On this day 18 years ago...

On this day 18 years ago...
my son is born!

Today we celebrate the gift of his life!!!
He has been one of my 4 greatest joys on earth.
God gifted me with 4 children.
He is the third son.

I remember when he was born as if it were only yesterday...
His little wrinkled face made a frown, and he looked so grown up for a newborn child...the thought alone, made me wonder and ponder many things in my motherly heart.

At the age of 4, he was amazed one time at a Mass celebration - when the priest was consecrating the bread and wine. He looked up at the altar, then he looked at me and said: "Mom, the body and blood of Jesus is there right now."

He has been a very intelligent child, and chosen by our Lord to be deeply spiritual. And this is where the battle begins (and continues for him).

At the age of 5, his simple words consoled me when I lost a baby in the womb - his baby sister. He said to me in a very joyful manner: "Mom, every family should have an angel in heaven!" We began to celebrate our baby in heaven from that moment on.

My prayer today is for the life of my child who is celebrating a birthday. Please Lord, let him embrace a deep relationship with You from this moment on...that he may always acknowledge You as the Way, the Truth and the Life! Amen.

Stay Connected for Life

by Courtney Albers
grade 12
Marian High School
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
‘Life is a Gift’
student contest winner:
Art Division Two
(Grades 9-12)
sponsored by:
the Archdiocese of Detroit

Life is a Gift Conference - January 2011

Vigil for All Nascent Human Life

The Pope

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops USCCB:
October 28th, 2010

On Saturday, November 27th at St. Peters Basilica, Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate a vigil for All Nascent Human Life coinciding with first vespers of the First Sunday of Advent.
The Holy Father has also requested that all Diocesan Bishops (and their equivalent) of every particular church preside in analogous celebrations involving the faithful in their respective parishes, religious communities, associations and movements.

Activities of the Holy Father

Life is a Gift

Set A Good Example

Tradition isn't just the past. It's what we pass on to the future as well. We are the witnesses future generations will turn to.

— from Roots of the Faith

Respect Life Month

October 2010

Respect Life Sunday  is October 3, 2010 

Every October we come together as One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church to celebrate the greatest gift of our Father, the gift of human life. One of the true benefits of being "One Church" is that we can all share in the USCCB Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities. This pastoral plan calls upon all the resources of the Church--its people, services, and institutions--to pursue this effort with renewed energy and commitment in four major areas.

Public Information and Education to deepen understanding of the sanctity of human life and the humanity of unborn children, the moral evil of intentionally killing innocent human beings--whether at the beginning of life or at its end--and the mission of the Church to witness to and serve all human life.

Pastoral Care for women with problems related to pregnancy; for all who have been involved in abortion; for those who are disabled, sick, and dying, and their families and caregivers; for those who have lost loved ones to violent crime; and for those in prison sentenced to death.

Public Policy efforts directed to restoring legal protection to the lives of unborn children and those vulnerable to pressures to end their lives by assisted suicide, and to providing morally acceptable alternatives to abortion and assisted suicide.

Prayer and Worship directed to participation in the sacramental life of the Church and in programs of communal and individual prayer, that the culture of death that surrounds us today will be replaced by a culture of life and love.

For more information go directly to the USCCB Website: http://www.usccb.org/prolife/programs/rlp/index.shtml