October 13, 2010

Annual Respect Life Mass set for Oct. 30

By John Gleason

The annual Respect Life Mass will be celebrated at noon on Oct. 30 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver. 

The Mass, organized by the Respect Life Office of the Denver Archdiocese, will be said by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.  Auxiliary Bishop James D. Conley will be the concelebrant.

Mimi Eckstein, director of the Respect Life Office, said the Mass was moved to October from January in keeping with this being Respect Life Month.

“It’s very special,” she said. “It’s the opportunity for all of us committed to this ministry to pray with our bishops, coming together in prayer for the sanctity of life and continue to work toward a culture of life.”

Eckstein said one of the nicest things about the Mass is the large number of people it attracts from all over the archdiocese.

“They come from the mountains and plains,” she said. “And so many families attend.  We celebrate the Mass on Saturday so it doesn’t interfere with work.”

One of the highlights of the Mass will be acknowledging those who stand at the forefront of the pro-live movement, according to Eckstein.

“Archbishop Chaput will be presenting Pro Vitae (For Life) awards to those individuals who have dedicated their efforts to supporting pro-life issues,” she said.

“And we will be acknowledging the seventh- and eighth-grade students who won the Respect Life Essay contest, which focused on preserving the dignity of human life.”

The Mass will also honor the work of the various pro-life ministries, such as Mullen Home, the Bridge Community for the disabled, ENDOW (Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women), Catholic Charities programs, natural family planning initiatives, St. Joseph’s and St. Anthony’s hospitals and the Respect Life Office ministries.

“We want everyone to see that in the archdiocese there is Respect Life work going on at all stages of life,” she said.