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Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2008 /  Catholics mobilize in October to spread culture of life

by Joe Kohn of The Michigan Catholic
Published September 26, 2008

Joe Kohn | The Michigan Catholic At eight months pregnant, Tanya Babiasz prays with her husband, Todd, for an end to abortion.

Detroit — Many Catholics throughout the archdiocese flood heaven with prayers for the unborn and their mothers, while standing as witnesses to God-given life here on Earth.

October — recognized by the Church and many pro-life organizations as Respect for Life Month — is an apt time to enhance those efforts, many Catholics and pro-life leaders say. To that end, parishes and secular pro-life activist groups alike have scheduled a slew of events centered on raising awareness about pro-life issues, usually centering on abortion.

"It's important that we stand up and that people see this is not a dead issue," says Pat Holscher, director of the nonprofit Right to Life–Lifespan, based in Livonia. "We're very active in trying to save babies and their mothers from abortion."

Several institutions, including Right to Life–Lifespan and Right to Life of Michigan, are organizing "Life Chains" — silent roadside vigils — on Oct. 5 at more than 20 locations across metro Detroit.

"It's very positive," says Holscher. "You feel like you're doing something that's right. There are prayers on the back of the signs, so that people can pray through the whole thing."

Also, four locations in the Archdiocese of Detroit already have begun hosting 40 Days for Life campaigns. In front of a given abortion clinic, volunteers take turns standing, praying and fasting 24 hours per day for 40 days straight.

Joe Kohn | The Michigan Catholic Many gathered Sept. 13 with signs and rosaries during a prayer vigil in front of the WomanCare abortion clinic in Southfield. Many parishes and pro-life groups hold events to promote the dignity and protection of human life.

They'll take place in Eastpointe, Southfield, Southgate and Sterling Heights, as well as other locations outside the Detroit area.

"This, I'm hoping, is going to make the public aware of what's in their own backyards," says Maribeth Criscenti, a parishioner of St. Martin de Porres Parish in Warren, who's helping organize the 40 Days for Life outside an abortion clinic in Sterling Heights. "This is happening every day. I'm praying every day that God sends me people."

Criscenti and a group of fellow Christians make praying in front of the abortion clinic a weekly practice. And she's hoping 40 Days for Life will make more people aware of what's happening on the corner of Fifteen Mile Road and Dodge Park Road.

"When people see us out there at odd times, they want to know what's going on," she says. "When they hear the story, they know why we're here."

Still other parishes and organizations have scheduled dinners to reinvigorate and raise funds for pro-life causes. Here are a few events Catholics can take part in as Respect for Life Month approaches:

• 40 Days for Life campaigns are taking place from Sept. 24 until Nov. 2 in front of abortion clinics in Eastpointe, Southfield, Southgate and Sterling Heights. To participate, visit www.40daysforlife.com, or contact one of the following organizers: In Eastpointe, contact Michael Waitkus at (313) 822-1153; in Southfield contact Barb Yagley at (248) 703-3577; in Southgate contact Kelly Collins at (734) 652-6917; and in Sterling Heights contact Maribeth Criscenti at (586) 558-6526.

• Life Chain Sunday is Oct. 5. Silent, prayerful roadside vigils in support of the unborn and their mothers will take place in the early afternoon. For a listing of vigils, visit http://www.lifechain.net and verify the location by calling the listed number; call your parish office to see if it's supporting or hosting a local Life Chain; or call Life Chain state director Deborah Bloomfield at (734) 283-9753.

• At 8 a.m. Sept. 29, Ed Rivet, legislative director for Right to Life of Michigan, will speak in Southgate on stem-cell research and ballot Proposal 2, which the Church is opposing. Cost to attend the continental breakfast is $5. Call (734) 282-6100. The venue, Crystal Gardens Banquet Center, is at 16703 Fort St.

• As part of the Dignity of Life speaker series at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Plymouth, Catholic apologist Peter Kreeft will speak on the topic of "Voting as a Catholic," 7-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3.

• Fr. Frank Pavone, founder of the religious order Priests for Life, will speak Oct. 16 at the Monroe County Right to Life Focus on Life Benefit Dinner. The event will be at LaRoy's Hall, 12375 S. Telegraph Road in LaSalle. Cost is $35, or $25 for students and seniors. For details, visit http://www.monroertl.org or call (517) 265-8748.

• At 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19, at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit, Cardinal Adam Maida will celebrate Mass to commemorate National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. A blessing will be given to married families who desire a child, and prayers will be offered for those who have lost a pregnancy, baby, infant or child. The Cathedral is at 9844 Woodward Ave. in Detroit. If you would like to receive a blessing or have your child's name mentioned in prayer, call (313) 237-5893 by Oct. 15.

• At 3 p.m. on Oct. 19, a concert to commemorate children who died from abortion will be performed at the Retreat Center at St. John's. "Requiem for the Innocents: A Gospel of Life Concert" includes a choir, orchestra and dance. Free will offerings accepted. The center is at 44011 Five Mile Road, near Sheldon Road. Call (313) 237-5782.