Dignity of Louisville Newsletter ~ Archdiocese of Louisville

Prayer for Life Our Lady of Guadalupe, we turn to you who are the protectress of unborn children and ask that you intercede for us, so that we may more firmly resolve to join you in protecting all human life. Let our prayers be united to your perpetual motherly intercession on behalf of those whose lives are threatened, be they in the womb of their mother, on the bed of infirmity, or in the latter years of their life. May our prayers also be coupled with peaceful action, which witnesses to the goodness and dignity of all human life, so that our firmness of purpose may give courage to those who are fearful and bring light to those who are blinded by sin. ~  Calendar  ~ If your parish or pro-life organization is hosting a Respect Life event, please contact Ed Harpring @ 502-471-2154or eharpring@archlou.org  ~ Every Monday   Respect Life Rosary Holy Spirit Church  3345 Lexington Rd., Louisville, Ky. 40206   4:30 pm - 5:30 pm  ~  September 24 - November 2, 2014   40 Days for Life Prayer, Fasting & Public Witness to End Abortion http://40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/louisville/  ~ October 11, 2014  Helper's of God's Precious Infants Cathedral of the Assumption Mass, Benediction, Rosary March to local abortion facility. Celebrant Fr. Philip Erickson Deacon Ted Luckett 7:00 am  ~ October 18, 2014 Golden Arrow-"An Evening in Paris"  Annual Banquet Reception at 5:00 pm  with dinner begins at 6:30 pm Tickets are $25 a person or a table of 8 for $200. Call Saint Martin of Tours Rectory 502-582-2827 ~ October 25, 2014  Abolition of the Death Penalty Sister Helen Prejean  Author, Dead Man Walking St. Michael Church 7:30 - 8:30 pm ~ October 30, 2014 Life: The Gift that Never Ends:  Struggles - Issues - Questions  Father Paul Scaglione St. Barnabas Church 7:00 - 8:00 pm ~  Websites  Family Ministries,  Pro-Life, Archdiocese of Louisville   archlou.org/pro-life      ~ United States Conference of Catholic Bishops  usccb.org/pro-life  ~ Catholic Conference of Kentucky  ccky.org  ~ Opportunities for Life  opportunitiesforlife.org   ~ Catholic Charities Louisville  cclou.org/about-us/ ~ Natural Family Planning http://www.archlou.org/family/ ~ Kentucky Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty http://kcadp.org/ The Golden Arrow Center for Mothers and Children is an outreach ministry which provides clothing, diapers, formula, baby food, equipment and toys along with a welcoming place to seek referrals to families in Kentuckiana who are struggling to meet the basic needs of their children from birth to age 7.    If you can help or would like to volunteeer, please call the Center at 589-3537or Emily Nolan at 550-5584.   http://louisville-catholic.net/Portals/7/goldenarrow/index.html Dignity of Life  USCCB Statement  "We proclaim 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."     U.S. Catholic Bishops, Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities. Project Rachel  Are you or a loved one experiencing pain from an abortion?  To speak confidentially to someone, contact the diocesan   "Project Rachel" ministry, 502-471-2155.   " Each of  Us is a Masterpiece of God's Creation" Dear Pro-Life Community, October is Respect Life Month and this year's theme is "Each of  Us is a Masterpiece of God's Creation" inspired by Pope Francis's talk at last year's Day for Life.  Because of so many threats to life throughout the world, especially when we consider the inhumane and barbaric slaughter, in the name of God. of so many innocent Iraqi and Syrian Christians, including many women and children, this year's Respect Life Month may be more important than ever! Recently, Pope Francis commented "Authentic religion is a source of peace and not of violence! No one must use the name of God to commit violence! To kill in the name of God is a grave sacrilege. To discriminate in the name of God is inhuman". So there is much we can do to advocate for "Life" in the month of October and year round for that matter.  Here are just a few upcoming events that you may want to get involved with: 40 Days for Life (September 24th - November 2nd) promotes a "culture of life" through prayer fasting and public witness at the local abortion facility. Sign up at:  http://40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/louisville/ Golden Arrow Fundraiser Dinner (Saturday, October 18th) helps single mothers and young children with emergency food and clothing as part of outreach ministry of St. Martin of Tours. Call Saint Martin's rectory, 502-582-2827 for tickets. Abolition of the Death Penalty Talk (Saturday, October 25th, 7:30 - 8:30 pm, St. Michael's Church)  Sister Helen Prejean, Dead Man Walking author, and gifted speaker, will share first hand stories of her ministry on death row and how we can get in involved to help end the death penalty in Kentucky.  Life: The Gift that Never Ends: Struggles-Issues-Questions (Thursday, October 30th, 7:00 - 8:00 pm, St.Barnabas Church)  Hear from Fr. Paul Scaglione how we can learn from our family and friends, who have gone before us, ways to face life's most difficult challenges.The key is to get involved and discern where God is calling you to make a difference in promoting a culture of life. "That which brings us together is the path of life. It is the good will to do good for the brothers and sisters. And each one of us offers the witness of their own identity to the other, and dialogues with the other." - Pope Francis. In Christ,  Ed Harpring Archdiocese of Louisville  Pro-Life Coordinator Life Issue - Persecuted Christians Pope Francis to Iraqi priest: I'll never leave or forget you After sending a letter to Pope Francis on the plight of Iraqi refugees fleeing ISIS violence, Fr. Behnam Benoka received a phone call from the pontiff who gave his blessing and assurance of his prayers. "'I read your letter,' said the Pope. He said he was very sorry for everything that was happening to us and he said, 'Know that I am with you in prayer always. I'll never forget you,'" Fr. Benoka told CNA Aug. 31. Pope Francis told him, "I've personally sent Cardinal Filoni to check on the situation there for me. Tell everyone that Pope Francis called you. I'll never forget you and I'll never leave you," the priest added. Cardinal Fernando Filoni, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, visited Erbil as Pope Francis' personal envoy from Aug. 12-20. Fr. Benoka is currently running a make-shift clinic in Ankawa, Iraq, near Erbil, which he formed following an influx of thousands of refugees who have fled the violence waged by the militant Islamic group ISIS in surrounding cities. Erbil, where more than 70,000 Christians have fled from the Islamic State, is the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan and is within 50 miles of territory held by the Islamic State. Read entire article here:  http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-to-iraqi-priest-ill-never-leave-or-forget-you-45285/#.VCQtkDsdoWM.email What can we do? Contact - Catholic Relief Services.  http://emergencies.crs.org/crs-and-caritas-iraq-provide-emergency-relief-to-iraqi-families-in-need/ Contact your Congressman, Senator, and White House to request more aid for persecuted Christians. http://www.usa.gov/Contact/US-Congress.shtml Life Issue - Domestic Violence  Interview With Three Catholics Working To End Domestic Violence   October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. To put a "face" to what can be done to combat domestic violence, For Your Marriage interviewed three Catholics who are working to raise awareness about domestic violence, to help victims and abusers, and ultimately to build a culture of peace where the family is a safe place for men, women, and children. When asked the question: What do you wish the average "Catholic in the pew" knew about domestic violence? Dr. Sharon O'Brien, Family Violence Research Consultant of the Archdiocese of Washington, DC, responded, "Oh, so many things!" "Particularly three primary points: a. Abuse and violence can and does happen in "good Catholic families". It is an equal opportunity destroyer across faiths, race, and socioeconomic classes. b. It is not "Catholic" to be abusive and violent nor is it "Catholic" to accept abuse and violence in the family. Abuse is based on an erroneous set of beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors, all of which can be changed. c. Whether one is the abuser, the abused, or the child witnessing the abuse, I would like them to know that God loves them, does not want them to suffer or cause suffering, and has not abandoned them - they can ask Him specifically for guidance as to the next right step." Read more here: http://www.foryourmarriage.org/interview-3-catholics-working-to-end-domestic-violence/ What can we do? Read "Our role in ending domestic violence" http://www.catholicreview.org/article/commentary/archbishop-lori/our-role-in-ending-domestic-violence Life Issue - Disabilities Ohio teen with Down syndrome on journey to serve at Mass in 50 states Kara Jackson, a 16-year-old altar server from Holy Family Parish in Middletown, Ohio is on a quest to serve at Mass in all 50 states. So far she has served at liturgies in 18 states after recently serving at a morning Mass at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford. Kara's endeavor is a journey of faith that began in 2013. She has traveled with her family to serve at Masses in states as far west as Nevada, as far south as Georgia and as far east as Maine. Some people might say that beyond her engaging blue eyes, silky blonde hair and easy, joy-filled smile, God gave Kara something extra that makes her and her venture both extraordinary and heartwarming. "Kara is special," said Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. "(She was) born with Down syndrome and with a special love for God and all people." Kara has served at Mass with Archbishop Kurtz and Father Michael Tobin at the Church of the Annunciation in Shelbyville, midway between Louisville and Lexington. Kentucky was the sixth state on her journey. Archbishop Kurtz, whose late brother George had Down syndrome, described Kara as "clearly an expert server" in a blog last September. "Kara's beautiful personality and unique gifts reinforced our church's teachings about the dignity of every human being," he said. Other people witnessing Kara's devotion have written words of gratitude, love and respect in a journal she keeps to record her travels and the people she meets. Priests and parishioners describe her as "having different abilities" or as being a "true example of God's love among us." Read more here:  http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1403650.htm What can we do? Attend Angels in Disguise Christmas Concert with Collin Raye (Saturday, December 13th, Brown Theater, Louisville) http://www.angelsindisguise.net/ The Dignity of Life Newsletter is published through the Archdiocese of Louisville's Family Ministries Office and is made possible through donations to the Catholic Services Appeal. Do you want to subscribe to this free e-newletter?   Please email Ed Harpring,  Pro-Life Coordinator,  eharpring@archlou.org and include your first and last name, and email address.  Thank you!