THE PEACE OF CHOOSING LIFE

Rosalba Quiroz, Diocese of Shreveport Executive Administrative Assistant to the Bishop

ST.JOHN PAUL II ADDRESSED CHRISTIANS GATHERED AT THE BASILICA OF SAINT FRANCIS REGARDING “THE CHALLENGE OF PEACE…” AT A CONFERENCE THAT TOOK PLACE ALMOST 40 YEARS AGO, THAT STILL RESONATES WITH US TODAY. The Pope spoke about a world in need of peace. In his remarks, he urged his audience and all Christians to be workers for peace. In the same lines, The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) works diligently to promote peace and to defend life from conception to natural death, through programs like the Rachel Project, which helps women found in an unplanned pregnancy.

Our diocese joins in this effort with organizations like Mary’s House, a pregnancy help center for women who face an unplanned pregnancy, and through programs like the Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat, a healing weekend for those who have been victims of abortion. Carrying the pain of a lost child, who was denied the opportunity we all were given of being born, can consequently produce a spiritual death that needs to be addressed – and it’s never too late!

The next Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat in our diocese will be October 20-22. If you or someone you love is hurting from an abortion, please call 318-588-1064 and register for this wonderful weekend. You can also visit the website at www.rachelsvineyard.org For more resources and retreats in other cities.