October 30, 2024

Bishop Byrne leads the rosary on the final stretch of the 40 Days for Life campaign

REGIONAL
Staff report

(IObserve photo)

SPRINGFIELD – Bishop William D. Byrne led the rosary for the 40 Days for Life Campaign, Monday, Oct. 28, in front of Planned Parenthood on Wason Avenue in Springfield. The late afternoon proved to be busy with traffic as many drivers honked as they passed the crowd of 35 people praying for an end to abortion.

“The most effective and powerful tool that we have to right anything that’s wrong and that’s prayer. Our Blessed Mother is watching over us, giving us the inspiration and also interceding for us. So we want to protect life and end abortion in this country, our first and most powerful tool is the rosary,” said Bishop Byrne.

The fall campaign of the 40 Days for Life began Wednesday, Sept. 25 and runs through Sunday, Nov.3. The pro-life campaign is an ecumenical effort which relies on peaceful, prayerful witness in front of the Western Massachusetts Health Center of Springfield, operated by the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts.

Several individuals and parishes have signed up for hours in front of the clinic including Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish, Westfield; Christ the King Parish, Ludlow; St. Cecilia Parish, Wilbraham; St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Belchertown; Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Granby; St. Theresa of Lisieux Parish, South Hadley; St. Mary Parish, Longmeadow; Holy Cross Parish, Springfield; and Holy Family in South Deerfield. Bethany Assembly of God in Agawam also took an entire day to witness in front of the clinic.

“It’s really a year round type of thing, but we concentrate during this time to try to bring people together. It has been a pretty successful 40 Days,” said Father Daniel Pacholec, the director of pro-life activities for the Diocese of Springfield and pastor of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Westfield.

“We have had several parishes come with groups, maybe not for a whole day, but maybe for an hour of prayer. But it is a wonderful witness. There’s a lot of traffic here on Wason Avenue so it’s good for us to be seen,” he said.

According to the organizers of the 40 Days for Life, more than 25,000 babies have been saved from abortion since the launch of the international campaign in 2007. Locally, organizers report they know of at least 27 babies who have been saved, one in the last campaign.

Among those gathered were priests, deacons, local pastors from other denominations and a seminarian.

“When I saw the email blast from the diocese encouraging priests, deacons and lay people to come to this, I said to myself, ‘you know what, the 40 Days for Life is an important mission to support.’ I don’t get back to my diocese often being in the seminary. It’s almost a two-hour drive here. So I had the afternoon free and I said let’s do it,” said Deacon John Williams, whose priestly ordination is scheduled for next spring.

In addition to praying for mothers to choose life, there an emphasis on providing practical help. There are several pro-life centers in the diocese which will “walk with moms” in need, to help them through their pregnancy and beyond including Bethlehem House in Easthampton; Clearway Clinic in Springfield; Alternatives Pregnancy Center in Springfield; Pregnancy Support Services in Springfield; and New Direction in Pittsfield. All can be found on the diocesan Respect Life page. There are also services for women and men who are post-abortive.

Massachusetts has one of the most progressive abortion laws in the country, allowing the procedure through the ninth month of pregnancy. Pro-life advocates have said the focus of the campaign is to ultimately change hearts while offering women the support they need.

“Because unborn babies can’t speak for themselves, we have to speak for them,” said Mary Kate McGrath, a sophomore at Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield. “So it’s important to be here.”

People can sign up with their parishes or as individuals to cover hours in front of the clinic at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FAEA928A0FAC52-51146105-40days#/

A video version of this story will be on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel” which temporarily airs Sunday mornings at 6:30 a.m. on WWLP-22 NEWS.