Diocesan Assistance for Life Family Issues FamilyRespect Life

Diocesan Assistance for Life & Family Issues Family/Respect Life Ministry Director: Lisa Hall

Office of Family/ Respect Life Ministry: Our Mission We seek to educate about and advocate for family and respect for human life and dignity. We strive to connect all people to the love of Christ and to empower missionary discipleship. The Family/ Respect Life Office seeks to strengthen parish life and Evangelization through: • Collaboration • Providing resources, information and opportunities to encourage Christian witness • Implementing the US Bishops’ Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities • Presenting the fullness of Catholic teaching about Respect Life Issues • Presenting the fullness of Catholic teaching about authentic love, vocations, marriage, and human sexuality • Providing concrete means to assist Catholics in living out Church teachings 2

Information & Opportunities ○ 110 Respect Life Coordinators currently in parishes - this information is updated annually ○ New coordinators are invited to meet with Fam/RL staff for a basic training in life issues, meeting basics, meeting topics, R/L month in October, etc ○ 2 people currently studying to become certified Theology of the Body instructors through the TOB Institute ○ 1 person who has received bioethics certification through the National Catholic Bioethics Center and another person studying to become certified

Healing Programs Project Rachel Ministry Post abortion ministry Grief Resources (Death of a spouse, child, miscarriage, infertility, suicide) Resources/ Programs for those struggling in Marriage (Third Option, Retrouvaille) Resources/ Programs for Separated & Divorced (including children)

Life Issues USCCB Annual Respect Life Program for Education/ Programs/ Resources for Beginning & End of Life Issues Pastors & Respect Life Parish Coordinators Collaboration with Catholic Schools 2017/18 Theme: Radical Love-The Choice is Yours March for Life. Washington, DC Trip for families and Catholic School Students

Strengthen the Family Diocesan Marriage Preparation (Pre-Cana) Classes Programs/resources to support and strengthen marriage (Prepare/Enrich, Third Option, 10 Great Dates) Natural Family Planning (NFP) Resources/Instruction Programs for parishes to host “Family Night” (Ideas in a box) Programs for Grandparents (Return)

Chastity Mother and Daughter Chastity/Fertility Appreciation Programs: Beginning to Blossom for girls ages 10 -12, and Blossoming As A Teen for 13 -16 year old girls Father and Son Chastity/Fertility Appreciation Program for boys ages 12 -16 Syracuse Diocese Puberty Programs: a presentation for boys and girls in 5 th & 6 th grades (parent information meeting is available) Syracuse Diocese Chastity Program for middle and high school youth: Be Happy, Healthy & Holy (parents invited to attend) “YOU” Chastity Program and retreat for high school youth Rosary Ministry: rosaries and prayer pamphlets are offered at all the chastity programs An Introduction to Theology of the Body: 8 -week DVD series for adults Into the Heart, A Journey Through the Theology of the Body: 16 -week DVD series for adults

Radical. Love. org HELP FOR YOU OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE Questions? Contact us at: familyrespectlife@syrdio. org