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The last three words anyone wants to hear are “You have cancer.” Now imagine hearing those words while pregnant with your fifth child. Imagine the wave of emotions that would wash over you. Without faith, it could be overwhelming. Local Milwaukee area Pro-Life Wisconsin supporters, Tim and Michelle Cascio, traveled this path over the past year. Their family is a living witness to the 100% pro-life message, even in difficult circumstances. Not only did they welcome their baby daughter Ciara into their family in the midst of Michelle battling pancreatic cancer, just one year prior their son Culen was born into the family with down-syndrome. Approximately 95% of all babies prenatally diagnosed with down-syndrome are aborted. The Cascio’s joyfully welcome each child into their family, faithfully following God’s plan. They attribute the source of their strength and peace to the intercession of Our Lady of Good Success. Michelle remarked, “Sometimes mothers need mothers. Our Lady of Good Success was there when we needed her most.” What makes their story so remarkable is how contrasting their witness is to our modern culture. Often doctors, and even self-identified pro-life organizations, will claim that abortion can be justified in the case of the “health and life of the mother.” As a 100% no exceptions pro-life organization, we know that this is simply not true. There are no situations where abortion, defined as the direct and intentional killing of an unborn child, is medically necessary to save the life of the mother. Over 900 pro-life doctors and medical researchers have signed the Dublin Declaration, a document stating that abortion is never medically necessary to save a mother’s life. If the

intent is to treat the mother, and as a secondary unintended effect the baby passes away, such treatment is NOT an abortion. It is morally permissible by the principle of double effect, because the death of the child is an unintended effect of an operation independently justified to save the

mother’s life. It does not involve the intentional killing of an unborn child. Some mothers courageously decide to delay or modify their treatment, putting their child’s health and safety before their own. Michelle is one of those mothers. She explained her decision not to pursue traditional chemo treatment, “I had a doctor tell me that it would be safe to go through a couple rounds of radiation while pregnant. He really had our best interest at heart – you could see it in his face. Some

thought I was not informed, but I feel as if we have been guided and given so much information that has been incredibly helpful. When Tim and I decided we wouldn’t put (baby Ciara) at risk, a whole world opened up to us. Looking back, it makes total sense. God loves families.” Rather than going with traditional cancer treatments, their unborn daughter Ciara pushed them to seek unconventional treatment options which would be safer for mother and baby. Tim recalled, “Interestingly, if we had not been pregnant with our daughter it’s likely that we’d have followed suit with conventional chemo and radiation. Her arrival is what gave us reason to pause, and in that pause we benefited from prayers and discernment.” Ciara was born healthy and the delivery went smoothly, but Michelle continues the long battle with cancer. Please keep the whole Cascio family in your prayers. Nothing evangelizes the pro-life message better than a living witness to God’s loving plan for life!

PREGNANT WITH CANCER: CASCIO FAMILY TRUSTS GOD

In This IssuePage 2: Gifts for LifePage 3: Message from Dan MillerPage 4: PLW’s Meatless Fridays 2 & Meet the InternsPage 5: Capitol UpdatePage 6: Affiliate NewsPage 7: Love for Life Gala 2016 Keynote Speaker

Pro-Life Wisconsin Education Task Forcewww.ProLifeWI.org

info@ProLifeWI.org • 262-796-1111 15850 W. Bluemound Rd., Suite 311

Brookfield, WI 53005

A publication of Pro-Life Wisconsin

The Cascio Family

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GIFTS FOR LIFEOut of deepest respect for human life and its Creator, Pro-Life Wisconsin offers Gifts for Life for special occasions. Gifts are used in PLW’s life-saving work. A remembrance card is sent on your behalf to the individual or family you are honoring. Donations to Pro-Life Wisconsin were received...

IN MEMORY OF...

All lives lost to abortionBetty MichaelsDiane Hamill

Herbert WachholzJames Hite

Jim SondelskiJoanne Kraemer

Amy Madsen

John KringsNora Durst

Patty LindstedtRegina SahomiRichard Moran

Ruth LichterDr. David Malloy

THE BANNERVolume 24, Issue 2

Summer 2016Published quarterly

Pro-Life Wisconsin’s annual sponsorship is a donation of $25 and includes a subscription to our newsletter, The Banner. We rely on the ongoing, generous support of you, our sponsors.

Pro-Life Wisconsin exists for a singular purpose: to restore and protect the inalienable right to life of all citizens of our state, whether born or preborn, young, old, disabled or terminally ill. We affirm that the right to life exists from the moment of conception and extends until natural death; this truth being handed down by God and articulated in the Declaration of Independence.

Pro-Life Wisconsin education task force officers

President: Brad ConnersVice President: Steve Donley, D.C.

Secretary: Charmaine HerbertTreasurer: George Kriegl

Pro-Life Wisconsin, inc. officers

President: Tom ZignegoVice President: Todd Miller, M.D.Secretary: Charmaine Herbert

Treasurer: George Kriegl

Pro-Life Wisconsin Board MeMBers Brad Conners, Charmaine Herbert, George Kriegl, Todd Miller, M.D., Michael J. Phillips,

M.D., Charlie Van Hecke, Tom Zignego, Steven Donley, D.C., Kent Duncan

Pro-Life Wisconsin staffState Director: Dan MillerDeputy State Director &

Director of Legislation: Matt Sande Development Director: Matthew Von Rueden

State Office Manager: Bonnie Zamorski

IN HONOR OF...

Mothers and Babies Lost too soonSister Rosalia Bauer

Fr. KlemmeDavid Kunze’s Family

The Birthday of Anna & Emily MulkeyThe Anniversary Death of Judene Skrum

OUR MAILING ADDRESS

Please update your address books and make sure your contributions are

mailed to the correct address.

Pro-Life Wisconsin15850 W. Bluemound Rd., Suite 311Brookfield, WI 53005

SAVE THE DATE3rd Annual Loving Life Run/WalkFriday, September 9 - 5:30 p.m.

Watch our website for more details!

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Are you worried about the future of America? It seems that everywhere you turn – we are being hammered with bad news about our religious liberty and the family – the foundation of society. It reminds me of a long, difficult day of sidewalk counseling at an abortion center. Sometimes you feel like you need to shower twice just to get the filth off completely.

I love America, despite all her faults. But have you gotten that nagging feeling recently that we are just as doomed as all of the other democratic republics that have failed before us? Do you seem to be more concerned than ever over what type of America will be left to future generations? You are not alone.

Americans go into full panic mode over Cecil the Lion and Harambe the Gorilla while collectively yawning over the nearly one million babies aborted each year. Ironic, isn’t it? Two animals get shot and the whole world knows their names – while one million aborted babies die without a name. And then, allowing confused men into the women’s bathroom? How is that more pressing than a $19.3 TRILLION NATIONAL DEBT?! Mandating that Catholic religious orders – women and men who take a vow of perpetual chastity – must include abortifacient contraceptives in their health insurance plans? The upcoming presidential election? Don’t get me started, but I’ll say this. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter who’s in the White House – but it does matter who’s in YOUR HOUSE! We need to make sure that God is the decision-maker in our houses.

“If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14

In these days when it may all seem hopeless – there is good news. Despite the crushing losses on all the other social issues, the pro-life movement has been

making and continues to make significant gains. More people than ever identify as pro-life – and they vote their consciences! More pro-life laws have been passed nationally over the last two or three years than in the last couple of decades – combined! Two PLW bills stripped $8 million from Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin (PPWI)! Record numbers of abortion facilities are closing. Last year alone, 53 closed across our nation. One closed in Appleton, WI – and is still closed, despite rumors from PPWI. Abortion numbers are going down in Wisconsin and nationally. Since 2011, abortion has decreased in Wisconsin by 19.99% according to the CDC. 40 Days for Life campaigns are sweeping

the nation – and the entire world! Pregnancy Resource Centers (PRCs) outnumber abortion

facilities nationally by 5-to-1. Here in Wisconsin, they outnumber abortion facilities by 48-to-1. Currently, the Wisconsin Knights of Columbus are in the process of purchasing their 18th, 19th and 20th ultrasound machines for three local PRCs this summer! Abortion oriented women who see their baby on an ultrasound image with the help of a pro-life counselor choose life, on average, 97% of the time!

My prayer is that you do not lose hope, despite all the chaos we are experiencing. God’s will is still being done in our great state and across the nation. Repeat after me: “The Lord is my light and my salvation.” Now rinse, lather and repeat – WITH GREAT HOPE AND JOY!

Through Christ,

Dan Miller State Director

A MESSAGE FROM OUR STATE DIRECTOR

PLW State Director Dan Miller

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Back in 2006, Pro-Life Wisconsin released a cookbook entitled Meatless Fridays— a calling for all to take part in the weekly sacrifice of abstinence on Fridays as reparation for the sin of abortion. The idea behind the cookbook was to encourage a way of sacrifice for those who might not participate because of the “inconvenience” of abstaining from meat on a weekly basis.The book offered a wide selection of meatless meals not only for Catholics but for all wanting to participate in the sacrifice for abortion. It quickly grew from a small project to a cookbook containing over 600 recipes and was sold out shortly after its publication. Ten years later, Pro-Life Wisconsin is proud to announce the revitalization of abstinence for abortion in Meatless Fridays 2. Our goal is to once again inspire people to make reparation for abortion in the little things and to make the sacrifice of giving up meat more appealing for those who might not consider it. We want to make this book just as helpful as the first in inspiring another way to support the pro-life movement.In order to make this a reality, we are currently seeking recipes for

Meatless Fridays 2. If you or someone you know has a meatless recipe, we would love to include it! Recipes for appetizers, soups, salads, main dishes, breads, desserts, and other foods are welcome. For information on the cookbook or how to submit a recipe, please contact Margaret Zignego at Margaret.Z@ProLifeWI.org or call 262-796-1111. Submissions will be accepted until July 31, 2016.

MEET OUR INTERNS

MEATLESS FRIDAYS 2

MARGARET ZIGNEGOMargaret is thrilled to be able to use her skills and passion for writing in her communications internship with Pro-Life Wisconsin while working for a cause that she has been around her whole life. During Margaret’s childhood, her mother Therese was a board member of Pro-Life Wisconsin. Margaret is excited to be able to carry on her family’s involvement with the pro-life movement. She is a senior at Ave Maria University studying literature and history. While she is not writing or trying to catch up on all the classics, Margaret also enjoys the theatrical arts, piano, and just hanging out with her family.

“Living by faith includes something greater than cowardly self-preservation.” J.R.R.Tolkien

JOSIE ZIGNEGOComing from a large pro-life family, Josie has been active in Pro-Life Wisconsin’s work since childhood. She is currently studying Graphic Design at Waukesha County Technical College. During this internship, Josie is using her design knowledge to help the pro-life movement by creating PLW’s newsletters, brochures, flyers, invites, and much more. Her goal for this internship is to spread PLW’s total protection message each day through her work. Aside from designing, Josie loves to spend her spare time outdoors walking nature trails or relaxing with a cup of coffee and a good book.

“Live your life each day as you would climb a mountain. An occasional glance toward the summit keeps the goal in

distance, but many beautiful scenes are to be observed from each new vantage point.” Harold B. Melchart

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CAPITOL UPDATE ON ISSUES AFFECTING INNOCENT HUMAN LIFE

SETTING THE PRO-LIFE AGENDA IN MADISON: PLW IS YOUR VOICE!

Pro-Life Wisconsin (PLW) is proud to be your 100% pro-life voice at the State Capitol during every legislative session. With pro-life majorities in the State Senate and State Assembly backed by a 100% pro-life governor, the 2015-2016 legislative session produced two strong victories. But we also experienced a bitter loss. Let’s recap what your PLW legislative team achieved this session and where we need to go next year: Defunding Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin: Governor Walker signed two pro-life bills into law in February that, together, are expected to eliminate approximately $8 million in public funding from Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin (PPWI), the state’s largest abortion provider. Assembly Bill 310, authored by Representative Andre Jacque (R- De Pere) and signed into law as Act 151, redirects federal Title X family planning funds away from organizations that perform abortions to public entities including state, county, and local health departments and clinics. This will eliminate $3.5 million from PPWI. Senate Bill 238, authored by Senator Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield) and signed into law as Act 152, reduces PPWI’s Medicaid reimbursement rate for contraceptive drugs, requiring that PPWI be reimbursed the actual cost they pay for these drugs and not the artificially inflated rate they are currently receiving. By PPWI’s own admission enactment of SB 238 would be “clinic closing,” cutting their annual public subsidy by approximately $4.5 million. PLW opposes contraception and public funding of contraception no matter who is dispensing it. But the more we can steer family planning funds away from Planned Parenthood, the better. We urge the Wisconsin Legislature and Governor Walker to keep moving down the long road toward totally defunding PPWI of all taxpayer dollars. Banning the Sale and Use of Aborted Fetal Body Parts: In the wake of undercover videos documenting Planned Parenthood affiliates across the nation engaging in the trafficking of aborted fetal body parts, PLW issued a press release calling on the Wisconsin Legislature to immediately

pass legislation banning the sale and use of aborted fetal body parts. The past three legislative sessions PLW has strongly supported legislation authored by State Representative Andre Jacque that would prohibit the sale and use of aborted human fetal body parts.

Assembly Bill 305, co-authored by Reps. Andre Jacque and Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc), would have banned persons from knowingly acquiring, providing, receiving, or using a fetal body part, regardless of whether the acquisition, provision, receipt, or use was for valuable consideration. Senator Duey Stroebel (R-Saukville) was the bill’s lead Senate author.

The aborted preborn child did not consent to his or her abortion and certainly did not consent to experimentation. Human dignity demands that our aborted brothers and sisters receive a proper burial, not to mention their full protection as persons under the law. Human beings may never be a means to an end, however noble. With over 50 legislative co-sponsors, AB 305 received a public hearing and was voted out of committee. But Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke refused to schedule AB 305 for Assembly floor debate, thus ensuring its defeat. While we commend Speaker Vos and Majority Leader Steineke for scheduling the Planned Parenthood defunding bills, they simply did not finish the job. Because Wisconsin must guarantee the highest ethical standards of academic and medical research, PLW will continue to fight for this legislation every session. Thank you to all of you who contacted your legislators and urged them to pass our pro-life legislation. Your voices made a difference! We must continue to work toward tomorrow when all babies, at all stages of development and in all circumstances, are fully protected in law. Next session PLW plans to reintroduce the personhood amendment and legislation banning the sale and use of aborted human fetal body parts, as well as to introduce comprehensive conscience protections for all medical professionals, institutions, and payers.

PLW Legislative Director Matt Sande

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MEET OUR MADISON AFFILIATE “VIGIL FOR LIFE”

MORE AFFILIATE HAPPENINGSThe importance of pro-lifers banding together for awareness is important, and we would like to encourage you to participate in events that would help you do so! Many of our affiliates will be hosting fair booths and Price, Watertown, and Ozaukee counties will participate in the 4th of July parades this summer. We would appreciate help from pro-life supporters. For more information, contact info@ProLifeWI.org or call 262-796-1111 ext. 10.

We would also like to welcome Peter Frey as our new affiliate leader in Dodge County. We are grateful for his contribution to the pro-life movement and look forward to working with him to help end abortion. To reach Peter, email him at Dodge@ProLifeWI.org.

• •

“To pray, fast and peacefully witness for an end to the intentional destruction of all innocent human lives, especially those most in need.”

The mission statement of Pro-Life Wisconsin affiliate, Vigil for Life, humbly sums up what the organization is all about. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Vigil for Life battles against abortion using spiritual means. Since 2007 they have held many 40 Days for Life campaigns and played a prominent role in successfully shutting down plans for the Madison Surgery Center to perform late-term abortions in 2010. The members of Vigil for Life believe in a peaceful way of ending abortion, stating on their website that their “prayer is for a conversion of heart for abortion-minded men and women and for those who work in the abortion industry so that life may win out over death.”

This call to prayer includes Vigil for Life’s “365 for Life” initiative, which was inspired by Jeanne Breunig as an offshoot of the national 40 Days for Life Campaign in which most pro-life groups participate.

The perpetual presence of pro-lifers in front of Madison East Planned Parenthood began in January 2011 and since then has steadily grown in numbers. “It’s great how more people are realizing abortion is wrong”, says organization leader Gwen Finnegan. “There’s not so many people who are in the middle anymore.” She was proud to say that more and more younger people are getting involved with the movement in addition to the older generations who had mostly been a part, many of them not being “cradle pro-lifers.” Finnegan herself only became really involved in the pro-life cause as an adult with her parish in Madison. They are attracted to the spiritual side of the organization and the way it integrates prayer and peaceful protest into fighting for the right to life.

In keeping with the spirit of Vigil for Life, Finnegan cites her faith as keeping her focused during her pro-life work, saying that “balance, and also prayer” are extremely important. “Talking with other people in the pro-life world” is also helpful, as they share similar beliefs and the same attitude towards ending abortion. “We have a good team”, she concludes.

Pro-Life Wisconsin has a Speakers’ Bureau. We speak across the state on a variety of life issues including chastity, natural family planning and contraception, personhood, embryonic stem cell research and cloning, end-of-life decision making, reproductive technology, and pro-life activism. To find out more about our Speakers’ Bureau, email info@ProLifeWI.org or call 262-796-1111.

DID YOU KNOW?

Gwenn Finnegan

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There are some people in the world who have a God-given talent of being unabashedly blunt about their beliefs. In the pro-life sphere, this is an especially good skill to have in order to strip away the sugar coating abortion is often given by “pro-choicers.” The team at Pro-Life Wisconsin is proud to welcome one such writer, Matt Walsh, as our keynote speaker at this fall’s Love for Life Gala (formerly the Annual Auction Dinner.)

For those who might not be familiar with Mr. Walsh’s work, he is a conservative blogger and commentator on recent events. His work has been featured on the right-wing website The Blaze and his own blog, The Matt Walsh Blog. A quick scroll through his Facebook feed reveals his quick responses to the happenings in the world and an injection of dry

humor with which he makes his remarks. His use of reason in his arguments is wonderfully refreshing in a time where emotions tend to trump reality. As a husband and father, he frequently makes use of his personal experiences in his articles and they can be seen as a force behind his strong pro-life beliefs. One of his articles, yes-i-am-pro-life-even-in-cases-of-rape-and-incest-heres-why/, especially showcases why he believes in the pro-life movement and his use of rational and religious convictions in arguing against the abortion mindset.

Matt Walsh’s 100% pro-life position resonates perfectly with Pro-Life Wisconsin’s educational and legislative message. We know you will be thrilled to hear his keynote address this October. We look forward to seeing you at the Love for Life Gala.

MEET OUR 2016 LOVE FOR LIFE GALA KEYNOTE SPEAKER

THREE EASY WAYS TO SUPPORT PRO-LIFE WISCONSIN

Did you know you can support Pro-Life Wisconsin while doing your shopping? Here are three easy ways to support our life saving work while you shop! A percentage of purchases made from these sources is donated directly to us.

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