OFFICE OF FAMILY & LIFE eNEWS Quarterly
Q4 (October-December) 2021
40 Days for Life Kickoff Prayer Service and Procession to Planned Parenthood
This event was held on September 21 at Reitz Memorial High School and gathered a good crowd despite the questionable weather.
Pictures courtesy of the MESSAGE
Respect Life Celebration with Mass, Dinner and Speaker. This year’s guest speaker was Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City. Archbishop Naumann is the out-going chair of the USCCB’s Pro-Life Committee.
On October 14, almost 200 people gathered at St. Benedict Cathedral for the annual Respect Life Celebration. It was an opportunity for us to gather together in prayer and community to be reminded that we are to embrace life in all of its beautiful and wonderful imperfection.
Pictures courtesy of the MESSAGE
The annual Life Chain on Greenriver Rd. in Evansville…
Picture courtesy of the MESSAGE
TWENTY SEVEN PARISHES AND ONE NEWMAN CENTER ARE REPRESENTED ON THE DIOCESAN ROSARY PRAYER MAP…IS YOUR PARISH REPRESENTED? SIGN UP TODAY!
Is your parish aware that Project Rachel is available for those whose lives have been touched in some way by abortion? This is a free resource to parishes through the Office of Family & Life
Walking with Moms in Need is a resource supported by our parishes, the Diocese of Evansville and the USCCB. This map provides updated resource and location information. We are called to the Gospel of Life and in this calling we support those in need spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
2021
32nd Annual
National Night of Prayer for Life
Uniting the Feast of the Immaculate Conception with the Feast of St. Juan Diego
9 PM Dec. 8th (Wednesday) to 1 AM Dec. 9th (Thursday) *
Last Thursday, legal experts and national faith leaders shared how Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization could help protect millions of pre-born babies and their moms, and how you can get involved. View the full recording or watch specific segments here.
NOV. 18: NATIONAL PRAYER EVENT (ONLINE)
Join Catholics and Protestants across the country coming together online to pray for a just outcome to the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case that protects pre-born babies and their mothers. Register here.
PARISH WEBINAR: JANUARY ACTION GUIDE
This introductory webinar on Thursday, November 4 at 12:00 PM ET is for any Catholic who wants to help their parish highlight the sanctity of life in January. USCCB staff will walk through the website and materials available, explaining how the tools can help integrate the Gospel of Life into existing programming or special activities. The tools and ideas to be presented can also be adapted for other settings such as Catholic schools, parish ministries, etc.
On the last Sunday of each liturgical year, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, or Christ the King.
Pope Pius XI instituted this feast in 1925 with his encyclical Quas primas (“In the first”) to respond to growing secularism and atheism. He recognized that attempting to “thrust Jesus Christ and his holy law” out of public life would result in continuing discord among people and nations. This solemnity reminds us that while governments come and go, Christ reigns as King forever.
During the early twentieth century, in Mexico, Russia, and some parts of Europe, militantly secularistic regimes threatened not just the Catholic Church and its faithful but civilization itself. Pope Pius XI’s encyclical gave Catholics hope and—while governments around them crumbled—the assurance that Christ the King shall reign forever. Jesus Christ “is very truth, and it is from him that truth must be obediently received by all mankind” (Quas primas, 7).
The USCCB encourages Catholics to learn more about this important feast day. Resources, including a brief background on Quas primas, are available at www.usccb.org/ChristtheKing.
The Lectionary readings this year depict Christ as the king who reigns in triumph, yet who also suffers.
In the gospel passage, although he is heading towards what appears to be defeat, Jesus announces his victory in his response to Pilate: “For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth” (Jn 18:37). The Word of God has entered the world to open the way for fallen humanity to live in accordance with the truth. This is his mission, and no earthly authority can prevent Christ from carrying it out. Even in the face of suffering, Christ’s reign is undefeated, because he and all who are conformed to him testify to the truth.
Jesus tells Pilate that everyone who belongs to the truth listens to the voice of Jesus, the king. As Catholics, we contribute to the building up of the common good in our society by bearing witness to the reign of Christ in public life. The Solemnity of Christ the King is a day for Catholics to rededicate themselves to the truth by listening to the voice of Christ and by obeying his word. It is only under the reign of Christ our sovereign king that we will experience true freedom and see renewal in our Church and in our country.
November 12-20, the nine days preceding the Solemnity, the USCCB encourages Catholics to participate in a Novena to Christ the King. Daily intentions and a concluding Prayer to Christ the King can be found at www.usccb.org/religious-liberty/christ-king-2021-novena. Let us take this time to offer prayers to our sovereign king for the freedom of the Church.
Connect with the USCCB Committee for Religious Liberty. Text FREEDOM to 84576 and Sign up for First Freedom News, the USCCB Committee for Religious Liberty’s monthly newsletter.
Letters to Pharmaceutical Companies
In the documents listed here, the Vatican urges everyone concerned for the sanctity of life to protest the use of abortion-derived cell lines and advocate for the development of vaccines with no connection to abortion. To make it easier to take this action, we provide the following sample letters to pharmaceutical companies that are using abortion-derived cell lines to produce and/or test vaccines.
All the resources are downloadable, and the poster and prayer card can also be purchased in print. The poster has English on one side and Spanish on the other, and the prayer card can be purchased in either English or Spanish.
Diocesan Pro-Life Directors, State Catholic Conference Directors
USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities
October 22, 2021
Bishop Chairmen Call on U.S. Senate to Retain Longstanding, Bipartisan Pro-Life Policies
WASHINGTON- On Tuesday, the chairman of the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Appropriations released the text of several appropriations bills which, like their House counterparts, currently exclude several longstanding, bipartisan provisions like the 46-year-old Hyde Amendment and the Weldon Amendment. Eliminating these provisions would force taxpayers to pay for elective abortions and would have the effect of forcing health care providers and professionals to perform and refer for abortion against their deeply-held beliefs, as well as forcing employers and insurers to cover and pay for abortion.
Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee for Religious Liberty, and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued the following statement:
“The bills released by the Senate Appropriations chairman this week represent a radical departure from the will of the American people and the principle of justice for all. By proposing to eliminate the Hyde and Weldon Amendments, among other longstanding, bipartisan pro-life provisions, the Senate is staking out an extreme position of forcing taxpayers to pay for the taking of innocent unborn human life and forcing health care providers to participate in this injustice.
“We recognize and appreciate that these bills also include many life-affirming provisions that help vulnerable people, including pregnant moms, refugees, low-income families, and the elderly. The laudable concern and support these provisions represent must also extend to our vulnerable brothers and sisters in the womb.
“We reiterate the fact that funding the destruction of innocent unborn human lives, and forcing people to participate, are grave abuses of human rights. We call on the Senate to prevent this injustice by passing appropriations bills that fully support and protect human dignity, and the most vulnerable among us.”
The U.S. bishops have made previous statements on upholding the dignity of life in appropriations bills:
Diocesan Pro-Life Directors, State Catholic Conference Directors
USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities
October 8, 2021
U.S. Bishops’ Pro-Life Chairman on Rescinding of “Protect Life Rule”
WASHINGTON- The Biden Administration has published a new rule rescinding the “Protect Life Rule” governing the Title X family planning program. That rule had the commendable effect of ensuring compliance with federal law by stipulating that Title X projects may not share office space or financing with abortion facilities and are not required to refer for abortion. The rescission becomes effective on November 8.
Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities issued the following statement:
“The Catholic bishops have grave concerns about government promotion of contraceptives. At the same time, we have long supported efforts to ensure that abortion is kept physically and financially separate from family planning under Title X.
“Title X was intended and authorized to be a program entirely separate from abortion and it plainly states that ‘the funds authorized under this legislation [shall] be used only to support preventive family planning services, population research, infertility services, and other related medical, informational, and educational activities’ (emphasis added).
“Abortion is not family planning. Abortion takes the life of an already-conceived and growing child. The violence of abortion wounds countless women physically, spiritually, and emotionally. The Administration is wrong to allow taxpayer dollars to fund abortion providers who participate in a pre-pregnancy program specifically designed to exclude abortion.”
Diocesan Pro-Life Directors, State Catholic Conference Directors
USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities
September 9, 2021
Statement of U.S. Bishops’ Pro-Life Chairman on Supporting Pregnant and New Mothers
WASHINGTON – Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities issued a statement on supporting pregnant and new mothers.
Archbishop Naumann’s full statement follows:
“As chairman of the Pro-Life Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, I wish to echo the words of the Texas Catholic bishops who expressed gratitude for the growing network of support for pregnant mothers and their families in Texas. Recently, the Texas legislature increased support for low-income mothers by 25 percent through their Alternatives to Abortion program, in addition to expanding Medicaid coverage for new mothers.
“Another new Texas law, which has elicited far more controversy, seeks to use civil rather than criminal law to protect the lives of vulnerable children in the womb. Tragically, the President, Speaker of the House, and other public officials have responded with statements that ignore our nation’s sacred interest to protect the life and health of both mothers and their unborn children, instead responding with radical pledges to mobilize the full force of the federal government to block all efforts to protect the life of the child in the womb. And they seek to enshrine into federal law the failed policy of Roe v. Wade, which pits the welfare of mothers against their children.
“As Catholics, we are committed to working and praying for the conversion of minds and hearts so all people will respect the dignity of the human person from conception to natural death. Our national outreach, Walking with Moms in Need, helps parishes to identify and help provide the full range of needs for mothers and their unborn children, not only during pregnancy, but for years to come. We stand with Pope Francis, who reminds us that killing a child is never a solution to a problem. We advocate for surrounding both mother and her child with love and practical support as the humane response to a difficult pregnancy.”
To learn more about the Walking with Moms in Need nationwide initiative to serve pregnant and parenting mothers, please visit www.walkingwithmoms.com.
Diocesan Pro-Life Directors, State Catholic Conference Directors
Greg Schleppenbach, Associate Director
September 29, 2021
A Dark Day In America: Your Action Needed More Than Ever!
Dear Directors:
Last Friday was a very dark day as the House of Representatives voted to pass the most radical abortion bill ever. The so-called Women’s Health Protection Act, H.R. 3755, would:
Allow abortion on demand nationwide throughout EVERY STAGE of pregnancy
BAN pro-life laws in every state and local government
Force Americans to support abortions with their tax dollars
Likely eliminate conscience protections for doctors—among other extreme actions
Of those present, all but one House Democrat voted for the bill and all House Republicans voted against. The single House Democrat to vote against the bill was Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas. You can see how your representative voted here.
In his statement responding to this vote, Archbishop Joseph Naumann, Chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, called this bill “the most extreme pro-abortion bill our nation has ever seen.”
Please contact your Representative today either to thank him/her for voting against H.R. 3755 or to express strong, but respectful, disagreement with their vote for the bill while urging him/her to reconsider support for this radical bill.
In addition, we believe it is likely that the Senate will also vote on this bill in the very near future. We will issue a follow up alert when we have a more precise date. In the meantime, please also contact your two Senators to strongly urge their opposition to the Senate version of this bill (S. 1975) when it comes up for a vote.
As always, we are grateful for any action you can take on this matter and for all you do to proclaim the Gospel of Life. Please also join us in praying that our nation and its leaders will fully embrace this Gospel.
Diocesan Pro-Life Directors, State Catholic Conference Directors
USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities
September 27, 2021
Statement of U.S. Bishops’ Pro-Life Chairman on 2021 Respect Life Month
WASHINGTON- Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann, Chairman U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities issued a statement on 2021 Respect Life Month.
“The month of October brings with it our annual observance of Respect Life Month. As part of the Year of St. Joseph declared by Pope Francis, this year’s celebration highlights the example of that great saint.
“As the faithful protector of both Jesus and Mary, we find in St. Joseph a profound reminder of our own call to welcome, safeguard, and defend God’s precious gift of human life.
“Despite the mysterious circumstances surrounding Mary’s pregnancy, St. Joseph took her into his home at the word of the angel. He guided their journey to Bethlehem, found shelter, and welcomed the infant Jesus as his son. When Herod threatened the life of the Christ Child, St. Joseph left his homeland behind and fled with Jesus and Mary to Egypt.
“Like St. Joseph, we are also called to care for those God has entrusted to us–especially vulnerable mothers and children. We can follow in the footsteps of St. Joseph as protector by advocating against taxpayer-funded abortion, which targets the lives of millions of poor children and their mothers here in the United States. We can imitate his care and provision by helping to start Walking with Moms in Need at our parishes, “walking in the shoes” of mothers experiencing a difficult pregnancy, especially low-income mothers in our communities.
“At times, we may feel uncertain of our ability to answer the Lord’s call. But He invites us to faithfully respond, despite our own fears or weaknesses: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9).
“May we imitate St. Joseph’s faithful trust and courage as we work to uphold the dignity of every human life. St. Joseph, defender of life, pray for us!”
SOLIDARITY WITH SEAFARERS!
Sign the Petition to Walmart to Protect Seafarers!
Members of the Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against Human Trafficking are urging people of faith to leverage their voices as consumers to uphold the safety and labor rights of one of the world’s most invisible essential workers -. seafarers. Join us as we urge Walmart to acknowledge their reliance on seafarers for the healthy functioning of their business model, and to show concern for seafarers’ wellbeing by signing the Neptune Declaration. A huge thank you to the U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking for hosting the petition!
EVENING PRAYER SERVICE
Blessed Virgin Mary, Star of the Sea
This evening prayer service is in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Star of the Sea, who is the protector of seafarers and fishers. Let us thank Our Lady for being the light and guide for seafarers. Let us ask for her intercession so we may deepen our solidarity with those who travel our world’s waterways to transport cargo essential to our survival. These prayers are more vital than ever as hundreds of thousands of seafarers suffer the consequences of the crew change crisis brought upon by the global pandemic which compounds their risk for labor exploitation and human trafficking. We encourage you to gather in community, joining in prayer.
SHARED HOPE PODCAST
Help keep children and adolescents in your community safe from traffickers
Invading the Darkness: stories from the fight against child sex trafficking features Linda Smith, the founder of Shared Hope International. Join Linda as she shares experiences from her 23 years of combatting domestic minor sex trafficking. There are 13 episodes available and new ones are released every Tuesday.
THROUGH GOD’S GRACE
How To Build a Successful Anti-Trafficking Ministry
You won’t want to miss this dynamic webinar recording hosted by Through God’s Grace. It features a group of churches (including Catholic parishes such as St. Lawrence, St. Brigid, and Holy Name in LA County!) who talk candidly and passionately about their experiences launching and expanding anti-trafficking ministries in their communities.
TVPRA of 2021
Frederick Douglass Human Trafficking Prevention and Protection Act
Last month, Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Karen Bass (D-Calif.) introduced in the House legislation to reauthorize the landmark Trafficking Victims Protection Act (H.R. 5151) on the anniversary of Douglass’ self-emancipation. The virtual press conference celebrating H.R. 5150 was recorded and is now available to the public.
BRAND NEW BECOME A SHEPHERD ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITY!
Freedom in a Box
Calling all women! Do you have a few ill-fitted bras you’ve never worn that are stashed away in the back of your drawer?
Rather than sending them to the local landfill, you can donate your gently used bras to Free the Girls. This non-profit organization partners with safe houses and aftercare providers to offer sustainable employment opportunities for women survivors of sex trafficking.
(NEW) Facilitators for Life Giving Wounds (Support for Adult Children of Divorce) This program is beginning in 2022. A group of 5 persons, who are themselves adult children of divorce, and a chaplain is needed to help bring other adult children of divorce the healing peace of Christ in their lives.
Unveiled Marriage Preparation Retreat Facilitator Couples
1 Facilitator Couples needed
There are always 2 Facilitator Couples per retreat
Weekend food and lodging expenses are covered
The UNVEILED marriage preparation program is a clearly defined step by step process agenda.
Parish Sponsor Couples
Parish level sponsor couple programs are opportunities for parishes to wrap around and celebrate their young adults as they prepare for the Sacrament of Marriage.
Natural Family Planning Presenter Couples Married couples who are trained or are using Natural Family Planning are needed to tell their stories and impart the NFP message to High School students and engaged couples.
Respect Life Coordinators are needed at about 1/2 of the parishes in our Diocese.
Contact me at egirten@evdio.org if you have questions about any of the above or are interested in volunteering for any of these ministries
