“Building a Culture of Life” Internet Toolkit

How can you build a culture of life? Here are some great web sites to help you out…

Are you married? Whether you’re just dating or are about to celebrate your 50th wedding anniversary, this site has resources to help you work on your marriage and relationships: foryourmarriage.org

Have you heard the truth about natural family planning? Find out how the gift of human sexuality and procreation can build up your marriage, not treat it like a disease:  Natural Family Planning Info

Are you hurting after an abortion? Call the Project Rachel office for the Arlington diocese at (703) 841-2504 for free, confidential help, including post-abortion retreats, spiritual counseling with a priest, and professional counseling referrals as needed. Take the first step toward healing, and talk to one of the Project Rachel counselors today. You can also find help at www.helpafterabortion.org or www.abortionchangesyou.com. Se habla Español: (703) 841-2504; www.ayudadespuesdelaborto.org.

Are you pregnant and in need of help? If you’re pregnant and need help – or just someone to talk to – please call (703) 841-3810 or go to www.helpforpregnantwomen.org. Counselors at the Gabriel Project office for the Arlington diocese can give you free, confidential support and can help you find the resources you need in your parish, community, and in the diocese. Se habla Español: (703) 841-3810; www.ayudaparaembarazadas.org.

Have you lost a child through miscarriage? See the information in these pages if you’ve lost a child or want to support someone who has. Pastoral Resources for Those Suffering After Miscarriage(s) Infertility & Infant Loss and or Loving Parents After Miscarriage. See also this local lay apostolate for mothers of miscarried and stillborn children, A Mom’s Peace, which particularly supports mothers seeking burial and remembrance services in the immediate wake of their loss.

Are you or is someone you know thinking about artificial reproductive technology (in vitro fertilization, sperm or egg donation, etc.)? See the medical information and explanations of Church teaching at the U.S. Catholic bishops’ web site first. Reproductive Technology

Is pornography hurting you and your family? You’re not alone! Find helpful resources from the Arlington diocese at this link, including support for men, women, and parents – and particularly Bishop Loverde’s pastoral letter on the subject. Bought With a Price

What does the Church really teach about contraception? The U.S. Catholic Bishops have many resources at their site – www.usccb.org – and here is one of them. Life Matters: Contraception

What does the Church really teach about end of life issues, such as assisted suicide and palliative care? See this page at the U.S. Catholic bishops’ web site: End of Life Issues

What are some things you can do to ensure that your medical wishes, as a Catholic, are respected in case you are incapacitated? First, the Diocese of Arlington has created a Catholic Advance Medical Directive which complies with Virginia law and allows you to name a Health Care Agent who can make decisions for you. Copies of the directive are available in the church vestibule, and digital copies are available here. Catholic Advance Medical Directive form Once you have completed your Advance Medical Directive and/or some other medical documents, they can be uploaded to a state registry here. Connect Virginia site

Do you want to be educated about legislative issues in Virginia in which Catholic moral and social justice teachings are involved? Sign up with the Virginia Catholic Conference: www.vacatholic.org

Do you want to be educated about legislative issues at the federal level in which Catholic moral and social justice teachings are involved? Sign up with Human Life Action, the pro-life office of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ National Committee for a Human Life Amendment. Human Life Action