The primary mission of these volunteers is to raise the consciousness of the parishioners to the evils of abortion and to encourage parishioners to get involved in working for pro-life legislation.

The Incarnate Word Pro-Life Committee is devoted to furthering respect for all human life from conception to natural death. The Bishop's Pastoral Plan states that it is the responsibility of all Christians to work to end the atrocities of abortion and euthanasia. We invite you to become an active member of our Incarnate Word Pro Life Committee and welcome your suggestions and support. We thank all members of the Incarnate Word Parish for their support of the mission of our organization.

For more information, contact - Pat Peurrung at 314-576-1366 or Jane Burmeister at 314-469-0433

Pro-Life Ministry Questions & Answers

Q: Is the Pro-Life Ministry associated with any other Pro-Life organizations?

• Our committee falls under the direction of Archdiocesan Respect Life Apostolate (RLA). The RLA works in close cooperation with the Missouri Catholic Conference and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Q: What are the objectives of the Pro-Life Ministry?

• Spiritual - To confirm the importance of prayer in the pro-life movement
• Educational - To keep our parish and school informed on all pro-life issues, such as abortion, euthanasia, chastity and morality. Our 8th grade students participate in the Respect Life Apostolate's RIGHT START Program.
• Pastoral - To reach out to those suffering the emotional scars of abortion by offering compassion through the Respect Life Apostolate's Project Rachel and assistance to those facing a crisis pregnancy through Birthright.
• Legislative - Monitoring political happenings and changes in pro-life legislation in an effort to impact public policy.

• The primary purpose of educational programs is the development of pro-life attitudes. This includes bringing information to our parish regarding all life issues including abortion, euthanasia and embryonic stem cell research. We encourage participation at the annual Respect Life Apostolate Pro-Life Convention in October. We provide books, pamphlets, and pro-life prayer cards in our church library, lobby and Adoration Chapel. We also provide information about pro-life bills on state and federal levels and work to elect pro-life candidates during state and national elections.

• Yes, Our parish adopts a Birthright client for the duration of her pregnancy through the Birthright "Heaven and Earth Club". Parishioners volunteer at Birthright clinics. In addition we actively support Birthright-Hillsboro through our Mothers Day Baby Shower and other fund raisers.

Q: Do you have any fundraisers?

• We Assist in various fundraising opportunities that benefit women experiencing crises pregnancies. The RLA's Patron Drive supports the work of the APLC and the Lifeline Coalition agencies who provide assistance to more than 10,000 mothers and their children annually.

Q: How can I participate in the Pro-Life Ministry?

Participation can be as simple and as important as keeping pro-life causes in your daily prayers or as complex and important as coordinating a parish wide pro-life activity. Everyone has a talent or ability to contribute, if only for one hour per week or month. Here are some examples of how you can participate:
• PRAY - Privately and participate in or organize prayer efforts in our parish. We pray the Rosary for Pro Life every Monday after the 8:00 am Mass.
• Provide financial support for the programs and activities of the Archdiocese Pro- Life Committee
• Patron Drive/Lifeline Coalition - a group of Catholic Social Service Agencies and Pro-Life caregivers who are committed to assisting women experiencing crises pregnancies.
• Participate in the March for Life, held each year in Washington DC on the anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe v Wade decision of January 22, 1973
• Assist in bringing pro-life speakers into meetings and programs of organizations and groups to which you belong.
• Help at the various fund-raising events for Birthright and Lifeline Coalition
• Communicate with your elected federal and state representatives on important pro-life legislation
• Participate in the democratic process. Register to vote, be an informed voter, especially on "life" issues as reflected in our Catholic teachings; exercise your rights and responsibilities as a citizen - vote for candidates who are committed to uphold the sanctity of human life.

Q: Do you have a calendar of upcoming Pro-Life Events?

• Yes. CALENDAR OF PRO LIFE ACTIVITIES

Q: Is there a list of phone numbers for important Pro-Life Agencies?

• For direct Assistance with a Crisis Pregnancy, Call Catholic Services for Children and Youth: (314-371-0047 or 1-800-227-3002)
• Birthright Counseling - (314) 962-5300
• Project Rachel - post-abortion ministry sponsored by the Catholic Church (provides free professional and confidential counseling, reconciliation and spiritual direction with love and compassion for those who have been wounded by abortion) - (314) 792-7565 or at the website www.stlprojectrachel.org

Q: Did you know that...

• at 22 DAYS after conception a baby's heart beats (www.lifeissues.org)
• every 23 SECONDS a U.S. baby is killed by abortion
• every day nearly 4,000 U.S. babies die from abortion


WE CAN CHANGE THIS