News from the Trenches :

Somber memoria

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Parish uses thousands of white crosses to represent babies killed by abortion in US since Roe v. Wade

More than 4,000 crosses lined the grounds of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rancho Cucamonga on sanctity of life weekend, January 22 and 23. 

The church mobilized dozens of members from several groups and ministries, including the Knights of Columbus, to help assemble, paint, and place crosses throughout the parish. 

The idea was to help parishioners and community members visualize the 3,750 babies aborted each day, and the 155 each hour on this 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. 

The group spent two weeks on the effort, and it paid off on Sunday, Jan. 23, when entire families stopped to look at the scene, a somber memorial for all of the babies lost through abortion. 

But instead of just being a sad time to commemorate the many lost lives, the parish used the weekend as an opportunity to reach out to those women who have had an abortion and are in need of healing, or those that know someone in a crisis pregnancy. 

A prayer service was held on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon for the victims of abortion and for those considering it, and parishioners heard powerful testimonies from two women who had abortions many years ago. 

As parishioners exited the church, several ministries greeted them, including Alternate Avenues, an organization that offers counseling and programs to help women manage difficult or unplanned pregnancies. The center also has an educational program that teaches people about the importance of abstinence in an age where teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases are a rising trend. For those who have had an abortion, the center offers a Post-Abortion Support and Recovery Program. 

The weekend was one of great sorrow and reflection, but from the many problems that plague us in modern times, it is encouraging to see a church attempting to not only raise awareness of the issue, but also help those in need reconcile and be reunited with Christ. 

As you observe the photo with this article, please remember that each cross represents an aborted baby, someone who could have grown up to make a grand impact in this world, and think of ways that you can raise awareness to finally put this inhuman practice to rest.

 

From http://www.calcatholic.com/