St. Joseph Catholic Church
Westphalia, MO
Pro-Life
St. Joseph Parish Pro-Life Mission Statement
We, the members of St. Joseph Parish, Westphalia, Missouri, in union with the United States Catholic Bishops, proclaim that human life is a precious gift from God, that each person who receives this gift has responsibilities toward God, self and others, and that society, through its laws and social institutions, must protect and nurture human life at every stage of its existence.
St. Joseph parishioners will promote respect for life through educational, spiritual, and pastoral activities. They will work to develop public policy that supports the right to life from the moment of conception to natural death.
Pray for the Unborn!
The "Rose" illustration was drawn courtesy of Jackie Otto, parishioner of St. Joseph Church
Pro-Life Activities
Spiritual
An annual Respect for Life Mass is held in October. Pro-life leaders are invited to address important topics following Mass. Prayers are offered for the protection of all life from conception to natural death. Students in the CCD program participate in the liturgy.
January activities commemorate the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision of the United States Supreme Court that legalized abortion on demand. The rosary, special prayers and intercessions are offered for the unborn.
The Family Pro-Life Rosary Project is an on-going activity that encourages parish families to pray the rosary in their homes for an end to abortion, protection of the unborn, and for world peace. Additional pro-life prayers are included in the Project packet.
Students from St. Joseph Parish School attend the annual Rosary for Life at the State Capitol Building on January 22 in Jefferson City to commemorate the Roe v. Wade decision.
Pastoral
Parish organizations support Birthright, an organization that helps women facing unplanned/unwanted pregnancies to bring their babies to term. Some of the organizations have held "Baby Showers" to provide baby clothing, diapers, and many other needed supplies which enable these mothers to care for their little ones.
The annual Thanksgiving food drive provides large quantities of non-perishable items for the Good Shepherd Center food pantry in Linn, Missouri.
Educational
Church bulletins periodically provide Catholic teaching on topics related to abortion, stem cell research, human cloning, and euthanisia ("mercy killing"). Brochures presenting the Catholic position on many issues, including pro-life concerns, are available in the vestibule of the church.
The parish web site has a pro-life link that was developed in order to expand the parish's educational efforts that promote the protection of human life from conception to natural death.
Eighth grade students in St. Joseph Parish School participate in the diocesan program known as "Right Start." These classes, that promote pro-life attitudes, provide information about prenatal development, abortion, chastity, and respect for self and others.
Teachers of the St. Joseph CCD program promote pro-life attitudes among our high school students using videos, prayers, and educational materials that are specifically designed to encourage teenagers to choose life and to promote sexual abstinence.
Travelers driving through Westphalia along Highway 63 will be reminded, by our parish sign, that "ABORTION STOPS A BEATING HEART."
Public Policy
Attachments to the parish bulletin provide details about national and state legislation that pertain to respect life issues. Parishioners are encouraged to write letters to public officials expressing their opinions on these matters.
The parish bulletin also includes information on the "Pro Life Lobby Day" and "Rally for Life." Parishioners are encouraged to personally visit their state Senator and Representative at the Capitol Building in Jefferson City in order to express support for all life -- born and unborn. This is also an opportunity to ask their Legislators to support or oppose specific legislation.
Parishioners from St. Joseph parish attend the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., that commemorates the January 22, 1973, decision by the United States Supreme Court which allows abortion on demand, at any stage of fetal development. For more "March" information, please contact the parish office.
"Vote Pro-Life" yard signs are available by contacting the parish office.
Pro-Life Links
| vitaecaringfoundation.org | Provides information and educational pro-life messages through the printed word and television advertising. |
| priestsforlife.org | An officially approved association of Catholic Clergy who give special emphasis to pro-life teachings of the Church regarding abortion and euthanasia. |
| usccb.org/prolife | Unites States Bishops' pro-life activities that teach respect for all human life from conception to natural death, and organize for its protection. |
| hopeafterabortion.com | Project Rachel reaches out to women experiencing grief from the loss of a child by abortion and offers them reconciliation and healing. |
| birthright.org | Birthright helps women in crisis pregnancies to bring their babies to term. |
| creightonmodel.com | A natural family planning (NFP) service providing standardized instructions and follow-up services. |
| ccstl.org | Catholic Charities of St. Louis Archdiocese provides information to couples seeking to adopt a child. |
| mocatholic.org | Missouri Catholic Conference (MCC) resources, viewpoints, current legislative status, and how to contact legislators. |
| nrlc.org | National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) presents a non-sectarian, non-partisan approach to pro-life issues. |
| missourilife.org | Missouri affiliate of NRLC. |
| lovematters.com | Education regarding chastity for youth. |