Below is a full year's calendar of topics we focus on each month. The way we might 'focus' on these topics could be a blog post sharing a parishioner's experience, a news article, encouraging prayer over a specific group of people, etc. These monthly topics do not negate that we cover every aspect of each, rather, we touch on their importance in the context of respecting life!

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January

• Promote the March for Life in Washington D.C. 
• Promote the March for Life in Indianapolis 
  • https://walkingwithmomsindy.org/schedule-of-events 
• Promote the 'Day of Prayer for Legal Protection of Unborn Children' 
  • 9 Days for Life Novena: https://www.respectlife.org/9-days-signup

• World Day of the Sick --  Feast Day of Our Lady of Lourdes (2/11)
  • Shared Pope Francis' message
• National Marriage Week (2/7-2/14/25)
  • Provided 'Eucharistic Prayer for Families' prayer cards at Marriage Ministry Coffee & Donuts 2/2/25

March

• "40 Days for Life" begins Ash Wednesday & Ends on Palm Sunday
  • https://www.40daysindy.org/ 
  • Kick-off March 5th
  • SJOA begins March 11th with a 5-7pm time frame every Tuesday
• Safe Haven Sunday - Porn Addiction (1st Sunday of Lent 3/8-3/9/25) 
  • https://www.covenanteyes.com/safe-haven-sunday/
  • SJOA is one of three pilot parishes for the Archdiocese!!
• Novena to St. Joseph for those on the path of ADOPTION (3/10 - 3/18)
  • Bulletin insert with QR code 
  • Full Novena pdfs in English & Spanish in 'Current Month PDFs'
• In HONOR of Feast of the Annunciation (3/25/25)
  • Father will give the "Blessing of Children in the Womb" (Sunday - 3/23/25)
  • Bulletin insert with blessing will be included 3/22-3/23 weekend

April

• OCIA/RCIA "Life Issues" Panel 4/1/25
  • First Tuesday in April at 7:30pm in the Parish Office basement
  • Ed Dropcho will be speaking on Euthanasia, Physician Assisted Suicide and other challenging end of life issues for the 2nd year in a row!
  • This is open to ALL parishioners, not just those going through OCIA!
• Feast Day of St. Gianna, patron of pregnant & parenting mothers (4/28)
  • Novena 4/19-4/27 
• Divine Mercy Sunday - 2nd Sunday in Easter (4/27/25)
  • Reflect & pray for those who have had an abortion, offer healing encouragement through the mercy of God
• "Mama Mary's Baby Shower" for Birthline  
  • Collect gently used or new maternity and baby items
  • Begin 4/27/25 (Divine Mercy) and end 5/11/25 (Mother's Day)

May

• CONTINUED: "Mama Mary's Baby Shower" for Birthline  
  • Collect gently used or new maternity and baby items
  • Begin 4/27/25 (Divine Mercy) and end 5/11/25 (Mother's Day)
• Carnations & Marian Prayer Cards for Mother's Day
  • Special Blessing & Intentions at Mass 
• May is Mental Health Month -- St. Dymphna, pray for us!! 
• Visitation Novena 

June

• Month of the Sacred Heart  
• Cookies & Prayer Cards for Father's Day 
• Anniversary of the Dobbs v. Jackson – reiterate where we need to go in the pro-life movement
• Religious Freedom Week 

July

• NFP Awareness Week 
  • 2-Minute Testimonials from couples/individuals in different stages of life who use Natural Family Planning (Marquette, Creighton, Symptothermal)

   
August

• Promote the SPREAD retreat
  • https://www.archindy.org/specialneeds/spred.html
• Promote the Mental Health and Addiction Healing Mass 
  • St. Maximilian Kolbe's 8/14, patron saint of those struggling with addiction
• Assumption of Mary 
  • Memento Mori article from the lens of Art History (2025?)

September

• Spotlight on the Elderly -- "Grandparent's Day"
  • Bulletin insert of 'Color your own' prayer cards featuring Ss. Anne & Joachim and St. Joan of Arc with a committee authored prayer on Grandparents
• Suicide Awareness Month

                       We start each 'new year' in alignment with 
                               October's RespectLife month! :)

October "I CAME SO THEY MIGHT HAVE LIFE!" (2024)

• 'Respect Life Sunday' Mass at Ss. Peter & Paul Cathedral - 10/6/24 
  • Respect Life Novena 10/22-10/30 pdf
• Archdiocesan Life Chain  
  • 10/6/24 2:30-3:30 from 12th & Meridian to 16th & Meridian. 
• 'Dipes & Wipes' Drive for Women's Care Center - 10/6-10/27/24
• SPEAKER: Mary Kate Zander on "Abortion Tourism" - 10/28/24 
  • At 7pm, Parish Office Lower Level, RECORDING in 'Love Them Both' tab
• 'Mental Health Sunday' 10/13/24
  • Novena for Mental Health 10/10-10/18 

November 

• National Vocational Awareness Week - 11/3-11/9/24
• Annual Mass for bereaved (children, miscarriage, abortion, loss) - 11/19/24
• All Souls - Promote end of life issues
• Adoption Awareness Month 
  • More info under 'Family' tab
• Indiana Abolition Coalition Rally - 11/17/24 
  • More info under 'Education' tab through Indiana Catholic Conference

December 

• Encouraging parish participation in SJOA's Angel Tree!
• Remembering the Holy Family
  • Finding resources for a fruitful & prayerful Advent         

This ministry needs FINANCIAL donations over material, as they provide very individualized shopping experiences to each individual for their unique needs!

HEARTS ON FIRE

Article: Jimmy's Life is a Gift


https://www.lifeandhope.com/about




https://www.usccb.org/committees/divine-worship/policies/guidelines-sacraments-persons-with-disabilities

SPRED

St. Joseph of Cupertino, pray for us.

Local Events: --

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Catechism in a Year Day 308: Same Sex Attraction (mentions Eden Invitation!)

CLICK HERE FOR EDEN INVITATION

CLICK HERE FOR COURAGE

"Run Together" Group Flyer

Courage Chapter: Indianapolis, Indiana

Contact: Deacon Steve Hodges

Phone: (317) 439-8089

E-mail: [email protected]

"You have to create space for people to feel safe."

To register for updates through ICAN, visit: indianacc.org/register.

Listen to the iCAN Podcast (CLICK!)

• LINK: Series of Articles Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship

• https://www.usccb.org/offices/justice-and-peace/forming-consciences-faithful-citizenship 
• https://www.usccb.org/resources/dos-and-donts-guidelines-during-election-season
• https://www.usccb.org/resources/letter-congress-regarding-policies-support-women-and-families-october-26-2022
• https://www.usccb.org/prolife/reproductive-technology

In 2021, Pope Francis established the celebration of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. In the U.S., we observe this celebration in September, joining the Church’s efforts to highlight the value and importance of grandparents and the elderly in our families and in society.

While the elderly have traditionally held places of honor in various cultures, today, elderly members of our families and communities often live lives marked by isolation and loneliness. Rather than being a beloved and integral part of a family, they are too often forgotten or overlooked. In the most tragic circumstances, some even seek to end their own lives through assisted suicide so as not to be a burden to their loved ones. Pope Francis has described this shift as a “throwaway culture” in which the weakest are neglected or worse when they are no longer of interest or “use.”

As persons made in the image and likeness of God, we possess an infinite dignity that can never be compromised by age or ability. This truth must guide each of us in our responsibility to lovingly accompany those who are in greater need of our time, care, and attention as they face their later years. Such accompaniment is of particular importance as they near the end of their lives, often enduring great sufferings as they prepare for their entrance to eternal life.



May each of us hear and respond to the plea of the elderly entrusted to our care: “Do not cast me aside in my old age; as my strength fails, do not forsake me” (Psalm 71:9).

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CLICK HERE FOR THE VATICAN NEWS ARTICLE (2023)

Resources for family:

• Friday, March 14 at 7:00 PM
• Friday, April 11 at 7:00 PM
• Friday, May 9 at 7:00 PM

• Tuesday, March 11 at 12 Noon
• Friday, March 14 at 8:30am
• Tuesday, March 18 at 10:30am
• Thursday, March 20 at 3:00pm
• Tuesday, April 8 at 10:30am
• Tuesday, April 15 at 12 Noon
• Wednesday, April 16 at 8:30am
• Thursday, April 24 at 3:00pm

• Abril 8, 16, 22 y 29 en Santa Monica, Indianápolis
• Abril 26, y Mayo 3, 17 y 24 en San Gabriel, Indianápolis
• Junio 3, 10, 17 y 24 en San Patricio, Indianápolis
• Agosto 10, 17, 24 y 31 en San José, Shelbyville
• Septiembre 6, 13, 20 y 27 en San Ambrosio, Seymour

• April 8, 16, 22, and 29 at St. Monica, Indianapolis
• April 26, May 3, 17, and 24 at St. Gabriel, Indianapolis
• June 3, 10, 17 and 24 at St. Patrick, Indianapolis
• August 10, 17, 24 and 31 at St. Joseph, Shelbyville
• September 6, 13, 20 and 27 at St. Ambrose, Seymour

Adoption 'Springs of Love' Website

FORMED Videos 'Springs of Love'

November is Adoption Awareness Month

Did you know...? The United States is in great need of foster and adoptive families. In the State of Indiana, there are over 11,000 children in foster care. Statistics show that about 50% of families stop fostering after just one year but if they are supported by a team in their parish or community, 90% continue to foster. As Catholics, we are moved by our faith to be on the front lines of supporting the dignity of every child, mother, father, and family. Check out the resources below for ideas and links to more information.

Parish Resources for Adoption and Foster Care:

• St. Elizabeth | Coleman Pregnancy & Adoption Services (Indianapolis)
• Adoption Bridges of Kentuckiana (New Albany)
• "Walking with Moms in Need" parish tool kit and local resources
• "Be Not Afraid" Foster and Adoption Virtual Discernment Retreat for couples
• Springs of Love Parish Teams supporting Foster and Adoptive families
• Prayers for those hoping to adopt a child

Learn more about all these efforts at: 

https://marriageandfamily.archindy.org/adoption-and-fostering

RESOURCES FOR MARRIAGE, DIVORCE, ANNULMENT:

• March 15 & 16 (Two-day commuter retreat) at the Catholic Center, Indianapolis -- LINK BELOW: 
  • https://marriageandfamily.archindy.org/pre-cana-retreat
• Fall 2025 - date TBD

Fall schedule will be shared when it becomes available.

• May 2-4
• September 26-28

• April 5, 6 and 26 @ St. Malachy, Brownsburg

• Discovery: Learn where the porn use began and how it impacts your relationship.
• Empathy: Understand each other’s struggle with porn in your relationship. 
• Insight: Discover how porn impacts many areas of your relationship, not just sex. 
• Hope: Learn practical steps to rebuild trust and promote healing in your marriage.

An email series can’t fix everything, but it will give you the tools you need to start improving your relationship today, and the momentum to keep seeking support for your marriage.  To learn more, go to https://start.covenanteyes.com/restored-vows/.
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Annulment Support Group Meets April 8 at Holy Spirit (Indianapolis)

Are you seeking an Annulment? Not sure where to start, or feeling overwhelmed by the process? Already started, but want to stay on track? There is a support group at Holy Spirit parish on the east side of Indianapolis that meets every other month in the parish center or sometimes outside when the weather is nice. Regular attendees will typically bring a dish to share for fellowship, but first-time participants are not asked to bring anything. There is no cost to attend the group. Come for one session or as many as you need. At each meeting, participants look at calendars and decide on a good date for the following meeting, two months away. The next meeting will be on April 8, 2025 at 7:00pm. For more information about the group, contact the parish at (317) 353-9404.

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The 10th National Eucharistic Congress Sessions ON DEMAND: 

https://relevantradio.com/national-eucharistic-congress/

Find all of these monthly saints as they are added at this link: 
Activities for Children!

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Catechism for the Catholic Church: Day 289 Family, Society, & The Kingdom

Catechism for the Catholic Church: Day 291 The Political Community & The Church

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON FAMILY & EDUCATION

+JMJ+ 

Heavenly Father, thank you
for the precious gift of life.

Help us to cherish and protect
this gift, even in the midst of fear,
pain, and suffering.

Give us love for all people,
especially the most vulnerable,
and help us bear witness to the
truth that every life is worth living.

Grant us the humility to accept
help when we are in need,
and teach us to be merciful to all.

Through our words and actions,
may others encounter the
outstretched hands
of Your mercy.

We ask this through
Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Every Life is Worth Living, © 2015, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved.

Death of a loved one:

     

Spring 2025 GriefShare Groups:

• Feb - April @ St. Mary of the Annunciation (New Albany)
• Feb - May @ Nativity of Our Lord (Indianapolis)
• March - June @ Our Lady of the Greenwood (Greenwood)
• March - June @ All Saints (Dearborn Co.)

For meeting times, locations and contact information, go to:

https://marriageandfamily.archindy.org/grief

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        SUICIDE:               

USCCB November 2024 Prayer Guide: As the Church, we recognize that suicide is a tragedy that ends one life and devastates the loved ones left behind. Those who promote physician-assisted suicide try to draw a distinction between those with a mental illness who want to end their lives and those with a terminal illness who express the same wish. This is a dangerously false distinction with far-reaching consequences.

Assisted suicide abandons vulnerable individuals at the moment when they are most in need of our love, care, and support. Even among terminally ill patients, a request to die is nearly always a cry for help, indicating that some aspect of their condition has not been adequately attended to. Those requesting to end their lives typically do not want to die; they want to escape what they perceive to be an intolerable situation, and they tragically believe that suicide is their only way out. The patient requesting assisted suicide is often asking, "Does anyone want me to be alive, or care enough to talk me out of this request and support me through this difficult time?"

Society’s acceptance of assisted suicide sends the false message that under especially difficult circumstances some lives are not worth living. Every suicide is tragic, no matter the circumstances. Nothing diminishes the sanctity of a person's life, or the obligation to protect and care for it. We don't discourage suicide in our society by assisting suicide. We are called to affirm the dignity of human life in all stages and circumstances. Those who are suffering need to be assured of the goodness and value of their lives and provided with authentic care and support.

CARDINAL O'MALLEY ON ASSISTED SUICIDE

 As the Massachusetts legislature considers physician-assisted suicide, Cardinal O'Malley, OFM Cap., Archbishop of Boston, responded in the Boston Globe. 

-----ABORTION, MISCARRIAGE, CHILD LOSS:

Our parish has a miscarriage Supply tote - please contact Emily Mingus (317-797-1098, [email protected]) or Claire Phillips (at the Parish Office) for further information.

VIDEO LINK: Lenten Message 2025 from USCCB Pro-Life Committee Chairman, Bishop Daniel Thomas

LINK TO PURCHASE MISCARRIAGE HANDBOOK: 

https://www.redbird.love/leader-materials/p/the-parents-handbook-at-home-delivery-miscarriage-guide
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For Confidential Help Call 317-452-0054.

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https://www.respectlife.org/ 

Catechism in a Year: Day 292 Respect for Human Life

Article: 'A Glimpse Inside'

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CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO

Reposted from: @liveactionorg
 https://www.instagram.com/LiveActionOrg/ 

"Healing Hidden Hurts" - Post Abortion Healing

ABORTION PILL REVERSAL PHONE LINE LINK

Ave Explores Series: Stress Anxiety, and Mental Health 
Katie Prejean McGrady and a team of experts help you explore a variety of mental health issues such as addiction and recovery, forgiveness, grief, practicing mindfulness, therapy, and spiritual direction. You learn why it’s important to take care of your mental health and what you can do to get back on track. Also they provide a  variety of practical resources where you can find out more.

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https://www.archindy.org/humanlifeanddignity/mental-health.html

Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers



https://thejesuitpost.org/2023/05/five-questions-for-catholics-dealing-with-mental-health-issues/

https://grottonetwork.com/keep-the-faith/belief/spiritual-practices-that-help-manage-mental-health/

St. Dymphna, pray for us.

Current Birthline Needs: 

We have a BIG request--- we need help getting the word out that Birthline Ministry and St. Joseph's Gabriel Projects are very low, or have none at all, baby clothing for sizes 18-2T for boys and girls. St. Joseph also is in need of larger sizes - 3T-5T. 

If you could please spread the word to help restock these ministries so that we can serve these moms in need. 

Contact Kristine Hanson, Birthline Coordinator at [email protected] 
Contact Linda Kile, Gabriel Project at 317-213-4778

Thanks to all who donated diapers and wipes for Birthline during our Oct 16th-Nov 1st, 2023 'Dipes and Wipes' drive! We collected 5,202 wipes and 2000+ diapers!

Thanks to all who donated to our 'April Showers' for Birthline April-May 2024 with maternity clothes, diapers and baby carriers!


Walking With Moms Website

                                                                
The Respect Life team has created our own Parish Inventory Tool. This compiles a list of resources for pregnant moms in our neighborhoods!

 Here is the tool compiled by Brie Anne Varick, director of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis Office for Human Dignity, for Indianapolis Archdiocese...

Click here: Indy's Resources!

SJOA's resource PDF can be found on the tab 'Helpful Links & Articles'!
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National Vocational Awareness 

 God our Father, we thank you for calling men and women to serve in your Son's Kingdom as priests, deacons, and consecrated persons. Send your Holy Spirit to help others to respond generously and courageously to your call. May our community of faith support vocations of sacrificial love in our youth and young adults.

Share a piece of pie with others: (Graphic sourced from LSP)

• PRAY for vocations for the Church and encourage others to do so. 
• INVITE young people you know to pray with you and join you in participating in faith formation and Church activities of all types. 
• ENCOURAGE young people you know to consider a vocation to priesthood or religious life, especially if you think they have the qualities to make a holy priest or religious.

Prayer for Vocations: 
"O Holy Spirit, Spirit of wisdom and divine love, impart Your knowledge, understanding, and counsel to our youth that they may know the vocation wherein they are called by God to serve. Give them courage and strength to follow Divine Will. Guide their uncertain steps, strengthen their resolutions, shield their chastity, fashion their minds, conquer their hearts, and lead them to the vineyards where they will labor in God's holy service. Amen." 
Want to help promote vocations? Want more info? Contact: [email protected]


SJOA's seminarian to pray for is Casey Deal, who is studying at Saint Meinrad, and there are "baseball" cards of him at Church in the brochure rack at each door. We have many from 2022-2023, the only update being that he is now in the next stage, the Configuration Stage.