Catechetical Newsletter

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Celebrating Life!
By Kate Ristow

Our memory is like a treasure chest—the keeper of a lifetime of graced moments and blessings. One such memory comes to mind frequently, although it occurred long ago. Near the end of a particularly brutal Chicago winter, our youngest son, Joe, then four years old, and I trudged gamely though the melting snow each day to the forsythia bush in the backyard. I had promised him that the bush would soon produce bright yellow flowers. It was a capricious promise—it was anybody’s guess if the bush would bloom in any given year, but that year, buds had appeared on the branches. Several days later, as we made our pilgrimage to the bush, the blooms had popped! We examined them as carefully as scientists discovering a new plant species. Joe stretched out one tiny finger and touched first a stem, then a flower. He turned to me and asked in amazement, “How did that flower get in there?”

How indeed? The miracle of life! In John’s Gospel, Jesus proclaims, “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). Jesus calls us to the richness of a full life, lived for God and others that prepares the way for the coming of the Kingdom. Yet, many people in our society and world do not enjoy a full life.

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October is Respect Life month. Each year, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops sets aside the month of October to focus our attention and efforts on the importance of respecting life in all of its forms from the moment of conception to natural death. This years’ theme, “Hope and Trust in Life!” begins on Sunday, October 5th. The homilies at all celebrations of the Eucharist that weekend will challenge us to promote the Gospel of Life and to recognize the dignity and sacredness of all life.

As Catholics we are called to have a consistent ethic of life—to look at all of life as a “seamless garment,” a phrase used by the late Joseph Cardinal Bernardin of Chicago. This image is drawn from the seamless tunic Jesus wore as he carried the cross to his crucifixion (John 19:23-24). You’ll recall that the soldiers cast lots for this garment rather that tearing it and dividing the pieces among themselves.

This holistic reverence for life touches on many issues—abortion, war, poverty, euthanasia, capital punishment, racism, disabilities, assisted suicide, contraception, and fertility treatments to name a few. Although they are diverse and complex issues, the Fifth Commandment, the United States Bishop’s document, Sharing Catholic Social Teachings: Challenges and Directions and the Catechism of the Catholic Church are just a few of the resources that help us to better understand the call for a consistent ethic of life and promoting a culture in which every human being is valued and protected.

Another excellent resource is the Pro-Life Activities Department of the USCCB. In addition to on-line information and articles, this department creates a yearly Program Packet with educational pamphlets, program models, a poster, liturgical suggestions, and an all-inclusive CD. Call the Pro-Life office at 866-582-0943 to order your packet.

Plan on celebrating life in your parish program during October and throughout the year by implementing the ideas below.
• Get informed. Know what the Church teaches about protecting life. Visit the USCCB Pro-Life website at www.usccb.org/prolife/index.shtml to learn about pro-life issues and to find out how you can get involved.
• Devote a session at all grade levels in your religious education program or school to help students recognize that all human life is sacred. Focus on helping kids to understand the implications of living the Fifth Commandment.
• Have students complete this worksheet to identify ways in which they can show respect for life.
• Adopt the residents of a local nursing home, assisted living facility for seniors, homeless shelter, soup kitchen, or an agency that helps pregnant teens. Make this a year-round effort so that students understand that people in need deserve our support, attention and love throughout the year. Brainstorm activities and services the students can provide year round.
• Plan a fund-raiser to collect money for a group or agency that cares for the weakest and most vulnerable members of our global family. Follow up on your donation by praying for the work of the agency on a weekly basis.
• Implement a Family Life Program into your religious education program that helps students at all grade levels to develop a deep appreciation for God’s gift of life and to recognize that challenges to life require a strong moral response from every person.
• Supply materials for students to create colorful posters and collages that encourage parishioners to respect and protect all life. Arrange to display the posters in public areas of the parish—the church vestibule and narthex, meetings rooms, the parish center, and parish office throughout October.

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