How to Become a Pro-Life Advocate

An Interview With Catherine Contreras

Recently, I had the privilege to interview Pro-Life advocate Catherine Contreras, founder and President of Vox Vitae, a new Pro-Life organization located in CA.

According to Catherine, Catholic Christians have an obligation to be politically aware and active. During my interview with her, this compassionate, Catholic advocate for the Culture of Life humbly revealed the heart of her ministry and mission, as she has helped save countless unborn babies' lives from abortion mills and educated throngs of people on how to become a Pro-Life advocate.

Through Catherine's Contreras' Pro-Life organizations, her writings, public speaking, camps, conferences, and social media, she has proven to be one of the most influential Pro-Life leaders of our times, and has the support of her archdiocesan bishop, Bishop David O'Connell (Auxiliary Bishop of the L.A. Archdiocese)​.

Bishop O'Connell writes about Vox Vitae:

"Instead of losing hope, let's work together to prepare a whole new generation of youth who will be Pro-life. I encourage you to send your youth to Vox Vitae Camp to learn how to 'Be a Voice For Life.'"

During my recent interview with Catherine, this bold, courageous, tireless, Catholic advocate generously shared with me her formula for life-giving Pro-Life advocacy from conception to the grave. It is my honor to share with you, my readership, excerpts and insights from this life-changing interview:

Adele M. Gill: What is Vox Vitae?

Catherine Contreras: I founded Vox Vitae in the summer of 2015 to be a Catholic non-profit that educates, empowers, and spiritually nurtures people to be a voice for life. To meet that goal, I am offering Vox Vitae Summer Youth Camp to explore the depth and beauty of the Catholic faith, and to empower youth to withstand societal pressures and promote the Culture of Life.

"There are many people who feel alone as a Catholic and/or ProLife, but we aren't alone!"

There are so many of us and we want to help unite with our brothers and sisters and be more effective voices for life and bring the Culture of Life to the public.

The Vox Vitae Camp will feature many well-known speakers and is set for kick-off in Alhambra, CA at St. Therese Catholic Church on July 31st, ongoing through August 5th. [see article flyer] Also, our simultaneous Adult Evening Vox Vitae talks feature many of the same speakers as the youth camp but it is geared toward educating and helping adults live out their faith in the public square and guide their families in today's crazy world.

For more information or to register for the Youth Camp, or the Adult talks, please call 626-353-3452. www.voxvitae.org  or send email to: Catherine@VoxVitae.org

ONGOING PRO-LIFE EDUCATION Throughout the year, the Vox Vitae Missionaries will offer "Vox Vitae Day" in Sacramento, Alhambra, and San Diego with an educational theme and camaraderie for the attendees.

Adele M. Gill: Besides abortion issues, do you support other forms of Pro-Life issues from conception to the grave?

Catherine Contreras: "I've always been pro-life, but I only became active in the movement about eight years ago. I saw a friend's Facebook posts about abortion and realized how much I didn't know.

I had not heard any of this information from the pulpit, the "news", school... I was not hearing anyone who I had thought would be talking about abortion, doing so. I realized that I had to get involved."

I realize that abortion is just one part of the Culture of Death. Governor Brown signed it into law and now California has legalized assisted suicide - and the attacks on life at all stages are ceaseless.

Of all the attacks on life, though, abortion causes the greatest loss of life, with thousands dying every day and countless grieving.

Adele M. Gill: What do you think is our most endangered Civil Right today?

Catherine Contreras: Our freedom of speech is what allows us to expose and protest the works of darkness. This freedom allows us to express our faith and proclaim the truth. This freedom is a powerful weapon against the Culture of Death and hence it is the primary target of the enemies of the Church.

Adele M. Gill: How can others get involved and help with Pro-Life efforts in their own communities?

Catherine Contreras:
"As ugly as politics can be, we have an obligation to be politically aware and active."

Even local politics matter, as city councils and county boards can pass ordinances that hinder sidewalk counseling outside abortion facilities or they can refuse permits for abortion facilities to build or expand.

It is important that people are educated about the issues and candidates, vote accordingly, and tell their friends. Then we need to continue to communicate with our representatives throughout their terms, letting them know when we oppose or support a piece of legislation.

Recently, I joined many others in Sacramento for Catholic Legislation Day. I had the fortunate opportunity to talk with our state politicians. One of them shared with us that, although the Democrats were solidly supporting Physician Assisted Suicide/Euthanasia, he voted against it.

Why??

Because he received over 2,000 phone calls against Euthanasia and only received 200 supporting it. He listened to his constituents. We all can call our elected officials who are there to represent us, yet how often do we?? Do we even know who they are?? That is one of the things Vox Vitae Camp will address. It is within the teachings of our faith that, to be good citizens, we must be politically aware, research what is going on, and be active.

How to Get Involved in the Pro-Life Movement

Chaplain Adele M. Gill: Can you suggest some other ways to get involved in the Pro-life movement?

Catherine Contreras: Yes, there are more than a few other ways you can get involved, whether you want to dedicate an hour a week to this life-giving, life-saving cause.

1. Become informed on Pro-Life issues!
2. Call or visit your legislators.
3. Become a sidewalk counselor outside your local abortion facility, and offer hope and resources to the young parents entering.
4. Order pro-life pamphlets from HumanLife.org or LiveAction.org, or other organizations and distribute them to high school students on the public sidewalk outside of school after the bell rings.
5. Volunteer at your local pregnancy care center.
6. Hold easy to read pro-life signs at a busy street corner and distribute pro-life pamphlets.
7. Post pro-life facts to social media, and, most importantly, know the facts about abortion: Abort73.com and LiveAction.org are both good sources for abortion facts.
8. People can have sweet events with their little ones, coloring books that talk about Life at age appropriate terms. American Life League has a wonderful coloring & activity book, "Miracle of Life,"  for ages 3 and up. Start a Respect Life Ministry in your Church or school.
9. If there is an existing group, join it! Ask the person/people who run it how you can help. They will have ideas.

PRAY! When we pray we are having a conversation with God (hopefully it is not a one sided conversation and we are the only one doing the talking.) Prayer is the most powerful thing we can do. It is the fuel of our Pro-Life actions. Ora et labora.
 
Live out the Culture of Life in your own life. Be respectful of the life that God has given you, be respectful of the life that God has given to others. Do we recognize that Jesus loves the person next to us and is within each person? I think if we all were to start looking upon each human as they truly are, loved and created by God, then this is how we can start building up the Culture of Life.

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