN on Monday 23rd January at 9.30am (sky589 or online)

Happy Birthday Good Counsel

Today is the 15th Anniversary of the founding of the Good Counsel Network

in the UK.

Please keep our work in your prayers.
Our Lady Mother of Good Counsel, and St Jude, Pray for us!

15 Years of The Good Counsel Network!

There will be an Old Rite Mass organised by the Latin Mass Society, on Friday 13th January at 6.30pm at Corpus Christi Church, Maiden Lane, London. This Mass is offered for the work of the Good Counsel Network. This will be the 15th anniversary of the founding of the Good Counsel Network.

Fast for life Thursday 12th January

And He said to them; This kind (of demon) can go out by nothing but prayer and fasting. Gospel of Mark 9:29.

Since the 5th July 2008 The Good Counsel Network has organised monthly National days of prayer and fasting for life, the first was to prevent the passing of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. Although the bill was passed some of the more damaging anti-life amendments were not added to it, including an attack on pro-life counselling and the extension to Northern Ireland of the Abortion Act. There had also been 40 days of Prayer and Fasting in Northern Ireland to ensure that this law was not extended. This only confirmed what we already knew; it is clear from the work that we do at Good Counsel Network, advising women who are strongly set on abortion, that the struggle to end abortion is a spiritual struggle and not merely one of practical concerns or politics.

Thursday the 12th January is the next National Day of Prayer and Fasting for Life, it is the eve of the 15th anniversary of the founding of the Good Counsel Network. Please join us in fasting. You could fast from all food except bread and water for the day or fast from a particular food or luxury, e.g. chocolate, alcohol, cigarettes or tv. Fast from whatever you can given your state of health etc, but make sure that it is something that involves a sacrifice to yourself. We are asking people to say a Rosary (or an extra Rosary if you say it daily already). You could also offer an extra effort such as going to Mass, or an extra Mass, on the day, or going to Adoration.

And the people of Nineveh believed in God; they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least...God saw their efforts to renounce their evil ways. And God relented about the disaster which He had threatened to bring on them, and He did not bring it. Jonah 3:5,10.

For more information and a printable poster click here. Or if you have problems with this link go to http://www.goodcounselnetwork.com/ and find the Days of Prayer and Fasting page.

Life-saving walk along the Thames

As you may have seen on this blog, in October David Aron walked 184 miles to raise funds for The Good Counsel Network. Here follows an article he wrote for Dowry the Magazine of the FSSP, which you can read it online here.

During the summer months I felt the need to practically support a pro-life charity. So, I decided to fundraise for The Good Counsel Network, a Catholic pro-life charity that helps women in the most difficult and desperate situations with financial, moral and spiritual support. I decided to walk The Thames Path Way (184 miles - 296kms) solo, averaging 23 miles per day, whilst carrying all my kit (tent, food and provisions), weighing approximately 32 lbs (14.5kgs), for eight days (Friday 7 October 2011 – Friday 14 October 2011).

On the morning of the pilgrimage (Friday 7 October 2011) I served at the Traditional Latin Mass at St Dominic‟s (Dursley, Gloucestershire), which was celebrated by Father Redman. It was a beautiful way to start this pilgrimage, especially on the Feast of the Holy Rosary.

The Thames Path Way was an incredibly scenic walk where I followed the river from the source in the rural Cotswolds going though tranquil meadows, past willows trees, with rowers and swans as fleeting companions. It was enjoyable to walk next to peaceful water meadows, through historic towns and cities (Oxford, Reading, Windsor and Hampton Court) before cutting through the heart of London and then finishing at the Thames Barrier. I was absolutely blessed with the weather because throughout the week it only rained once for a couple of hours and the rest of the time it was pleasant sunshine with a cooling breeze. There were periods that I didn‟t see anybody for hours, which was slightly surprising because I expected the route would be bustling with people. At times it was very exhausting walking for 12 – 15 hours a day and most days it involved a dark 5.30am start!

Being separated from the daily commotions of the modern life style was liberating. It was nice to enjoy the silence and therefore to be given the opportunity to focus on God. This enabled me to reflect, meditate and form a closer relationship with God and the Blessed Virgin Mary. During the eight days I had plenty of time to think about the aspects of suffering. In the times of intense physical hardship and exhaustion, this forced me to pray deeper than before and to draw on the intercession of Our Lady, the Saints and Angels. Each day I offered my sufferings for specific intentions. For example, for the end of abortion; for the women that carry the pain and sorrow of having an abortion and that Our Lady may comfort them; for the Holy Souls in Purgatory; and for other private intentions. Also, suffering is a powerful process of purification preparing us for Heaven and it reminded me that we live in a fallen world.

After each day I thanked God for the suffering I endured because it helped me develop a tender heart toward others who are in pain, reflect on my weaknesses and it has strengthened and deepened my love for God and for the beauty of the Catholic Faith. Each day I thanked God for watching over me with an incomparable love, every moment bestowing favours and for the benefits which I have received from him, particularly for that day.

On my last day of walking (Friday 14 October 2011) I prayed at the Good Counsel Vigil at the Whitfield Street Abortuary in the morning. Afterwards I then carried on my walk to my final destination – The Thames Barrier! Arriving at the Thames Barrier I took a moment to reflect on the journey that I had just accomplished and endured – it was an incredible feeling of achievement. Then I looked at the map and realised that I had another mile to walk to the nearest London Overground! To mark the end of this long pilgrimage I arrived at Covent Garden (Central London) where I assisted at the Traditional Latin Mass at Corpus Christi in the evening, which the Latin Mass Society organises for the work of the Good Counsel Network [http://www.goodcounselnet.co.uk/].

Everyone's prayers kept me strong and the thought of saving lives helped me to keep going through the long strenuous days. I would like to thank everyone for their prayers, messages of support and generous donations in saving lives.

Overall, it was a fantastic pilgrimage that hopefully will save the lives of babies and help the souls of their mothers. This walk has been an incredible experience at different levels for me that I will hopefully cherish in years to come and whilst on my journey I deepened my love for God and the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was a truly humbling experience.

(David has so far raised £1,466.00 for Good Counsel, see here to support his walk.)

David is on the right in the photo

Happy Christmas

A Blessed Christmas

to all our supporters,

beneficiaries and friends.

From all at the Good Counsel Network

Real Tragedy of Aborted Twins

"Mother Loses Twin Boys In Abortion Mix Up" reads the Sky News headline. A scan of the article tells us:

"A healthy 32-week old foetus has been aborted by mistake in a tragic mix up at an Australian hospital.
A mother expecting twin boys was told by doctors one of the babies had a serious congenital heart defect and she decided to have him aborted.
However surgeons on Tuesday accidentally terminated the healthy twin.
The sick twin then also died, reportedly after an emergency caesarean section operation."

Picture shows twins born at 32 weeks, the age at which the twins in the news today were aborted.

All sympathy to the parents of these precious little ones. But this article speaks volumes about where our society is at. The "tragedy" in the view of this article writer is not the murder of this woman's children, nor even the truly tragic fact that not one, but two of her children were murdered. No, the tragedy for our society is that the healthy twin was killed. Had all gone to plan and the sick child been killed, it would have been a normal everyday "procedure" and certainly would not have made the papers. Sympathy would have been given to the Mother by friends for the fact that she carried a sick child and "had" to abort. Of course I do not know the severity of the child's condition - though it seems that if a Mother has the courage to continue her pregnancy many babies with heart defects do survive and are successfully treated. But for those who respect life, even a baby with an untreatable illness cannot be slaughtered.

We cannot judge those concerned, perhaps the Mother did not know what she was doing. And even the medical staff can have misinformed consciences and hardened hearts. But, as the article tells us, incidents like this have a habit of awakening consciences:

According to reports ...the ultrasound clinician, ...was apparently inconsolable because of the mistake.
and
A close friend of the mother said: "She went to hospital with two babies and now she has none.

Then there is the profound statement:
"And she had the heartache of giving birth to her sick baby. She's traumatised."
This is difficult of course, since the whole point of the abortion was an attempt to avoid giving birth to this child.
Giving birth somehow makes the baby real, visible, loveable. The birth of this child screams for justice for the child to be treated just as any born, sick child would be treated. When a woman allows a sick child to be born(rather than aborted), even knowing death is immenent, it is a healing (though difficult) event, which allows for proper grieving. When a woman who has tried to abort is faced with a born, dying child it is truly traumatising and a heartache confirming what has been attempted to be devastatingly wrong.
Let us pray for the Mother and Father and all the medical staff involved in this awful act of violence. May the Lord grant them healing and also repentant hearts that will never be fooled into treating human life lightly again. God bless them.

Clare McCullough

Please come and pray for deceased Pro-Lifers

There will be a Sung Requiem Mass (Old Rite) for the deceased supporters of the Good Counsel Network on Friday 11th November at 6.30pm.

The Mass is the one organised by the

Latin Mass Society on the 2nd Friday of each month at Corpus Christi Church, Maiden Lane, Central London - the nearest tube station is Charing Cross Station.

(Photo of the Requiem Mass held at Good Counsel for Dr Bernard Nathanson.)

500 Crosses for Life Prayer Procession, 12th November 2011

500 Crosses for Life - Prayer Procession
12 November 2011, starts 1:30 pm at Westminster Cathedral, Victoria Street, SW1P 1EP

European Pro Life Prayer Procession in remembrance of unborn babies killed by abortion beginning outside Westminster Cathedral at 1.30pm and finishing at Westminster Abbey at approximately 4.30pm. From Victoria Street the procession turns down Great Smith Street, then Horseferry Road, across Lambeth Bridge and along Lambeth Road to cross Westminster Bridge and thence to the Abbey.

Join this great witness of people in peaceful Intercessory Prayer for the unborn and for the end to abortion in this Country and throughout the world.

More Information:
http://www.europrolifeuk.org

Notification email:
europrolifeuk@gmail.com

Having Your Baby Scanned Can Help Us Save Lives!

Now London based women who are between 5 and 13 weeks of pregnancy can help to save lives by having a dating scan at Good Counsel's Pregnancy Centre to help us train our Ultrasonographers. We urgently need women at this stage of pregnancy to act as scan "models" for our trainees.

Ultrasound Scans are one of those mixed blessings. Routinely used to detect and exterminate those whom society deems "imperfect", the flipside of ultrasound is that crisis pregnancy centres report that as many as 90% of abortion-minded women change their mind after seeing a scan of their baby.

The Good Counsel Network is seeking to redress the balance here in London - where scan technology is so often used against life - by offering a scan to all abortion-minded women we see. In order to get this service up and running, we are training some volunteers to do the scans.

Some of our mums who are keeping their babies are already participating by volunteering to be scanned but we need many more.

All participants will get to see their baby on the free scan, will get a free picture of their baby and their travel expenses will be refunded. You will only be asked to have one scan.

All scans will be supervised by a Consultant who is an expert in Ultrasound.

If you would like to have a scan and help save lives at the same time, call us as soon as possible on 02077231740 to book in.