By Dave Jolivet, Editor
WASHINGTON, D.C. — What, one would ask, would a 13-year-old seventh-grader from Fairhaven and an 86-year-old gentleman from Harwich have in common? A great deal more than most would think.
Both have a desire deep down to protect the most innocent of all life and to make public that passion.
Ben Reis attends St. Francis Xavier School in Acushnet and Lloyd McDonald has been an active member of Mass. Citizens for Life for nearly four decades. The two were part of an estimated 200,000 to 400,000 Pro-Life pilgrims who descended on our nation’s capital last week to participate in the annual March for Life through the streets of D.C.
For Ben, it was his inaugural experience defending the unborn. In contrast, McDonald has been making the trek since the beginning, 37 years ago. Reis and McDonald were among scores of faithful from the Diocese of Fall River who made the trip with various groups, to support life.
The dominant observation at this year’s march was the overwhelming presence of thousands of young people.
“The presence of so many youth at the march was very impressive,” said McDonald, who was part of a bus group sponsored by Cape Cod Bus For Life, Inc. “Their joy, enthusiasm and energy spell great hope for the future of the Pro-Life movement. The teen-agers, high schoolers and young adults made up more than 60 percent of the pilgrims at this annual protest.”
Reis was part of a 50-person bus group from St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet. “I chose to go because I thought it would be a nice thing to do to support life and to show that abortion is not OK,” Reis told The Anchor. “My mom explained to me what abortion is, and we’ve learned about it in school. I wanted to go on the trip to protest abortion.”
Another first-time attendee to the march was 74-year-old Jeanne Duggan, also a St. Francis Xavier parishioner. “When I learned of the trip, I wanted to go, not just to support the unborn, but also to support the teens from our parish who were going, who truly believe in this cause,” Duggan told The Anchor.
“I couldn’t believe I saw so many teens, so many young people,” said Duggan. “It’s so great that they understand what’s happening with abortion and they want to fight to do something about it. I was also impressed by seeing so many different age groups there — folks my age and all ages — and from all over the country.”
Elaine Bartie, 62, a parishioner of St. Patrick’s Parish in Wareham, was on the Cape Cod Bus For Life trip. “Overwhelming,” she described the event. “Today, I am so filled with hope. The Pro-Life movement is growing with young people — teens, parents with young children. When I was in the throngs of people I thought — hope. Just look around.”
Thousands of teens and young adults made their presence well known at this year’s march, and the Fall River Diocese was well represented, with dozens of teens from the five diocesan Catholic high schools making the trip.
All of the students who shared their thoughts with The Anchor agreed that their presence in Washington was vital to helping those who don’t understand the horrors of abortion, realize it’s the modern day Holocaust.
“Abortion does affect us teen-agers,” said Brent Medeiros, a senior at Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River. “Kids are having kids today, and the issue of abortion will always be raised. I’ve always been Pro-Life and I was fueled by that to make my first trip this year. When it comes to abortion, we’re expected to hold our tongues and not say what we feel, but at the march there were so many of us not afraid to express our beliefs and stand up for them.”
Classmate Marc Messier concurred. “I’ve been learning about the Holocaust and how nothing was done to prevent it,” he told The Anchor. “I realize that we have a chance this time to stand up against abortion. It felt good to speak out against this Holocaust.”
Nicholas and William Stylos, twin brothers and juniors at Connolly, also made the trip south to D.C. “This was my first time,” said Nicholas. “I was amazed that there were so many people my age who felt the way I did about abortion. It felt very good to meet with others who feel the same way and voice our opinions. People really do care about other people. Humanity isn’t bad.”
William added, “This was more than just a religious gathering. It was a gathering of people who share the same beliefs that abortion is wrong. There are really a lot of Pro-Life people, people who are willing to proclaim their beliefs and not just talk about them.”
Deacon Anthony Cipriano, a religion teacher and campus minister at Connolly, said, “This is the generation that will make the change. Unlike the generation before them, they are in tune to what is happening, they understand what abortion is, and they’re willing to take responsibility to change it.”
Racheal Marz and Madison Bailey are sophomores at John Paul II High School. The pair was part of a group from the Hyannis school that made the trip.
As women, they felt the need to witness to the fact that abortion has no place in American society. “A woman must not abort her child, no matter what the circumstances,” said Bailey. “Going to the march was my way of saying that to other women.” Marz added, “I cannot understand why any woman would consider abortion.”
“I went on the trip last year, and it really opened up my eyes to the abortion issue,” Marz continued. “I went back this year to share with others who have the same convictions as I do. It was really cool to be in the nation’s capital, a place with such history — the White House, the Washington Monument and others, and bring this important topic to the heart of our country.”
“I’m just appalled that people would counsel others to get an abortion,” said Bailey. “I’ve learned what abortion is and how it affects the unborn, mothers and fathers. The march is a great way to express to everyone that Pro-Life is another choice.
McDonald told The Anchor, “I fought in the Battle of the Bulge.” But for the past 37 years, he’s fought a battle on a different front. “The Pro-Life movement has been a dedication for my wife and me. We have seven children and 17 grandchildren.” To him life is very important, and he’ll continue the fight as long as he’s able. But he won’t be alone. There are countless teens and young adults picking up torch to keep the flames alive of justice for all life.
“I’m so impressed by the number of youth attending, and also how far folks are coming to voice their opinions,” he said. “We met a nice couple and their children who drove 18 hours up from Pensacola, Fla. to be there. And what used to be a national protest is now an international one. We met people from Canada and Italy who came just for the march.” The army is growing.
“The youth are so energized,” added Bartie. “With a new president, and now an new senator in Massachusetts, we need to be heard. A lot of people still don’t understand. After seeing all those people, especially the young people, the government has to listen. The change won’t happen overnight, but if we all pray a rosary a day, the power of prayer will help win the battle.
“It was so great to see the young people fight for something like this,” said Duggan. “I believe in the cause, and so do they.”