March 31, 2018

Dozens gather to witness for life on Good Friday

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

A large crowd of youth joined to pray for life on Good Friday outside of Planned Parenthood in Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD – It has become a solemn tradition on Good Friday for Catholics to gather outside of Planned Parenthood in Springfield on Wason Avenue. But the more than 75 people who met at 10 a.m. Friday, March 30 to pray the Stations of the Cross and the rosary were filled with great hope. They prayed for the suffering caused by abortion, on the day Christians commemorate Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross.

“I look forward to joining in prayer every year with my pro-life brethren and to see new faces that come out and lend a voice for the unborn,” said Jimmy Anziano.

Jerome and Cordelia Begley pray with their parents at the Good Friday pro-life vigil in Springfield.

“It was even more special this year as so many more youth joined us in prayer in defense of life,” he said.

Anziano’s mother, Marilyn Stearns, has been organizing the vigil for more than 25 years, along with Catholics for the Unborn. Stearns was unable to make it to the vigil this year, but both of her sons, including Pope Francis High School campus minister John Anziano, helped organize and lead the prayers in her absence.

The prayer intentions for each station were for the unborn, their parents, doctors and others who work in the abortion industry, as well as for women and men who are post-abortive.

Several young people were in attendance from Pope Francis High School, St. Cecilia Parish in Wilbraham, Blessed Sacrament Parish in Greenfield and other parishes in the Diocese of Springfield.

“I attended the pro-life Stations of the Cross because today (Good Friday) is so special. It is so beautiful to see different people from all different generations supporting pro-life on the day Jesus saved us,” said Camille Desjardins, a junior at Pope Francis High School. “During the Stations of the Cross, it solidified that Jesus is with us on this journey supporting life.”

Deacon Gerry Solitario, Deacon Mike Perkins, Deacon Joe Garde and Deacon George Nolan lead the rosary at Good Friday pro-life vigil.

Deacon Gerry Solitario, from St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in West Springfield, Deacon Mike Perkins from Westfield State University, Deacon George Nolan from Blessed Sacrament Parish in Greenfield, and Deacon Joe Garde from St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Springfield led the rosary. The theme for the prayer vigil echoed the theme for the 2018 March for Life, which was ‘love saves lives.’

Phil Myers from Rachel’s Vineyard ministries was also present giving information about an upcoming weekend retreat for post-abortive women and men. Myers’ late wife had an abortion more than 30 years ago. He said it was something that haunted him.

 “Rachel’s Vineyard saved my life. I was away from the church for 25 years because of the abortion. There was always something in the back of my mind that something was not right, but I couldn’t put my finger on it until Rachel’s Vineyard retreats.”

A Spanish language retreat will be held in the diocese May 31. For more information, call (631) 258-5062.