O.F.L. NEWS
Office of Family & Life
December 2020
The OFL News is a monthly newsletter to highlight initiatives, projects, programs, and events specific to the Office of Family & Life
IN THE NEWS
This is a wonderful testimony from Bishop Conley regarding Mental
Health…https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/i-couldnt-fix-myselfbishop-conley-opens-up-about-mental-health-recovery-49130
Ideas Have Consequences Video by Bishop Barron…an invitation to look
at the bigger picture. https://youtu.be/8KQcm0Mi5To
A World in Continual Need of Evangelization
https://www.ncregister.com/blog/the-soccer-mom-who-became-a-satanistbecause-of-rbg-s-death
Gender Matters: Jason Evert podcast
https://youtu.be/Xp_iQ-qTd7c
2021 Unveiled Marriage Preparation Retreats
http://www.evdio.org/marriage-preparation.html
a. February 19-20 (2 Day)
b. March 26-27 (2 Day)
c. September 25 (1 Day)
Natural Family Planning
a. Contact Kelli at 812-421-2030 or by email at
FertilityCareEvansville@gmail.com to register
Holiday Support Group for Adult Children of Divorce or Separation
Catholic apostolate, Life-Giving Wounds, is hosting a two-session virtual
support group for men and women whose parents are divorced or separated,
with a focus on the unique family challenges that can come up around the
holidays for people from broken homes. The sessions will be held on
November 17 and December 19, 8:30-10 p.m. Eastern time. Each night will
include two speakers and a guided small group discussion. Cost is $15 or
$10 for college students. Registration and speaker
info: https://www.lifegivingwounds.org/holidaysupportgroup.
2020 NATIONAL NIGHT OF PRAYER FOR LIFE
December 8/9
8PM-12AM CDT. / 9PM-1AM EST.
“It was on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in 1531, (then celebrated on
December 9th), that Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas and the
Unborn, first appeared to St. Juan Diego. The National Night of Prayer for Life
bridges these feasts. All nations of the world are invited to participate, as we ask
Our Blessed Mother to protect Life and the Family; to renew the Church and
establish Peace.
During the HOUR OF UNITY, 11PM to 12AM CDT. / 12AM to 1AM EST., we
will be united in churches across the country and the world in prayer to end
abortion, and restore God’s blessings.
The National Night of Prayer for Life includes adoration of the Blessed
Sacrament, the holy Rosary, prayer to St. Michael, silent prayer and hymns.
~This invitation is extended by the National Night of Prayer for Life Committee
RESPECT LIFE: CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/executions/upcoming-executions
The new evangelization calls for followers of Christ who are
unconditionally pro-life: who will proclaim, celebrate and serve the Gospel
of life in every situation. A sign of hope is the increasing recognition that
the dignity of human life must never be taken away, even in the case of
someone who has done great evil. . . . I renew the appeal I made . . . for a
consensus to end the death penalty, which is both cruel and unnecessary.
—Pope John Paul II Papal Mass, St. Louis, Missouri, January 27, 1999
Twenty-five years ago, our Conference of bishops first called for an end to
the death penalty. We renew this call to seize a new moment and new
momentum. This is a time to teach clearly, encourage reflection, and call
for common action in the Catholic community to bring about an end to the
use of the death penalty in our land.
—USCCB, A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death
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NOTE: The below sections are taken from a daily email called
Catechism in a Year. This is a great way to learn the Catechism in bite
size bits. To receive your daily Catechism email, contact
https://flocknote.com/catechism
466. Why must human life be respected?
Human life must be respected because it is sacred. From its beginning,
human life involves the creative action of God and it remains forever in a
special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end. It is not lawful
for anyone directly to destroy an innocent human being. This is gravely
contrary to the dignity of the person and the holiness of the Creator. “Do
not slay the innocent and the righteous” (Exodus 23:7).
Further reading: CCC 2258-2262, 2318-2320
457. What place does the family occupy in society?
The family is the original cell of human society and is, therefore, prior to
any recognition by public authority. Family values and principles
constitute the foundation of social life. Family life is an initiation into the
life of society.
Further reading: CCC 2207-2208
458. What are the duties that society has toward the family?
Society, while respecting the principle of subsidiarity, has the duty to
support and strengthen marriage and the family. Public authority must
respect, protect and foster the true nature of marriage and the family,
public morality, the rights of parents, and domestic prosperity.
Further reading: CCC 2209-2213, 2250
490. What are the means that aid the living of chastity?
There are many means at one’s disposal: the grace of God, the help of the
sacraments, prayer, self-knowledge, the practice of an asceticism adapted
to various situations, the exercise of the moral virtues, especially the virtue
of temperance which seeks to have the passions guided by reason.
Further reading: CCC 2340-2347
491. In what way is everyone called to live chastity?
As followers of Christ, the model of all chastity, all the baptised are called
to live chastely in keeping with their particular state of life. Some profess
virginity or consecrated celibacy which enables them to give themselves to
God alone with an undivided heart in a remarkable manner. Others, if
they are married live in conjugal chastity, or if unmarried practice
chastity in continence.
506. What does the seventh commandment require?
The seventh commandment requires respect for the goods of others through
the practice of justice and charity, temperance and solidarity. In
particular it requires respect for promises made and contracts agreed to,
reparation for injustice committed and restitution of stolen goods, and
respect for the integrity of creation by the prudent and moderate use of the
mineral, vegetable, and animal resources of the universe with special
attention to those species which are in danger of extinction.
Further reading: CCC 2407, 2450-2451
507. What attitude should people have toward animals?
People must treat animals with kindness as creatures of God and avoid
both excessive love for them and indiscriminate use of them especially by
scientific experiments that go beyond reasonable limits and entail needless
suffering for the animals.
509. What is the content of the social doctrine of the Church?
The social doctrine of the Church is an organic development of the truth of
the Gospel about the dignity of the human person and his social dimension
offering principles for reflection, criteria for judgment, and norms and
guidelines for action.
Further reading: CCC 2419-2423
510. When does the Church intervene in social areas?
The Church intervenes by making a moral judgment about economic and
social matters when the fundamental rights of the person, the common
good, or the salvation of souls requires it.
