Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
In October, the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month, and the first Sunday of October is designated as Respect Life Sunday. I realize this is now the 2nd Sunday of the month…with the special 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death and entrance into Heaven last weekend, I chose to focus on him and to speak on the Respect Life theme in this bulletin article.
The US bishops chose for this year’s Respect Life Month the theme “Mary, Mother of Life,” because the Blessed Mother welcomed Jesus into the world at both His conception and at the foot of the Cross. She gives her “yes” to life constantly, and is given to us as a mother to help us do the same. That same “yes,” bold, trusting, and selfless, is witnessed through some extraordinary ministries we have here at All Saints that I want to highlight and thank.
Our Pro-Life Ministry has been on the front lines of support for the unborn and for families by serving crisis pregnancy centers throughout Atlanta and raising record funds to help these families to choose life. This ministry has made our parish a place where the most vulnerable find not judgment, but mercy; not abandonment, but accompaniment. Respect for life begins in the womb, and our Pro-Life Ministry has answered that call with joy and generosity. Every dollar raised, every hour volunteered, every mother accompanied is a living act of faith.
Obviously, the Gospel of Life does not end at birth. Respect Life Sunday is a day when Catholics renew their commitment to protecting human life for all vulnerable persons. Our Faith In Action Committee embodies this seamless vision of the Gospel by keeping the plight of the neglected in our community before our eyes, hearts, and prayers. They remind us that a culture of life is built in clinics and in soup kitchens, care homes, and the forgotten corners of our neighborhoods. Their witness is a form of prayer made visible.
Our Knights of Columbus council is an unstoppable force in raising funds for local charities and providing countless volunteer hours for worthy causes and events. Our St. Vincent de Paul Society chapter is the leading edge of charitable outreach to the vulnerable in our community, encountering our struggling neighbors and connecting them to critical resources.
As we enter this sacred month, let us ask Our Lady to intercede for every mother facing an unexpected pregnancy, every family struggling to make ends meet, and every forgotten neighbor who longs to know they are not invisible to God, or to us. If you feel called to serve alongside our Pro-Life Ministry or Faith In Action Committee, the KoC or the SVdP, speak with any member of these teams. There is room for every willing heart.
Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever!
Mary, Mother of Life, pray for us!
All you holy saints of God, pray for us!
Peace in Christ,
Fr. Michael Silloway
Pastor