Pro Life Ministry
The Pro-Life Ministry at St. Simon the Apostle is open to all registered parishioners who wish to participate in this Committee’s activities.
PRO-LIFE DEFINED
“Pro-Life means regarding the life of every human being as sacred…every unborn child, every disabled person, every terminally ill person, every healthy person. All human life, perfect or imperfect, is a creation given by God and taken only by Him.” –St. Joseph Knights of Columbus, Council 5200.
MISSION
The mission of the Pro-Life Ministry is to promote a “culture of life” where all people are regarded as sacred gifts from God from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death.
PURPOSE
The Pro-Life Ministry seeks to spread the Catholic Church’s teachings on issues that are pervasive threats to human life, such as: abortion, infanticide, euthanasia and capital punishment. In so doing, it seeks to protect all stages of human life and to promote human dignity. It does this by implementing the efforts of the U.S. Bishop’s Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities, which include: prayer, educational events, awareness of public policy, campaigns and charitable activities.
ACTIVITIES AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Listed below are some of the ongoing activities at St. Simon and volunteer opportunities:
Birthline: A service that gives telephone assistance to pregnant women in crisis or young mothers who have recently given birth.
How can you help?
· By donating gently used baby items to Birthline. You can deliver items on Mondays and Wednesdays after calling the Pro-Life Office at 317-236-1521.
· By giving money to support the ministry needs. Checks can be mailed to: OFFICE FOR PRO-LIFE MINISTRY 1400 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46202.
· By volunteering your time either as a telephone counselor, or a scheduler, or by putting together layettes and distributing them on Mondays and Wednesdays.
The Gabriel Project: A Christian-based network of church volunteers who offer assistance to women and families facing crisis pregnancies.
How can you help?
- Please call the parish office for more information.
Crisis Pregnancy Centers in IN: There are many crisis pregnancy centers in Indiana. Check your local listings for locations and services offered.
St. Elizabeth-Coleman Pregnancy and Adoption Services: A Catholic charities agency of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. A licensed, non-profit adoption agency providing full-service preparation and support for adoptions. Help for people of all faiths.
Respect Life Sunday: An annual Pro-Life Mass held downtown at the SS. Peter & Paul Cathedral. This special mass begins with a banner procession identifying parishes, schools and groups that support life. The Respect Life Award and the Our Lady of Guadalupe Pro-Life Youth Awards are presented each year. Following mass is the annual inter-denominational Life Chain along Meridian Street.
How can you help?
- Plan to attend this mass on the first Sunday of each October. Volunteers carry St. Simon’s pro-life banner during the opening banner procession.
Life Chain: A one-hour nationwide prayer vigil and visual display of support for life. Mass-produced signs with positive messages supporting life are passed out to those who want participate and pray for an end to abortion. It is held along Meridian Street between Ohio and 40th Streets.
How can you help?
- Bring your friends and family and meet along Meridian Street. Look for more details in the bulletin.
40 Days for Life: A prayerful, peaceful gathering outside of Planned Parenthood facility at Georgetown Rd. Prayers are offered up for pregnant women seeking abortions to choose life for their unborn babies. This campaign runs in the Fall and Spring for 40 Days. St. Simon needs two prayer partners for one designated day a week for 12 hours a day. Look for more information in the parish bulletin, or visit the website directly: www.40daysforlife.com/indianapolis.
How can you help?
- Your participation at this prayer vigil is needed. Find out the designated day assigned to St. Simon. Then show up, with your rosary, and pray for babies at risk of abortion, their families, and the abortionists.
Project Rachel -- Post-Abortion Ministry in the Archdiocese: Rachel’s Companions, Rachel’s Network, Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats: Catholic men and women suffering from the aftermath of an abortion can journey with others toward healing, reconciliation and peace. A priest serves as spiritual director for the group and will be available for consultation and sacraments. Calls are completely confidential: Sr. Diane, 317-236-1521.
Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC): A coordinating body for the five Roman Catholic Dioceses in Indiana. Serves as the official spokesperson for the Bishops and Catholic faithful regarding state and national matters. Provides guidelines for contacting a legislator.
March for Life: An annual pro-life rally held in Washington D.C. on January 22, the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s ruling of Roe vs. Wade.
How can you help?
- Please visit: www.archindy.org/prolife to sign up.
Annual Catholic Pro Life Dinner: An annual fundraising dinner featuring a keynote speaker. Usually held in March. Please check the bulletin for exact date.
Helpers of God’s Precious Infants: People who assemble for a pro-life mass on the 3rd Sat. of every month at an abortion facility in Indianapolis. There are 5 abortion facilities operating within the boundaries of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. The Pro Life Office encourages every parish to pray for each clinic specifically by assigning one clinic to each parish. The clinic assigned to St. Simon is: Indianapolis Women’s Center at 1201 N. Arlington Ave., #D, Indianapolis.
How can you help?
- Please visit: www.archindy.org/prolife to check the dates for masses for each month.
Internet Resources:
www.politicalresponsibility.com
