DYER – More than 600 students from Catholic schools across Northwest Indiana gathered at Franciscan Health Dyer on Oct. 6 for the 33rd annual Respect Life Celebration. The event, co-hosted by Franciscan Health and the Diocese of Gary during Respect Life Month, aims to celebrate the dignity of human life at every stage.
Alison Powell, pastoral associate of music at St. Matthias, and David Herr, music director at Mary Mother of Mercy in Michigan City, led students in praise and worship, performing the songs “Great Are You Lord” and “Who You Say I Am.”
“What a wonderful way to start our morning,” said Sean Leahy, chief operating officer for Franciscan Health Dyer-Munster, as he thanked the “wonderful musicians” for being there.
Leahy addressed the students, explaining that the previous Sunday was a special day for those in the Franciscan Health network – the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. He shared that St. Francis is known for many things, including serving the poor and vulnerable, living a life of radical poverty and simplicity, and loving nature and animals.
“The underlying theme for what Francis is known for is his love for all God's creation, especially his fellow humans,” he said. “Regardless of their stage of life or circumstances. He believed in the inherent dignity of every person. In his life, prayers and actions consistently reflected that belief.”
Leahy added, “It's fitting that you all are here on the grounds of a hospital named after this great saint, showing your support to respect life. And we applaud you and your courage to take this stance in a world that has different views on when life begins, and when it should end.”
He concluded by encouraging the students to listen carefully to the speakers’ words and “to hold on to the important messages that will be shared with you today for the rest of your lives. Because respect for life doesn't just come and go like a season. It doesn't just exist here in October. It's a lifestyle and a choice you must make every day to show others God's love.”
Father Richard Holy, director of pro-life activities for the diocese, noted that “the Lord blessed us with another beautiful fall day.” He said that as they give thanks that the sun is shining, they also give thanks for those in attendance. He took time to recognize each school from around the diocese and allowed the students to cheer when they heard their school’s name.
Afterwards, Father Holy said, “We pray together during this time for an end to abortion and a greater respect for human life. Thank you all again for being here today.”
Bishop Robert J. McClory, who proclaimed a Gospel reading and provided a homily, shared with the students that he likes October not just because it is the month of his birthday, but because of his fondness for pumpkins. That interest prompted him to do a little research on how pumpkins are planted and grown. He learned there is a lot of care and monitoring of temperatures that goes into growing a pumpkin. The process typically begins in the month of April and ends in October. He asked the students to consider how a farmer would react if someone came along and ripped out seedlings in the summer.
“The farmer would be furious,” said the bishop. “They would say, ‘You have taken my entire crop of pumpkins. They are gone. You've destroyed my pumpkins.’ And the one who did that wouldn't be able to say, ‘Well, they were just seeds. They were just little tiny things growing in the ground. Those weren't pumpkins that I took.’”
Relating that concept to human life, Bishop McClory said that, as Christians, we want to make sure we're doing everything we can to promote, respect and help all human life to thrive throughout that whole spectrum from conception to natural death.
Bishop McClory acknowledged that there are people who need lots of help as they welcome human life into the world, and so “we commit ourselves to protecting life from conception, but then also commit ourselves to helping the mothers, the fathers, the babies to be able to thrive.”
The bishop listed various programs available to pregnant and young mothers, adding that Catholics “have a long tradition of serving those who are vulnerable.” In the Diocese of Gary, Franciscan Health has a prenatal assistance program. There is also support available through Catholic Charities, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Mommy’s Haven, Safe Haven Baby Boxes, Women's Care Center, Gabriel Project, Sojourner Truth House, Rachel's Vineyard and more.
“We are helping to promote the pro-life cause by saying ‘You matter. You count. You're worthy of my love. You're worthy of my protection,’” he said.
Katherine Lukas, a parishioner at St. Matthias in Crown Point, provided a testimony of the joy of being a mom and witnessing to the dignity of life at all stages. While in college, she went on a mission trip to Mexico City. She and the other missionaries served many homeless people living on the streets. They spent time in orphanages, in a trash dump where people resided and in a women's shelter.
One day, while at a trash dump, Lukas and the other missionaries were bringing clean water and healthy food to those living there when she met a young girl. The girl was fascinated by Lukas, who had red hair, which her culture doesn't normally see. The girl took Lukas by the hand, and they went running through the trash, finding a ball and then a little bat (both made of trash) that they used to hit it around. They were playing and jumping around, and after about an hour, Lukas suggested they stop to get some water. She brought the little girl a cup of water, and she took a drink but then stopped and refused to take any more until Lukas also drank.
“We went back and forth until we finished that big glass of water,” Lukas said. “In that moment, I truly saw Jesus Christ for the first time in the way that she loved me and cared for me more than I was there to love her and bring her water and bring her food. She looked at my needs and saw that I also needed to be cared for.”
During the trip, Lukas also encountered moms who were abandoned and left alone on the street without anyone to care for them.
“We went, and we just hung out with them,” she explained. “We danced with them. We painted their nails. I would just hold their hand and smile and be with them because they were lonely, abandoned and afraid.”
Lukas said when she came back from the trip she realized that there are many other women and children that need that help, that need that support and that love.
“I want you guys to think about those unique gifts that you have and see those gifts in others and use those gifts, admire those gifts in everyone around us,” she told the classes. “And just like that little girl shared that gift of water, that glass of water with me: What can you guys share with everyone around you?”
Near the end of the service, select students completed the placing of crosses upon the hospital grounds, representing the thousands of abortions performed daily in the country, as others were asked to consider thanking God for their parents who gave them life. Then a series of intercessions were read before Bishop McClory gave a special blessing.
“All-powerful God, you always show mercy to those who love you, and you are never far away from those who seek you,” the bishop prayed. “Remain with our youth on their journey and guide their way in accord with your will. Shelter them with your protection by day, give them the light of your grace by night. As their companion on their journey, may they always be faithful to the Gospel of Life and witness to the profound dignity of every person, at every stage and in every circumstance.”
