Respect Life Office
Department of Parish Life and Formation

 

 

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2012 Life Night Youth Rally
featuring national speaker
Jason Evert

Click here for Flyer

 Conscience Rights Violated by Sweeping HHS Contraceptive Mandate

  In implementing the new health care law, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has now issued a rule mandating contraceptive and sterilization coverage in almost all private health plans nationwide. The USCCB General Counsel, criticizing this "nationwide government coercion of religious people and groups to sell, broker or purchase ‘services’ to which they have a moral or religious objection," has called it "an unprecedented attack on religious liberty."

Urgent Memo

Nationwide Bulletin Insert

Letter from the Bishops of Illinois

Talking Points 

 "The Gospel of life is at the heart of Jesus' message. Lovingly received day after day by the Church, it is to be preached with dauntless fidelity as "good news" to the people of every age and culture."

~Evangelium Vitae

 

Mission

Through its ministry to parishes, schools, youth groups, colleges and universities, religious and secular media, legislators and all people of good will, the Respect Life Office seeks to transform society into a Culture of Life where every human being is valued and protected from the moment of conception until natural death. 

Following the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop's Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities, the Respect Life Office implements a 4-Point Plan for building a Culture of Life:

1) Education
2) Pastoral Care
3) Public Policy
4) Prayer and Worship

We seek to convert hearts and minds on a wide range of life issues including Abortion, Post-abortion Healing, Euthanasia, Chastity Education, Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Human Cloning, Capital Punishment, Ethical Vaccines, Fertility Issues and Artificial Contraception.

  
 December
12        *Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
28        *Feast of Holy Innocents – Parish Activity: Host a special prayer service or Mass in honor of the victims of abortion.         
            *Complete planning activities for Roe anniversary in January.
            *Promote March for Life Pilgrimage & Archdiocesan Mass for Life in bulletins and pulpit announcements.
            *Plan for pro-life speaker during Lent.
            *Plan to attend SpeakOut Illinois and Archdiocesan Mass for Life in January. Place in Bulletin.
            *Promote Archdiocesan “Mass for Life” and parish “Vigils for Life”. Tell Respect Life Office your parish’s plans!
 
January 2012
14        *Archdiocesan “Mass for Life” with Cardinal George
20-24   *March for Life Pilgrimage to Washington, D.C.
22        *39th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade – Parish Prayer Vigils in Chicago
23        Day of Prayer and Penance for Life          
28        SpeakOut Illinois Conference
            *Prepare to launch Spiritual Adoption in your parish.
            *Feast of Presentation – Parish Activity: Arrange a special blessing for babies at Mass.
            *Assemble group to pray at a local abortion clinic. Call the Respect Life Office for details. 
 
February
      *Promote Respect Life Office’s Annual Conference in Bulletin & Plan to Attend!
            *Promote Mass for Expectant Mothers in bulletin
 
March
            *Promote Mass for Expectant Mothers.
            *Jason Evert’s Visit, Life Night Youth Rally
25        * Launch Spiritual Adoption in the parish.
31        *Annual Parish Respect Life Coordinators Conference, location TBD
 
April
            *Promote Mass for Expectant Mothers
 
May
13        *Mass for Expectant Mothers with Cardinal George