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"The first right of the human person is his life... [It is] the
condition of all the others. Hence it must be protected
above all others. It does not belong to society, nor does it
belong to public authority in any form to recognize this
right for some and not for others. It is not recognition
by another that constitutes this right. This right is
antecedent to its recognition; it demands
recognition and it is strictly unjust to refuse it."
~ Declaration on Procured Abortion, Sacred Congregation
of the Doctrine of the Faith, 1974, n. 11
Pope Paul



Equip your student to advocate for the unborn: The Student Summer Academy is a FREE three-day program sponsored by Massachusetts Citizens for Life. It's designed to educate rising high school freshmen through college seniors about the pro-life movement and how to defend our most vulnerable. June 27-29 from 9:00 AM-2:00 PM in three locations across the state. Learn more and register at MAProLife.org/student_summer_academy_2023.

Myrna Maloney Flynn
President
617-242-4199, Ext. 224

 

Respect Life Office
Diocese of Worcester, MA

Respect Life News & Updates

May 2023


IN THIS ISSUE

• Upcoming Events
• Feature Article and resources for Mother's Day
• Ongoing Resources
• Diocesan Prayer for Eucharistic Revival


UPCOMING EVENTS

FEATURE ARTICLE
and resources for Mother's Day

serving moms in need


"Serving Moms in Need: Living the Gospel of Life"

In keeping with this year's Respect Life Program theme, "Called to Serve Moms in Need", this article reminds us of the importance of the pastoral care pillar of the Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities. Pope John Paul II said that the family is the most vital cell of society. Perhaps this article can spark ideas to help recommit parish and personal efforts to support families, women in difficult pregnancies, and others who are vulnerable to experience God's love through the Christ-like service of their parish community.

CLICK HERE to download the pdf

This one-pager can be used as a bulletin insert, a tool for small group discussion, and shared with friends. For more information on suggested uses and to view other articles in our monthly series, click here.


More resources to celebrate God's gift of motherhood
include the following:

A Prayer for Pregnant Mothers (printable text and ordering information)

The Rite of Blessing for a Child in the Womb

A Novena for Life honoring the Feast of the Visitation (May 31). Utilize the graphic below to invite others to sign up to receive daily intentions via email or text message, or click here to download the entire novena.

novena for life

ONGOING RESOURCES



moms in need

Annual Respect Life Program Materials:
"Called to Serve Moms in Need"
CLICK HERE


Bioethics on Air Podcast:
"Pro-Life Advocacy Post-Dobbs"
CLICK HERE



Interested in starting a Respect Life Ministry in your parish?
The Diocesan Respect Life Office offers training programs, resources and support.
Contact us at aledoux@worcesterdiocese.org to learn more!

rfw


Religious Freedom Week

Religious Freedom Week takes place in dioceses throughout the United States from June 22 through June 29. This year's theme is "Embracing the Divine Gift of Freedom". More information and parish resources will be available in the coming weeks.





















Diocesan Prayer for Eucharistic Revival

last supper


Diocesan Prayer
for Eucharistic Revival

Lord Jesus Christ, who by the gift of your Body and Blood, are really present in our lives, hear the prayers of the Church in Worcester.

Give us the faith of your Church, confident in your presence in our Masses, our tabernacles and our lives.

Give us the faith to offer our lives to you, joined with the perfect sacrifice, which you offered on the altar of the Cross.

Good and loving Shepherd, teach us how to lead your children home, that we might long together to glorify your name at the Supper of the Lord. For you are Lord, forever and ever. Amen.

© 2022, Diocese of Worcester. All Rights Reserved.



Pope Benedict
A Prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Almighty ever-living God, who made Pope Benedict XVI a wise teacher of your people, a gentle shepherd of your flock, and a faithful pastor of your Church, grant in your kindness that your humble servant, who in this life believed in you and loved you, may now receive your mercy and rejoice in your presence for ever in the glory of the Saints. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Copyright © 2022, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved.
respect life

The Word of Life intercessions for the month

Diocese of Worcester Word of Life May

Word of Life for May

Word of Life for June

annunciation_bulletin insert_usccb.pdf

Bridges of Mercy

Statement by Archbishop William E. Lori 

Serving Mom's in Need

Hope for Married Couples

Life Matters

 An Adoption Story







Catholic Bishops

The House of Representatives is considering whether to bring the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (H.R. 7) to a vote, and your representative needs to hear from you to help make it happen! For decades, Americans of both parties have agreed that it is wrong to force taxpayers to pay for elective abortions. Policies like the Hyde Amendment not only protect taxpayers from this but have saved over two million preborn lives. But these protections are now at risk every year. The time has come for a permanent, across-the-board law to prevent Americans from having to contribute to violence against our most vulnerable, and for Congress to work on real solutions for women and children in need. Please tell your member of Congress to support the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (H.R. 7) and to help bring it up for a vote in the House of Representatives. To read the letter from Bishop Burbidge, chair of the U.S. Bishops’ Pro-Life Committee, in support of this important bill, click here.

Messages in your own words can be more effective. Please consider customizing with your own story.


Take Action Now
 







Photo's of St. Joesph & St.Thomas Becket courtesy of https://statues.vanderkrogt.net

Church of St.Thomas-a-Becket and St. Joseph Chapel Are Wheelchair Accessible
Diocese of Worcester ©Copyright St.Francis of Assisi Parish 2013-2023. All rights reserved.
398 Vernon Ave., P.O. Box 186 South Barre, MA 01074
fax (978) 355-0042 • Office phone (978) 355-2228

Respect Life