Dear Parishioners of St. James:
Praised be Jesus Christ!
God is the giver of all life, human and divine. God is life and He shares life with us in this world and desires us to be with Him in eternal life forever in heaven. He made us to receive life because it is a blessing from Him. To reject life that He sends is to reject Him, the giver of life. Sadly, many do not want the gift of life that God wants to bestow.
Abortion is the most serious rejection of God’s gift of life in our time. Abortion is the leading cause of death worldwide. Tens of millions of babies are aborted each year worldwide (the World Health Organization approximates about 40 million surgical abortions per year). With the advent of the abortion pill, pharmaceutical abortions can (conservatively) double that number immediately. The sheer number of babies killed daily is mind-boggling.
How can God continue to show mercy in the face of so much sin? God’s mercy is infinite. He desires our repentance and salvation so that He might bring healing and forgiveness to those who have participated in or supported such an abominable act. Human beings are created by God in His image and likeness, each redeemed by the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross. He brought the sins of abortion (and all sins) with Him to the Cross. Jesus redeemed abortion. We just have to bring the sin to Him and have it washed in His Blood in the Sacrament of Confession and allow His grace to bring healing.
Even if you have not participated in the sin of abortion, there is so much you can do to promote a culture of life and help make abortion unthinkable. Our parish has many resources for pregnant moms, post-abortion healing, formation in sexuality, and post-natal support.
Please consider joining other St. James parishioners who peacefully and prayerfully witness to the sanctity of life in front of abortion centers in Rockford. Also, support pro-life candidates as lawmakers, judges, and executives in order to protect vulnerable women from the people who are all too willing to kill children for money or political power.
May the Lord give us the grace to be champions for life! May our prayers and efforts be rewarded by the loving reception of the children God intends to bless mankind with in this life so that they might be with the Lord in heavenly life forever.
God bless you,
Fr. Geary
Saint James Catholic Church 