As Catholics, we believe in protecting life from conception to natural death. The Pro-Life Ministry here at St. Peter seeks to engage in various activities to counter our culture’s disregard for human life.
“This ministry is more important than ever before,” says Rich Horner. “Indifference to human life is occurring at all stages, from conception through the end of life and in new, alarming ways.”
The ministry’s activities align with both our parish and the bishop’s pro-life plans, engaging in initiatives that also touch other parishes and dioceses across Nebraska. Among these are the annual Life Chain event, 40 Days for Life, working with Lincoln Right to Life, and Nebraska Right to Life activities. They also distribute legislative materials and assist with fundraisers.
“The growing mission of the Pro-Life Ministry is going beyond ‘saving babies,’” Rich says. “Pro-life activity volunteers increasingly understand they are doing more than preserving life. They can be saving people from harm and converting hearts — hardened, misled, broken, and wounded hearts — by their presence, witness, and prayers.
“There are outreach programs like Sidewalk Advocates for Life, with its research-backed ‘mom-baby-God’ approach,” he adds. “There are healing ministries for post-abortive women and men. For those hardened and misled hearts, many legislative and educational outreach activities and conferences exist, such as the WeTeachThink organization working to reframe the pro-life message.”
Rich has been involved with the ministry for about five years. He was invited by an active pro-life volunteer whom he knew well, but responded, “yes, just not now.” Sometime after that, one of his children invited him to go on a Lincoln Walk for Life.
“Going on that walk, I learned two things,” Rich says. “One, my kids were pro-life, thanks be to God! And two, in saying ‘yes’ to my daughter — which ultimately turned into a ‘yes, now is the time’ to get involved in other activities — I was saying ‘yes’ to the Lord. Do you know what happens when you say ‘yes’ to the Lord? It changes lives.”
Being involved for the last few years, Rich understands the ministry goes beyond trying to save the lives of the victims, but also the souls of those participating.
“Volunteers in this ministry truly know the significance of these activities,” he says. “Whether new to the ministry or involved for many years, they quickly understand at the center of this ministry there is a spiritual battle going on. A spiritual struggle ultimately means this — souls are in peril. Our efforts of prayer, witness, and faith in action can and do have an impact thanks to the supernatural love and will of the Lord.”
The ministry members meet two or more times per year to discern and choose which upcoming activities will be planned. Many of the activities are coordinated with other groups for even greater impact, such as the Walk for Life. In between these meeting times at St. Peter, ongoing communication occurs to ensure dates/times are known.
Any St. Peter parishioner can get involved at any time. The best time to sign up is now.
“The time to get involved is now,” Rich says. “With the momentum in the Pro-Life Ministry God’s grace has provided, incredible progress is occurring all around us.”
40 DAYS FOR LIFE KICKOFF
Lincoln’s 40 Days for Life Fall Campaign runs from September 27 to November 5. The prayer vigil is 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily at Planned Parenthood of Lincoln and all are welcome to join us. Learn more, get involved, and sign up for prayer times at www.40daysforlife.com/lincoln.
Contact Mike Davis at 402-480-0404 with any questions.
To get involved in this ministry, indicate your interest by checking the “Pro-Life Ministry” box on the 2023 Discipleship Renewal Commitment Card. You will be added to the ministry list to be looped in on communications related to meetings and activities.