Election Prayer Opportunities
The Michigan Supreme Court has ordered the placement of Proposal 3 (formerly known as “Reproductive Freedom for All”), an extreme pro-abortion amendment, onto the November ballot. Proposal 3 seeks the approval of the people of Michigan to permanently amend the State Constitution to include a “right to abortion,” and goes well beyond what was possible under Roe v. Wade.
Proposal 3 would:
- Allow abortion up until birth
- Allow minors to pursue abortions and sterilization without parental notification or consent
- Exempt abortion facilities from basic health and safety regulations
- Allow anyone to perform an abortion, even if they don’t have a medical license.
- Protect abortion providers from penalties for killing or injuring a woman during an abortion.
- Repeal or drastically alter dozens of state laws
This amendment allows abortion for:
- ANY ONE: any age…including minors
- ANY TIME: up to the moment of birth…and beyond birth
- ANY WHERE: in a medical facility…or any other location
Donate to help defeat Proposal 3
Read the Proposal 3 language:
Summary language (this is what will appear on the November ballot)
Constitutional amendment language (full text of proposed amendment to the Michigan Constitution) | Vietnamese
WAYS TO LEARN – ACT – PRAY
LEARN
Letter from the Michigan Bishops regarding Proposal 3 (October 2022): (English | Español)
From Bishop Walkowiak
Proposal 3 letter to parishioners, Oct. 22/23 (English | Español)
In defense of women and children vote ‘NO’ on ‘Reproductive Freedom for All’- En defensa de las mujeres y los niños Vota ‘NO’ a la ‘Libertad Reproductiva para Todos’ (September-Septiembre 2022 FAITHGR magazine)
Building a culture of life means changing hearts and minds-Construir una cultura de vida significa cambiar mentes y corazones (March 2022 FAITHGR magazine)
From the Michigan Catholic Conference:
Use the following resources to educate yourself and have informed, compassionate conversations about
Proposal 3.
- FOCUS Magazine – What you need to know about Proposal 3
- Proposal 3 One-Page Messaging Overview
- Q & A Regarding Proposal 3
- How to Respond to Myths and False Claims about Proposal 3
- “Where does it say that?”: An Explainer on the Dangers of Proposal 3
- Analysis of Proposal 3’s Extreme Constitutional Amendment
- Video: What is Proposal 3? An Attorney and Policy Analyst explains.
From Citizens to Support MI Women and Children and the Diocese of Lansing:
- What could the constitutional amendment do?
- Debunking 10 Falsehoods of Proposal 3’s ‘reproductive rights’ (Detroit Catholic via Diocese of Lansing)
- Statewide Webinar on Proposal 3 – Watch the webinar video
The Sept. 29 webinar above provided the opportunity to learn from legal, medical and apologetics experts on what the amendment really says and what you can say to friends, family and neighbors to change minds and votes.
Additional Resources
Letter from Michigan Prosecutors on two important aspects of Proposal 3
WATCH VIDEO: The Follow Up, Delta College Public Media – Michigan’s Proposal 3 (Oct. 19, 2022)
Discussion with Nicole Wells Stallworth of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan and Christen Polo of Citizens to Support Michigan Women and Children.
Holland Sentinel guest column from Paula Veneklase, executive director of HELP Pregnancy Aid
ACT
Door-Knocker Training and Canvassing
When informed of the consequences of Proposal 3 many people choose to Vote No.
One effort proving to be very effective is door knocking. After receiving training volunteers download an app to their mobile phone or work from a paper list of likely voters in the target neighborhood.
For on-the-spot training sign up for a shift by clicking here (On the resulting page, select your region/county from the drop down menu). The team leader of the shift will reach out with the location and time. Training will be provided upon arrival at the canvassing location. Additionally, you and/or your team can shadow the team leader and before going door knocking.
Citizens to Support MI Women and Children
To volunteer, receive updates, and make a donation to ensure there are enough resources to defeat this dangerous amendment, visit Citizens to Support MI Women & Children
Support Moms and Families
Walking with Moms in Need
Vote
Register to vote up to election day
Look up your voter registration/information
PRAY
Election Prayer Opportunities in Parishes
9-Day Rosary for Life – St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church (Grand Haven)
Please join us in prayer, asking our Blessed Mother to intercede for the lives of all God’s children. Even if you have never prayed a rosary, please come and pray with us!
When: Oct. 31 – Nov. 8, Doors open at 7 a.m. with rosary beginning promptly at 7:30 a.m.
Exception: On Sunday, Nov. 6, prayer will begin at 8 a.m.
Monday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. – The rosary also will be prayed in the church for the election.
40+ Hours Devotion for the Protection of Human Life & Rejection of Proposal 3 – St. Mary Church (Lowell)
Adoration. Devotions. Fasting. Praise. Confessions.
When: Sunday, Nov. 6 – Tuesday, Nov. 8
Begins: 11:45 a.m. – following the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass
Monday: 9 a.m. Mass (for the Protection of Human Life)
Ends: 9 a.m. Tuesday with concluding Mass.
Holy Hour – Mary Queen of Apostles Church (Sand Lake)
When: Nov. 7, 5:30 – 6:45 p.m.
Mass for Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life – All Saints Church (Fremont)
When: Nov. 7 at 6 p.m.
Holy Hour for our nation and the election hosted by the Crossroads parishes at Holy Redeemer Church (Jenison)
When: Monday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m.
St. John Paul II Church (Cedar Springs)
Holy Hour on Nov. 7, 8 – 9 p.m.
Holy Hour on Election Day before polls open, Nov. 8, 5:30 – 6:30 a.m.
Pro-life Prayer Vigil – Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (1935 Plymouth SE, Grand Rapids)
The evening will include hymns, a pro-life litany, and pro-life intercessions.
When: Monday, Nov. 7, 8 – 9 p.m.
Holy Hour of Adoration and Benediction for the defeat of Proposal 3 – St. Bernard (Irons)
When: Nov. 7, 7-8 p.m.
24-Hours of Adoration – St. Mary Church (Muskegon)
When: 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8
Mass followed by prayer until 8 p.m. – St. Isidore Church (Grand Rapids)
When: Nov. 8, beginning with 7 a.m. Mass
“One Nation, Together in Adoration” – Holy Spirit Parish (Grand Rapids)
When: Nov. 8, begins at 10 a.m. following the conclusion of daily Mass, through 8 p.m.
Eucharistic Adoration – St. Thomas the Apostle Church (Grand Rapids)
When: Nov. 8, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday, November 8, is not only a day to get out and vote, but also, a day of Eucharistic Adoration at Saint Thomas. Stop in the church any time from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament for our state and nation and for the defeat of Proposal 3. If you have questions, call (616) 459-4662 or email pamstrobel@stthomasgr.org.
Faithful Citizenship
Additional ways to pray as Faithful Citizens (USCCB)
Voting with faith and a well-formed conscience at election time
Calling all Catholics to ‘Fight Like Heaven!’
This effort is 54-days of prayer, fasting and almsgiving to combat Proposal 3. Sign up to receive a daily text providing information and inspiration across each of the 54 days by texting ‘FightLikeHeaven’ to 84576.
Governor Whitmer has repeatedly said that both she and her allies in the pro-abortion lobby will, “fight like hell” to ensure abortion is legal in Michigan.
In addition to voting NO on Proposal 3, we must ‘Fight Like Heaven!’ to combat this proposed amendment by employing the three great spiritual weapons of the Christian life: Prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
To accomplish this, the Diocese of Lansing invites Catholics across the state to join them in a 54-day Rosary Novena that will conclude upon the eve of election day. It began on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, Thursday, September 15.
Downloadable Prayer Card (MCC)
Additional Resources
Citizens to Support MI Women & Children
Proposal 3: Too confusing, too extreme
Proposal 3 Ordered onto Ballot; MCC & Pro-Life Coalition Prepared to Defeat It (Sept. 9, 2022 – Michigan Catholic Conference)
Opinion: Proposed reproductive freedom initiative goes too far (Detroit Free Press, July 2022 by John Bursch)
MIRS Monday interview with Attorney John Bursch, Aug. 8, 2022 (starts at 18:01)
Church teaching on Respect for Life – USCCB
Respect for Unborn Life
Life Matters – Abortion RLP
Backgrounders:
On the ‘Reproductive Freedom for All’ statewide petition
On Dobbs v. Jackson | U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade
