“The first and most fundamental of all human rights is the right to life, and when this right is denied all other rights are threatened..." -Pope John Paul II

The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is a precious gift from God; that each person who receives this gift has responsibilities toward God, self and others; and that society, through its laws and social institutions, must protect and nurture human life at every stage of its existence.  The St. Mary Respect Life Committee is committed to advancing the Gospel of Life by offering parishioners events and opportunities to be involved.  40 Days for life is an opportunity to pray silently on the sidewalk in front of an abortion clinic one day each year. We stand in unison with our sisters who have found themselves in an unexpected pregnancy, exhorting them, through prayer, to choose life for their child.  We pray for the health and welfare of both mother and child.  We support  "Walking with Moms in Need", a nationwide initiative to strengthen our pastoral responses to women facing unexpected or challenging pregnancies and to increase awareness of the resources available to mothers and families in need. Whether the the mother chooses to keep her child or chooses adoption, we stand with her. Our parish founded the St. Mary Pregnancy Crisis Center in 1999 in our school building. When the building was sold the ministry moved to Flat River Outreach Ministries and is now called the Baby Pantry of Lowell.  It is staffed by volunteers and offers mothers in need baby supplies and services. We also adopt the entire month of October as Respect Life Month in our parish and founded the Lowell chapter of the Nationwide Life Chain.  It is always the 1st Sunday in October.  Participants hold life-affirming signs and silently pray on Main Street in Lowell for one hour in support of all life.  If you would like to join this ministry or would like more information please call the parish office at 616 -897-9820 or office@stmarylowell.org.