Heavenly Father, You created
us in Your own image, and
You desire that not even the
least among us should perish.
In Your love for us, You entrusted
Your only Son to the Holy Virgin Mary.
Now, in Your love,
protect against the wickedness
of the devil, those little ones to whom You have given the gift of life. 

St. Patrick Parish has an active pro-life ministry.  Several parishioners regularly volunteer at Birthright, participate in silent protests at Planned Parenthood, travel every January to March for Life and give their time and talent to other activities. St. Patrick also participates in the annual Life Chain which takes place the first Sunday of October.  Please call the parish office if you are intersted in becoming involved in our Pro-Life ministry.

“Open your hearts to LIFE!” - Pope Francis

“All too often, as we know from experience, people do not choose life, they do not accept the ‘Gospel of Life’ but let themselves be led by ideologies and ways of thinking that block life, that do not respect life, because they are dictated by selfishness, self-interest, profit, power and pleasure, and not by love, by concern for the good of others.  …As a result, the living God is replaced by fleeting human idols which offer the intoxication of a flash of freedom, but in the end bring new forms of slavery and death.”  – Pope Francis’ homily at Mass for ‘Evangelium Vitae Day’ June 16, 2013

Birthright, located at 3712 Southlea Drive, Kokomo, provides caring, nonjudmental support to girls and women who are distressed by an unplanned pregnancy. Using it’s own resources and those in the community, they provide loving and positive alternatives. Birthright provides friendship and emotional support, free pregnancy testing and maternity and baby clothes. For more information on Birthright, and how you can help, please visit their website: http://www.birthright.org.

Our local Birthright:  453-4673.
The Birthright Hotline: 1-800-550-4900

Donation Drive For the Local Birthright Facility

Birthright of Kokomo is in need of several items. Items may be dropped off in the parish hall (church basement).  There is a table labelled for Birthright donations.

Items Needed:

*All items need to be new*
Single containers of pop-up wipes (not refill packages)
long-sleeved onesies (size 0-3 & 3-6 months)
long pants to go with onesies (size 03- & 3-6 months)
baby wash cloths
sleepers (size 0-3 & 3-6 months; all seasons)
baby clothes (size 0-3 & 3-6 months)
baby clothes (size 0-3 & 3-6 months)
Boys bibs (size 0-3 months)
Small boys’ & girls’ socks (size newborn – 6 months)
Infant fall/winter sleepers size (size newborn – 6 months)
hooded baby bath towels
full-size crib sheets and pack-n-play sheets
maternity pants (sizes medium, large, & extra large)
maternity underwear (all sizes)
baby bottles, 4 oz. & 8 oz.
playtex drop in refills

If you would like to be a part of the Pro-Life Ministry, contact Kelli at 454-7179.

Click here for the 40 Days for Life daily devotionals.

Did you know that since 40 Days for Life began, 107 abortion workers have walked away from the abortion industry and 60 abortion centers have closed? 

www.40daysforlife.com

40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life campaign with a vision to access God’s power through prayer, fasting, and peaceful vigil to end abortion. With God’s help, 40 Days for Life has achieved proven results:  over 8,973 babies spared from abortion, 101 abortion worker conversions, and 56 closed abortion centers.

• 40 Days for Life’s most visible aspect is a peaceful prayer vigil outside an abortion facility – join us!

• Sign our 40 Days prayer log located in the narthex and pick up a commitment card.

• Post a pro-life message on social media, wear a pro-life t-shirt, or display a bumper sticker.

For local opportunities visit: http://40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/indianapolis/

“Give us the grace – when the sacredness of life before birth is attacked, to stand up and proclaim that no one ever has the authority to destroy unborn life.”  ~ Blessed John Paul II 

A BIG thank you to our generous St. Patrick and St. Joan of Arc benefactors who have made it possible to have three Pro-Life Across America billboards placed in the following locations in Howard County:

South 31 S of Center Rd.
East 22 E of SR 19
SE corner of Dixon and Defenbaugh   

“Abortion kills not only unborn children; it destroys constitutional order and the common good, which is assured only when the life of every human being is legally protected. Aggressively pro-abortion policies, legislation and executive orders will permanently alienate tens of millions of Americans, and would be seen by many as an attack on the free exercise of their religion.” – Cardinal Francis George, Statement at the USCCB Fall Assembly, November 12, 2008

Time from Conception:

5 weeks – Heart begins to beat.

6 weeks – Brain waves can be detected; arm buds are visible.

7 weeks – Umbilical cord appears; facial features begin to form.

8 weeks – Can feel pain; fingers and toes develop; eyelids begin to form.

9 weeks – Fingernails begin to form; can suck thumb.

10 weeks – Bones of skeleton begin to form; tooth buds forming.

11 weeks – Breathing amniotic fluid steadily and will do so until birth.

12 weeks – Can kick, turn over, make a fist, open mouth and press lips together.

13 weeks – Vocal cords and auditory sense are developing.

15 weeks – Skin begins to form.

16 weeks – Facial expressions are possible; may begin having hiccups.

17 weeks – Fat stores begin to develop.

20 weeks – Can be startled by a loud external noise.

22 weeks – Taste buds develop.

23 weeks – Can demonstrate rapid eye movements (REM); lungs prepare for birth.

24 weeks – Fingerprints and footprints are forming; sense of balance develops.

26 weeks – Eyes are fully developed.

27 weeks – If born this week, chance of survival is at least 85%.

28 weeks – Eyes are able to open and close; eye color has been established.

29 weeks – Bones are fully developed; begins storing iron, calcium & phosphorus.

30 weeks – Baby “practices” breathing by moving his/her diaphragm in rhythm.

31 weeks – Reproductive development near complete.

32 weeks – Nearly all babies born at this age survive the challenges of premature birth.

33 weeks – Pupils now constrict, dilate and detect light.

37 weeks – Baby is considered full-term.

40 weeks – Due date.

Youth made an impact at March for Life.  Click here for news story: Presence of youth prominent at DC March for Life.