Respect Life, Marriage, & Religious Liberty

Respect Life, Marriage, & Religious Liberty began as the Respect Life group working on the 40 Days for Life in our parish. After a couple of years, it was decided to have a group that would function year-round rather than just during the 40 Days. Marriage & Religious Freedom were added because they are all dependent upon one another for the preservation of one another. The bishops have combined them in their plan; our goal is to bring that plan into the life of the parish.

“The pastoral strategy is essentially a call and encouragement to prayer and sacrifice - it's meant to be simple...Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty are not only foundational to Catholic social teaching but also fundamental to the good of society.”
- Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone, from the news release about the Call to Prayer (Dec. 6, 2012). http://www.usccb.org/news/2012/12-212.cfm

Mission

To catechize and evangelize ourselves and our parish on the foundational issues of life, marriage, & religious liberty within the context of God’s love manifested to us in the Church which leads us to repentance, conversion, and healing.

In this we are more than a group planning events. Whatever we do is an avenue to ongoing conversion, beginning with ourselves.

The mission is two-fold: support the faithful in living out the faith and reach out to those who are struggling or have strayed. “Let’s not be afraid and let’s make sure that we encourage the 99 sheep while seeking the one lost sheep.” (Archbishop Chaput- Lifesitenews)

Method

Integrating catechesis into our parish, schools, and community using the media of the bulletin, flocknotes, literature table, and events. Networking with other groups when appropriate.

If you are interested in assisting with this important and integral task, please contact: Mary C. Schmiesing at hmschmiesing@embarqmail.com.