As a stewardship people, we believe that everything we have is a gift from God. Most often, when we speak of the gifts God has given us, we specify our time, our talent, and our treasure as how we understand our God-given gifts. Yet, beyond the “three Ts of stewardship,” at a deeper and more innate level, we must begin by recognizing our very lives as gifts from God. In turn, we must use our lives for His glory and defend the rights of every human life — from conception to natural death.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops explains it this way: “As a gift from God, every human life is sacred from conception to natural death. The life and dignity of every human person must be respected and protected at every age.”
This is a reality that the Church seeks to emphasize throughout October, but it is a reality we must defend day in and day out with our words and our actions, right here in Colorado Springs.
“This is an area wherein I feel like many Catholics fall short,” says Ron Krom. “It’s not just a matter of what we say we believe or what we do in church. How we live in the public square — where we take action — is going to make a difference in the world. If every Catholic in the world was out there defending the right to life, we would have a different world.”
Ron got involved in pro-life work here at St. Patrick when he joined the Knights of Columbus many years ago. He and his wife, Fran, had moved around a lot before settling here, as Fran served as a nurse in the Army. When they came to St. Patrick, the pro-life movement was something near and dear to their hearts. So, it was a natural fit for Ron to help the Knights with their pro-life efforts.
“Herman Jasper was Grand Knight at the time, and he asked me if I would help with the respect life activities they were doing,” Ron says.
It was as simple as that. Ron stepped up to the plate and has been helping the Knights of Columbus with efforts such as placing crosses in the front yard of the church every October, helping with the drives to collect necessities for mothers and babies in need, assisting with the Roses for Life function the Knights hold every year, and more.
Fran, too, is passionate that every one of us should step up and take action, and she is quick to call us on it!
“As people, it is important for us to act on the faith we profess,” Fran says.
Fran’s passion for the pro-life movement was borne out of personal experience. She has stood on the front lines and seen the devastation caused by the culture of death that permeates our world. She believes that each one of us needs to face the reality of what is going on in our world today and speak out for the right to life — from conception to natural death.
“As a nurse, I have seen a post-abortive baby with a still-beating heart,” Fran says. “I have seen the products of what is happening, and as a nurse, I have had to stand up and speak out against it. It has not been easy, but I believe it is so important. It was clear it was a baby!”
Fran firmly believes it was her responsibility to stand up to the hospital staff when she saw abortions being done and accepted as appropriate medical care, and she remains firm in her resolve that we all ought to speak out for the rights of all human beings! It is vital to our lives of faith. It is vital to our ability to impact the world!
“Things have only gotten worse as the years have gone on,” Fran says. “The political climate of our day continues to grow so accepting of the things that are against God’s plan.”
We see not only abortion, but physician-assisted suicide and other such atrocities being touted as virtuous, and we need to do our part!
There is currently no coordinator for the Respect Life Apostolate here at St. Patrick, and there is so much more we could do if we had one. If you are passionate about proclaiming the Gospel of Life to the world today — in word and deed— please consider serving the Respect Life Apostolate.
“Be open to the Holy Spirit,” Fran says. “If you are open, He will call you. All you have to do is listen. And if He does call you to serve this ministry, know you will not do it alone. The coordinator serves as the mouthpiece for the ministry, communicating the information that needs put out. This position does not need to be overwhelming.”
If you are interested in being a part of our Respect Life Apostolate, contact the parish office at 719-598-3595.