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Respect Life Ministry
eNewsletter | June 22, 2023
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As we reflect on our first year as Director and Assistant Director of Respect Life Ministry, we would like to thank you for supporting us in all that we are doing. It has been a year of challenges and rewards, and we are so very thankful for your prayers, kindness - and patience!
We have many things to celebrate at Respect Life Ministry -
the anniversary of the Dobbs Decision on June 24th, the opening of the new South Dade Pregnancy Help Center in March, the success of our new post-abortion healing ministry, and the development of a new miscarriage ministry, to name a few!
We ask that you continue to pray for us and those we serve. Together we can move forward in the cause FOR LIFE!
Yours In Christ,
Angela & Belkys
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Celebrate the Anniversary of the Dobbs Decision | |
Please join us as we pray with Deacon Jim Dugard, Deacon for Respect Life Ministry, in thanksgiving for the Dobb's Decision, and for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. | Blessing of the New South Dade Pregnancy Help Center |
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We would like to sincerely thank all those who volunteered their time and treasure to assist us with the move. We had seminarians, the Knights of Columbus Council #1726 from St. Hugh, and those from several other Knights of Columbus councils and parishes, who offered to rent trucks and came on moving day to help! Many also came in the following weeks to put the finishing touches on the center - all of them exemplifying the "Heart of Christ" to assist those in need!
We invite you to join us on Saturday, August 5, as Archbishop Thomas Wenski blesses our newest pregnancy help center location!
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Pregnancy Help Centers
Have a New Logo
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Our pregnancy help center logo has a new look! After consulting with experts in the field of marketing for pregnancy help centers, it was decided that we should change our logo to attract more abortion-minded women. We feel that although very beautiful, our pregnant mother logo is deterring abortion-minded women from contacting us and entering our centers. The hand represents the hand of Christ holding the hearts of the mothers that we serve. Look for our new logo on our buildings and brochures - coming soon! | |
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We are happy to announce the launch of our new miscarriage ministry on October 15th! This ministry is named in honor of St. Gianna and her husband, Pietro Molla. As a married couple, they experienced the pain of losing 2 children due to miscarriage. The ministry includes information on what to do if you are experiencing a miscarriage, peer counseling sessions, and through a partnership with Catholic Cemeteries, offers beautiful buriel vessels for the babies, as well as funeral services - all free of charge!
If you are in need of this service or know someone who is, please contact Marcella Villegas, Special Programs Coordinator.
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We will be holding our "First Annual Weekend of Hope & Healing" retreat for women. It is open to all women who are currently in the Entering Canaan program. Please contact Marcela Villegas, Special Programs Coordinator, for details. | |
The healing retreat days for women are the point of entry into the program, followed by monthly gatherings. The monthly gatherings are open to anyone who has attended a Day of Prayer & Healing, as well as anyone who has previously participated in one of our post-abortion healing programs. If you are interested in a Day of Prayer & Healing or the monthly gatherings, please contact Marcela Villegas. | |
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In October we will host our first men's "Day of Prayer and Healing" retreat day in Spanish!
If you or any man you know, is suffering the loss of a child through abortion, please share this information and contact Marcela.
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On April 14, I had the honor of working alongside Lauren Muzyka, the president and CEO of Sidewalk Advocates for Life, outside of one of the busiest abortion sites in Hialeah. It was a difficult day for me, as it was my first time out as a Sidewalk Advocate. As the door opened, I could see that it was standing room only - women stood shoulder-to-shoulder with cash in hand, waiting to turn over their children....I saw a lot - and learned a lot that day, and am so appreciative of all the men and women who go out regularly to minister outside save women and children from pain of abortion! It left an impression on me that I will never forget.
As I was compiling this newsletter today, Lauren called me to tell me that WE had made quite an impression on them as well! When I left that day, I was aware of one save - one woman who never walked in the door, but went to the nearest pregnancy help center that day instead. As it turns out, the manager of the abortion facility actually called that pregnancy help center to complain that they had LOST 6 OF THEIR CLIENTS TO THE PREGNANCY HELP CENTER THAT DAY! Abby Johnson has said that, "a peaceful, prayerful presence outside an abortion site can cause up to a 75% no show/cancellation rate." I think we did that on April 14th.
Please consider training to be an advocate. It really makes a difference! We are in need co-leaders at several locations.
Contact Linda Freire if your group would like to be trained .
| Parish Representatives play such a crucial role in keeping their pastors and parishioners informed on the life issues, as well as supporting the pregnancy help centers with baby bottle and diaper drive events, prayer vigils and holy hours. We would like to come together to celebrate you and to share important information with you! Please click below to register. | |
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Prayer Vigils are another way to participate in the ministry! You can hold them in your parish, or in front of an abortion site. The 40 Days for Life fall campaign runs
September 27 - November 5, 2023. There are also regularly scheduled vigils at some sites. Please consider participating. Prayer is one of the most powerful tools we have to combat the evil of abortion!
* Please remember that in the Archdiocese of Miami, we do not recommend or condone the use of microphones or megaphones outside of abortion sites - - no one representing the Archdiocese/ Respect Life Ministry should be conducting prayer vigils in this way. We are there to offer love and support through a peaceful, prayerful presence<3
| Culture of Life Conference | |
The annual Florida Culture of Life Conference, formerly known as the State Respect Life Conference, keeps with the Church's teaching that all human life has dignity and is to be protected. The conference will cover the Church’s response to societal injustices such as the death penalty, abortion, human trafficking, and mental health. The location of the conference rotates between the seven dioceses of Florida and is jointly sponsored by the State Pro-Life Coordinating Committee and the Florida Catholic Conference. This year it will be hosted by the diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. | |
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RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY
Archdiocese of Miami | Secretariat for Parish Life
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