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Respect Life Ministry

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Respect Life Ministry
Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God. ~Ephesians 6:10-11

Contact:
Kathleen Siemer
For more information about the Respect Life Ministry, please click here.
Mission Statement and Ministry Description
The purpose of the St. Thomas More Respect Life Ministry is to spread the good news of the Gospel of life; and to do the Father’s Will, through the intercession of His Holy Mother Mary, in promoting a culture of life that protects human life from conception to natural death. Our ministry will actively pursue this goal through prayer, advocacy, outreach, and education.
God, the Lord of life, has entrusted to men the noble mission of safeguarding life, and men must carry it out in a manner worthy of themselves. Catechism of the Catholic Church 2271

~Pope Benedict XVI, May 2005 ~ "God's love does not distinguish between the infant in the mother's womb or the child or the youth or the adult or the older person. In each one God sees His image and likeness. Human life is a manifestation of God and His glory." ~ Pope Benedict XVI ~
Our strategies include but are not limited to the following:
- We pray the pro life Rosary weekly inside our parish church on Saturday evenings at 4pm (unless location is noted otherwise). Everyone is welcomed to participate.
- We also pray and provide a public witness for life at various events throughout the year. Everyone is welcomed to participate and advocate for life. They include:
- Raleigh March for Life
- Washington DC March for Life
- 40 Days for Life (English) – 40 Days for Life (Spanish)
- Durham Life Chain
- We support and promote our pro life community providers through monetary donations and procuring ‘needed’ items when requested, such as baby and maternity clothing, formula…essentially whatever is needed. Our Sidewalk Advocates for Life (SAFL) volunteers provide direct outreach to mothers dealing with an unplanned pregnancy as they arrive at the Chapel Hill Planned Parenthood. The volunteers approach these mothers with compassion and life-affirming information (direct help, ultrasound, whatever they need) to help them choose life for their babies.
- Our educational strategies include a comprehensive pro life webpage with numerous on-line resources for all ages and easy website access; increased parish-wide communication using bulletin and e-bulletin announcements; support educational bulletin board displays and numerous table displays throughout the year, and provide a variety of bilingual pro life materials (pamphlets) that are available in our ‘pro life’ corner which is proximal to the parish community bulletin board (across from the Friends and Family Hall).
Major Accomplishments (approved by our pastor)
- October 2021:
  - Purchase of a beautiful, pro life banner for the Respect Life Month, October 2021
  - Start of praying the pro life Rosary in the church every Saturday evening at 4pm.
- November 2021:
  - Two pamphlet holders for bilingual pro life materials were installed in the narthex alcove opposite the Friends and Family Hall main entrance.
- May 2022
  - Our ministry sponsored the Family Honor Program for our 6th graders and their parents.
- September 2022:
  - The first 40 Days for Life FALL Campaign was initiated at St. Thomas More.
- May 2023:
  - Following approval of our application, Sidewalk Advocates for Life (SAFL) was started with four volunteers. The SAFL program is widely recognized for its Catholic-based, peaceful and compassionate approach with helping mothers in crisis pregnancies. For more information, go to sidewalkadvocates.org or to volunteer click here to contact Kathy Seimer.
- Feb 2024:
  - Bishop joins parishioners in 40 Days for Life vigil.
Meeting Frequency (Days/Dates) and Location
- Regular meeting time: 4th Wednesday of each month from 3pm-4pm via zoom and in-person in the St. Martin Room at the Parish Center. Additional meetings may occur.
- Additional: Praying the pro life Rosary, Saturday evenings at 4pm in the church (unless location is noted otherwise.)
- Estimated Time Commitment for Volunteers Minimum commitment time is 1 hour each month for the regular meeting.
Resources
1. Pregnancy support
2. Crisis pregnancy:
  - Optionline helpline: 1-800-712-HELP (4357) or text 1-800-712-4357
  - Care Net: 1 (877) 791-5475
  - Abortion pill reversal: 24/7 HELPLINE: (877) 558-0333
3. Pregnancy Support Services (Chapel Hill): (919) 490-0203; 24 HOUR HELPLINE: 1 (800) 712-4357
4. Gateway Women’s Care (Chapel Hill): (919) 537-8220; Text: (919) 386-9373
5. Birthchoice (Raleigh): (919) 781-5433 (call anytime between 8am & 10pm)
6. Gabriel Project (Raleigh)
7. Licensed Maternity Homes:
  - Room At The Inn (Greensboro)
  - Youth Focus (Greensboro)
  - Christian Life Home (Raleigh)
8. Adoption counseling and referrals
9. Safe Haven Laws for North Carolina (surrendering your baby legally within the first week of birth)
10. Diaper Bank of North Carolina (supplies for babies, adults)
11. Fertility problems
  NaProTechnology
12. Healing from an abortion:
  - Project Rachel (Raleigh)
  - Support After Abortion
13. Natural Family Planning (NFP): Contact: Leo Quinn, 984-900-3422,
14. Pro life educational resources
  - USCCB Respect Life (click on tab “Learn”)
  - Priest for Life
  - Charlotte Lozier Institute
  - Human Life International
  - 40 Days for Life (English) - 40 Days for Life (Spanish)
  - Sidewalk Advocates for Life (SAFL) or contact Kathy Siemer
    Related articles on SAFL:
    CEO to Lead Training for Life-Saving Sidewalk Advocacy
    Sidewalk Advocacy Aims to Save Babies by Reaching Out to Women First
    Pro-Life Woman of the Year
    Sidewalk Advocacy Groups Share SafetyTips
15. Live Action
  Education videos from Live Action and Human Life International:
  - A Never Before Seen Look At Human Life In The Womb (Baby Olivia)
  - 1ST Trimester Medical Abortion: Abortion Pills
  - Types of Birth Control Pills
  - Which cosmetics use fetal cells
16. FORMED – The Catholic Faith On Demand
17. Life Tree
18. Feminists for Life
19. Students for Life
  - Camp Joshua
  - Jason Evert
20. For aging and adult services:
  - NCDHHS, Aging and Adult Services: 1-800-662-7030
  - The NCDHHS manages the delivery of health and human related services for all North Carolinians, especially the most vulnerable citizens - children, elderly, disabled and low income families. The NCDHHS Division of Health Service Regulation monitors the care in assisted living facilities.
  - Long-Term Care Ombudsman – The Long-Term Care Ombudsman advocates for residents of nursing homes and adult care homes. The Ombudsman can explain long-term care options, give pointers on how to select a long-term care facility, and provide information on specific facilities (such as the latest past certification survey reports and complaint information). They can explain residents’ rights and other federal and state laws and regulations affecting long-term care facilities and residents, and give guidance on the Medicaid and Medicare programs (specifically on coverage criteria, application procedures and what services these programs cover). They can also give guidance on such matters such as powers of attorney, living wills and guardianship. Contact: Victor Orija, Renee Kea, or Lakendra Dixon.
  - Orange County Department on Aging; 1-919-968-2087 The OCDOA is a one-stop resource where older adults and caregivers can meet their social, mental, physical, financial, and day-to-day practical needs.
  - National Council on Aging (NCOA): Resources and Support for Older Adults Living Alone: A Comprehensive Guide
  - Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) The CMS oversees the Medicare and Medicaid Programs, and is responsible for safeguarding the health and welfare of beneficiaries in nursing homes. CMS delegates responsibility for overseeing this issue to State survey agencies which are overseeing nursing homes.
    Helpline for Medicare – 1-800-633-4227; TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048
    Medicare SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) - one-on-one counseling; 1-877-839-2675 This is a free one-on-one counseling service to help answer questions about Medicare coverage and plan options. This service is available to anyone who is eligible for Medicare.
    North Carolina Medicaid; 1-888-245-0179
  - PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly)PACE provides comprehensive medical and social services to certain frail elderly participants still living in the community. Most of the participants who are in PACE are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. 1-800-633-4227.TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048
  - Diaper Bank of North Carolina (supplies for adults)
21. Pro Life news sites:
  - EWTN (English); EWTN (Spanish)
  - LifeNews
22. Healing Resources
- Suicide Prevention; 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Drug/Alcohol Addiction National Helpline – 1-800-662-4357
- Adult abuse – Consult North Carolina Adult Protective Services; 1-800-662-7030
- Domestic violence; Hotline: 800-799-7233
- Human Trafficking – National Human Trafficking Hotline – call 1-888-373-7888; text 233733
- USCCB:
- Human Trafficking
- Anti-Trafficking Program
- NC Department of Administration (DOA)
Additional resources (reports, news articles and videos):
2023 Human Trafficking Resources:
23. Catholic voting guidelines:
- Guide to Catholic voting in English
- Guide to Catholic voting in Spanish