Education

Annual Convention

Each October since 1976, during Respect Life Month, the RLA hosts our annual Convention to provide a forum for Catholics in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, our ministry partners, and other pro-life advocates to pray, fellowship and celebrate the Gospel of Life. 

The 46th Annual Respect Life Convention: Walking with Families in Dignity & Love, was held on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. It featured keynote speaker Karen Gaffney, the first person with Down's syndrome to swim the English Channel, the Ministering in a Post-Dobbs World panel with Lisa Rowe (Support After Abortion), Angela Minter (Sisters for Life, Inc.), and Dr. Kathleen Berchelmann (My Catholic Doctor), and Mass with Auxiliary Bishop Mark Rivituso. Adam Wright (Covenant Network Catholic Radio) served as the emcee, and inspiring breakout sessions featured Jasha McQueen (Embryo Defense), Dr. Berchelmann, Matt Estrade (Peace with Dementia Rosary), and Dr. Mary Fox (Family Medicine Specialist). 

Recap of the 2022 Convention:

To give you a window into what our annual celebration of the Gospel of Life looks like:

 

RLA 2022 Graphics_Web Banner 1920x1080-2637999967222052274

 

 Learn more about the 2022 Convention

 

Respect Life Parish Committee Network

The Parish Respect Life Committee Network, led by a respect life coordinator at each church, is a vital part of the Apostolate's success in serving the community. Not only does the network provide resources to their parishes on life issues, they also actively evangelize their fellow parishioners and support their pastors and priests in making life issues visible at the parish level. 

Learn More

 

Eighth Grade Respect Life Creative Writing Contest

Since 1979, the Respect Life Apostolate has partnered with the Office of Education & Formation to sponsor an annual writing competition for 8th grade students in the Archdiocese of St. Louis to reflect, pray, research and write about the Gospel of Life. Results of the 2023 contest are now posted at the link below or by clicking here and the St. Louis Review

LEARN MORE

 

Pro-life E-digest 

The Apostolate sends out a monthly e-newsletter featuring featuring archdiocesan, pro-life and pro-family events, news, service and prayer opportunities and public policy initiatives, as well as bi-monthly alerts on our largest events and programs. 

Subscribe

 

Internship Program

The RLA offers an summer internship to incoming college and graduate students. Interns engage in program and event planning; learning how to strategically accompany and help pregnant and parenting mothers; engaging in peaceful, public witness on behalf of life; marketing, social media and website efforts; conducting timely and topical pro-life research; and assisting with general office operations. Additionally, interns gain professional experience in an Archdiocesan agency setting and networking with Catholic and pro-life leaders.

The 2023 positions have now been filled. To learn more, click the link below.      

Learn More

 

Pro-Life Video Challenge

From 2015 to 2021, archdiocesan youth and young adults 19-39 created short pro-life videos illustrating the Gospel of Life in conjunction with the Annual Respect Life Convention. Click below to learn more and access past winning videos! 

Learn More