Respect Life: Called to Serve Moms in Need
Supporting the Work of Pregnancy Choices Life Care Center
All Saints’ monthly collection for Pregnancy Choices Life Care Center in Apple Valley is a means to provide direct service to women and families facing challenging pregnancies. A playpen will be in the Gathering Space on the weekend of the third Sunday of the month. All Saints will be collecting specific items needed for Pregnancy Choices' clients. See below for a list of acceptable items.
Pregnancy Choices offers guidance and support to women, teens, and families who are experiencing challenging pregnancies. Services are given in a setting that encourages informed, life affirming choices. For more information about Pregnancy Choices, their mission, services, and volunteer opportunities please contact them at 15010 Glazier Avenue (Suite 104), Apple Valley, MN 55124, www.mypregnancychoices.com or 952.997.2229.
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Items needed year-round:
- diapers of all sizes and wipes
- baby lotion and shampoo
- Desitin ointment
- infant and child hygiene and grooming products
- pacifiers
- children’s books
September through December:
- snow suits and boots
- warm clothing (sizes infant to 24 months) and shoes
January through April:
- baby thermometers
- new baby clothes (9 to 24 months)
May through August:
- infant and child sunscreen and insect repellent
- light weight clothing (infant to 24 months)
The following items CANNOT be accepted:
- No Toys
- No Medications
- No baby food (other than what is listed above)
- No used items
Thank you for your generosity to this ministry.
Contact: Deacon Jim Marschall (952.985.9983)
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Spiritual Adoption
Participants in Spiritual Adoption promise to pray for nine months for a mother and baby who are in danger of abortion. While they will remain unknown to their “spiritual parents,” God knows who we are praying for. There is a simple prayer on the back of the prayer card which can be used to keep the promise of prayer. Information and prayer cards are available with the playpen in the Gathering Space
The purpose of Spiritual Adoption is threefold:
Participants in Spiritual Adoption promise to pray for nine months for a mother and baby who are in danger of abortion. While they will remain unknown to their “spiritual parents,” God knows who we are praying for. There is a simple prayer on the back of the prayer card which can be used to keep the promise of prayer. Information and prayer cards are available with the playpen in the Gathering Space
The purpose of Spiritual Adoption is threefold:
- Encourage adults and children to pray for those contemplating abortion, that they will respond to God’s grace and welcome this child into life.
- Educate adults and children about the development of the pre-born child. All Saints will use a series of posters depicting and explaining the monthly development of the pre-born baby.
- Provide mothers in need with a “baby shower” of donated baby items through our monthly collection for Pregnancy Choices Life Care Center.
Spiritual Adoption Prayer
(composed by Archbishop Fulton Sheen)
“Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you very much.
I beg you to spare the life of the unborn baby
that I have spiritually adopted who is in danger of abortion.”
(composed by Archbishop Fulton Sheen)
“Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you very much.
I beg you to spare the life of the unborn baby
that I have spiritually adopted who is in danger of abortion.”
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Healing after Abortion
The Catholic Church not only speaks out against and works to end elective abortion, but we also seeks to bring healing to those who have been wounded by abortion. If you, or someone you love is suffering from the affects of an abortion, resources for healing are available through any Catholic parish. Contact All Saints' Pastoral Care Office at 952.985.9983.
The following are two excellent resources:
The Catholic Church not only speaks out against and works to end elective abortion, but we also seeks to bring healing to those who have been wounded by abortion. If you, or someone you love is suffering from the affects of an abortion, resources for healing are available through any Catholic parish. Contact All Saints' Pastoral Care Office at 952.985.9983.
The following are two excellent resources:
- Project Rachel | [email protected]
- Rachel's Vineyard is a retreat program and resource for persons who suffer from the affects of abortion. www.rachelsvineyard.org | 952.882.2072 / [email protected]
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Pray for an end to abortion!
“Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.”— Oswald Chambers
Prayer is the foundation for all other pro-life work. All Saints parishioners who are familiar with prayerful presence at Planned Parenthood in St. Paul are willing to accompany others who have not experienced praying in front of an abortion clinic. (This is not a protest or demonstration, nor is it “sidewalk counseling.”) Contact Mary [email protected] / 952.431.1755.
40 Days for Life
40 Days for Life is a focused, international campaign of prayer, fasting and peaceful vigil in front of abortion facilities, with a purpose of turning hearts and minds to a culture of life, and bringing an end to abortion.
A 40 Days for Life Vigil is held in the Twin Cities in the Fall and during the season of Lent.
40 Days for Life is a focused, international campaign of prayer, fasting and peaceful vigil in front of abortion facilities, with a purpose of turning hearts and minds to a culture of life, and bringing an end to abortion.
A 40 Days for Life Vigil is held in the Twin Cities in the Fall and during the season of Lent.
Vigil hours are 6:00am to 6:00pm daily outside of Planned Parenthood, 671 Vandalia St., St. Paul.
People of faith are invited to participate on any day at any time during the Vigil. Participate yourself or assemble a group. For important information that you will need to participate in 40 Days for Life, contact Mary [email protected] / 952.431.1755.
40 Days for Life in the Twin Cities is coordinated by Pro-Life Action Ministries. Information can be found online at the following places: www.plam.org www.40daysforlife.com www.facebook.com/40DaysForLifeTwinCities
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Every Life Is Worth Living
Whether it lasts for a brief moment or for a hundred years, each of our lives is a good and perfect gift. At every stage and in every circumstance, we are held in existence by God's love.
Our relationships on earth are meant to help us and others grow in perfect love. We are meant to depend on one another, serve each other in humility and walk together in times of suffering.
An elderly man whose health is quickly deteriorating; an unborn baby girl whose diagnosis indicates she may not live very long; a little boy with Down Syndrome; a mother facing terminal cancer -- each may have great difficulties and need assistance, but each of their lives is a good and perfect gift.
Experiencing suffering -- or watching another suffer -- is one of the hardest human experiences. But we are not alone. Christ experienced suffering more deeply than we can comprehend, and our own suffering can be meaningful when we unite it with His.
Jesus is with us every step of the way, giving us the grace we need. God invites us to embrace the lives we have been given, for as long as they are given. Every life is worth living.
Reprinted (excerpted) from Respect Life Program, Copyright © 2015, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.
For more about the US Bishops' Respect Life Program