Brian Jenkins

Close to a hundred abortion mills dot our country a mari usque ad mare.

A National Post story reveals that about half of these are located in Quebec (46) because governmental so-called "health policies" included expansion into the rural areas as early as the 1970s.

As for the other regions of Canada, in descending order of quantity, we have British Columbia with 16, Ontario 16, the prairie provinces 8, and the Atlantic provinces 4. I suppose the balance of the 94 cited in the article are found in the three territories.

Also, a revealing graphic accompanying the story shows that there is not an insignificant number of late term abortions. Often scoff by pro-abortion advocates met on the streets of Montreal as minuscule, the graphic indicates close to two thousand unborn children are aborted after 21 weeks of gestation every year in Canada.

I’m fresh back from another 40 Days for Life prayer vigil (see some pictures of the vigil here) for the end of abortion – our twelfth, and guess what? A life was saved! 

Else, on October 14. QLC president, Mr. Georges Buscemi was privileged to confer our first Defender of Life award to Montreal Archbishop Christian Lépine. His grace has long been a promoter of the culture of life, attending the annual National March for Life in Ottawa for one and promoting various related issues since his elevation from parish priest to archbishop a little over two years ago. On this day, His Grace received a handsomely crafted Defensor Vitae ceramic.

CONFERENCE 

Another October activity gathering much interest was our annual conference (see some pictures here) - October 11 in Granby.

Commemorating the 25^th anniversary of the founding of the Quebec Life Coalition, close to a hundred persons came to listen to six speakers on the topic of promoting a culture of life in the Quebec. The two first– pastor Stephane Gagné and M. Robert Gendreau, spoke of their spiritual approaches to this issue. Next M. Jean Renaud, director of the periodical Égards, offered his reflections on the roots of the euthanasia movement.

Next it was the turn of the keynote speaker, Mr. Tugdual Derville, a French citizen, active in the culture of life movement in France. He spoke of the work he does including the promotion the rights of handicap children, his battles versus euthanasia and abortion.

The next two speakers, Mrs. Dominique Morin and Mr. Dominique Boily, shared their experience on the importance of faith-based education. Mrs. Morin, the mother nine children, spoke on how church teachings have been pivotal in her and her husband’s rearing of their children. Mr. Boily, also a parent of nine children, argued how faith-based education is beneficial to both societal culture and virtue.

The final person to address the assembly was Ms. Caroline Roux, also a French national, sharing her experience of counselling pregnant women and post-abortive and other vulnerable persons.

A busy October! I wish to thank everyone who contributed to the success of these events through prayer and financial aid. In so doing, together we are building our society into a culture of life. Your help is appreciated !

Yours in Christ Jesus,

Brian Jenkins

Outreach Coordinator
Quebec Life Coalition 

p.s. Over the 40 day period of the vigil, 685 lives were saved from abortion in the near 300 locations in which a vigil was held. Glory and praise to our God!

A highly interesting lecture on Bill 52 and palliative care (vs. Euthanasia) will be given by Dr. Manuel Borod on November 18, 2014 @ 7:00 pm.

Where:

Segal Centre
5170 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine
Montreal, QC H3W 1L5
Canada

Dr. Manuel Borod is vehementlt opposed to Bill 52, the bill which has passed earlier this year and proposes to legalize euthanasia in Quebec.

Dr. Manuel Borod practiced family medicine for 20 years prior to embarking on a career in palliative medicine.

He developed the home care program at Mount Sinai Hospital prior to coming to the MUHC on a full-time basis. He served as Clinical Director of Palliative Care there from 2003-2009 and since then has been the Division Director.

He has been very active in improving and developing different programs such as out-patient services which include a palliative care day hospital, cancer rehabilitation and a multidisciplinary program on cancer pain. He has long been a dedicated teacher and mentor to medical students, residents, and colleagues.

Dr. Borod has given many presentations at local, national and international conferences on a number of subjects including cancer pain, ethics, palliative sedation and euthanasia as well as the role of humour in palliative care.

The event is $12, payable at the door.

For more info.

Dear Friends, of Life,

I have some exciting news.

This past Wednesday, September 24, 2014, we began our twice annual 40 Days for Life prayer vigil for the end of abortion, the other occurring in the springtime.

From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., we meet to pray across the street from the Morgentaler abortion mill on Saint Joseph Blvd., encouraging young families to keep rather than destroy the young life that God has blessed them with. (Considering that one in five Canadian couples is infertile, becoming pregnant is indeed a blessing.)

Please pray and fast for the stalwart ones who are manning this prayerful and peaceful outpost.

Though beginning on the 24th, this vigil was inaugurated the previous Sunday. On September 21, we met at Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius church to kick-off this our twelfth vigil –twice a year since the spring of 2009. This evening was characterized by hymns and adoration, beseeching Our Lord to help end this slaughter.

In addition, the program included an invited speaker – Mr. Steve Karlen, Outreach Director for North America of the 40 Days for Life organization, the international agency coordinating the over 279 vigils occurring simultaneously worldwide this fall.

Having travelled from his home in Madison, Wisconsin, via Ottawa, Steve shared his journey from a slumbering pro-life believer to ardent advocate, criss-crossing Canada and the U.S., encouraging groups for the cause of life. Steve is married to Laura and they are raising two children.

On this evening, Steve shared about the precarious battle for life raging in our midst. He and his wife have witnessed firsthand how vulnerable women can be pressured to abort their child, how men also can be wounded by a woman’s decision to abort a child, and how communities that come together can thwart the plans of large institutions planning to open late-term abortion facilities.

(Pictured is Mr. Steven Karlen, on the right, receiving a hooded fleece sweatshirt with the 40 Days for Life logo in French at the end of his presentation from your author.)

His first example sounded eerily familiar. I met Sandra (alias) during the spring vigil. She came to the Morgentaler mill to abort her child but had a change of heart, crossed the street to speak with us, and has welcomed our supportive presence ever since.

As in Steve’s example, Sandra faced pressures to abort. The child’s father, her ex-boyfriend and father of her son, her mother and her grand-mother, and even her social worker have all at one time or another and in varying degrees coerced her to abort. In fact, two of us have even been present when these cajoled, shamed, begged, and threatened her to commit this crime!

Fortunately, differing from Steve’s example, Sandra has withstood the pressures and is set to deliver on October 19, a girl. Please keep her in your prayers over these final weeks.

In summary, we are very grateful for the support you have given us and are giving. In turn we can hold such event as the 40 Days for Life prayer vigils, bringing not only the culture of life message to the streets of Montreal and Quebec, something our government and media fail to do, but also occasionally helping persons like Sandra in their decision to choose life.

Thank you for making the Quebec Life Coalition possible to exist in our society, through your prayers and financial support.

Yours in Christ Jesus,

Brian Jenkins

Outreach Coordinator, Quebec Life Coalition

p.s. Sunday, October 5, 2014, was a busy day at the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil site as upwards of 50 people and many families came out. Have you thought of passing by to say “Hi”? The vigil runs through to Sunday, November 2, 2014.

Dear Friends of Life,

You are all welcomed to join us to kick-off off our 12th prayer vigil for the end of abortion.

This event will be on Sunday, September 21, 2014 at Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius church - 7187 2nd avenue - corner Jean-Talon east, three blocks east of the Iberville metro station (blue line).

Dear Friends of Life,

The motto of the Quebec Life Coalition is:

PROMOTING RESPECT FOR THE HUMAN PERSON – BODY AND SOUL,

FROM CONCEPTION TO NATURAL DEATH

In my work, I have been privileged to realize this goal for all stages of human development. This past August, 2014, I visited Yolande and her family to celebrate the one year anniversary of her daughter. I joined her, her husband Sajeeb, their three other children along with a neighbour and her two little boys for this celebration.

Yolande came to our attention last summer. Having heard of her two abortions, a few of us worried of a similar fate awaited the child she was carrying. Befriending her and supporting her as best we could, she delivered her little girl and on this day we celebrated her right choice.

Paula is yet another mother I am privileged to accompany in her pregnancy. Two of us met her during our spring 40 Days for Life campaign. Having seen our vigil across the street from the Morgentaler abortuary, she cancelled her appointment there and came over to speak with us. Since then four of us have been supporting her and are looking forward to October 20, her due date.

I am also privileged to know Jennifer. For some time now, I have accompanied her in her grieving the death of her parents, both of which show traits of euthanasia. (Though illegal, euthanasia is clandestinely practiced in Quebec.)

Cause enough for mourning, these deaths are not the only sorrows she has to bear due to the Quebec health care system. Jennifer tells me that an aunt, 3 friends, and others that she has met through her volunteer projects, were all denied normal, natural comfort care – basic rights that our federal laws guarantee.

A case in point came to my attention the last week of August. The Journal de Montreal ran a story of an alzheimer patient who had incurred second degree burns because her attendants at the long-term health facility where she lived failed to change her diaper over a ten-day period!

This lack of care is not an isolated incident. Again the Journal de Montreal at the outset of the summer wrote about how Quebec nurses are under duress by physicians to euthanize patients.

Despite her condition, an Alzheimer patient is still capable of feeling pain. Nurses, however professionally trained, will feel distraught for taking the life of those whom they are responsible to care for.

And what are our elected officials doing to redress our ailing health care system? They allot $26 million annually to fund abortions! They pass legislation permitting euthanasia!

Returning to Jennifer, this past month she introduced me to Alicia who shared her experience of mistreatment in our health care system. I heard her describe how an admitting physician whispered in her hear that she was a reject. I heard her relate that because of her three serious life-threatening illnesses she was abandonned, denied food and water for three days. I listened to how she turned her faith tradition to find comfort and help. Finally tears came to me on hearing about the miracles she experienced thereby regaining some measure of healing.

Our time together ended with prayer, turning our ourselves over to the ultimate healer, Our Lord.

God is calling each of us to participate in one way or another to build his kingdom of love. It all begins and ends with prayer. At the Quebec Life Coalition, I am privileged to hear these stories.

Thank you for supporting us both financially and through prayer in this endeavour.

For Life !

Brian Jenkins, Outreach Coordinator, Quebec Life Coalition

Dear Friends of Life,

You are cordially welcomed to attend either or both Eucharistic services scheduled this week for the unborn child.

Monday

The first will be held at the church Notre-Dame-Porte-de-l'Aurore - 1465 De Sève Street in ville Émard, across the street from the Jolicoeur Metro station on the green line.

The mass will begin following the recitation of the rosary set to start at 6:30 p.m., on Monday, September 1, 2014.

Fr. Pearson will preside at this mass whose specific intention is for the repose of the souls of children having died due to an abortion. He will say the mass in French.

Friday

The second mass is scheduled at Saint-Sylvain church in Laval - 750 Saint-Sylvain Blvd., on Friday, September 5, 2014.

The schedule this evening consists of adoration, followed by a rosary, and then the mass.

Fellowship in the sacristy will conclude the evening which begins at about 7 p.m.

This mass will be celebrated in French.

Dear Friends of Life,

It was a busy weekend in Montreal for the Crossroad walkers.

From Friday evening through to Monday mid-day, ten intreprid young adults brought the pro-life message to the streets and people of Montreal.

Here are a few of these moments caught on e-"celluloid":

https://www.flickr.com/photos/campagnequebecvie/14885692854/in/set-72157645953405648/player/

Benjamin and all of the walkers, it was wonderfully and a blessing to have you all here.

God's speed in all that you do.

Dear Friends of Life,

The Crossroad Walkers will be with us this weekend.

Arriving Friday, August 8, 2014, from having spent the previous weekend in Toronto and travelling from the Queen City since then, five men and five women are bringing their witnessing for life to Montreal for four days.

While here, an assortment of activities are planned, including visiting parishes to share what it has been like leaving Vancouver this past May 24, 2014, and walking near 6000 km.

A complete outline of their time here with us reads as follows:

All are welcomed to join us to meet and congratulate these intrepid youth.

Kindly see our feature article in the August QLC newsletter for further details about these young adult and their trek.

Dear Friends of Life,

I have some wonderful news to share!

Your prayers and the work of one of our volunteers have saved the lives of twin girls.

That’s right – we can augment by two the number of babies saved by our efforts to end abortion.

I received this good news a fortnight ago. Invited to St-Joseph’s Oratory for an afternoon of prayer, I met Doris, one of the many faithful prayer warriors who attend our twice annual 40 Days for Life prayer vigil for the end of abortion.

Yet, her devotion does not end there. She also brings to her church our promotional material such as the prayer card entitled “Prayer for the End of Abortion,” placing it in a common area.

Not long ago, she told me, she had met a mom with a pair of twin at her church. The conversation turned to the pro-life material and on learning that Doris was the one responsible for having placed it, the mother thanked her profusely. On asking why, Doris learned the rest of the story.

One day, the mother, pregnant but ignorant that she was carrying twins, had a harrowing experience with her physician. Upon examination, the doctor, for various reasons, had advised her that she should abort.

Deeply saddened and not knowing quite what to do, she came across the material that Doris had left inside the church. Bolstered by what she read, she resolved then and there to carry through with the pregnancy, delighting even more so on learning that she was carrying twin girls.

Today mother and daughters are healthy and happy. Praise be to God!

This increases to five the number of babies saved during the Montreal 40 days for life prayer vigils.

(We believe that the number is greater as many women who have decided to keep their child after seeing us pray daily across the street from the Morgentaler abortion mill on Saint Joseph Blvd. East, do not slip us a word.)

Returning to Doris’ deed, I find this shows how our affirming gestures, however little these may be, can promote a culture of life.

Here’s another story about the big impact of small gestures. For some time now, Charlotte, one of our regular prayer volunteers, proudly wears the “Precious Feet” lapel pin - an exact replica of the size of the feet of a ten-week old unborn child. One day she gives hers to an acquaintance who took a fancy to it. In turn this woman was asked by a young woman about the pin she was wearing. On hearing what it was, the young lady exclaimed: “You mean to tell me that those are the actual size of the feet of my unborn child?!” At which point she renounced thoughts of aborting her child, something she was considering. Today little Samuel is the delight of many.

Small gestures – leaving leaflets at the back of a church, wearing a precious feet lapel pin, among others, are important.

God is calling each of us to participate in one way or another to build his kingdom of love. At the Quebec Life Coalition, I am privileged to hear these stories.

Thank you for supporting us both financially and through prayer in this endeavour.

For Life!

Brian Jenkins, Outreach Coordinator, Quebec Life Coalition