“Today, we remember Saint Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Animals and the environment. He cared for the poor, the sick, and all creation…” said Mrs. Kate Beskid ’00 on Thursday, October 4, kicking off Respect Life Month at Blessing of the Animals on the Chatsworth campus.

Eight miles away, on the West Hills campus students, faculty, and staff celebrated Respect Life Month with a special Mass and candlelight procession. “At the deepest level of our being,”  said Bro. Adam Becerra “there is a thriving force that holds power, wisdom, love, and grace. And that thriving force, is God communicating all that God is, so that we may thrive to be who we were created to be.”

As a Catholic, Marianist school, Chaminade’s CME of Service, Justice, and Peace teaches students to promote the dignity of human life from conception to natural death and to respect creation.  Every October, Chaminade Joins the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to celebrate Respect Life month as one human family and put our faith into action.

Throughout October, Chaminade will emphasize Catholic Social Teaching (CST) principles in the classroom to help develop students’ awareness of the contemporary issues in their world that directly relate to:

• The Dignity of Human Life
• Call to Family, Community, and Participation
• Rights and Responsibilities
• Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
• The Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers
• Solidarity
• Stewardship (Protecting Creation)

The Chatsworth campus will also hold a Respect Life Mass on Monday, October 15 at 9:15 a.m. in the Fr. Allen Delong Center for Arts and Athletics.