Abortion, death penalty, prison ministry among topics to be addressed at diocesan Respect for the Dignity of Life Day

Courtesy photo

+ Enlarge

SALT LAKE CITY — The diocesan Respect for the Dignity of Life Day will be celebrated on Oct. 19 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Holladay. The day is part of the activities that will take place in October, which the Catholic Church has designated as Respect Life Month.

The day will start with Mass  followed by a series of talks on a wide range of themes related to respect for life from conception to natural death.

“Attendees will learn more about the topics presented throughout the day and how they apply to our Catholic teaching on the gift of human life at all stages and phases of life,” said Crystal Painter, director of the diocesan Office of Marriage and Family Life and Respect Life Commission.

The day also will provide people with resources “that they can take back to their parish communities to help continue to build a culture of life and accompaniment and support to those in need,” she said.

Among the topics addressed will be the death penalty, the diocesan prison ministry, ministry to people with disabilities, suicide, mental health, miscarriage and abortion. Each presentation will be approximately 40 minutes long and presented to the entire group; they are not break-out sessions.

The topics were chosen because “Respect Life Month is an opportunity to build a culture of life with a full understanding of our Catholic teaching on the sanctity of life from conception to natural death,” Painter said.

Michelle Beasley, a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Sandy who is involved with the diocesan prison ministry and is also a lay ecclesial minster, will present a talk on the death penalty. She helped organize the events protesting execution of Taberon Honie by the State of Utah on Aug. 8.

“When I was driving to the vigil to pray and show opposition at the free speech zone near the prison, I passed families playing baseball at the park,” Beasley said. “It was surreal. Didn’t they know someone was about to be executed?”

She felt the urge to raise awareness of “the pain and suffering of families of victims as well as families of those sentenced to death,” she said, adding that, through her presentation, she wants to “share Pope Francis’ desire to end the death penalty worldwide and explain that murder goes against our Catholic faith.”

Beasley’s presentation “will educate Catholics regarding Church teachings on the death penalty and call them to action to help end the death penalty,” Painter said.

The diocesan prison ministry brings Mass, Bible study, counseling and support to people in state prisons and detention centers. Deacon Greg Werking, who serves as the assistant chaplain to this ministry, will speak about the work done “to create a more just and merciful criminal justice system that upholds the dignity of every human person and advances restorative justice,” Painter said.

Carol Ruddell, a member of the Diocesan Disabilities Commission, will give a presentation about accompanying those with disabilities, and also speak about suicide/mental health awareness.

The commission “does great work serving people with disabilities to ensure they can participate fully in the life of the Church,” Painter said. “There are many in the diocese that aren’t aware of this important and impactful ministry, and this is a great opportunity to learn how we can reach out, invite and accompany people with disabilities in our parish communities.”

Noting that “everyone is touched by mental health issues in some way,” Painter said she was thrilled when the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops announced a new mental health campaign last October.

“It is important and helpful to have a good knowledge and understanding of mental health. This presentation will provide information and resources on mental health and suicide awareness,” she said.

Kevin Cummings, who is the director of Christian formation of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Layton, will address the topic of miscarriage and infant loss.

“Grieving parents who have lost a child find very little support and resources in parishes,” said Painter. She and Cummings “are working to build a new ministry to provide information and resources to parishes so that they can better support those who have experienced child loss.”

Painter will also be offering some updates on legislation surrounding abortion.

When Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, then chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, met with Pope Francis in January 2020, “the Holy Father expressed support of the USCCB for identifying abortion as the preeminent priority. He shared that if we fail to protect life, no other rights matter,” Painter said, adding that Pope Francis also has said that abortion is not primarily a Catholic or even a religious issue, “it is first and foremost a human rights issue.  Roe v Wade may have been overturned, but our work to defend the unborn and to walk with moms in need is not over. This presentation will be a brief overview of the state of abortion in Utah and throughout the U.S.”

Beasley invited all the faith to attend the presentations. “People who attend the upcoming diocesan Respect for the Dignity of Life Day will come away with a greater sense of solidarity regardless of differences,” she said.

WHAT: Respect for the Dignity of Life Day

WHEN: Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE: St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1375 E. Spring Lane, Holladay

In-person only. Registration is free, but required, visit https://www.dioslc.org/events/306 or scan the QR code at left. For information, contact the diocesan Office of Family Life, crystal.painter@dioslc.org or 801328-8641 ext. 324.