Alternatives
and Choices
This page was created to offer information and resources for women who are facing extremely difficult choices.  Yes, I am very much "pro-life", but as a single mother who had to face "choice" herself, I could never judge anyone for whatever they decided to do. It's scary, feeling alone, feeling like everything is falling apart!  Oh, I know that feeling far too well!  

My hope and my prayer is simply that some will find this information helpful. If ever you need anything, just let me know.  I will do what I can, and certainly, I will pray for you, no matter what.  

If, for any reason at all, you want to email me - please feel free!  If I can do anything to help I will!  Don't hesitate to contact me, if you need help, or just someone to talk to! 

Lisa Alekna
lanat@rcn.com

Crisis Pregnancy  Information

If you are pregnant, or think you might be, and need help, these resources may be able to help you.  Click on one of the links below.

These pregnancy centers typically provide you the following free services: pregnancy tests, caring and confidential counseling from trained professionals, medical referrals, medical care, abortion facts, adoption information, info about medical insurance or government assistance, temporary shelter, and much more.

BY PHONE:

Birthright    1- 800 - 848 - 5683

National Pregnancy Hotline  1- 800 - 344 - 7211

Family Life Service  1- 800 - 368 - 3336

Bethany Christian Service  1 - 800 - 238 - 4269

Catholic Charities 1-800-CARE-002

Catholic Charities agencies across the country team up to offer a hot line for people troubled by crisis pregnancies.

A call to 1-800-CARE-002 links the caller with a nearby Catholic Charities agency which offers supportive services ranging from counseling and parenting information, to adoption, and help with living expenses during and after pregnancy.

Pregnancy Centers Online  The Nurturing Network 
Birthright International - Pregnancy and Adoption Assistance.  Also helps with medical care, and many other services The Crisis Pregnancy Help-line

Bethany - Unplanned Pregnancy support

Heartbeat International - Regional Crisis Pregnancy Centers Care Net Centers - Pregnancy, birthing, parenting and post-abortion help

Adoption Resources

Adoption Resource List   Christian Adoption Assistance

Basic Info

The amazing story of Samuel Armas - You simply have to see this to believe it!  This story has touched the hearts of people all over the world! This is the story of the baby that reached out of the womb during sugary for spina bifida at 20 weeks gestation. Here is another link, with more information about this great story: The Tiniest Patient    When Does Life Begin? - A crucial question for most women with an unplanned pregnancy.  This online booklet takes the viewer through the stages of development from conception.
Abortion Statistics  - Data from the CDC Abortion Facts - Bare-bones basic info
Abortion Facts and Opinions - both sides of the argument Why Do Women Have Abortions - International clinical study from 27 countries

Support and resources for those suffering in the aftermath of an abortion 

Project Rachel.org - the ministry of the Diocese of Baltimore  - a simply wonderful site!  Post-Abortion Syndrome support, retreats, and more. Project Rachel Resources - offered by the Diocese of Milwaukee.  Links to great resources!
My diocese, in Springfield, Massachusetts, offers peer support groups, retreats, counseling, sacramental reconciliation and Masses of Healing and for the Unborn - Project Rachel H.E.A.R.T. - Helping and Educating in Abortion Related Trauma

Ramah International - post abortion support

 

Lisa & Nathaniel's  Photo Album

Nathaniel just turned ten.  He is truly my "gift from God".  (that's what Nathaniel means)

Legally, I could have aborted him. Legally, I had the choice. As a single woman in a "crisis pregnancy", everyone would have understood if I had made that choice.  

I'm not saying I'm better than anyone else, because I made the "right choice".  I really think I was blessed, because I was really scared. Logically, I should have had an abortion, and made my "problem" go away. But I didn't, and I really do think it was the grace of God.  I didn't know what I was going to do, alone, with a baby to take care of.  I didn't know where the money was going to come from.  I had no idea how it would all work out.  I still don't, most days.  

All I'm saying is, I've been there, if you need someone to talk to, please, don't hesitate to get ahold of me.  I won't preach, I won't judge.  I'm here to listen, and to help.  If I can do anything at all, let me know.  It's a scary place to be.  You don't have to be there alone.  Write me.  (I don't bite!)

lanat@rcn.com

 

Pope John Paul's message  to women who have had an abortion:

excerpted from -  Evangelium Vitae, 25 March, 1995

I would now like to say a special word to women who have had an abortion. The Church is aware of the many factors which may have influenced your decision, and she does not doubt that in many cases it was a painful and even shattering decision. The wound in your heart may not yet have healed. Certainly what happened was and remains terribly wrong. But do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope. Try rather to understand what happened and face it honestly. If you have not already done so, give yourselves over with humility and trust to repentance. The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. You will come to understand that nothing is definitively lost and you will also be able to ask forgiveness from your child, who is now living in the Lord. With the friendly and expert help and advice of other people, and as a result of your own painful experience, you can be among the most eloquent defenders of everyone's right to life. Through your commitment to life, whether by accepting the birth of other children or by welcoming and caring for those most in need of someone to be close to them, you will become promoters of a new way of looking at human life.

Evangelium Vitae, complete text


U.S. Catholic Bishops Political Responsibility Statement.

Human life is a gift from God which all of us are called to protect, nurture, and sustain. The right to life, the most basic of all human rights, must be protected by law. Abortion has become the fundamental human rights issue of our day because it is the deliberate destruction of a human being before birth.

The United States, avowedly a defender of the weak, has one of the highest legal abortion rates and the most extreme abortion policy of any industrialized Western nation in the world. There are now more than 1.5 million abortions every year in the United States, over 4,400 a day, with well over 95 percent performed for economic or social reasons. Thousands of unborn children are killed each year in the final months of pregnancy.

We support policies and laws that encourage childbirth over abortion, and urge government and the private sector to provide programs that assist pregnant women and their children, especially those who are poor. We support efforts to prohibit domestic and foreign abortion funding, as well as efforts to protect states from having to fund abortions contrary to their own laws. We reject the 1973 Supreme Court abortion decisions which deny legal protection to unborn children, and we support efforts to prohibit or restrict abortion legislatively and to provide constitutional protection for unborn human life. Laws and policies on medical research, health care, and related issues must respect and protect human life from the moment of conception.

Reproduced from the 1995
U.S. Catholic Bishops
Political Responsibility Statement.

(Documentation on the Right to Life and Abortion, 1974, 1976, 1981; Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities: A Reaffirmation, 1985; Resolution on Abortion, 1989, 1995; Faithful for Life: A Moral Reflection, 1995.)

 

Other Information & Resources

Baby Talk - an article from Envoy Magazine - Common-sense responses to the arguments some people give for killing unborn children. Silent Abortions - Discussion of the most common forms of birth control used today, and their effects as abortificants. 
The Bible's Teaching Against Abortion - A scriptural  look at some of the Biblical reasons why abortion is something a Christian should consider very, very carefully The National Office of Post Abortion Reconciliation and Healing - Headquarters for Project Rachel - a support and outreach ministry for women and families suffering in the aftermath of abortion
Humanae Vitae - The Encyclical letter of His Holiness Pope Paul VI, on the Regulation of Birth. Humanae Vitae House - articles and essays by Fr. James Morrow discussing abortion and euthanasia
Population Research Institute Human Life International
The Ultimate Pro-Life Resource List - Adoption Info Americans United for Life
National Coalition for Life and Peace National Right to Life Organization
Culture of Life Foundation One More Soul (Catholic pro-child apostolate)

 

For a Christian fellowship and discussion mailing list, check out the Serendipity Mailing List and discuss these, and many more issues of the Church, and Christian life in general.

If you have had an abortion, and you are suffering in the aftermath of the experience, you may want to consider joining our Project Rachel Mailing List. This mailing list is completely confidential, and there are no archives. Members must be approved by the Moderator before joining.

 

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