By Sallie Bachar
Catholic Herald correspondent
Merrill parish ignites lights for the unborn
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With the help of the Knights of Columbus, St. Francis Parish erected a Nativity scene outside the entrance to the church and decorated a tree with white lights. The lights were turned on Christmas Eve and will remain on until Jan. 22, the anniversary date of Roe v. Wade. (Photo by Sallie Bachar) |
MERRILL --The Respect Life Committee from St. Francis Xavier in Merrill was looking for a unique way to honor the millions of innocent victims of abortion since its legalization thirty years ago. Reflecting on the many lights of the holiday season, Mary Ball, chairperson of the organization, came up with an idea. "The committee took it from there," said Ball.
With the help of the Knights of Columbus, a Nativity scene was erected outside the entrance to the church, and the balsam tree next to it was decorated with white lights. The lights, signifying the birth of the Savior, the light of the world, were turned on Christmas Eve and will remain on continuously until Wednesday, Jan. 22, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
Each Wednesday throughout the year is set aside as a day of eucharistic adoration at St. Francis. "The parishioners will be asked to pray on that day especially," said Ball, "for the most vulnerable among us -- the pre-born, the aged and the disabled."
Thirty candles, one for each year since the abortion decision, will be placed on the altar along with an empty cradle. Votive candles in baby food jars will line the aisle, and the joyful mysteries of the rosary will be recited after the conclusion of adoration. In closing, the tree lights and all the candles will be extinguished, symbolizing the many innocent lives that have been lost since 1973.
Said Ball, "Just as King Herod sought to destroy the Christ Child by ordering the death of innocent children, millions of innocent pre-born children have also been destroyed since abortion was legalized 30 years ago in our country."
The Respect Life Committee is also involved in various other projects in the community throughout the year. Under the title "Baby Shower for Life," over 300 layettes have been provided to Merrill area families, and all newborns at Good Samaritan Health Center, Merrill, are presented with a plush toy and a Scripture verse from Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord."
Though small in number, the group is a highly visible presence in the community, sponsoring essay contests, giving presentations to the eighth grade class of St. Francis and making slides on abortion available to the public high school. They also pass out prolife literature from their booth at the Lincoln County Fair each summer and, together with Council 1133 of the Knights of Columbus, sponsor prolife billboards.
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2003