Office of Pro-Life Issues

DIOCESE OF LAFAYETTE
Secretariat for Family Services
1408 Carmel Drive
Lafayette, Louisiana 70501 Telephone: (337) 261-5607
Fax: (337) 261-5635

OFFICE HOURS
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM - Monday through Thursday
8:30 AM - 12:00 Noon - Friday

Director
Karol D. Meynard
Secretary
Trista Littell

MISSION STATEMENT
"To respect, protect, and serve LIFE from conception to natural death through public education, pastoral services, public policy, prayer and worship."

PRO LIFE ISSUES ADDRESSED:
* God's Plan for Building the Culture of Life
* Chastity / Abstinence
* Natural Family Planning
* Artificial Contraception & Abortion Connection
* Crisis Pregnancy / Adoption
* Abortion / Infanticide / Partial Birth Abortion
* Post Abortion Healing & Reconciliation
* Infertility & Artificial Conception
* Bioethics / Ethical Stem Cell Research
* Capital Punishment
* Euthanasia - End of Life Issues
* Support for the Terminally Ill and their loved ones
* State & National Legislation that affect Christian Principles

ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE
The Diocesan Office of Pro Life Issues consists of a director appointed by the Bishop and a full time secretary. Each of the 121 parishes has a Pro-Life Coordinator who works with the pastor and is the liaison to the Pro-Life Director at the Diocesan Level.
The parish based Pro-Life Coordinator is the "backbone" of the diocesan ministry. The role of the pro-life coordinator is to bring the pro life issues to the forefront in the local church parish community.

PRO LIFE MINISTRIES

* Crisis Pregnancy - Abortion Alternatives
      + Catholic Social Services Adoption Agency - call 235-5218.
      + Catholic Crisis Pregnancy Center - call (337) 289-9366.
      + Priests For Life - call (718) 980-4400 or visit website: www.priestsforlife.org

* Post Abortion Healing and Reconciliation for women, men, couples, grandparents, and siblings of aborted children, as well as abortion providers:

      + Project Rachel - call Office of Pro Life Issues at 1(337) 261-5607
            National Office of Post Abortion Reconciliation and Healing:
            * toll free hotline: 1 (800) 593-2273 or 1 800 5 -WE CARE
            * www.noparh.org

      + Rachel's Vineyard Retreats - call Office of Pro Life Issues (337) 261-5607
            * toll free hotline: 1 877 HOPE 4 ME
            * www.rachelsvineyard.org

      + Louisiana Sites and Dates for Rachel's Vineyard Retreats:
            March 28-30, 2008 - Lafayette, LA - Contact Karol D. Meynard (337) 261-5607
            TBA - New Orleans, LA - Contact Melanie Baglow (504) 889-2431
            TBA - Shreveport, LA - Contact Janice Gonzalez (318-820-1505)



      + Post Abortion Websites: Elliot Institute: www.afterabortion.org
                                                  Silent No More: www.silentnomoreawareness.org

* A Day of Restoration - “Come to the Well"

Immaculata Center - Marian Hall 1408 Carmel Dr. - Lafayette, LA 70501 Reconciliation and Anticipated Mass Immediately Following Retreat Today's fast paced society provides little time, space or support for those who have suffered loss. "Come to the Well" is a day of hope and restoration for anyone who has suffered the loss of a child under any circumstances or untimely death including, infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, adoption placement, abortion, and suicide. Those who work in ministries involving reproductive grief and bereavement are also invited. The day is filled with prayer utilizing meditation "Living Scripture", music, art, and personal testimonies to honor and acknowledge the reality of shared loss. "Come to the Well" offers opportunities for retreatants to find strength in the shared activities in order to move through the losses of life with hope for a renewed vision. Retreat Director, Lyn Holley Doucet, is a spiritual director and retreat leader who holds a master's degree in education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Lyn has written award-winning books and has received national recognition from the Catholic Press Association. Among her works are "Water from Stones"- Acadian House Publishers, "A Healing Walk with St. Ignatius - Discovering God's Presence in Difficult Times" - Loyola Press; "Healing Troubled Hearts - Daily Spiritual Exercises" - Saint Anthony Messenger Press; Lyn and Robin Hebert co-authored "When Women Pray: Our ordinary stories of Extraordinary Grace"- The Crossroad Publishing Company and "When Wisdom Speaks: Living Experiences of Biblical Women." Many individuals are unable to fully express their feelings of grief through words. Art therapy offers a unique opportunity to express feelings non-verbally through the use of art materials. Through art making and sharing in a group setting, individuals begin to understand their own difficulties and their individual strengths as well as discover new possibilities to cope with their loss. Special guest artist, Dana Manly, will be available for hands on activities. Dana Studied Fine Arts for 3 years before changing her major and graduating with a Bachelors degree in Health Promotion and Wellness from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She has a Masters of Science in Kinesiology from Louisiana State University. She is currently studying for a Master of Science in Counselor Education at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Dana's works have been displayed at Gallery 549, Mellow Joy Café Downtown, Tsunami Sushi Restaurant, Boulevard Bistro, The Gardennaire, and Symphony Decorator House. Guest musicians for the day will be Dana Duhon, Doyleen Poimboeuf, Lisa Shannon, and Benny Littell. "Living Scripture" enacted by Jeff Aycock , Tina Hebert and Sharon O'Neill.

* A.C.T. (Ascending Calvary Together) Support Ministry for the terminally ill and their loved ones.

* Prayer Blanket Ministry - to bring relief to the suffering and peace to the fearful. Caring volunteers donate fabric, thread, and time to sew lap-size blankets for those who are either sick or going through extremely difficult times in their life.
The Prayer Blanket is a symbol of a "faith sharing community" of donors and recipients praying for one another.

* Pro Life Oratory Contest
January 16, 2008 - 6:00pm, Immaculata Center.
For High School Juniors and Seniors, held in January, topics include Abortion, Euthanasia, Bioethics/Genetic Engineering, Ethical Stem Cell Research, Human Cloning. For more information, call Trista at (337) 261-5607.

* Pro Life Rosary Ministry of prayer to end abortion and build the "Culture of Life".
Pro Life Rosary Makers meet 2nd Monday of the Month 9:00 A.M. - 12:00 Noon at the Diocese of Lafayette's Immaculata Center in the Katherine Drexel Room.
For more information, call Trista at (337) 261-5607.

* Respect Life Codependents Recovery Meetings- a twelve-step program, for building healthy relationships, meets on Thursday 12:00 Noon - 1:00 P.M. at Diocese of Lafayette's Immaculata Center in the Msgr. Lavasseur Room. For more information, call Trista at (337) 261-5607.           

* Word of Life Bulletin Briefs & Intercessions for Life: prepared by the USCCB Secretariat for Pro Life Activities . Website: www. USCCB.ORG/PROLIFE

* Public Policy & Legislative Updates: can be viewed and tracked on a daily basis.
Websites: www.nchla.org/report.html; www.sba-list.org; www.thomas.loc.gov

* USCCB Respect Life Sunday - First Sunday in October
2007-2008 Respect Life Program Theme: "The Infant In My Womb Leaped for Joy" - In the Mystery of the Visitation, John - although still in Elizabeth's womb - recognized the coming of the (unborn) Messiah when he heard Mary's greeting, and conveyed the dawning of salvation to his mother. As our culture drifts further away from seeing the inherent dignity of vulnerable humans, including those not yet born, we would do well to reflect on God's love for them and the lessons they can teach us.

CHAPLAINS
Father Michael Champagne - 232-7491
Father Mitchell Guidry - 536-9258
Father Keith LaBove - 237-0988
Father Charles Langlois - 369-3816
Father Bryce Sibley - 845-4168

TO ME LIFE MEANS CHRIST Phil 1:21