Abortion deserves special attention in Catholic Social Teaching because it deals with the destruction of innocent life.  The Social Justice ministry at our Parish believes that we have to protect the dignity of the human person. 

Because we believe that life begins at conception, we have to protect the most innocent of all:  the unborn. Pro-life is an important part of our Social Justice Ministry.  

This active group accomplishes their mission through prayer, education, advocacy and partnering with church and community organizations to spread the message to end abortion.  Some of the activities they organize in our parish are:

• A Rose for Mary: Roses are offered to Mary to acknowledge her "yes" to being the Mother of Jesus (before Masses on the 4^th weekend of January).

• Collection of Baby Items: Items are collected for the Allied Women's Center in San Antonio, a Catholic crisis pregnancy center for mothers who choose life for their babies instead of abortion.  Assistance is provided for mother and child for the baby's first year of life (held during the 4^th weekend of January).

• Roses to Honor All Mothers: proceeds go to the Allied Women's Center (during the month of May).

• Life Chain San Antonio: A peaceful and prayerful public statement of pro-life solidarity where Christians stand together along S. San Pedro Ave. for one hour praying for our nation and for an end to abortion (held on the 1^st Sunday in October).

• 40 Days for Life: The Archdiocese of San Antonio and San Antonio Coalition for Life 40-day campaign focused to end abortion though prayer, fasting and peaceful vigil (held in the spring and fall).

• Work with St. Vincent de Paul: To provide help and resources for mothers and mothers-to-be in need assistance.

For more information on Pro-Life Campaigns, go to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website: www.usccb.org.  If you are interested in working on social justice and right to life issues and campaigns, please contact our Social Justice Ministry, or Mary Dee.

For a downloadable, printable PDF brochure on, "The Teachings of the Catholic Church on Social Justice," please click HERE.