It was a night to remember. The 36th Annual Stand Up for Life Dinner was held on Sunday November 18th with 1200 in attendance.
People of all walks of life from newborn to baby boomers were in attendance to celebrate life. Many groups were represented from local universities like Pennsylvania, Cabrini, Villanova, Temple, Drexel, and Holy Family. There was representation from eleven Catholic high schools in Philadelphia.
Using a joke about a team losing 18-0 in a baseball game, Father Chris Walsh reminds us that there is hope even if we feel defeated in our efforts to save the unborn, poor, elderly, immigrant, victim of war, and even refugee. The dinner in itself is a celebration for all that is accomplishment, especially the thirteen babies saved during the Fall 2018 40 Days Campaign.
Dr. Monique Ruberu
discussing Sidewalk Servants
Part of the evening was dedicated to honoring three individuals who exemplified the pro life cause.
The first was Gene Krueger, the recipient of the pro-life pioneer award. He has prayed in front of an abortion facility since 1975 that he would soon help established Helpers of God's Precious Infants in Philadelphia.
"We won't give up, shut up, let up, until we have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, preached up for the cause of Christ's precious unborn." His words of acceptance.
The second recipient was Martha Short, who received the St. John Paul the Great Be Not Afraid Award. Short was a part of Pennsylvanians for Human Life for more than 20 years going to schools taking about the dignity of the human person. In her acceptance, she shared how an 8th grade teacher invited her to speak to the class. Little did she know the daughter of the teacher was sitting in Martha's midst.
The final award given out was the John and Harriet Stanton Young Leader Award. The recipient of the award is Theresa Dierkes, a student from the University of Pennsylvania and an active member of the Penn Newman Center housed at Sts. Agatha and James around the corner from the now closed Gosnell's House of Horrors.
The final part of the evening was the guest speaker who did not have to come too far. This year Sister Grace Dominic of the Sisters of Life gave a talk. Prior to giving her "yes" to God, she was a journalist and covered St. John Paul the Great.
In her talk, she reflected on the memory of the late Steven McDonald, focusing on love and mercy. He forgave the man who shot and left him quadriplegic while married and awaiting the birth of his son. He kept being a witness to those two virtues even until his death.
Using a story from her time with Visitation Convent in New York, Sister Grace Dominic discussed how a six week pregnant woman was bitter about her pregnancy, yet she postponed her abortion time after time. In time she experienced God that helped her with the advent of her unborn daughter. Love is not afraid of the cross.
She encouraged everyone to engage in deep prayer to defeat the culture of death. We are called to be a people of mercy. We must pick up the pieces broken from the secular culture. We must give God permission to transform hearts with love.
Sisters of Life lead "How Great Thou Art"
at the annual dinner
Pregnant, need help or know someone who does?
National Hotline: Call 1-800-712-HELP or Text 'HELPLINE' to 313131.
In Southeast Penna: Call the Community Women's Center at 215-826-8090
If you or someone you know is suffering after abortion, confidential non-judgmental help is available. Call Project Rachel's national toll-free number 888-456-HOPE (4673) or visit hopeafterabortion.org.
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