A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your families! The Board of Directors, Executive Director Karen Garnett, and all of the CPLC staff thank you for all you do for Life.
As we look forward to a new year, we are busily preparing for theDiocesan Roe Memorial Eventson Saturday, January 21, 2012 commemorating the U.S. Supreme Court decision making abortion available on demand throughout America and leading to the death of over 52 million unborn children since 1973.
By now, your pastor should have received a letter from Bishop Farrell urging your parish to participant in the January 21 events, including ageneral letter of invitationto all Catholics in the diocese (en español) describing the theme for this year’s memorial “That they might have life” from John 10:10,
in which Jesus tells us that He came so that we all might have life and have it in abundance. As Cardinal DiNardo reminded us during this year’s Respect Life Month, “Jesus’ promise of ‘life to the full’ is especially poignant today, when our culture and sometimes our government promote values inimical to the happiness and true good of individuals and society.” There is no starker reality of this great harm to the common good than the legalized killing of God’s precious children in the womb for nearly four decades.
Bishop Farrell has asked that all parishes include a bilingual announcement (available here) in their bulletins each weekend through January 16, and display posters and yard signs prominently, which will be delivered to your parishes in the coming week. Please confirm with your parish office that these efforts to promote this important event are underway. Aschedule of the eventsis below and more information can be found atprolifedallas.org/roe:
7:45 am: Roe Memorial Rosary with Bishop Mark Seitz outside the Routh Street abortion center, 4321 N. Central Expy, Dallas (buses available from Cathedral beginning at 7:30 a.m.)
10:00 am: Bilingual Roe Memorial Mass at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, 2215 Ross Ave. at Pearl St., Dallas, concelebrated by Bishops Farrell, Vann, Deshotel & Seitz and diocesan clergy, with homilist Fr. Jason Cargo and music led by Curtis Stephan!
12:00 pm: Ecumenical Dallas March for Life from Cathedral Plaza to Rally outside the Earle Cabell Federal Courthouse where Roe v. Wade was first filed in 1970
1:45 pm: Pro-Life Ministry Fair at First Baptist, 1707 San Jacinto, and Hot Chocolate/Cookie Reception at Cathedral Grand Salon
We look forward to praying and marching with all of you, as we not only remember the lives lost, but also witness to the amazing victories for life won through God’s abundant grace!
As we mark the anniversary of Roe this month, we are also thrilled to announce the upcoming release of two pro-life films: Doonby about a mysterious drifter who embodies the message: "Every story's worth telling. Every life's worth living," andOctober Baby, which chronicles the journey of a young woman who survived a failed abortion. A private pre-screening of October Baby for pro-life leaders will be held on January 19 at AMC North Park in Dallas, followed by a February 9 screening at Tinseltown Plano. We will send each of you an invitation by email with additional details soon.
Our nextQuarterly Parish Pro-Life Coordinators Meetingwill be Saturday, February 11, 2012, at St. Michael the Archangel, 2910 Corn Valley Road, Grand Prairie, 75052, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Come and meet your fellow Parish Pro-Life Coordinators, CPLC Ministry Directors, volunteers and staff, and learn about what we have in store for 2012!
Finally, I'd like to extend a special thank you to all the parishes that participated in theNational Night of Prayer for Life, includingHoly Spirit, Duncanville; Immaculate Conception, Grand Prairie; Mary Immaculate, Farmers Branch;Mater Dei, Irving;St. Gabriel the Archangel, McKinney;St. Jude, Allen;St. Joseph, Richardson; andSt. Philip the Apostle, Dallas. This month, Immaculate Conception is recognized in ourParish Spotlight for its unique celebration of life with a banner on the alter, impressing on all present the importance of respecting the sanctity of life (photo). Please let us know what your parish is doing for the Cause of Life, so we can be sure to shed the spotlight on all your great work!
We at the CPLC have a lot for which to be thankful as we ring in a new year. If you missed it, be sure to check out the11 Reasons to Celebrate 2011. And please join us in prayer that the Lord continues to bless the work being done by so many to bring an end to abortion in our city in 2012!
May God bless you and yours.
Jim
Jim Walker Director of Parish Coordination 972-270-3019
