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Promoting a Culture of Life

By Bishop Terry R. LaValley

January 20, 2021

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:

Pope St. John Paul II wrote, in The Gospel of Life, “To defend and promote life, to show reverence and love for it, is a task which God entrusts to every person” (no.42). Each one of us is called to oppose abortion by every legal means available and to voice that opinion in the public square. We are called to support women and families whose circumstances may lead them to seek an abortion. “We are asked to love and honor the life of every man and woman and to work with perseverance and courage so that, our time, marked by all too many signs of death, may at last witness the establishment of a new culture of life, the fruit of the culture of truth and love” (The Gospel of Life, no.77). This is our time for witness.

The Church of the North Country continues to accept our responsibility to promote a Culture of Life in a resistant society. For the last several years, here in the Diocese of Ogdensburg, a special Respect Life Collection is taken up to support our diocesan Respect Life efforts. Colleen and John Miner, from our Diocesan Respect Office, faithfully coordinate the steps we need to take in promoting and protecting the dignity and worth of every human life.

Every year at this time, we are given this opportunity to support the efforts this local Church makes in promoting the Culture of Life. Grants from this collection support such ministries as Gabriel Project which aid struggling new mothers with a compassionate ear and with material assistance to care for their newborn child. Grants also assist Birthright, an interdenominational organization helping women with unplanned pregnancies. Other grants have supported educational programs, Catholic radio in the Adirondacks and a variety of other pro-life efforts. Grants have also provided buses for our youth and college students to participate in the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.

Thank you for your prayers, witness, and generous support of the 2021 Respect Life Collection, helping to build a Culture of Life, one life at a time.

Faithfully yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Terry R. LaValley
Bishop of Ogdensburg

 

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