Parish-Level Leadership Teams
The bishops of Florida urge all parishes in Florida to unite in prayer, distribute materials and encourage parishioners to vote NO on the proposed amendment to Florida’s Constitution that will appear on the Nov. 5, 2024, ballot as Amendment 4. If passed, the amendment would expand and enshrine abortion in our state constitution at the expense of protections for preborn children and women. To help mobilize these efforts, below is a checklist for parish activities.
If your parish needs assistance in forming leadership teams, contact Maureen Shilkunas, director of the Human Life & Dignity Office for the Diocese of St. Augustine, at mshilkunas@dosafl.com.
Important Dates:
Sept. 26-Oct. 3, 2024: Mail-in ballots to be sent to domestic voters
Oct. 26-Nov. 2, 2024: The early voting period may begin as early as Oct. 21 in some counties.
Nov. 5, 2024: Election Day
Pastors can form leadership teams to run a prayerful and educational campaign until voting ends on Nov. 5. These teams can include a team captain and 2-3 other parishioners such as:
- Parish Staff
- Parish Respect Life Coordinators
- Deacons / Women Religious
- Knights of Columbus
- Council of Catholic Women
- Lady’s Guild or Women’s Council
- Youth Ministry Leaders
- Prayer Group Leaders
- Rosary Warriors
- Lectors
- Ushers
- Volunteers
Preparation:
Phase 1: Introduction to Amendment 4 – through August
- Distribute materials available on www.dosafl.com/amendment4 to include (bishops’ statements, flyers, and prayer cards)
- Prayer cards can be placed in pews or bulletin and recited before/after Masses.
- Flyers and/or graphics can be inserted into bulletins.
- Add a link or QR code to the campaign materials available on (www.dosafl.com/amendment4) to your parish website and digital newsletters.
- Share posts from the diocesan social media pages on Vote No on 4 (https://www.Facebook.com/DOSACatholics or https://www.facebook.com/VoteNoOn4FL) on your parish social media accounts.
- Deliver first pulpit announcement before or after Mass – clergy or lay volunteer (If possible, a woman leader is preferred as studies show that women’s voices are most effective when speaking against abortion).
- Incorporate suggested Prayers of the Faithful into Masses.
- Show the video with Bishop Erik Pohlmeier’s message to the faithful (available after the Florida primaries at the end of August) or other videos provided by www.VoteNoOn4Florida.com.
- Set up a table after Masses (and at parish events) staffed by volunteers who can speak about the dangers of the proposed amendment.
- Coordinate times to pray with and speak to ministry/prayer groups.
Phase 2: Build to Peak Level of Awareness – September 2024
- Concerted push with Phase 1 activities (distribute materials, social media, announcements, prayers, etc.)
- Deliver second pulpit announcement
- Show video provided by Bishop Erik Pohlmeier or from www.votenoon4florida.com.
- Oct. 6 (Respect Life Sunday): Utilize Homily Helpers provided on www.dosafl.com/amendment4 website to incorporate messaging into the homily with the corresponding Prayer of the Faithful.
- Encourage Faithful Citizenship and stress the importance of voting (and Voting No on Amendment 4).
- Be alert to additional resources provided by the Human Life & Dignity Office, HLD@dosafl.com.