Merry Christmas, everybody! As we celebrate the birth of Christ and another year winds down, we'd like to take this moment to thank you for your wonderful service to our Lord and to the least of His people: the pre-born babies. We have asked a lot of you these last few months, and you've answered the call every time.

From 40 Days for life to rallies, to special events, to our continuing presence outside of Planned Parenthood, you have sacrified your time, talent, and energy to prevent the sacrifice of babies. It has been an absolute blessing for us to be able to serve with such faithful, committed people as yourselves. We pray for you and for your families and ask that you continue to stand and kneel with us in the year ahead. God bless you! That said, there is a lot of exciting pro-life news in the Madison area this month. Please read on for all the details, including some major BREAKING NEWS!


BREAKING NEWS
A MAJOR pro-life event will be held around the downtown area on Thursday, January 8 at 8:00 a.m. Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to disclose exactly what and where this event will be, but please trust us: It will be crucial to the pro-life movement in Madison.

We will be able to deliver all the details on Tuesday in a special Vigil for Life email. Until then, we ask that if you are able, please block off the 8:00 a.m. hour to attend this event. Certainly, many of you will be working or otherwise engaged. If this is the case, please let your pro-life friends and family members know. And please pray for the success of the event. If you are scheduled to pray outside Planned Parenthood on Thursdays per the continuing presence at the East Side facility, we invite you to feel free to attend this event in lieu of your scheduled hours.

Again, we will provide more information on this as soon as we are able.

Vigil for Life Expands Presence Outside Planned Parenthood
Our prayerful presence changes hearts and minds through the Holy Spirit. This knowledge challenges us to continue our loving witness outside of Planned Parenthood. We need your help to stand outside in the cold when the clinic is open and especially when abortions are happening. We need your weekly, monthly or one-time commitment to spend an hour in prayerful vigil on Thursdays and Fridays, 7AM-6PM. Our goal is not constant, 24-hour vigil but a year-round commitment to prayerful presence. Please respond to this e-mail with the commitment you can make. As you know, each day, thousands of unborn babies die. So, each day, you and I have the opportunity to do something about it. We kicked off these Thursday and Friday vigils beginning Thursday, December 4, 2008 in conjunction with our anticipation of the Incarnation of Jesus as a helpless child on Christmas morning. Now that we have celebrated the birth of Christ, we seek to continue defending children from this modern day slaughter of the innocents.

Saturday, January 3 Guest Speaker: Safe Place for Newborns' Terry Walsh
As the economy worsens, more women will feel the strain of an unplanned pregnancy. We really need to get the word out more that there is a last safety-net option -- not a quick abortion. Terry Walsh of Safe Place for Newborns joins us to share how we can help mothers choose life in tough financial times. See her speak at 9:00 am at Holy Redeemer, 120 W. Johnson.

Our Lady of Hope Clinic to Bring Pro-Life Family Practice to Madison
Our Lady of Hope Clinic, a 100 percent pro-life family practice clinic, will open its doors in Madison in April. Dr. Michael Kloess and Dr. Anne Johnson will provide primary care to benefactors and uninsured people in the Madison community. However, there is still a great need for pro-life families and individuals to become benefactors, donors, promoters, or to regularly offer prayers. Small group informational meetings are currently being held with free snacks and beverages. Please contact Steve Karlen by phone, 608-445-2063, or by e-mail sjkarlen@ourladyofhopeclinic.com. You may also visit the Web Site, www.ourladyofhopeclinic.org. You are also invited to attend the following scheduled presentations:

-Sunday, January 4, 2009, 9:30 a.m. (Following the 8:30 Mass) at St. James Parish (downstairs)1128 St. James Court, Madison, WI 53715-Tuesday, January 13, 2009, 7:00 p.m. at Schoenstatt5901 Cottage Grove Road, Madison, WI 53718
-Sunday, January 18, 2009, 8:30 a.m. (following the 7:30 Mass) at Sacred Hearts Parish
221 Columbus Street - Sun Prairie, WI 53590
-Sunday, January 18, 2009, 11:30 a.m. (following the 10:30 Mass) at St. Joseph Parish
590 S. Saint Joseph Circle - Edgerton, WI 53534

Silent No More Wisconsin: Post-Abortive Women to Deliver Testimonies at Capitol
Testimonies of mothers and fathers that have lost their children to the choice of abortion. Come, listen and support our precious brothers and sisters giving their personal stories. Wednesday, January 28, 2009, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. www.silentnomoreawareness.org

Care Net Seeks Male Mentors for Men Facing Crisis Pregnancies
While a great deal of time, effort and attention is rightly given to women facing crisis pregnancies, sometimes men can be forgotten. That's why Care Net seeks volunteers for their man-to-man ministry. It is a commitment that involves being trained in meeting men who are accompanying their pregnant partners/spouses to the Elizabeth House and assisting them in thinking through their situation and praying that they see choosing life as a beautiful option. For more information on volunteering for this life-affirming project, contact Cassie Mott at cassiem@carenetdane.org.

All men who are governed by Christian charity and love, willing to go through some formal training at Care Net, and have some aptitude for relating to men, are encouraged to apply.

Men of Christ Conference, Jan 10, 2009
www.MenofChrist.net

YOUTH 2000 Mar 20-22, 2009
A high school and young adult retreat, led by the Franciscan Friars and Sisters of the Renewal and the Community of St. John, will take place at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center. More info: www.madisondiocese.org:80/Ministry/EvangelizationandCatechesis/YouthMinistry/Youth2000/tabid/1129/Default.aspx

Respect Life Retreat: Mar 27-28, 2009 (Date change)
Fr. Samuel Martin of the Diocese of LaCrosse will be our retreat master during our Lenten Journey focusing our attention to how we can continue to protect the innocent (conception to natural death), building a Culture of Life! The flyer will be posted on our new upcoming website. Please ask for more details.

To have your event or announcement listed in our monthly email, contact Steve and Laura Karlen at vigilforlife@gmail.com.