Father Dominic VahlingBiking 600 miles in six days for one cause — saving lives

By ANDREW HANSEN

      Editor

The July heat in the Midwest can be stifling, so imagine biking 100 miles for six straight days. Regardless of the weather, that’s the game plan for missionaries who are riding in this year’s Biking for Babies, which sees dozens of life-minded and in-shape bike riders taking to the streets to raise money for pregnancy resource centers across the country. Several groups of riders start from various locations in the Midwest July 10, all finishing together in St. Louis July 15. Two of the riders are from our diocese, Father Dominic Vahling (chaplain of Sacred Heart-Griffin High School in Springfield) and Vincent Moore of Springfield (St. Katherine Drexel Parish).

Father Dominic Vahling“I am a missionary with Biking for Babies because I feel called by God to actively proclaim the Gospel of Life,” said Father Vahling, who is partnering with First Step Women’s Center in Springfield. “Biking 600 miles is certainly a unique way to do this, but it's a way that I can unite my prayers with physical activity and offer everything as a prayer for the conversion of hearts. When Roe v. Wade fell a year ago, it became clearer than ever that pregnancy resource centers are an amazing way to support young mothers and families. Planned Parenthood tells our culture that abortion is the best solution to the ‘problem’ of an unplanned pregnancy, but that's simply not true. Pregnancy resource centers are a place of unconditional love and respect for each person who walks in the front door.”

“The fact of evil is self-evident, so how is a human to respond?” said Moore, who is partnering with Two Hearts in Springfield. “(You can) fight evil with violence, and the weapons of the world; run away from evil, ignore it, or numb oneself to its existence; or enter into it with love and by doing so, transform it. Our Lord Jesus picked Option C (love). He showed us how God responds to evil, and because of Him, I see how I can fight evil as a Christian man. I'm training, fundraising, servant-leading a route, partnering with a pregnancy resource center, and riding 600-plus miles in July because that is my way of trying to do Option C.”  

Father Vahling’s route starts in Columbus, Ohio, which then includes stops in Charleston and Springfield before finishing in St. Louis. Father Vahling, who has a lot of experience with running, says that running has helped him with both the physical and mental endurance that biking requires.

“What I am hoping for through this whole experience is just to grow in my faith and in my relationship with God,” Father Vahling said. “Biking for Babies is something that I think God has guided me to do, so I hope to use my gifts to glorify Him and be a source of encouragement and compassion for His people. I am also excited to get to know my team better. We have regular Zoom calls, but I'm sure that biking across three states will be a good experience of Christian community. Also, as a priest, I will be happy to celebrate Mass each day for the team and our host parishes.” 

Vincent MooreMoore’s route starts in Ann Arbor, Mich., and includes stops in Urbana and Springfield before finishing in St. Louis. While Father Vahling is more of a runner, Moore has loved the two-wheel approach for decades.

“Ever since I was a child, I've loved riding my bicycle,” Moore said. “So, the motivation to train has never really been a problem for me. I ride three to four times per week, usually for 30-40 miles, with one of the rides typically being longer such as 75-100 miles. So far, I've ridden more than 1,500 miles in 2023 for training.”   

After each night of riding, the missionaries are hosted by families or parishes in each location. The missionaries ask for your prayers, prayers for a culture of life, and support. To donate financially, go to bikingforbabies.com.

“Taking part in Biking for Babies has allowed me to talk about the pro-life movement many times, in the bike shop, on an airplane, in the classroom, or on the street,” Father Vahling said. “When somebody asks about my summer plans, it's a perfect chance to remind them about the sanctity of life, and how we can help promote that in our culture.” 

Vincent Moore“My goal, and the goal I've set for my team is to grow closer to Christ, our Creator and Lord,” Moore said. “Insights, stories, and overcoming a huge athletic challenge are the ‘door prizes’ of this experience, transformation is the grand prize. I want to grow closer to Christ, because I want to be His follower, not just His admirer. It can be demoralizing to live in this sinful age, and the evil one often wants me to believe that I'm all alone. But the experience of Biking for Babies is a clear reminder to me that I'm not alone, and that I need my brothers and sisters in Christ.”

Want to support Father Vahling, Vincent Moore, and Biking for Babies?

• Donate at com
• Come support Father Vahling and his group of riders at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Charleston July 13 by attending Mass at 4:30 p.m. with them and then enjoy an event afterward. S.V.P. to Reba Kortte at the parish office at (217) 345-3332.
• Come support Father Vahling and Vincent Moore and their groups of riders as they attend Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at 5:15 p.m., on July 14.