Archdiocese continues fight to protect the unborn

February 25, 2014

HOUSTON — Several events around the Archdiocese continue to promote the right to life of the unborn.

On Jan. 22, 40 students from the University of St. Thomas’ Celts for Life club attended the March for Life in Washington D.C.

Samantha Garcia, president of the club, said members wrote their own signs describing why they were there marching for life. Handwritten signs saying, “I march for all those baby boys and girls who will never know their mother’s love” and “Because it is not enough to just say you are pro-life” were some of the messages that joined professionally printed placards with “Life begins in the womb” and “I am the pro-life generation.”

“I really do honestly believe that our generation is responsible for giving the pro-life movement a face,” Garcia, a junior engineering major, said. “We are the youth, and we’re the ones being targeted. So it’s important for us to stand up and say we’re the Pro-Life Generation.”

The UST group joined an estimated half a million people who marched along the streets of Washington. They chanted pro-life messages and prayed the Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Garcia said in addition to being prayerful, people were happy and laughing with strangers.

“It was really moving, because a lot of people don’t realize who is alongside with them in the pro-life movement,” she said. “When that many pro-lifers stand and say ‘I am pro-life, and I’m with you,’ it inspires you to do more when you come home.”

On March 23, the club will host a fundraising dinner for next year’s trip to March for Life. Last year’s banquet was a lasagna dinner with students as waiters and waitresses, which raised $5,000. The trip cost $13,000 in plane tickets alone. 

Garcia said she hopes students will consider attending the March for Life again next year. 

“They won’t regret it,” she said. “It’ll probably be one of the best experiences they have all year.”

On Feb. 8, the Archdiocese held the 41st annual Mass For Life at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston. Daniel Cardinal DiNardo concelebrated the Mass with priests from around the Archdiocese. A reception followed at the Cathedral Centre.

The public is invited to join 40 Days for Life, a peaceful, legal prayer vigil starting Wednesday, March 5, through Sunday, April 13, at Planned Parenthood, 4600 Gulf Fwy.

The prayer vigil will take place on the sidewalk outside of the facility. Planned Parenthood is reportedly the largest abortion provider in the U.S.