Life issues

Despite a tight state budget, the Missouri General Assembly has continued funding for women facing a crisis pregnancy.

Lawmakers approved $1.5 million for the Alternatives to Abortion program -- the same amount as last year.

The Alternatives to Abortion program has been a state program for more than 10 years and has provided a variety of services to pregnant women, including counseling, prenatal care, emergency housing, job placement assistance and adoption referrals when requested.

It takes strength and endurance to be a runner, but sometimes there's also sometimes a special reason that motivates a runner to keep hitting the pavement.

Such is the case with LIFE Runners, a national organization dedicated to raising funding and increasing prayer and awareness for pro-life issues that in recent months has experienced a sizable growth. In June, the group will begin training for a marathon to be held in St. Louis in the fall.

TORONTO -- As Chinese and U.S. diplomats sought a resolution to the diplomatic crisis surrounding Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng, many Chinese-Americans turned their attention to the nature of Chen's dissent.

Without challenging any fundamental tenet of China's constitution or its 1949 revolution, Chen has focused attention to the country's forced abortion and sterilization practices, leading to a crackdown by the government on his movement and prohibitions on contact with foreigners and the media.

There are two ways of answering your question; pastorally and academically. Pastorally, I would address the personal and very painful issues associated with your rejection by a seemingly uncaring husband, but I do not consider this to be the proper forum for that. I recommend you contact your pastor or one of the counselors at Catholic Family Services for help.

The annual archdiocesan Respect Life Apostolate held its Creative Writing Contest awards assembly April 25 at the Cardinal Rigali Center in Shrewsbury. There were 1,137 entries this year. The following are the top four winning entries. Each person receives a $1,000 scholarship for Catholic high school next year:

Chastity: The Key to Happiness

By Elizabeth Hayes, St. Monica/St. Joseph Academy

(Bishop Edward O'Donnell Scholarship)

Dear Future Spouse,

It all started 28 years ago with a group from St. Gabriel Parish in south St. Louis who wanted to do their part to help women in crisis pregnancies.

"We just wanted to be there for the mothers, to help them through their journey. Their families sometimes abandon them ... and we're there to help them, comfort them, so they can keep their baby," said Joyce Knobbe.