Sunday, October 10, 2021

This Sunday marks the 19th World Day Against the Death Penalty. Just 2 days later, on October 12, the State of Texas is set to execute Stephen Barbee. If his execution proceeds, Barbee would be the third person convicted in Tarrant County to be put to death this year. To date in 2021, Texas has put three people to death. Those are 3 lives that have been ended in our names as citizens of Texas, a clear violation of our Catholic social tradition that upholds the right to life and human dignity.

This Respect Life Month, learn more and take action by watching the powerful documentary film The Phantom (available on Netflix). The film tells the story of how Texas executed Carlos DeLuna, a likely innocent man, in 1989 while ignoring evidence that another Carlos committed the crime. Then sign this petition urging President Biden to commute the sentences of everyone on federal death row (signatures accepted until Oct. 20). Learn more at Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.

“The dignity of human life must never be taken away,
even in the case of someone who has done great evil.
Modern society has the means of protecting itself,
without definitively denying criminals the chance to reform.”
﹣Pope John Paul II, St. Louis, Missouri, January 27, 1999

       - Illustration from World Coalition.org

SVdP Smiles in Service! Consider their Invitation to Bag a Little Love

SVdP "Merry Baggers" meet Fridays at 12:30 at the SVdP Food Bank at 901 W. Braker Lane to bag fruits and vegetables for Saturday distribution. It's not a big commitment, but the reward is HUGE! The merry masked baggers pictured here are Mary Lou Gibson, Lynn Hayden, Nancy Jones, and Huddie Murray. Volunteers are welcome to join the fun! For more details, email

 Huddie Murray