The Office of Respect Life Ministries for the Diocese of Phoenix celebrated its Annual Diocesan Respect Life Luncheon at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Phoenix this past Friday (Sept. 11). The luncheon brought together more than 200 respect life leaders from across the diocese, including priests, members of religious communities, deacons, seminarians and dedicated lay leaders. Presenters included Bishop John Dolan, Bishop Eduardo Nevares, Fr. Andrés Arango, Ron Johnson, Sr. Bethany Madonna S.V., and keynote speaker, Noel Diaz from El Sembrador Ministries in Los Angeles, whose Hispanic Catholic media apostolate evangelizes through 24/7 radio and television, reaching 19 countries and tens of millions of viewers daily.
More than 25 organizations dedicated to promoting respect for life and human dignity participated in the event, along with over 50 parish representatives. Attendees represented a wide range of ministries, including sanctity of life, walking with moms in need, senior adult ministry, care for the sick and the homebound and chaplaincy ministries.
The luncheon’s mission is to celebrate the gift of life and express gratitude for the many efforts of parish leaders and organizations who faithfully promote the dignity of every human person from conception to natural death. The day was filled with fellowship, inspiration and a renewed commitment to building a culture of life throughout our diocese.
“Bishop Dolan’s invitation to ‘Be Good, Be Love, Be Blessed’ beautifully captures the heart of the respect life mission,” said Marina Salvador-Velazquez, the manager for the Office of Respect Life Ministries.
“We affirm the inherent goodness and God-given dignity of every human person. Through compassionate service, we help others encounter the love of Christ, especially those who are most vulnerable. In recognizing that every life is sacred and a gift from God, we start building a culture where every person is welcomed, protected, cherished and accompanied,” she continued.
“When we see one another through this lens of faith and love, we become witnesses of hope and instruments of God’s blessing in the lives of those we encounter in our day-to-day.”
