Sanctity of Life Awareness & Unity Day

Sanctity of 12 P EOPLE of G OD

Life february2020

Awareness & Unity Day

On January 22, 2020, New Mexico’s three dioceses gathered in Santa Fe to prayerfully mark the 47 th anniversary of the U. S. Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade legalizing abortion, with the Annual Sanctity of Life Awareness and Unity Day. The day included a Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, a prayer procession to the New Mexico State Capitol, a rally at the Roundhouse, and visits with legislators.

New Mexico’s three bishops:Archbishop John C. Wester (Archdiocese of Santa Fe), Bishop Peter Baldacchino (Diocese of Las Cruces) and Bishop James S. Wall (Diocese of Gallup) concelebrated the Mass along several members of the clergy representing New Mexico parishes.

After the Mass and procession from the Cathedral to the State Capitol, the bishops focused on their legislative agenda to protect life. (More on page 2)

Most Reverend John C. Wester Archdiocese of Santa Fe

Most Reverend James Wall Diocese of Gallup Most Reverend Peter Baldacchino Diocese of Las Cruces

Generous Donations Help Local Pregnancy Centers, Homeless Shelters and Nursing Homes

By Anne Avellone, Director, Social Justice and Respect Life T he growing tradition of bringing items for donation to the Sanctity of Life Mass is bearing much fruit! As a result of generous donations this year, we were able to give much needed items to the following groups working with pregnant moms, people experiencing homeless or elderly people throughout the archdiocese: CareNet (Santa Fe, Española), Birthright (Albuquerque), Origins Pregnancy Center (Rio Rancho), Immaculate Conception Church Bread and Blessings (Albuquerque), and Casa de las Comunidades (Albuquerque). Items included diapers, wipes, onesies, bottles, rattles, clothing, toiletries, some food items, and more. Representatives from several organizations stayed after Mass to help sort all the donations and divide them up among the organizations in need.