"Every Human Life Has Its Origin In The Heart Of God"

By Susan E. Wills

Since 1972, the annual Respect Life Program has served as the primary component of the U.S. Catholic bishops' efforts to educate Catholics and others on a broad range of pro-life issues. The program begins anew each year on the first Sunday of October - - this year October 7.

The theme for the 2001-2002 program - - "Every human life has its origin in the heart of God" - - is illustrated by a tender, close-up photo of a father cradling his infant son. This year's poster and flier include secondary photos celebrating the lives of the elderly, couples, and families.

Over 1.6 million copies of the Respect Life flier have been distributed in parishes across the country. It contains brief vignettes which illustrate how commonplace it has become for "ordinary people" today to consider their own death (through assisted suicide) or another's death (through abortion) as a "solution" to life's problems.

If, as Pope John Paul II has written, "the meaning of life is found in giving and receiving love" (The Gospel of Life, no. 81), then it is up to us to show women "tempted by abortion ... that they are not alone, and that help is available for pregnancy needs, adoption, and baby supplies. We need to be with those suffering a terminal illness and their families, offering help, friendship and encouragement, never abandoning them."

The pro-life movement has demonstrated this love in action for decades, and it has resulted in a steady decline in abortion rates and in the defeat of every state assisted suicide referendum, except Oregon's.

Encouraging trends like these are highlighted in a Respect Life Program article by Cathy Cleaver, the bishops' new director of information and planning for the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities.

"Moving Toward a Culture of Life" provides evidence of pro-life success in the following areas, among others: more state laws have been passed to protect unborn life; the number of abortionists continues to decline; more people are identifying themselves as "pro-life" in nationwide polling; there is no longer any serious dispute over the humanity of the unborn nor the reality that abortion kills a human being; and the serious emotional, psychological, and spiritual harm to women after abortion is beginning to be publicly recognized.

Supreme Knight Carl Anderson of the Knights of Columbus (who is also a professor and vice president of the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family) offers parents valuable advice on how to raise children with sound moral values in an article entitled "Teach Your Children Well."

Many of us feel helpless in the presence of terminally ill friends and relatives. We want to help them live the final stage of life with a sense of peace and with the knowledge that their lives have no less value to us because of their increasing dependence.

But how do we go about assuring them of their worth and helping them sort through all the conflicting emotions which surface as they look back on their lives and face death? Kathy Kalina, R.N., CRNH, a hospice nurse and author, shares the wisdom she has gained through hospice work in "Hope for the Journey: Meaningful Support for the Terminally Ill."

Kalina's article is filled with insight into the internal struggles faced by the terminally ill, to find meaning for their lives and to accept their present circumstances. She has observed that "[r]econciliation, with other human beings and with God, is an absolute prerequisite to a peaceful death." In addition, one must come to accept one's humanity and mortality.

But the key to a peaceful surrendering to God what is no longer in our control is not to live as if we were on death row, bleakly counting down to the day of death. It is to really live each day, appreciating whatever moments of joy, humor, and beauty may come our way.

It is important for those visiting the terminally ill "to foster an environment where hope can grow and thrive" - - not a false hope of a miraculous cure, but hope in God's promise of an afterlife and hope that each new day will be worth living. While it is crucial that medical personnel are properly controlling pain and attending to the patient's physical needs, those concerns are only the beginning. Conversation, humor, and showing a genuine interest in the patient's life history will create the environment needed to fend off despair.

"Standing by our brothers and sisters who experience intense suffering is the simplest and most difficult thing we can ever do," Kalina writes. "It's simple because all we have to do is show up. It's difficult because our natural instinct is to run for our lives. ... But what I've learned from ... experience is this: it doesn't take strong hearts to do this difficult work; it builds strong hearts. And grace abounds."

The Respect Life packet contains other articles, as well as suggestions for pro-life programs of education and pastoral care and a list of recommended resources. Several articles already have sold out the first print run of 100,000 copies and are being reprinted. Articles in English and Spanish can be downloaded (plain text only) from the Secretariat's web site at www.usccb.org/prolife.

To purchase the packet or individual items, please contact the USCCB Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities by phone at (202) 541-3070 or by fax at (202) 541-3054.