Respect Life Ministries
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Respect Life
The Respect Life Ministry at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church is here to teach respect for
all human life from conception to natural death, and organize for its protection.Team Needed
We are in need of a team of individuals for our Respect Life Ministry Committee. Please prayerfully consider joining! Contact Karen Edmonds at karensedmonds@gmail.com or 713-858-0462.
COVID 19 VaccineFDA approved the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine for use in the U.S. This vaccine has a closer (though still remote) connection to abortion than do the vaccines created by Pfizer and Moderna. While Catholics may receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine if they cannot receive an alternative, Catholics should receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine where possible. Cardinal DiNardo released a statement to this effect Home - Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston (archgh.org). The statement contains a link to the USCCB statement which outlines the Church position in detail.
Catholics receiving a vaccine having a connection to abortion should also object to the sourcing of such vaccines and request that pharmaceutical companies use more ethical sources in future research and development. To facilitate these objections, the USCCB has composed draft letters for Catholics to send to the drug companies, including Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. These letters can be found here: Letters to Pharmaceutical Companies | USCCB .
In light of the recent efforts in Congress to overturn the Hyde Amendment (which prohibits taxpayer funding of abortion), the USCCB has put together several resources for your use. Please make use of these resources yourself and share them with your parishes, teams, and friends!
To sign the petition in favor of keeping the Hyde Amendment intact, the USCCB has created a website, https://www.notaxpayerabortion.com. Signing the petition takes only a few seconds. Please sign today! Heartbeat Act
Cardinal DiNardo’s statement on the Texas Heartbeat Act. https://www.archgh.org/news-events/news/cardinals-corner/cardinals-corner/texas-heartbeat-law/Respect Life Activities
Helpers of God’s Precious Infants On Saturday, December 18, the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants will meet for Mass at St. Patrick Catholic Church, followed by prayer outside the Texas Ambulatory Clinic. All are welcome! In addition to prayer for the families at the clinic that day, this is a great opportunity to pray for a life-affirming resolution to the Dobbs case now before the U.S. Supreme Court.
National Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of the Unborn January 22 January 22 is designated by the USCCB as a National Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of the Unborn. This January 22 marks 49 years since the decision in Roe v. Wade. Join others from around the Archdiocese at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart from 8:30 am-noon for Adoration and prayer and concluding with Mass offered by Cardinal DiNardo.
The Texas Rally for Life in Austin, TX will also take place on January 22. The Archdiocese will sponsor a bus to depart from the St. Dominic Center Chancery at 9 am. If your parish intends to sponsor a bus as well, please let us know so we can direct individuals from your area to you. Those attending the Texas Rally will be able to live-stream the event from the Co-Cathedral on their mobile devices, if desired. The cost to attend the Archdiocesan bus is $40. Registration will open next week (please see flyer to be sent out with meeting minutes). The March and Rally in Austin takes place from 1-3 pm. *Please note that persons with mobility issues or cardiac problems should consult a medical professional before committing to the March. The March is 2-2.5 miles through downtown Austin and, in the past, we have had some participants have significant difficulty completing the walk. Individuals with significant mobility issues may wish to consider heading for the Rally location at the Capitol after departing the buses.
Miscarriage & Infant Loss Retreat for Parents – February 5 On Saturday, February 5, the Archdiocese will offer the Pierced by Sorrow, Released into Joy retreat for parents who’ve experienced miscarriage or infant loss. This full-day retreat includes opportunities for prayer, reflection, spiritual direction, and sharing with other parents. Individuals and couples may register by contacting the Archdiocesan Pro-Life Office.
Catholic Bioethics for Young Adults – February 7 The Pro-Life Office, in collaboration with the Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministry, will offer its 4-week, Beginning of Life bioethics course to young adults (individuals 18-35). We would especially like to welcome young adults studying for or participating in the medical professions. However, there are no prerequisites to attend, so all young adults are welcome. Please share information about this course with your young adult and/or youth ministries at your parish.
Retiro Vinedo de Raquel February 11-13 The Project Rachel team will offer a Rachel's Vineyard retreat in Spanish during the weekend of February 11-13. The suggested cost to attend is $150. Individuals may register by contacting the Office of Pro-Life Activities. All inquiries and registrations are maintained as confidential.
Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat – February 18-20 The Project Rachel team will offer a Rachel’s Vineyard retreat in English during the weekend of February 18-20. The suggested cost to attend is $150. Individuals may register by contacting the Office of Pro-Life Activities or RV Houston (see attached materials for contact information). All inquiries and registrations are maintained as confidential.
Bioethics for Young Adults Tuesdays, February 7-28. St. Dominic Center Chancery
Archdiocese Offerings in Support of LifeThe Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Office of Pro-Life also supports many resources:
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Helpers of God's Precious Infants - Prayer for the unborn
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Los Ayudantes de los Preciosos Niños de Dios - Unase a Nosotros en Oracion
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Jerome's Hope - Support after prenatal diagnosis, miscarriage, stillbirth, or early infant loss
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La Esperanza de Jerónimo - Apoyo despues de un diagnostico prenatal, el aborto espontaneo, nacimiento de un bebe muerto, o la mortalidad infantil
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Project Rachel - Support after Abortion
- Proyecto Raquel - Apoyo Despues del Aborto Voluntario
- Loving Choice Catholic Pregnancy Help Center is a new center in Spring. The center will initially offer medical-grade pregnancy testing, client advocacy services, referral for ultrasound, pregnancy and parenting classes, an earn-while-you-learn program, and more! For more information about the center or to find out how you can get involved, visit their website at https://loving-choice.org/ or follow them on FB at https://www.facebook.com/
LovingChoiceSpring/
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