Respect Life Leaders from across the Diocese of Raleigh gathered on Saturday, September 2, at the Fallon Center at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Raleigh to make plans for the upcoming year by sharing resources, learning about new topics and networking with one another.
The keynote speaker was Dr. Patrick O’Connell, who spoke on assisted suicide. Dr. O’Connell is certified by the National Catholic Bioethics Center and is an expert on pro-life topics.
A session on miscarriages featured Marisette Grant of St. Joseph Parish in Raleigh, who spearheaded the project to build a cemetery for miscarried babies on the church grounds.
Allison Dunphy and Gail Deaton, who make and give packages called “Bundles of Hope” to local hospitals, and Laina Yeisley of St. Mary, Mother of the Church in Garner held a memorial service for grieving parents.
Father Matt Monnig, SJ, gave an inspiring talk on the importance of prayer, and Larry Henson of the Diocesan Preborn to End of Life Advisory Committee gave a talk on the importance of legislative advocacy.
Mary Beth Phillips, Respect Life and Social Concerns Coordinator for the diocese, organized the meeting and gave a short talk on RU-486 abortions.
Father Lourduraj Alapaty, chaplain at Wake Med Hospital in Raleigh, opened and closed the gathering with prayer and blessed the lunch. He also contributed to the conversation about hospital care for ladies who undergo miscarriages. The approximately 50 leaders who attended are now inspired to go forth and spread the culture of life throughout the diocese in the coming year.