Sanctity of Life Mass adds Ignite to celebration for life

Jan. 15 at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help

On Jan. 15, Archbishop Coakley will preside over the annual Sanctity of Life Mass at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help to pray for the sanctity and respect of all human life from conception until natural death.
 
The Mass will be followed by an event called Ignite, which offers a time for reflection, praise and worship for the entire family. Ignite will be livestreamed to several parishes throughout the archdiocese at Saint John in Edmond, Saint Francis Xavier in Enid, Saint Peter in Woodward, Saint Peter in Guymon and Holy Family in Lawton.
 
Respect Life coordinators for the archdiocese, Noelle Garcia McHugh and her husband David McHugh, will lead the event, which includes speaking and music. Archbishop Coakley will lead Eucharistic adoration.
 
Noelle McHugh explained that Ignite is an exciting event that the entire family can enjoy together. 
 
“This event is typically geared toward youth, but we want to open it up to include all ages,” she said. “My talk is easy for youth to understand and it’s appropriate for children. It will center on our Christian responsibilities with this issue and what it truly means to be compassionate.”
 
Since moving to Oklahoma from Kansas in September, the McHughs have focused on networking with other leaders in Oklahoma who focus on pro-life ministries.
 
“There are a lot of people who are trying to do the same thing we are,” she said. “We want to foster those relationships and bring the community together on these issues.” 
 
The McHughs spent several years involved in youth ministry, music and evangelization as well as anti-suicide efforts. While the Respect Life program covers all threats to the sanctity of human life and supports every ministry that is engaged in the respect of human life, they are especially focused on abortion.
 
“Our vision for this ministry is to have people actively engaged and excited, and we hope this Mass will re-energize the pro-life movement,” Noelle McHugh said. “The reality is that we’ve become numb to this. We want to see some renewed excitement around these issues, get some younger faces and new ideas involved.”
 
Each year, 8th grade confirmation students at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help attend the Mass as part of the class requirements. Confirmation catechist Samantha Vu emphasized the importance of engaging her students in the event.
 
“It is a beautiful Mass that celebrates life. Archbishop’s homily circulates around how precious and sacred human life is, the importance and our duty to fight for it,” she said.
 
Vu’s goal for her students is to come away from the Mass able to comprehend the sanctity of every human life.
 
“I hope and pray they have an understanding and respect for the value of life,” Vu said. “I also hope they know how much they are loved and how important they are to those around them.”
 
Noelle McHugh explained there are many ways for people to become involved in pro-life ministry, including daily prayer. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops declared Jan. 22 a day of prayer for the legal protection of unborn children. The date marks the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to legalize abortion through Roe v. Wade.
 
“Every sanctity of life issue has to start in the womb,” Noelle McHugh said. “Our motto is children are not an obstacle to our dreams, they are the inspiration for them.”
 
Sally Linhart is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.


Resources:

Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities provides many resources for pregnant women and families including: Adoption support, counseling services, transitional house and the Family H.O.P.E Case Management Program. People do not have to be Catholic to receive services. Services are free and always confidential. Visit catholiccharitiesok.org.
 
Project Gabriel
Project Gabriel is a parish-based ministry supported by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. It is a confidential, compassionate ministry helping women struggling with unplanned pregnancies. Project Gabriel mentors, engages and assists women in need of resources, supplies, and emotional and spiritual support. Locations in Shawnee, Edmond and Oklahoma City. Contact (405) 523-3012 or visit projectgabrielok.org.
 
Rachel's Vineyard retreats
A Rachel’s Vineyard weekend retreat offers abortion healing and an opportunity to deeply enter into the grieving process. Participation is strictly confidential. Both men and women are invited. The program is an apostolate of the Catholic Church, but people from other faith backgrounds are welcome. Pre-registration is required. There is no cost to attend but space is limited. Contact (405) 438-0265, rachelsvineyardokc@gmail.com.
 
Low-cost health clinics
To find free or low-cost health clinics in the archdiocese, go online to archokc.org/resources.
 
Willow Pregnancy Support
Willow Pregnancy Support (formerly Birth Choice) provides pregnant women, concerned friends or family members with compassionate dialog, one-to-one help and nurturing support. Volunteers and staff members provide each woman whatever practical assistance is necessary to help her realize her worth and that of her unborn child. With help from Willow, she can choose the gift of life, simultaneously finding enrichment and spiritual healing. Support is given in a loving, personal, non-judgmental and strictly confidential way to meet the specific needs of each individual. willowpregnancy.org
 
Rosary for Life - OKC 
Sr. Maria, parishioners at St. James and community members gather every morning at 11:30 a.m. to peacefully pray the Rosary at 1240 S.W. 44 at the corner of S.W. 44 and Blackwelder Avenue near the abortion center. Anyone can participate. 
 
Rosary for Life - Norman 
Pray the Rosary for Life, 6:30 p.m., at the chapel at St. Thomas More, 100 Stinson St. in Norman. Contact Connie Lang at (405) 249-1041, potato.lang@gmail.com.
 
40 Days for Life
Every spring and fall, this 40-day campaign aims to turn hearts away from abortion and the culture of death through round-the-clock, peaceful prayer vigils outside abortion facilities. For information on the Oklahoma City vigil, contact Erika Martinez at 40days4life.okc@gmail.com or (405) 615-7642. For the Norman vigil, contact Connie Lang at (405) 249-1041 or jlang9@cox.net. Visit 40daysforlife.com.
 
Holy Innocents' Chapel
Holy Innocents’ Foundation Chapel, 6114 N.W. 63rd, Warr Acres, offers perpetual adoration of the Eucharist, with the special goal of bringing about an end to abortion. To sign up as a committed adorer or to volunteer, visit holyinnocentsokc.org.
 
Gospel of Life Disciples and Dwellings
The Gospel of Life Disciples are a Catholic ecclesial family of consecrated and lay persons committed to Jesus as the way, truth and life. They live the corporal and spiritual works of mercy by accompanying frail elders with life-affirming care, free of charge. Contact Sr. Maria of the Trinity at srmaria@gospeloflifedisciples.org or (405) 778-1107. Visit gospeloflifedisciples.org.
 
St. Ann's Pregnancy and Early Infant Loss support
St. Ann’s Ministry for pregnancy and infant loss, 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m., St. John Raphael House, Edmond. Contact Rachel Kretchmar at (405) 642-2254, rachelkretchmar@gmail.com.
 
St. Catherine’s miscarriage and infant loss ministry
St. Catherine’s miscarriage and infant loss ministry meets 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Epiphany of the Lord, 7336 W. Britton Rd., in Oklahoma City, on the third Monday of every month.  Call (405) 618-2402.
 
Rose Day
At the beginning of the new legislative session each year, hundreds gather at the State Capitol to promote and support the lives of unborn babies by meeting with their state senators and representatives and presenting them red roses, which represent the sanctity of the unborn. Attendees are encouraged to present roses to their representative, senator, lieutenant governor and governor. roseday.life.
 
March for Life
The March for Life in Washington, D.C., began as a small demonstration and rapidly grew to be the largest pro-life event in the world.  It is held on Jan. 22 each year on the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision that made abortion legal. marchforlife.org.
 
Students for Life
Students for Life of America is the nation’s largest youth pro-life organization. It is dedicated to training and equipping college, high school, middle school, medical school and law school students, so they can defend the preborn and help young mothers on their campuses. studentsforlife.org.