By Mary Grieco
Catholic Herald correspondent

Knights of Columbus memorial to the unborn dedicated at St. Joseph Church in Rhinelander

RHINELANDER -- "I hope this will make people think and wonder about Right to Life; it is so vital today." With those words, Robert Schunk opened the dedication ceremony for a memorial to the unborn on the lawn in front of St. Joseph Church. Schunk and his wife, Alice, sponsored the monument on behalf of Macdonald O'Neill Knights of Columbus Council 2032.

At the suggestion of U.S. Bishops, the Knights of Columbus are increasing their involvement in respect life activities, Schunk noted. Knights designated March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation, as the Day of the Unborn.

While a Fourth Degree KC honor guard stood at attention in a cold March wind Fr. John Gerritts, St. Joseph pastor and KC chaplain, blessed the monument. He said the memorial "reminds us of the great truth -- that our God is the giver of all life. Whenever we honor life, we are honoring our God."

KCs Grand Knight Richard Bruso said the council intends "to dedicate ourselves this next year to creating a better pro-life environment in Rhinelander."

The Schunks have long been involved in pro-life activities. As retired educators with a combined total of nearly 70 years of working with children, they "feel strongly about youngsters," particularly those who have died through abortion. "The most precious resource we have is our young people," Robert Schunk said. "I can't help but wonder if some of these babies would have been the leaders and scientists that we need today."

The three-foot high black marble monument has an etching of a baby embraced by hands and wings. Under it are the words: "A Rose...An autograph from the hand of God. So too, are unborn babies victims of abortion." On the back is a Celtic cross. As soon as weather permits, the monument will be placed in a garden setting.

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