The Respect Life Ministry at St. Mary’s strives to educate and advocate for the protection of human life from conception to natural death. We believe that every human life is uniquely created in the image and likeness of God and needs protection and care during all stages of his/her life. The right to life is a fundamental right and the basis of all other human rights.

From The Catechism of the Catholic Church: “Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person – among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life. (CCC #2270)

Walking With Moms in Need
Walking with Moms in Need is a program for parishes to help teens and women in need with prayer and action. You can “walk with moms in need” here at St. Mary’s/in this community by supporting financially and materially (ex. cribs, diapers, baby clothing, blankets, formula, etc.) through such organizations as Women’s Life Care Center, Denny & Margee’s Baby Ministry, Birthright of St. Paul, and Philomena House (see more about these organizations at the bottom of this page).

Upcoming Events

  • Fall 2024 & Lent 2025 – 40 Days for Life “Day of Prayer” & Good Friday Prayer at Planned Parenthood St. Paul
  • Baby Jesus donations during Advent 2024
  • Prayer Service at the Cathedral and March for Life at the Capitol – early 2025

Past Events

  • Mother’s Day Flower Sale
    • The Mother’s Day Flower Sale on the front lawn of parishioners’ Peggy and John Parenteau’s home was a great time to “share the love”, reconnect, and sell absolutely BEAUTIFUL hanging plants from Urbans Nursery and lovely flower arrangements in vases that were put together by Judy Markoe and Karen Lomoro. 66 hanging flower baskets and 7 Urbans gift cards were sold. The remaining flowers in vases were available by donation at John and Cathy Evans’ home and any remaining flower vases were taken to Pioneer Manor Senior Living Apartments on 6th St., WBL for their residents and/or table decor, and also to two elderly women. After expenses, $752.50 was raised and was divided between Birthright and Women’s Life Care Center.
  • Prenatal Partners for Life Banquet – Thursday, June 13, 2024 – The Saint Paul Hotel
    • A generous donor paid to sponsor a table and host fellow parishioners at this past Prenatal Partners for Life Banquet. If you would like to attend this Banquet next year, please contact Cathy Evans, 651-429-0529.
  • Planting Flowers/Yard Work
    • Members of our Respect Life group helped plant flowers and care for the yard at Birthright in St. Paul & Philomena House this summer. If you are interested in this in the future, please reach out to Cathy Evans.

With questions or to express your interest in respect life, please reach out to Cathy Evans – [email protected].

How to participate:

  • Make donations to various pro-life organizations throughout the year – stay tuned to the bulletin for these details.
  • Volunteer with local respect life organizations (see below) – check out our volunteer interest page here or our Service Opportunities Booklet.
  • Join the Respect Life group. This group meets on the first Tuesday of each month in Kohler Hall in the Parish Life Center (starting at 5:30 PM).
  • Join Cathy Evans’ email chain – for the most recent updates and information.
  • Most importantly, join us in prayer!
  • Check out the USCCB website (subscribe to their email newsletters) here & the resources on our Archdiocesan page.

Respect Life Organizations

  • Denny & Margee Adrian’s Baby Ministry – If you have a crib, car seat, or any baby items that need a new home, please reach out to Denny & Margee Adrian at 651-227-2076. Their baby ministry began 15 years ago, helping needy families. Denny & Margee have delivered and set up over 3400 cribs and given out over 3700 car seats to more than 5,000 families since they began. This has been possible because of many generous donors. For questions about this ministry, please reach out to LowAnn (St. Mary’s parishioner) at [email protected].
  • Women’s Life Care Center (Little Canada, MN) – provides free and confidential pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, life coaching, community resources for housing, jobs, childcare, healthcare, referrals for STD testing and medical care – https://www.womenslifecarecenter.org
  • Pro-Life Action Ministries – defends the sanctity of human life by working to save lives from abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia through peaceful, direct-action, and educational projects – https://plam.org
  • Rachel’s Vineyard – renews, rebuilds, redeems hearts broken by abortion. Weekend retreats offer a supportive, confidential, and non-judgmental environment where women and men can express, release, and reconcile painful post-abortive emotions to begin the process of restoration, renewal, and healing – https://www.rachelsvineyardmn.org
  • Prenatal Partners for Life – provides families, either expecting, or those who have had, a child with special needs or a life-limiting condition, the support, information, and encouragement they need to make informed decisions involving their preborn or newborn’s child-care –https://prenatalpartnersforlife.org