In response to numerous parishioners from all over the diocese asking how they could help to bring more awareness to the preeminent priority of abortion during this election, parishioners from 18 parishes gathered Oct. 17 in a prayerful procession and recitation of the Rosary along Chapman Avenue in Garden Grove, just outside the grounds of Christ Cathedral.
Organizer Tami Vogeler said, “All human life is equally sacred, but all issues are not equal. The issue of abortion is the preeminent priority issue…so, we felt a need to speak up.”
Vogeler said the group was inspired by the statement from the USCCB Pro-life committee: “Last November, the U.S. bishops reaffirmed that ‘the threat of abortion remains our preeminent priority because it directly attacks life itself, because it takes place within the sanctuary of the family, and because of the number of lives destroyed.’ While we noted not to ‘dismiss or ignore other serious threats to human life and dignity such as racism, the environmental crisis, poverty, and the death penalty,’ we renewed our commitment to protect the most fundamental of all human rights – the right to live.”
Chris Kenmore, Rick Garrett, Alejandra Baker and Tami Vogeler planned the event intended to encourage Catholics from all the parishes to join in the sidewalk vigil/Rosary procession to celebrate Respect Life Month and to honor the Blessed Mother as part of a Marian Devotion in the month of the Rosary.
Alejandra Baker said, “We started at the parking lot of Christ Cathedral, on Chapman Avenue, processed in prayer towards Lewis Street, and remained at the corner of Chapman and Lewis Street, chanting the Rosary, alternating it in English and Spanish. We returned to the parking lot of Christ Cathedral where our Rosary procession ended.”
PRO-LIFE FROM CONCEPTION TO NATURAL DEATH
Pro-life is about more than the beginning of life. It also encompasses the end of life. The Catholic Church is committed to providing resources, along with community partners, that assist individuals and families at the end of life’s journey.
The Whole Person Care Initiative is a comprehensive approach to caring for the sick and dying, spearheaded by Catholic healthcare, the Catholic Church, community healthcare providers, and public health leaders. This effort seeks to remake how our healthcare system addresses death and dying and lays out a vision for a network of care that addresses both the physical and spiritual dimensions of care.
In 2018, the Diocese of Orange spearheaded the first local conference of its kind as part of the larger statewide Caring for the Whole Person Initiative, a collaborative project of the California Catholic Conference and the Alliance of Catholic Health Care. This day- long summit was open to professional care providers, community health leaders, parish volunteers, and clergy. Speakers included Ira Byock, MD, Megory Anderson, PhD. and Most Rev. Kevin Vann, Bishop of Orange. To view a few recordings and material presented on this day, please visit https://www.rcbo.org/resource/about-life-justice-and-peace/whole-care-conference/