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Working for the enhancement of human dignity
at every stage of life
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MISSION STATEMENT“To instill a sense of urgency, within our parish community, to pray and work together as we end the atrocities being inflicted against human life; to protect and uphold the sanctity and dignity of each and every humanbeing from conception to natural death.”
You Are Welcome To Join Us!
The Respect Life Committee at St. Bernard's Parish welcomes anyone who would like to join us as we work together on projects that strive to protect Life from Conception to Natural Death.
Some of our recent projects have included: Pregnancy Resource Center Fund Raisers, and awareness programs related to: Physician Assisted Suicide, Human Trafficking, and Abortion.
Our meetings are held one Wednesday evening per month, starting at 7:00 p.m. in the Small Hall. Please view our Parish Calendar (search Wednesday's) for meeting dates.
If you have any questions, please contact Jane Devlin at 209-815-7005 or Anita Laspina at 209-815-3240.
Baby Bottle Fundraiser for the Pregnancy Resource Center
Our Annual Baby Bottle Fundraiser takes place every October during Respect Life Month and benefits the Pregnancy Resource Center of Tracy.
The Center encourages and supports parents in making life-affirming decisions for their unborn babies. Your prayers and generosity are always appreciated!
_________________________________________________________________“California Healthy Youth Act of 2015” – “Opt Out form”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that, as parents, you are the primary educators of your children. This responsibility includes an awareness of laws that potentially impact their moral beliefs.
As Catholics we believe that life is sacred and should be cherished from the moment of natural conception to the moment of natural death. This belief requires that we assure our children’s moral education in a manner consistent with Catholic teachings on the dignity of human life.
You may not be aware that the California Healthy Youth Act of 2015 requires mandatory instruction for our middle & high school children that is contrary to Catholic moral teachings. We are letting our families know about this law to raise awareness of plans for use of this program in all districts of Tracy schools. The curriculum, one for 7th graders and one for 9th graders, will be implemented within the next two to three months.
To ensure that you are making an informed decision about what your 7th & 9th graders are taught we have added a link to a Respect Life member from whom you may obtain an analysis of the curriculum content. You may contact Respect Life member Steve Fox at stevenfox@sbcglobal.net and he will e-mail you a copy. Or you may call him at 209-832-3372.
For a copy of a universal Opt Out form and for additional information, including answers to many questions, we ask that you visit www.pacificjustice.org. In the search window enter “California Healthy Youth Act of 2015” – “Opt Out form”. There you will find comprehensive information which will answer most questions. The universal form is one which you can download, complete and submit to your child’s school. Or, if you wish, you can request a school district form from your child’s school administrative personnel._______________________________________________________________________
Let's End The Culture Of
Human TraffickingChildren and young adults right in our community are targeted for human trafficking daily . It doesn’t matter if they come from the perfect family or one that is not so perfect. People in Christian schools, on Christian dating sites, or all kinds of social media have been trapped into slavery. A person trapped in human trafficking survives an average of seven years.
It has been said that," for evil men to accomplish their purpose it is only necessary that good men should do nothing." Edmund BurkeFlags of a Victim:
- Has an older boyfriend- Carries Multiple cell phones- Unexplained bruises/injuries- Tatoos/Brands- Sudden change in wardrobeTactics of a Trafficker:
- Separates friends & family
- Controls through cell phone, texting, calls & internet tracking
- Dependency & obedience through fear
- Manipulates feelings of guilt, shame & unworthiness
- Bonds through extreme emotional highs (love bombing & praise)
Crime Stoppers: 209-521-4636
Without Permission Support Line: 209-277-7758
Human Trafficking National Hotline: 888-373-7888
If you or someone you know needs help, or you want to learn more, please visit:
www.withoutpermission.org____________________________________________________________
The California Catholic Conference is the staff office of the California Catholic Conference of Bishops. It is the official voice of the Catholic community in California's public policy arena. Visit their webiste at www.cacatholic.org
A Statement from Bishop Stephen Blaire
regarding the Planned Parenthood videos
In an early letter of the Church attributed to the Apostle Barnabas, it is written that anyone “who is bent on reaching his (her) appointed goal must be very careful in all he (she) does....Love your creator....Love your neighbor more than your own life. Do not kill an unborn child through abortion, nor destroy it after birth…..Accept as a blessing whatever comes your way in the knowledge that nothing ever happens without God’s concurrence.”
All human life comes into being with the concurrence of God. To throw away that human life through abortion or to traffic in fetal organs or tissues through abortion not only fails to respect the humanity and dignity of human life but is a direct affront to God.
Pope Francis in the “Joy of the Gospel” says that “among the vulnerable for whom the Church wishes to care with particular love and concern are unborn children, the most defenseless and innocent among us.” “A human being,” he says “is always sacred and inviolable, in any situation and at every stage of development.”
I ask the people of our diocese to contact their state and federal representatives through the Catholic Legislative Network at http://cacatholic.org to ask them not to fund Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood has received an average of $536 million dollars a year for the past four years, and some of that money goes specifically to pay for abortions.
I also encourage you to support the pro-life pregnancy resource centers in our Diocese. You can get a list of the centers at http://stocktondiocese.org/community-of-caring.
Knowing the pain, hurt and trauma that the Planned Parenthood news coverage can bring to those who were involved in an abortion, it is important for us all to know and lift up God’s mercy. Any and all persons will be welcomed with compassion and assistance through the Church’s post-abortion healing ministry, PROJECT RACHEL. If you or someone you know, would like confidential, nonjudgmental help, please visit www.projectrachel.com or call Kim Fuentes at the Diocese of Stockton, 209-465-5433.
Declaración del Obispo Blaire
sobre los videos de Planeación Familiar.
En una carta que se atribuye al Apóstol Bernabé, está escrito que cualquiera “que quiera cumplir con su cometido, debe ser muy ciuidadoso con lo que hace…Ama a tu Creador…Ama a tu prójimo más que a tu propia vida. No mates, con el aborto, a los que no han nacido todavía, no los destruyas después de nacidos…Acepta como una bendición lo que sucede en tu vida, sabiendo que nada ocurre sin que Dios no esté presente.”
La vida humana tiene su origen en Dios. Deshacerse de esa vida con el aborto o con el tráfico fetal o con tejidos que son fruto del aborto, no solamente va contra el respeto por la humanidad y la vida humana, sino que es una ofensa directa a Dios.
El Papa Francisco en la “Alegría del Evangelio” dice que “entre los débiles de los que la Iglesia quiere cuidar con particular amor y preocupación, están los que aún no han nacido, que son los más indefensos e inocentes de entre nosotros”. “Un ser humano”, dice, “ es siempre sagrado e inviolable, en cualquier situación y en cualquier etapa del desarrollo.”
Pido a la fieles de la diócesis que contacten a los representantes, Estatal y Federal, a través de la Red Legislativa Católica en http://cacatholic.org para pedirles que no financien la Planificación Familiar. Esta a recibido un promedio de $536 millones de dólares por año, en los últimos 4 años, y parte de ese dinero va directamente a pagar por abortos.
También los animo a que apoyen los centros de embarazo a favor de la vida que hay en nuestra diócesis. Puede encontrar una lista de estos centros en http://stocktondiocese.org/community-of-caring
Conocedores del dolor, la herida y el trauma que los noticias acerca de la Planificación familiar puede acarrear a quienes están envueltos en un aborto, es importante que hagamos presente la misericordia de Dios. Quienes lo necesiten, serán bienvenidos a nuestro ministerio de sanar interiormente después de un aborto, EL PROYECTO RACHEL. Si alguien que Ud. Conoce necesita y quiere ayuda confidencial en que no será juzgado, puede visitar www.projectrachel.com, o llamar a Kim Fuentes al 209. 465.5433.