Friends of life and of the family,

Can there be any doubt?  Before each of us is a daunting task.  The culture of death that so troubled Blessed John Paul II, becomes more disconcerting every day.  In the midst of this "veritable structure of sin," he charged Catholics, and all people of good-will, with the task of building a culture of life and love that respects every human being from conception to natural death.  But how do we build this culture when we are face-to-face with one that increasingly offends the dignity of the person?  Should we strive to become heroes? Should we aim for the heights of worldly power?  Do we constantly seek to do great things?  Perhaps some insight into these questions can be found in the profound wisdom of Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta, who constantly reminded us that our world is transformed when we do small things with great love. 

Perhaps the task is not quite as daunting as it seems.  Each of us is called to do small things with great love.  And so, after a great deal of discernment, God's goodness has led me to accept Human Life International's invitation to take the helm of HLI America as its National Director. Under my direction, HLI America will strive to follow Mother Theresa's counsel and do small things with great love.  It seems hard to believe, but it was seventeen years ago, when at the National Prayer Breakfast, this tiny and humble woman spoke to America with such conviction that our fine nation seemed to be shaken to its core.  She concluded with the following words: "From here, a sign of care for the weakest of the weak - the unborn child - must go out to the world. If you become a burning light of justice and peace in the world, then really you will be true to what the founders of this country stood for."

Arland and Cindy Nichols and their children

It is my firm conviction that if the hopes of Blessed John Paul II and Blessed Mother Theresa will be realized for the United States, HLI America's primary mission must be to educate by proclaiming the truth with love.  In our educational apostolate we will follow HLI founder Father Paul Marx's admonition to "[P]romote and defend the teachings of the Church without exception, without compromise. Indeed, it would be the greatest foolishness to do otherwise."  So we proclaim the Truth with Love, because as Saint Paul reminds us, if we have not love, our proclamation will be but a resounding gong and clashing cymbal.  

Not only must we engage in education, but more importantly, we must each seek, by prayer and God's Grace, the conversion of our own minds and hearts.  We do so by "putting on Christ," "who humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross."  This is a universal calling: If our world will be transformed, we must be transformed, and we must seek to form our own families to be beacons of holiness, truth, and love.  Toward this end, we can again call upon the wisdom of Mother Theresa:  

We must remember that love begins at home, and we must also remember that the future of humanity passes through the family.

I am excited then, to move forward together with you, as we build upon the significant accomplishments of this young apostolate. I invite you to visit and browse our website, and the Truth and Charity forum.  Be sure to visit often, as new content and features will be added on a daily basis. 

Driven to defend the dignity of the person at every moment of life and proclaiming the Gospel of Life, we will challenge a "contraceptive culture" that treats human life as a commodity.  As we do so, I ask for your prayers for me and for the leadership of HLI.  Pray without ceasing!  United by one faith and by a common conviction that each human being is wonderfully made in God's image and likeness, may we build the culture of life and love through cultivating holiness, by proclaiming the truth with conviction and love, and by doing small things with great love. 

Saint Maria Goretti, Pray for Us.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Arland K. Nichols

National Director, HLI America