NBCAL - 8th Annual National Black Catholic

Vigil for Life 2005

September 9, 2005

Feast of St. Peter Claver

For Immediate Release

The National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life Board of Consultants and Affiliates invites Black Catholics and people of good will to participate in the Eighth Annual National Black Catholic Vigil for Life on Saturday October 1, 2005, the eve of
Respect Life Sunday.  NBCAL also encourages Black Catholics to gather in their
local parishes for the Eucharistic Sacrifice on Respect Life Sunday October 2, 2005.  During our National Black Catholic Vigil for Life 2005, we will pray also for the end of the culture of death and violence, afflicted on our sisters and brothers of Sudan. We will also remember in prayer and action our sisters and brothers from the Gulf Coast States that have been affected and effected by Hurricane Katrina.

The theme for the 2005-2006 Respect Life Program is:

“Help build a world where human life is always loved and defended, every form of violence banished” this theme is presented by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Committee for Pro-Life Activities.  It is derived from Pope John Paul’s prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary on December 8, 2004.

“It is my sincere hope that as we observe the National Black Catholic Vigil for Life on Saturday evening October 1, 2005, and celebrate the Respect Life Mass on Sunday October 2, 2005, we as Black Catholics will put our faith into action and thereafter through prayer, education, and outreach become unconditional defenders of life in the African American community,” stated Bishop J. Terry Steib, SVD, Bishop of Memphis and Episcopal Moderator for the National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life. “Come join us as we implore God’s grace, to transform our communities into one of respect for all human life.”

www.blackcatholicsforlife.org