Ways you can Respect Life in October - Christ Our Hope in Every Season of Life
Office for Social Concerns
Catholic Diocese of Columbus

I nformation and Response NETWORK 
October is Respect Life Month

Respect Life Sunday is October 6

This year's theme:

Christ Our Hope in Every Season of Life

Each year the U.S. Catholic Church promotes its annual Respect Life Program. The aim of the Respect Life Program is to build a culture of life through four areas of activity: prayer, education, pastoral outreach, and advocacy.

At the heart of the Church’s respect life message is the call to recognize the inherent dignity of every human person from the beginning of life to its natural end. It’s a celebration of God’s gift of life but also a reminder of the threats to human life, especially for the most vulnerable.  


New RespectLife.org Website


For online resources, visit the new Respect Life Program website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops at www.respectlife.org.

30-Second Respect Life Month Video 
 
USCCB's kicking off Respect Life Month with a short video introducing this year's theme. To reach the most people, please share directly from their Facebook or Twitter accounts. For uses other than social media, you can access the video on YouTube or download it here .

Leader's Toolkits 
 
Additional, specialized leaders' toolkits are now available online for use throughout the year on the USCCB website. The featured kits include  Catholic Education Priests and Deacons Youth Ministry Faith Formation , and  Media .


BUILDING A CULTURE OF LIFE CONFERENCE
RESPECT LIFE, BIOETHICS, AND LEADERSHIP

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2019
9 A.M. - 3 P.M.

Join us for an extraordinary event featuring dynamic speakers and offering resources to equip you to build a culture of life.

FEATURED TOPICS:

Christ is Our Hope in Every Season, Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus

Framing Pro-life Public Policy, Catherine Glenn Foster, American United for Life

Legislative Update, Jerry Freewalt, Office for Social Concerns

Because He Loved Us First: Our Response to the Sin of Racism, Pamela Harris, Director of Ethnic Ministries

New Pro-Life Advanced Medical Directives, Peggy Wolock & Beth Vanderkooi

Breakout Sessions for Pro-Life Basics, Respect Life Coordinators, and Pro-Life Youth  

Bryan Kemper of Stand True Pro-Life Outreach will lead the session geared for Pro-Life Youth!




LOCATION:

St. John Neumann Church
9633 E. State Route 37
Sunbury, Ohio


REGISTRATION:

$25 / $10 Student - Includes Lunch
Scholarships are available for those who wish to attend but are prohibited by financial circumstances.

Register at www.bclc.life or call 614-241-2540.

Registration Deadline is October 14.




PRESENTED BY:

RESPECT FOR ALL HUMAN LIFE FROM CONCEPTION TO NATURAL DEATH
Additional Ways
You Can Respect Life in October


Mass of Inclusion for People with Special Needs will be celebrated by Bishop Robert Brennan Sunday, October 6, at 5 p.m. at St. Catharine Church, Columbus. Open to all in the diocese, the Mass will celebrate the unique gifts of those with physical and mental disabilities as well as caretakers. Sponsored by S.P.I.C.E. (Special People in Catholic Education).

40 Days for Life runs until November 3 rd . You can witness in peaceful prayer at an abortion facility in Columbus. Participants are asked to volunteer for one-hour shifts and sign a statement of peace. For details and to sign up visit www.gcrtl.org/40-days-for-life.html or call 614-445-8508.

Mental Illness Awareness Week is the first full week of October and the National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding is October 8. For resources on mental health and suicide prevention, visit our diocesan website at www.columbuscatholic.org/mental-health .

Journey of Hope from Violence to Healing  is October 11-20. Murder victim family members working to end the death penalty are offering presentations to parishes and schools with a message of love and compassion throughout Ohio. For details, visit  www.journeyofhope.org/ohio-journey .    St. James the Less Parish, Columbus, will host a Journey of Hope speaker at on Tuesday, October 15th at 7 p.m. in the parish Ministry Center located on the west side of the parish grounds (back door).

Webinar on the Death Penalty. The Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition is hosting a webinar entitled "Witnessing for Life in the Face of Death Row" on Tuesday, October 22 at 1:00 PM. This flyer has more information. Register  here .

The Feast of St. Francis Program addresses the threats to human ecology and natural ecology – integral ecology. The cry of the poor and the cry of the earth is all connected, visit www.catholicclimatecovenant.org/program/feast-st-francis .

Bishop Brennan Joins Jail, Prison, and Reentry Ministers for Evening Prayer and Conversation

On September 10th, Bishop Robert Brennan joined nearly 100 jail, prison, and reentry ministers from around the diocese in Evening Prayer and a conversation. Bishop Brennan shared his own personal experiences in the ministry and heard about about the joys and challenges of this Corporal Work of Mercy from those who encounter and accompany inmates, returning citizens, and families. The event was held at Immaculate Conception Church, Columbus, and sponsored by the diocesan Office for Social Concerns. Thank you to all who minister in jail, prison, and reentry ministry.
Sent by
Jerry Freewalt
Office for Social Concerns
Catholic Diocese of Columbus
197 E. Gay Street
Columbus, Ohio  43215
614-241-2540
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The Office for Social Concerns is the central diocesan resource for Catholic Social Teaching, reaching out through prayer, education, service, and advocacy.