Dear Parishioners,
This year, the March for Life in Washington, DC, is slated for this coming Friday, January 27. It is a little later than usual because of the presidential inauguration on January 20. Every year since 1974, hundreds of thousands of Americans from all 50 states, and even foreign countries, have been converging on the national capital to give witness to the sanctity of human life, most especially in the womb. Among them are a vast number of youth.
The Supreme Court decision, Roe vs. Wade has not brought peace to the national conscience. America is not content with this ruling, and never will be. The majority of Americans want to see restrictions on abortion, and the protection of the innocent and vulnerable baby in the womb.
Moreover, most acknowledge that God will not bless a country that eliminates its own progeny. If we expect to be strong and prosperous as a nation once again, we must overturn Roe vs. Wade. As Pope Francis stated, “It is therefore, necessary to express the strongest possible opposition to every direct attack on life, especially against the innocent and defenseless, and the unborn in a mother’s womb is the example of innocence par excellence.”
While emphatically affirming the right to life of every human being, we cannot forget the other victims of this tragedy, the mothers. In the long run, they suffer terribly as well. Again, it is Pope Francis who frames this consideration: “I wish to restate as firmly as I can that abortion is a grave sin, since it puts an end to an innocent life. In the same way, however, I can and must state that there is no sin that God’s mercy cannot reach and wipe away when it finds a repentant heart seeking to be reconciled with the Father." Through Jesus, healing is always possible.
“O Blood and Water which gushed forth from
the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of mercy;
I trust in You!”
Fr. Tim Byerley
Pastor
