Respect Life

Respect Life

Respect Life is focused on promoting the culture of life from conception to natural death at St. Mark and in Huntersville. Through our various activities and projects we encourage parishioners to become engaged in the efforts to protect life and marriage and to study the Church's beautiful teachings on marriage, children, and the dignity of the human person. Therefore, we oppose abortion, euthanasia, contraception, and same sex unions and embrace the Church's perennial teachings on life and marriage


Contact: Mike FitzGerald, respect.life@stmarknc.org



Sign-Up for St. Mark Pro-Life Day – Saturday October 28, 8am – 4pm (Special 7am Mass):

 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C49ACA622ABFD0-40days6#/


October 2023 Respect Life Month

Calendar of Events


September 27 – November 5: 40 Days for Life


September 24-October 8: St. Mark diaper drive supporting Walking With Moms In Need.


September 27-November 5: A Field of Crosses will line the entrance drive symbolizing the countless lives lost to abortion each year.

 

Sunday, October 1, 2-3 pm: Life Chain Sunday starting at the Memorial for Life and stand along Stumptown Road. Signs are provided and a Rosary is recommended. You are welcome to bring a chair or an umbrella.


Friday, October 6, 8 pm-Saturday, October 7, 8 am: Vigil of the Two Hearts City-Wide Pro-Life Mass & Nocturnal Adoration to pray for an end to abortion: www.prolifecharlotte.org/two-hearts


Saturday, October 7, 8 am-3 pm: Sidewalk Advocates for Life Sidewalk Counseling Training. $20/person, Cathedral of St. Patrick: https://charlottediocese.org/sidewalk-advocates-for-life-counseling-training/


Sunday, October 8, 7-8:30 pm: Lanes for Life – bowling fundraiser for Birthright of Charlotte. Spare Time Bowling 16317 Statesville Road, Huntersville, NC. Organized by Life of the Party. Cost: Financial donation at the door welcomed (based on what one can give); or bring donation of diapers, wipes, nursing covers, breast milk storage bags. To request a ticket visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lanes-for-life-tickets-706718493037 Questions contact Deanna Glenn at: deannatyler98@gmail.com


Saturday, October 14, 11:30 am: National Rosary Rally at Latta Park Pavilion, 601 East Park Avenue, Charlotte. Drink and refreshments will be served. Contact Mary Johnston: maryjohnston@mindspring.com


Saturday, October 21, 6:30 pm: MiraVia Annual Banquet with Jim Caviezel. Charlotte Convention Center: https://miravia.org/banquet (sold out)


Saturday October 21, 8:30 am-4:15 pm: Springs in the Desert: Cherished: A Retreat for Those in a Season of Infertility, St. Gabriel parish, Charlotte: https://springsinthedesert.org/charlotte/


Saturday, October 28, 8 am-4 pm: St. Mark Pro-Life Day. St. Mark parishioners are invited to spend an hour during the day praying in front of the abortion facility.  Signup here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C49ACA622ABFD0-40days6#/ .


Saturday, November 18, 8 am-3:45 pm: Together in Holiness Marriage Conference, St. Ann parish: https://forlifeandfamily.org/events/th23-cnc-e/


Saturday, November 18, 9 am: St. Mark Memorial Mass of Consolation for parents and families who lost children stillborn and miscarriages.


Saturday, November 18, 6-9:30 pm: North Carolina Right to Life Annual Gala with Seth Dillon of Babylon Bee. The Koury Convention Center, 3121 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC. Registration/tickets: https://ncrtl.charityproud.org/EventRegistration/Index/12920 Questions contact: director.outreach@ncrtl.org


Some of our regular activities include:


Monthly Respect Life Mass & Rosary Procession: Mass at St. Mark followed by a caravan to the local abortion clinic to peacefully pray the rosary.  Typically occurs on 3rd Saturdays but please see bulletin or contact us for current schedule.


Annual Life Chain: First Sunday in October from 2-3 pm along Stumptown Road, we stand and provide a public witness to Huntersville of our defense of the unborn and pregnant women.


40 Days for Life: Each 4th Saturday during the 40 Days for Life campaign (March and October), parishioners adopt 1 hour from 8am – 4pm at the local abortion facility. 


Rachel's Vineyard: The diocese offers post-abortion healing for women. To learn more please visit the Diocese of Charlotte’s Respect Life Programs.


NC March for Life: We rent a bus and travel to the March for Life in Raleigh.


Planning meeting: The Respect Life Ministry meets on the 2nd Tuesdays on odd-numbered months (January, March, etc.) at 7 pm in the Kerin Center to organize upcoming activities.


Pro-Life brochures in Narthex: Informative brochures on the northwest wall in the church narthex. 


Pro-Life Rosary: First Saturday after 9am Mass (in union with the Fatima prayers)


Be Not Afraid: A Charlotte based ministry to help support parents who receive a prenatal diagnosis for their baby and want to carry the baby to term (instead of abortion).


To learn more about the Church's teachings on life and marriage, please consider reading these Papal Encyclicals:


Casti Connubii (On Chaste Wedlock), Pius XI, 1931


Humanae Vitae (Human Life), Paul VI 1968


Evangelium Vitae (Gospel of Life), St. John Paul II, 1995


Pro-life talks hosted at St. Mark:

Medical & Social Side Effects of Contraception (Dr. Michael Parker MD)


Abortion Pill Reversal: Myth, Miracle or Medical (Matthew Harrison, MD)


Evolution & the Culture of Death (Hugh Owen & Pamela Acker with the Kolbe Center for the Study of Creation)


End of Life Resources: Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care

A living will or advance directive is not enough to ensure your medical care will be conducted in accordance with Catholic teachings (to avoid Euthanasia). A Protective Medical Decisions Document (PMDD) or Durable Power of Attorney specifically drafted in accordance with Catholic teachings offers the best protection against euthanasia and to secure your wishes. The following organizations offer PMDD’s that incorporate the Catholic teachings into the document. (Note there is a nominal fee with ordering the document)


Patients Rights Council (offers state specific forms)


National Catholic Bioethics Center


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