MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the St. Paul Parish Respect Life Ministry is to witness, by word and action, to the

teachings of Jesus Christ on the respect for the dignity of each human being from conception to natural death.

 

With the support of the Pastor, Parochial Vicars and Parish staff, St. Paul Parish Respect Life

Ministry will focus on:

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• PRAYER & WORSHIP- Engage in prayer and worship guided by the teachings and sacramental life of the Church. This will include programs of communal and individual prayer with the intention that the culture of death surrounding us today will be replaced by a culture of life and love.

• EDUCATION- Provide public information and education to its parishioners through the parish communication channels. The focus will be to deepen understanding of the sanctity of human life and the humanity of unborn children, the moral evil of intentionally killing innocent human beings — whether at the beginning of life or at its end—and the mission of the Church to witness to and serve all human life.

• ADVOCACY & PUBLIC POLICY- Support public policy efforts directed to restoring legal protection of the lives of unborn children and those vulnerable to pressures of ending their lives by assisted suicide, and to providing morally acceptable alternatives to abortion and assisted suicide.

• CARE & SERVICE- Support pastoral care for women with problems related to pregnancy; for all who have been involved in abortion; for those who are disabled, sick, and dying, and their families and caregivers; for those who have lost loved ones to violent crime; and for those in prison sentenced to death.

 

GOALS

• Establish a platform within the parish that promotes Catholic teaching on life issues and integrates the principles of Saint John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body.”

• Advocate the true meaning of marriage as a sacrament ordained by God through advanced study and understanding of divine purpose of the marital union. 

• Focus on supporting activities that end abortion locally, nationally and globally.

• Engage the St. Paul parish community to create a culture that cherishes and protects life, and educates children, teens, young adults, adults and seniors to prepare them to be pro‐life advocates.

• Communicate with established Parish Prayer Groups, Departments (Religious Education, Confirmation, Youth & Young Adult), Ministries (Social Concerns, Family Mass, etc.) to prayerfully and practically support the Catholic Pro‐Life agenda. This involves working with Parish staff as well as utilizing electronic/online, written/bulletin and pulpit opportunities

• Raise awareness of State and Federal laws and public policies that threaten the sanctity of life, and encourage participation in Legislative methods and opportunities to stop or prevent laws that promote the destruction of life such as abortion, assisted suicide and the death penalty.

• Collaborate with the Respect Life Ministries of local Catholic Churches in sharing ideas resources and participation in sponsored events. Also, share the mutual goals of this ministry with other worship communities within Ramsey, thereby extending participation in our ministry and activities.

• Provide access for the parishioners of St. Paul to Archdiocesan Respect Life activities through parish communication channels. 

• Support organizations that assist those who choose life for their unborn child but require shelter, medical care or life services, as well as organizations that assist those dealing with other societal challenges such as end‐of‐life issues, suicide prevention and drug abuse, and prison ministries.

• Respond to those requiring post‐abortion counseling, healing and reconciliation, or to families in crises related to suicide or drug abuse, by providing outreach and resources.

 

ACTIVITIES & COMMITTEES

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Events We Have Sponsored                 

• Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord- We remember the Incarnation of Our Lord, and recognize the dignity and eternal value of every conceived baby by a visit to an abortion clinic in Hackensack where the rosary is offered for the BlessedMother to intercede for those contemplating abortion. This is followed by Mass at St. Paul. The annual Spiritual Adoption Novena is begun after this mass, when the novena cards are distributed.

• Spiritual Adoption Program- A nine‐month novena prayed by parishioners in which the participants “spiritually adopt” an unborn child who is in danger of abortion.  The daily prayer is simple and allows the unborn child to be prayed for throughout its mother’s pregnancy. 

• Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe- The nine‐month Spiritual Adoption novena concludes in December with Holy mass and a “baby‐naming” ceremony – celebrated on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe or nearest Saturday morning.

• 40 Days for Life- Participate in the 40 Days for Life initiative by praying outside of an abortion facility in Hackensack. This includes a weekly group effort of offering a prayerful, public witness to the tragedy of abortion and a private, individual endeavor to fast and pray for 40 days for the end of abortion

• Christmas Card Sale- In conjunction with Respect Life Month, the Respect Life Committee and Knights of Columbus will offer Christmas cards for sale on Respect Life Sunday. The intention is to encourage parishioners to utilize Christmas cards which convey a pro‐life message in celebration of the birth of Jesus.

• St. Paul Parish Town Hall Meeting- Various life issues, our laws and the legislative process are discussed in a town hall setting with guest speaker.  Date of event announced annually.

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Prayer Vigils

• Eucharistic Adoration ‐ Holy Hour for Life- The Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet for Life are prayed every Monday at 7:00 PM.

• Rosary at abortion facility ‐ Hackensack- Is prayed on the 2nd or 4th Saturday of the month. The group prays the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, then returns for 9 am Mass at St. Paul. If interested in participating, please provide your name to Pat Fesen to be added to the notification list. patfesen@hotmail.com

 

October

• Respect Life Sunday / Respect Life Month- Guests (secular or religious) are invited to speak and/or preach at all masses on Respect Life Sunday.  Various St Paul ministries are invited to participate in the parish’s “celebration of life” activities.

• Diaper Drive- Parishioners donate diapers to St. Paul and the Respect Life Ministry distributes the donated diapers to Several Sources and other Archdiocese support service groups.

                     

January​

• Coordinating Parish ‐ Archdiocese Respect Life Activities- St. Paul is a participating parish that hosts an Archdiocesan Regional Respect Life event annually and supports and promotes activities developed, endorsed or hosted by the Archdiocese of Newark Respect Life Ministry. (Rachel’s Vineyard, etc.)

• Supportive Services to Several Sources- Offer support to Several Sources, a home for unwed mothers in Ramsey.  This help could be in any area needed, i.e., making hotline kits, yard work, or prayer. The support can be provided by people of all ages, and can be organized within parish groups,(i.e. Youth Group, Young Adults, Social Concerns).

• Parish Communication on News on National Regional and Local Levels Regarding Respect Life Ministry (via webpage, opt‐in email list, bulletin when appropriate)- There is a wealth of information from the national, state and local levels regarding legislative initiatives and spiritual activities supporting all aspects of the sanctity of life. The information can be available from so many varied sources which makes accession of it overwhelming at times. The intent of this effort is to vet the relevant information and provide links and summaries of the most important events. This communication will be by opt‐in distribution only. 

• Ramsey Knights of Columbus Liaison‐ The Ramsey Knights and the Knights of Columbus national organization have long supported the interests of Respect Life activities impacting societal issues that impact the dignity of life. St. Paul and the Ramsey Knights will support each other’s activities and provide notification of these activities through communication channels to encourage parishioner participation.

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February​

• Day of Remembrance, Hope & Healing- This prayerful event starts with the 12:00 PM Mass followed by Eucharistic Adoration, The Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, the Litany for Life, Confessions, Evening Prayer, and benediction at 9:45 PM.

 

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

The St. Paul Respect Life Ministry meets regularly – on the 3rd Monday of the month at 7:30 PM; meeting location will be announced in the preceding week’s bulletin.  Meetings in July and August will only be held if necessary for planning October/Respect Life Month activities. The focus of the meetings will be to report on the status of all existing activities and discuss new ideas which are consistent with the mission and goals of the committee.