Respect Life Ministry

- Adults

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you." Jeremiah 1:5
We are all created in the image and likeness of God.
The St. Vincent de Paul Respect Life Ministry works to promote and respect human life from conception to natural death. We all have the responsibility to nurture, protect, and sustain life at all stages. Our parish, in collaboration with our parish school, the Archdiocese Office of Marriage and Family Life, local and international organizations, as well as surrounding parishes, will work towards the common goal of protecting life.
June USCCB Action Guide
Abortion is always a tragedy that takes the life of an innocent child and significantly wounds the mother. For decades, surgical procedures accounted for most abortions, but today chemical abortion is the most common form in the United States. Chemical abortion is a process that generally involves a pregnant woman taking a sequence of pills early in pregnancy to kill and expel a developing child from her womb. Sadly, this form of abortion not only takes the life of a child but also poses significant risks to the health and safety of women.
Despite these serious risks, chemical abortion has widespread accessibility. Since 2016, the FDA has shown continued disregard for women’s health by loosening safety standards, extending the limits of when the drugs can be used, and decreasing the number of required doctor’s visits. Most recently, the FDA has allowed abortion pills to be prescribed through virtual appointments, made available at neighborhood pharmacies, and ordered online, enabling a nationwide mail-order abortion industry. These policies leave women vulnerable to suffering an abortion at home, alone, without any medical
supervision. In addition to putting a woman’s health at risk, the actions taken by the FDA also increase the chances that women may be exploited by violent partners and human traffickers.
In June 2024, the Supreme Court threw out a case that had the potential to restore limitations to chemical abortion. It did not rule on the underlying questions, however, and only determined that the pro-life health care professionals who brought the lawsuit did not have the legally required standing to challenge the FDA’s actions. While this initial case was unsuccessful, we pray that new action will be taken to protect women and preborn children from the dangers of the abortion pill.
Prayer for the Month of June

May the worthy reception of Jesus in the Eucharist strengthen our commitment to protect the gift of human life from conception to natural death.
We Pray to the Lord
Resources

Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
The Respect Life (Pro-life) Outreach of the Archdiocese aims to promote respect for human life from conception to natural death, to bring about a conversion of heart and mind to be open to God’s special gift of life. A consistent ethic of life reflects the Church’s firm conviction of the dignity of each and every person. Created in the image and likeness of God, every person is unique and special. Each of us has a responsibility to God, to self and to others to nurture, protect and sustain life at all stages.

USCCB
The USCCB proclaims that human life is a precious gift from God; that each person who receives this gift has responsibilities toward God, self and others; and that society, through its laws and social institutions, must protect and nurture human life at every stage of its existence. (USCCB Website)

Pro-Life Action Ministries
Pro-LIfe Action Ministries is an interdenominational Christian organization dedicated to publicly defending the sanctity of human life. We work to save lives from abortion, infanticide and euthanasia through peaceful direct-action and educational projects. We are best known for our daily presence in front of abortion facilities praying and offering love and support to abortion-bound mothers.

Human Life Alliance
Human Life Alliance promotes awareness of the inherent dignity and personhood of human life, born and preborn, without exception or compromise. Human Life Alliance proclaims and defends a culture of life and chastity through education, social and political awareness and life-affirming alternatives to abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide and euthanasia. Human Life Alliance accomplishes its mission in a spirit of prayer and non-violence.

Women's Care Center
Our Parish supports this pregnancy resource center which is dedicated to restoring hope for women facing unplanned pregnancies. Women's Care Center provides free, confidential counseling, support and education for pregnant women, free pregnancy testing, and ultrasounds. Women's Care Center can help you every step of the way! A counselor is available by email to answer your questions. Email: [email protected]

Rachel's Vineyard
Rachel’s Vineyard Twin Cities is a Catholic 501(c)3 non-profit organization that offers weekend retreats to help women and men resolve issues of guilt, shame, pain, grief, and anxiety after an abortion. Their retreats are open to people of all faiths and anyone impacted by abortion (moms, dads, grandparents, siblings, abortion workers, etc.).

Project Rachel
Through Project Rachel, which is the Catholic Church's post-abortion healing ministry, women can find forgiveness and peace of heart through compassionate counseling.

Maria's Voice
Engage the public community-wide through three pillars of Domestic Violence Prevention: Awareness, Education, and Safe Action.
What can I do?
- Pray
- Walk with those who are in need of mercy and compassion
- Participate in Respect Life events offered at the Parish level as well as in the community
- Support Women's Care Center in Anoka
- Visit the Kiosk in the link for resource pamphlets
- Be an advocate at the Legislative level
- If you are interested in the Respect Life Ministry contact Margaret Schauer in the Parish Office
Contact Us
- Margaret Schauer
  
  Pastoral Minister
  
  763-762-7410
  margaretschauersaintvdp.org