Life Times Fall 2014 English

SPECIAL EDITION • Fall 2014

Newsletter of the Office of Pro-Life Activities and Chaste Living • Diocese of Austin

Nurturing the

Masterpiece An overview of the services of the Office of Pro-Life Activities and Chaste Living

Prayer & Worship

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The Diocese of Austin has worked long and hard to build a Culture of Life and a Civilization of Love in Central Texas. We have become one of the most actively pro-life dioceses in the country through our prayer, education, public policy and pastoral care efforts.

Parish Support

Chaste Living

Pregnancy Related Pastoral Care

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In the following pages, learn about what our Office does and how you can help!

Information & Education

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Public Policy

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Celebrate with us on Feb. 12, 2015...see page 8!

Special Edition

Prayer & Worship

Knights of Columbus in fallout at the Mass for Life with the Pilgrim Statue procession. Parishes can reserve the Statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe through the Office. | Photo by Rebecca McDonald

We recognize and embrace the reality that we are dependent on the Lord in building a Culture of Life and a Civilization of Love.

The Texas Catholic Pro-Life Day

Prayer & Worship

The Office provides resources to parishes to promote prayer on behalf of a culture of life.

T-shirt Design Contest >> Deadline: Dec. 1, 2014 See hundreds wearing your design at the Texas Catholic Pro-Life Day! Design must include the following text: zz Texas Catholic Pro-Life Day zz CentralTexasProLife.org zz Jan. 24, 2015 >> Submit your design by Dec. 1 to yvonne-saldana@austindiocese.org.

On Jan. 24, 2015, the Diocese of Austin will celebrate Texas Catholic Pro-Life Day, organized by our Office. A full day is dedicated to pro-life prayer and activities (see the flier above), including the Texas Rally for Life, which is organized by Texas Alliance for Life and attended by prolife groups from across the state.

Participation in the Texas Catholic Pro-Life Day continues to grow. More than 1,400 people attended the 2014 Pro-Life Mass with Bishop Vรกsquez, and we fed more than 950 at the Party for Life. It was such a gift to be able to host so many people from all over the state!

The winner, selected by our event committee, will receive five free T-shirts.

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Fall 2014

Special Edition

Parish Support

Parish Support

The cemetery of the Holy Innocents draws attention to the public’s awareness of the lives lost due to abortion. | Photo courtesy of St. William Parish Pro-Life Committee

Today, there are 75 parish and school Pro-Life Committees. These committees have a tremendous impact in our parishes and on our culture, offering education and opportunities for prayer to build a culture of life.

We meet with these committees, send a monthly packet of information on pro-life activities and connect parishes through regional and deanery coordinators.

So many put this mission into action day-to-day, and it was our joy to bring them together for bowling and pizza at this summer’s Volunteer Appreciation Day at Mel’s Lone Star Lanes in Georgetown.

Volunteer Appreciation Day 2014

As a ministry of the Diocese of Austin, the Office first seeks to be a resource and support to Parish ProLife Committees.

We are grateful for the many dedicated volunteers serving in parish Pro-Life Committees, Gabriel Project, Project Rachel, prayer vigils, speakers on our Culture of Life Speakers’ Bureau, public policy efforts, NFP teachers and so many other ministries.

We are blessed by our volunteers’ dedication to building a Culture of Life and a Civilization of Love in Central Texas. This work would not happen without VOLUNTEERS! Photos by Claudia Meserole

Start a Pro-Life Committee at your parish or school!

Be part of an ever-growing network! If there is already a Pro-Life Committee at your parish or school, we can help you get connected! >> Contact us at (512) 949-2486.

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Fall 2014

Special Edition

Photo by Audra Saldana

The Office seeks to support individuals, parents and catechists in the crucial and delicate task of the development of the virtue of chastity.

To fulfill the diocesan policy regarding qualifications for catechists speaking on the sensitive subject of human sexuality and chaste living, Catechesis on Human Love Certification was created. Classes are open to all adults and can be taken for certification or personal formation. >> For more information, call (512) 949-2486 or e-mail yvonnesaldana@austindiocese.org.

THRiVE! Chastity Formation for Youth

Chaste Living

Chaste Living

THRiVE! targets chastity formation for youth. It includes parent and teacher education, parish resources and youth events. In early April we hosted Generation Life for rallies that took place in College Station, Austin and Waco and reached more than 300 participants.

Check out these upcoming educational opportunities: zz Dec. 10 Chris Stefanick @ St. Louis Parish in Waco, 7 – 9 p.m. >> Register today at www.ThriveTexas.org! zz Feb. 22 – March 27 The Culture Project will be in Central Texas! >> See www.ThriveTexas.org for scheduled events >> Invite The Culture Project to minister to the youth at your parish or organization while they are in the area! Call the Office at (512) 949-2486.

Chastity for married couples? We can help with that...

The Office supports awareness and education in Natural Family Planning (NFP), which helps couples live the virtue of chastity in their marriage.

Sharon and Adam Gretencord, certified NFP instructors present “Introduction to NFP Seminar” for engaged couples. | Photo by Claudia Meserole

>> Find method options and class schedules: www.austindiocese.org/nfp.

During NFP Awareness Week this past summer, we offered “Future Full of Hope: A prayer service for couples struggling to conceive” (see photo of couple receiving a blessing above) with Sarah’s Hope and Abraham’s Promise. Thirty people participated.

Couples received prayer and community support and were connected with resources that can help to restore their fertility while respecting the sanctity of life and the sanctity of marriage.

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Fall 2014

Special Edition

Above, Mary Helen Russell visits Catholic Charities in Bryan. Pictured (l to r) are Intake Specialist Veronica Garcia, Russell, client and baby, Social Services Coordinator Vancy Mayes and Director of Social Services Allison Cavazos.

The Office works in partnership with other members of the newly formed Gabriel Life Association in order to provide a unified Catholic response to anyone in Central Texas who is facing a difficult pregnancy. Members include the Annunciation Maternity Home, Catholic Charities, the John Paul II Life Center, Our Lady of the Angels Maternity Shelter and the Diocese of Austin. | Photo by Claudia Meserole

We strive to meet the pastoral needs and challenges of pregnant women in our Diocese through various outreaches.

The Gabriel Project is a parish-based ministry that takes the Good Samaritan approach to helping parents-to-be by walking alongside them on their life-giving journey. Recently we were blessed to have five men answer the call to mentor fathers-to-be!

Through 1+ (877) We Care 2 — The Diocesan Pro-Life Helpline, trained volunteers located throughout the Diocese (known as “Helpline Angels”) confidentially answer calls, providing referrals and assistance to those struggling with pregnancy- and abortion-related issues.

Project Rachel (www.AustinDiocese.org/ ProjectRachel) offers compassionate and confidential hope and healing to women and men suffering because of a past abortion.

Spiritual direction, support groups, private professional counseling, and weekend healing retreats led by a priest are available.

Through the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants sidewalk ministry, trained Sidewalk Angels — and the many volunteers who prayerfully support them — maintain a peaceful and prayerful presence outside of abortion facilities. Our Office also supports the semi-annual 40 Days for Life campaigns and organizes monthly prayer vigils (see www.AustinDiocese.org/Calendar).

A call to action!

Do you feel called to bring Christ to those struggling with pregnancy-related issues? We need you! Are you bilingual in English and Spanish? We really need you! >> If you are interested in helping with any of the following, please contact Mary Helen Russell at (512) 949-2488 or maryhelen-russell@ austindiocese.org today! zz zz zz zz zz

Gabriel Project Mentors (both men and women) A new Gabriel Project in your parish Helpline volunteers (calls can be forwarded to your phone) Project Rachel volunteers Prayer and Sidewalk Angels

All that is needed is your yes; God provides the rest. (And we help with the training!)

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Meet the New Pastoral Care Coordinator

Pregnancy Related Pastoral Care Related Pastoral Care

Mary Helen Russell is the Office’s new pastoral care coordinator. A commuter, Mary Helen very much enjoys living in the Barbecue Capital of Texas — Lockhart. She is the proud mother of four grown children, all of whom she considers to be her greatest successes. A former middle school teacher in Austin, Mary Helen put her family first and left the classroom when they needed her most. After the passing of her husband in 2009, rather than resuming her career as a teacher, she felt called by the Holy Spirit to volunteer in a pro-life ministry. What started out as volunteering quickly became a full-time career opportunity.

She brings to the position the experience of working in ministry as a catechist, Gabriel Project coordinator, and Respect Life Committee cochair as well as the knowledge gained while managing the day-to-day operations of a busy crisis pregnancy resource center. With a servant’s heart, Mary Helen looks forward to supporting the many prolife activities throughout the Diocese of Austin and seeing the culture of life continue to grow in Central Texas.

Fall 2014

Special Edition

Information Education ormation & Education

Through various resources, we educate both Catholics and the general public on issues regarding the dignity of human life.

Our quarterly newsletter, Life Times, delivers pro-life news, education and stories of hope from around our Diocese to almost 7,000 families every quarter. It provides local and national news, catechesis on life issues and updates on our apostolates throughout Central Texas. >> To contribute articles or submit events or activities for coverage, please contact claudia-meserole@ austindiocese.org.

This fall the Secretariat for Charity and Justice offered the Living the Good News Conference to educate, offer support and strengthen parish ministry. Two hundred and fifty people attended the event held at St. Dominic Savio High School. Paulist Father Bruce Nieli delivered the keynote address at both the English and Spanish sessions.

Members of the Secretariat of Justice and Charity include Catholic Charities of Central Texas and the Offices of Missions, Social Concerns, Criminal Justice, Black Catholics, Hispanic Ministry and Pro-Life Activities and Chaste Living of the Diocese of Austin.

This education is vital today. The threat to religious freedom is great and there is much confusion about why the issues of contraception, sterilization and abortion are so important to Catholics. We will continue to stand with our Bishop in our advocacy and prayer for religious freedom as well as our education on these issues.

Find Respect Life resources for your parish!

The annual Respect Life Program from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Pro-Life Secretariat provides educational brochures and other resources on the most pertinent life issues to priests, deacons and pro-life committees. This year’s theme is “Each of Us Is a Masterpiece of God’s Creation.”

The Respect Life Program materials can be used throughout the year, but are especially used to raise awareness during Respect Life Month in October. >> Access resources on the diocesan website: www.austindiocese.org/october

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Culture of Life Speakers’ Bureau

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life

Culture of

Speakers’ Bureau

for the Diocese of Austin

Since February, our Culture of Life Speakers’ Bureau has sent six speakers to parishes and schools for presentations to more than 200 youth and adults on a comprehensive span of pro-life topics: zz Introduction to Pro-Life Issues (This talk goes beyond abortion to expose the audience to ALL pro-life issues, from beginning-of-life issues to end-of-life issues and everything in between!) zz Bioethical and Reproductive Technologies zz Abortion 101 zz Abortion Apologetics zz The Death Penalty zz End-of-Life Issues zz Fertility Awareness (for high school students; parent review session available upon request) zz Stewards of the Environment >> To become a speaker or to request a speaker, call (512) 949-2489 or email cultureoflifespeakersbureau@ austindiocese.org.

Fall 2014

Special Edition

We promote Postcard Campaigns and other efforts to encourage Catholics to make their voices heard.

During each Texas legislative session, we organize and train Catholics from the Diocese of Austin to participate in the Texas Catholic Conference Advocacy Day, during which Catholics from across the state make their voice heard, in person, to their state representatives.

The next one will be March 24, 2015.

For updated information on issues and policies, visit www.txcatholic.org/publicpolicy/current-legislation-from-the83rd-legislature.

Texas HB2 raised the standard of care for women in Texas receiving abortions with these provisions: zz Abortions must be performed in licensed facilities that meet the same standards as ambulatory surgical centers. zz Physicians performing abortions must gain admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the abortion facility.

Stand4Life

We are dedicated to activating Catholics to bring their Catholic values to public and political life.

Public Policy HB2 Update

Photo by Arlen Nydam www.nydamphoto.com

Public Policy

On Aug. 4 of this year, a prayer vigil was held in front of the Federal Courthouse in Austin.

Stand4Life brought together hundreds of prayerful supporters of HB2.

Opponents argued that these requirements would cause an “undue burden” to a woman seeking to have an abortion.

Most recently, opponents of the bill took it to the United States Supreme Court where the justices stopped these HB2 provisions from closing abortion clinics while lower courts debate the law’s constitutionality.

Sadly, this has allowed some clinics to re-open.

Prayer vigils, including the 40 Days for Life campaign, continue to be the stronghold of this bill’s success. >> Join us for these peaceful prayer vigils held outside of currently operating abortion clinics. Call the Office at (512) 949-2486 or visit www.CentralTexasProLife.org or www.austindocese.org/calendar for times and dates.

In addition, we are forming Legislative District Action Committees to increase the quality and magnitude of active involvement by parishioners.

Learn more: The Catholic stance on end of life care and death penalty issues An Oct. 9 conference on “Principles and Policies for End of Life Care” at St. Edward’s University reached more than 100 people in pastoral care and featured three bishops and the director of the National Catholic Bioethics Center.

The Texas Catholic Conference advocates advance directives reform legislation that recognizes the right to life, dignity of the human person and acknowledges that death is a natural part of life. >> Read more: www.txcatholic.org/news/456-end-of-life-care-conference and www.txcatholic-advance-directives.org The Office encourages prayer for the victims of violent crime and their families, as well as for those being executed and their families. >> Act: Download bulletin resources from the Parish Monthly Mailing section of CentralTexasProLife.org. Participate in a prayer vigil on every execution day in the state of Texas (locations and times at www.txcatholicmercyproject.org).

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Fall 2014

Diocese of Austin

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Austin, Texas Permit No. 1504

Office of Pro-Life Activities and Chaste Living P.O. Box 13327 Austin, Texas 78711 Return Service Requested

Check out our online calendar of events: CentralTexasProLife.org

Celebrate veServe & Celebrate Like any organization, the ministry of the Office of Pro-Life Activities and Chaste Living is a success because of the people working tirelessly behind the scenes.

Fundraising Committee members support the Office in planning and carrying out events or activities to raise funds for the Office.

Volunteers are frequently needed for Office projects, such as data entry or preparing materials for special events. >> To serve the Office in these ways, please call (512) 949-2486 or email yvonne-saldana@austindiocese.org.

2015 Celebratory Dinner

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is the quarterly publication of the Office of Pro-Life Activities and Chaste Living in the Diocese of Austin.

Most Rev. Joe S. Vásquez Bishop of Austin Rev. Alberto Borruel Priest Moderator Marie Cehovin Director Please join us to celebrate God’s powerful way of working through all of us!

Chad Judice will be the keynote speaker at our Celebratory Dinner at St. Helen Parish, Georgetown on Feb. 12, 2015. >> Read more about Chad: www.chadjudice.com

Thank you for your faithful support and involvement!

Claudia Meserole Editor Valerie Pokorny Layout & Design Office of Pro-Life Activities and Chaste Living Diocese of Austin P.O. Box 13327 Austin, Texas 78711 (512) 949-2486 HOW TO SUBSCRIBE If you would like to receive a copy of the newsletter, call us or go to CentralTexasProLife.org