The following is a list of Annual Diocesan respect life events and suggested respect life parish activities
JANUARY 17, 2026
Walking with Moms and Formation Day with Sisters of Life
St. Agnes Catholic Church – Parish Hall
- Optional Mass: 8am @ St. Agnes Parish
- Registration begins @ 8:45am
- Program: 9:15 am to 3:30pm
JANUARY 22nd
National Day of Prayer & Fasting for the Protection of Human Life
LIFE IN ACTION:
- 9-Days for Life Novena from January 16th to January 24th. 9 Days for Life Novena | USCCB
- Offer a Mass, host a Holy Hour, pray the Rosary for this intention
- Offer some other sacrifice or prayer that you feel called to do for this intention
- Talk to your pastor about having a respect life activity on this day for this intention
- Share on parish bulletin, parish website, via parish Flocknote, post on parish social media platforms to create awareness on respect and protection of human life
- Participate in any respect life activities going on in your community.
- Attend a March for Life. Depending on your availability, there are multiple marches going on during this month
I Need Help – Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
FEBRUARY 11, 2026
WORLD DAY OF THE SICK
- “The compassion of the Samaritan: Loving by bearing the pain of the other.”
LOVE AND HOPE IN ACTION:
- This month we have an opportunity to pray for and accompany the sick. Offer some other sacrifice or prayer that you feel called to do for this intention
- Attend a Mass for the Sick. Take someone that you know needs prayer and healing. This year the Diocesan Mass for the Sick is February 14th.
- Visit or call someone you know is facing an illness. Take a food basket or cook them home meal, bake them cookies or ask them what they need
- Ask a family member to share their recipes or expertise for making their favorite holiday or ethnic specialties
- Post, share on your page or parish social media platforms to create awareness on the respect and protection of human life, especially the sick and homebound
Care for the Elderly
FEBRUARY 18th – MARCH 29th
40-Days for Life Lenten Prayer Campaign
LIFE IN ACTION:
- Join a local peaceful prayer vigil/campaign – pray for mothers facing a crisis pregnancy, pray for conversion and for just laws that defend and protect the dignity of all human life
- Offer some other sacrifice or prayer that you feel called to do for this intention
- Contact your local pregnancy resource center or diocesan/parish pregnancy support ministry. Ask about ways you can help, such as volunteering or donating baby items
- Participate in 40 Days for Life Opening Mass – Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at St. Mary’s Basilica, Downtown, Phoenix, AZ. / Mass @ 6:00pm.
- Participate in Good Friday Rosary at Glendale location
Crisis Pregnancy Resources
MARCH 2026
Walking with Moms in Need 5th Diocesan Anniversary
MARCH 21st
Tentative: Life and Science Conference
MARCH 25th
The Annunciation
LIFE, HOPE, AND LOVE IN ACTION:
- Celebrate life in the womb, recognize pregnant mothers – talk to your pastor about doing a blessing of the wombs
- Outreach, and support a pregnant and/or parenting mom in need in your parish community
- Communicate the Church’s commitment to accompany pregnant and parenting mothers and their children
- Take time to listen attentively to a mother in crisis
- Talk to your pastor about having a respect life activity on this day for this intention
- Share on parish bulletin, parish website, via parish Flocknote, post on parish social media platforms to create awareness on respect and protection of human life
- Participate in any respect life activities going on in your community
Walking with Moms in Need – Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
APRIL 12, 2026
Divine Mercy Sunday
LOVE AND HOPE IN ACTION:
- This day is an important opportunity for family and parish community to share Christ’s message of mercy, especially with those women and families who have been wounded by abortion
- If you know anyone who has gone through an abortion, take the time to listen, don’t judge but show kindness and compassion. Accompany them.
- Pray and promote hope and healing for women and men who have committed or participated in an abortion and suffer in silence
- Talk to your pastor about having an activity on this day for this intention
- Share on parish bulletin, parish website, via parish Flocknote, post on parish social media platforms to create awareness on God’s infinite love and mercy
Post-Abortive Healing – Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
MAY 2026
Month of Mary – Mother’s Day
LIFE AND LOVE IN ACTION:
- Highlight the gift of motherhood, including spiritual mothers.
- Pray a Rosary for all mothers – acknowledge and cherish the gift of life that we receive from our mothers
- Pray for all mothers and all those who find Mother’s Day challenging
- Throw a baby shower for pregnant mothers, especially those who need the most
- Share on parish bulletin, parish website, via parish Flocknote, post on parish social media platforms to create awareness on respect and protection of human life
- Participate in any respect life activities going on in your community
- Do a parish activity – offer flowers to our blessed mother
- Tentative SPANISH Congreso Familia y Vida. More information to come…
JULY 26, 2026
World Day of Grandparents & the Elderly
LIFE AND LOVE IN ACTION:
- This celebration was instituted by Pope Francis in 2021, on the weekend closest to the feast of St. Joachim and St. Anne. The office for respect life hosts an annual mass and reception at S.s. Simon and Jude Cathedral. This year will be on July 26th.
- This weekend is a great opportunity to acknowledge, recognize and celebrate the lives of grandparents and senior adults in our families and communities
- Spend time with senior adults in your family or visit a senior center – sing to them, make them laugh, play with them, listen to them, walk with them, spend time with them, make them feel recognized and valued
- Gift the elderly home-cooked meals. Ask your elderly loved one to share their recipes or expertise for making their favorite holiday treat or meal
- Hel them sign up for any resources they may need or benefit from
- Post, share on your parish social media to create awareness on respect and protection of human life, especially the grandparents and the senior adults
Care for the Elderly
SEPTEMBER 2026
CELEBRATE LIFE:
Annual Diocesan Respect Life Luncheon
- Annual Luncheon for all parish respect life leaders, including leaders doing respect life ministry connected to our diocese. Per invitation. RSVP required.
40-Days for Life FALL Prayer Campaign
LIFE AND HOPE IN ACTION:
- Join a local peaceful prayer vigil/campaign – pray for mothers facing a crisis pregnancy, pray for conversion and for just laws that defend and protect the dignity of all human life
- Offer some other sacrifice or prayer that you feel called to do for this intention
- Contact your local pregnancy resource center or diocesan/parish pregnancy support ministry. Ask about ways you can help, such as volunteering or donating baby items
- Participate in Fall Prayer Campaign Kick Off Mass
Crisis Pregnancy Resources
OCTOBER 2026
Respect Life Month
LIFE IN ACTION:
- The Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month, and the first Sunday of October is designated as Respect Life Sunday. The office usually offers on First Sunday of October a special televises Mass in English and Spanish for the sick and homebound.
- Contact your parish respect life ministry or local pregnancy resource center Ask about ways you can help, such as – volunteering, donating clothes, visiting the sick, visiting senior centers, donating food baskets, etc.
- Participate in any respect life activities going on in your parish community. Pray for the protection of all human life.
- Offer some other sacrifice or prayer that you feel called to do for this intention
- Diocesan Parish Gospel of Life Appeal – 1st weekend in October.
Gospel of Life Appeal
NOVEMBER 2026
Hospice & Palliative Care Month
LIFE AND LOVE IN ACTION:
- The month of November is an opportunity for parish communities to support families of those facing a terminal illness and the end of life.
- Display respect life posters in prominent locations to raise awareness and encourage reflection on life’s dignity – specifically those facing terminal illness
- Offer a Mass, pray the Rosary, offer a Holy Hour or a sacrifice that you feel called to do for this intention
- Visit or call someone you know is facing an illness
- Take a food basket or cook a sick person a meal, bake them cookies or ask them what they need
- Create an action guide with resources and activities to help individuals and communities reflect on and defend the dignity of the human person from conception to the end of life
- Post, share to create awareness on respect and protection of human life, especially those who are terminally ill and/or facing the end of life
End of Life & Sick Care
DECEMBER 2026
Advent
HOPE AND LOVE IN ACTION:
- Advent is a time to prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate the arrival of Jesus. Serve others with hope and joy, carrying Christ to those in need, specially the most vulnerable
- Offer to help a mom or family in need – find out what they need and see how you can help – throw a baby shower, host a or give a food basket, or give clothing, depending on the mom’s need
- Talk to your pastor about having a respect life activity on this day for this intention
- Share on parish bulletin, parish website, via parish Flocknote, post on parish social media platforms to create awareness on respect and protection of human life
- Participate in Christmas Eve Rosary for Life or any respect life activities going on in your parish community