THE CENTER PIECE 9
THE CATHOLIC POST SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, 2022 WASHINGTON (CNS) - The Catholic Church and its people stand ready not only to help expectant mothers bring their pregnancies to term but to assist women who have had abortions, said Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the U.S. bishops Commit- tee on Pro-Life Activities. The ministries are many, he said in his homily at the Jan. 20 Mass that began the annual National Prayer Vigil for Life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The vigil was held prior to the Jan. 21 March for Life in Washington. Archbishop Lori specifically mentioned Project Rachel, which pro- vides healing and spiritual renewal to women and couples after an abortion; the Sisters of Life, a growing religious community that wel- comes , which he called a growing religious community of women; and Walking with Moms, a parish-based ministry sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In his homily, he also took note of recent developments in which pro-life Americans may be able to take heart. We are deeply conscious that the Supreme Court is weighing Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. This case gives the high court an opportunity to undo the grave injustice it did in 1973 when in Roe v. Wade it decided that a whole class of human beings, the unborn, are outside the protection of the law, and thus non- persons, Archbishop Lori said.
MUCH WORK REMAINS
Even if abortions legality becomes once again an issue for state lawmakers to consider, much work remains, Cardinal Sean P. OMalley of Boston said at the vigil-ending Mass early Jan. 21. Dismantling unjust laws is only the beginning. We still have the arduous task of creating a pro-life culture, of changing heart and minds, he said, but if pro-lifers come across as judgmental and self- righteous were never going to get a hearing in America. Rather, Cardinal OMalley said, our task is not to judge others, but to try to bring healing. . . . Our job is to build a society that takes care of everybody, where every person counts, where every life is impor- tant. Otherwise, he warned, poverty, racism and economic injus- tice will continue to fuel abortion in post-Roe v. Wade world. and guidance that we may remain convicted, convincing, and con- Following Mass, the students walked to the nearby Spalding Pastoral The days program was planned by Peoria Notre Dames Teens for Life Were in a spiritual battle here, said Sister Lucia Maria Sol, SCTJM, Sister Lucia told the students they were with the national marchers in spirit Speaking on behalf of the students, Father Andru OBrien - chaplain Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, blesses pro-life advocates at the opening Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life on Jan. 20 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. CNS/Bob Roller
Basilica hosts National Prayer Vigil for Life
A group from Alleman High School in Rock Island chants "Protecting life has just begun, for this cause we are one" during a creative contest at the March for Life Day program in Peoria. Joining senior theology teacher Sister M. Bernadette, FSGM, and Father Nicolas Wilson are stu- dents, from left: Anna Mickelson, Jared Hernandez (partially hidden), Ashlyn Sullivan, Ava Hoskins, and Kellsey McGuire. A group from The High School of Saint Thomas More in Champaign is in the fore- ground as the students walk from St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria to the nearby Spalding Pastoral Center, where they viewed the March for Life rally from Washington, D.C. Students from Peoria Notre Dame hold signs as they join with repre- sentatives of five other high schools in praying the rosary for an end to abortion and the triumph of the culture of life outside the Spalding Pastoral Center in Peoria. We were all very sad we werent able to travel to D.C., said Father OBrien, but we want to thank you for making today such a great alternative.
STUDENTS GRATEFUL FOR ALTERNATIVE
For Lucy Herr, a freshman at Central Catholic, the day was an upgrade because at her school only juniors and seniors make the annual pilgrimage. There are a lot of students I didnt know here, and it was cool to be around them, she told The Catholic Post. It was a good opportunity to see all the speakers on the livestream, and to go to Mass. And I was warm, she added with a smile, noting most of the events were inside on the frigid day. Peoria Notre Dame student Joey Cave also cited the fellowship shared with students he did not know from the other schools. Funny enough, that most likely would have been my favorite memory had we gotten to go on the national march in D.C. this year, he said. Among those serving at the cathedral Mass was Jude Pisarczyk, a junior at The High School of Saint Thomas More. While he was incredibly disappoint- ed the school's trip to the national march was called off- he had attended in his freshman year and I had gotten a large group of friends to come with the anticipated 2022 trip - he enjoyed the Mass and program as a substitute. I am happy that we were able to attend, even with a small group like ours, said Pisarczyk.
MORE PHOTOS
from the Mass for Respect Life and rally in Peoria have been posted to The Catholic Post's site on Facebook.
Previous Page