My House - Diocesan Anti-Pornography Initiative

“As for Me and My House we will serve the Lord.”
 
At the urging of Bishop John Gaydos, the Office of Family Life in cooperation with the Diocesan Pastoral Council, is undertaking a diocesan-wide initiative to combat pornography. 

The program, As for Me and My House we will serve the Lord, is designed to help parents and other adults combat the destructive elements of pornography.  This initiative is aimed at fostering the virtue of chastity by building awareness of the effects of pornography in society, offering support and healing for those harmed by it, and educating Catholics on what they can do to protect their families from its influence.  Our hope is that Catholics will also experience a deepened understanding of the beauty of our sexuality. The program was developed under the leadership of Archbishop Joseph Naumann and his staff at the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas.

The initiative will get underway with Awareness Sunday scheduled for November 9, 2008 in parishes throughout the diocese.  On that day, each parish is encouraged to show a DVD presentation on the effects of pornography and the need for our diocesan community to address its destructive and harmful effects.  Included in the Awareness Sunday materials will be several take-homes:  a Spiritually Healthy Family Checklist, a copy of the Prayer for the Diocesan Initiative and also the “No to Pornography” Pledge.

Communication, resources, and articles will be published in The Catholic Missourian during the coming year. A follow-up parent and adult educational workshop will also be available: Becoming Aware of the Impact of Pornography on Families, Marriages and Children.