Annual Respect Life Program

What is the Respect Life Program?

Respect Life Month is observed annually in October. Each year, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops produces a packet of material available for all parishes and groups to help Catholics understand, value, and become engaged with supporting the God-given dignity of every person—which naturally leads to protecting the gift of every person's life. Information can be found and downloaded here. 

The Office of Social Justice and Respect Life orders and mails one packet for every pastor. This is usually mailed out in August or early September. 

Who are the materials for?

The materials are developed especially for use in parishes, schools, and faith-based ministries, but can also be used by other groups or individuals.  Whether you're simply taking a personal interest or you're serving in a parish, Catholic education, faith formation, communications, pro-life, youth/young adult, or campus ministry—there's something for you!

How do I use these materials?

The Respect Life Program materials are intended to help leaders integrate respect for human life into their respective work and/or ministries. So, talk with people in other areas of service, and brainstorm how you can help each other build a culture of life!

Also, action ideas and customized suggestions are provided throughout the resource guide and online, but anyone is welcome to build off or adapt what is offered.

For example, "9 Days for Life: Leaders' Guide" was originally created for use in youth or young adult ministries. However, many of the suggestions are adaptable for other age ranges. Similarly, specific suggestions are written for teachers, but someone in another field may find the same idea useful for their area of expertise.

When do I use these materials?

The annual cycle of the Respect Life Program runs from Respect Life Sunday (the first Sunday of October) through the following September.

Specific dates are sometimes provided, but any of the materials can be used at any time—after all, we cherish God's gift of life year-round!