34th Annual Respect Life Convention
Sunday, October 24, 2010
This year's convention will open with the Celebration of the Holy Mass, followed by a luncheon, award presentation and a keynote address by Dr. Thomas Hilgers, Director of the Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction. The Institute, located in Omaha, Nebraska is dedicated to research, education, and service in the areas of human reproduction within the context of the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Dr. Hilgers is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and gynecologic laser surgery and is a member of the prestigious Society of Reproductive Surgeons. He has served on the faculty of medicine at St. Louis University School of Medicine and Creighton University School of Medicine. While at Creighton, he co-developed the Creighton Model FertilityCareTM System, a thoroughly standardized method that maintains a woman's reproductive and gynecological health while helping couples understand the workings of a woman's cycles of fertility and infertility.
Dr. Hilgers has authored over 200 books and speaks on issues relating to modern health care, women's health, and the morality of modern medicine and its connection with Catholic teachings.
Panel-style Workshop Topics
Benefits of Natural Family Planning for the Whole Family: Despite what many medical professionals and news outlets might say, modern medicine does offer moral options for health care. The Natural Family Planning systems available in our Archdiocese provide a range of benefits for men and women of various ages, while allowing them to remain in full communion with the Catholic Church.
Talking Politics and Keeping the Family Peace: Family dinners can be a conversation minefield, especially during election years. Our panel participants will offer their expertise on how to effectively communicate your Catholic, pro-life values during these conversations, without starting the next round of “Family Feud.”
How Families Can Prepare for the End of Life at Any Age: Life is a gift from God, and as we are reminded in Matthew’s Gospel, we “know neither the day nor the hour” when God will call us or our loved ones from this life. Whether this happens suddenly or after a long illness, there can be many confusing decisions to make at an already difficult time. These experts will offer advice for getting the right plans and documentation in order while you are at your best, and understanding what to avoid, to help ensure that your family’s Catholic values are maintained and their burdens are eased when these challenges arise.
Maintaining Pro-Life Values in Any Vocation: Maintaining pro-life values can be a challenge for anyone, but especially for young adults and teenagers who are bombarded with secular culture. Our speakers will offer their perspectives on how these values can be incorporated into any career or vocation, from marriage and the single life in the corporate and not-for-profit worlds, to the religious life.
"Now More than Ever,” is appropriately the theme for the 33rd Annual Respect Life Convention which will be held on Sunday, October 25, 2009, at the St. Charles Convention Center. The purpose of the Convention is to provide a forum for Catholics in the archdiocese to gather and interact with informative and motivational speakers as they discuss the dignity of human life and the latest efforts to build a Culture of Life.
