Beloved in the Lord,
Since 1973, the Catholic Church in the U.S.A. has observed Respect Life Month in October. This year's theme is, “Mary, Mother of Life." True devotion to the Blessed Mother leads to wholehearted worship of our Lord Jesus Christ. She is a model disciple of Christ within His Church. She was resolved to live according to the Word of God. A reflection on this theme is on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' website.
The Church in the USA serves millions of people (Catholics and non-Catholics) in our network of parochial, educational, medical, and social service institutions. .
For every child to have a chance in life, they need to have a chance to live. Yet, our advocacy does not end at the beginning stages of life. We address issues about caring for the poor and helping them out of poverty, working for racial justice, promoting education, treating immigrants and refugees with dignity, fostering peace with justice at home and abroad, among other things.
HFC parishioners are proclaiming this message in word and action.
-- Prayer: Daily intercessions during Holy Mass. The Spiritual Adoption Program accompanies a child conceived in October, the child's mother and loved ones.
-- Poor Box: Donations for programs that support those at every stage of life.
-- Supporting Women’s Center West, Catonsville: Through the Poor Box (October), and the annual Baby Bottle Campaign (Mother's Day to Father's Day), HFC has donated over $50,000 in the past ten years. This does not include material donations.
-- Supporting the Hannah More Family Homeless Shelter: Material items to benefit adults and their children.
-- Food Pantry Donations: Helping people throughout the year, including at least 60-70 households for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
-- Project Rachel: This confidential Archdiocese of Baltimore ministry helps women and men to heal in the aftermath of an abortion;
Respect for the gift of human life is a hopeful and healing message. From the moment of conception -- and during every stage, condition, and circumstance of life -- we have an inherent dignity. The right to life is the fundamental right upon which other rights can be exercised. We must be resolved to uphold it.
Father Raymond Harris
Pastor