Ecos de fe, un llamado a servir

IC photo by Priscilla Cabral

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Nearly 100 people gathered to pray for the unborn and for those who have been affected by abortion Oct. 4. “An abortion is not a simple procedure; it can wound you for life,” said Stacy Rerecich, member of St. John the Baptist Parish. Demon

SANDY — There had been a strong storm the night before and the day was cloudy, rainy, and windy, not to mention cold. Still, the State Street and 10600 South intersection in Sandy was busy with traffic and nearly 100 demonstrators Oct. 4. They were joining thousands of other pro-lifers forming a life chain on what is known as Respect Life Sunday.

“For an hour, we hold a sign and pray for an end to abortion,” said Rachel Moore, who along with her husband, Tim, chair the Knights of Columbus pro-life committee.

The Moores have been organizing the only life chain in Utah for four years and said this year has had the best turnout despite the bad weather.

“Rain or shine we will be here. This is our calling. It has kind of always been our calling to defend life,” said Rachel.

People from throughout the United States and Canada have gathered on Respect Life Sunday in more than 140 locations every year for the last 22 years to give a voice to the unborn, said Tim.

Although Utah is considered a pro-life state for the most part, “there are still abortions here, and we cannot be complacent,” said Rachel.

Demonstrators held signs that read “Abortion Kills Children,” “Adoption – the Loving Option,” “Jesus Forgives & Heals,” “Lord, Forgive Us and Our Nation,” “Abortion Hurts Women,” “El Aborto Mata Niños,” “Life – the First Inalienable Right” and “Pray to End Abortion.”

Stacy Rerecich, a member of St. John the Baptist Parish, said she decided to hold the sign “Jesus Forgives & Heals” because she has seen some of her peers suffer from the consequences of getting an abortion.

“An abortion is not a simple procedure; it can wound you for life. And people will not talk about it. Women need to know they can heal and go back to physical and mental health by embracing forgiveness.”

Rerecich also said she is a convert and grew up thinking women have a right to choose.

“I didn’t understand life begins at the moment of conception.”

She has now made defending life a family affair.

“We have six children and are open to life. We feel really strongly about it. We feel that by being a big family, it is important we voice our opinion instead of quietly being pro-life. It is also important for the children to see the Church speaking out about things that are truly important issues. I think this is one of the most important issues.”

Rerecich’s six children joined her in the life chain. Ben, 12, said he was not thrilled about having to stand up in the rain but “it was not so bad, and it is for a good cause.”

He was holding the sign “Pray to End Abortion.”

“I felt this one made the most sense,” he said.

Some sixth graders from St. John the Baptist Middle School joined the life chain as part of their curriculum.

“They learn about respecting life and the Catholic teaching on life and the dignity of the human person from the moment of conception to the moment of death. I try to tie it into chastity, purity, and the respect toward our own bodies and each others’,” said Maria Moyhihan, sixth grade teacher.

“We have learned that America allows abortion,” said Michael Greenwald, sixth grader.

But in the demonstration the students also learned that legal does not necessarily mean righteous, and were exposed to a dichotomy in the Constitution regarding human life.

Rachel said that the sign she liked the most was the one that proclaimed “Life – the First Inalienable Right.”

“It is in our Constitution. We all have a right to life along with liberty and happiness. Some people seem to conveniently forget that,” she said.

Cathy Arndt held the sign that read “El Aborto Mata Niños” or “Abortion Kills Children” in Spanish.

“Abortion happens in every culture and we should give the message to everybody. If there were signs in other languages, I would hold them up, too,” she said.

As the demonstrators stood with their signs in prayer, they heard the sound of support from drivers who honked while they passed by. They also heard the noise of disapproval from a few drivers who yelled obscenities at them.

“We pray from them especially, so they have a change of heart,” said Tim.