Read a previous article "The Spirit of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing"

Respect Life 2008: Hope and Trust in Life!
The Church’s teaching about the gift of life is so essential to our faith that we celebrate it annually. On October 5, 2008, the Catholic Church around the country celebrates Respect Life Sunday with the theme, Hope and Trust in Life!

Based on the Book of Genesis, we believe that each and every one of us is created in the image and likeness God. Anchored on this belief, the Catholic Church asserts that all human life is sacred. Our belief in the sanctity of human life and the dignity of the human person provides the foundation of a moral vision of society. Upon this foundation, rests all Catholic social teaching. As Catholics, we are responsible for respecting and protecting all human life at every stage of existence, from conception to natural death.

Rooted in Scripture
Although our belief in the dignity of the human person is rooted in the Book of Genesis, further support continues throughout the Bible. For example:
• The Old Testament Book of the Prophet Jeremiah reinforces this belief in the importance of life. Jeremiah is assured that even before he was born God knew his name and had made plans for him (see Jeremiah 1:4-5).
• The Psalmist sings of how well God knows each one of us. God knows when we sit and when we stand. He knows our words even before they come out of our mouth (see Psalm 139:1-6).
• Jesus tells us that our heavenly Father knows us and cares for us. He knows the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. He loves them and he loves us even more (see Matthew 6: 25-34).

Pope Benedict’s Message to American Catholics
In April 2008, Pope Benedict visited the United States. He encouraged American Catholics to not only be clear about their beliefs but to live out their beliefs in an effort to transform culture. “The Church… is called to proclaim the gift of life, to serve life, and to promote a culture of life.... This is the message of hope we are called to proclaim and embody in a world where self-centeredness, greed, violence, and cynicism so often seem to choke the fragile growth of grace in people’s hearts.”

Living Life—All the Issues
In order to live a life that proclaims the gift of life, we find ourselves confronting an overwhelming number of issues in our culture today. Clearly if we believe in the dignity of the human person, we stand against abortion and the death penalty. We must also stand up for those whose lives are often degraded: the elderly, the poor, the disabled, the chronically ill, the abused, the lonely, the dying, the imprisoned, and others who live on the margins of society.

As Catholics we are called to put our faith into action and not sit idly by injustice. We can meet immediate needs through acts of charity—donating money, clothing, food, time and other resources. Even better, we can work to educate others about the issues and work to change the systems that promote injustice—getting involved in educational efforts and politics.

What Difference Does this Make in My Life?
1. Of the Respect Life issues, which one/s is closest to your heart? Explain.
2. What does it mean to you that God created you in his own image?
3. How can you live out your beliefs in a way that can transform our culture?
4. What life experiences have helped to form how you feel about all the Respect Life issues?
5. Why do you think the conflict between Pro-Life and Pro-Choice is so fierce?
6. What do you think can be done to prevent abortions?
7. What are some ways that respecting and protecting human life reduces violence?
8. What are some everyday choices you make to advance the “culture of life” in our society?
9. October 4 is the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. How did Saint Francis “live life” or “proclaim life”?
10. Pray the Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon
where the is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
Kindergarten, chapter 8
Grade 1, chapter 19
Grade 2, chapter 15
Grade 3, chapter 18
Grade 4, chapter 18
Grade 5, chapter 20
Grade 6, chapter 19
Junior High, Mystery of God, chapter 12
Junior High, Church and Sacraments, chapter 8
Junior High, Morality: Life in Christ, chapter 6
Junior High, Jesus in the New Testament, chapter 1
Special note: The biweekly Current Events articles have also been useful to supplement high school religion classes.

Connecting to Faith First® Original Edition
Kindergarten, chapter 8
Grade 1, chapter 19
Grade 2, chapter 15
Grade 3, chapter 18
Grade 4, chapter 18
Grade 5, chapter 20
Grade 6, chapter 19
Junior High: Liturgy and Morality, chapter 10
Junior High: Creed and Prayer, chapter 16
Special note: The biweekly Current Events articles have also been useful to supplement high school religion classes.