October is Respect Life Month and we have a variety of events and opportunities planned as we pray and work to bring about a greater respect for life from conception to natural death.

The USCCB has developed materials for Respect Life Month based upon the year of St. Joseph.  This year's theme is St. Joseph, defender of life. In addition to a prayer card and reflection offered through the USCCB, we will participate in the following activities as a parish:

40 Days for Life

40 Days for Life is an internationally coordinated 40-day campaign that aims to end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and a peaceful vigil in front of abortion businesses. As a parish, Saint John’s is adopting September 29th to pray outside of Planned Parenthood in St. Paul.  See the dedicated page for more information or to sign up.
 

Support For Life Drive

Support for mothers, fathers and their little ones during pregnancy and beyond is an essential component of respecting all life.  Throughout October, we will be collecting items to be distributed by the  Women's Life Care Center located in Little Canada as they support mothers in pregnancy and through the early years of their child's life. Donations can be dropped off in the crib located in the Gathering Space.  See the list for requested items.
 

Prayerful Witness for Life

Each week during Respect Life, we will gather on Wednesdays for a prayerful witness for life outside of the Planned Parenthood location on Rice Street in Little Canada. In the case of inclement weather, we will gather to pray at Saint John's Church.
 

Rosary Coast to Coast

We are being called to help turn our country back towards God. Through prayer we can change hearts, change families, change our communities and change our country. Americans across the Country are invited to pray the Rosary joining with our International brothers and sisters to pray for our respective nations. Please join us as we gather in the church at 2:30 PM on Sunday, October 10 for the Eucharistic Procession, Rosary (at 3 PM), and Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
 

Discipleship Sunday - Respect Life Speaker

As part of our ongoing family formation opportunities offered during our Discipleship Sunday activities, we will have Susanne Kenton as a speaker on Sunday, October 31 at 9:30 AM. Her talk is entitled "An Encounter with God's Infinite Mercy." Susanne will speak about her conversion, how the Lord saved her, His incredible mercy, her experience with abortion and the healing she was offered through Rachel’s Vineyard.
 

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