A DAY FOR LIFE
Pope John Paul II wrote in his 1995 encyclical letter Evangelium Vitae that the darkness that took place at the time of Christ’s death on Good Friday, was ‘the symbol of a great cosmic disturbance and massive conflict between the forces of good and evil and between life and death.’ Pope John Paul II then immediately put it into the reality of today and wrote:- ‘Today we too find ourselves in the midst of a dramatic conflict between the "culture of death" and the "culture of life".’
From this grew the idea of a ‘Day for Life’ when we could pray about and meditate on the great Life issues, ranging from abortion through to euthanasia and examine our own lives and see in what way we can help confront these issues. How can we say that we are pro-life if we can’t at the same time do something positive to help those facing difficult pregnancies or problems at the end of life. How do you react when you hear about or meet a young unmarried women who is pregnant, wondering how she will cope; thinking how her dreams for the future are now in jeopardy; thinking that abortion may be her best available option? How supportive are we to such a person? Women who have abortions nearly always say ‘I had no other choice’. Sadly that may partly be because no-one pointed out that there were other choices. Do you know the contact details of local pro-life organisations (LIFE, SPUC, Good Counsel Network) where these women can be counselled and helped? What about giving them practical help? The Good Counsel Network always wants to counsel women knowing that there is someone praying for them in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Can you volunteer to be such a person?
What about lonely, elderly, housebound people? It may be that all that is needed is a regular visit / chat on the phone to alleviate the loneliness. What about those recently bereaved who suddenly find themselves alone? How well do we know each other in the parish to know who needs help. It may be that a housebound person lives near you, but could come to Mass if given a lift. Helping others does involve sacrifice, but little compared with the sacrifice Jesus made for us. You might like to get involved in our Bethany or Visitation groups.
The collection after Mass is for the Anscombe Bioethics Centre; the only Catholic bioethics centre in the UK and set up by the bishops 30 years ago. It is staffed by experts in the field and as well as giving advice to the bishops and healthcare professionals, it engages with the academics of the secular world, seeking to show them the true path of ethics. Our own deacon Michael is currently chairman of the Board of Governors of the Anscombe Centre.
From this grew the idea of a ‘Day for Life’ when we could pray about and meditate on the great Life issues, ranging from abortion through to euthanasia and examine our own lives and see in what way we can help confront these issues. How can we say that we are pro-life if we can’t at the same time do something positive to help those facing difficult pregnancies or problems at the end of life. How do you react when you hear about or meet a young unmarried women who is pregnant, wondering how she will cope; thinking how her dreams for the future are now in jeopardy; thinking that abortion may be her best available option? How supportive are we to such a person? Women who have abortions nearly always say ‘I had no other choice’. Sadly that may partly be because no-one pointed out that there were other choices. Do you know the contact details of local pro-life organisations (LIFE, SPUC, Good Counsel Network) where these women can be counselled and helped? What about giving them practical help? The Good Counsel Network always wants to counsel women knowing that there is someone praying for them in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Can you volunteer to be such a person?
What about lonely, elderly, housebound people? It may be that all that is needed is a regular visit / chat on the phone to alleviate the loneliness. What about those recently bereaved who suddenly find themselves alone? How well do we know each other in the parish to know who needs help. It may be that a housebound person lives near you, but could come to Mass if given a lift. Helping others does involve sacrifice, but little compared with the sacrifice Jesus made for us. You might like to get involved in our Bethany or Visitation groups.
The collection after Mass is for the Anscombe Bioethics Centre; the only Catholic bioethics centre in the UK and set up by the bishops 30 years ago. It is staffed by experts in the field and as well as giving advice to the bishops and healthcare professionals, it engages with the academics of the secular world, seeking to show them the true path of ethics. Our own deacon Michael is currently chairman of the Board of Governors of the Anscombe Centre.
posted by Sinead Reekie at 1:58 pm