The Respect Life Ministry is designed to implement the United States Bishops' Plan for Pro-Life Activities.
- To provide pro-life / respect life education to all parishes and institutions in the diocese.
- To assist with public policy efforts in the diocese.
- To assist parishes and institutions in providing educational resources to promote the Sanctity of
- Human Life from conception to natural death.
The effectiveness of the pro-life effort directly depends on the pro-life/respect life educational and public policy activities generated by parish based pro-life / respect life committees. The Respect Life Ministry is designed to work on an ongoing basis with individual parishes and their respective committee chairpersons. In addition, ongoing contact is maintained with the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment and with the United States Bishops Plan for Pro-Life activities and the New York State Catholic Conference – Human Life Coordinators. Special efforts and events are sponsored and organized each year to highlight the pro-life movement, e.g. Respect Life Sunday; January 22 (Anniversary to the 1973 Supreme Court Decision of Roe v. Wade). A newsletter is published; in addition pro-life information is available to assist parishes, schools and pro-life volunteers to keep abreast of the current life issues.
PROJECT RACHEL is a post-abortion program of reconciliation and healing. For members of the Catholic faith, the pain of abortion is intensified by the belief that one has committed the unforgivable sin and therefore feels alienated from God and Church. Healing and reconciliation are rooted in our Lord’s unlimited mercy and love through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Priests and counselors who have received special training are available for reconciliation and counseling. As Church, we reach out to you with compassion, concern, and sacramental forgiveness.
ELIZABETH MINISTRY follows the example of the Scripture story, the Visitation, by bringing together women who share a similar story. The beauty of Mary’s encounter with Elizabeth is that both women realize that there is someone who understands, and with whom they can share the marvel of God’s blessing’s.
This ministry is based on Jesus’ vision of the radical goodness, beauty, and truth of human life. The purpose of this ministry is to affirm, support, encourage, and assist women in response to their needs during the childbearing years.
Following the example of Mary and Elizabeth, women befriend another woman, visit them, share their stories, pray, and realize the sacredness of their lives.
