(187) Possible Short Announcements For the Church Bulletin

Scott Hahn

Choose, adapt, change, or improve as you see fit according to your parish situation and space available in the parish bulletin for any Sunday.  Everyone who has heard Dr. Scott Hahn speak, say that he is really good be it on EWTN or a CD.  There is enough of a variety here to have an announcement every Sunday until the Conference with one or two after the event as well.  Please DO NOT simply copy and paste as is since they must be adapted to your parish.  An attempt is made to convey a selling point or a message in each announcement so that the majority who do not attend will get something out of it.  Since bulletin blurbs tend to be very bland and to the point, I try to put some life into them.

  

1.     Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal Saturday, March 7 from 9 am – 4 pm at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption in Marietta.  The theme is “The Challenge of Being Catholic”.  The main speaker is Scott Hahn, internationally renowned speaker and author, will give tips on how each man can participate in the New Evangelization and how to make his home a Domestic Church as proposed by St. Pope John Paul II.  The registration fee is $25, but for the first time boys 18 years old and under are admitted free of charge.  Contact Name of Parish Representative (phone no. & e-mail) (e.g., John Doe (245-9404 or jdoe@gmail.com) to register.  Enjoy the fellowship by going in the van, which leaves at 7 am from the Parish Hall.

2.      Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal Saturday, March 7 from 9 am – 4 pm at the Basilica of  St. Mary of the Assumption in Marietta.  The theme is “The Challenge of Being Catholic”.  The main speaker is Dr. Scott Hahn, Professor of Biblical Theology & the New Evangelization at Franciscan University.  He is the Founder and President of the St. Paul Center, an apostolate dedicated to teaching Catholics how to read Scripture from the heart of the Church.  Once a very anti-Catholic Presbyterian minister, Dr. Hahn discovered the truth of the Catholic faith through study of the Early Church Fathers.  His intellectual integrity led him into the Catholic Church in 1986 after considerable prayer and a spiritual struggle, incurring rejection by former colleagues and even friends. An internationally renowned speaker and author, he has written over forty popular and academic books, including best-sellers “Rome Sweet Home”, “The Lamb’s Supper”, and “Hail Holy Queen”.

3.      Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal Saturday, March 7 from 9 am – 4 pm at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption in Marietta.  In the first talk Dr. Hahn will draw upon his conversion experience to help us to be more effective in the New Evangelization, which applies to all of us.  Hopefully the men will leave with a sense of mission to show fallen away Catholics within their extended families and circle of friends what they are missing by drifting away.  Every Catholic has a part, small or large, in bringing non-Catholics and unchurched friends to the Faith.  Critical is selling them on the faith........Why be Catholic despite the scandal we have suffered through?   Register today with your parish representative at (phone number) (e.g., Paul Sebastian at 245-9404) as soon as you can.  That would make planning so much easier.  Enjoy the fellowship by participating in the van pool, which leaves at 7 am from the Parish Hall.

4.      Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal Saturday, March 7 from 9 am – 4 pm at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption in Marietta.  In the second talk Dr. Hahn will draw upon his experience as the father of six, including two in the seminary.  Scott Hahn can give us some great tips on how to make your home a domestic church as advocated by St. Pope John Paul II.  Certainly Scott Hahn has had his struggles as we all do in forming our families and keeping our marriages healthy.  He has given considerable thought to the Domestic Church in writing his book, "The First Society", which today is in a grave crisis.  Register today with your parish representative at (phone number) (e.g., Paul Sebastian at 245-9404) as soon as you can.  That would make planning so much easier.  Enjoy the fellowship by participating in the van pool, which leaves at 7 am from the Parish Hall.

5.      Men: We must work hard to cross the goal into heaven.  Let’s train with a spiritual workout at the Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal Saturday March 7 from 9 am – 4 pm at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption in Marietta.  Let Scott Hahn help you get into spiritual shape and cross the goal with his testimony as he show what it is to be Catholic.  Lent is just around the corner.  Make the big sacrifice and register today register today with your parish representative at (phone number) (e.g., Paul Sebastian at 245-9404) as soon as you can.  That would make planning so much easier.  Enjoy the fellowship by participating in the van pool, which leaves at 7 am from the Parish Hall.

6.      Make the Men’s Conference a Father & Son event.  NEW – Boys 18 and under Free.  The men are encouraged to bring their teenage sons, grandsons, godsons, nephews, students, and friends to the Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal Saturday March 7 from 9 am – 4 pm at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption.  Let Scott Hahn help the young men to be better prepared to be apostles of the New Evangelization and assist their fathers in making their home a domestic church.  Make the big sacrifice and register today with your parish representative at (phone number) (e.g., Paul Sebastian at 245-9404) as soon as you can.  That would make planning so much easier.  Enjoy the fellowship by participating in the van pool, which leaves at 7 am from the Parish Hall.

7.      Men: Get into spiritual shape for the big games, Holy Week and Easter and winning the Super Bowl Trophy.......Heaven  (Boys under 18 free).  Lent starts this coming Wednesday.  Let this internationally known speaker, Scott Hahn, help you and your sons to accept the challenge of being Catholics and what that entails.  He’ll also give some tips on becoming an effective spiritual leader in the home, in the parish, in the community, and on the job.   Attend the Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal Saturday March 7 from 9 am – 4 pm at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption.  Register with your parish representative at (phone number) (e.g., Paul Sebastian at 245-9404) as soon as you can.  That would make planning so much easier.  Enjoy the fellowship by participating in the van pool, which leaves at 7 am from the Parish Hall.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

To Be Used for March 1, the Sunday Immediately Preceding the Event

The Conference will help the men to take the right path before having to face the four last things.......Death, Judgment, Heaven or Hell.

1.      The Men's Conference is this coming Saturday, March 7 from 9 am – 3:30 pm at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption in Marietta.  The men will meet at the Parish Hall at 7 am and travel together in the parish van for some great fellowship and spiritual re-invigoration.  Giving up an entire Saturday and traveling a long way is a big sacrifice for Lent.  Being tough men, we're up to it and the Lord will reward us.  Women, encourage your men to go.  Certainly, you want them to become true men of God.  Let Scott Hahn share the lessons he learned from his conversion to Catholicism in 1986 for the New Evangelization and his experience as a father of six for building the Domestic Church in your home.  You may register at the door, but calling your parish representative at (phone number) (e.g., Paul Sebastian at 245-9404) as soon as you can would make planning so much easier or sign up in the back of the church.

To Be Used After the Conference is Over 

1. Thanks to the 9 men and 4 boys from our parish who attended the Diocesan Men’s Day of Renewal.  Fr. Tom made the long trip mainly to hear confessions as did our native son, Fr. Tim Davison; they were kept busy.  Thanks to the women who encouraged their men; thanks to our pastor for his support; and thanks to our secretary too.  Thanks to the Knights of Columbus for their donation towards the underwriting of the Conference.  Thanks to all for your prayers and for your patience with me.  About 270 men attended from all over the diocese plus a few from West Virginia and Portsmouth.  Dr. Scott Hahn inspired us with his talk on the New Evangelization which is the job of every baptized person…….to “evangelize the dechristianized” through the most effective vehicle........genuine friendship.  May we have an even better turnout next year on Saturday March 6. May the diocesan Men’s Conference, Women’s Conference, and Youth Rally become traditions in our parish. 

2. Men: Take advantage of the Conference Blog which promotes Men’s spirituality with articles of interest.  From January through March it focuses more on promoting the Diocesan Men’s Day of Renewal.   Go to http://diosteubmen.blogspot.com.  Previous conference speakers have websites: Fr. Thomas Loya has www.taborlife.com on the Theology of the Body; Danny Abramowicz has www.crossingthegoal.com; Fr. Larry Richards, www.thereasonforourhope.org; Dr. Ray Gaurendi, www.drray.com; Dr. Allen Hunt, www.drallenhunt.com; Matthew Leonard, www.matthewsleonard.com; Capt. Guy Gruters, www.guygruters.net; Mike Aquilina, www.mikeaquilina.com, and Dr. Scott Hahn at www.scotthahn.com (videos of his past talks) and www.stpaulcenter.com. There are articles for everyone on http://paulrsebastianphd.blogspot.com.  Please check them out and thanks for attending and promoting the Men’s Day of Renewal.

   ********************************************************************************

     St. Joseph, model of a true man of God, pray for us and for the success of the Men's Conference

  ********************************************************************************

(186) Diocesan Press Release #1: Scott Hahn to Speak at Men’s Day of Renewal

Editor

Steubenville Catholic Register

January 14, 2020

Dear Dino:

I’ve finally found the time to research, interview, and write the first article promoting our Men’s Conference.  You will find it below and attached together with two photos of Scott Hahn.  As in other years I will later submit two follow-up articles for your consideration.  Of course you have the right to edit it as necessary and condense it according to space constraints.  I can always incorporate any omissions into future articles.

Please consider the article below, the first of a proposed three entitled: CONVERT SCOTT HAHN TO DISCUSS THE CHALLENGE OF BEING CATHOLIC TODAY AT 2020 MEN’S DAY.  It is below and also attached if more convenient.

The first article is longer because it’s so important to sell the reader on why he should attend the Conference.  Furthermore, if the reader does not go to the Conference, at least he will learn a bit about the New Evangelization and the Domestic Church.  Dr. Hahn worked together with me on the article.

If you have to cut, please delete the last three paragraphs.  I’ll put them in the next article.

Your choice of the three photos below would give more life to the article.

Thank you for your help and God bless.  Your help is crucial to the success of the conference.  The content of the conference is most important for the formation of the men of our diocese.

Scott Hahn

SCOTT HAHN TO DISCUSS THE CHALLENGE OF BEING CATHOLIC AT 2020 MEN’S DAY

            For the eleventh consecutive year, the Diocese of Steubenville is sponsoring a Men's Day of Renewal on Saturday, March 7 from 9 am to 4 pm at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption, 506 Fourth St. in Marietta off of Route 7 or Exit 1 on I-77.  The patron of the Conference is St. Joseph, a model of a true man of God, whose intercession we count upon for its success.

            To complement the Holy Hour, the Penance Service, and Mass presided by Bishop Monforton, the featured speaker is Dr. Scott Hahn.

Dr. Scott Hahn is Professor of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has taught since 1990.  He is the founder and president of the St. Paul Center, an apostolate dedicated to teaching Catholics how to read Scripture from the heart of the Church.  Married to Kimberly for forty years, together they have six children and 18 grandchildren. Two of their sons are seminarians studying for the priesthood in the Steubenville Diocese. A former Presbyterian pastor, Scott entered the Catholic Church in 1986. The author or editor of over 40 popular and academic books, including “Rome Sweet Home” and “The Lamb’s Supper”, Dr. Hahn has delivered thousands of talks, nationally and internationally, on a variety of topics related to Scripture and the Catholic faith.  

Dr. Hahn will give two talks based on the general theme, “The Challenge of Being Catholic”.  

In his first talk, he will draw on Church teaching and his own experience to show how ordinary Catholics can effectively share their faith, and so fulfill the The New Evangelization.  Every one of us, as Catholics, is called not only to keep the faith, but also to share it with others. This talk is geared to help Catholic laymen reach friends, co-workers, and family members, especially those who are non-practicing or have drifted away from the Church. He will also address the question, “why and how can we remain faithful Catholics” -- in the face of clerical corruption and the scandals we have witnessed?”   

In his second talk, Dr. Hahn will speak on how to strengthen our marriages and family life, both of which are in crisis.  Drawing from Scripture, and forty years of experience as a husband and father. Hahn will offer some practical tips on how to make your home a domestic church --which St. Pope John Paul II advocated-- particularly with the help of the Holy Family.  He will also share some valuable lessons learned from his own struggles, drawing from his most recent book, The First Society: The Sacrament of Matrimony and the Restoration of the Social Order. 

            Since the Basilica of St. Mary in Marietta is the approximate center of our far flung diocese, the Steering Committee is hopeful that the men of Steubenville in the north and the men of Ironton and Chesapeake in the south will be able to participate.   Nevertheless, this mini-pilgrimage is a Lenten sacrifice of early rising and a long trip with great fellowship in a van or bus as the men pray together, discuss the talks and other events of the Conference, and deepen friendships.

The men are encouraged to bring their sons (18 and under free of charge).  A bag lunch will be provided.

Although the men may register at the door, preferable for planning purposes is to register with Roger Huck; Men’s Day of Renewal; P.O. Box 54; Beverly, OH 45715 (huck4816@roadrunner.com).  Fill out the Registration Form in the brochure in your parish and send a $25 check payable to the Diocese of Steubenville.  More information may be obtained from the Chairperson of the Steering Committee, Don Coen at 740-264-0155, 740-632-1565, or donandmargcoen@yahoo.com. 

Parish representatives are urgently needed to mobilize the men; they can inform Don Coen of their availability.  Ads in the program and donations to underwrite the Conference and keep the registration at a low price are greatly appreciated and may be sent to Roger Huck at the address above.  Keep posted on resources to promote the Men’s Conference and articles on men’s spirituality at http://diosteubmen.blogspot.com.                 

(185) Form to Place an Ad in the Program Booklet

Dear Local Merchant or Sponsor:

The Diocese of Steubenville is sponsoring a 1-day Catholic Men’s Day of Renewal on Saturday, March 7, 2020.  As part of the day, a program is provided for each attendee.  Advertising space is being made available to local merchants at a rate as listed below:

            ______            1/8 page                                   $  40.00

            ______            1/4 page                                   $  75.00

            ______            1/2 page                                   $ 125.00

            ______            Full page                                  $ 200.00

            ______            Donation only                         __________

Deadline for submission of ad material is February 10, 2020.

If you choose to do an ad, the following information is requested.

Also, if you are providing artwork, it must be in a jpg. format and copy ready.

Name of company:  ______________________________________________

Address:  _______________________________________________________

City, State, Zip:  __________________________________________________

Phone:  _________________________________________________________

E-Mail:  _________________________________________________________

Point of contact and phone number:  ______________________________

****************************************************************************************

If you do not choose to place an ad, you may donate financially to support the day and your company’s name and address will be listed alphabetically on a sponsor’s page.

****************************************************************************************

Send all information with payment made payable to Diocese of Steubenville to:    

            For information call:                           Men’s Day of Renewal

                740-984-2234                                  P. O. Box  54

                                                                        Beverly, OH  45715-0054

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                                    

                                                              Date __________________________

__________________________________________  has chosen to

(Name of company/organization)

____Place an ad.  Size ___________  Amount $_______________

____Generously provided financial support.  Amount  $_____________

Committee Representative _____________________________________

*******(184) A General Overview (Scott Hahn) of the 2020 Steubenville Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal

AMDG

Scott Hahn to Speak on How to Participate in the New Evangelization and Building the Domestic Church at the 2020 Steubenville Diocesan Men’s Day of Renewal

Dr. Scott Hahn

   For the eleventh consecutive year, the Diocese of Steubenville is sponsoring a Men's Day of Renewal on Saturday, March 7 from 9 am to 4 pm at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption, 506 Fourth St. in Marietta off of Route 7 or Exit 1 on I-77.  The patron of the Conference is St. Joseph, a model of a true man of God, whose intercession we count upon for its success.

The goal of the Men's Day of Renewal is the spiritual development of the men of our diocese. That includes helping the men to take the right path before having to face the four last things.......Death, Judgment, Heaven or Hell.  Having spiritually strong men of faith and character translates into more solid families, more dynamic parishes, and better communities. This is crucial to the Church and particularly our diocese, now and in the future. It is also critical for nurturing vocations.   The theme of the Conference is “The Challenge of Being Catholic”

       To complement the Holy Hour, the Penance Service, and Mass presided by Bishop Monforton, the featured speaker is Scott Hahn, Professor of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has taught since 1990.  He is the Founder and President of the St. Paul Center, an apostolate dedicated to teaching Catholics how to read Scripture from the heart of the Church.  Scott has been married to Kimberly for forty years, and together they have six children and eighteen grandchildren. Two of their sons are seminarians studying for the Steubenville Diocese.  A former Presbyterian pastor, Scott entered the Catholic Church in 1986. The author or editor of over forty popular and academic books, including “Rome Sweet Home” and “The Lamb’s Supper”.  Dr. Hahn has delivered thousands of talks, nationally and internationally, on a variety of topics related to Scripture and the Catholic faith.

The Conference will open with both talks of our main speaker, Dr. Scott Hahn since he will be on his way to Rome for a lecture series at the Angelicum Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.   In his first talk, Scott will draw on Church's teaching and his own experience to show how ordinary Catholics can effectively share their faith, and so fulfill the New Evangelization.  Every one of us, as Catholics, is called not only to keep the faith, but also to share it with others. This talk will help Catholic laymen to reach friends, co-workers, and family members, especially those who are non-practicing or have drifted away from the Church. He will also address the question, why and how can we remain faithful Catholics -- in the face of clerical corruption and the scandals we have witnessed?

 

In his second talk, Dr. Hahn will speak on how to strengthen our marriages and our family life, both of which are in crisis.  Drawing from Scripture, and forty years of experience as a husband and a father.  Scott will offer some practical tips on how to make your home a domestic church --which St. Pope John Paul II advocated-- particularly with the help of the Holy Family.  He will also share some valuable lessons learned from his own struggles, drawing from his most recent book, The First Society: The Sacrament of Matrimony and the Restoration of the Social Order.  

Sacrifice. The fact, that travel time may be long and distance may be far for many, gives the conference a pilgrimage flavor.  Lent, of course, is all about sacrifice and spiritual growth.  Since the Basilica of St. Mary in Marietta is in the geographic center of our far flung diocese, the Steering Committee is hopeful that the men of Steubenville in the north and the men of Ironton and Chesapeake in the south will be able to participate.   Regardless of distance, this mini-pilgrimage is a Lenten sacrifice of early rising and a long trip with great fellowship in a van or bus as the men pray together, discuss the talks and other events of the Conference, and deepen friendships.  A bag lunch is provided.

Another option is to stay at a motel in Marietta and make a retreat out of it.  The Basilica, one of the most beautiful churches in the world, is ideal for prayer and reflection.   There will be Eucharistic Adoration all day Friday until 7 pm in the Chapel of the English Martyrs to the right of the main altar.  Stations of the Cross will follow.  The men may bring their families to stay overnight and explore Marietta during the Conference.  Go to https://mariettaohio.org/.    

It should be a great day of enjoyable fellowship and spiritual invigoration. In each of the last ten years men returned reinvigorated, enthusiastic, and spiritually refreshed.  Expect the same this year.  It is awesome to hear the men lift up their voices in song and be moved by the beauty and power of the faith.  But mostly, through God’s grace, we will have more good spiritually strong men for the kingdom of God as well as for the battle against secularism and other evils that plague our society. We will have more men who put Christ into their professions. We will have men who will become more knowledgeable in their faith and better prepared for a joyful Easter and an eternal closeness to God.  The Men's Day of Renewal has grown into an annual event in our diocese, thus fulfilling a great need.

Promotional Help Needed.  Many if not most men will hardly notice the bulletin announcements, posters, and brochures, although they are indeed important and helpful.  What they can’t miss is the one-on-one personal selling by their peers, i.e., talking it up.  The most effective form of advertising or promotion is word of mouth.  Most effective is the witness of men who have gone to a previous Conference, especially the parish representative that we are asking the pastor to appoint or accept as a volunteer.  Thus one or two men are urgently needed in each parish to assure the success of this event.

To ease the burden on our pastors, we are depending upon our men to offer their assistance as parish representatives to mobilize the men with good one on one personal selling, register them, and organize van pools.  Word-of-mouth advertising is essential to maximize the promotion of the Men’s Day of Renewal throughout each parish. We ask participants of past years to tell their friends about this awesome opportunity for spiritual renewal.  If there is no parish representative in your parish, please consider volunteering by informing your pastor and by e-mail “Don Coen - Chair Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal” <donandmargcoen@yahoo.com>. 

 

Equally important, women can be most valuable in encouraging their husbands, sons (including teens), fathers, brothers, boyfriends, etc., to attend. This is a very important part of the new evangelization.” 

Father and son can make this day an unforgettable shared experience in which they become closer to each other.  For the first time, young men 18 and under will be admitted free of charge.  If the pastor accompanies the men, he would have an opportunity to know the men better and thus solidify the parish.  The Men’s Day of Renewal needs confessors.

 The local Knights of Columbus council can be most valuable since the spiritual formation of their men is part of their mission.  They are asked to mobilize their men to attend and organize a van pool.  Traveling together can build friendships, solidify the Council, and provide opportunities to tell about the Knights, thus making the Conference a recruiting tool.    .  

The men may register individually or the parish representative may collect the registration forms with payment and send them as a package to Roger Huck; %Men’s Day of Renewal, P.O. Box 54; Beverly, OH 45715.  This would save considerable time waiting at the door.  Checks for the Registration cost of $25.00 per person are to be made payable to the Diocese of Steubenville with “Men's Day of Renewal” written on the memo line of the check.   

Transportation Needs. A carpool, vanpool, or bus saves on fuel costs and gives an opportunity for great fellowship while traveling to and from the event—especially for those traveling greater distances. Please invite other men and assist with the organization of transportation for those attending in your parish.

Donations Needed. It is very expensive to put on a conference of this magnitude and feature nationally known  top speakers. While the Steering Committee does its best to minimize the cost for each participant, we are seeking donations from businesses, parish organizations, the Knights of Columbus, and individuals. Please send donations to Roger Huck as shown above.  Furthermore, we do not charge men who are unable to pay so that no man is excluded.  Boys 18 and under are admitted free of charge.

Ads in the Program Booklet.  Details on placing the ad for a business or community organization, or Knights of Columbus Council are in the Conference Blog or call Roger Huck at 740-984-2234 or 740-336-9128 (e-mail: huck4816@roadrunner.com).

  

More information is available from your pastor, from Don Coen above, or Paul Sebastian at (740) 245-9404 or paulrsebastian@yahoo.com. The Men's Conference Blog at diosteubmen.blogspot.com has a wealth of promotional materials for use at the parish level…….1) Overview, 2) Ad Form, 3) Press Releases, 4) Possible Bulletin Blurbs, 5) Pulpit Announcements, 6) Promotional Ideas, 7) Functions of the Parish Rep, 8) Sign-Up Sheet, 9) Sample Bulletin Insert, and 10) a Possible Talk By One of the Men after Mass.  There are also interesting articles on men’s spirituality, past conference highlights, etc.  After the Conference and throughout the year, articles will be added to help the men keep in good spiritual shape.  Clergy, Religious, and knowledgeable layman are invited to submit articles.

Please submit your registration as soon as possible. Registration will be accepted at the door; however, doing so in advance makes our planning more efficient and also helps to minimize waiting at the conference entrance.  

BENEFIT SUMMARY OF WHAT THE MEN'S CONFERENCE CAN DO FOR YOU:

 Get you into good spiritual shape.

 Have a great day of enjoyable fellowship and spiritual invigoration with fellow parishioners and participants at the conference, resulting in deeper friendships and parish cohesion.

 Develop ourselves as men of character and spiritual strength as we obtain the graces to cope with problems and conquer problematic issues that trouble our society.

 Be an effective spiritual leader to your family as a better husband and father.

 Prepare our hearts for the great feast of Easter as we become closer to God.

 Become more knowledgeable about our Catholic faith and grow in Christian maturity.

 Become a more effective soldier of Christ, and help strengthen His kingdom on earth.

 Visit http://diosteubmen.blogspot.com for additional resources to help promote the Men's Day of Renewal.

(183) "The only reason I am alive is the fact that the abortionist had not yet arrived at work"

By Lindsey Bever September 27, 2016 

                            From Acts of Faith Newsletter.

Antiabortion activist Gianna Jessen, who survived her mother’s attempted abortion, testified before the House Committee on the Judiciary Hearings Sept. 23,2016. (House Committee on the Judiciary Hearings)

Activist speaks about surviving mother's botched abortion

Antiabortion activist Gianna Jessen, who survived her mother’s attempted abortion, testified before the House Committee on the Judiciary Hearings Sept. 23. (House Committee on the Judiciary Hearings)

Twelve months ago, Gianna Jessen testified against Planned Parenthood, saying during a congressional hearing that her biological mother was seven and a half months pregnant when she was advised to undergo an abortion by saline — which “burns the baby inside and out, blinding and suffocating the child, who is then born dead, usually within 24 hours.”

“Instead of dying,” Jessen said on Capitol Hill, “after 18 hours of being burned in my mother’s womb, I was delivered alive in an abortion clinic in Los Angeles on April the 6th, 1977.”

“Doctors,” she said, “did not expect me to live.”

“I did.”

Jessen would become a leading antiabortion advocate, speaking around the world and meeting with American lawmakers about abortion policy. Her most recent activism has focused on federal funding for abortion, which has become a central point of contention during the presidential campaign.

She was even in Pennsylvania in 2002 when President George W. Bush signed the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, which confers legal protection to premature babies born after failed abortions. “It’s important that you’re here, to send a signal that you’re dedicated to the protection of human life,” Bush said to Jessen and others who attended the signing ceremony.

On Friday, the 39-year-old activist returned to the Hill for a subcommittee hearing on abortion. The focus of the discussion: The Born-Alive Infants Protection Act — and the Hyde Amendment, which, for the past 40 years, has generally barred the use of federal Medicaid money to pay for abortions.

[How decades of divorce helped erode religion]

“Apart from Jesus himself, the only reason I am alive is the fact that the abortionist had not yet arrived at work that morning,” she said.

Jessen says she has cerebral palsy due to a lack of oxygen to her brain during the abortion attempt.

“And cerebral palsy, make no mistake, is a tremendous gift,” she said. “I don’t know if any of you understand — maybe you do — what a tremendous honor it is to have to lean on the strong arm of Jesus all the way to heaven.”

The Hyde Amendment, which first was approved by Congress in 1976 and has since been attached as a rider to annual appropriations bills, states that federal funds cannot be used for abortion services, except in instances in which a woman’s life is in danger, or in instances of rape and incest.

This year’s Democratic Party platform vows to “oppose — and seek to overturn — federal and state laws and policies that impede a woman’s access to abortion, including by repealing the Hyde Amendment.” Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has condemned it as well as other policies for “making it harder for low-income women to exercise their full rights.”

In a recent letter to anti-abortion rights leaders, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump slammed his Democratic opponent for wanting to repeal the Hyde Amendment and promised to make it “permanent law to protect taxpayers from having to pay for abortions.”

Reproductive rights weren’t discussed at the presidential debate Monday — but the topic was on the minds of many voters: According to Google Trends, “abortion” was the second most-searched issues for both candidates.

Amid the contentious debate, Jessen explained Friday in Washington how she lived through an attempted abortion.

Here is her testimony, which veers from her prepared statement at times:

Thank you, thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to speak with you this morning.

I wish to appeal not only to those present within this chamber today, but to my nation.

We are here to discuss infanticide. I am greatly troubled that this hearing is even necessary, and that such a law to prevent infanticide must be constructed in the United States of America at all.

Many Americans have no idea that babies can even live through abortions and are often left to die. But this does happen. I know this because I was born alive in an abortion clinic after being burned in my mother’s womb for 18 hours.

My medical records clearly state the following: Born during saline abortion, April 6, 1977, 6 a.m., two and a half pounds. Triumphantly, I entered this world.

Apart from Jesus himself, the only reason I am alive is the fact that the abortionist had not yet arrived at work that morning. Had he been there, he would have ended my life by strangulation, suffocation or simply leaving me there to die.

Instead, I lived and have the gift of cerebral palsy as a direct result of lack of oxygen to my brain while surviving an abortion.

And cerebral palsy, make no mistake, is a tremendous gift. I don’t know if any of you understand — maybe you do — what a tremendous honor it is to have to lean on the strong arm of Jesus all the way to heaven. It is my honor, in a country that doesn’t wish to speak his name, I will.

By the grace of God, in my case, a nurse called an ambulance and had me transferred to a hospital. That nurse saved my life and I am profoundly grateful to her for this.

Those who wish to justify such unspeakable evil, such as leaving a baby without proper medical care to die, have become masters of the manipulation of language, intimidation and defaming their opponents to achieve their wicked aims.

As a nation, we are continuously exchanging the truth for a lie. We have neglected our soul. What will it take for us to awaken from our numbness and indifference regarding this? Will we ever wake?

I am confounded as well by the passivity so often demonstrated by otherwise good and just men; by the fact that we must plead with those in power to give the most vulnerable infants among us, even one moment of their attention.

This is a bipartisan issue, and I think it’s important for the American people to weigh at this hour, whether or not they wish to elect someone to the highest office in the land that favors infanticide. Because that is what we are speaking of here, a child, exactly as I was, that had the audacity to live through her mother’s abortion and needed immediate and proper care.

So I would like to ask Mr. Trump to tell me, and you, where he specifically stands on this issue, and I ask the same of Mrs. Clinton.

I would also like to ask Senator Mitch McConnell to force a vote on the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act before the end of this September.

I have faced the consequences of our choices as a nation (as evidenced by my cerebral palsy.) So if you choose to do nothing, I believe I at least deserve to know why you find this abhorrent practice tolerable, and I would respectfully ask that you tell me directly.

It seems in some ways, we have lost our way in this beautiful nation. But it needn’t be so. We have only to remember that we are lent each breath, that we are all engraved upon the hands of God, and therefore, cannot for a single moment, be forgotten by him. We need only to remember Jesus, who took me from my mother’s womb, to be his own.

Thank you.

Jessen, who was put into foster care and later adopted, said earlier this year that she has been sharing her story despite the fact that some won’t listen.

“They just try to ignore me,” Jessen said, citing the media, according to LifeNews.com. “Because I don’t think they can really say anything to me — so their strategy has been, ‘We’re just gonna not talk to her pretty much at all.’

“But I still get around.”

An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the recipients of a Trump campaign letter. It has been updated.

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I’ve adopted two biracial kids. Hateful messages showed up on the sidewalk.