or Main Respect Life PageRespect Life: 1999 Memorial Dedication
Excerpts from the blessing and dedication of the Respect Life Memorial on December 8, 1999:
Because Christ is our light and our hope, we have the courage to be a people of life amidst the Culture of death in which we live.
We are called to respect and protect human life, from the very moment God creates it to the very moment He recalls it as His own.
DEDICATION AND BLESSING: (Fr. Creedon sprinkled holy water on memorial after each intention)
This memorial is dedicated to the memory of all those who have died unjustly and all those who will:
May this memorial serve as a reminder that all human life is sacred and deserves protection.
- For the innocent children whose lives were taken from them in the name of "choice" while they grew in their mother's wombs. (sprinkle)
- For the infants who were found to be less-than-perfect at birth and were allowed to perish. (sprinkle)
- For the frail elderly and the sick whose lives were ended by euthanasia at a time when they were most in need of compassionate care. (sprinkle)
- For the victims of violent crime. (sprinkle)
- For those awaiting execution. (sprinkle)
May it be a place of comfort to those who mourn.
May it be ray of hope for those who seek healing.
May it be a sign of peace for those in need of forgiveness.
May it be an inspiration to those who face difficult decisions.
May it be a call to action to those who are silent.
May it be a source of encouragement for those fighting the good fight.
INTERCESSIONS: (read by members of the Respect Life Committee as school children from St. Charles placed roses on the memorial )
Fr. Creedon: Through the intercession of Mary, the Immaculate Conception, we pray for a suffering and confused world: (Response, "Lord hear our prayer")
- For the leaders and people of the Church, that we may be given wisdom and courage to speak words of life to a world overshadowed by a culture of death:
WE PRAY TO THE LORD..........- For those who govern us, especially President Clinton, Senator Robb, Senator Warner, Representative Moran and the Supreme court; that they may use their position of authority to protect life, not destroy it:
WE PRAY TO THE LORD..........- For an end to abortion and for the conversion of all those involved in the abortion industry and abortion-rights movement:
WE PRAY TO THE LORD..........- For the parents and families living the woundedness of "choice", that they may seek forgiveness and know healing:
WE PRAY TO THE LORD..........- For the elderly, that society would acknowledge their contributions and value their lives:
WE PRAY TO THE LORD..........- For those who are dying, that they would be cared for with compassion and live their last hours free from the notion that they are a burden to productive society:
WE PRAY TO THE LORD..........- For those who mourn the loss of a loved one due to violent and senseless crime, that they might know true peace and find freedom in forgiveness:
WE PRAY TO THE LORD..........- For those guilty who await execution on death row; that they might fully reconcile with God for their crimes and make restitution where possible:
WE PRAY TO THE LORD..........- For those deprived of their human needs and their human rights, that they may be given the dignity they deserve and the assistance they need:
WE PRAY TO THE LORD..........- For wisdom and a love of the truth, that we may take seriously our responsibilities to defend the poor and the forgotten:
WE PRAY TO THE LORD..........Fr. Creedon: Heavenly Father, transform our selfishness and sin and compel us to turn to you. Help us to fully embrace the Gospel of Life. We ask this through Christ our Lord and through Mary our Mother.
R: Amen.