Parish Pro-Life Coordinators Monthly E-Mailer

Greetings and blessings! I enjoyed seeing many of you at the Mass and Blessing of Parish Pro-Life Coordinators, celebrated by Bishop Mark Seitz on August 18th. This was indeed a very special event, one which will have a paermanent place on our CPLC calendar. And what a great way to prepare for Respect Life Month beginning today!

The annual tradition of renewing our comittment to "defend all human life, especially the most vulnerable members of the human family" is in its 41st year in our Church. This year's Respect Life theme echoes the oft-stated messsage of the Holy Father: "Faith opens our eyes to human life in all its grandeur and beauty." I encourage you to take a moment to read the powerful Respect Life statement available here, issued by Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities. By now, you should have received your Respect Life program packet. If you have not already, please make an appointment with your pastor this coming week to review its contents and discuss how your parish can best promote and participate in this important month. Please consider having at least one pro-life event in your parish this month.

One of the easiest ways to witness to the sanctity of Life during this month is to participate in 40 Days for Life from September 26th to November 4th. With one mom having already chosen life outside the Southwestern late-term abortion center, the Dallas campaign is off to a wonderful start! If your parish has not adopted a day of prayer – we still need you! Two days remain completely open: October 22nd and October 24th, and there is an urgent need for help with nighttime coverage. We also welcome smaller church groups to adopt a part of a day or night to help fill the gaps. Click here for a list of adopted and available times. If your parish or Knights of Columbus Council can help in any way, please email . Or just click here to sign up to pray for an open hour or two. Please help us ensure that the Southwestern late-term abortion center remains covered in continuous prayer!

Also during the campaign, we are inviting all youth to the Youth Day & Midway Picnic on October 13th at Harry S. Moss Park, beginning at 11:30 a.m. with a prayerful balloon demonstration at the vigil site across the street, followed by a picnic in the park at 1 p.m., featuring music and a dynamic speaker! All youth under 18 must be accompanied by a safe environment-cleared chaperone or parent.

In addition to 40 Days for Life, there is another great event this October we hope you all will be able to attend: the Respect Life Month Mass, celebrated by Bishop Doug Deshotel on October 20th at 8 a.m. at St. Patrick's, with a Special Blessing for Volunteers and Staff Members of all Respect Life Ministries, followed by Eucharistic Adoration and a Rosary Procession by bus led by Father Josef Vollmer-König to the Southwestern late-term abortion center. Please spread the word to everyone on your Respect Life Committee about this meaningful opportunity to be recognized for their commitment to Life.

In addition to the events the CPLC is sponsoring, we also encourage you and your parishioners to participate in the Hikes for Life on October 6th and 13th as well as National Life Chain on October 7th. Your parish might also consider purchasing the DVD of "October Baby” and hosting a showing during October or attending the showing on October 7th at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph in Richardson (Upper Room). Film attendees are encouraged to bring baby items or gift cards to help families that have chosen life.

Also in October, the St. Rita Physicians Guild is joining the CPLC in sponsoring a presentation: "The Truth about Contraception and Women's Health Care" by Dr. Joseph Behan, OB/GYN, on October 30th at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph (in the St. Joseph Room). All are welcome!

At the close of the month, we will be hosting our 12th Annual CPLC Classic / Bishop's Cup Pro-Life Charity Golf Tournament on October 22nd at top-rated course, The Tribute Golf Club at The Colony. Please spread the word to all the golfers you know or anyone who would like to support Life with a business sponsorship. Visit prolifedallas.org/golf to register and learn more. There truly is something for everyone during Respect Life Month!

And that's not all!! In the beginning of November, the CPLC is sponsoring the first-ever Post-Abortion Pastoral & Professional Conference in the Dallas Diocese. The conference is two days – the first on November 9th for ordained clergy and the second on November 10th for health professionals and lay persons like yourself – and will feature experts in the field of post-abortion healing. Parish Pro-Life Coordinators can attend the conference for the special rate of $15. Learn more and sign up at prolifedallas.org/conference.

Also be sure to mark your calendars in November for:

November 3: Quarterly Parish Pro-Life Coordinators Meeting at St. Paul Parish, Richardson (this will be a very important meeting with information about the January Roe Memorial Events)
November 10: Pure by Choice Youth Rally at the Metro Center in Arlington for grades 8-12
November 17: Christ Child Christmas Gift Market & Luncheon at the Doubletree in Richardson

And don't forget, on November 6th, to make your voice heard at the polls on General Election Day. The deadline to register to vote is fast-approaching on October 9th. Click here for information on how to register and where to vote.

Thanks for all you do for Life and God bless,

David

David Carr
Director of Parish Coordination

469-230-9664

P.S. I also wanted to mention a note of thanks to St. Mark Parish in Plano, in our "Parish Spotlight" this month, for hosting over 125 attendees at the diocesan-wide Render Unto Caesar Faithful Citizenship conference on September 8th.