WASHINGTON, D.C. — Respect Life Month is observed every October by the church in the United States, beginning with Respect Life Sunday, which takes place this year Oct. 1. These events kick off the 2017-18 Respect Life Program.
The theme for the coming year is "Be Not Afraid" and will be in effect through September 2018.
New materials are produced each year to help Catholics understand, value and become engaged with supporting the God-given dignity of every person.
The Respect Life Program materials — available at http://bit.ly/ZO9Tp3 — are intended to help leaders integrate respect for human life into their work or ministry, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities. Also, action ideas and suggestions found in the customized leaders' toolkit are provided throughout the resource guide and online, but the secretariat invites anyone 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.
Separate toolkits are available for priests and deacons, parishes, Catholic educators, Respect Life ministries, youth ministries, young adult ministries, faith formation and the Catholic press.
Six brochures are available in English and Spanish on these topics: "How to Build a Culture of Life," "Catholic Considerations for Our Earthly Passing," "What to Do When a Friend Is Considering Abortion," "Understanding Conscience," "Death Penalty: Q&A" and "Top Reasons to Oppose Assisted Suicide."
Brochures, in either language, are 40 cents each, making it easier to buy in bulk for parishes and organizations. They can be ordered online at http://store.usccb.org/category-s/2211.htm, by phone at (866) 582-0943, by fax at (301) 779-8596, or by mail to USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life-Activities, c/o Distribution Center, 3570 Bladensburg Rd., Brentwood, MD 20722. Materials for previous years of the Respect Life Program, dating back to the 2011-12 program, can still be ordered online.
Parishes may copy a printable version of the new brochures at no cost, provided such reprints are distributed without charge and under the condition that each page is reproduced in its entirety without any alteration or change beyond adjustment in size.
Homily notes and suggestions for general intercessions for use at Mass are also available online, as are fliers, bulletin covers and reproducible images bearing the new theme and logo of the Respect Life Program.
— Catholic News Service
Krispy Kreme Challenge raises $45K to benefit Carcinoid Cancer Foundation
HICKORY — Record-high pre-race registration numbers set the pace for a very successful Krispy Kreme Challenge 5K held June 24 at Lenoir-Rhyne University. More than 600 participants and a crowd of spectators gathered for the inaugural event in memory of Sister Mary Norman. Proceeds totaled $45,000 to benefit the Carcinoid Cancer Foundation.
“What an amazing event and extraordinarily generous gift to the Carcinoid Cancer Foundation!” said Keith Warner, CEO of the Carcinoid Cancer Foundation.
“We thank the Maryvale Sisters who wished to honor the memory of Sister Mary Norman, who passed away from carcinoid cancer in August 2016; Mark Sinclair, committee chair for the Krispy Kreme 5K Run/Walk; Krispy Kreme; and the hundreds of community participants and sponsors for raising awareness of this rare disease.
“Our foundation’s mission is to ensure that everyone, worldwide, is aware of carcinoid cancer and neuroendocrine tumors – until then our work is not done. Thank you to all who joined the Krispy Kreme Challenge 5K and supported carcinoid/NET cancer awareness and the Carcinoid Cancer Foundation – you have made a huge difference.”
The Maryvale Sisters had never been to a 5K before and had no idea what to expect. ”We were completely overwhelmed!” said Mother Mary Louis. “You could feel the friendship and love that permeated the event. So many people came up to us to share how Sister Mary Norman had an impact on their lives or on the lives of someone they know. They thanked us for this special way of remembering her.”
RunTimeRaces of Newton managed the event. Owner Kelly Stewart explained, “This is an illustration of how partnerships, teamwork and synergy created a win-win for our community and a very important research organization – Carcinoid Cancer Foundation. RunTimeRaces was very honored to be part of something this significant to our community members.”
Krispy Kreme of Hickory and Lenoir was the title sponsor for this inaugural event. Runners and walkers of all ages participated, with medals awarded in specific age categories. A $1,000 award, donated courtesy of Krispy Kreme, was presented to Hard Bodies, team winner with the largest number of pre-registered participants.
Sister Mary Norman was a member of the Maryvale Sisters who operate a large daycare facility in Vale. She served as the director of religious education for more than 30 years in churches in North Carolina, including Hickory, Lincoln County, and congregations as far east as Hamlet and west to Franklin. Sister Mary Norman was instrumental in bringing members of different churches together through special ecumenical book studies, vacation Bible school, and youth ministry programs.
Sister Mary Norman also offered no-cost spiritual direction and counseling to people of all faiths. She was available day or night to help in a crisis. Her gentleness, genuine smile and helpfulness filled everyone whose lives she touched with happiness and hope.
Participating sponsors included A Woman’s View, Platinum sponsor. Gold sponsors include: Alex Lee Inc., BOCA, Catawba Valley Medical Center, Custom Design Group LLC, Frye Regional Medical Center and Unifour Podiatry. Silver sponsors include: Abernethy Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Trucks-Lincolnton, Cardwell Chiropractic Associates, Carolina Dental Care Center, Catawba Women’s Center, CopyMasters Printing Services Inc., EmergeOrtho, Fulbright Lumber Inc., Graystone Eye, Hickory Real Estate Group, LFR Grain and Chemical, Paramount Motors, RAR Richards Appliance Repair, Speagle Grading, Father Wilbur N. Thomas, Vale Veterinary Hospital, vonDrehle Corporation and Wyant Farms.
The Carcinoid Cancer Foundation is the oldest nonprofit carcinoid and related neuroendocrine tumor organization in the United States, founded in 1968. Its mission is to increase awareness and educate the general public and healthcare professionals regarding carcinoid and related neuroendocrine tumors, to support cancer patients and their families, and to serve as patient advocates.
Learn more at: www.carcinoid.org.
— Kathy Chickering, Special to the Catholic News Herald. Kathy Chickering is a member of the Krispy Kreme Challenge 5K Committee.