RESPECT LIFE
Human life is a precious gift from God the Creator. The Respect Life Ministry of Saint Gilbert seeks to transform our society into a culture of life where every human being is valued and protected from the moment of conception until natural death.
Our purpose is to nourish a respect for life in our parish by proclaiming that every human life is uniquely created in the image of God, that during this life we have responsibilities toward God, self and others. As a part of our greater community, we must protect and nurture human life at every stage of its existence.
The broad purpose of the Respect Life Ministry is to coordinate parish Respect Life activities. It is also a communication link between the U.S. Catholic Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee (USCCB) of Pro-Life Activities (via the diocesan coordinator) and the entire parish. Following the USCCB's Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities, the Respect Life Ministry implements a four-point plan for building a Culture of Life: 1) Education, 2) Pastoral Care, 3) Public Policy and 4) Prayer and Worship.
We meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30PM in the Chapel Brides' Room. Time commitment is very flexible; ministry members can determine the number of events for which they will volunteer.
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Contact Anne-Marie Miller at mommlr@hotmail.com for more information.
MINISTRY IN ACTION
Respect Life - Annual Life Chain
Please join the Respect Life Ministry on Sunday, October 1 from 2PM to 3PM for Life Chain. Life Chain is a peaceful hour of silent public prayer in support of the Culture of Life. We will be praying on the sidewalk in front of Church and conclude at 3pm with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy in Church.
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Resources
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The National Catholic Bioethics Center is a great resource to guide Catholics on many difficult issues. Consult their website at ncbcenter.org for information on the Catholic Church's teaching on vaccines, end of life issues, fertility, contraception and many other topics.
Baby Bottle Fundraiser for Respect Life Month
In conjunction with the USCCB and the Archdiocese of Chicago's new initiative Walking with Moms in Need, our parish is participated in a BABY BOTTLE FUNDRAISER for Aid for Women, a Catholic nonprofit which runs 5 pregnancy care centers and 2 maternity homes.
Founded in 1978, Aid for Women helps thousands of women each year in the Chicago metropolitan area who find themselves facing unexpected pregnancies. Each woman is provided with the emotional, practical, and spiritual support she needs to choose life for her unborn baby and to provide a better future for her and her child.
Aid for Women’s life-affirming services are offered at no charge and include: a 24-hour helpline, pregnancy tests and ultrasound exams, options consultations, abortion pill reversal, medical and community referrals, BrightCourse, support groups and maternity homes.