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Rachel Hendricksrhendrdioceseoftrenton.orgCoordinator: Respect Life Ministry
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October is Respect Life Month
Building a culture of life requires a Christian to go out into the world and witness to the Gospel of Christ, especially in the midst of what St. John Paul II called “a culture of death.”
To support and educate Catholics in the work of this mission, the Respect Life program was initiated in 1972, sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
This year’s respect life theme, “Be Not Afraid,” speaks to the need of Catholics to share their conviction, even when challenging or difficult, that every human life has inherent dignity because each person is made in the image of God. Learn more about the Respect Life Month and the Respect Life program at usccb.org.
A message from Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M.
Respect Life: "Be Not Afraid"“Respect Life Sunday” is observed every year on the First Sunday of October – this year, October 1 – and the entire month of October that follows has been identified by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) as “Respect Life Month.” One day, one month in the annual calendar when respect for life at all its stages, from conception to natural death, is highlighted and lifted up for the special consideration of the faithful – clergy, religious and laity. Every day, every month throughout the year, however, is a time to consider and respect life as the most basic and most precious gift given us by the Creator.
This year, the USCCB has chosen the theme “Be Not Afraid,” taken from the command of the Lord Jesus several times in the Gospel: when he walked on the stormy waters toward his terrified apostles in their boat, “be not afraid (Matthew 14: 27 and Mark 6: 50);” when he healed the anxious paralytic, “be not afraid (Matthew 9: 2);” when he appeared with Moses and Elijah before his frightened apostles at the Transfiguration, “be not afraid (Matthew 17: 7);” when he addressed his bewildered apostles after the miraculous catch of fish, “be not afraid (Luke 5: 10).” This phrase was also used by the angel Gabriel to an overwhelmed Mary at the Annunciation, “be not afraid (Luke 1: 30)” and to the puzzled shepherds at Jesus’ birth, “be not afraid (Luke 2: 10).” This was also the message of the angel to the confused women at the tomb after Jesus’ resurrection, “be not afraid (Matthew 28: 5).” [Continue reading ...]
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