Parish sponsoring educational series on life issues

Embracing the philosophy that education is the key to ending abortions and euthanasia, Betty Higgins did her homework prior to unveiling plans for a four-part educational series to run weekly from Feb. 27 to March 20 at St. Teresa of Avila parish in Albany.

Titled "Stand Up For Life," the in-depth program is being co-sponsored by the parish's Respect Life Committee and the Albany Diocese in the hope that it will teach Catholics how to make a positive difference in the pro-life arena.

Varied topics

* "The Church and Pro-Life: What Do We Stand For?" led by Rev. Francis Gilchrist. The session will provide an explanation of the basic respect life philosophy and traditional Church teachings on the sacredness of life. Participants will learn what is necessary to implement parish pro-life spirituality, programs and activities.

* "How can we spread the Gospel of Life?" facilitated by Kelly Chandler and Gert Johnson, who will focus on the goals of Birthright and the diocesan Community Maternity Services. Included will be a video with Msgr. James Lisante, a pro-life speaker from Long Island, and a Faith Formation teacher's presentation on "Youth's Response to Life."

* "Quality of Life Today: Who is to Judge?" with the film "Who Shall Survive?" used as a catalyst for discussion on infanticide (partial-birth abortions) and euthanasia. The class will also learn about medical strides that have been made in pre-natal care and in surgery for the unborn.

* "The Church in the Pro-Life Political Arena" with Susan Tully, an attorney who was formerly with the New York State Catholic Conference. She will talk about political responsibility in pro-life legislative issues and the consequences of Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion on demand.

Essay contest

Prior to writing essays, students in grades 7 and 8 will be treated to a presentation designed to make respect life issues meaningful in their lives.

"Our hope in assigning the topic we have chosen for this year is to help students transfer knowledge gained in the classroom into everyday concepts and actions," said Mrs. Higgins.

Winners of this year's essay contest will be honored during a Family Liturgy at St. Teresa's in February or March.

Shower, too

"We always have the shower on Mother's Day," she explained. "All the beautiful baby items we receive are evenly distributed among Community Maternity Services, Birthright and The Christ Child Society. Funds donated to the cause are also divided equally among those organizations."

Another annual Respect Life committee happening is St. Teresa's Adopt-A-Baby program. Started four years ago by parishioner Ed Karath, the program has since spread to other parishes throughout the Diocese. The program calls for parishioners to select a baby's name and then pray over a nine-month period for the child to be blessed with the gift of life.

"Each month during the nine-month period, we include a chronology of the unborn baby's development," she said. "In that way, we believe Adopt-A-Baby is both a spiritual and an educational program for our parishioners."

(Although the pro-life educational series is being hosted by St. Teresa's, anyone can participate. The cost for all four sessions is just $5. Pre-registration is required by Feb. 20. Make checks payable to St. Teresa of Avila Respect Life Committee, 435 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208. Classes will take place from 7:30-9:30 p.m. in the St. Teresa of Avila Social Center at New Scotland and Hollywood Avenues.)

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