one small voice will speak for millions
The Voice of John
A Little Child Shall Lead Them
A powerful true story about the innocence of a child and their role in a life saving decision.
An Infant Child, A Nurse and the Holy Spirit
The Voice of John
The voice of John is the voice of a child speaking tenderly and lovingly a message of forgiveness and hope.
The Vision
A society which listens with grace.
Speaks with passion and compassion.
Accepts every human life without judgement.
Recognizes the gift and inherent worth of every
person.
Our Mission Statement:
The Voice of John mission is to reach out with love and tenderness,
empowering every woman facing a crisis pregnancy,
to offer support and resources to post abortive women and men,
to educate on issues of abortion, infanticide, euthanasia and assisted suicide, to influence legislation, and to defend the sanctity of human life from the womb to the tomb.
WINNER OF THE 2023 CHRISTMAS CARD ANNOUNCED
The VOICE of JOHN Ministry is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 Christmas Card Contest. John Frank, event chairperson, commented on the many students throughout the area who submitted their entries, reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas! Thank you to our Faith Formation Groups, schools, and above all, to those students from throughout the area who inspired this year’s verse.
The card depicts an image of the Christ Child by artist Mary Lou Smith from Saint Gregory’s Parish in Clarks Summit. Students captured the depth of the Christmas Season --- Hope, Humility, Peace and Light, the gifts of Christ’s Birth and His Life, the role of Mary, the Mother of Christ all among the highlights of their beautiful contemplations on Christmas.
Winner of this year’s competition is Marian Catholic High School’s Freshman student, Noah Bauder who captured the journey from the stable to the Eucharistic Table, The Light of Christ to shine in all of us. Noah attends Sts Peter and Paul Church in Lehighton.
A very close 2nd place winner, Olivia Fritz, is a 7TH grade student at Crestwood Middle School. Olivia attends St Patrick’s Faith Formation Class in White Haven. Liv demonstrated her talent in both design and verse.
3rd place winner, also a 9th grade student at Marian Catholic High in Tamaqua, from Most Precious Blood Parish in Hazleton, Rocco Griguoli poetically expressed the joy of Christmas and the Glory of the King of Kings.
Maryann Lawhon, The VOICE of JOHN CEO said this competition is intended to inspire students to reflect on the birth of Christ while simultaneously engaging in the pro-life ministry. The students in grades 7-12 were challenged to write the verse that would be used for this year’s Christmas Card which will be sold at Churches and businesses throughout the area, as well as on the VOICE of JOHN website (thevoiceofjohn2.org). It was truly an honor for the judges to read their verses, to recognize their hope for Peace, to honor not simply the birth of a child, but the hope, the humility, the love, the promises and peace that was born in a manger, our true King of Kings. “My Christmas is enriched by how beautifully they shared their hearts and recognized the purpose of the life of Christ”, stated Ed Pane, board member and one of the judges. Rafael Colon from Marian Catholic High School in Tamaqua reminds us that if Christmas isn’t found in our hearts, it surely won’t be found under a tree.
We are most grateful to all of our students, and also to their teachers, Faith Formation Instructors, and parents, who encouraged and challenged our youth to appreciate the deeper meaning of Christmas, beyond the commercialism which we too often associate this most sacred “Holy Day” season.
John Frank, event chairperson; Rocco Griguoli, 3rd place winner; Noah Bauder, 1st place winner; Maryann Lawhon, Voice of John CEO; Judith Martini, Marian teacher
Michelle McLaurin, Instructor; Olivia Fritz, 2nd place winner; Maryann Lawhon, Voice of John CEO
Christmas Cards are on sale now. You can purchase them at the following places:
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Local churches before and/or after mass.
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Heaven and Earth Gift Shop 400 Wyoming Ave Scranton, PA 18503
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Johnson's Pharmacy 15th St Hazleton, PA 18201
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Heights Terrace Pharmacy 476 S Poplar St Hazleton, PA 18201
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The Community Treasure Chest 601 S Poplar St. Hazleton, PA 18201
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Here on our website, click on Christmas Cards at top of page or click this link below
THE VOICE OF JOHN RETURNS TO MORGANTOWN WEST VIRGINIA
A baby boy, discarded in 1977, termed a “botched abortion” because he was born alive, was left naked and alone to die on a dirty utility counter. Maryann Lawhon, a young nurse from Scranton, PA had just started working at the University of West Virginia Medical Center’s OB unit in Morgantown WV. Little could she have anticipated that moment which would forever change her life. Her first day in her new assignment, working in the obstetrical unit, she walked into that dirty utility room, and found the child. Upon realizing no one was willing to help them, she lifted him, baptized him with the very water used in the killing procedure, and named him JOHN. This month, The VOICE of JOHN is invited to return to his hometown on a three-day speaking tour.
Maryann Lawhon, CEO of the VOICE of JOHN ministry, will bring John’s message to Morgantown’s St John’s University Church, and the following day will speak to Students for Life in Morgantown. The speaking tour will conclude when Lawhon will speak at the West Virginians for Life State Convention on October 14th in Fairmont WV. A child who lived only a few hours, who was considered a discard, has been invited to present the messages of his life.
Dr Frank Polidora, St John Bosco Church and a member of the VOICE of JOHN board of directors, stated “I am convinced that JOHN is a saint and martyr, and you (Maryann Lawhon) are the witness to his life and message.
Lawhon stated that her final words to JOHN were “I promise you JOHN, I will be your voice”. In bringing his message to his home state, she continued to keep that promise made 46 years ago.
Over these years, the Voice of JOHN has evolved in its ministry, addressing issues of abortion, infanticide, down syndrome, “incompatible with life” diagnoses, and post abortive ministries for men and women.
Lawhon will speak alongside WVFL President Dr. Wanda Franz, on the subject of Medical Practitioners Impacted by Abortion.
Keynote Speaker at the state convention is Dr Randall O’Bannon who has served as the director of education and research for National Right to Life since 1994. Also speaking is Karen Cross, NRL’s political director who became involved in the pro-life movement after suffering from her own two abortions.
The VOICE of JOHN is an educational ministry. Lawhon hosts a weekly radio program through JMJ Catholic Radio. Amanda Frank is manager of the website which produces video podcasts on all Sanctity of Life issues. www.thevoiceofjohn2.org
Lawhon, a retired RN, is an educator, radio host, and speaker as well as executive producer of the documentary The VOICE of JOHN. To arrange for a speaker at your next event, contact TVOJ at 570-788-JOHN.
ROE VS WADE IS OVERTURNED
“The VOICE of JOHN has been heard”
A Historic Victory for LIFE
The US Supreme Court issued a ruling overturning the tragic 1973 ruling known as Roe vs Wade. A half
century, 50 years, a death toll of over 63 million children. And on June 24th, the Catholic Feast of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus, this abominable decision has been reversed. This landmark ruling will return the
decision to the states where the people, through their elected officials can promote policies to protect
the child in the womb, and the mother.
Right now, emotions are high, and we must move forward as a country to create a post Roe society. I
hope we can begin by civil conversations, not speaking over one another, instead speaking to one
another. Above all, me must listen to the concerns. It is my belief that while the media portrays the
“pro-choice” side as the “celebrate abortion” or “shout out your abortion” radical woman, it is my
feeling that in fact, it is actually women who have fears and genuine concerns about their ability to
make sound decisions and face an unplanned or crisis pregnancy.
A constitutional right has not been revoked, for nowhere in the constitution of the United States is there
a right to abortion; there is however a right to life. Pennsylvania’s Department of Health revealed in its
latest 1-year statistic report that 32,000 babies were aborted in Pa. We commend this Court for their
diligence in securing the constitutional right to life to the most vulnerable among us, the child in the
womb.
Additionally, know that the Pro-Life movement reaches out to women: no pregnant woman should feel
alone or abandoned. Pregnancy resource centers throughout our Commonwealth are standing by to
help women with the aid and emotional support every pregnant woman deserves.
At this time, I reflect on the words I spoke to a little boy named John who had been aborted and then
left to die on a dirty utility room counter. “John, if your Mommy could see you as I do, she would not
have done this to you”. Today, I am recommitted to moving our organization forward with educational
programs to assure that women and men understand the sacredness and beauty of the child in the
womb. No woman should have to live with the regret of empty arms; no man should have to live with
their lost fatherhood. Our work is to transform our society to a culture of life.
I pay tribute to Katherine Lutz, Mary Farley Pane and Loretta McNellis, to Nellie Gray and the founders
of our grassroots organizations locally and nationally.
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Pennsylvanians for Human Life is a grassroots pro-life organization committed to defending the sanctity
of every human life from conception to natural death.
The Voice of John represents the educational arm of Pennsylvanians for Human Life Hazleton.
With questions, comments or concerns, please contact Maryann Lawhon, The VOICE of JOHN at 570-788-JOHN.
The PA Senate passed the Amendment which will protect our state from a Judicial imposition of abortion. It had been made necessary by the likelihood that the PA Supreme Court was poised to declare that abortion had “evolved” into a constitutional right. It would have also lifted prohibitions against taxpayer funded elective abortions.
After quite a bitter 5 hour debate in the House, the Amendment also passed there.
The process requires that the same Amendment be passed by both houses again in the next session (starts January 2023), then a referendum of PA voters will vote yes or no.
Still lots of work and prayer needed as we move forward!
WE HAVE AN ELECTION TO WIN
FOR THE UNBORN
Check out our UPCOMING EVENTS page for a list of future events.