“Human life is sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God and it remains for ever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end. God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end: no one can under any circumstance claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being.” – Donum Vitae (The Gift of Life), introduction #5
The Catholic Church defends human life from conception to natural death because it is God’s law. This is not a novel teaching of the Church. The giving and taking of life is the domain of God alone, and no one may take upon himself or herself the decision of terminating another’s life, most especially the life of those who cannot speak for themselves, or who may be impeded by age, illness, or circumstance.
For more information on how you can help the cause of Respect Life, contact Cheryle at 795-3029.
Resources for Life:
-Birthright:
Are you pregnant and in need of help? Birthright is here to help you: www.birthright.org
-Birthright of Charleston – 1365 Ashley River Rd.; 843-556-4403
-Lowcountry Pregnancy Center – 843-553-3505
-Project Rachel: Post-abortion Healing – www.hopeafterabortion.com
Wonderful website to help women find healing after an abortion. Includes prayers for healing and more.
-Rachael’s Vineyard: www.rachelsvineyard.org
Weekend retreats for women who are seeking post-abortion healing. You may also call toll free – 877 HOPE 4 ME (877 467 3463).
-Silent No More: www.silentnomoreawareness.org
Women helping women after an abortion. Also has a link for men who suffer the effects of this tragedy. “The Silent No More campaign gives a voice to women who have too long been ignored. . . . women deserve better choices.”
Natural Family Planning
You and I were designed to give life. God, Who created all things and Who first gave us life, made us in His own image and likeness. The use of contraception goes against the very reason God made us the way we are, and devalues the sexual act, which is meant to renew marriage vows and one’s com-mitment of total love. Not only that, but especially in our age of “organic” and “all-natural” food and products, there is nothing more unnatural that filling a woman’s body with hormones or using devices to construct a barrier. By our natural design, we give life.
Natural Family Planning is NOT the “rhythm method,” or some other questionable method for spacing the birth of children. When used correctly, it is 99% effective (See this link for more information on the Effectiveness of NFP).
The Society of Joyful Hope is an apostolate designed to bring families together in prayer and support in order to spread the beauty and truth expressed in the teachings of the Catholic Church on family life.
“Children are the supreme gift of marriage and contribute greatly to the good of the parents themselves.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1652) We must pray for openness to life and evangelize by truly living life by God’s loving plan, thereby creating a Culture of Life.
The Society aims to provide a bridge between all methods of natural forms of family planning and to reach everyone about the simple truth that chastity and openness to life are necessary for married people to live in God’s grace.
Living open to life can be challenging, too. Another aim of the Society is to provide a consolidated support network. Members will be refreshed by building friendships with those who live a culture of life. They will find and share good local resources. They can, in turn, gain momentum and support others beginning their voyage.
To learn more about natural family planning online, visit the Society’s website; or the Couple to Couple League
Also, for more information, please contact: Ben & Patti Daniel at 843.884.4635.
Click to download the Society of Joyful Hope pamplet