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Our Mission
The Respect Life Office serves the Church of Worcester by striving to build a culture of life, and upholding and promoting the dignity of human life from the moment of conception to natural death. We work to implement the guidelines of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities, in which we are called upon as Church, with our resources, our people, our services and institutions, to pursue the cause of life with renewed energy and commitment. Through prayer, education, pastoral care, and public policy advocacy, we work to proclaim the Gospel of Life in our midst throughout all ages and stages of life. By working together diligently, prayerfully, and courageously in the Lord’s service, the culture of death that surrounds us today will one day be replaced with a culture of life.
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Contact Us
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Mrs. Allison LeDouxaledouxworcesterdiocese.orgDirector
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January Events 2021
January 22 - Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Human Life
Learn more HERE
Download suggestions for observing the Day of Prayer
Click HERE to read the letter from Bishop McManus about the Jan. 22 Day of Prayer
A listing of local parishes planning devotions can be found HERE
January 21- 29 - 9 Days for Life National Novena
Click HERE to visit the website. Sign up to receive daily intentions by email or text message or download the 9 Days for Life app
January 23 - A Morning for Life
Presented by Msgr. James Moroney
Cathedral of St. Paul, Worcester
10:00 - Gathering Prayer and Talk "Pope Francis and the Gospel of Life"
11:00 - Mass for Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life
Click HERE to download the FLYER with more information
Pre-registration is preferred (but not required) by emailing aledoux@worcesterdiocese.org
January 28 - Mass and Holy Hour for Life - 6:30 p.m., Cathedral of St. Paul, Worcester
January 29 - March for Life, Washington, DC (watch live broadcast at www.ewtn.com)
Local "Virtual" March for Life - Check out our slideshow of pro-life signs made by local students - available HERE on Jan. 29
MORE EVENT DETAILS AND LIVESTREAM LINKS CAN BE FOUND HERE.
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Calendar
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Thursday, January 21
Join the National Novena for Life! 9 Days for Life is a focused period of prayer, penance, and pilgrimage set aside to mark the tragic anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision which legalized abortion during all nine months of pregnancy. The novena will take place nationwide from January 21 through 29, 2021. During this time, all are invited to participate by joining together with thousands of Catholics across the country in prayer for a new intention each of the nine days. Visit www.9daysforlife.com to learn more and to download a free app for your smartphone or to sign up for daily emails or text messages with each day's prayer intention. Your prayers matter! Your sacrifices make a difference!Read More -
Friday, January 22
Did you know that in dioceses throughout the United States, January 22 is designated as a Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Children? As Catholics we are called to observe this day through the penitential practices of prayer, fasting and/or giving alms, in a way similar to our Lenten practices. Learn more about how you can participate at https://www.worcesterdiocese.org/jan-22-day-of-prayer.Read More -
Saturday, January 23, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Please join us for A Morning for Life with Monsignor James Moroney on Saturday, Jan. 23 from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 noon at the Cathedral of St. Paul, 38 High St., Worcester. The mini-retreat will include a talk on “Pope Francis and the Gospel of Life”, quiet prayer time, and Mass for Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life. Pre-registration is preferred (though not required). Email intent to attend to aledoux@worcesterdiocese.org. Download the flyer with more details at: www.worcesterdiocese.org/respect-life.Read More -
Thursday, January 28, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
All are invited to attend the annual Mass for Life on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Paul, 19 Chatham St., Worcester. A special Holy Hour for Life will follow at 7:30 p.m. Celebrant will be Fr. Richard Reidy, Vicar General. Please join us on the eve of the March for Life as we remember the 48th tragic anniversary of Roe v. Wade and pray for an end to abortion and the conversion of our nation. All are welcome!Read More
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Wondering about COVID Vaccines?
Moral Considerations Regarding the new COVID-19 Vaccines - The chairmen of the U.S. Bishops Committee on Doctrine and Committee on Pro-Life Activities released a joint statement addressing the ethical concerns regarding the COVID-19 vaccines. This is a very clear and informative resource on a topic about which many people have questions. READ THE FULL DOCUMENT HERE.
Answers to Key Ethical Questions About COVID-19 Vaccines - USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities
Making Sense Out of Bioethics - Fr. Tad Pacholczyk: "Should I Get Vaccinated?"
Making Sense Out of Bioethics - Fr. Tad Pacholczyk: "Must Catholics Refuse a COVID-19 Vaccine Made with a Cell Line from an Abortion?"
Points to Consider on the Use of COVID-19 Vaccines - The Ethicists of The National Catholic Bioethics Center
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith - Note on the morality of using some anti-COVID-19 vaccines -
Annual Respect Life Program
The Respect Life Program is published annually by the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities and its resources are used by dioceses nationwide. The program begins anew each year on Respect Life Sunday (the first Sunday in October) and continues to be utilized throughout the year and beyond. This educational resource offers new content each year drawing attention to numerous human life issues. These materials are especially helpful for clergy, parish Respect Life Ministries, adult and youth faith formation, Catholic schools, and other groups and organizations.
This year's theme is "Live the Gospel of Life: To Imitate Christ and Follow in His Footsteps". Click the image to view and download articles, social media graphics, and more!All of the articles and other resources are available in English and Spanish and are accessible in multiple formats. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE RESPECT LIFE PROGRAM.
Here are some ideas for celebrating Respect Life Sunday and highlighting God's gift of Life in October and all year long:- Display the theme poster on a parish bulletin board or other suitable place.
- Duplicate the theme reflection flyer and insert in the parish bulletin.
- Utilize the articles on various life issues topics at different times throughout the year - as a monthly educational bulletin insert, as a tool for discussion in classrooms or study groups, as an informational handout for catechists or other parish leaders, or for personal enrichment and reflection.
- Utilize the beautiful graphics which illustrate this year's theme in parish bulletins, on websites, or in your social media posts. Be sure to link to www.respectlife.org when you post!
- Pray for a renewed respect for human life all year long with the many prayer resources available.
- Leaders' Tool Kits with helpful resources for specific ministries: Priests and Deacons, Catholic Education, Faith Formation, and Youth Ministry.
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"Working for a culture of life and love, we know that we can rely on the help of God,
for whom nothing is impossible."
~ St. Pope John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae, n. 100
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