Respect Life 2021 — Choose the Child

Respect Life Program 2021-2022

Each year the USCCB prepares a Respect Life Program with a specific focus. At Choose the Child, we use their program to create a plan for schools and parishes. The School and Parish Plans are below (the School Plan is first and the Parish Plan is below it.) You can also find more information from the USCCB on their Respect Life Program 2021-2022 Page. Please let us know if you have questions.

School Program

“St. Joseph - Faithful Protector of Mother and Child”
USCCB Respect Life Program 2021-2022

USCCB Respect Life Program Topics (adjusted in focus/wording for students by grades)
Respect Life Reflection: “St. Joseph - Faithful Protector of Mother and Child” - “The infant child Christ ‘came into our world in a state of great vulnerability. He needed to be defended, protected, cared for and raised by Joseph’” (USCCB Respect Life Program 2021-2022 - PC 5) We are also called to care for, protect, and defend the lives of our brothers and sisters.

Value of All Life From Conception until Natural Death - We are called to be faithful protectors of our brothers and sisters and live in the will of the Father. We can ask ourselves: “Do we realize how precious every person is? How do we reassure those at the end of life who are afraid they are a burden or feel like their lives don’t have meaning?

Call to Protect Mothers and Children - Like St. Joseph who was called to protect and sacrifice for Mary & Jesus, we are called to help moms in need. Through the USCCB Walking with Mom’s in Need* Program and the gift of adoption, we can help mothers make a life-saving decision. (*We are referring to this program again this year due to the limitation of COVID last year.)

Daily Focus Ideas for Grades K - 5:
Value All Life (Protecting & Respecting All Life)
Love & Support Moms & their Babies (Serving Moms in Need)

Daily Focus Ideas for Grades 6 - 12:
Only God creates LIfe and only God takes LIFE (Protecting & Respecting All Life)
Love & Support Moms in Need (Serving Moms in Need)

Spiritual & Corporal Works of Mercy Ideas
Spiritual Works
1. Walking with Moms in Need - USCCB Walking with Moms in Need Resource has great resources.
2. Spiritual Adoptions - These are prayers said for an unborn baby over the period of 9 months. More information can be found here - Spiritual Adoptions
3. Prayer - A prayer is provided for each topic/theme and can be said as a class or as part of school’s daily announcements. This daily prayer will unite all the schools on the given day for the given prayer.

4. Mass Intentions - The intentions can be used at different Masses throughout the month or all at one Mass. Also, please feel free to write your own intentions.

Grades K-5
Value All Life - Protecting & Respecting All Life - In the birth of Christ, God reveals to us the dignity of all human life. God holds the lives of all of us in his loving care. St. Joseph welcomed Mary into his home, and took care of her and Jesus. He didn’t hesitate to do God’s will and faithfully care for and protect Mary and Jesus. We are called to care for and protect all life from conception until natural death and help others see their value in being created in the image and likeness of God.
How can we live like St. Joseph?

Prayer - Heavenly Father, every person is a gift created by you because you love us. From the moment you created us, we were like no other person who has ever lived. May we always respect our own lives and the lives of all others until the day you call us to our heavenly home. We ask this in Jesus’ name….Amen.

Intention -May God grant us the wisdom and courage to lovingly protect His gift of human life at every stage, in sickness and health; We pray to the Lord….(USCCB RL 2021)

Love & Support Moms & their Babies - Serving Moms in Need & The Gift of Adoption
An unborn child is a “Gift from God” and needs to be loved and cared for by his or her mom. An unborn baby is created by God and just needs time to grow inside of his or her mommy to be able to survive once he or she is born. Some moms may be a little afraid of becoming a mom and worried about providing for their baby - they may choose to place their baby for adoption. Adoption is such a gift to the baby’s mom and the family praying for a baby. St. Joseph is Jesus’ adopted father and he protected and provided for Jesus. How can we help moms who are in need?

Prayer - Heavenly Father, we know that the baby growing inside of his or her mother needs prayers. We ask that you protect the unborn babies and help their moms find any help they need. Help me to love & support unborn babies and their moms in any way I can. We ask this in Jesus’ name...Amen.

Intention - That the life of every human person, from conception to natural death, might be protected in our laws and cherished in our hearts; We pray to the Lord…(USCCB RL 2021)

Grades 6 - 12
Value All Life - Protecting & Respecting All Life - In the birth of Christ, God reveals to us the dignity of all human life. God holds the lives of all of us in his loving care. St. Joseph welcomed Mary into his home, and took care of her and Jesus. He didn’t hesitate to do God’s will and faithfully cared for and protected Mary and Jesus. We are called to care for and protect all life from conception until natural death and help others see their value in being created in the image and likeness of God. Any type of death caused by humans, (ie, abortion, assisted suicide, euthanasia) is not God’s will.
How can we live like St. Joseph? How can we help others know their value?

Prayer - Heavenly Father, there are many times in our culture that we hear of things that do not respect the life and dignity of every unique person who is made in God’s image & likeness. May we have the courage to stand up and defend human dignity with the love of Christ in our hearts. We ask this in Jesus’ name...Amen.

Intention - For all of us to recognize and protect the dignity and humanity of every person as a unique creation of God made in His image & likeness;
We pray to the Lord...

Love & Support Moms & their Babies - Serving Moms in Need & The Gift of Adoption
An unborn child is a “Gift from God” and needs to be loved and cared for by his or her mom. An unborn baby is created by God and just needs time to grow inside of his or her mommy to be able to survive once he or she is born. Some moms may be a little afraid of becoming a mom and worried about providing for their baby - they may choose to place their baby for adoption. Adoption is such a gift to the baby’s mom and the family praying for a baby. St. Joseph is Jesus’ adopted father and he protected and provided for Jesus. Abortion is never God’s will. This ends the baby’s life and causes pain for the mother for years. How can we help moms who are in need? How can we support moms who choose to place their baby for adoption?

Prayer- Heavenly Father, we know that each life You create is made in Your image and likeness and has great purpose! May each mother find the love and support she needs to help her with the fears she may have about her pregnancy and becoming a mother. Help us to open our hearts to be aware and ready to help these women in their time of need. We ask this in Jesus’ name...Amen.

Intention - For all mothers to recognize the incredible gift of life that God has given them through their child and to find the help & support they may need;
We pray to the Lord…

Corporal Works of Mercy
1. Bulletin Board or Posters - These will serve as educational and informational projects. Students can choose one of the topics and prepare a bulletin board or poster that will raise awareness and teach about the issue. How can you proclaim the Gospel or show support for moms in need This can be done as a class project or larger school project. The purpose of this project is to educate the other students in your school. You are also welcome to submit your projects to Choose the Child, Natasia Kissinger - ntkissinger@gmail.com to be shared publicly to educate the community.

2. Pregnancy Centers - As we “walk with moms in need”, we can help the clients of Pregnancy Centers prepare for their babies’ birth-days! They are in need of diapers, wipes, baby wash, lotion, hooded towels, 3-6 mos clothing, and bottles.

3. Homes for the Elderly - Pray for and support the elderly by creating Spiritual Bouquets for the residents who live in the homes. Spiritual Bouquets are prayers or devotional acts that someone has or will offer someone else. More information can be found here - Spiritual Bouquet

4. Onesies for the Little One - Students can decorate onesies with positive messages! The students can collect donations for the onesies they create! The proceeds can be donated to your school and the onesies can be donated to the local pregnancy care center.

5. Pro-Life Prayer Card - Prayer is vital to changing hearts and lives. A simple prayer can call on God to save a life. Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 18:3 By encouraging our children to write a prayer for life or design meaningful respect life art, we are cultivating them to grow a culture of life and helping them to know that they do have a voice.

Eligibility - The contest is open to all students in grades Kindergarten through 12th grade. There are 3 categories - Kindergarten - 3rd grade, 4th - 7th grade, and 8th - 12th grade. Entry Limit - One prayer and/or artwork per student. The artwork and prayer submissions will be judged separately. Therefore, the artwork winner may different from the prayer winner. Entry Deadline - Entries must be submitted to Choose the Child, Natasia Kissinger, ntkissinger@gmail.com or mailed to 4525 Jeannette Dr., Metairie, LA 70003 by October 31, 2021. Entries must either be emailed or postmarked by this date. Visit ChoosetheChild.com for more details.

Additional Resources for 2021-2022
General Respect Life Information
USCCB Respect Life Program
https://www.respectlife.org/respect-life-month

Unborn/Abortion and Healing After Abortion
https://nolacatholic.org/protecting-the-unborn

Adoption
https://nolacatholic.org/adoption-foster-care

Fertility/Infertility
https://nolacatholic.org/reproductive-technology

Assisted Suicide/End of Life
https://nolacatholic.org/end-of-life-issues

Speakers’ Topics
Contact:
-Respect Life Office - Michelle Black, Respect Life Director - 504-885-1141, mblack@ccano.org
-Louisiana Right to Life - Ashley Gilliam, Youth Programs Director - 504-835-6520, ashley@prolifelouisana.org
-Natasia Kissinger, creator of “Footprints for Life” and Founder/Executive Director of Choose the Child, has excellent Respect Life Presentations available for Catholic youth and their parents. Contact Natasia at ntkissinger@gmail.com or 504-339-5384.

Footprints for Life is a program designed to cultivate a culture of life in our children and educate them on how a simple act of love can make a difference in their community. This program builds on a foundation of dignity, compassion, and truth. The program covers USCCB Culture of Life topics age-appropriately, and incorporates discussions, activities, and the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy into the study of these issues. It is designed to be easily integrated into an already existing program. On April 1, 2019, the program received the Imprimatur from Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans.
Visit ChoosetheChild.com or contact Natasia Kissinger at ntkissinger@gmail.com or 504-339-5384.

PULSE (Louisiana Right to Life)
The PULSE Youth Initiative of Louisiana Right to Life has resources for the High School students of New Orleans! In these programs, everyone is inspired, educated and equipped to be the pulse fo the pro-life generation.
Teachers have access to educational pamphlets and professional speakers on pro-life topics for their classrooms. Pro-Life Moderators and club members can seek advice and materials for various activities and events for their campus!
Let us know if you would like a crash course on Pro-Life Persuasion for any school groups! For all of these opportunities and resources, contact Ashley Gilliam, Youth Programs Director - 504-835-6520, ashley@prolifelouisana.org
Off campus, there are a variety of youth-involvement and club-networking opportunities. Represent your high school at one of our PULSE meetings at the Louisiana Right to Life Office Headquarters, or at a jam-packed pro-life leadership and advocacy training, PULSE Immersion weekend! See upcoming dates at ProLifePulseLA.com

Please note that this outline is based on the USCCB’s Respect Life Program for 2021-2022.

Parish Program

“St. Joseph - Faithful Protector of Mother and Child”
USCCB Respect Life Program 2021-2022
Archdiocese of New Orleans

USCCB Respect Life Program Topics -
Respect Life Reflection: “St. Joseph - Faithful Protector of Mother and Child” - “The infant child Christ ‘came into our world in a state of great vulnerability. He needed to be defended, protected, cared for and raised by Joseph’” (USCCB Respect Life Program 2021-2022 - PC 5) We are also called to care for, protect, and defend the lives of our brothers and sisters.

Visit https://www.respectlife.org/respect-life-month for the 2021 Respect Life Program and a complete package of resources.

Respect Life Month Focus
Value All Life from Conception until Natural Death (Protecting & Respecting All Life)
Love & Support Moms & their Babies (Serving Moms in Need)

Value of All Life From Conception until Natural Death - We are called to be faithful protectors of our brothers and sisters and live in the will of the Father. We can ask ourselves: “Do we realize how precious every person is? How do we reassure those at the end of life who are afraid they are a burden or feel like their lives don’t have meaning?

Love & Suppport Moms & their Babies - Like St. Joseph who was called to protect and sacrifice for Mary & Jesus, we are called to help moms in need. Through the USCCB Walking with Mom’s in Need* Program and the gift of adoption, we can help mothers make a life-saving decision. (*We are referring to this program again this year due to the limitation of COVID last year.)

4. Mass Intentions - The intentions can be used at different Masses throughout the month or all at one Mass. Also, please feel free to write your own intentions.

Value All Life - Protecting & Respecting All Life - In the birth of Christ, God reveals to us the dignity of all human life. God holds the lives of all of us in his loving care. St. Joseph welcomed Mary into his home, and took care of her and Jesus. He didn’t hesitate to do God’s will and faithfully care for and protect Mary and Jesus. We are called to care for and protect all life from conception until natural death and help others see their value in being created in the image and likeness of God. Any type of death caused by humans, (ie, abortion, assisted suicide, euthanasia) is not God’s will. How can we help others know their value? How can we live like St. Joseph?

Prayer - Heavenly Father, every person is a gift created by you because you love us. From the moment you created us, we were like no other person who has ever lived. May we always respect our own lives and the lives of all others until the day you call us to our heavenly home. We ask this in Jesus’ name….Amen.

Intention - May God grant us the wisdom and courage to lovingly protect His gift of human life at every stage, in sickness and health; We pray to the Lord….(USCCB RL 2021)

Love & Support Moms & their Babies - Serving Moms in Need & The Gift of Adoption
An unborn child is a “Gift from God” and needs to be loved and cared for by his or her mom, An unborn baby is created by God and just needs time to grow inside of his or her mommy to be able to survive once he or she is born. Some moms may be a little afraid of becoming a mom and worried about providing for their baby - they may choose to place their baby for adoption. Adoption is such a gift to the baby’s mom and the family praying for a baby. Abortion is never God’s will. This ends the baby’s life and causes pain for teh mother for years. St. Joseph is Jesus’ adopted father and he protected and provided for Jesus. How can we help moms who are in need? How can we support moms who choose to place their baby for adoption?

Prayer - Heavenly Father, we know that the baby growing inside of his or her mother needs prayers. We ask that you protect the unborn babies and help their moms find any help they need. Help me to love & support unborn babies and their moms in any way I can. We ask this in Jesus’ name...Amen.

Intention -That the life of every human person, from conception to natural death, might be protected in our laws and cherished in our hearts; We pray to the Lord…(USCCB RL 2021)

Corporal Works of Mercy
1. Bulletin Board or Posters - These will serve as educational and informational projects. Choose one of the topics and prepare a bulletin board or poster that will raise awareness and teach about the issue. How can you proclaim the Gospel or show support for moms in need? The purpose of this project is to educate the parishioners n your Church. You are also welcome to submit your projects to Choose the Child, Natasia Kissinger - ntkissinger@gmail.com to be shared publicly to educate the community.

2. Pregnancy Centers - As we “walk with moms in need”, we can help the clients of Pregnancy Centers prepare for their babies’ birth-days! They are in need of diapers, wipes, baby wash, lotion, hooded towels, 3-6 mos clothing, and bottles.

3. Homes for the Elderly - Pray for and support the elderly by creating Spiritual Bouquets for the residents who live in the homes. Spiritual Bouquets are prayers or devotional acts that someone has or will offer someone else. More information can be found here - Spiritual Bouquet

Fertility/Infertility
https://nolacatholic.org/reproductive-technology

Assisted Suicide/End of Life
https://nolacatholic.org/end-of-life-issues

Speakers’ Topics
Contact:
-Respect Life Office - Michelle Black, Respect Life Director - 504-885-1141, mblack@ccano.org
-Louisiana Right to Life - Alex Seghers, Director of Education -504-835-6520, alex@prolifelouisiana.org
-Natasia Kissinger, creator of “Footprints for Life” and Founder/Executive Director of Choose the Child, has excellent Respect Life Presentations available for Catholic youth and their parents. Contact Natasia at ntkissinger@gmail.com or 504-339-5384.

Footprints for Life is a program designed to cultivate a culture of life in our children and educate them on how a simple act of love can make a difference in their community. This program builds on a foundation of dignity, compassion, and truth. The program covers USCCB Culture of Life topics age-appropriately, and incorporates discussions, activities, and the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy into the study of these issues. It is designed to be easily integrated into an already existing program. On April 1, 2019, the program received the Imprimatur from Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans.
Visit ChoosetheChild.com or contact Natasia Kissinger at ntkissinger@gmail.com or 504-339-5384.

PULSE (Louisiana Right to Life)
The PULSE Youth Initiative of Louisiana Right to Life has resources for the High School students of New Orleans! In these programs, everyone is inspired, educated and equipped to be the pulse fo the pro-life generation. Teachers have access to educational pamphlets and professional speakers on pro-life topics for their classrooms. Pro-Life Moderators and club members can seek advice and materials for various activities and events for their campus! Let us know if you would like a crash course on Pro-Life Persuasion for any school groups! For all of these opportunities and resources, contact Alex Seghers, alex@prolifelouisiana.orgOff campus, there are a variety of youth-involvement and club-networking opportunities. Represent your high school at one of our PULSE meetings at the Louisiana Right to Life Office Headquarters, or at a jam-packed pro-life leadership and advocacy training, PULSE Immersion weekend! See upcoming dates at ProLifePulseLA.com

Please note that this outline is based on the USCCB’s Respect Life Program for 2021-2022