Leader Contact Information Kathleen Ford

Saints for Life

Saints for Life is the IHM pro-life group. We strive to learn, educate, and promote pro-life initiatives within the parish and surrounding community.

How can I join Saints for Life?
All parishioners of every age are invited to be Saints for Life. There is no set amount of time or effort required, but every contribution is appreciated. The most valuable help is to be consistent in prayer for end-of-life issues including abortion, care for the elderly and infirmed, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, death penalty, and certain fertility practices such as IVF. If you would also like to participate in the organized events, please contact Kathleen Ford by email. Also, feel free to stop by at a meeting posted in the bulletin.

When and where does the group meet?
Meetings occur on a quarterly basis, at minimum. However, some additional planning meetings may be schedule to ensure effective orchestration of key initiatives. The meetings take place up at IHM.

Why should I become involved?
"We live in an age that oftentimes has little respect for the gift of life, an age that devalues this most precious of God's gifts to us. We must take a firm stand and we must take that stand together."-
Most Rev. Roger J. Foys, D.D., Bishop of Covington

What are the key initiatives for Saints for Life?

Our team works on a number of pro-life activities throughout the year:

• Cemetery for the Innocent-dozens of IHM parishioners gathers on the front lawn to erect 4,000 white crosses. The crosses memorialize the number of babies aborted in the United States each day.
• Cross the Bridge for Life-IHM families join hundreds of other pro-lifers from across the Diocese to witness for life. The large crowd meets at the Newport Peace Bell for prayer and then walks in peaceful demonstration to show our commitment to protecting life from conception to natural death.
• 40 Days for Life- our parish participates in this ongoing, nation-wide campaign in an effort to bring an end to abortion. The campaign calls for non-stop prayer and fasting, around-the-clock vigils at abortion facilities (we pray at Planned Parenthood on Auburn Avenue in Cincinnati), and community outreach. During the Lenten campaign, IHM families pledged to fast together on a particular day and pray for the unborn. Some families fasted from TV, video games, or specific foods. What a great way to pray as a family!
• Respect Life Month in October- October is a very busy month for the team. We organize two successful donation drives for local pro-life organizations supporting at-risk pregnancies and families in need. The "Baby Shower" provides parishioners an opportunity to purchase new baby necessities such as clothing, diapers, and blankets. They are dropped off in a new crib purchased by the Saints for Life fund, and then all items are delivered to the Rose Garden Mission in Covington, KY. In addition, we participate in the "Baby Bottle Campaign" for CareNet Pregnancy Services of Northern Kentucky. The organization provides empty bottles to all interested parishioners to collect spare change throughout the month. The bottles and money are then given to CareNet.
• Christmas Cards Sale- the Saints for Life sell beautiful cards with pro-life images and messages to raise money for our initiatives. This is the main fundraiser for our team.
• March for Life- dozens of parishioners board a bus each January to travel to our nation's capitol for this annual witness for life. The march coincides with the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.

Is abortion forgivable?
Of course! God loves all of us despite our sins against others and ourselves. But, to receive absolution, you must seek out forgiveness through the sacrament of holy reconciliation.

How can women, men, and families heal from the spiritual, emotional, and physical scars of abortion?
The Catholic Church has a confidential, God-centered healing program called Project Rachel. Take next step and call the confidential helpline: 859.392.1547

Where do I turn if someone I know is contemplating an abortion?
Call Opportunities for Life free and confidential hotline: 1-800-822-5824. Or for local assistance,
Care Net Pregnancy Services of Northern Kentucky can help you or a loved one make an informed decision. Call (859) 282-9878.