DIOCESE OF EVANSVILLE
OFFICE OF FAMILY & LIFE eNEWS
2022 RESPECT LIFE CELEBRATION
Sr. Mercy Marie was raised on a farm in Gardner, IL and graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Outside of the office, she spent her free time leading mission trips and youth clubs for girls, service that drew her heart more and more toward those who are vulnerable and fostered in her a desire that all may know their true dignity. After almost a decade in both the corporate and non-profit sectors, she left the business world to follow the One who made the world, joining the Sisters of Life in 2014.
Sr. Maria Anne Michela, SV, was raised in Carmel, IN. While in junior high school she attended a retreat with her youth group where she first encountered Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist. This discovery changed her life as she knew she had found the One worth living for. Sr. Michela attended Indiana University – Bloomington for undergraduate and the University of Wisconsin – Madison for graduate studies in biochemistry. While in graduate school she made the best decision of her life in surrendering to Jesus’ call to religious life as a Sister of Life. Sister Bethany made her final vows in 2015
Red Bird Ministries is a resource for Parents who have lost a child at any age. This ministry will grow to include resource groups, prayer events and other offerings to help heal from these wounds of loss.
Respect Life Celebration Mass and Reception
St. Benedict Cathedral
1328 Lincoln Ave, Evansville, IN 47714
October 27 from 5:30p-8:30p CT
NOTE: The Sisters of Life will also speak with Respect Life Ministers, HS students and Y/YA from Tuesday through Friday. There will be more information to come.
Registration Required
This event is a Celebration of Life; including Mass with Bishop Joseph Siegel and dinner and speaker to follow. This event is for all ages.
Mass of Remembrance with light Reception
St. Benedict Cathedral
1328 Lincoln Ave, Evansville, IN 47714
November 4 from 6:30p-8p CT
This inaugural Mass of Remembrance is for all parents who have experienced the loss of a child at any age after conception. There will be a light reception afterward with heavy hors devours and resource tables.
Rachel’s Vineyard
Near Owensboro, KY
November 11-13, 2022
Offers post-abortion healing retreats for women & men who are suffering from the lingering effects of abortion.
See below for contact and registration information
INTERESTED IN STARTING A SURVIVING DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUP IN YOUR PARISH OR AREA OF THE DIOCESE? CONTACT ERIC GIRTEN AT EGIRTEN@EVDIO.ORG.
Come join us for a weekend of emotional healing and
spiritual renewal. Rachel’s Vineyard offers post-abortion
healing retreats for women & men who are suffering from
the lingering effects of abortion. Next retreat is November 11-13, 2022
Location near Owensboro, KY
Rita: (270) 474-4707retreats@hopeafterabortionky.com http://hopeafterabortionky.com
There are several parishes moving forward with Grace Marriage Enrichment. If your parish is interested, reach out.
Red Bird Ministries is a Catholic, pro-life/pro-family grief support ministry that focuses on bereaved families who have experienced child loss of any age and circumstance, including pregnancy loss through miscarriage and stillbirth, and after birth as an infant, child, adolescent, or adult.
Red Bird Ministries LEADER TRAINING OCTOBER 10 FROM 4:30PM-7:30PM AT HOLY REDEEMER PARISH IN EVANSVILLE, please contact Eric Girten at egirten@evdio.org.
DID YOU KNOW THAT THERE ARE CURRENTLY 305 CHILDREN IN NEED OF FOSTER CARE IN VANDERBURGH COUNTY ALONE AND THERE ARE ONLY 89 LICENSED HOMES? THIS LEAVES 216 CHILDREN WHO HAVE TO BE PLACED OUTSIDE OF THE AREA OR IN INSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS.
WAYS A PARISH CAN BECOME FOSTER FRIENDLY…
ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO PRAY ABOUT BECOMING FOSTER FAMILIES
RAISE AWARENESS
PROVIDE WRAP-AROUND SERVICES OR SUPPORT FOR FOSTER FAMILIES
Why Become a Foster Friendly Faith Community?
Justice, mercy and grace are themes throughout scripture and most faith traditions.
People of faith already care deeply about these issues. Statistics show practicing Christians are three times more likely to foster and twice as likely to adopt compared to the general population.
Foster care is a non-partisan, unifying issue.
Foster care is an upstream issue. It is at the root of a number of current-day social wounds, including homelessness, sex trafficking, suicide and more.
Are you ready to learn how your faith community can take the next steps to become Foster Friendly?
