Nativity Catholic Church

Dear beloved sisters and brothers in Christ,
 
When the angel Gabriel asked the virgin Mary to become the unwed mother of the Son of God, Mary was troubled. Such a message would lead her into a life of unimaginable risk. Yet she embraced the risk, for she trusted God’s invitation. She declared to the angel Gabriel, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
 
Mary’s example inspires this year’s 37th Florida Culture of Life Conference . We pray this conference be a source of inspiration for us to emulate Mary’s example, allowing her Son to speak to our hearts and move us to build a culture of life. This annual state-wide conference will take place at the beautiful Basilica of Mary, Queen of the Universe in Orlando on October 18-19th. Register to be inspired! Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops - Florida Culture of Life Conference - Tallahassee, FL (flaccb.org)
 
The Catholic Church envisions a culture of life where every human being is valued and protected. Parents, children, and families need help not just during pregnancy, but throughout the whole of life’s journey. For example, our Catholic bishops wrote a 2022 letter to Congress that the Dobbs case overturning the Roe decision was an opportunity to do more for women, children, and families. “We continue to exhort our nation to prioritize the well-being of women, children, and families with both material resources and personal accompaniment so that no woman ever feels forced to choose between her future and the life of her child.” USCCB Letter and Policy Recommendations Supporting Women and Families - Oct 2022_0.pdf
 
Recently, the Catholic bishops of Florida advocated for a bill which appropriated $25 million in annual recurring funds to the Florida Pregnancy Care Network, which supports pregnancy care centers, adoption services, and maternity homes throughout the state. The bill became state law in 2023. 230315 Support of SB 300 Grall.pdf (ecatholic.com)
 
Nativity does its part for a culture of life. We have partnered with Life Choices Medical Clinic in Altamonte Springs. It provides material and spiritual care for pregnant mothers. In the past three years, Nativity has contributed $174,368 to Life Choices. Tina Stafstrom, the Director of Life Choices, has spoken at Nativity to educate us. Parishioners volunteer at Life Choices. Life Choices Medical Clinic | Orlando Florida (lifechoicesfl.com)
 
A culture of life is a society where every human being is valued and protected. In contrast, Amendment 4 on the November ballot removes every protection of the unborn child. For this reason, we oppose Amendment 4. The Catholic Church invites advocates of Amendment 4 instead to support laws and programs that encourage childbirth and adoption over abortion and offer assistance to pregnant women, children, and families. Together, we can build a society where every human being is valued and protected.
 
The Catholic motive in politics is love. Pope Francis wrote, “God is love, and he desires that we help to build a ‘civilization of love’—one in which all human beings have the freedom and opportunity to experience the love of God and live out that love by making a free gift of themselves to one another.”
 
Mary, Mother of the human family, pray for us!
Father David

Dear beloved sisters and brothers in Christ,

I am proud that the Catholic Church is the largest charitable provider of social services to women, children, and families in the United States. Only the federal government through tax dollars does more. Archbishop Lori wrote that Catholics have already done much “to help address the problems of poverty, healthcare, education, housing, employment, addiction, criminal justice, domestic violence, and the like that push women towards abortion.” rlp-22-chairman-statement-FINAL.pdf (usccb.org)

The Catholic Church does so much for women, children, and families because it envisions a culture of life where every human being is valued and protected. In our society where not every human being is valued and protected, the Catholic church firstly prays unceasingly for conversion of hearts and minds. Second, we educate about a culture of life. Third, we provide pastoral care to transform our society into a culture of life. Fourth and finally, we advocate for public policy that builds a culture of life.

Nativity does its part for a culture of life. We have partnered with Life Choices Medical Clinic in Altamonte Springs. It provides material and spiritual care for pregnant mothers. In the past three years, Nativity has contributed $174,368 to Life Choices. Tina Stafstrom, the Director of Life Choices, has spoken at Nativity to educate us. Parishioners volunteer at Life Choices. Life Choices Medical Clinic | Orlando Florida (lifechoicesfl.com)

A culture of life is a society where every human being is valued and protected. Abortion, cloning and destruction of human embryos, assisted suicide and euthanasia, genocide, torture, and the direct and intentional targeting of noncombatants in war or terrorist attacks do not value and protect every human being. Amendment 4 on the November ballot removes every protection of the unborn child. For this reason, we oppose Amendment 4. Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops - Florida's Pro-Abortion amendment - Tallahassee, FL (flaccb.org)

The Catholic Church invites advocates of Amendment 4 instead to support laws and programs that encourage childbirth and adoption over abortion and offer assistance to pregnant women, children, and families. Together, we can build a society where every human being is valued and protected. 

The Declaration of Independence asserted, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Two hundred and forty-eight years ago, “all men” applied only to white European men. Slowly and at great cost, our country came to recognize these rights were inalienable from enslaved people, Native Americans, people of color, women, and children. That our country has grown in its understanding of this self-evident truth gives me hope.

Mary, Mother of us all, pray for us!

Father David