As Catholics, we recognize the sanctity of life and strive to uphold the gifts of life, from birth to natural death. Here at the Cathedral of St. Peter, the members of the Pro-Life Ministry seek to be witnesses to the gift of life at all stages. The group provides visibility of pro-life issues to parishioners and beyond, through activities in the parish and through the Knights of Columbus Council.
“Those involved want to do more because we know there is no end to those who need help,” says Deacon Doug Lugge. “Our bishop and priests have been very supportive of our efforts in their own witnessing of life, through intercessory prayers, in homilies, et cetera. We know we are witnessing for Christ in this ministry.”
During October, Respect Life Month, the group engages in the 40 Days for Life — which also occurs during Lent — and Life Chain campaigns, respectively.
“There may be no greater support for the poor than for an expectant mother who does not have the means and care for her pregnancy and raising a child,” Doug says.
But the Pro-Life Ministry prioritizes life issues all year round. This ministry, with the Knights, sells roses on Mother’s Day weekend, donating all proceeds to our local Pregnancy Care Center (PCC).
“We also do a baby bottle drive between Mother’s and Father’s Days that also provides financial support for the PCC,” Doug says. “We also communicate legislative activities happening at the local, state, and federal level for supporting life.”
The group has also recently begun witnessing at our State March for Life in Springfield. Many of the group members are also involved with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, assisting with providing breakfast every Saturday morning to those in need.
Doug got involved when his oldest daughter was 12 years old and they attended the March for Life in Washington, D.C.
”With the help of my wife, Jill, I continued to ‘captain’ a bus of youth and young at heart who wanted to be witnesses at the March for Life for the next 15 years,” he says. “I’ve been the Pro-Life representative for our parish and Knights council for the past 10 years or so.”
For more information about the ministry or to get involved, please contact Doug at jdlugge@gmail.com.