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This is a photo of some of the baby goods gathered during our
October Baby Shower for young new mothers. What a great way to
celebrate the gift of life!
The Respect Life Ministry is a group of people here
at Holy Name parish dedicated to praying for and promoting respect
for the sacredness of life from birth to old age.
In 1973 the Supreme Court decision (Roe vs. Wade) legalized abortion
in the United States. From 1973 through 1998 there have been 38
million legalized abortions (statistics from the Alan Guttmacher
Institute). In the face of such astounding numbers, a major focus
for prayer and action at Holy Name and throughout the nation has
been in this arena.
Locally our Respect Life group is connected with the Respect Life
Office of the Diocese of St. Petersburg and with the lower Pinellas
County deanery. Through these affiliations, our parish group
receives information about legislative issues related to respect
life and can inform parishioners in a timely manner through e-mail
or telephone trees. Additionally the groups share ideas about
projects that promote prayer and increase public understanding about
abortion.
The Respect Life group at Holy Name meets on the third Thursday of
the month from 7-8:30p.m. in the social hall. Currently the main
Respect Life project at Holy Name is the spiritual adoption program
whereby individuals adopt an unborn child and particularly remember
this child in their prayers. Pictures of the child at various stages
of development in the uterus are posted in the vestibule of Holy
Name church. At the October meeting the group will sponsor a shower
for the babies. (Gifts will be donated to local organizations that
support pregnant women).
Including Holy Name’s youth group in Respect Life activities is a
primary goal for the upcoming year. Catherine Sheppard (321-5942) is
the point of contact. The Respect Life ministry welcomes new
members! |