Overview
This group of ministries works to promote respect of all life from womb to tomb through prayer, peaceful witness, education and advocacy. One of the tenants of our Catholic faith is the protection of the defenseless and those without a voice and these ministries promote that protection. This ministry is part of a nationwide effort to protect, nurture and sustain human life. This ministry includes a four-part plan issues by the Catholic Bishops of the United States, which include:
- Education- In the Catholic community and the public square.
- Care and Services- For women with problems related to pregnancy; for those disabled, sick, or dying and their families; and for those who have been involved in abortion.
- Advocacy- for public policies that protect the lives of unborn children and those vulnerable to pressure to end their own lives.
- Prayer- that the culture of death will be replaced with a culture of life and love.
Abortion Center Prayer Ministry
Purpose: Through prayer and one-on-one conversation, the goal is to strive to bring hope to vulnerable women and men, making them aware that there are other options instead of abortion. It is a beautiful ministry where we learn from each other and build relationships as we strive to be an instrument in saving babies, mothers and fathers from abortion.
Activities: The Abortion Center Prayer Ministry is a peaceful prayer vigil in front of All Women’s Health Center at 3330 W Kennedy Blvd. We also keep up with those who have changed their minds, before and after birth, to help care for the family’s needs.
Time Commitment: St. Lawrence participates the third Saturday of the month after the 8:30am Mass. Most stay until about 11am, but there is no time limit one needs to be there. Any amount of time is appreciated. Members from other Catholic churches from near and far come most of the other Saturdays. If the third Saturday of the month does not work for some, please consider coming on one of the other Saturdays as there will be others there.
40 Days for Life
Purpose: Through prayer and one-on-one conversation, the goal is to strive to bring hope to vulnerable women and men.
Activities: 40 Days for Life is a peaceful prayer vigil in front of Tampa Women’s Health Center at 2010 E Fletcher Ave. During the 40 days, St. Lawrence collects baby and mother items from parishioners that are donated to Foundations for Life.
Time Commitment: The diocese takes part in 40 Days for Life between the end of September and the beginning of November. St. Lawrence participates two days. On a weekend about a month before, there is a sign-up after all Masses for these two days. People can sign up for 1-2 hours between 9am-5pm. Those that signed up would get a reminder call one or two days before their day to be at the abortion center.
Contact Person: Linda Scrofani, contact@stlawrence.org
