“Even the weakest and most vulnerable, the sick, are masterpieces of God’s creation made in his own image, destined to live forever and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect” Pope Francis, 7-13
The Catholic Charities Respect Life Ministry promotes life from natural conception until natural death through prayer, education, legislation and pastoral programs. It is concerned with the following issues: Abortion, Physician Assisted Suicide/Euthanasia, Death Penalty, End of Life and Bioethics.
This ministry promotes and implements the Respect Life Program and the Pastoral Plan for Pro-life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The plan includes the functions of The State Coordinating Committee (Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, The Diocesan Pro-Life Committee (Respect Life Office) and the Parish Pro-Life Committee.
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Resource and Outreach
Education
Through its education component, the Respect Life Ministry explains the Church’s teaching on different life issues such as Abortion, Physician Assisted Suicide/Euthanasia, Death Penalty, End of Life and Bioethics (Stem Cell research). We offer a program in which you can invite a staff member, a priest, or a volunteer to speak to your group, students or at your parish. To arrange for a guest speaker, please contact the Volunteer Services Office of Catholic Charities.
Legislation
The Respect Life Ministry responds to Action Alerts issued by the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) which involve calling or contacting legislators. Additionally, each year this ministry organizes and sponsors the diocese’s trip to Catholic Days at the Capitol in Tallahassee. Fellow Catholics from around the state gather in Tallahassee to attend a legislative briefing on issues prior to scheduled meetings with their elected officials. This three-day event includes a breakfast/luncheon attended by the bishops of Florida, legislators and Catholic Days participants. A Red Mass is also held in which the bishops of Florida concelebrate.
Pastoral Programs
The Respect Life Ministry’s programs are a pastoral effort to not only provide education/public information to inform, clarify and deepen understanding of the basic life issues, but also to provide a healing program to both men and women. The Respect Life Ministry supports the pro-life work within the diocese by working with local pregnancy care centers such as Catholic Charities’ Birthline/Lifeline Pregnancy Care Centers.
Post Abortion
HOPE AFTER ABORTION and MISCARRIAGE: Experience the healing love of Jesus Christ during a Rachel’s Vineyard healing retreat. This retreat offers an opportunity to deeply enter into the grieving process and identify the ways your abortion or miscarriage may have affected you or a loved one. Discussions, spiritual exercises, prayer and reflection combined with the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a Memorial Service honoring your child and a beautiful Mass will help to heal the wounds of your past. Participation is strictly confidential and offers a unique opportunity to experience God’s love, forgiveness and tender compassion. Both men and women are invited to experience this healing for their soul.
For more information, call Donna Gardner, at 561-602-4778 or Emily Babylonia-Gonzalez at (561) 254-1728 for a retreat in Spanish. All calls are CONFIDENTIAL. For more information on Rachel’s Vineyard, check their website: www.rachelsvineyard.org El Viñedo de Raquel ttp://www.elvinedoderaquel.org/ in Spanish.
If you are in need of counseling from a licensed counselor, please reach out to our Catholic Charities’ Counseling department at 844-848-6777 or email us at counseling@ccdpb.org. We accept several insurances, and we also have grants for which you may be eligible for which can provide you with free counseling for 12 sessions.
Prayer
Underlying every part of the Respect Life Ministry is the need for prayer and sacrifice. It is our deep belief in the truth of God’s love for all human beings at every age and stage of development that brings us to this ministry. We also believe that our efforts will only be blessed when we base our work in prayer. Prayer is our most powerful resource.
The Respect Life Ministry sponsors regular prayer opportunities including monthly Rosary prayer gatherings in which those in attendance pray for an end to abortion and for those affected by abortion. Three such prayerful gatherings are held the first Saturday of the month at clinics located in: West Palm Beach at 9:00 a.m. at the Presidential Women’s Center (abortion clinic); parking is located behind the Wendy’s on 45th Street.
There is also an annual Rosary service conducted each January on the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade ruling by the United States Supreme Court to legalize abortion in this country. This gathering takes place in front of the old courthouse in downtown West Palm Beach.
To find Life Chain activities which occur during the month of October (Respect Life Month), please visit please visit www.lifechain.net, a website for any Life Chain groups or coordinators to share information on their local groups.
We ask for Prayer Warriors to pray for those that are attending Project Rachel’s Post-Abortion Healing Retreats and to pray in response to prayer requests the Respect Life Ministry receives from those who may be considering an abortion.
Ways to Participate
Volunteer: Be a Parish Representative. Find information Here.
Refer: Is there someone you know who can be helped by Respect Life Ministry? Please call 561-360-3330.
Donate: Financial support of the ministry or donate to Pennies for Babies to assist mothers and babies in need.
Pray: Daily for the unborn, disabled and elderly, individually or at communal prayer services.
Walking with Moms in Need: See attached flier. Pregnancy Support Resources
