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CATHOLIC PRO LIFE COMMITTEE (CPLC) Respect Life Group at Mater Dei saves lives and souls at the same time! We are building the culture of life one soul, one family at a time, starting with our own.
Who is the leader of this group?
I am Angie Heiter, and I joined the Mater Dei community in 1991, and have been CPLC Parish Coordinator since first organized by Bishop Grahmann in 1994.
An active prolifer long before Ecclesia Dei, I am a mother of seven grown ups, and grandma to six growing grandsons. In 2012, I was honored by my fellow parishioners who nominated me for Pro Life Person of the Year, awarded annually in the Diocese of Dallas. Bishop Farrell presented the award to me at the Bishops Annual Pro Life Dinner with attendance of over 2000 from all over the metroplex and beyond, which I humbly accepted on your behalf.
What does your ministry/group bring to the Mater Dei community?
The CPLC ministry is set up with a five point plan of action: public prayer and witness to the sanctity of life, to offer help to pregnant women, post abortion healing, political action to promote legal protection for unborn children, and education about Life issues such as chastity, abortion, post abortion trauma, the abortion-breast cancer link (ABC) and euthanasia.
We also share opportunities for education on current events in the Culture of Life vs Culture of Death in our city, state, and nation. Parish Respect Life efforts coordinate with Diocesan wide efforts to bring the Culture of Life to everyone we meet or can influence.
What opportunities/activities does your group offer to members of the community?
Opportunities are very well organized throughout the year, so this list is not meant to be exhaustive.
- January – March for Life Dallas
- March – 40 Days for Life Plano
- April – Baby Banks fundraiser, and Annual Bishops Dinner, auction, and raffle benefiting the CPLC
- May – Remembrance at the Cemetery of the Innocents at Calvary Hill
- July – Summer Boot Camp for High School Youth
- September – 40 Days for Life Dallas, October Respect Life Sunday, Hike for Life, Life Chain
- November – Christ Child Luncheon and Christmas Gift Market
Also, the Gabriel ministry to expectant moms is a year round activity.
What kind of time commitment would be required from a new volunteer?
New volunteers can give one to two hours a month, by selecting which type of activity best fits their time and talent. There are many more opportunities than I can list here and more than there are volunteers to fulfill them. Leadership opportunities available as well.
What are some of the most rewarding parts of this apostolate, and challenges?
Most rewarding is meeting someone who was spared the pain of abortion and knowing that your prayers or other action played a role in reversing their fate.
Challenges are from the devil who wants to destroy our souls by destroying our children. The devil relies on ignorance of life before birth, and other lies about the humanity of the unborn child, who is too small to dial 911. The devil also lies to women and men who have committed the sin of abortion, so that they are prevented from finding the peace and forgiveness of God. Post abortion trauma has reached epidemic status with more than 58 million lives lost to legalized killing of the unborn child which began on Jan 22, 1973.
Any final thoughts?
“Before you were formed in your mothers womb, I knew you.” GOD. All are needed to join in prayer for our nation’s sins against unborn children and their parents. We have much to do penance for as a nation. We are all called to lend a helping hand to mom’s in crisis and their families. We are called to offer forgiveness to women and men seeking healing after their abortions.
Who to contact for more information
Please contact Angie Heiter for more information: prolife@materdeiparish.com.