The Third Annual Black Catholic Vigil for Life, sponsored by the National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life will be held nationwide on Saturday September 30, 2000.  The Black Catholic Vigil is held on the Saturday before Respect Life Sunday, which will be observed this year on October 1st. 

Bishop J. Terry Steib of Memphis, Tenn., the Episcopal moderator of the National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life has urged the black Catholic community during the Vigil of Life to pray for an end to capital punishment.  

Franciscan Father James E. Goode, President of the National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life and the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus called for “Black Catholics throughout the nation to gather before the Blessed Sacrament and pray for the dignity and respect of all human life.  During this Jubilee Year 2000, let us pray for the end of abortion, euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide ,the end of the death penalty and all acts of violence.”  

A Black Catholic Vigil for Life Eucharistic Holy Hour will be held at St. Clare Friary’s Holy Mother of God Chapel 440 West 36th Street in Manhattan on Saturday September 30th at 4:30 PM.  

Father Warren Savage, President of the National Black Catholic Evangelization Forum is also joining the National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life in sponsoring a worldwide Cyber Prayer Vigil to End the Death Penalty.  They are asking Catholic Christians to make a commitment to pray for an end to violence, racism, and the abolition of the death penalty.  This public witness will inspire others to take a stand for the dignity and respect for life in every situation.  The Cyber Prayer Vigil to End the Death Penalty is found on the National Black Catholic Evangelization Forum  website: www.bcn.net/~wsavage.  

The Franciscan Handmaids of Mary will host a Respect Life Month Hour of Power for Life at the Motherhouse Chapel on Thursday October 19, 2000 at 7 PM.  This monthly Eucharistic Holy Hour is sponsored by the National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life.