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Artwork appears courtesy of Cindie Rosswurm

Respect Life Committee

Purpose

Through prayer, education, example and action, the Saint Jude Respect Life Committee dedicates itself to promote the dignity of all human life according to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Respect Life Committee coordinates St. Jude's parish support of similar activities with parish, city, state & national promotions.  We are eager for any and all parishioners to join our committee or help with our efforts at any time.

Committee Activities

Information and Education

·         The Committee provides timely periodicals and advisory bulletins near the main entrance of the church to educate parishioners on issues related to Respect for Life. 
Committee members regularly submit pro-life articles to the Grapevine and prolife words of encouragement for publication in the parish bulletin.

·         Periodically the Respect Life committee hosts adult education opportunities with themes such as End-of-Life Decisions.

·         Members of the committee are encouraged to attend various training, educational, and spiritual opportunities as well as activism throughout the community and report back to the committee.  Meetings are used to plan parish and local activities as well as to provide a clearinghouse of pro-life opportunities throughout the community such as the Legislative

·         Forum in February and talks and seminars by various prolife speakers throughout the year.

Thursday Morning Rosary Recitation

A prayer presence is held near the Fort Wayne abortion facility on Inwood Drive every Thursday morning from approximately 7:15 AM to Noon. Following the 8:15 AM Mass at St. Jude, parishioners travel to Inwood Drive to join in a Rosary that is begun at 9:30 AM. St. Jude's parishioner support for this citywide effort is recommended and coordinated by the Respect for Life committee.

Fort Wayne "March for Life" Demonstration

Each year on the third Sunday of January a public demonstration march is made in downtown Fort Wayne. More than a thousand march participants with signs and slogans attract considerable media attention to the abortion problem in Fort Wayne. The path of the march though police blocked streets wends its way past a former downtown abortion facility to the Federal Building. A rally is held for the participants of the march and other interested attendees just prior to the march. Several effective, impassioned speakers, including favorable candidates for office are usually adding their support to the demonstration. St. Jude's Respect for Life Committee is proud to recommend and support this program.

Mother's Day Flowers

Carnations are available before and after Mass on Mother's Day to bring awareness of the gift of life.  A donation is made from the parish to the Allen County Right to Life organization.

Friends for Life Camp

High school students from St. Jude Parish are invited to participate with the Diocesan Office of Youth Ministry to equip students to win the debate for life and how to answer the most difficult objects to the pro-life position today.  This camp is held every June.

Essay and Poster Contest

Every fall in late September/early October, the committee sponsors an annual essay and poster contest for the students in our parish school and in our religious education programs.  A different theme is offered each year to promote respect for life among our children.  Prizes are awarded and entries are posted in the church and school.

40 Days for Life

Every fall from late September to early November, as part of a nationwide campaign, for 40 consecutive days, a presence is held near the Fort Wayne abortion facility.  Church groups of many faiths from Fort Wayne and the surrounding counties participate.  St. Jude's parishioner support for this effort is recommended and coordinated by the Respect for Life committee.

Prayer Service for Innocent Victims of Abortion

A few years ago the discarded remains of several fetuses were found in Fort Wayne and identified as having been aborted. They were buried in the Catholic Cemetery with an appropriate ceremony. Each year in October a prayer service is held at the gravesite. The Respect for Life committee supports and recommends this reverent supplication to all of St. Jude's parishioners.

  Allen County "Banquet for Life"

Once per year in October the Allen County Right to Life organization holds a large fund raising banquet that features a nationally known speaker in the Pro-Life field. This banquet is recommended to the parishioners and supported by St. Jude's Respect for Life committee.  

Catholic Voter's Guides

During election years, the committee will review Catholic Voter's Guides and make our recommendation to parish staff for distribution to parishioners.

Christmas Cards

Christmas cards with Respect for Life messages are available in the Parish Center prior to Christmas- a donation is requested benefiting the Allen County Right to Life organization. These can bring the pro-life message to all your friends and relatives.

Please contact Joyce Racine to find out more information about joining the St. Jude Respect Life Committee or participation in any of these or other prolife opportunities throughout our community.  

Pro-Life Links

American Life League - This is an organization based in Stafford Va. just south of Washington DC.  They keep close track of both states and nation legislation on pro life issues.  There are also many other resources such the national news stories, how the main stream media cover abortion, bio ethics, birth control….

Indiana Right to Life - Based in Indianapolis, this site tracks legislation in the state of Indiana.  They also report on the voting records of our state’s legislators, post pro life events and information on pregnancy centers.  This is not a Catholic web site but there is no conflict with Catholic teaching.  Personal note; they don’t have the same view on contraception as we do, but I didn’t see where they promote it.

The National Catholic Bioethics Center - This is a Catholic pro life and bioethics site out of Philadelphia PA.  This site has literature on bioethics research, and other publications. They also offer educational programs.  

Priests for Life - This is as Catholic a site as you can get on respect of life issues.  It covers the political to the spiritual and everything in between.  It has many links to all types of other sites.  This is the most complete site there is.  

Catholic Exchange - Although this is not a site specific to pro life issues, it has a wide variety information on abortion, contraception, bioethics, and euthanasia.  The site is a very good Catholic resource in many areas of Catholic teaching.

 


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