Prayer, Adoration, Lock-down and Abortion

Saint Teresa of Calcutta said “If people spend one hour per week in Eucharistic Adoration, abortion would be ended”. Just think about that for a moment, “abortion would be ended”. Somewhere in the region of 200,000 lives would be saved every year in the UK alone.

Jesus Christ is truly present in The Blessed Sacrament and we receive Him, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity at Mass and we can really Adore Him in the Monstrance at Adoration. If we spend time praying in the physical presence of God is it any wonder that Saint Teresa said “abortion would be ended”.  Before the lock-down started we would have Eucharistic Adoration five days a week in The Good Counsel Network’s Chapel. We have now missed over 200 hours of Adoration. Thousands, maybe tens of thousands of hours of Adoration have been missed in Churches up and down the country. It is good that people are finding ways to pray online, live streamed Masses, Adoration, retreats etc. But it is not the same, it is a bit like the difference between going to visit your family and talking to them on the phone or online. We need real contact; we need to Adore God in the Blessed Sacrament.

We all have things we are waiting to see re-open as lock-down is relaxed. My wife, son and myself  have spent a bit of time in the book shops now they have re-opened. I will ‘waste’ some time watching football in due course, (according to my wife). This is all good and well and I trust you can add to the list for yourself. But let us remember that this will not end abortion. So let us be clear with a plan now, such as. ‘Now churches are re-opening, I will go and spend an hour a week in Eucharistic Adoration and if no parish near me has Adoration I will pray in front of the Tabernacle, knowing that Jesus Christ is there.’ If you have been unable to get to Confession during lock-down, go before public Masses start up again (many priests are now offering it on request).

Abortion centres have remained open during lock-down and the government have unbelievably allowed D.I.Y. abortions at home, with the abortion centres posting abortion pills to women they have never even met or examined. The abortion figures for last year are the worst on record, the even easier availability of home abortions as well as those in abortion centres during the difficult weeks of lock-down will be likely to mean this year’s figures will be even higher. We really need to make up for lost time with Our Lord as churches re-open and make up for lost ground in the fight against abortion.

The Good Counsel Network has two prayer rotas. You can join our Rosary Rota where you say a Rosary for our work once a month, we will send you the date and which Mysteries to say to ensure that we have people praying each day for the Mothers that we are helping. You can join our Adoration Rota where you agree to do an hours Adoration each week in a Church of your choosing. You can sign up for one or both of these Prayer Rotas here; https://goodcounselnet.co.uk/sign-up-for-info

52 Years of Abortion

Sunday 26^th April is the Feast of Our Lady, Mother of Good Counsel, which is the 52^nd anniversary of the last day in Britain when it was illegal to perform abortions. Please say the prayer to Our Lady, Mother of Good Counsel, on this her Feast day: http://www.goodcounselnet.co.uk/Our-Patron-Saints.html  or see below.

 

Monday 27^th April, is the 52^nd anniversary of the abortion act coming in to effect. Since then, over 9 million babies have been aborted in the United Kingdom. Please join us that day in praying and fasting* for the end of abortion in this Country. Normally thousands of people would hear about our National Days of Prayer and Fasting for Life through their Parishes, with notices and posters. Sadly at this time, this will not happen, would you therefore please forward this email to family and friends and go onto the Facebook event and click Going and then click Share and then use the Invite option to invite others. Thank you. https://www.facebook.com/events/3035268766567721/

The March for Life have said, "27th April marks the very sad anniversary of the abortion act UK. When you go out for your exercise be a prolife witness by wearing a pro-life t-shirt!"

 

And SPUC, who would normally have thier Pro-Life Chains this weekend have also called for a day of prayer on Monday.

Prayer to Our Lady, Mother of Good Counsel:

O, Holy Virgin, to whose feet we are led by our anxious uncertainty in our search for and attainment of what is true and good, invoking thee by the sweet title of Mother of Good Counsel we beseech thee to come to our assistance, when along the road of this life, the darkness of error and of evil conspires towards our ruin by leading our minds and our hearts astray.

Do Thou, O Seat of Wisdom and Star of the Sea, Enlighten the doubtful and the erring, that they be not seduced by the false appearances of good, render them steadfast in the face of the hostile and corrupting influences of passion and of sin.

O Mother of Good Counsel, obtain for us from Thy Divine Son a great love of Virtue and, in the hour of uncertainty and trial, the strength to embrace the way that leads to our salvation. If Thy hand sustains us, we shall walk unmolested long the path indicated to us by the life and words of Jesus our Redeemer; and having followed freely and securely, even in the midst of this world's strife, the sun of truth and justice under Thy Maternal Star, we shall come to the enjoyment of full and eternal peace with Thee in the Haven of Salvation. Amen.

*As we are in the Easter Season please limit your fasting to some small sacrifice.

Novena for the Safe Re-opening of the Churches and the Restoration of Public Mass as soon as possible

We are writing today to ask you to join us in prayer for a very important intention, the Litany below will be said by Catholics across the UK from Sunday, 26th April, (The Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel) until the following week Monday, 4th May, the Feast of the English Martyrs.

This novena petitions Our Lord, the Good Shepherd, that it may be safe to re-open Churches and restore public Masses as soon as possible.

We know that many Catholics are finding it difficult in these times, separated from Our Lord’s Sacramental Presence in the tabernacle in His Churches. And, of course, many have been affected by the coronavirus, many have died and others have lost loved ones.

We know that care must be taken to ensure the safety of all, so we earnestly entreat Our Lord that, it will be safe to reopen the Churches and restore public Masses as soon as possible.

Please join us. If you hear about it later than those dates, please join anyway.

We continue to pray daily for all our supporters, especially those afflicted by this illness, and for the Mothers in need of our support, which we have continued to provide during the lockdown.

Please do share the Novena with your friends too.

Novena for the Safe Re-opening of the Churches and the Restoration of Public Mass as soon as possible

 

The Litany of the Sacred Heart

For the Intention that it may be safe to re-open the Churches and restore public Masses as soon as possible, we pray:

Lord, have mercy on us.

-          Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.

-          Christ, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.

-          Christ, graciously hear us.

 God the Father of Heaven,

-          Have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world,

-          Have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit,

-          Have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Formed by the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mother,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Substantially united to the Word of God,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Of Infinite Majesty,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Holy Temple of God,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Tabernacle of the Most High,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, House of God and Gate of Heaven,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Burning Furnace of charity,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Vessel of Justice and love,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Full of goodness and love,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Abyss of all virtues,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Most worthy of all praises,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, King and centre of all hearts,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, In Whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, In Whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Divinity,

-          Have mercy on us. 

Heart of Jesus, in Whom the Father is well pleased,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Of Whose fullness we have all received,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Desire of the everlasting hills,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Patient and abounding in mercy,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Rich unto all who call upon Thee,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Fountain of life and holiness,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Atonement for our sins,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Filled with reproaches,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Bruised for our offenses,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Made obedient unto death,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Pierced with a lance,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Source of all consolation,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Our Life and Resurrection,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Our Peace and Reconciliation,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Victim for our sins,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Salvation of those who hope in Thee,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Hope of those who die in Thee,

-          Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Delight of all the Saints,

-          Have mercy on us.

Lamb of God Who takest away the sins of the world,

-          Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God Who takest away the sins of the world,

-          Graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God Who takest away the sins of the world,

-          Have mercy on us.

Jesus, meek and humble of heart,

-          Make our hearts like unto Thine.

 

Let us pray.

 

Almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of Thine most-beloved Son, and upon the praises and satisfaction He offers Thee in the name of sinners; and appeased by worthy homage, pardon those who implore Thy mercy, in Thy Great Goodness in the name of the same Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.

We turn to Mary in England's hour of need, as we have always done. Please use the link and pictures  below to help you join and celebrate the Rededication of England as Mary's Dowry on Sunday 29th March 2020.
Rededication Prayers can be found at www.Behold2020.com

Rededication of England as Mary's Dowry Colouring Pages for Children

If you are taking part in the Preparation for Consecration to Jesus through Mary, currently happening across England, in the run up to the Rededication of England as Mary's Dowry by the Bishop's of England, you might like a colouring page/timetable of events for your children. The page lists all the things going on in the lead up to the Rededication. But don't be overwhelmed, just take part to whatever extent you can! If you find the pages helpful, please share!
Rededication Colouring Page & Timetable
Hopefully you know by now that England is going to be Rededicated to Mary as her Dowry on 29th March this year. You may also know that we are all encouraged to take part in a Consecration to Jesus through Mary on the Feast of the Annunciation, 25th March 2020. There is a 33 day preparation period of prayer (which started on the 21st March). Even if you missed the start date, you can still join in at any time. There are online links for the St Louis de Montfort Preparation prayers here
and also for shorter, and more recent versions : 
Fr Michael Gaitley's "33 Days to Morning Glory" is online here
And Fr Brian McMaster's book, based on St Louis de Montfort and Pope John Paul II, "Totus Tuus" is on sale here.

You Wouldn’t Even Ask….Candidates to Vote for General Election 2019

If a candidate who supported terrorism asked for your vote, would you say, "I disagree with you on terrorism, but where do you stand on other issues?

"I doubt it.

In fact, if a terrorism sympathiser presented him/herself for your vote, you would immediately know that such a position disqualifies the candidate for public office -- no matter how good he or she may be on other issues. The horror of terrorism dwarfs whatever good might be found in the candidate's plan for housing, education, or health care. Regarding those plans, you wouldn't even ask.

So why do so many people say, "This candidate favours legal abortion. I disagree. But I'm voting for this person because she has good ideas about health care (or some other issue).

"Such a position makes no sense whatsoever, unless one is completely blind to the violence of abortion. That, of course, is the problem. But we need only see what abortion looks like, or read descriptions from the abortionists themselves, and the evidence is clear. (USA Today refused to sell me space for an ad that quoted abortionists describing their work because the readers would be traumatised just by the words!)

Abortion is no less violent than terrorism. Any candidate who says abortion should be kept legal disqualifies him/herself from public service. We need look no further, we need pay no attention to what that candidate says on other issues. Support for abortion is enough for us to decide not to vote for such a person.

Pope John Paul II put it this way: "Above all, the common outcry, which is justly made on behalf of human rights -- for example, the right to health, to home, to work, to family, to culture -- is false and illusory if the right to life, the most basic and fundamental right and the condition for all other personal rights, is not defended with maximum determination" (Christifideles Laici, 1988).

False and illusory. Those are strong and clear words that call for our further reflection.

"I stand for adequate and comprehensive health care." So far, so good. But as soon as you say that a procedure that tears the arms off of little babies is part of "health care," then your understanding of the term "health care" is obviously quite different from the actual meaning of the words. In short, you lose credibility. Your claim to health care is "illusory." It sounds good, but is in fact destructive, because it masks an act of violence.

"My plan for adequate housing will succeed." Fine. But what are houses for, if not for people to live in them? If you allow the killing of the children who would otherwise live in those houses, how am I supposed to get excited by your housing project?

It's easy to get confused by all the arguments in an election year. But if you start by asking where candidates stand on abortion, you can eliminate a lot of other questions you needn't even ask.
By Fr. Frank Pavone

For more election related articles and information, visit www.priestsforlife.org/elections (US)

So it is no good just voting for this Party or that, you need to ask all your local Candidates where they stand on abortion and how they will vote if elected.
See how your MP has voted on Life Issues in the past and how your other local candidates would vote if elected; https://www.spuc.org.uk/ (UK)

Ban On Silent Prayer, Upheld By The Court Of Appeal

The Good Counsel Network is deeply concerned for the many women who are coerced into abortions by partners, family or by circumstances. Over the last 7 years we have had the opportunity outside Marie Stopes to assist over 500 women to keep their babies through offering financial help, housing, practical help, baby goods, childcare and moral support. Ealing Council's PSPO prevents many women from accessing this help.

We are deeply saddened that the Appeal Court Judges have not taken into account the testimonies of these women and that they have ruled that even silent prayer and an offer of help should be banned outside the abortion centre. We understand that Alina will challenge this ruling further.

Hear from some of the mothers that the Pro-Life vigils have helped over the years, https://www.goodcounselnet.co.uk

Then join us in prayer, at a Vigil or on our Monthly Days of Prayer and Fasting for Life