RESPECT LIFE MONTH

October 2018

“In our present social context, marked by a dramatic struggle between the “culture of life” and the “culture of death,” there is need to develop a deep critical sense, capable of discerning true values and authentic needs. 

What is urgently called for is a general mobilization of consciences and a united ethical effort to activate a great campaign in support of life.  All together, we must build a new culture of life.”

– Pope John Paul II, Evangelium vitae (The Gospel of Life), no. 95

 



Respect Life Month begins on October 1st. During this month, we focus on the culture of life that we strive toward through our pro-life efforts and activities. We focus on affirming life from conception to natural death. This is most beautifully done by helping infuse the Gospel of Life into the life of the parish, building a culture of life that permeates the parish and community. For this reason, the suggestions below are organized by parish ministry to encourage engagement of existing communities according to their particular charism.

We have provided resources on this page that we hope will aid preparations and participation in Respect Life Month. 

 

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RESPECT LIFE MONTH IDEAS

Organized By Parish Ministries

Adult Faith Formation


Plan a Pro-life movie night

Plan an In Joyful Hope Panel (to offer education and resources on end of life care and planning; contact: Natasha Wilson)

Host a Holy Hour for Life

Children's Faith Formation


Pray as a parish with the Spiritual Adoption Program

Celebrate life in a visible and fun way on Cupcakes for Life Day – October 9th

Hold a Respect Life Coloring, Poster &/or Essay Contest

Evangelization & Mission

Participate through prayer and/or peaceful vigil in the worldwide, life-changing 40 Days for Life campaign

Consider how pastoral care can be an opportunity for Evangelization and Mission. Talk with your pastor or parish staff about how you can make them more welcoming to those who are grieving after abortion or miscarriage, those who are struggling with infertility, those who want to learn more about natural family planning, etc.

Families/Inter-generational


Plan a Mass, prayer service or retreat for families who have experienced miscarriage or are suffering with infertility

Organize a Parents Night Out (here is a good outline for a plan for organizing a Parents Night Out – make sure that all volunteers are VIRTUS trained)

Plan an In Joyful Hope panel (to offer education and resources on end of life care and planning; contact: Natasha Wilson)

Pray as a parish with the Spiritual Adoption Program

Celebrate life in a visible and fun way on Cupcakes for Life Day – October 9th

Homebound Ministry


Distribute Comfort and Consolation packets (contact Respect Life Office for copies)

Plan an In Joyful Hope Panel (to offer education and resources on end of life care and planning; contact: Natasha Wilson)

Pray as a parish with the Spiritual Adoption program

Hospitality


Celebrate life in a visible and fun way on Cupcakes for Life – October 9th

Sponsor or co-sponsor Coffee and Donuts after Mass or an ice cream social with another ministry (i.e., Knights of Columbus)

Take a tour of your Narthex, parish website, and parish social media. Talk with your pastor or parish staff about how you can make them more welcoming to those who are grieving after abortion or miscarriage, those who are struggling with infertility, those who want to learn more about natural family planning, etc.

Liturgy


Plan a Respect Life Mass with pastor and staff

Add prayers of the faithful from Word of Life

Outreach & Service/Social Justice


Partner with parish outreach to the poor (soup kitchen, food bank, etc)

Organize a Maryland Catholic Conference Catholic Advocacy Network drive

Celebrate life in a visible and fun way on Cupcakes for Life Day – October 9th

RCIA


See same ideas for Adult Faith Formation

Pray for RCIA candidates 

Host a meet and greet luncheon with parish Respect Life ministry

Special Needs & Disabilities


Mass, prayer service, or retreat for caregivers

Include people with disabilities and special needs in Respect Life Mass

Young Adult Ministry

Participate through prayer and/or peaceful vigil in the worldwide, life-changing 40 Days for Life campaign 

Organize a service day at a local pregnancy center or nursing home

Host a cocktail or Happy Hour and invite a priest (or another interesting speaker) to have a conversation about relevant life issues (i.e., Natural Family Planning).

Youth Ministry


Pray as a parish with the Spiritual Adoption program

Organize a Respect Life Coloring, Poster & Essay contest

Schedule a Good News about Life talk (contact: Respect Life Office)

Celebrate life in a visible and fun way on Cupcakes for Life Day – October 9th

RESPECT LIFE MONTH RESOURCES FOR CLERGY

Click here to download
Click here to download

PASTORAL CARE RESOURCES

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MINISTRY FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST CHILDREN TO MISCARRIAGE

Click here to visit site
Click here to visit site
Click here to visit site

SOCIAL MEDIA RESOURCES

Click on photos below to download

ABORTION

ADOPTION

ASSISTED SUICIDE

INSPIRATIONAL

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING

POST-ABORTION HEALING

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Video Resources

Introducing 40 Days for Life

Learn how 40 Days for Life started in a Texas college town and grew to a global outreach … changing hearts, minds and lives along the way.

Pro-life millennials speak out

Tired of the rhetoric around abortion? The loudest voices don’t always tell the whole story. America Magazine talked to 7 millennial women—socialist, libertarian, Republican, independent—all of them pro-life, about their hopes for the pro-life movement.

Pope Francis brings pro-life message to Congress

Pope Francis speaks out for sanctity of life in address to Congress. EWTN reports on the historic visit. 

The Impact of the Pro-Life Generation

Students for Life discusses the impact of the pro-life generation.

Special Needs Adoption Stories

State Farm Insurance partnered with The Huffington Post to create this video on special needs adoption stories.

Assisted Suicide

Patients Rights Action Fund interviews a kidney doctor  about new medical developments and the danger of assisted suicide.