September 2020 Texas Catholic Voice

For the last six months comments about the year 2020 has been a punchline for the “unprecedented” times we are experiencing. Back before COVID changed the world, the USCCB launched Walking with Moms in Need to dedicate 2020 as a year of service where Catholic parishes and communities "walk in the shoes" of local pregnant and parenting women in need. The website for this initiative has a plethora of resources for parishes to more actively engage in supporting pregnant and parenting moms. The Parish Inventory Tool helps parish leaders identify local resources for pregnancy assistance such as pregnancy help centers, maternity homes, social service agencies, hospitals, and especially Catholic programs and resources. It also asks parishes to begin thinking about how these resources are communicated and advertised to those who are most in need of support. I encourage parish leaders to use these resources to join in this important effort.

Catholics in Texas have long worked to support women and families in need. We see expectant mothers and fathers who, for a multitude of reasons, worry and fear they will not be able to provide for their children. Following our Lord Jesus Christ, Catholics are moved to compassion and to action. We minister to new families because Christ calls us to love our neighbors, especially the most vulnerable. There are 36 Catholic pregnancy care centers funded by the Texas Pregnancy Care Network, which is funded by the State of Texas Alternatives to Abortion program. Today we submitted comments to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission in support of the services provided in this program. These services include counseling and mentoring, care coordination for perinatal services, educational materials, referrals to county and social service programs, life skills classes, material items, and support groups. This program gives parents the support needed to give every baby the welcome that a human person deserves. It is the epitome of “walking with moms in need.”

​This is also a good time to remember that October is Respect Life month and the 2021-2022 theme is “Live the Gospel of Life.” It explores how Jesus becoming man and redeeming us through his humanity reveals the dignity of all human life.  As the Church celebrates the 25th anniversary of Pope St. John Paul II’s prophetic encyclical, The Gospel of Life, this year’s Respect Life Resources call on us to reflect on the following questions:

• Do I talk about and act towards others as I would talk about and treat Jesus himself?
• Do I inform myself of the Church’s teachings and engage in the civic arena as first a follower of Christ?
• Do I support and advocate for laws and policies that protect and defend human life?
• Do I help pregnant and parenting mothers in need?
• Am I ready to support a loved one nearing death?

Visit: www.respectlife.org for more resources to use throughout the year on this topic.