For Catholics throughout the country, the month of October is a time to reflect on the dignity of every human life from conception to natural death. This year, Respect Life Month will begin Oct. 4, Respect Life Sunday, and will have as its theme, “Mary, Mother of Life.”
In support of Respect Life Month observances, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop’s Secretariat of Pro-life Activities provides materials to help Catholics better understand and value the gift of human life and help build a culture that cherishes and protects it. Action guides and other materials to introduce pro-life advocacy – including prayer cards, webinars and infographics – may be downloaded, printed and reproduced for free for use in parishes, schools or ministries. For materials, visit www.respectlife.org/respect-life-month.
As part of the nationwide parish-based initiative, Walking with Moms in Need, dozens of parishes and schools in the Diocese of Trenton continue to build awareness about available services and resources in their local communities for pregnant women and young families. The Church’s Respect Life teaching encourages all the faithful to be bearers of hope by walking with women facing difficult challenges with their pregnancies and after delivery of their babies. More information on the initiative may be found at walkingwithmoms.com.
Among the various events taking place in the Trenton Diocese in observance of Respect Life Month are Masses and prayer services; 40 Days for Life, which are peaceful prayer vigils held outside clinics that provide abortion services; memorial prayer services for unborn children; fundraisers and/or collections of needed items (food, toiletries, clothing, bedding) for agencies that support women and their children. For details on these events and more, visit TrentonMonitor.com>News>Respect Life.