We Are Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish

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ACI Prensa Staff, May 14, 2025 / 17:59 pm (CNA).

Approximately 470,000 pilgrims gathered in Fátima, Portugal, on May 12–13 to commemorate the 108th anniversary of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The prevalent theme of the two-day event was a call for hope amid the world’s conflicts and also prayers for the pontificate of Leo XIV. 

At the end of the closing Mass, before the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Bishop José Ornelas of Leiria-Fátima consecrated the pontificate of Leo XIV to the Immaculate Heart of Mary:

“We are at your feet, the bishops … and this multitude of pilgrims, on the 108th anniversary of your apparition to the little shepherds in this Cova da Iria to consecrate to you the ministry of the current successor of Peter and bishop of Rome, the Holy Father Leo XIV,” Ornelas prayed.

He also asked the Mother of God to grant the new pope tenderness, discernment, courage, and the ability, inspired by the message of Fátima, to “continue to send forth the urgent cry for peace to the world,” as he did in his first words in Rome after his election: “Peace be with you all!”

Nearly half a million pilgrims 

Despite occasional rain, the faithful participated in the traditional candlelight procession on the evening of May 12, forming an impressive sea of ​​light on the shrine’s esplanade.

Brazilian Cardinal Jaime Spengler, who presided over the International Anniversary Pilgrimage to Fátima, highlighted Mary’s role as “an intercessor on behalf of all who seek to make her sentiments their own.”

“Mary is a mother! A mother who gives birth, cares for, accompanies, guides, corrects, and encourages! That is why we contemplate her and let her watch over us. Let us allow ourselves to be guided by her; let us listen to what she continues to tell us: Do whatever my son tells you! Dear mother, accompany us; watch over us,” the cardinal said during the procession.

On May 13, the anniversary of the first apparition of the Mother of God to the shepherd children in 1917, Spengler — who celebrated the closing Mass of the events — noted that the world is going through “uncertain, tense, and complex times” in which “some perhaps only think of themselves.”

Twenty-seven bishops participated in the Mass, including two cardinals: António Marto, bishop emeritus of Leiria-Fátima, and Fortunato Frezza, canon of St. Peter’s Basilica, as well as 282 priests and 14 deacons.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

CNA Staff, May 14, 2025 / 17:29 pm (CNA).

In a recently released report, Charlotte Lozier Institute found that life-affirming women’s health centers outnumber Planned Parenthood locations 15 to 1.

As pro-lifers look to federally defund Planned Parenthood, the policy and research institute developed a comprehensive report of life-affirming community health centers across the country. 

The institute, which is the research arm of Susan B. Anthony Pro-life America, launched “Real Choices,” which documents the number of federal qualified health centers in each state.

Designed to highlight the work of life-affirming clinics, the webpage reflects the reality that these clinics outnumber Planned Parenthood locations.

The report found more than 8,800 community health centers that offer women’s health services in comparison with the 579 Planned Parenthood locations in the U.S. 

Of the community health centers, 5,500 are federally qualified and receive funds from the Health Resources and Services Administration for primary care for underserved populations. 

Planned Parenthood, meanwhile, received nearly $700 million in taxpayer funding in 2022 with a record-high number of abortions approaching 400,000, the report noted. 

Even in some of the most pro-choice states in the nation, life-affirming health centers outnumber Planned Parenthood facilities. For instance, in the state of Colorado, there were 135 community women’s health centers and 14 Planned Parenthood locations. In New York, there were 327 health centers and 52 Planned Parenthood locations. 

The main author of the research, Senior Research Associate Tessa Cox, said that “women deserve comprehensive care from providers who offer real health care, not abortion.”

Nearly 70% of women who have had abortions “described them as unwanted or inconsistent with their preferences and values,” Cox said in a statement shared with CNA.

The report found that nearly 97% of Planned Parenthood’s pregnancy resolution services were abortions, and for every one adoption referral, Planned Parenthood provided 187 abortions. 

“Their business is abortion,” Karen Czarnecki, executive director of the Charlotte Lozier Institute, said of Planned Parenthood. 

“Planned Parenthood isn’t meeting the needs of these women, especially considering recent reports of botched services,” Czarnecki said in a statement shared with CNA.

Czarnecki cited a recent story from The New York Times that details “failed abortions, misplaced IUDs, and inadequately trained staff” allegedly at Planned Parenthood locations around the country. 

“This report makes one thing abundantly clear: Women aren’t receiving comprehensive medical care at Planned Parenthood, despite what the abortion lobby claims, because their business is abortion,” Czarnecki said.

The report found that there are more than 3,000 women’s health clinics in rural areas, meaning there are more than five times as many rural clinics as Planned Parenthood clinics in total. Rural health clinics receive funding from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to ensure care is available in rural areas with health care shortages, according to the report.  

For instance, in Vermont, which has the highest rural population in the country, there are eight Planned Parenthood clinics, but there are 35 community women’s health centers. 

According to the report, 60% of rural Americans are served by rural health care locations, and federally qualified health centers serve 1 in 10 Americans. 

“Women, especially ones in underserved areas, deserve access to quality health care,” Czarnecki said. 

“We know that many women are looking for better options,” Cox added. “Community health centers give those options, providing care in underserved communities and filling critical health care gaps.”