“Even the weakest and most vulnerable, the sick, the old, the unborn and the poor, are masterpieces of God’s creation, made in his own image, destined to live forever, and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect.” Pope Francis’ Day for Life Greeting
Catholics in the U.S. are aware that October is set aside as Respect Life month, a special time when we focus on the sanctity of life and the dignity of the human person. Sean Cardinal O’Malley, Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Bishops’ committee on pro-life activities, rightly calls attention to the present culture where “to women faced with an unexpected pregnancy, abortion is often presented as their only ‘choice.’ A large percentage of children pre-diagnosed as having Down syndrome are never given the chance to live outside their mothers’ wombs. Elderly members of our families fear they will become burdensome and seek physician assisted suicide. We see these and many more of our brothers and sisters pushed to the periphery.”
Cardinal O’Malley further notes in part that the “Church’s antidote to an individualism which threatens the respect for human dignity is community and solidarity… Are we moved by the suffering of those without shelter? Do we seek to alleviate the fear, confusion and panic that women facing unexpected pregnancies may be experiencing? Do our hearts ache for elderly patients in nursing homes who feel abandoned and unwanted, having no one to visit them? Our mission is to show each person the love of Christ.”
As Catholics let us prepare for the coming season of Advent and Christmas by growing closer to Jesus and His mother, by working with greater zeal in solidarity with our community of believers through prayer and action in advancing and defending the culture of life in San Antonio and the great state of Texas. Join us at the special events in San Antonio during the month of October and beyond.
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Texas Leadership Coalition is co-sponsoring with Texas Right to Life a special one-day conference in San Antonio titled “Advancing the Culture of Life In Texas” on October 11th from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Please sign up to register early on line at TexasLeaders.org. For more details, click on the registration and flyer links on the TLC homepage. Space is limited.
Bishop John Yanta and Bishop Rene Gracida will be celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass before noon. Joan and Dave Maroney, directors of Divine Mercy for America will lead the chaplet of Mercy at 3:00 PM.
Special speakers will include Mr. and Mrs. Jim and Elizabeth Graham, directors of Texas Right to Life; Bishop Gracida on the troubling retreat of medical practitioners, health care institutions, and Church leaders in Texas, weakening safeguards that protect the fundamental rights of patients. Fr. Christopher Phillips, Pastor of Our Lady of the Atonement, will speak about what our Christian duty in response to the relentless attacks on life, marriage, and the family.
Pastor Lee Preston, Director of Shadow of His Wings, a compassionate ministry reaching out to persons struggling with unwanted same sex attractions; TRTL’s legislative director, Mr. John Seago, who works with state legislators to draft and lobby for pro-life bills; Mr. Steve Pokorney on the two necessary ends of the sacrament of Matrimony, love and life; and the dangers of pornography. Finally local San Antonio pro-life leaders, Tere Haring and Amy Vorhees, will inform us about their ministries supporting women in crisis pregnancies and protecting their unborn babies.
You will not want to miss this special conference. Let all your contacts and loved ones know. Sign up early! Continental breakfast is served starting at 8:00 AM during the registration hour; box lunches are offered at $9.00. Reserve one by September 8th. For more information, contact Phil Sevilla, 210-784-0518, info@texasleaders.org.
SAN ANTONIO COALITION FOR LIFE has just kicked off the 40 DAYS FOR LIFE Fall campaign which runs from September 24th to November 2nd. 40 Days is a community based campaign focusing on public witness through prayer and fasting, constant vigil, and community outreach.
For more information about signing up to participate in the activities of the San Antonio Coalition for Life and to particate in the 40 Days for Life, go to
San Antonio Coalition for Life’s site or the 40 Days for Life registration page.
The annual Pro-Life Mass and March for Life sponsored by the Archdiocese of San Antonio is scheduled for Saturday, October 4th. Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, MSpS, will preside at the 8:00 AM Mass celebrated at St. Mary Magdalen Parish, 1710 Clower Street. The March for Life rosary procession will follow the Mass. For more details, contact the chancery office, 210-734-2620.
The San Antonio Family Association is sponsoring the San Antonio Life Chain scheduled on Sunday, October 5th, between 2-3 PM. The location will be the sidewalks of a very busy thoroughfare in the city. This year it will be on San Pedro Avenue between I-410 and Basse Road. The Life Chain is a peaceful, prayerful public witness for the family to participate in which is a national event with hundreds of cities and towns participating on the same day and time.
Please join Texas Leadership Coalition on the sidewalk holding up peaceful pro-life signs at the intersection of San Pedro Avenue and Rampart Dr. Signs will be available by at the sidewalk in front of the CVS pharmacy on San Pedro.
Ample parking is available at the Dollar Tree shopping center, 7142 San Pedro Ave., on the east side of San Pedro and Rampart Drive. Click on the map below for details. For more information, please contact Phil Sevilla at 210-784-0518.
