MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to nourish a respect for life in our parish by proclaiming that every human life is uniquely created in the image and likeness of God; that each person who receives God's gift of life deserves respect and to be cherished from the time life begins at conception through the point of natural death; that during this life, we have responsibilities toward God, self and others; and that, as part of our greater community, we must protect and nurture human life at every stage of its existence.

DESCRIPTION OF MINISTRY

Respect Life Ministry (RLM) seeks to inspire and encourage Catholics in promoting Gospel values through service, education and by assisting Catholics in understanding our Catholic vision of RLM.  In embracing a consistent ethic of life, RLM will be attentive to the Gospel's all-encompassing vision for social justice issues, even as we deliberately devote our efforts and attention to a more focused agenda of abortion, euthanasia and the impact on individuals and communities.

The goals of Respect Life Ministry are:

Yes, there are many things that seem intimidating and every scary to survive in this world, but God gave us the wisdom, spirit and grace to survive for Him. This world seems to find little value in being old.  But look at the aged folks in the Bible.  In Abraham and Sarah's time, God called them into the serious responsibility of raising a child late in life.  You have a calling too.

Those who are weak have great difficulty finding their place in our society. The image of the ideal human as powerful and capable disenfranchises the old, the sick, the less-abled. For me, society must, by definition, be inclusive of the needs and gifts of all its members. How can we lay claim to making an open and friendly society where human rights are respected and fostered when, by the values we teach and foster, we systematically exclude segments of our population?

 

I believe that those we most often exclude from the normal life of society, people with disabilities, have profound lessons to teach us. When we do include them, they add richly to our lives and add immensely to our world.

Jean Vanier

The Respect Life Ministry team has had four months of ongoing training from professionals working with the unborn, the women that have had abortions and the men dealing with loss of fatherhood, the laws that impact our lives in these areas including euthanasia and the threat that euthanasia is to our seniors and the handicap. We believe that our effectiveness depends on our continuing to educate ourselves and have training in how to best minister in a full spirit of Respect for Life.  All mini workshops are presented by professionals and/or persons of expertise.  All information is that of experts in the given field.

Respect Life Ministry is a work in progress. We appreciate and respect that there are a number of organizations committed to the life issues that are doing a wonderful work from many different approaches. We appreciate that no single approach will solve the problems we face with the life issues. We ask you for your prayers, interest and support and welcome meeting all persons who would like to discuss any interest in this ministry.

CURRENT RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY MEMBERS: