Respect Life

Rachel’s Vineyard

This ministry is one of the world's largest for post-abortive healing.  For information about weekend retreats, where all are welcome, visit www.rachelsvineyard.org or email: rachelsvineyardjax@yahoo.com.  All inquires are strictly confidential.

Project Rachel

This ministry is a Diocesan-based network of trained priests, religious, counselors, and laypersons who provide a team response of care for those suffering in the aftermath of abortion. In addition to referring for Sacramental Reconciliation, the ministry provides an integrated network of services, including pastoral counseling, support groups, retreats and referrals to licensed mental health professionals. Through Project Rachel and Rachel’s Vineyard, women and men can overcome their grief and despair, find healing for their deep spiritual wounds, and live again in the sure hope of God’s forgiveness and of reunion one day with their child.

40 Days for Life (March 6-April 14,2019)

The focus of this national campaign is to end abortion through fasting, peaceful prayer and action.  During these 40 Days for Life, Holy Family offers a Holy Hour featuring Eucharistic Adoration with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament between the 7 am and 9 am daily Masses.  You are invited to join us and pray for life!

The focus of this national campaign is to end abortion through fasting, peaceful prayer and action.   

In January, Holy Family participates in the March for Life, St. Augustine and the March for Life, Washington, DC.  These events highlight the sanctity of life of the unborn.  Watch for details in the bulletin and on the Parish App.

Parish Spiritual Adoption Plan
In October, 2017, the Parish spiritually adopted the All Women's Health Center (1545 Huffingham Road), one of four abortion facilities in Jacksonville.  We pray for the women and men who enter the facility, the abortion workers employed there AND especially the babies aborted. As part of our Adoption Plan, Sidewalk Advocates for Life trained counselors provide information about alternatives offered by the nearby Women's Help Center. We welcome volunteers to stand in prayerful vigil with us on Monday mornings. If you are interested in learning how to offer peaceful and loving counseling, we invite you to attend a Sidewalk Advocates for Life Workshop.  Watch for details in the bulletin for specific dates about future workshops, or contact Kevin or Renée for more information. 

Rose Procession

Holy Family holds an annual Rose Procession either in January or October prior to the beginning of one selected Mass.  The purpose of this procession is to underscore the Supreme Court decision of Roe v Wade that legalized abortion.  Volunteers born in the years beginning with 1973 and continuing to the current year, including an expectant mother, process to the altar carrying a rose to represent babies lost to abortion--over 60 million, and to emphasize the serious impact of this decision on unborn life in the womb.  Recruiting for volunteers begins in the fall.  For more information, contact Kevin or Renee.

Life Issues Forum

This bi-weekly column by Pro-Life Secretariat staff addresses the latest issues on the culture of life.  Check the USCCB website link for more information. 

Respect Life Coordinator: Kevin Gartland, Renée Hertz or Deacon Doug Nullet.

The Respect Life Ministry is an educational, pastoral care ministry that seeks to instill respect for human life as a sacred gift from God. Respect Life activities focus on the gift of life from the moment of conception to natural death. The ministry promotes legislation to that effect and works to inspire people to recognize the gift of life in all its stages. – Diocese of St. Augustine, Webpage.

Respect Life Committee meets monthly from September to June to plan and coordinate Respect Life activities during the year.  If you would like more information, or become active in this ministry, contact Kevin Gartland or Renee Hertz.

Women’s Help Center and Lifeline Resources Pregnancy Center

The Parish maintains a supportive relationship with several area other crisis pregnancy resource centers who serve pregnant women and their families in Northeast Florida with compassionate understanding, emotional, and psychological support. These centers also offer pregnancy and sonogram testing. The Centers do not offer abortion services or referrals.

St. Gerard Campus

The Parish supports the St. Gerard Campus, in St. Augustine, a non-profit maternity home and Christian high school for pregnant teenagers, promotes empowerment through education.  The campus also offers a range of services including social support.