March 30, 2024

Pope Francis Prep Students lead Pro-Life Stations of the Cross on Good Friday

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

Students from Pope Francis Preparatory School led the Por-Life Stations of the Cross on Good Friday in front of Planned Parenthood in Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD – Seventy-five people joined Bishop William D. Byrne for the annual Pro-Life Stations of the Cross, held on Good Friday, March 29 at 10 a.m. The group gathered on the corner of Wason Avenue and Main Street in Springfield, in front of Planned Parenthood to pray for the unborn, their parents, those who work in the abortion industry and for all of those who have been hurt by abortion.

“Jesus came so that we can have life and have it to the fullest,” said Bishop Byrne. “We’ve come here to defend that life, but also to walk with moms. We are not here just to end abortion, but to support families so they can make good authentic choices for life.”

Students from Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield led the Pro-Life Stations of the Cross. The annual event was organized by the high school’s Christian Leadership Class and Pro-Life of Pioneer Valley. The tradition was started more than 30 years ago in the Diocese of Springfield by Catholics for the Unborn.

After the Stations of the Cross, Bishop Byrne led the Rosary with Father Daniel Pacholec, the director of Pro-Life Activities for the Springfield Diocese; Deacon Ted Tudryn; Deacon Michael Forrest and Deacon Andrew Hogan.

Bishop Byrne also emphasized the mercy of Christ, encouraging women, men and anyone involved in abortion to seek healing. The Diocese of Springfield offers a healing retreat weekend through Rachel’s Vineyard.

“A lot of people think pro-lifers only want to save the baby, but that’s not true. We want to save the mother too,” said Julia Rubin, a senior at Pope Francis Prep and member of the Christian Leadership Team.

“Women don’t realize when they have an abortion, it hurts them,” Rubin continued, speaking of deep emotional pain, that many post-abortive women have shared publicly.

In addition to students from Pope Francis Preparatory School, other youth and families joined the bishop to witness for life.

The Good Friday vigil followed the Lenten 40 Days for Life campaign which ended on Palm Sunday. The 40 Days for Life also requires a public witness in front of the abortion clinic. Organizers say nationwide the peaceful, prayerful witness has been effective, saving more than 24,000 babies from abortion since 2007.

Massachusetts has one of the most progressive abortion laws in the country, allowing the procedure through the ninth month of pregnancy. Abortion advocates have said the focus is on changing hearts and minds on the issue of abortion.

To do so, Bishop Byrne has embraced the Walking with Moms in Need program of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It involves connecting expectant mothers with resources, and helping women and their families after the baby is born. Several agencies supported by the Annual Catholic Appeal do just that, including Bethlehem House in Easthampton; Clearway Clinic in Springfield; New Direction Women’s Center in Pittsfield; Pregnancy Support Services in Pittsfield; and Alternatives Pregnancy Center in Greenfield.

For a full listing of pro-life resources and ministries, go to diospringfield.org/Ministries/respect-life-office/