Official Website of the
Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
Live the Gospel of Life in everything you do
Published: September 23, 2020
Click on the button above to download resources to help you integrate the Respect Life message into the very life of your parish, school or ministry. For more information, contact Catherine Phillips, director of the diocesan Respect Life Office, at (501) 664-0340, ext. 326.
"Together we may offer this world of ours new signs of hope, and work to ensure that justice and solidarity will increase and that a new culture of human life will be affirmed, for the building of an authentic civilization of truth and love." — St. John Paul II, "Evangelium Vitae" ("The Gospel of Life")
The Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month each October to proclaim the immeasurable value of every person from the beginning of life at fertilization to natural death. Catholics in Arkansas take part in events throughout the month, including Life Chain and 40 Days for Life, to put their faith into prayer and action.
In addition, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) assists parishes, schools and other ministries in helping Catholics understand, value and become engaged with building a culture that cherishes every human life through its annual Respect Life Program, which is a year-round, nationwide effort that kicks off each year on Respect Life Sunday. This year, that is Oct. 4.
The theme for the 2020-21 Respect Life Program, "Live the Gospel of Life," was inspired by the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s encyclical, "The Gospel of Life". Archbishop Joseph Naumann, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, invites Catholics to allow “the Gospel of Christ to touch and transform our own hearts and the decisions we make” in his Sept. 24 statement on Respect Life Month.
''The Gospel of Life' provides a blueprint for building a culture of life and civilization of love. The important work of transforming our culture begins by allowing the Gospel of Christ to touch and transform our own hearts and the decisions we make. May we strive to imitate Christ and follow in his footsteps, caring for the most vulnerable among us. Through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, may Our Lord grant us the grace to live courageously and faithfully his Gospel of life," he explained.
For more information about integrating the Respect Life Program into your parish, school or ministry, contact Catherine Phillips, director of the diocesan Respect Life Office, at (501) 664-0340, ext. 326.
