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Former abortion advocate to speak at gala for pro-life Lighthouse
By Jean Torkelson
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Abby Johnson |
Former abortion advocate and Planned Parenthood director Abby Johnson will headline the second annual A Beacon of Hope Gala to benefit the Lighthouse Women’s Center on Feb. 16.
Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila will get the evening under way by celebrating Mass at 4 p.m. that day.
(See the box for all details about times and places.)
The cause, supporting women and protecting their unborn children, is serious and Johnson, a nationally regarded pro-life speaker and author, has a harrowing story to tell about her years on the frontlines of the abortion debate—much of it spent working for the other side.
But as befits its name, A Beacon of Hope Gala is also designed to be an evening of inspiration and entertainment.
In addition to Johnson’s unique, behind the scenes look at the culture wars, the evening includes dining and dancing to
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A BEACON OF HOPE GALA To benefit Lighthouse Women’s Center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit agency Date: Feb. 16
Mass: precedes the gala at Gala: begins at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails and reception at Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, 7711 E. Academy Blvd., Denver Cost: $100 per person To register (deadline Feb. 4): Online: www.lighthousedenver.org Mail: checks made payable to Lighthouse Inc., 5994 S. Holly Street, No. 213, Greenwood Village, CO 80111 |
sounds of the Genuflectones, a sought-after local rock and blues band headlined by two Denver priests, Father John Paul Leyba and Father Rick Nakvasil. There will be a stunning creation of an artwork, done in real time, by noted performance painter, Devin Montagne. The evening’s master of ceremonies is attorney and radio talk show host Dan Caplis.
Four items will be offered at silent auction: a fine-dining dinner with Archbishop Samuel Aquila; a round of golf at Cherry Hills Golf Course; a personal painting done by Montagne, and an evening of musical entertainment featuring the Genuflectones, to be arranged for a private event of the winner’s choosing.
The gala hopes to raise $250,000 to add ultrasound equipment and further enhance and grow the work of the Lighthouse, a division of Catholic Charities. Last year’s inaugural gala raised $150,000, which was used to ready the building for opening and buy equipment and materials. The center offers pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, counseling, basic medical services and reproductive health-care education.
The Lighthouse launched last fall in a refurbished brick Victorian located at 3894 Olive St., Denver, directly across the street from Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains.
The building was blessed in a ceremony led by Archbishop Aquila, who predicted, “Jesus Christ will be present in the work that is done here.”
Jean Torkelson: 303-715-3262; www.twitter.com/DCRegister
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