Life: Our Sign of Hope

Every October, the Catholic Church celebrates Respect Life Month, with the first Sunday in October designated as Respect Life Sunday. We are called to welcome, care for and protect God's gift of human life, with special concern for the most vulnerable among us. The theme for this year is inspired by the Jubilee Year of Hope. The message: "Life: Our Sign of Hope," reflects our call to be signs of hope to all facing trials and difficulties.

When we watch the news or scroll through social media, we can become overwhelmed by stories of violence against human life. The tone of public debate and discourse disrespects the very dignity of the human person. We can be disheartened as it appears that abortion, assisted suicide and other affronts to the dignity of the person find wide public support in our society today. 

Despite what we see, hear and read, as people of faith we know “God is faithful.” 

God responds with a message of hope. While suffering is indeed a part of our earthly life, our destiny is to share eternal life with Christ and it is in this spirit of Christian hope – trusting in God’s will for us, that we turn to him to pray that we may work to build a culture where life and human dignity of the youngest to the oldest from the sick to the healthy are respected. 

Thank you for your commitment to respect for human life. Let us pray that during this Respect Life Month, and always, Jesus will strengthen us in our efforts to promote the gift of every human life.