September 21, 2015

This weekend, I spoke after all the Masses at Our Lady of Providence Parish at the invitation of their Prolife Committee.  They are having a collection for the Lifeline Coalition next week, and they were pleasantly surprised when their Pastor agreed to carve away a little “pulpit time.”

I had only three minutes, so I had to work fairly quickly.  The first part of my talk introduced Good Shepherd and our programs, with special emphasis on our crisis pregnancy and maternity shelter services.  In the second half, I decided to take a bit of a risk and talk about Planned Parenthood.  My talk on Saturday evening was met mostly with silence, although a few parishioners approached me after Mass and thanked me.  At all three Masses on Sunday, there was loud applause, and a number of folks stopped me afterwards to thank me for saying aloud what was in their heart.  I have chosen to interpret this as promising.  Below is a snippet of my talk, and as the Board and key leaders of this Catholic ministry, I will make the same request…

My goal today was not merely to introduce you to Good Shepherd, but to call you to action.  By now most, if not all of you have seen at least a few snippets from the undercover videos related to Planned Parenthood.  If you haven’t, you should, although probably not on a full stomach.  Whereas I am horrified by much of what I have seen and heard from those videos, I am delighted that more people are now learning the truth about what’s happening at Planned Parenthood.  This is what we’re up against, and here in St. Louis, it’s happening only a short walk from our own Cathedral Basilica.  I encourage you to act.  If you can give to a worthy prolife agency or cause, please do.  If you can volunteer your time or talent, do it.  If you can talk or write to your elected officials, please do so now, because I can tell you it makes a difference.  Most of all, I ask you to pray for an end to abortion and for the success of the work of Good Shepherd and other agencies dedicated to protecting children, both born and unborn.  If there has ever been a time that we are being called to follow Jesus, it is now, and yes, I know it may have “a cost.”  Together, let us pick up our crosses and step into the fray.  Our voices must be heard…because this simply has to end.

Thank you and God bless.

M