October is Respect Life Month and the first Sunday in October is designated as Respect Life Sunday. The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, will celebrate Respect Life Sunday Mass on Oct. 2 at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton.

The Mass is open to the public. Faithful from across the Diocese of Scranton are invited to attend the Respect Life Sunday Mass and focus on God’s precious gift of human life and our responsibility to care for, protect and defend the lives of our brothers and sisters.

As Catholics, we are called to cherish, defend, and protect those who are most vulnerable, from the beginning of life to its end, and at every point in between. During the month of October, the Church asks us to reflect more deeply on the dignity of every human life.

During this special month, the faithful are encouraged to pray for the wisdom and courage to lovingly protect God’s gift of human life at every stage, in sickness and in health.

The faithful are also asked to pray for women and men suffering after abortion. Through Christ’s endless mercy, we ask that they find peace and healing, especially with the assistance of the Church’s abortion healing ministry, Project Rachel.

The faithful are also asked to pray for those nearing the end of life, that they receive care that respects their dignity and protects their lives as they place their hope in the promise of eternal life.

Students from the Diocese of Scranton Catholic School System and parish youth ministries have been invited to participate in the Respect Life Mass on Oct. 2 as readers, gift bearers and altar servers.

For those unable to attend in-person, the Mass will be broadcast live on CTV: Catholic Television of the Diocese of Scranton and the Diocese of Scranton’s YouTube Channel. The Mass will also be livestream on the Diocese of Scranton website with links provided on the Diocese of Scranton social media platforms.

 

Zach Houston, left, a sophomore at Marywood University, takes a photo with Bishop Joseph C. Bambera and Jordan Cook, a senior at Marywood, at the second annual PA March for Life. (Photos/Eric Deabill)

Thousands attend second annual ‘March for Life’ in Harrisburg September 19, 2022

A pastoral letter for Respect Life Month from the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera

A Prayer for Pregnant Mothers

Oración por las embarazadas

Respect Life Reflection: Called to Serve Moms in Need

Reflexión Respetemos la Vida:
Llamados a servir a las madres necesitadas

Statement by Archbishop William E. Lori:
Building a Culture of Life in a Post-Roe World

Declaración del arzobispo William E. Lori
Presidente del Comité de Actividades Pro-Vida de USCCB

Respect Life Month Action Guide (English)

Mes del Respeto a la Vida Guía Para La Acción

 

Attending the March for Life on Sept. 19, 2022, from Holy Redeemer High School in Wilkes-Barre was, from left: Jeff Passetti, Sophia Fiedorczyk, Marcus Fiedorczyk, Lukas Kachinko and Megan Martin.

Local Resources

 

Care Net

Shepherds Maternity House (Poconos)

Pregnancy Resource Center of Hazleton

 

 

 

 

 

More than 5,000 anti-abortion advocates attended the second annual Pennsylvania March for Life in Harrisburg on Sept. 19, 2022. This was the first official state March in the nation since the Roe v. Wade reversal.

National Resources

 

Walking with Moms – Ways to Support Women

Respect Life (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)

Monthly Prayer Guide (USCCB)

Project Rachel – Post Abortion Ministry