Sunday, October 12, 2025
October Respect Life Month Annual Mass and Conference
In October, the Catholic Church in the United S tates celebrates Respect Life Month. During this time, the Church asks us to reflect more deeply on the dignity of every human. This year’s Annual Diocesan Mass will take place on Sunday, October 12th at 10:30am at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, 327 2nd St, Fall River, MA 02721. The Mass is to be celebrated by Most Rev. Edgar da Cunha, Bishop of Fall River, in sponsorship with the Knights of Columbus. Mass is open to the public and no registration is required. Following the Mass, will be the Annual Respect Life Conference which will take place at Whites of Westport, 66 State Rd, Westport, MA 02790 , beginning at 12:00pm.Pre-registration for the conference is required. There will be no at the door ticket sales .Ticket price includes lunch.
Conference Theme: Ethics at the Beginning of Life
¨ The moral and ethical implications of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) from the Teachings of the Catholic Church standpoint
¨ What happens to embryos in IVF?
¨ A closer look at embryo creation, selection, freezing, and disposal
¨ Real-world stories and cases that reveal the immoral implications and the hidden cost of IVF
¨ Restorative Reproductive Medicine and the Catholic Church’s response to couples facing infertility.
¨ Navigating Infertility: Dr. Meaney will share his personal journey navigating infertility and treatments with his wife for 8 years before conceiving their daughter.
Keynote Speaker, Dr. Joseph Meaney
Keynote Speaker, Joseph Meaney received his PhD in bioethics from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome and earned his master’s in Latin American studies, focusing on health care in Guatemala, from the University of Texas at Austin. He graduated from the University of Dallas with a BA in history and a concentration in international studies. The Benedict XVI Catholic University in Trujillo, Peru, awarded Dr. Meaney an honorary visiting professorship. The University of Dallas bestowed on him an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters in 2022.