March for Life
The National March for Life is held in Washington DC around January 22, the date of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion for any reason at any time during a woman’s pregnancy. It’s a daytrip with buses leaving from St. Leo’s Catholic Church. Committee members try to participate, and we promote the March for Life to the parish.  Although the Supreme Court Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision returned abortion rights back to the individual states, the National March for Life continues to be held each January in Washington, DC.
The Pennsylvania March for Life is held in Harrisburg, PA in September.  It is also a daytrip with buses sponsored by Catholics Defending Life organization, and promoted in the parish with committee members participating.

Rosary for Life Events
The Respect Life committee sponsors events inviting the intercession of our Blessed Mother to end the sin of abortion in our country and in our world using the powerful spiritual weapon of the Rosary.  These public events are held throughout the year.

Spiritual Adoption Program
The Spiritual Adoption Program provides an opportunity for families and individuals to pray daily for a spirituality adopted baby who is in danger of abortion. Education is provided on the development and growth of a baby in the mother’s womb. The program begins in February and concludes in October. The Marian Shrine in Our Ladies Center is the center piece of the program.

Prolife Benefit Breakfast
The Prolife Benefit Breakfast increases awareness to the parish and raises funds on a unique respect-life topic each year.  The St. James Folk Group provides music and the Knights of Columbus provides a full breakfast.

Respect Life Sunday Baby Shower
The Respect Life Sunday Baby Shower is the concluding event of the Spiritual Adoption Program. On the first weekend in October, supplies for mothers and their babies are collected and given to the local pregnancy resource center, A Woman’s Concern.  The purpose is to provide material support in addition to spiritual support.

Lititz 5K for Life (and One Mile Walk)
The Lititz 5K for Life is an annual fund raiser for local organizations that support women, men, and babies in need. Planning begins in the summer and the 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk is in October, which typically raises about $6,000 to $7,000. It is held here at St. James with registration in the pavilion. Many volunteers are needed the day of the event.

Bulletin articles
Educational and informative articles are occasionally submitted by our committee to be included in the parish bulletin. For eight months of the year, Spiritual Adoption Program articles are included. Those articles describe development of a child in the womb.

Organizations our ministry materially supports:

A Woman’s Concern
House of His Creation
North Star Initiative
 
The Respect Life Committee meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 6:30PM in room 103.  Anyone interested in participating in the Respect Life Ministry is welcome to join us. Contact the committee co-chairs for information:
Kathy Hall                          717-627-4282
Kristen Gaughan               717-725-1152