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March for Life celebrated from Corpus Christi to Washington
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January 25, 2016
Among the priests concelebrating the Mass with Bishop Emeritus Edmond Carmody were, from left, Father Matthew Stephan, Father Michael Ashe, Father Hanh Van Pham and Father Chris Becerra. Also participating in the Mass were Msgr. Thomas Mc Gettrick, Rev. Father Richard Gonzales and Father Gerry Sheehan, SOLT.
Bishop Emeritus Edmond Carmody celebrated a Mass of for Life at the Corpus Christi Cathedral on Thursday, June 21, to pray for the protection of the unborn and for all who work in the pro-life movement, especially those attending the Catholic Pro-Life Day in Austin and the March for Life in Washington. Bishop Carmody said the millions for unborn babies are martyred because of secularism.
Seven priests from the Diocese of Corpus Christi concelebrated the Cathedral Mass with Bishop Carmody. Bishop Michael Mulvey called for the Mass but was unable to attend because of the death of his brother Dan Mulvey.
Despite a threatening historic snowstorm, 50,000 pro-life supporters from throughout the nation converged on Washington on Jan. 22 to mark the 43rd anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in the United States. Catholics were not the only ones out on the ominous weather.
The rally was the first formal involvement in March for Life by the evangelical community. "We are grateful for your leadership on the culture of life," said Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family. "It's taken us time to come to the party, but we are here with you!"
At a Jesuit-sponsored Mass for life at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church, Father Paddy Gilger's homily reminded students to combine prayer and penance to create a culture of life. "Our efforts are to be able to create the same amount of space for people to change their hearts."
Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, co-chairman of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, praised efforts by state legislatures. "The gains have been historic–282 pro-life laws have been enacted since 2010…"
After the rally, participants marched up Constitution Avenue to the U.S. Supreme Court, as the snowstorm that was to turn into a major blizzard and leave at least two-feet of snow in the Washington region began. Over the years, pro-lifers participating in the March for Life have endured freezing rain, snow and sub-zero temperatures.
The following day, on Jan. 23, thousands of pro-life supporters marched on the State Capitol in Austin. Six busloads with 32o supporters from the Diocese of Corpus Christi participated, including some 168 students from St. John Paul II High School and 40 from Bishop Garriga Middle Preparatory School.
