LIFE CENTER

See EWTN’s Teresa Tomeo, Catholic Blogger and Author Jennifer Fulwiler, and Musicians Greg&Lizzy at our Fourth Annual Benefit Dinner themed “Today is the Day!” At the dinner, we’ll honor Central Texas pro-life champions Msgr. Louis Pavlicek and Dr. and Mrs. Tom and Ann Bierschenk with the “Dignity in Life” award.

The evening, slated for Fri., Nov. 7, will be held at a new location this year: Downtown Hyatt on 208 Barton Springs in Austin. Sponsorships and tickets are available at www.jpiilifecenter.org. Please contact the office for a special Parish discount.

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BOAR D REFLECTIONS

See “Board Reflections” .............. Page 2

See “Lives & Souls” ............................Page 2

Saving Lives & SoulsAbout a year ago, Lisa’s parents

told her she had to have an abortion or move out of the house because “being unmarried and pregnant wasn’t something a good Catholic Vietnamese girl did.”

Fortunately, she found St. John Paul II Life Center and Vitae Clinic. She

Gabriel and Patty Larez married in 2005. They were in their early 30s and tried to start a family immediately. After six years, two miscarriages, and several unsuccessful fertility treatments, they became discouraged.

In 2011, a friend heard about NaPro Technology on Relevant Radio and encouraged Patty to contact The Vitae Clinic.

“Dr. Kalamarides, his wife Heather, and the entire staff treated us with compassion, understanding and encouragement,” she says. “Gabriel and I were very upset that none of my previous doctors taught us the signs my body had been giving all along... signs we needed to know about in order to conceive.”

Just a few months later, they learned they were pregnant. “On May 23, we held our son Santiago Jose for the first time! We will always be grateful to our friend for introducing us to Relevant Radio and Dr. Kalamarides!”

IVF didn’t work, NaPro did!

Fall 2014

EMBRACE A BETTER CHOICE! Issue 11

Vitae Clinic

Crisis Pregnancy

Education

Beauty in the Cross of Infertility ......2Culture of Life in Español ................3Calendar of Events ..........................3

BENEFIT DINNER SET

We continue to be amazed by the dedicated gifts of time, talent and treasure by the staff, volunteers, supporters, and Board members to help each woman recognize the dignity of life and the beauty of her fertility.

Of the 49 women in crisis who visited us this year, all but three have embraced life. Additionally, more than 33 women diagnosed with infertility have conceived and delivered healthy babies with the help of NaPro Technology. Life is beautiful.

I have been reading a wonderful book Patty and Gabriel Larez struggled to conceive for years. Today, they embrace their precious little Santiago! To learn about NaPro Technology or The Vitae Clinic, visit www.vitaeaustin.com or 512-458-6060.

JPII LIFE CENTER NEWS • info@jpiilifecenter.org • www.jpiilifecenter.org • 512-407-2900

Page 2

Eight years ago this month, I received a call that would change my life. I learned that a birth mother selected us to adopt her child. Twenty-three hours later, I was holding my precious son, Michael Francis, in my arms.

When I finally got to meet his birth mother, she said something I’ll never forget. “I can only imagine what you must think of me,” she said. “You must think I’m a horrible person for bringing a child into this world without being able to provide for him.”

I sat next to her and told her the absolute truth. “That thought never entered my mind. Not only have you answered 15 years of prayers for me, but you’ve allowed this precious treasure to be born. You are a hero.”

This is a happy story, but it comes after a very long struggle with infertility.

It never occurred to me that I might struggle with infertility. I was a dancer in college and I worked out regularly. I didn’t do drugs, didn’t struggle with any diseases, and was in great shape. Or so I thought.

After being married about a year, we tried

to conceive, but to no avail. I sought help from three infertility physicians who continually pushed In Vitro Fertilization. I was no theologian, but I knew “selective reduction” was a euphemism for abortion; I didn’t want any part of that. Whenever I would tell them that I wanted to pursue in light of faith (without IVF), I was treated like a third class citizen.

Eventually, I was diagnosed with endometriosis, a disease that creates a hostile environment for fertilized embryos to implant. I was often put on hormonal contraceptives to “control” the disease, but the disease grew worse and worse, even after three surgeries.

While this was going on, my husband also experienced tests and procedures. I didn’t know the impact infertility had on men, or on marriages.

It wasn’t until I was 39-years-old that I discovered NaPro Technology. At first I thought it was a version of the rhythm method, but I was wrong. It is measurable. It is consistent. It is science.

Once I learned the Creighton Model

delivered Khai in November and is now working and living on her own.

In August, Khai was baptized as a Child of God and her consultant was blessed to attend.

Lisa has been so thankful to the staff and supporters of St. JPII Life Center that she personally shared her story with many of you earlier this year. She’s been touched by the letters many of you sent to her in response.

Lisa is one of the 125+ crisis clients who have chosen life in the four years we’ve been opened. As of September 23 of this year, we’ve helped 49 mothers to embrace life - more than a life per week! Two made adoption plans. To deliver a sonogram to a mother in crisis, the average cost is $400.

FertilityCare System, my NaPro doctor was able to identify core issues that the three previous “world class fertility experts” never took the time to find. One of the beautiful things about NaPro is that it is holistic. It

Lives & Souls Continued from ...................................Page 1

“BOAR D REFLECTIONS” ......................................................... CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1entitled “When the Church Was Young” by Marcellino D’Ambrosio. He writes that a Jesuit priest taught him a great lesson about the “Didache,” which is Greek for “teaching” is the first Christian catechism and Church Order or instructional worship manual dating to the time of the Apostles.

The first part of the Didache provides interpretations of the 5th and 6th Commandments – do not murder and do not commit adultery. It is here that we find the earliest writings about abortion being murder. The word “farmakusein” that is used in the Didache means ‘pharma,’ or drugs, used to induce abortion or sterility. In other words: abortifacients and contraceptives.

To me this is of great historical importance. First, it helps us understand Pope Paul VI’s “Humane Vitae” more clearly. Second, it helps us recognize that

marketing is focused more on profits than providing facts about the adverse impact of hormonal contraceptives. Third, it helps us realize how history can be revised by the use of “five traps” including post structuralism, modernism, minimalism, academic collectivism and deconstructionism.

I encourage you to listen to David Barton’s CD, “Truth and History” in which he discusses these five traps to help us realize what is happening to American tradition and to recognize efforts made to eliminate religion from historical references. David Barton is the Founder of WallBuilders, a national organization that presents America’s forgotten history and heroes with an emphasis on moral, religious and constitutional heritage.

My pharmacognosy professor used to say, “You can’t know where you are going unless you know where you came from.”

And, it is important that you know where you come from - your history - accurately!

Daniel Webster said, “history is God’s providence in human affairs.” If historical references to God are deleted in reprintings of historical documents how will future generations see God’s blessings to America?

While America has not been perfect, there are a few things that demonstrate our greatness: the U.S. Constitution, America’s unparalleled freedom, and America’s charity to those in need.

Alexis de Tocquiville said, “America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.”

Let us pray for God’s providence to allow America to always be good. America – We can do better!

~ Tim Von Dohlen President, Board of Directors

FINDING BEAUTY WHILE BEARING THE CROSS OF INFERTILITY

See “Cross of Infertility” ....................Page 4

Page 3

JPII LIFE CENTER NEWS • info@jpiilifecenter.org • jpiilifecenter.org • 512-407-2900

Benefit Dinner 7:00 pm Hyatt Downtown Featuring Teresa Tomeo, Jennifer Fulwiler, and Greg&Lizzy. Tickets at www.jpiilifecenter.org

Blossom 10:00 am - 1 pm 1600 W. 38th Street, Suite 115 For mothers of pre-pubescent girls. Register at www.jpiilifecenter.org in “news & events”

Pro-Life Basics in Spanish 9:00 am - 12:30 pm Sacred Heart Catholic Church 5909 Reicher Drive, Austin

Baby Shower for Crisis Clients We’re collecting items to be given to crisis clients for Christmas. RSVP at info@jpiilifecenter.org.

Eating Right on a Budget 6:30 - 7:30 pm 1600 W. 38th Street, Suite 115 Register at info@jpiilifecenter.org.

Consultant Wine & Cheese 6:00 - 8:00 pm For current pregnancy consultants and sonographers only.

Client Christmas Party We will share the gifts from October’s baby shower with crisis clients for Christmas. We need a “Santa Claus.” To maintain client privacy, this event is only open for crisis clients and consultants. For information, email info@jpiilifecenter.org.

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EVENTS CALENDAR

FURTHERING A CULTURE OF LIFE IN ESPAÑOL

Our work with Sacred Heart Catholic Church is bearing much fruit: 50+ attended our NaPro class and 30+ attended our summer crisis pregnancy consultant training. We’re holding a Spanish “Pro Life Basics” class on Oct. 18.

Nearly 100 parishioners of Sacred Heart Catholic Church are learning how to further a Culture of Life within the Hispanic community. That’s because St. John Paul II Life Center has partnered with Sacred Heart Parish to provide services - in Spanish - to parishioners there.

The effort is bearing much fruit. In June, more than 30 attended our two-day training for pregnancy consultants. Just a few weeks later, more than 50 attended our “Introduction to NaPro Technology” class that was offered in Spanish with Austin FertilityCare.

This October, we’re bringing a

Spanish “Pro-Life Basics” class to the parish. The program will address pro-life terms, definitions, history, cultural impact, pro-life medicine, adoption, impact on men, and resources available. The program is offered with The Diocese of Austin, Central Texas Coalition for Life, Catholic Charities, and Gladney Adoption Agency.

After attending the class, attendees will be given the opportunity to sign up for the pro-life ministry of their choice.

For information, see the calendar below or contact us at info@jpiilifecenter.org.

We co-sponsored“Beloved” with the Dominican Sisters of Mary to help 50+ women learn about St. JPII’s “Feminine Genius.”

Several priests won door prizes at our annual Priests’ Appreciation Dinner co-sponsored by Cook-Walden Funeral Homes.

We are excited to welcome Jessie Radford Graham as Vitae’s new practice manager.

Board of Directors: Hon. & Mrs. Tim Von Dohlen • Mr. & Mrs. Chris Danze • Dr. & Mrs. Jeremy Kalamarides • Dr. & Mrs. John Carrano

St. John Paul II Life Center’s mission is to build a Culture of Life by: 1) operating a full service OB/GYN medical practice, The Vitae Clinic, 2) offering sonograms and services to mothers facing unexpected pregnancies, and 3) providing education about NaPro, chaste living, and more.

1600 W. 38th St., Suite 115 Austin, TX 78731

info@jpiilifecenter.org

512-407-2900

EMBRACE A BETTER CHOICE!

JPII LIFE CENTER NEWS • info@jpiilifecenter.org • www.jpiilifecenter.org • 512-407-2900

Page 4

Co-Founders Tim and Pat Von Dohlen at the grave of St. John Paul II this April.

Dr. Kalamarides and Sonographer Denise Cook with our new 60” high definition screen purchased and installed through Jeff and Maria Dwyer.

focuses on healing the body, so it works the way God intended.

Within the year after my surgery, I received the call from the adoption agency. Eight months later, unfortunately, my marriage ended.

I found myself crying in the basement of my home with my newly baptized son curled in my arms when I received a call from Jerusalem. It was a very dear priest friend who called to provide much needed spiritual guidance.

He shared many beautiful things, but two in particular. First, he reminded me that as faithful followers of God, we often ask for the heart of Christ. “Jesus’ heart is not only full of joy, but also filled with abuse, betrayal, and abandonment,” he said. He told me that my suffering was a sliver of the cross that Jesus bore for me.

The second thing he shared was that, if I

allowed it, God would use this pain for His greater glory.

I’ve seen this come true with my work at St. John Paul II Life Center and Vitae Clinic. We serve many infertility patients who have struggled for years to conceive. I’ve also seen it bear fruit in the 125+ women we’ve counseled who are facing unexpected pregnancies. When I share with them that I came to Texas as an unemployed single mom, it resonates with them, and gives them hope.

Infertility is a tremendous cross. It is not easy on women or men. It is a challenge for marriages. But, there is always hope. And, our God always has a plan, even if we don’t initially see it. I often asked God why I wasn’t allowed to have children of my own. My answer is in the eyes of my precious son, and in the work that we do at St. JPII Life Center.

~ Kimberly Guidry Speirs Executive Director

Cross of Infertility ...........................Continued from page 2NONPROFIT

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