DYER – Calling for “radical solidarity,” Bishop Robert J. McClory and Franciscan Health gathered schoolchildren from throughout the Diocese of Gary, and beyond, for an outdoor Respect Life Prayer Service on Oct. 4 at the Franciscan Health Dyer hospital campus.
As they looked out to see thousands of small white crosses planted in a field to represent the number of lives lost to abortions, the young people were encouraged to support expectant mothers, especially those in need, and their children.
“Help us to cherish your gift of life from the moment of conception to natural death,” the bishop prayed to God as the service began. “Guide us as we make our commitment and keep praying for moms in need.
“Make us channels of your peace,” he added, quoting from the opening song, “Prayer of St. Francis,” led by David Herr, assistant director of the diocesan Office of Worship, and Allison Powell, pastoral associate of music at St. John the Evangelist in St. John.
Bishop Noll Institute senior Mackenzie Halas, who has been attending Respect Life Prayer Services since she was a young student at St. Mary in Griffith, recalled that the event “helps little kids to understand the importance of life at a young age,” but means even more now that she is reaching adulthood. “Now that I am getting ready to graduate high school and pursue a career as an elementary school teacher, I realize there’s a way I can help outside of high school (to support mothers and babies).”
Sadie Mills, a current seventh grader at St. Mary School in Griffith, explained the purpose of the prayer service as “a way to connect people to mothers in need, so people can understand that it’s really important to help other people.”
Offering testimony about their experiences in assisting to bring life into the world were Franciscan Health Dyer’s Alice Tuuk, RN, of the Family Birthing Center and NICU, and Millicent Descamp, lead social worker.
Tuuk related the story of an immigrant mother who came to the hospital “from another country, with nothing … and delivered a precious baby girl.” The hospital showered her with gifts and staff and made sure she had a safe place to stay. “They showed her love and accepted the commandment that ‘as Christ loves us, we should love others,’” Tuuk said.
Descamp, who said her staff “always wants moms to go home safe with their babies … happy, healthy and with their families,” suggested even young students can help support mothers and children. “Listening is something you can do now; it is not always easy to use that skill, but when you let someone tell you their story, that’s how you respect life. Reflective listening, when you speak back what they said to you, shows them you listened,” she added.
Abbe Cusimano-Imhof of the Franciscan Health Prenatal Assistance Program, noted that 331 mothers and 242 children have been served so far this year, with 337,028 diapers distributed to 2,707 families.
The program’s three initiatives that show respect for healthy life are the Fresh Street Market that provides food to families in Hammond and Crown Point; Produce RX for diabetics, offering education courses and supplying fresh produce; and Backpack Meals that teams up with the Food Bank of NWI to send schoolchildren home with weekend meals.
Noting how popular “gender reveal parties” have become to families that celebrate babies even before they are born, Bishop McClory said young people can reflect the love Jesus has for all people by supporting young families. “Offer to babysit for free, raise funds for the diaper program, and offer congratulations when someone you know is with child,” he suggested. “That’s beautiful.”
“You are strong, you are our future, and we have hope in you,” Sister Mary Augustine, OSF, vice president of Mission Services at Franciscan Health Dyer-Munster, told the students from Andrean High School in Merrillville, Bishop Noll Institute in Hammond, Marquette High School in Michigan City, Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, Ill., St. Mary School in Griffith, Our Lady of Grace School in Highland and St. Francis Center in Dyer.
“This is a way to become more aware of how many people have died (through abortion),” said Peyton West, a sixth grader at Our Lady of Grace School. Classmate Amelia Condes called the event “a way to express sadness for the babies who died, and show you care.”
Andrean High School freshman Andrew Uhrick said he decided to attend “to pray for aborted children … and let people know that we should respect life, while his classmate, Alonzo Tidwell, said the event “recognizes that who didn’t make it to be with us” and provides as way “to pray for their families’ well-being.”
The annual Respect Life Month event, marking the 30th anniversary of the first observance, aims to celebrate all life with an emphasis on individual life, and to draw attention to the lives lost to abortion.
Caption: Among students gathered from several local Catholic schools, Donald Sherls (front. left) and Oscar Oceguera (front, right), sixth graders from St. Mary School of Griffith, join in fellowship and song at the annual Respect Life Prayer Service on Oct. 4 at the Franciscan Health campus in Dyer. The event included prayer, song, Scripture readings, memorializing the lives lost to abortion and testimonies from medical professionals who offer neonatal care and support of women. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)