June 29, 2022

Parishes hold pro-life prayer events in wake of overturning of Roe v. Wade

REGIONAL
By Carolee McGrath

 

SPRINGFIELD – Parishes throughout the Diocese of Springfield are holding Holy Hours and special Masses for Life in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 24 ruling which overturned Roe v. Wade. Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne has asked parishes to host special prayer events in response to the ruling, to pray for life and peace.

In his pastoral letter to parishes released after the decision, the bishop said, “As Catholics, our job is to pray and witness to the love of Christ, in season and out of season. So let us pray for and walk with families in need; let us pray for and walk with women and men hurt by abortion; and let us pray for and walk with those who don’t agree with us to show them what the love of Christ looks like.”

Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Westfield held a Holy Hour for Life, Tuesday, June 28 from 7-8 p.m.

“There is much for us to continue to do, as abortion is still legal in many states, including here in Massachusetts,” said Father Daniel Pacholec, the pastor of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament and director of pro-life activities for the Springfield Diocese.

“We need to pray tonight and in the days ahead for peace in our country amid the many protests that are expected. We also pray for all pro-life pregnancy care centers across the country, including our own here in the diocese. Let us pray for peace and non-violence,” said Father Pacholec.

Under the direction of Father Pacholec, most parishes now have pro-life coordinators.

“This is an opportunity for our parish pro-life coordinators to work with your pastors, deacons and administrators, to offer in the next 10 days, either a Pro-Life Holy Hour, a Mass for Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life, or a pro-life rosary,” he said.

The 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court decision overturned the 50-year-old ruling of Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion in this country. The ruling did not ban abortion, but rather gives the power back to the states to set their own abortion laws. Here in Massachusetts, abortion will remain legal through the ninth month of pregnancy, as a result of the Roe Act, which passed at the end of 2020. The Roe Act also lowered the age of parental consent to 16.

Both Bishop Byrne and Father Pacholec emphasized the need to walk with women facing an unplanned pregnancy. Among the pregnancy care centers in the Springfield Diocese, which help women in crisis include: Bethlehem House in Easthampton; Springfield Pregnancy Care; Alternatives in Greenfield; and New Direction Women’s Center in Pittsfield, which offers free ultrasounds. The nonprofits help women and their families by providing practical support and assistance such as diapers, clothes, formula and job, housing, and education referrals. Clearway Clinic in Springfield is a licensed pro-life medical clinic specializing in pregnancy diagnosis and medical confirmation.

“I firmly believe the way for us to address issues going forward for mothers who are making that decision has to be services and support that we provide to keep a child. We want to be touching their hearts so it doesn’t have to be a choice of desperation; it can be a choice for life,” Father Pacholec told iObserve.

St. Cecilia Parish in Wilbraham offered prayers for life during a weekly Tuesday holy hour on June 28. St. Mary Parish in Westfield will hold a holy hour tonight, June 29 from 5-6 p.m. Both St. Anne Parish in Chicopee and Holy Family Parish in South Deerfield will hold Respect Life Masses on July 4.

There also is a monthly pro-life vigil held the second Thursday of each month at St. Michael’s Cathedral.

More information on upcoming events can be found at https://diospringfield.org/pro-life-events/.