Respect Life
NC Catholics for Life
Respect Life
Bishop's Letter - Respect Life
Read Bishop Burbidge's letter regarding Respect Life 2010National Life Chain
A foundational goal of the LIFE CHAIN is to unite all Christian clergy and Christian laity. Various pro-life groups (national, state, and local) unite as true coalition builders to join in the promotion of National Life Chain Sunday, which is held annually on the first Sunday in October.
NC Catholics for Life
NC Catholics for Life--the place where people in North Carolina can find local and national pro-life resources and ministries, connect with each other, and find ways as to "witness the establishment of a new culture of life, the fruit of the culture of truth and of love" as Pope John Paul II called all of us to do in Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life).
Visit the NC Catholics for Life WebsiteRespect Life Sunday Celebrated - October 3rd
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has designated Respect Life Sunday as a day set aside for Catholics to reflect with gratitude on God’s gift of human life. It is also an occasion to examine how well Catholics, as a nation and individually, are living up to the obligation to protect the rights of those who, due to age, dependency, poverty or other circumstances, are at risk of their very lives.
On October 4, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated Respect Life Sunday at Saint Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Apex. The Bishop noted three areas that Catholics should focus on in promoting the sanctity of human life: prayer, service and witness. He encouraged the faithful to pray fervently at Mass and in our daily prayer that all life is held sacred from the moment of conception to natural death. He spoke of the many organizations throughout the Diocese that reach out and serve those who hunger and thirst for human dignity. “I encourage you to learn more about these organizations and see how you can offer your service and support to them,” said Bishop Burbidge. Lastly, he urged Catholics to make their voices known and heard by prayerfully participating in the election process on issues related to significant moral issues.
"At this Eucharist, which unites us as brothers and sisters, we pray for ourselves and one another," the Bishop said. "We pray for the strength that comes from God so that we may stir into flame the gift of God that we have. Then the world will see, in our service to the Lord and the Gospel of life, we love without measure in imitation of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns forever and ever."
Read Bishop Burbidge's Homily For Respect Life Sunday 2010
"The measure of love is to love without measure. This is the theme of Respect Life Sunday, which is celebrated today throughout our Diocese and the Church in the United States."
Read the rest of the Bishop's homily
Statement for Respect Life Sundayby Cardinal Justin Rigali, September 29, 2009
Every Child Brings Us God’s Smile
2009-2010 Respect Life Program Flyer
October is Respect Life Month
“Every child, at every age of development, brings us God's smile and invites us to recognize that life is God's gift, a gift to be welcomed with love and preserved with care always and at every moment.” -- Flyer for 2009 Respect Life Program
“The subtle lies of today’s culture of death are a plague of spiritual leprosy, reducing the value of human persons to some arbitrary standard that changes like fashions…To the world around us, what matters is what we possess, but to the Lord, we matter because we are his beloved children, created in his image, for whom he died, and with whom he wants to live forever in heaven.” Rev. John Bartunek, LC, STL, “Why You Matter: A Reflection on Human Dignity,” pamphlet from 2009 Respect Life Program
Clothing Drive
Annunciation Catholic Parish Respect Life Committee collects new baby clothing and articles during the month of October which are given to the Eastern Pregnancy Information Center in New Bern, North Carolina. Thank you to everyone who donate for this local organization.
Baby Bottle Campaign Kicks off on Respect Life Sunday
Baby Bottles are available in the back of the church after weekend Masses during October. Parishioners fill the bottles with extra change or weekly allowances and return them by November 1st. All money from this campaign are given to the Eastern Pregnancy Information Center in New Bern, NC. This campaign is sponsored by Annunciation Youth Ministry.
This center used to be named Crisis Pregnancy Center, but is now called the Eastern Pregnancy Information Center, which reflects the "recent addition of limited medical services, such as ultrasound." They also have a new location, across from Carolina East Medical Center, which is located on Neuse Blvd. in New Bern. For more information about Eastern Pregnancy Information Center, please visit their website http://www.epiccentercares.org. Their office phone number is 252-638-4673.
Project Rachel Support Group
Abortion is one of the most common procedures in the US experienced by millions of women, many of whom are Catholic. Abortion creates a deep wound in post -abortive women, one that affects them spiritually, mentally and emotionally. Project Rachel assists women and men who have been wounded by abortion find truth and healing. There is a support group beginning in the Triangle area in late August. If you have experienced abortion and would like more information about the support group contact Project Rachel at 919-852-1021 or email projectrachel@nc.rr.com. For more information, go to the website www.projectrachelnc.org Calls and appointments are kept strictly confidential.
Staff House Maternity Home
Catholic Daughters are helping the Staff House Maternity Home in New Bern with renovating a donated home that will be able to house 5 young women. The primary goal of this home is "to provide residential love and care to pregnant young women and their unborn children by offering services which will support them in their time of need."
This project is progressing with the help of many hands from local area residents and businesses. The target completion date of renovations is November 5th, 2009. They hope to be able to move in between November 6th and 11th.
This project is in need of the following:
- Someone to do vapor barrier
- Operator and small Bobcat w/ back hoe attachment
- Continued prayers
Contractors in the area are providing labor and excess materials at no cost. The STAFF House will pay for the rest of the materials. They could use Lowe's, Riverside Hardware, and IHRIE Supply gift cards, which can be dropped in the collection basket. Please contact Dianna Vaccarella at 223-3969 for information on the delivery of any other materials. Please help the STAFF House, help girls who chose LIFE.
