Bishop Thomas John Paprocki has been named LIFE Runner of the Year by the National LIFE Runners board of directors. Following the March 26 death of Joseph Castle, the man known as the patriarch of the National LIFE Runners, a memorial was established in his name. Bishop Paprocki is the chaplain for the group and is the first team member to be honored.
"In honor of Dad's role in the formation of the LIFE Runners Team, this recognition will be presented by his LIFE Runners spouse, Kathy R. Castle, at the pre-race banquet on Oct. 20 in St. Louis," said Air Force Lt. Col. Pat Castle, one of the co-founders of the Life Runners along with his brother, Steve Castle.
"On the plaque is the 2011 Kansas City Marathon medal that Father Jonathan St. Andre, Life Runners member and director of vocations for the Franciscan Friars, of Loretto, Pa., sent to my mom," said Castle. "He wrote, 'In memory of Joe who became part of my LIFE Runner experience that weekend.'"
Castle is proud that his father was a brave advocate for life. "At the Kansas City post-prayer rally at Planned Parenthood, my dad gave the police officers LIFE Runners info cards, and the police officers genuinely appreciated the gesture," said Castle.
The National LIFE Runners team prays, runs and raises money for pregnancy help centers and builds awareness on the issue of abortion. They are known for the shirts they wear in events all around the country that carry the message: "REMEMBER the Unborn, Jer. 1:5." LIFE Runners participate in races from one mile to a full marathon and seek out financial sponsorships for the pregnancy help centers they support, which changes with each event.
"Ultimately we are running to cross the finish line to end abortion," Castle said.
There are 469 Life Runners nationwide. As the Life Runners begin their official training June 17, for the October St. Louis Rock 'n' Roll half/full marathon, they are already the largest team. Race officials told Castle that even though they officially don't register teams, unofficially they have not seen any teams that number over 100 members. LIFE Runners hope to have 262 Life Runners in St. Louis this year, Castle said.
Bishop Paprocki has competed in 18 marathons including the Kansas City Waddell Reed Marathon in which he ran as one of the 170-member team of the LIFE Runners. He was also the keynote speaker at the LIFE Runners pre-race banquet last year and raised and donated $2,000 toward the total of $35,000 that the team raised for two pregnancy care centers. Additionally, Bishop Paprocki is a LIFE Group Devotions guest author as well as the Springfield LIFE Runners Chapter chaplain.
Castle remembers that his father was genuinely impressed with Bishop Paprocki and he is happy the two men were able to meet. "My dad visited with Bishop Paprocki at the pre-race banquet, cheered him across the finish line of the Kansas City Marathon and visited with him afterwards," he said. "My dad related to Bishop Paprocki better than any other bishop he has met.
"Like Bishop Paprocki, my dad was fearless regarding defense of the needy, including the unborn. Like Bishop Paprocki, my dad was tough, for God and neighbor," Castle said. "Like my dad, Bishop Paprocki truly exemplifies leader, provider, protector — all in Christ for pro-life. The courageous faith of my dad and Bishop Paprocki has brought me closer to Christ."
Note: For more information on LIFE Runners go to http://liferunners.org/partners/.