January 21, 2009

Archbishop, Denver Catholics pray to end abortion

Pro Vitae Awards go to laywoman, two priests; middle-schoolers’ essays defend life

By Jennifer Voelker

Hundreds of faithful joined Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., as he celebrated the annual Respect Life Mass Saturday at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Afterward, some 150 Catholics held a memorial walk around the Planned Parenthood Clinic at 7155 E. 38th Ave. in Denver.

This year’s Mass, which is organized each year by the archdiocese’s Respect Life Office, was the first bilingual one; the archbishop, priests and local Catholics prayed to end abortion in English and Spanish.

January 22 marks the 36th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion in the United States. During the Mass, the archbishop honored tireless pro-life defenders with the Pro-Vitae (Pro Life) Award and middle school Respect Life essay contest winners.

“Let’s be grateful for telling the truth,” the archbishop told award winners. “You’re doing what you’re supposed to do.”

Father Andreas Hock, a Scripture professor at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, led the homily.

 “We stand up for the truth today,” the priest said. “All human life is sacred in God’s eyes. The unborn are the poorest among us.”

“The pro-choice movement is out of touch with mainstream America,” Father Hock said, quoting recent statistics which show most Americans are pro-life. “Our hope is in our faith.”

Unborn victims of abortion are considered holy innocent martyrs, Father Hock said.

The archbishop prayed that all people have a deeper appreciation of life, including then-incoming President Barack Obama and Congress members. The prelate also prayed for all victims wounded by the sin of abortion, including the mother, the unborn child, and the doctor.

Respect Life Awards

This year’s Pro-Vitae Award winners are Father Marc Mallick, pastor of Sacred Heart of Mary Parish in Boulder; Father Joseph Cao, pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Arvada; and Annette Davis, volunteer coordinator for the Gabriel Project.

Student essay winners are Abby Brich from Nativity of Our Lord School in Broomfield, Gracen McGuckin from St. Clare of Assisi School in Edwards, Danielle Medearis from St. John the Baptist School in  Longmont, Andrew Zimmerman  from St. Thomas More School in Centennial, and Shayla Frederick from  All Souls School in Englewood.

Essay winner Zimmerman read his essay to the crowded cathedral.

“As Catholics we believe all life is sacred and that all life comes from God,” Zimmerman said. “We live in a world today that believes that people are in control of life. People think they can create or destroy life when they want to. This is not true.

“Even as a teenager,” he added, “I can share my faith by discussing it with my neighbors and friends. I can participate in pro-life activities and pray the rosary with my family and friends to end abortion.”

The Roe v. Wade Memorial Walk commemorated abortion victims and was organized by pro-life parishioners.

 Audra Reiff of Boulder attended the Mass and memorial walk. Reiff is a member of the 40 Days for Life campaign and regularly prays outside abortion clinics to save unborn lives. Since 2004, the campaign has led prayer vigils in 160 cities and has saved more than 1,000 babies. Vigils consist of 40 days of prayer and fasting.

“It’s peaceful, not confrontational. It’s very humbling,” Reiff said about the memorial walk and praying outside abortion clinics. “It’s about your own prayer life with Jesus.”
Reiff is organizing a prayer vigil in Boulder, beginning Feb. 25 on Ash Wednesday and ending April 5 on Palm Sunday.

Pro-Vitae Winners Champion Life

The archbishop honored three respect life champions.

Father Cao is a pro-life leader as pastor at St. Joan of Arc Parish. He supports pro-life programs and events with his parishioners.

Father Cao and parishioners held a rosary prayer vigil outside a Planned Parenthood Clinic Oct. 7 on the feast of the Holy Rosary. The vigil was part of the 40 Day Prayer Campaign that prays outside abortion clinics to save innocent lives. Father Cao spent up to nine hours a day at the clinic.

“We stand for life. It was my first time at an abortion clinic. I was scared,” Father Cao said, adding the vigil saved a baby from being aborted.

Father Mallick is an enthusiastic pro-life supporter.  He provides pastoral care for pregnant women and couples in need of help, and healing to victims suffering from a past abortion. He leads prayers to end abortion at Sacred Heart of Mary Parish, and outside a Planned Parenthood Clinic.

“I’m just doing my job,” Father Mallick said.

Davis is volunteer coordinator for the Gabriel Project, which supports pregnant women in need. The program provides spiritual, emotional and physical resources, such as food and clothing. Davis provides nursing and health care administration expertise for volunteers and women in need.  

 “I’m honored and humbled by the award,” Davis said.