Respect Life

These weekends are post-abortive retreats and facilitated by a team of volunteers, including clergy and licensed counselors, and offer a healing opportunity for any person who struggles with emotional or spiritual pain. Separate weekend retreats are held in English and Spanish.

Support After Abortion (844-289-HOPE)
Healing, help, and recovery for men and women.

Parish Spiritual Adoption
In October, 2017, the Parish spiritually adopted the All Women's Health Center (1545 Huffingham Road, Jacksonville) one of three abortion facilities currently in Jacksonville.

We have since joined our avocacy efforts with Family for LIFE at Women's Choice of Jacksonville (4131 University  Blvd., S, Building #2, Jacksonville).

We continue to pray, peacefully and lovingly, in a lawful manner for the women and men who enter the facility. We also pray for the workers employed there and especially the Unknown Unborn who are sacrificed.

Advocates provide information about LIFE aternativies, including those services being offered at nearby Women's Help  Center.

Volunteers are welcome to join us in  prayer at any of the three abortion facilities: A Woman's Choice (4131 University Blvd., So., All Women's Health Center, 1545 Huffingham Road, or Planned Parenthood, 5978 Powers Avenue.

Walking with Moms in Need
This initiative is sponsored by the USCCB and is designed to elp those families in our immediate community who will benefit from our Pro-Life Works of Mercy which are aligned with the Corporal Works of Mercy. The school-based program, Respecting Life Begins with Me and donations from the Respect Life Collection support this program.

The USCCB offers information about the Catholic teachings on many topics.  Check out USCCB.org.

Red Bird Ministries is a Catholic grief support and nonprofit ministry serving individuals and couples who have lost someone they love with special attention for those who have experienced the loss of a child from pregnancy through adulthood as well as those who have lost a spouse or parent.  The founders and core team members have experienced child loss and other family deaths and work in conjunction with clinical experts and clergy to address the psychological, emotional, relational and spiritual impact of losing someone.  Workshops and retreat days as well as a virtual 10-week Grief Group are offered.  For more info, contact: Regina Quiñones (904-910-7221).

The Respect Life Ministry promotes the dignity of all life from conception to natural death. Our efforts focus on prayer, education, advocacy and legislation as we seek to raise awareness and inspire others to participate in these issues of life and justice. – Diocese of St. Augustine Webpage.

A DIRECTORY, published by the Office of Human Life & Dignity, offers information about pregnancy resource centers, maternity homes, and healing after abortion in counties throughout our Diocese. There are also informational brochures available in the Church Narthex.

The Respect Life ministry supports local pregnancy crisis centers, including Lifeline Services, Women's Help Center, Alpha Omega Miracle Home, St. Gerard's Campus and Divine Mercy House.  

The ministry promotes and educates the public about legislation regarding life issues and by participating in Catholic Days at the Capitol, including abortion, healing after abortion, death penalty, human trafficking, prison ministry and special needs.

Networking opportunities through monthly Muffins4Life events are hosted by parishes throughout the Diocese.

The ministry also welcomes with prayer those baptized at Holy Family. 

A Holy Hour for LIFE is held monthly on the 2nd Friday of the month from 10:00 - 11:00 am in the Church. Please remember to keep the Unborn in your prayers.

Parishes in the South Jax Respect Life Deanery, of which Holy Family Parish belongs, have selected Thursdays as a day of sacrificial fasting for the end to abortion. Your offering may be of your choosing.

The Respect Life Ministry is open to all parishioners and meets quarterly from September to May to plan and coordinate activities and updates to the Holy Family community.  Please check the bulletin for meeting dates and times.  If you would like more information, or become active in this ministry, contact the Respect Life coordinator: Renée Hertz @ rjkh188@gmail.com.