Observing Respect Life Sunday

As many parishes observe Respect Life Sunday and other special pro-life celebrations in the month of October, Priests for Life is pleased to make a number of liturgical resources and suggested action items available.

1. General Intercessions. Click here for a set of intercessions composed for Respect Life Sunday. (Note that intercessions for all the Sundays of the year are available at www.priestsforlife.org/intercessions.)

2. Preaching. At www.priestsforlife.org/preaching, we provide a wealth of resources for preaching on abortion. The three standard elements in the pro-life homily are summarized at www.priestsforlife.org/preaching/elements.html. A more lengthy exposition of the dynamics of preaching on abortion can be found at www.priestsforlife.org/preaching/newpreachingonabortion.htm, and a sample homily drawn from these principles can be read at www.priestsforlife.org/preaching/homilylovethemboth.htm.

Each week, we provide an email service whereby homily suggestions are sent based on the readings of the Lectionary. These emails are archived at www.priestsforlife.org/liturgy, where you can find specific suggestions for the upcoming Sundays. If you wish to receive this service all year round, simply request it free of charge at clergy@priestsforlife.org.

3. Prayers. Select from our wide range of pro-life prayers at www.priestsforlife.org/prayers. We have an ongoing, daily prayer campaign to end abortion, and the parish as a whole may want to sign onto this. See www.PrayerCampaign.org. For suggestions of prayer options within the liturgy, see www.priestsforlife.org/preaching/liturgicalindex.htm. These options include a simple "Commissioning of your Parish Respect Life Group" which could be done appropriately on Respect Life Sunday.

4. Bulletin Inserts. Short and long bulletin inserts on pro-life themes can be found at www.priestsforlife.org/bulletin.

5. Action items. Respect Life Sunday is an excellent time to initiate pro-life activity in the parish that can continue throughout the year. Find suggestions for activities at www.priestsforlife.org/action.

Preaching