Utah Catholics gather for annual pro-life chain

Intermountain Catholic

+ Enlarge

Carolina Gómez joins others in the annual pro-life chain in Sandy. IC photo/Laura Vallejo

DRAPER – Utah Catholics joined others nationwide on Respect Life Sunday, which this year was Oct. 6, to stand together, raising prayers for the ones who have no voice.

At the intersection of State Street and 10600 South in Sandy on that day, pro-life supporters gave their testimonies of faith, praying and holding up pro-life signs for passersby to view.

Tim and Rachel Moore have been organizing the local life chain for the past eight years as members of the Knights of Columbus pro-life committee.

"Nine years ago when we moved here [to Utah] we didn’t see a lot of pro-life activities going on so we decided that this was a way of getting involved," said Tim Moore.

Giving witness raises awareness, even for young children, said Rachel Moore.

A number of young children participated in the pro-life chain, lifting their signs as cars drove by.

"You are never too young to know that every life is sacred and it came from God and we need to protect that," said Rachel Moore. "Babies can’t speak for themselves. We are their voices."

The word "abortion" sometimes can become overwhelming, but "if you say, ‘I am going to dedicate one hour and pray’ or ‘I am going to dedicate a rosary,’ whatever it is … If you help one life … that is one life that you helped," Tim Moore said. "Don’t get overwhelmed; just do something."

During the Oct. 6 event, as people stood with their signs, some praying the rosary, some meditating, they heard the sound of support from drivers who honked while they passed by.

"We pray that we touch the people that need to be touched and the people that need to see this, and if we can change one life, if we can change one person’s mind on abortion, it is all worth it," said Rachel Moore.

Carolina Gómez was among those who joined the life chain this year for the first time. Her inspiration came from her daughter.

"My daughter is in Gonzaga, Wash., and she is very involved in the pro-life movement," said Gómez. "I saw how she works really hard for it and as a family, despite the physical distance, we are united in this effort."

Each October the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities begins the Respect Life Month activities with the observance of Respect Life Sunday, celebrated the first Sunday of the month.

Cardinal Sean O’Malley, the committee’s chairman, announced that this year the theme is "Open your hearts to life."

"We live in a society of unbelief, where the unborn, the sick, and the elderly are often unwanted and endangered by acts of violence or neglect. … Despite these challenges, Pope Francis reminds us that we always have hope in Christ," said Cardinal O’Malley in the 2013 Respect Life Sunday Statement. "Let us open our hearts and reflect on how God might be calling each of us to witness the sacredness of human life and assist in pro-life efforts. We may be called to help parents welcome their unborn child as a miracle of God’s creation, to visit the elderly or aid those who are sick and suffering, to pray and fast for life, to advocate to our elected officials, or to assist educational efforts in our parishes."

To read the full version of the 2013 Respect Life Sunday Statement from Cardinal O’Malley, go to http://origin.usccb.org/about/pro-life-activities/respect-life-program/2013/omalley-respect-life-sunday-statement-2013.cfm.