WNYC File - Churches around the diocese participated in the National Night of Prayer for Life
Parishes in the diocese participated in the National Night of Prayer for Life on Dec. 8 and held adoration before the Blessed Sacrament to pray for the lives of the unborn. The event is in its 22nd year.
“I feel that as Catholics we are called to speak up for those who are weaker regardless if they are in the womb or if it’s the end of life and so it gives us an opportunity not only to talk the talk, but walk the walk and actually support something that we know is based in our faith which is the support of life,” said Cheryl Calire, director of Pro-Life Activities for the diocese.
At St. Amelia Parish in Tonawanda, more than 60 people attended the Mass preceding the adoration. Thirty-two people participated in the first hour of the four–hour event.
“Prayer is something all of us can do,” said Joan Owzarzak, pro-life chairperson at St. Amelia. “I like the idea that it is spread out for four hours like that. Because it is on a national level it is very powerful. Across the entire nation, everyone is praying at the same time.”
National Night of Prayer for Life began on Long Island and then spread to all six time zones in the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska. Other countries also participate. More than 700 parishes across the country now take part.
“Over the years and due to the success of people understanding the prayerful part of the National Night of Prayer, that all across the world people are praying for the unborn, it has really become increasingly popular to participate,” Calire said.
The event overlaps with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the feast day of Juan Diego. Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the unborn and the Americas, appeared to St. Juan Diego in Mexico on the feast of the Immaculate Conception.
“It’s really an honor, also, of her calling us to continually pray the rosary and to continually pray for the unborn and for those who are not able to speak for themselves,” Calire said.
Generally, churches hold the event from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. At midnight, adorations in all time zones overlap during the Hour of Unity.
At St. Mary of the Assumption, adoration began one hour earlier, at 8 p.m. This is the second year that the Lancaster parish has taken part in the event. Deacon David Jerome said that he would like to see more people take part in the future and will make it a point to publicize the event more in the coming year.
“I think this form of prayer is extremely important because it’s an extension of Mass,” he said. “We go to Mass and we have this presence of Christ who is there and comes to us in the Eucharist, but then this extends that presence of Christ with us.”
SS. Peter & Paul Parish in Hamburg has taken part in the event since 1980. This year the parish held a vigil before the Blessed Sacrament beginning at 8 p.m. and ending at midnight. Deacon Frank Shaughnessy and his wife, Barbara, who have been active in the event for the past 12 years, say that they would also like to see greater numbers of people participate in the event.
“I don’t think that the large numbers of people in parishes in general are that responsive to abortion, as yet,” said Deacon Shaughnessy. “They’re against abortion, there’s no question about that. As for getting out and being proactive, it’s still a problem.”
Calire said that the event is a good way for those who want to participate in pro-life activities to become involved.
“It’s just as powerful as standing in front of the clinic or just as powerful as participating in one of the banquets or the baby showers or the other things that we do for the unborn,” Calire said.
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