Respect Life

NC Catholics for Life

NC Catholics for Life--the place where people in North Carolina can find local and national pro-life resources and ministries, connect with each other, and find ways as to "witness the establishment of a new culture of life, the fruit of the culture of truth and of love" as Pope John Paul II called all of us to do in Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life).

Visit the NC Catholics for Life Website

40 Days for Life Campaign

At 7 a.m. on September 23, the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge joined Catholic faithful who prayed the Rosary at A Woman’s Choice of Raleigh, 3305 Drake Circle, one of several clinics performing abortions in Wake County. The Rosary initiated the latest 40 Days for Life Campaign, part of an international ecumenical effort described as “the largest and longest coordinated pro-life mobilization in history.” The current campaign, involving some 212 communities, including more than 200 cities in 45 American states, is the fourth in Raleigh.

The effort combines prayer, fasting, peaceful vigil, and community outreach with the goal of ending abortion in Raleigh and throughout the world. The organization’s Web site reports that over 9546 abortions were performed in Wake County in 2007. http://www.40daysforlife.com/

Bishop Burbidge expressed his gratitude to all those participating in 40 Days for Life. “It is edifying,” he said, “to see many of the faithful in our Diocese, including our young people, gathering as God’s holy family to pray for the protection of the unborn and the sacredness of all human life. We also pray for those contemplating and providing abortions that they will come to embrace the Gospel of Life and trust in Our Lord’s infinite love for them.”

Participants will pray at the clinic from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from September 23 through November 1. Those who wish to get involved can get more information at apex4life@gmail.com or prayforlife247@aol.com.

Respect Life Sunday Celebrated- October 4th

Sunday, October 4 was Respect Life Sunday in the United States, highlighted in many dioceses by liturgies and special events that day and throughout the month. Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge celebrated the annual Respect Life Mass in the Diocese of Raleigh at Saint Ann Church in Fayetteville at 11:00 a.m.

The 2009 theme is " Every Child Brings Us God's Smile." The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities produces resource material for parishes and families which focus on human life issues.

Statement for Respect Life Sunday
by Cardinal Justin Rigali, September 29, 2009

Every Child Brings Us God’s Smile
2009-2010 Respect Life Program Flyer

October is Respect Life Month

“Every child, at every age of development, brings us God's smile and invites us to recognize that life is God's gift, a gift to be welcomed with love and preserved with care always and at every moment.” -- Flyer for 2009 Respect Life Program

Clothing Drive

Annunciation Catholic Parish Respect Life Committee collected new baby clothing and articles during the month of October which went to the Eastern Pregnancy Information Center in New Bern, North Carolina. Thank you to everyone who donated for this local organization.

Baby Bottle Campaign Kicks off on Respect Life Sunday

Baby Bottles were made available in the back of the church after weekend Masses during October. Parishioners filled the bottles with extra change or weekly allowances and returned them by November 1st. All money from this campaign was given to the Eastern Pregnancy Information Center in New Bern, NC. This campaign was sponsored by Annunciation Youth Ministry.

This center used to be named Crisis Pregnancy Center, but is now called the Eastern Pregnancy Information Center, which reflects the "recent addition of limited medical services, such as ultrasound." They also have a new location, across from Carolina East Medical Center, which is located on Neuse Blvd. in New Bern. For more information about Eastern Pregnancy Information Center, please visit their website http://www.epiccentercares.org. Their office phone number is 252-638-4673.

Project Rachel Support Group

Abortion is one of the most common procedures in the US experienced by millions of women, many of whom are Catholic. Abortion creates a deep wound in post -abortive women, one that affects them spiritually, mentally and emotionally. Project Rachel assists women and men who have been wounded by abortion find truth and healing. There is a support group beginning in the Triangle area in late August. If you have experienced abortion and would like more information about the support group contact Project Rachel at 919-852-1021 or email projectrachel@nc.rr.com. For more information, go to the website www.projectrachelnc.org Calls and appointments are kept strictly confidential.

Staff House Maternity Home

Catholic Daughters are helping the Staff House Maternity Home in New Bern with renovating a donated home that will be able to house 5 young women. The primary goal of this home is "to provide residential love and care to pregnant young women and their unborn children by offering services which will support them in their time of need."

This project is progressing with the help of many hands from local area residents and businesses. The target completion date of renovations is November 5th, 2009. They hope to be able to move in between November 6th and 11th.

This project is in need of the following:

• Someone to do vapor barrier
• Operator and small Bobcat w/ back hoe attachment
• Continued prayers

Contractors in the area are providing labor and excess materials at no cost. The STAFF House will pay for the rest of the materials. They could use Lowe's, Riverside Hardware, and IHRIE Supply gift cards, which can be dropped in the collection basket. Please contact Dianna Vaccarella at 223-3969 for information on the delivery of any other materials. Please help the STAFF House, help girls who chose LIFE.