The Respect Committee is a newly reorganized group. We would love to share our vision for this group and invite you to join us in working toward the many efforts that can bring help, comfort, or dignity to others. The late Cardinal Joseph Bernadine stated that respect life must be a "...seamless garment from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death". Recently, while teaching my Confirmation class, I suggested to my class that respect life issues are anything that is keeping anyone or any group of people from getting a fair chance or an opportunity for a safe life.

When looking ar Respect Life issues from these perspectives, the topic becomes much broader that unborn children and euthanasia in the elderly. While these issues remain very vital, as Roman Catholics we are called to look at the entire seamless garment of lives. Children not having winter coats, teens becoming prostitutes, young adults not getting a job because of the color of his/her skin, middle age persons losing their livelihood from downsizing, and older adults on pensions whose monthly drug bill is as large as their pension check are a few issues that are important respect life issues. AND these issues are happening right here in Waukesha every day! Respect life must be larger than our own neighborhoods, we are called to be mindful of people everywhere.

Recently, Father Nurmy and Sister Nachita were here for the annual visit from our sister parish in Chiapas, Mexico. Sister Nachita spoke about the power that letters and petitions have had in recent times as many parts of Mexico are overtaken by militia and guerrilla groups. She said that these factions know Chiapas has powerful friends watching and ready to act so their region is safer. She said the villages that have nobody to be a verbal and visible advocate are often destroyed. It took only a few moments for us to sign our name to the petition, but look at the power that came about because of that action.

As a committee, we hope to identify certain areas upon which to focus. These issues may draw from group members expertise or interest, or they may come up as urgent needs arise. Here is how you fit in - become involved in the Respect Life committee and share the concerns that you feel led to address!! When looking at the big picture, it is huge and can be daunting. However, we need to remember Deacon Mike Finley's story about the starfish. We can't throw all of the starfish back into the ocean, but for those that we do, our time and actions make all the difference!