WHAT YOU CAN DO...
Below is a suggestion of different things that can be done throughout the year to help a build culture of life and a civilization of love in the parish. This list is modified from the Respect Life Office website of the Archdiocese of NY.
Winter Season
Promote Post-Abortion Healing services; contact Sisters of Life Hope & Healing Mission for guidance. Check here for more information.
Invite a post-abortive woman and/or man to speak at your parish, check out possible speakers here.
Organize a parish bus to the Vigil For Life at Our Lady of Lebanon in DC and the March for Life. Invite the MYO and MYA to participate in the Youth Rally and Mass For Life as well.
Invite a post-abortive woman and/or man to speak at your parish, check out possible speakers here.
Organize a parish bus to the Vigil For Life at Our Lady of Lebanon in DC and the March for Life. Invite the MYO and MYA to participate in the Youth Rally and Mass For Life as well.
Celebrate married life by organizing Marriage Enrichment Evening in the parish.
Plan Marriage Jubilee Divine Liturgy to celebrate Jubilee anniversary and longest married couple followed by reception to honor the couples.
Celebrate Divine Liturgy around February 11th the World Day of the Sick for those who suffer physical or mental disabilities. Suggested intentions here.
Plan Marriage Jubilee Divine Liturgy to celebrate Jubilee anniversary and longest married couple followed by reception to honor the couples.
Celebrate Divine Liturgy around February 11th the World Day of the Sick for those who suffer physical or mental disabilities. Suggested intentions here.
- Create a table display after Masses - display soft baby models, highlight milestones of development, promote social media & websites that offer information. Make it eye-catching & interactive.
Celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation (Jesus' conception) with fanfare. Invite other parish groups to a party social.
Promote 40 Days for Life and organize a weekly witness or prayer commitment. - Organize a Jesus Run to reach out to the homeless and less fortunate.
Spring Season
Organize a group visit to a local nursing home – share music, a play, other talents, or visit with residents; great to get the youth involved.
Share important information on Physician Assisted Suicide. Include testimonies or stories of those who have accompanied a dying parent or relative, like this one here.
Host a Seminar for your parish on Advance Directives and End of Life care. Display brochures on end of life care and Catholic teaching in the hall. Get resources here.
Host a card-making event for families. Invite children to create cards for elderly in the nursing homes. Teach children the importance of good friendships. Provide snacks.
Share important information on Physician Assisted Suicide. Include testimonies or stories of those who have accompanied a dying parent or relative, like this one here.
Host a Seminar for your parish on Advance Directives and End of Life care. Display brochures on end of life care and Catholic teaching in the hall. Get resources here.
Host a card-making event for families. Invite children to create cards for elderly in the nursing homes. Teach children the importance of good friendships. Provide snacks.
Host Mother/Daughter Tea - learn together the beauty of the female body, heart, and mind. For more information contact us.
Invite all mothers to a beautiful breakfast - or host a local Feminine Genius Brunch and invite the Sisters of Life as speakers.
During the week of Mother’s Day, host a 'call-a-thon' to your local/state legislators to express your pro-life views and desire to uphold mothers.
Sponsor a Baby Bottle Campaign to support pregnancy centers.
Invite all mothers to a beautiful breakfast - or host a local Feminine Genius Brunch and invite the Sisters of Life as speakers.
During the week of Mother’s Day, host a 'call-a-thon' to your local/state legislators to express your pro-life views and desire to uphold mothers.
Sponsor a Baby Bottle Campaign to support pregnancy centers.
Special Mass for Families where fathers are honored as leaders of their domestic church. See suggested Intersessions.
Plan a special 'lumberjack breakfast' after Liturgy for Father’s Day celebration.
Host a parish-wide Father/Child sports game (softball, flag football) at a local park, bbq and cake. Host a Father/Child service day - in the AM make lunches for the homeless and then serve them in your area. End the day with reflections.
Promote Entering Caanan retreats for men who have suffered from abortion.
Plan a special 'lumberjack breakfast' after Liturgy for Father’s Day celebration.
Host a parish-wide Father/Child sports game (softball, flag football) at a local park, bbq and cake. Host a Father/Child service day - in the AM make lunches for the homeless and then serve them in your area. End the day with reflections.
Promote Entering Caanan retreats for men who have suffered from abortion.
Summer Season
Holy Hour of Reparation for offenses against life in our country.
Create a display of information: Roe v. Wade, Doe v. Bolton, Dred Scott - show comparisons between abortion and the civil rights movement.
Ethnicity plays a huge factor in abortion rates. Get the word out. Statistics as to racial communities targeted by abortion providers. The truth of Margaret Sanger, the founding of Planned Parenthood, and eugenics ideology.
Get the information out on conscience protection and religious liberty.
Create a display of information: Roe v. Wade, Doe v. Bolton, Dred Scott - show comparisons between abortion and the civil rights movement.
Ethnicity plays a huge factor in abortion rates. Get the word out. Statistics as to racial communities targeted by abortion providers. The truth of Margaret Sanger, the founding of Planned Parenthood, and eugenics ideology.
Get the information out on conscience protection and religious liberty.
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For Women: ENDOW has a great study on Humanae Vitae. A women's study can also be a support for women who regret contracepting. Allow for a safe place to share.
Circulate materials from Gianna Center and FEMM. Check out our webpage on Catholic women's healthcare. Include information that helps people understand the Church's teaching and truth about IVF. Host a seminar on the truth of contraception. Invite a couple practicing NFP to share testimony. Movie under the stars! Show a great pro-life film (like Unplanned) with pizza, popcorn & soda. |
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Fall 40 Days for Life campaign begins. Promote. Offer prayers for those who struggle with chastity. Organize a Holy Hour during 40 Days for Life for this intention.
Include a Bulletin insert about Courage for those who struggle with same-sex attraction. Get the word out on good films and inspiring testimonies of those who found freedom from same-sex attraction.
Host a Culture Project event in the region for youth.
Calling all Teachers & Catechists!! Host a kick-off meeting for teachers, equipping them to uphold life in the year’s curriculum or different age groups. Let them know about the Respect Life Week Curriculum and DRE/Catechist resource.
Include a Bulletin insert about Courage for those who struggle with same-sex attraction. Get the word out on good films and inspiring testimonies of those who found freedom from same-sex attraction.
Host a Culture Project event in the region for youth.
Calling all Teachers & Catechists!! Host a kick-off meeting for teachers, equipping them to uphold life in the year’s curriculum or different age groups. Let them know about the Respect Life Week Curriculum and DRE/Catechist resource.
Fall Season
Speak to your pastor to ensure there are Pro-Life intercessions at all Masses, see suggestions.
Ask pastor to offer Pro-Life education from the pulpit, (offer to assist in finding a speaker for the Masses if he'd prefer).
Increase parishioners' awareness for helping women in difficult pregnancies: emotionally, spiritually, materially, medically. Check out a helpful article on supporting women in crisis pregnancy.
Pray the Rosary with brief meditations on life before Divine Liturgy.
Begin your preparations and planning for the March for Life. Be in touch with the Respect Life Office for guidance.
Ask pastor to offer Pro-Life education from the pulpit, (offer to assist in finding a speaker for the Masses if he'd prefer).
Increase parishioners' awareness for helping women in difficult pregnancies: emotionally, spiritually, materially, medically. Check out a helpful article on supporting women in crisis pregnancy.
Pray the Rosary with brief meditations on life before Divine Liturgy.
Begin your preparations and planning for the March for Life. Be in touch with the Respect Life Office for guidance.
Gather all relevant material from State Catholic Conference related to upcoming legislation. Ensure your parishioners know who the pro-life candidates are. Get input from Pastor and/or Public Policy Office on how to inform parishioners on this topic.
Organize/ Attend a Feminine Genius Brunch .
As January approaches, get more young adults involved. Host a young adult "Tailgating Party" at the parish, to watch a football game with tailgating food -- and to discuss life issues over chili.
Organize/ Attend a Feminine Genius Brunch .
As January approaches, get more young adults involved. Host a young adult "Tailgating Party" at the parish, to watch a football game with tailgating food -- and to discuss life issues over chili.
Care for the poor, homeless, those who are alone, in nursing homes and extended care facilities with gifts of food and clothing. Organize the youth to go Christmas caroling at a local nursing home or homeless shelter.
Organize a 'Giving Tree' or Christmas drive to collect baby items and maternity gifts for a local pregnancy center or Children's hospital.
Prepare homemade, easy to heat dinners for a mom in need who has just given birth or a single mom.
Host a coat drive for the homeless, coordinate with Franciscan Friars or Sisters of the Renewal or Missionaries of Charity.
Pray for the conversion of all abortion workers; share with the parish information about Abby Johnson and her ministry And Then There Were None.
Organize a 'Giving Tree' or Christmas drive to collect baby items and maternity gifts for a local pregnancy center or Children's hospital.
Prepare homemade, easy to heat dinners for a mom in need who has just given birth or a single mom.
Host a coat drive for the homeless, coordinate with Franciscan Friars or Sisters of the Renewal or Missionaries of Charity.
Pray for the conversion of all abortion workers; share with the parish information about Abby Johnson and her ministry And Then There Were None.