Parish Respect Life Ministry

Being pro-life is a fundamental part of our Catholic identity.  Embracing the sacredness of human life from conception to natural death is part of the very moral fiber of our being.  As Catholics we share in a unified vision and mission to protect and defend each person's life and dignity.  In the U.S. Bishops' Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities we are given a blueprint for carrying out the Church's pro-life mission.  The four "pillars" of a parish Respect Life Ministry are PRAYER, EDUCATION, PASTORAL CARE, and PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY.  

Parishes are encouraged to establish an active Respect Life Ministry.  You don't have to reinvent the wheel!  The diocesan Respect Life Office provides training and support for existing and new parish ministries.

Who should attend?

• All those who are currently involved in an existing parish Respect Life Ministry - whether it's just one coordinator, a few people, or a larger ministry with many volunteers.
• Anyone who is interested in becoming more involved in pro-life activities and would like to learn more about how a parish Respect Life Ministry could be established (even with few volunteers and limited resources).
• Any priests, deacons, or any other parish staff (catechists, parish secretary, pastoral ministry coordinators, etc.) who might be available to assist the pastor in building a Respect Life Ministry in the parish.

• The U.S. Church's vision of Respect Life Ministry as described in the Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities and grounded in the teachings on the sacredness of human life as articulated in Evangelium Vitae.
• An emphasis on the "four pillars" of the Pastoral Plan (prayer, education, pastoral care, and public policy advocacy), along with practical suggestions for each of these areas that can be carried out at the parish level.
• A discussion of how a parish might carry out their Respect Life Ministry's activities even with a limited number of volunteers or resources, along with suggestions for engaging the whole parish community.
• A description of the ongoing support that is available from the diocesan office.
• An opportunity for Q & A.