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Cathedral
of the Incarnation's
Respect Life Committee
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 "I
came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly."
John 10:10b |
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Mission
Statement:
The mission of the
Cathedral of the Incarnation's Respect Life committee is to help promote and defend the
pro-life teachings of the Catholic Church through activity and
prayer within the parish community. Issues of interest include
abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, stem cell research,
contraception and related topics..
Each year the committee closely follows the United States Bishop's
Annual Respect Life program regarding Abortion, Embryonic Stem Cell
Research, Euthanasia, and Cloning issues.
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When We
Meet:
Please watch the church bulletin for upcoming committee meetings
and events or contact the committee coordinator.
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Contact Us:
Do you have questions or desire more information about our Respect
Life Committee? Please contact the parish office at 615-327-2330 for contact phone numbers.
The committee also has an informative email newsletter you can sign
up for to hear about pro-life news, events and commentary.
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Cathedral
of the Incarnation's Respect Life - Patron Saint
St. Gianna Beretta Molla
Patron Saint of: mothers, physicians
 St. Gianna Beretta Molla, protectress of mothers and families, died in 1962 as a martyr of maternal love . In September of 1961, at the age of 39, Blessed Gianna was pregnant with her fourth child when physicians diagnosed a large ovarian cyst which required surgery. The surgeon suggested that Gianna undergo an abortion in order to save her own life. Gianna's decision was prompt and decisive: "I shall accept whatever they will do to me provided they save the child." She underwent the surgery but her fate was sealed. The following year, on Good Friday, Gianna was admitted to Monza Maternity Hospital. Her daughter, Gianna Emanuela, was born the next day but Blessed Gianna expired seven days later, on April 28, 1962.
On July 6, 1991, His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, issued the Decree of Heroicity of Virtue of the Servant of God. On December 21, 1992 the Decree of the Miracle was proclaimed. Finally, on April 24, 1994, Pope John Paul II beatified Gianna Beretta Molla at St. Peter's Square in Rome and she then was canonized May 16, 2004-Blessed Gianna Beretta Molla, protectress of mothers and families.
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The Four
Branches of our Program consist of:
Prayer |
Education | Action | Advocacy
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Prayer
- Prayer is the foundation for all of our Respect Life efforts. These prayers are at the root of our ministry to help reach out and help bring about a conversion of hearts and minds --that all will be open to God's special gift of life.
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Education - Our program creates awareness of the threats to human life and human dignity inherent in abortion, research that destroys human embryos, euthanasia,
capital punishment and related topics through our educational
efforts.
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Action - Respect for human life compels us to reach out to those
who assist in promoting the sanctity of life within their
organizations. Our flagship project is the Empty Crib program
where parishioners donate baby items each Advent for local pregnancy
resource centers.
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Advocacy - Our Respect Life committee
works to promote laws which guarantee fundamental human rights and
promote the sanctity of life.
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| Links:
United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops -
www.usccb.org/prolife
March for Life -
www.marchforlife.org/
Priests for Life -
www.priestsforlife.org/
The National Catholic Bioethics Center -
www.ncbcenter.org/
Pregnant and need help:
Hope Clinic for women -
http://hopeclinicforwomen.org/
Grace Pregnancy Resource Center-
http://www.nashvillepregnancyhelp.com/ Thinking about adoption:
Catholic Charities/Caring Choices -
www.cctenn.org/pregnancyadoption.htm
Natural Family
Planning (NFP)
NFP is an effective and healthy method of birth regulation based on
self-observation
USCCB Natural Family Planning -
http://www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/nfp/
One More Soul -
www.omsoul.com
The Couple to Couple League -
www.ccli.org
Diocese of Nashville NFP training classes -
http://www.dioceseofnashville.com/natfamplan.htm
Dealing with Infertility
The Pope Paul VI Institute in Omaha, Nebraska, assists women and
families with infertility issues in a way completely consistent with
the moral teachings of the Catholic church. For more
information -
http://www.popepaulvi.com/
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Every human life, from the moment of conception until death, is sacred
because the human person has been willed for its own sake in the image and likeness of the living and holy God. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2319.
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