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Life Night Youth Rally

2012 Life Night Youth Rally

featuring national speaker

Jason Evert

"An Unprecedented Attack on Religious Liberty"

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

Mission

"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.

Respect Life Calendar 2011-2012

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 *39^th 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

Respect Life Resources