Respect Life Office
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As Catholics, we believe that God created every one of us in his image and likeness. We believe that God has called us each by name and has a perfect plan for every single person, born and unborn. As a people of life, our mission is never to stand in judgement, but to stand firm in truth and love.
We know that the most vulnerable in our community, especially the unborn, are too often forgotten and don’t have a voice. We must be their voice. We know that the sick, the elderly, the homeless and the cast aside, need someone stand for them as well. We must stand for them.
This is a movement driven by love, God’s love. So let us all love more and love life.
Fr. Dan Pacholec
65 Elliot Street, PO Box 1730
Springfield, MA 01102-1730
Tel. 413-732-3175
E-mail: Prolife@diospringfield.org
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PASTORAL PLAN
The Diocese of Springfield’s Respect Life Office follows the pastoral plan set forth by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. It is a road-map for parishes, schools and organizations to build a culture of life. The four pillars help guide and inform efforts to protect life from conception to natural death: Public Information and Education; Pastoral Care; Public Policy; Prayer and Worship
This plan foresees dialogue and cooperation between the national episcopal conference and priests, deacons, religious, and lay persons, individually and collectively. We seek the collaboration of every Catholic organization in this effort. In addition we are eager to work with people of all faiths and pro-life organizations. This must be an ecumenical effort in order to help people understand that this is a human rights issue.
We do urge Catholics to advance pro-life positions within their family, church, and community, as well as within their professional organizations. We ask Catholic health care professionals and medical researchers to continue to be vigilant guardians of every human life.
PREGNANCY HELP
Women facing a crisis pregnancy are not alone. There are several organizations ready and willing to help women and their families choose life by not only providing practical help, but spiritual and emotional support. The following is a list of local pro-life pregnancy support centers, all of which offer free services:
BETHLEHEM HOUSE, Inc., Easthampton
Bethlehem House, Inc. is an all volunteer non-profit organization located in Western Mass which offers free pregnancy resources for women in crisis. Gifts of baby supplies and other necessities are offered at no charge. Bethlehem House is located at 33 Knipfer Avenue in Easthampton, MA. Call for an appointment – 413-527-2861.CLEARWAY CLINIC, Springfield
A non-profit, licensed pro-life medical clinic specializing in pregnancy diagnosis and medical confirmation. In addition to pregnancy testing and ultrasound exams, they offer STD testing and classes to help new mothers.
Visit clearwayclinic.com or call (413) 216-5446SPRINGFIELD PREGNANCY CARE
Pro-life crisis pregnancy center which offers pregnancy testing and counseling, maternity and baby clothes, referrals, and post-abortive counseling.
Visit springfieldpcc.org or call (413) 732-2006ALTERNATIVES, Greenfield
Pro-life crisis pregnancy center which offers free pregnancy testing and counseling, referrals, post-abortive counseling.
Visit alternativespregnancy.com or call (413) 774-6010NEW DIRECTION WOMEN’S CENTER, North Adams
Pro-life crisis pregnancy center which offers free pregnancy testing and ultrasound exams, counseling, material resources, referrals and post-abortive counseling.
Visit optionsforpregnancy.com or call (413) 774-6010GRIEF SUPPORT
Zelie’s Hope Ministry offers support to couples who are suffering through miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss or infertility. St. John the Evangelist Parish hosts a monthly Zelie’s Hope Coffee Hour after the 10:30 a.m. Mass.
For more information, contact the parish secretary at (413) 786-8105
Additional grief support resources are available herePOST-ABORTIVE CARE
While abortion is sold as a solution to a problem, we know that the trauma of the choice breaks the hearts of mothers, fathers, grandparents, and families. We in the Diocese of Springfield want men and women who are post-abortive and hurting to know that they are not alone.
Rachel’s Vineyard offers healing through a weekend experience, as participants gather to pray, share spiritual exercises focusing on God’s forgiveness, compassion and mercy. The retreat includes a memorial service and a Mass of Resurrection. Retreat and registration are strictly private. For more information, contact Joetta Dawson [email protected] (516) 457-2838. For information on retreats in Spanish, contact Mabeline Burgos at [email protected] or call (413) 219-25732024 Retreat Information
The next Rachel's Vineyard Retreat in our Diocese will be held November 1-3 and will be conducted in ENGLISH.
For general information on Rachels's Vineyard log on to www.rachelsvineyard.org. For information about our local retreat or to register contact:
Joetta Dawson: [email protected]or 516-457-2838.
For Spanish contact Mabeline Burgos: [email protected] or 413-219-2573.
All calls are confidential40 DAYS FOR LIFE
This Fall 40 Days for Life campaign goes from
September 25, 2024 through November 3, 2024Join us as we ask the Lord to change hearts and minds on the issue of abortion;
as we pray for vulnerable mothers and their babies;
and as we pray for all who have been hurt by abortion.
Let us be united in love for life!The 40 Days for Life is a semi-annual, ecumenical campaign focused on changing hearts and minds on abortion through three components:
Prayer and Fasting: inviting people of faith throughout our city to join together for 40 days of fervent prayer and fasting for an end to abortion
Peaceful Vigil: standing for life through a 40-day peaceful public witness outside the local Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts at in Springfield
Community Outreach: taking a positive, upbeat pro-life message to every corner of our city through media efforts, church presentations, petition drives, and public visibility.
For more information, contact Tim Biggins at (413) 342-0403 or go to www.40daysforlife.com or Diane LeDoux at (413) 821-0871
PHYSICIAN ASSISTED SUICIDE
As Catholics, we believe in protecting life from the moment of conception to natural death. Efforts to promote physician-assisted suicide in Massachusetts and the nation undermine the protection of the most vulnerable. While pitched as ‘death with dignity,’ often those who are terminally ill can feel pressured to make such a decision. According the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the state of Oregon’s annual report in 2016 showed that 49% of patients seeking lethal drugs cited being a “burden” on family members. That number was 52 % in Washington. (see usccb.org/resources/top-reasons-oppose-assisted-suicide)
While the Church is opposed to physician assisted suicide, that does not mean that extraordinary measures which do not cure an underlying condition and could add to the suffering of a patient, are obligatory. Hospice and palliative care can offer comfort to a person at the end of life. It is our hope that through outreach and education, people will come to understand the serious flaws in physician-assisted suicide legislation.
There are two companion physician-assisted suicide bills in the Massachusetts legislature that were introduced Feb. 8, 2021. Both bills are before the Joint Committee on Public Health.
NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING
Natural Family Planning (NFP) promotes the love-giving and the life-giving nature of marriage, supporting God’s design for husbands and wives. NFP, which promotes an openness to life, is based on scientific, natural and moral methods of achieving or postponing a pregnancy.
For more information, contact Jennifer McManus at [email protected] or call (413) 533-5204
Additional NFP Resources
FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP
The Catholic bishops of the United States offers a teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics, entitled, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship (en Español). This statement represents guidance for Catholics in the exercise of their rights and duties as participants in our democracy. Pastors, lay and religious faithful, and all people of good will are encouraged to use this statement to help form their consciences; to teach those entrusted to their care; to contribute to civil and respectful public dialogue; and to shape political choices in light of Catholic teaching.
Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States (en Español), provides a framework for Catholics in the United States. (English PDF | PDF en Español)
ADDITIONAL Links and resources
USCCB – Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities – www.usccb.org/prolife
The National Catholic Bioethics Center – www.ncbcenter.org
The Massachusetts Catholic Conference – www.macatholic.org
The National Committee for a Human Life Amendment – www.nchla.org
The Vatican – www.vatican.va