Because of Christ, We Are The People of Life, For Life
On March 25, 2020, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, the Church celebrated the 25th anniversary of the papal encyclical Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life). It highlights the
special and particular role of women in bearing the gift of life to the world.
There are many challenges that expectant mothers may face, including lack of support from the father, financial strains, concerns about her own health or that of her child, and pressures from family and friends. An “unborn child is totally entrusted to the protection and care of the woman carrying him or her in the womb.”³ Through Christ, we received the gift of the Gospel of Life in its fullness as we are the people of life and for life. It is our duty to proclaim the truth to the world, for “to proclaim Jesus is itself to proclaim life.”⁴ Pope John Paul II tasked us with building a culture of life to combat the forces at work in the culture of death.
Pregnant and parenting moms in need are in our parishes and our neighborhoods, and the sources for help may not be apparent to those most needing support. Women facing challenging pregnancies should see the Church as a place where they can find such help, especially with its extensive social services dedicated to meeting the needs of people in crisis. In honor of Evangelium Vitae’s 25th anniversary, the U.S.C.C.B. Committee on Pro-Life Activities launched a nationwide effort: Walking with Moms in Need. Through this program, the Church is being asked to respond to Pope John Paul II’s call and honestly assess the pastoral and practical assistance that it provides to pregnant moms and families in need and how effective it is in communicating such help.
Where life is involved, charity must be profoundly consistent. It cannot tolerate bias and discrimination, for human life is sacred and inviolable…“We need, then, to ‘show care’ for all life and for the life of everyone.”⁸ Pope John Paul II highlights the Church’s incredible history of service and charity throughout the centuries to those abandoned and forgotten by society. He urges that “every Christian community, with a renewed sense of responsibility, must continue to write this history.”⁹
To read this in its entirety please go to: https://www.usccb.org/resources/rlp-22-serving-moms-in-need.pdf.
We’d love for you to join our ministry! Email RespectLife@olwparish.org today.
Tags: #olw, #olwparish, #ourladyofthewayside, #prolife, #respectlife, #respectlifecorner
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