Governor Sarah Palin scheduled to speak at Award Gala following Terri's Memorial Mass

Contact: Mary Foley, Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network, 484-278-4287, mfoley@lifeandhope.com 

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 23, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network is delighted to announce that Archbishop Charles Chaput, Archbishop of the Diocese of Philadelphia, will celebrate "The National Memorial Mass for Terri's Day."

In addition, Governor Sarah Palin will be the honored speaker at the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network's Award Gala following Terri's Memorial Mass.

The International Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Terri Schindler Schiavo, and All of Our Vulnerable Brothers and Sisters ("Terri's Day") was established in 2007 and is observed each year on or around March 31st, the date of Terri's death.

The purpose of this day is to foster education, prayer, and activism regarding discrimination against the cognitively disabled, and advocacy for people in situations similar to what Terri and her family faced.

"We are delighted to have His Excellency, Archbishop Chaput, as the main celebrant for Terri's Memorial Mass and Governor Palin as the keynote speaker at our first Award Gala. Our intention is to raise the needed awareness of this widely misunderstood issue so that the general public recognizes how our medically vulnerable remain in the cross-hairs of an anti-life mentality growing in our nation," noted Bobby Schindler, Terri's brother and Executive Director of the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network.

All are invited and encouraged to attend "The National Memorial Mass for Terri's Day." Because Easter falls on March 31st, this year's Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, April 5th, 2013 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul located at 18th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia.

The Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network's Award Gala with Governor Sarah Palin will be held in the evening at the downtown Philadelphia Marriott. The first "Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Award" will be presented to an individual/family who fought to protect the dignity of a loved one.

You can go to Terri's Life & Hope Network's website (www.lifeandhope.com) to learn more about Terri's Memorial Mass, purchase tickets for the Gala with Governor Palin, and learn how you can get involved in Terri's Day 2013!

The Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network is a 501(c)(3) non-profit group dedicated to helping the medically vulnerable. For more information please go to: www.lifeandhope.com.