Dear Parishioners,

This upcoming Wednesday, January 22nd, is the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. As the General Instructions states:

In all the Dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23, when January 22 falls on a Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion.

Despite Roe v. Wade being overturned, we still have a grave moral problem in America because the rights of unborn people are not being protected. I have written before about why elected abortion is immoral and why we have to make it illegal in order to have a just society. In order to do this, we need to attack the problem with everything we have: prayer, penance, charity and being involved in the Pro-Life movement.

So, I would like to take a moment to list some of the things our Respect Life Committee has been planning. They are a small, dedicated group of four people and could definitely use more help to support and expand their ministry. So, if you are interested in helping, please find their contact info on the Respect Life table or on the parish website. Here is what they are planning:

• Participation in 40 Days for Life: Praying for an end to abortion March 5th – April 13th. Pray the rosary once/week at Planned Parenthood in Shrewsbury or at home
• Assist HI Respect Life Committee members manning tables for our “Pro-Life Weekend” (date TBA)
• Pray the rosary together as a “parish” for a special pro-life devotion
• Assist in selling roses on Mother’s Day weekend to raise funds for local pro-life ministries
• Assist in selling prayer cards for Father’s Day to support Madonna House
• Assist the committee in hosting a “Baby Shower” for the babies whom parishioners have spiritually adopted (this would just entail little decorations near the Madonna House bin) for collection of items for babies items to go to Madonna House

So, if you would like to be involved in any of this, please reach out to the committee members. Lastly, remember that social change does not happen on its own, but needs people to constantly promote the common good and the dignity of the human person. May we be the change we wish to see in the world and may the love of God reign over everything we do.

God Bless!

Fr. Carter