"Reverence for life is the glue of human community"

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput

THE RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY'S MISSION is to educate the parish on all life issues from natural conception to natural death. Through prayer and education we encourage the parish community to get involved in organizations that support the Catholic view of the sanctity of life.

WE WELCOME you to explore the many ways to live our faith and stay current on the various activities within each ministry through the many links and documents that are listed below and on the side of this page.

~May the Holy Spirit guide you towards
prayer and service to build a culture
which demonstrates respect for ALL human life.~

For questions or to sign-up for monthly e-mails outlining current needs,
contact Barb Williams or Erin Putt at  respectlife@stpius.net or 574-742-2516 

FIRST, we begin by joining the USCCB in praying for life.

The Bishops' weekly prayer intention is printed in our bulletin from the Word of Life 


Intercession for Life for Sunday, Oct 3 Respect Life Sunday:  For all Catholics:  On this Respect Life Sunday, may we resolve anew to protect the gift of every human life;  We pray to the Lord:  Lord, hear our prayer.

Intercession for Life for Sunday, Oct 10:  May God grant us the wisdom and courage to lovingly protect His gift of human life at every stage, in sickness and in health; We pray to the Lord:  Lord, hear our prayer.

Intercession for Life for, Sunday, Oct 17:  That the life of every person, from conception to natural death, will be protected in our laws and cherished in our hearts; We pray to the Lord:  Lord, hear our prayer.

Intercession for Life for Sunday, Oct 24:  For women and men suffering after abortion:  May the Church's abortion healing ministry, Project Rachel, help them find forgiveness and peace through Christ's endless mercy; We pray to the Lord:  Lord, hear our prayer.

Intercession for Life for Sunday, Oct 31:  For those nearing the end of life:  May they receive care that respects their dignity and protects their lives as they place their hope in the promise of eternal life; We pray to the Lord:  Lord, hear our prayer.

Thank you for praying!  You have just become a part of the St. Pius X Respect Life Ministry, it's that easy.  To learn more about prayer and volunteer needs, please continue reading below and contact Barb Williams for a monthly email.

SECOND, we encourage prayer and service within 
16 ministries under the parish's umbrella for Respect Life.  

Prayer: 

• Project Rachel Parish Companion a friend to talk to when a past memory weighs on one's mind and heart
• Apostolate of Divine Mercy in Service of Life, Marriage, and the Family a Chapel in South Bend with Mass and Exposition dedicated to praying for the unborn 
• 40 Days for Life local efforts of the national campaign in spring and fall to particularly pray and fast for the unborn
• March for Life, Washington, DC an annual event to support an end to legalized abortion in the United States

Service:

• Women's Care Center a crisis pregnancy center with 4 locations within St. Joseph County alone
• Hannah's House a maternity home in Mishawaka for pregnant and parenting single/homeless young women
• Christ Child Society of South Bend all-volunteer group that provides winter clothing to verified need children without regard to race or religion
• Right to Life Michiana promotes life through education and advocacy
• Center for Hospice Care supports all to live as well as possible until God calls us home
• Catholic Medical Association local guild unites Catholic health care professionals to inform and inspire members to bridge faith and profession

• Village at Arborwood 820 E. Cleveland Rd, Granger 
• Bell Tower Health & Rehabilitation Center 5805 N. Fir Rd, Granger
• Brookdale,Granger 430 Cleveland Rd East, Granger
• Fountainview Golden Living Center, 609 Tanlgewood Lane, Mishawaka
• StoryPoint Granger 6330 N. Fir Rd, Granger
• Cedarhurst of Edison Lakes 1025 Park Place, Mishawaka

In addition, we encourage

The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend Office of Marriage & Family by communicating these opportunities to our parishioners:

• Project Rachel post abortion counseling and healing ministry
• Miriam's Blessing poor prenatal diagnosis support 
• Ava's Grace pregnancy and infant loss 

additional information on other ministries such as Infertility, Natural Family Planning, Physicians Providing NaProTECHNOLOGY, and others may be found on the Diocesan website.
 

and

The Bishops' 2020-2021 Respect Life program as follows

• October (Respect Life Month)
• January (The Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children, Jan 22)
• March (Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, March 25)
• April (Sunday of Divine Mercy, April 11)
• May (Mother's Day, May 9)
• June (Father's Day, June 20) 

Walking with Moms in Need

In conjunction with our parish Elizabeth Ministry, we embrace the USCCB's Walking with Moms in Need program to help pregnant women, and women with small children, find the local resources to help them in caring for their babies.  More information may be found at https://stpius.net/walkingwithmoms