GRANITE CITY — A bracing autumn wind swirled vestments and participants' scarves Oct. 4 as hundreds joined Bishop Thomas John Paprocki in Granite City to pray the rosary, sing and walk to The Hope Clinic for Women, the only facility within the diocese's borders that performs surgical abortions.
The one-mile trek followed the annual diocesan Respect Life Mass at Holy Family Church. In his homily, Bishop Paprocki recalled words delivered by Pope Francis on why so many in today's society choose not to embrace life.
"All too often ... they do not accept the 'Gospel of Life' but let themselves be led by ideologies and ways of thinking that block life, that do not respect life, because they are dictated by selfishness, self-interest, profit, power and pleasure, and not by love, by concern for the good of others."
Parishioners from Holy Family Parish, Litchfield, served as greeters at the Mass which was concelebrated by Father Chris Comerford, pastor, St. Elizabeth Parish, Granite City; Father Zach Edgar, parochial vicar of parishes in the Effingham area; and Father Manuel Cuizon, CRS, parochial vicar, Holy Family Parish, Granite City and St. Mary and Mark Parish, Madison. Deacons were William Kessler, St. Ambrose Parish, Godfrey, and James Hill, Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, Collinsville. The "Catholic Crew Choir," consisting of students from Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, Collinsville, and Mother of Perpetual Help Parish, Maryville, led the music during Mass.
Holy Family Men's and Ladies Clubs prepared lunch, followed by reflections on the day from Sister M. Mikela Meidl, CEO of St. Anthony's Health Center, Alton. Bishop Paprocki created a buzz when he announced that during their time outside the premises of the clinic, a young woman came forward to declare that she had changed her mind about entering the abortion clinic. She received a blessing from the bishop.
The diocesan Respect Life Mass and Rosary Walk was coordinated by the Office for Social Concerns and Respect for Life. For more information go to www.dio.org/socialconcerns or contact Sister Jane Boos, SSND (217) 698-8500.