The Respect Life Office recently awarded grants to parishes, Catholics and organizations offering pro-life ministry.
Several years ago, the office allocated some funding to establish mini-grants from $100 to $1,000 to foster pro-life ministry in parishes and local communities. This year a dozen grant awardees from across our diocese are implementing new programs and continuing work that upholds the dignity of human life from the moment of conception, at the natural end of life and across the lifespan.
A funding priority is supporting parish ministry.
- At St. Joseph Church in Fayetteville, the pro-life committee will use their award to build the culture of life within their parish. They will lead weekly pro-life rosaries, provide education about volunteer ministry opportunities and host discussions on a broad range of pro-life topics.
- St. Mary Church in Hattieville (St. Vincent) will also use their grant funds to increase awareness of pro-life ministry. They plan to begin on Respect Life Sunday by establishing a parish pro-life email database to distribute Respect Life Action Alerts.
- At Mary Mother of God Church in Harrison, the pro-life committee hopes to increase an awareness of the sanctity and dignity of each human life by creating educational displays and conducting prayer services throughout the year. This parish, as well as the pro-life community at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, will purchase fetal models to use as a visual aid to help young and older members of their parishes see the beauty and reality of an unborn baby.
The Respect Life Office recognizes that pregnant women often face challenging circumstances and directs grant funds to support programs that aid moms in need.
- Katie Zakrzewski of Little Rock will use the grant to obtain her lifetime doula certification and provide free support services to pregnant women.
- Compassion House in Springdale will use funds to help provide for the material and housing needs of young mothers.
- Pro-life committee members at St. Joseph Church in Pine Bluff will use funding to partner with Birthright and provide baby formula to new moms.
- Mini-grants given to Northwest Arkansas Respect Life and Arkansas Right to Life will help to spread the word about the availability of Safe Haven Baby Boxes in Arkansas.
Respect Life grants are not only for ministry at the beginning of life. The Respect Life Office promotes a consistent ethic of life.
- Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Booneville will provide homecooked meals, hygiene products, cleaning supplies and clothing to anyone in need.
Outreach and care during illness or at the end-of-life is an important part of respect life ministry.
- St. Bernards Development Foundation in Jonesboro will use grant funds to support two people enrolled in the Clinical Pastoral Education program.
- Our Lady of Good Counsel in Little Rock will support their Faith Community Nurse Program. The program’s mission includes enhancing healing and lessening isolation and loneliness. Grant funds will offset costs for a caregiver retreat.
The application cycle for mini grants will open again June 1, 2025. Grant requests must be submitted before the end of August annually. The application may be found at dolr.org/respect-life-grant-application. Funds are awarded each year during October, which is Respect Life Month.
