respectlifetoday

Like you, Catholic bishops are pilgrims to Washington each January. Watch this.

It is time to start planning for the anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision.  To help inspire Catholics to pray and work for renewed respect for every human life, the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities has produced this video titled, Proudly Pro-Life, combining images from the procession of the Opening Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life in January 2011 with powerful and engaging quotes from Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, the Principal Celebrant, and Blessed Pope John Paul II. 

"Watch and share to be part of the joyful pride of being Catholic and pro-life. Features over 11,000 youth, families, religious, seminarians and other leaders joined in prayer with Cardinal DiNardo, chair of the bishops' pro-life committee and other cardinals, bishops, and priests in praying for an end to abortion at the Opening Mass of the all-night 2011 National Prayer Vigil for Life."
www.usccb.org

 

 

See the Truth Booth for yourself

In honor of Respect Life Month, the respect life ministry of St. Gregory the Great Parish in Hamilton Square, New Jersey has displayed the Truth Booth – A Window to the Womb in the church’s gathering space for the month of October.  Consider stopping by and seeing this 3D and 4D ultrasound display of the development of the child in the womb. “The mission of the ‘Truth Booth’ is to educate the public on the pre-natal development of the child in the womb using ultrasound video footage presented through an unmanned kiosk. It is factual and scientific, presented in an ingenious, gentle format that allows all age groups to comprehend our early development with clarity.”

Watching the baby move in the 4D ultrasound is fascinating and educational.  It is obvious that the baby in the womb is not just a clump of cells.  I hope you will be able to view the Truth Booth in person at St. Gregory the Great Parish, but if you cannot, click on the photo of the Truth Booth to watch the video on your own computer and consider bringing the Truth Booth to your school or parish.

Donna Goodwin

Good Counsel Home - South Jersey Needs our Help

Many times in my life I have thought “When things slow down I would like to volunteer for a good cause.”  I am sure I am not alone in this thinking.  If we are honest with ourselves, with our hectic, frenetic lifestyles, the day that we slow down will never come.  So we must make the time in our schedules to include activities that reach out to those in need.  Here is an excellent cause that needs your help.  

Good Counsel Home – South Jersey located in Riverside needs volunteers willing to help with maintenance of the home.  Carpenters, plumbers, electricians, masons, painters, etc., your services would be a blessing.  Good counsel Homes will also be focusing on prayers and fundraising. Volunteer ministries will be set up across parishes so that "many hands will make light work."

“I believe if we are going to ask these mother’s not to abort their children and tell them to have faith that God will help them, we need to put our own faith into action and be His hands on earth.  We need to provide them with the type of support that Good Counsel Home –SJ offers. They really need shelter, food, education, assistance to obtain jobs, emotional and spiritual support, they need to learn to trust again… they need the love of Christ through His people. We need to show His Divine Mercy.  I have personally seen the change in these woman from fear and powerlessness to being filled with hope for a good future for them and their child. There is such a need for these types of homes.”
Debbie Reader, Good Counsel Home-SJ Leadership Committee

What can you do?
Attend the October 23, 2011, 5th Annual Fundraising Banquet to Benefit Good Counsel Home –
South Jersey, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Lucien's Manor, 81 White Horse Pike (Rte 30), Berlin, NJ.  All are welcome to attend - reservations are required.  Contact Brenda Quinn at 856-423-3468 or email olvbquinn@aol.com for additional information.

Or email Ynnette Karbiwnyk, Good Counsel Home Ministry Coordinator, at goodcounselhmc@yahoo.com or call 609-922-2128.

Or email Debbie Reader, Good Counsel Home-SJ Leadership Committee, at debra.s.reader@lmco.com or call 856-229-3311 to find out how you can help.

Donna Goodwin

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has reaffirmed the 2007 Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship with a new Introductory Note in preparation for the 2012 elections.   

The USCCB has also launched a website for this document, www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/ . This website is a treasure trove of resources for parish religious education, youth ministry programs, Catholic schools, campus ministry and coffee house discussion groups.  It contains lesson plans, liturgy, and prayer suggestions to raise awareness of Catholic teaching in civic responsibility, social justice and the promotion of peace. 

There is also an important section titled the Do’s and Don’ts: Political Responsibility Guidelines to Keep in Mind during Election Season that should be of help to pastors, parishes and Catholic organizations in understanding what is allowed and not allowed for church groups under the law.  

The newly issued Forming Consciences for Faith Citizenship can be read online at www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/upload/Forming-Consciences-for-Faithful-Citizenship-2011.pdf .  Visit the website www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/ for lesson plans, teaching games, and prayers.