By The Message staff
“Every October, we consider more deeply why every human life is valuable and reflect on how to build a culture that protects life from conception to natural death” (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops).
The Diocese of Evansville’s Office of Marriage, Family and Life has scheduled the 2023 Respect Life Celebration for Oct. 19. Bishop Joseph M. Siegel will open the event with Mass at 5:30 p.m. CDT in St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville. Dinner will follow in the Woodward Center at the cathedral, and will feature internationally known writer and speaker Theresa Bonapartis.
Theresa is the co-developer of “Entering Canaan – a Sacramental Journey to an Inheritance of Mercy,” a post-abortion ministry published by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which consists of day retreats; weekends; monthly gatherings; and special retreats.
In addition to the women’s ministry, she also developed, with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, programs for specialized days for men; siblings of aborted babies; and those who aborted as a result of an adverse diagnosis.
Having experienced abortion herself, Theresa’s journey of healing has inspired many works across the country and the world – including “An Afternoon of Prayerful Remembrance and Intercession,“ a prayer service she developed with the Family Life Office of New York, which has been televised by EWTN and offered by many dioceses across the country.
Theresa has also written “A Journey to Healing Through Divine Mercy,” to assist those suffering from abortion on their healing journey. Published by Marian Press, this book of meditations offers reflections on real issues faced in the healing journey.
For more information on the 2023 Respect Life Celebration, visit https://www.evdio.org/events2.html