SAN DIEGO — For more than 50 years, the U.S. Catholic Church has designated October as “Respect Life Month” and the first Sunday of that month (Oct. 6 this year) as “Respect Life Sunday.”
This year’s theme is: “I came so that they might have life” (John 10:10).
“During this month, we take time to reflect on the beauty and sanctity of human life,” said Maria Valencia, associate director of Culture of Life in the Diocese of San Diego.
She said that, during that month, parishes are encouraged to hold such activities as prayers for an end to abortion or to support pregnancy resource centers.
One way for Catholics to get into the spirit of Respect Life Month is by participating in the ongoing fall campaign of 40 Days for Life, which runs from Sept. 25 through Nov. 3.
In communities throughout the world, over the same 40-day period, people will pray and fast that abortion might become both illegal and unthinkable. The centerpiece of the campaign is a peaceful, round-the-clock prayer vigil on the public sidewalks outside local abortion clinics.
There are eight praying locations in San Diego County, including Chula Vista, Clairemont, College Avenue, downtown San Diego, El Cajon, Escondido, Mira Mesa and Vista, as well as in El Centro. For more information, visit sdcatholic.org/event/40-days-for-life-fall.
On Saturday, Oct. 5, Msgr. Steve Callahan will celebrate a Mass for those who have struggled with infertility or experienced reproductive loss; it will take place at 5:30 p.m. at St. Brigid Parish in Pacific Beach.
On Saturday, Oct. 19, Auxiliary Bishop Felipe Pulido will preside at a special Mass for mothers and pregnant women at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in El Centro.
Valencia said that October is also a month for life-affirming organizations to hold fundraisers.
For example, a bilingual anniversary gala will mark the 30th anniversary of Rachel’s Hope After-Abortion Healing and the 23rd anniversary of its Spanish-language counterpart, La Esperanza de Raquel. It will be held at 5 p.m., Oct. 5, at Our Mother of Confidence Parish. The dress code will be “dressy.” Tickets are $50 per person. For more information or to register, call (858) 581-3022 or text (858) 752-9378.
Culture of Life Family Services (COLFS) will hold its 15th annual “Pro-Life Is Good” Gala and Auction, beginning at 5:30 p.m., Oct. 19. Catholic author and speaker Chris Stefanick, president and founder of Real Life Catholic, will be the guest speaker at the semi-formal event, which will take place at Paradise Point Resort & Spa, located on Mission Bay. Tickets are $300 per person or $2,500 for a table of 10. More information is available at (760) 741-1224, gala@colfs.org and friendsofcolfs.org/gala.
In addition to the unborn, Respect Life Month is also a fitting time to remember those at the other end of life.
On Oct. 5 and Oct. 19, the diocesan Office for Life, Peace and Justice will offer a two-day training workshop for “Caring for the Whole Person,” an initiative of California’s bishops and Catholic healthcare system.
The initiative was launched in response to the California End of Life Option Act, an assisted-suicide law that went into effect in 2016. The training equips parishes to support the sick and dying and to direct them to community resources.
Valencia noted that the prospect of assisted suicide is far less tempting to those who do not feel isolated and unsupported. She explained that the initiative seeks to remind the sick and dying “that they are loved, that they are worth it.”
The free training will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the diocesan Pastoral Center. It will include a combination of videos, live presentations and group discussions. Topics covered will include palliative care and hospice, caring for parishioners, roles of clergy and ministers, the parish as a loving community, Catholic moral teaching, advance care planning, and the grieving process.
Those interested in attending the two-day training must register by Monday, Sept. 30, at sdcatholic.org/event/cwp-training. For more information, email cdiaz-romero@sdcatholic.org or call (858) 490-8212.
