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DELIGHT IN HER GRANDCHILD suffused the face of a woman attending
the Mass for Life, celebrated by Bishop Lori at Saint Pius X Parish in Fairfield
on January 10. “We must protect this precious gift of life,” Bishop Lori told the
congregation. (Photo by Karen Leffler)
“If You Can’t Go to the March, Please Pray”
By KAREN KOVACS DYDZUHN
Published in the January 2010 Issue of the Fairfield County Catholic
Life is sacred and a gift from
God and, as followers of Christ
Jesus, we are called upon to
protect the dignity of every
human being, from their conception
to a natural death.
This was the message delivered
by Bishop William E. Lori
during a recent Mass for Life
held January 10 in Fairfield.
Parishioners and honored
guests, including members of
the religious order Sisters for
Life, the Knights of Columbus,
and pro-life advocates, joined
parishioners at Saint Pius X
Church.
It was fitting that this
Sunday’s Gospel reading celebrated
the Feast of our Lord’s
Baptism, Lori noted, because
“Baptism enables us to share in
God’s own divine life through
sanctifying grace.”
Moreover, if God loved us
so much that He gave us the
Sacrament of Baptism, He must
truly value our humanity. We,
in turn, are commissioned with
protecting this precious gift of
life, Bishop Lori explained during
his homily.
The commitment of the
Fairfield parish to its youth was
evident through this special
liturgical service. Several young
people handed out prayers in
celebration of new life in the
church vestibule before Mass.
Among the concelebrants
with Bishop Lori were Msgr.
Ernest T. Esposito, director of
the diocese’s Respect for Life
ministry; and Msgr. Lawrence
J. Carroll, pastor of Saint Pius
X. Many young people joined
the clergy at the altar. Two high
school cantors, Eric Regan and
Tom Huerta, led the congregation
in the responsorial psalm.
Scripture readers Michael
O’Neill and Katie Tangney are
also part of the parish’s youth
group.
Offering praise and thanksgiving
to our Lord through
song, Saint Pius X’s Schola
Choir, comprised of students
in grades four to eight, joined
the church’s adult choir for
Sunday’s liturgy.
Michele Modugno, a member
of the youth ministry team,
said the parish is blessed to have
so many young people involved
in the church. “Older people
who have been at this parish a
long time love to see so many
young people getting active,”
she noted. “It keeps the parish
flourishing. They also realize
that the young people’s faith is
flourishing, too.”
At the end of the Mass,
Msgr. Esposito introduced
Katie Landry, a college student
and graduate of Saint Joseph’s
High School in Trumbull, and
Anne Marie Romano, a parent
and nurse. They both talked
about the importance of participating
in the annual March
for Life, held on January 22 in
Washington, D.C.
Joining the group from
Fairfield County for the first
time last year, Landry explained
how amazed she was to see so
many gathered at the country’s
capitol to support the pro-life
movement. She was especially
moved by the sight of women
wearing black tee-shirts displaying
the message, “I regret my
abortion.”
“I couldn’t believe the courage
these women had,” Landry
noted.
She ended her testimony by
imploring people to support
life by praying. “If you can’t
go to the March, please pray,”
Landry said. “Pro-life isn’t just
an opinion; it’s a lifestyle.”
Sister Dorothy Guadalupe,
a member of the Sisters of Life
religious order, agrees. “Our
order is dedicated to protecting
the sanctity of human life
at every stage of life,” she said.
“The Mass is the best way to
promote this.”
The Sisters of Life, based
in Stamford, attend Masses
for New Life throughout the
diocese. They also support Our
Sacred Heart Convent’s program
for pregnant women and
the Villa Maria Retreat House,
which she describes as “a place
of healing and mercy.”
“We serve those who are
active in promoting the culture
of life and those who
are wounded by the culture
of death,” Sister Dorothy
explained.
Knights
The Knights of Columbus
were also on hand at Sunday’s
Mass to lend their support for
life. Gary Thomas, of Monroe,
and the Knights’ district deputy
in New Haven, noted that the
fraternal organization has contributed
millions of dollars to
pro-life causes. “One of the
principles of the Knights of
Columbus is, in fact, being prolife,”
he added.
During a procession, a local
family, escorted by the Knights,
bestowed a beautiful array
of roses to the Blessed Virgin
Mary. Sister Dorothy also read
a prayer to Saint Mary asking
for continual grace and protection.
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