By Maria Huemmer, Communication Director, Texas Catholic Conference

“I came so that all might have life, and have it to the full” (cf. John 10:10) is the theme of this year’s Respect Life Month in October. The USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities recently released program materials for the 2011-12 year which are aimed at assisting Catholics in learning and living out our call to protect all human life.

Materials for this year’s program, available in English and Spanish, include liturgy intercessions, a Nuptial Rosary and Holy Hour for Life guide, program models for pro-life activities, and pamphlets and bulletin inserts on the following pro-life issues: abortion, contraception, the death penalty, persons with disabilities, embryo research, end-of-life issues, reproductive technologies, and love and marriage. All materials are free and available for download here: http://www.usccb.org/about/pro-life-activities/respect-life-program/.

Parishes throughout the United States are encouraged to participate in the program, which launches its new year on Respect Life Sunday, the first Sunday in October. We encourage parishes to send us pictures and descriptions of their Respect Life Month activities so that we can share them on our Facebook page. You can email them directly to us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Living life to its fullest means loving God and our neighbors, the program’s flyer explains, “the greater the sacrifices made out of love, the greater is our joy and peace.” Our Catholic faith calls us to prayer and action in promoting the dignity of life at all stages – a defense that includes welcoming and honoring life, as well as ensuring that life is lived “to the full” by advocating access to education, food, health care, and other life-giving essentials.

The Texas Bishops lead our Catholic communities in building a culture of life through prayer, teaching, and leadership. Diocesan and parish-based ministries work to identify and meet the needs of the local community, extending God’s love to those experiencing hardship. Statewide, through the Texas Catholic Conference, our state’s Bishops advocate on behalf of the unborn, immigrants, families struggling to provide quality education for their children, victims of human trafficking, the incarcerated, and others who need and deserve protection. Legislative advocacy, which allows us to witness our faith to the public square, provides a unique opportunity to promote and protect life in our communities, our state, our nation, and our world. Sign up for the Texas Catholic Voice e-newsletter (click here to sign up) to learn more about how you can be involved in protecting life through faithful citizenship and advocacy.