Jerome Lejeune: To the Least of My Brothers and Sisters

 

Our 2015 March for Life theme, “Every Life is a Gift,” has drawn upon the work of the Lejeune Foundation, a research and advocacy organization for individuals with Down Syndrome. We recently shared a report by the Lejeune Foundation-USA’s President, Mark Bradford, entitled “Abortion after Prenatal Diagnosis of Down Syndrome Reduces Down Syndrome Community by Thirty Percent.”

To the Least of My Brothers and Sisters is a new documentary on the life of Jerome Lejeune, the Father of Modern Genetics that was made to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his death. Filmed on two continents, it contains numerous interviews with former colleagues, families, current medical researchers, and others, all who express the importance of Jerome Lejeune in both the history of medicine and the defense of the dignity of human life.

For those in the D.C. area, a free showing of the documentary will be held at the Heritage Foundation:

• DATE:May 6, 2015
• LOCATION:Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Ave NE Washington DC 20002-4999
• TIME:6:00 PM reception; 7:00 PM screening
• RSVP:to contact@LejeuneUSA.org
• COST:Free

BA – “Jérôme Lejeune, to the least of these my brothers & sisters” from Aloest on Vimeo.

Jerome Lejeune’s importance in the history of medical and scientific discovery cannot be overestimated. He was called “The Father of Modern Genetics” because his 1958 discovery that Down syndrome was caused by an extra copy of the 21st chromosome radically changed the course of modern medicine and initiated the new field of cytogenetics. Awarded by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, and feted by the American Society of Human Genetics in 1969, his fortunes turned when he became an outspoken advocate for the dignity of human life, and opposed the use of his discovery to prenatally diagnose and abort babies with Down syndrome. For this cause he is an icon in the current struggle to preserve the right of conscience for medical practitioners and others who are increasingly challenged by governmental mandates to set their beliefs aside in their professional work.

For more information about the Lejeune Foundation, click HERE.

 

Guest Blog Post: Mary McClusky

“I felt I’d committed the unforgivable sin.”

So many women with abortion in their past have said things like this. They may often feel deep shame, regret, loss, or despair.  The good news is that hope and healing is available to all who have suffered from abortion.

Project Rachel Ministry is the Catholic Church’s diocesan-based ministry to those suffering in the aftermath of abortion. The nationwide ministry helps mothers, fathers, family members, friends, and people of faith or no faith who seek compassionate, non-judgmental help. Priests, religious, counselors, and laypeople provide a team response of care that can help to heal those wounded by abortion.

Abortion’s impact is extensive and the need for help is great. About 35 million women have lost one or more children to abortion. In addition, a roughly equal number of men have fathered a child who was then aborted. The grandparents of the deceased child or other family members or friends are often involved.

As pro-life people, we should be aware that we will almost always be near those who have been involved in abortion. By listening to the stories of those wounded by abortion and expressing sorrow for their loss, we can witness to their child’s life and affirm their right to grieve. We should take special care to use words of love and mercy, rather than judgment and condemnation. And we should always be ready to mention the help that is available.

Project Rachel Ministry offers help for all who seek God’s mercy, healing and love. If you or someone you know is suffering after abortion and needs to find local help, or for more information, visit HopeAfterAbortion.org or EsperanzaPosaborto.org.

Mary McClusky is the Assistant Director for Project Rachel Ministry Development at the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

 

 

As the famed Masters Golf Championship plays out this weekend, the spotlight will be on two-time champion, Bubba Watson, who took home the first place Green Jacket in 2012 and 2014. One of the world’s best golfers, Watson now says his life is defined by family, not golf.

Watson and his wife, Angie, embody the 2014 March for Life theme, “Adoption: A Noble Decision.” The Watsons are the adoptive parents of Caleb and Dakota. For adorable pictures of this sweet family, click HERE.

The family has also become advocates for the cause of adoption, becoming national spokespersons for the National Council for Adoption. Bubba recently spoke with Golf.com about his family. His full comments about adoption are worth reading:

“It’s been a wild journey. For many years nobody talked about adoption. I hate to say it this way, but a lot of men feel like they don’t want to adopt because it doesn’t make them feel like a man not having their own child. I’ve never felt like less of a man adopting. I look at Caleb and Dakota, and I don’t think of anything else except, God made this child in somebody else’s womb for us. There are so many beautiful kids out there who didn’t ask to be put in a certain situation; they’re just looking for love. It’s a blessing for Angie and me that these beautiful kids are now ours and we get to raise them. Winning golf tournaments is great, and I hope I can keep doing it, but I know that the most important thing I’m going to do in this lifetime is be a dad to Caleb and Dakota.”

What a beautiful summary of the importance of adoption! We are grateful to the Watsons for their personal testimony and advocacy, as they work to change our culture’s thinking and attitudes towards adoption.

Good luck to Bubba on the greens this weekend!

>>> For information and resources on adoption, click HERE.