January 6, 2006
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information, Contact:
Bud Bunce (503) 233-8373
bbunce@archdpdx.org
Respect Life Mass to be held January 22, 2006
Archbishop John G. Vlazny invites all Catholics to attend the annual Respect Life Mass to be held on Sunday, January 22, 2006 at 12 noon. The Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 721 Chemeketa St. NE, in Salem. Following the Mass, there will be a reception in the parish hall with various local respect life advocacy groups providing information and resources for building a culture of life. At 2:30 p.m. all are invited to join Oregon Right to Life’s annual Life Rally at the Oregon State Capitol.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ have called for January
22 of each year to be observed by Catholics as “a particular day of penance
for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts
of abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee
of the right to life.” Archbishop Vlazny has asked each parish to offer
special opportunities for prayer and reflection on that day.
At the reception materials will be collected
to support Birthright and the Father Taaffe Foundation Homes. Items needed
include: baby thermometers, baby monitors, new car seats, bathrobes and
maternity clothes for mothers, infant clothes, baby and toddler toys and
books, disposal diapers and basic baby formula.
The agencies providing the information and resources at the reception will be Birthright of Salem, Catholic Charities, Holy Family Supply, Northwest Family Services, Oregon Catholic Conference, Oregon Right to Life Education Fund, and St. Michael the Archangel/Salem Right to Life. The Mass is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Portland, and Pro-Life Activities, St. Joseph Catholic Church in Salem.
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