Marge Swierz is our Respect Life coordinator at St. Anthony of Padua.  

All are welcome to participate in the Respect Life meetings in our parish hall on the 1st and 3rd  Tuesdays at 1pm to 2pm.  

       Your generosity wraps women and babies in love and hope. Thank you St. Anthony of Padua for your witness and passion for LIFE.  Life Care Pregnancy Center is a non-profit Christ-centered ministry that promotes the sanctity of human life by providing Christian direction, compassionate care, accurate information and practical assistance for individuals and families facing crucial decisions surrounding a pregnancy or pregnancy-related crisis.  We welcome donations of time, talent, and treasure.  Volunteers to help in the “Mommy room” are always welcome. Most urgent needs are  NB, 1, 6 size diapers and wipes, new outfits sizes 3mos to 18 mos. Please visit friendsoflcpc.org or call 910.947.6199 to request a volunteer application.   
 

For anything related to St. Anthony's 40 Days for Life Campaign, please be in touch with:

Marge Swierz
919-923-2714
[email protected]

40 Days for Life Peaceful Protest, Prayer and Penance  continues at the abortion site in Fayetteville on most Tuesdays, and Saturdays mornings. Call  Marge Swierz if interested.

St. Anthony’s Guild recently had a Baby Shower to help the Life Care Pregnancy Center on Tuesday January 11th.

LCPC needs volunteers and donations of baby supplies and money to defray costs of helping both moms and babies. I go on Thursdays, if they were interested in going they could call me or 910-947-6199.
Or donate: HTTPS://friendsofLCPC.org

Group praying the rosary after every mass to stop abortion. Members, Debbi Cook-Tuesday 12 noon mass and Sunday 8am mass, Thursdays-12 noon mass, Wanda Glitz and Fridays 12 noon mass Pam DiStefano. Anyone else interested in joining these prayer warriors?

Spring & Fall Parish movie nights working with Knights of Columbus  showing Respect for Life movies with discussion to follow. 

A Spiritual Adoption weekly campaign beginning on March 25- December 25, daily praying, hand outs, monthly pictures posted of our “baby” growth and development. 
 

--March for Life (Annually)
We promote the January March of Life in Raleigh and in Washington DC.  St. Anthony’s will usually (Covid and weather permitting) have a pilgrimage bus or two to Washington DC, thanks to a generous parishioner who has been organizing this for years now.  This includes a stop at the amazing cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for Mass.

--‘Blessing of the Child in the Womb’ (Bi-annually)
Twice a year (i.e., January and May), we promote and work with Father to invite expecting mothers to stand during a Mass for this blessing.

--40 Days for Life (DFL) (Bi-annually)
This worldwide effort to save unborn babies and their mothers from abortion runs two campaigns each year.  One in Spring and one in Fall.  The Spring campaign always starts on Ash Wednesday.  The Fall dates vary.  During these 40 day periods, volunteers will lead a Rosary for the Unborn (in the church) in conjunction with all of the Masses during the campaign time, we promote and educate about this 40 day effort, and we offer guided trips to the Planned Parenthood abortion facility in Fayetteville to pray on the sidewalk in front of the building to witness for life.  Point of Contact: Marge Swierz.

--‘Holy Hour for the Unborn’ (Annually?)
Two years ago, on the Feast of the Annunciation (March 25^th), we held the first ‘Holy Hour for the Unborn’ at St. Anthony’s, with the help of Deacon Guy from Sacred Heart.  We decided not to plan this last year, because of Covid.

--Ministry Fair (Annually in Fall)
This involves setting up a table to share with the parish about Respect Life and invite participation in this ministry.

--October is Respect Life month (Annually)
For this month, we have been setting up a table in the back of the church, with Respect Life materials on it.  Much more could be done during this month as this ministry grows.

--Movie showings (When advertised)
Earlier this year, ‘Order of Rights’ was shown with a brief discussion with Father Kane afterwards.  In October and November, the Knights of Columbus will be showing ‘Roe v. Wade’ and ‘Unplanned’, respectively.  The Respect Life Ministry will assist them, as needed.

--Bulletin Boards (Monthly +)
Currently, there are three bulletin boards to maintain: one in the Cry Room and two in the Social Hall (one English and one Spanish).

--Parish webpage (Monthly +/-)
Recently, we are attempting to learn how to maintain the Respect Life part of the parish website.  If anyone has computer skills and would be open to helping the Respect Life Ministry in this way, we would be very grateful!

--Life Care Pregnancy Center (LCPC) (On-going)
Marge Swierz, a nurse who joined our parish this year, has been volunteering at the Center and is the one who shuttles the donations of diapers and baby wipes from the collection bin in the back of the church to the Center.  Marge can be reached at [email protected].

--“Walking with Mom’s in Need” (On-going)
This is a newer USCCB program.  Mary Rice, who started working with us this Summer, has offered to be the parish contact for this program.  The intent of the program is to have a parish representative for pregnant women in need to be able to guide them to our area’s resources.  We are still working at getting this all worked out with the office.  Mary can be reached at [email protected].

--Natural Family Planning (NFP) (When advertised)
Most recently, Jessica Risma became certified to teach NFP.  Her first class began this month.  She teaches the SymptoThermal method, based on natural fertility biomarkers, which was inspired by St. Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body.  Fun note:  She is expecting their third child the end of October.   Jessica can be reached at [email protected].

--Respect Life presentations/support (as requested or initiated)
In the past, Respect Life has given presentations at a Knights of Columbus meeting and the Ladies Guild and worked with St. John Paul II Catholic elementary school and Fr. Capodanno Catholic High School promoting events and providing materials.