January 20, 2010

Pro-lifers honored at Respect Life Mass

By John Gleason

The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception was filled to capacity Saturday afternoon to honor the work of pro-lifers at the annual Respect Life Mass.

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., was the main celebrant of the Jan. 16 liturgy, which is organized by the Denver Archdiocese’s Respect Life Office.  Mass concelebrants included Auxiliary Bishop James D. Conley and a dozen priests from across the archdiocese. 

 Respect Life Director Mimi Eckstein told the Denver Catholic Register the Mass serves several purposes.

“This Mass is always celebrated on the Saturday before the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision,” she said.  “We remember the estimated 45 million lives that have been taken through abortion since that time.  We also announce the Pro-Vitae (Pro Life) Award winners, those who’ve been active in the pro-life ministry, as well as announce the winners of the Respect Life Essay Contest.  And we take the opportunity to thank all those who are engaged in this effort and who support pro-life ministry.”

Archbishop Chaput expressed gratitude to the hundreds who attended the Mass, saying it’s not easy to maintain the courage to confront this moral issue in our time.  He re-enforced the point in his homily as he reflected on the Scripture reading from the Book of Samuel and shared how it can be applied to our lives today. 

“We learn that the Jews of the time looked around at their neighbors, all of whom had a king, and decided that they wanted one, too,” he told the assembled.  “It’s a great temptation to want to be like everyone else.  It takes courage to stand up and be different and face the cultural issues of our time.  We want to fit in and not be seen as different, but we have to be careful of that temptation because it can lead us away from God.”

Following Mass, Eckstein announced the 2010 recipients of the Pro-Vitae Award. Priest recipients this year are: Msgr. Edward Buelt, pastor of Our Lady of Loreto Parish; Father Felix Medina, pastor of St. James Parish; Father Martin Lally, pastor of Queen of Peace Parish; and Father Dan Norick, V.F., pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish.  Lay winners of the 2010 award are: Peter Spagnuolo of the Knights of Columbus, Kathy Frasco of Our Lady of Loreto Parish, May Lancaster of Nativity of Our Lord Parish, and JoAnn Windholz of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish.  Two other group awards were given to Nativity parish and volunteers of Queen of Peace’s Respect Life Committee.  Eckstein said that all the winners had worked day-in and day-out in pro-life ministry.

“Without them, the ministry wouldn’t be here,” she said.

Next, the Respect Life Essay Contest winners were recognized.  Eckstein said that deciding winners was a difficult task as so many wonderful essays addressing the theme, “Respect Life: Every Child Brings Us God’s Smile,” were entered.
This year’s winners are: Grace Petersen, 14, an eighth-grader at Sts. Peter and Paul School; Riley O’Connell, 12, a seventh-grader at St. Mary School in Littleton; Dave Jevnager, 14, an eighth-grader at Notre Dame School; Isabella Bettinger, 13, an eighth-grader at Our Lady of Lourdes School, and Nicholas Beckman, 14, an eighth- grader at St. Louis School in Englewood. 

Following the presentation, O’Connell read her essay to the congregation. In it, she shared the story of her brother Kyle who was diagnosed with a brain tumor. 

“After the diagnosis, as the weeks went by he rarely missed school and he wouldn’t have missed a school event for the world,” she said.  “We went to Disney World for his Make a Wish (Foundation) trip and to Lourdes (France) to pray for his recovery.  But on Feb. 6, 2005, he lost the battle with cancer at the age of nine. During that period we prayed as a family and went to Mass, sticking together through thick and thin.  We would have done anything, which clearly shows respect for life.”