Media has played an essential role on how we think, seek
information or help. What about using it in making the right decision? Heroic
Media has been successful in helping women in a crisis pregnancy. On Friday May
29th they held their inaugural prayer breakfast.
Heroic Media, founded in 2004 and headquartered in Austin,
TX, is an international non-profit that uses media to connect women with
abortion alternatives. Today it has a market in the state of Pennsylvania thanks
to Reach Pennsylvania.
Reach Pennsylvania is a collaborative support network of
pro-life ministries working together to impact the abortion ratio in the
Philadelphia Mass Media Market. Together both Reach Pennsylvania and Heroic
Media help reduce the number of abortions through the power of media to
articulate the prolife message through video ads on the internet.
Steve Bozza, from the Life and Family Office in the
Archdiocese of Philadelphia, took time to acknowledge the 200 in attendance at
the Union League. He acknowledged Heroic Media’s work in building a culture.
“They are ahead of their game with engaging everyone where
they are on the internet” Bozza indicated.
Rev. Joe Young, Vice President of Operations with Heroic
Media, opened with gratitude with everyone who was present. He also outline the
main goal of Heroic Media.
“Heroic Media wants to use media to save lives and build a
culture of life”. Rev. Young outlined. He encouraged everyone to donate, pray
and prepare. Young also states a proven fact that is relevant to the abortion
debate.
“Abortion is not a political but human issue and it affects
you” Rev. Young proclaimed. “Every life matters”
Brett Attebery, Vice President of Marketing for Heroic
Media, was personally affected by abortion, which ultimately led him to his
conversion. He reflected on a three day pilgrimage to Our Lady of Czestochowa
and how it led him to Heroic Media.
“When I was a young man in college, I got a woman pregnant.
Unfortunately, she chose abortion and we both later regret it.” Attebery
reflected. “It wasn’t until I took the pilgrimage which called me to build a
culture of life which helping change hearts and minds.
One of his successes in marketing for Heroic Media was how a
young lady was searching for the closest abortion facility.
“As she was searching, she clicked on an ad, which led her
to an ad from Heroic Media and pointed her to a pregnancy center in
Philadelphia”
Brett asked everyone in attendance to help get the message
out about pregnancy resources and shift our culture’s thinking on abortion with
their support.
Karyme Lozano, a prominent TV star and co-star of the 2011
movie For Greater Glory, delivered
the keynote address. She shared her
faith story about how an actress in Hollywood is Catholic and openly shares her
faith, yet she is constantly attack by the secular agenda. She states that
media encourages people to buy material things and become lost in that world.
“It’s worth going against the tide.” Karyme addressed. She
took time to speak to young students from Roman Catholic and John W Hallahan
who were in attendance to never be afraid to share their faith witness
especially in public. “Your presence outside of an abortion facility makes a
huge difference. The best way to demonstrate your convictions with your actions
is through prayer.”
What led her to advocating for life was the final weeks she
spent with her father. Her father was stricken with cancer. Her and her older
brothers took time to care for him. A nurse presented the option of euthanizing
her father. However, Karyme, who had been pro-life from the get-go, knew that
euthanasia would interrupts God’s plan. God wants us to be present from
conception until natural death.
Karyme recalled the last days with her father, particulary
the reunion between him and Karyme’s mother.
“The most beautiful thing that ever happened was when my
mother forgave my father for everything he did to hurt her as he forgave her
for wrongdoings against him” Lozano recalled.
In the end, her father died a peaceful death and led Lozano
back into the Catholic Church. Today Lozano is a diligent pro-life advocate who
works for Guadalupe Medical Center in Los Angeles.
As the breakfast came to a close, everyone was inspired to
continue building a culture by supporting pro-life charities like Heroic Media.
