Be not afraid during Respect Life Month

Published: September 29, 2017

" Building a culture of life isn't something we just do one month of the year, or with one event or initiative — it's essential to who we are. It happens through our daily actions, how we treat one another, and how we live our lives." — Cardinal Timothy Dolan, chairman of U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, 2017 Respect Life Statement

Each October, the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month to proclaim the immeasurable value of every person from conception to natural death. Catholics in Arkansas take part in events throughout the month, including Life Chain and 40 Days for Life, to put their beliefs into prayer and action.

This year, the 30th annual Life Chain Sunday will be held Oct. 1. It is always held on the first Sunday of October. Life Chain brings people together in a "peaceful and prayerful public witness" to form a line on sidewalks in cities across the United States and Canada. Participants hold signs that say: "Pray to End Abortion" or "Adoption: The Loving Option" while they quietly pray together for up to 90 minutes as cars pass by.

Several cities in Arkansas will host Life Chains this year including: Benton, Berryville, Cherokee Village, Conway, Fayetteville, Harrison, Hot Springs, Little Rock, Mountain Home, Paris, Pocahontas, Rogers, Siloam Springs, Springdale and Yellville. Visit our calendar of events to see specific locations and times. For a complete list of all Life Chains in Arkansas, visit visit lifechain.net.

40 Days for Life continues in Little Rock and Fayetteville throughout Respect Life Month until Nov. 5. In Little Rock, participants are invited to come and pray for an end to abortion from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily on the public sidewalk near #4 Office Park Drive, the location of Arkansas' only surgical abortion clinic. Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will lead the rosary from 11 a.m. to noon on Friday, Oct. 27. To sign up for vigil hours, visit 40 Days for Life - Little Rock or call Tabitha Connolly at (501) 960-2194 or e-mail daysforlifelittlerock@gmail.com.

In Fayetteville, participants meet at the same time in the public right-of-way in front of the Planned Parenthood clinic at 3729 N. Crossover Rd. Bishop Taylor will join participants in praying outside the clinic at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 8. To sign up for vigil hours, visit 40 Days for Life - Fayetteville or call Sheila Pursell or Sarah Cox at (469) 231-1959 or (479) 409-3430 or 40daysnwa@gmail.com.

In addition, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops assists parishes, schools and other Catholic ministries by creating resources to help people "understand, value and become engaged with supporting the God-given dignity of every person — which naturally leads to protecting the gift of every person's life" through its Respect Life Program. It kicks off on Respect Life Sunday, which this year is Oct. 1. The theme for the 2017-18 Respect Life Program is: "Be Not Afraid: 'Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age,'" taken from Matthew 28:20.

In this year's Respect Life statement, Cardinal Timothy Dolan offers tangible ways to show respect for life in our daily lives. "How do we respond when our aging parents are in failing health? Do they know how much we love them and cherish each day given? Do we ensure they know they are never a burden to us? In our own challenging times, do we ask for support? When others offer a helping hand, do we receive it? When our friend becomes pregnant in difficult circumstances, do we show compassion that tangibly supports her and helps her welcome the life of her new little one?

"Sometimes, we may not be sure exactly what to do, but let's not allow the fear of doing the wrong thing or saying the wrong thing keep us from living out our missionary call. We don't need to have everything figured out all at once. Let's remember the guidance of our Blessed Mother, the first disciple: 'Do whatever he tells you' (John 2:5)."

For more information, contact Catherine Phillips, director of the diocesan Respect Life Office, at (501) 664-0340, ext. 326.