• July 2019 bulletin notices

The 48th Annual March for Life, from the D.C. Mall to the Supreme Court, will take place on the Friday January 29, 2021. Rally speakers will include Tim Tebow, and many religious leaders such as Archbishop Joseph F. Nauman from Kansas City, KS (see March for Life Announces Speakers for the 48th Annual March for Life - March for Life).

Because of the pandemic and security concerns, the organizers recently announced that, except for a few invited leaders of the pro-life movement, the March will be virtual this year. Statement on 2021 March for Life - March for Life.

There are a number of exciting opportunities on Thursday and Friday January 28-29 to witness to the sanctity of human life by participating virtually. Livestream coverage of the March including a concert and speeches begins at 11 am on Friday. Sign up for one or more of these events at the March for Life website

In years past EWTN also has provided live coverage of the events. The channel number may differ depending on your cable TV service provider.

Novena for Life

Like last year, we will be praying the USCCB Novena for Life in the Church at the conclusion of every daily Mass from January 21 -29. For more details on the Novena and to print your own copy, please see the USSCB website.

Adoration for Life

In addition, we will have adoration in the Church on January 29th after the 9 am Mass until 3:30 pm for those who wish to support the March by praying a holy hour before the Blessed Sacrament.

Note: because of unexpected pandemic-related circumstances, the above information could change. Please check the weekly parish bulletin and/or website for updates.

Mission Statement:

St. Raphael’s Respect for Life Committee (RFL) seeks to promote a greater reverence in both our parish and faith community, for the dignity of human life from conception to natural death.  We approach this task with a readiness to nurture and sustain this precious gift of human life through pro-life education, advocacy, works of charity and prayer.  In an effort to successfully promote a culture of life in an increasingly complex world, we share the Catholic Church’s teachings on a wide range of life issues, such as abortion, embryonic stem-cell research, euthanasia, Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS), contraception, infertility procedures and the death penalty.  We humbly commit ourselves to spreading the message of God’s Word and Love as it pertains to the infinite values of each human life created in His very image and likeness (Genesis 1:26).  We support St. Pope John Paul II’s comments during his 1999 visit to St. Louis:  “And so, America:  If you want peace, work for justice.  If you want justice, defend life.  If you want life, embrace the truth, the truth revealed by God.” 

Are you facing an unplanned pregnancy and are being pushed to resolve the “problem”?  You do not have to face this decision alone or make it hastily.  There are several life-affirming resources available to help not to regret your decision.  They are as follows:
 
Shady Grove Pregnancy Center                     Centro Tepeyac Pregnancy Center
16220 N. Frederick Road, #118                         12248 Georgia Avenue
Gaithersburg, MD 20877                                    Silver Spring, MD 20902
301-963-6223                                                       301-587-9516
www.pregnancy-options.org/                            www.centrotepeyac.org/
  
Archdiocese of Washington Resources               
Visit:  http://www.adw.org/pregnant-need-help/    
 
Healing after an abortion?
Call Project Rachel at 301-853-4565
 

The Mustard Seed Project is a letter-writing campaign that sends out a letter to the organizations and corporations who support Planned Parenthood (PP) with annual or personal charitable giving programs.  These organizations and corporations have in some cases supported PP for decades.  The letter-writing process has been effective in changing the minds of CEOs to no longer support PP and has resulted in the loss of funding in the millions.  A letter is composed with a difference entity every month.  The RFL Committee encourages parishioners to copy the letter and mail it to the addressee for that month’s letter.  Links to the letters are available on the menu on the left.