St.Francis of Assisi Parish "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 In October, the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month, and the first Sunday of October is designated as Respect Life Sunday. To support these annual observances, the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities provides materials to help Catholics understand and value the gift of human life and help build a culture that cherishes and protects it. The following materials are designed to be brought to life as tools in your hands. These resources may be downloaded, printed, and reproduced for use in your parish, school, or ministry. Respect Life Month September Prayer Guide Pray Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be Reflect September is National Suicide Prevention Month. As a society, we recognize that suicide is a tragedy that ends one life and leaves a trail of devastation in its wake for the family, friends, and community left behind. Those who promote doctor-assisted suicide try to draw a distinction between those with a mental illness who want to end their lives and those with a terminal illness who express the same wish. This is a dangerously false distinction with far-reaching consequences. Suicidal individuals—with or without a terminal illness—typically do not want to die; they want to escape what they perceive to be an intolerable situation, and they tragically believe that suicide is their only way out.  The patient requesting assisted suicide is often asking, "Does anyone want me to be alive, or care enough to talk me out of this request and support me through this difficult time?" The acceptance of assisted suicide by society sends the message that under especially difficult circumstances some lives are not worth living. And sadly, this false message is heard not only by those with a terminal illness, but also by any person struggling with the temptation to end his or her life.  Every suicide is tragic, no matter the circumstances. We don't discourage suicide in our society by assisting suicide. We are called to affirm the dignity of human life in all stages and circumstances. Those who are suffering need to be assured of the goodness and value of their lives and provided with authentic care and support. Reflection adapted from “Every Suicide is Tragic.” Act (Choose one.) • Offer the prayer, “Every Life is Worth Living” for this month’s intention. • Do an act of kindness for someone today. • Offer some other sacrifice or prayer that you feel called to do for this month’s intention. One Step Further Learn more about the dangers of assisted suicide and why we must work against its acceptance in “Top Reasons to Oppose Assisted Suicide.”   Respect Life Office Diocese of Worcester, MA Respect Life News & Updates SEPTEMBER 2023 IN THIS ISSUE • Upcoming Events • Respect Life Month • Save the Date! • A Prayer for Life UPCOMING EVENTS Novena to St. Joseph for the Sick and Dying - starts Sept. 11 The twelfth annual Novena to St. Joseph for the Sick and Dying will take place at Christ the King parish, 1052 Pleasant St., Worcester, on Monday evenings at 7:15 p.m. from Sept. 11 - Nov. 7. All are welcome! For more information click HERE. Pro-Life Morning of Reflection and Enrichment - Sept. 30 All are invited to attend A Morning for Life to be held on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 from 9:15-1:00 at the Cathedral of St. Paul, 38 High St., Worcester. Monsignor James Moroney will offer a reflection on “Preaching the Gospel of Life to a Confused World”. The day will include Mass and light lunch. There is no cost to attend but pre-registration is required. To register, send your name, parish, and email address to aledoux@worcesterdiocese.org, or contact the Respect Life Office at 508-929-4311. [Please note the CHANGE OF DATE from the originally scheduled 9/16.] 40 Days for Life Fall Campaign - starts Sept. 28 Join in the life-saving work of 40 Days for Life by praying and fasting for an end to abortion. Through prayer and peaceful vigil thousands of lives have been saved! Learn more about the local campaign which takes place from Sept. 27 through Nov. 5 and how you can participate by visiting www.40daysforlife.com/worcester. Annual Life Chain - Oct. 1 Let your voice be heard in proclaiming the sanctity of life! All are invited to join the annual Life Chain on Sun., Oct. 1 from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. This event of peaceful, prayerful witness to the sacredness of human life is held annually on Respect Life Sunday across the nation. Life Chain stations will be located at Elm Park/Highland St. and at Denny's Restaurant on Lincoln St. in Worcester and at White City Plaza in Shrewsbury. You may bring a chair if you'd like to sit and can stay for whatever portion of time you'd like. Signs will be available at the local Life Chain stations. The more people that are present, the bigger the impact. It is a powerful witness and reminder to passers-by that life is a precious gift from God. Invite family, friends, and fellow parishioners to join you in proclaiming the Gospel of Life and offering hope to a broken world. The event will be held rain or shine. For more information, contact Joe Godek at 508-614-5971. All are welcome to join in this prayerful effort to help build a Culture of Life! Morning Prayer - Sept. 25-29 Join in prayer to prepare for Respect Life Month! From Mon., Sept. 25 through Fri., Sept. 29, the daily Morning Prayer on WTAG radio, which airs at approximately 5:30 a.m., will feature pro-life reflections and prayers in anticipation of Respect Life Month in October. A special thank you to our Diocesan TV Ministry for facilitating this wide-reaching effort! Catholic Women's Conference - Oct. 7 The annual Worcester Catholic Women's Conference will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at St. Joseph School in Webster. This year's outstanding speakers will focus on the theme "Male and Female He Created Them". For more information and for tickets, visit www.wcwconference.com or contact Corinn at 508-277-3969. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has put out a proposed regulation that would require employers to accommodate employees who choose to get abortions, such as by giving them leave to obtain one. The proposal misinterprets the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which is a new law meant to help working mothers keep their job, if they wish, while protecting their health and that of their preborn children. The EEOC is now twisting that law to promote abortion instead, the exact opposite of pregnancy. But there is nothing fair about ending an innocent baby’s life, or about forcing employers to go along with it. Join USCCB in telling the EEOC to leave abortion out of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act! Take Action Now Online child exploitation threatens the safety and well-being of our young people and destroys families and communities. In recent years, these abuses have increased exponentially, in large part due to the Internet and mobile technology. Catholics are sadly familiar with the grave consequences of a culture that fails to give adequate attention to the problem of child sexual abuse and exploitation, and we have a responsibility to act to ensure children and the vulnerable are safe. Thankfully, members of both parties in Congress are putting forward various pieces of legislation that would address and help prevent the destructive effects of online child exploitation. Your voice is needed to urge Congress to use their authority to protect children and vulnerable people online. Join USCCB in asking your member of Congress to protect children online today! To learn more, read the USCCB’s letter outlining three moral principles Congress can use to protect children online. Messages in your own words can be more effective. Please consider customizing the message to Congress with your own story . Take Action Now 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. The Word of Life intercessions for the month Word of Life for October Diocese of Worcester Word of Life for September Statement by Archbishop William E. Lori  Walking with Moms Newsletter *********************** annunciation_bulletin insert_usccb.pdf Bridges of Mercy Serving Mom's in Need Hope for Married Couples Life Matters  An Adoption Story   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