COLORADO SPRINGS.  A year after the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation, more than 900 people attended the Bishop’s Respect Life Dinner Oct. 6 at The Broadmoor.

Deborah “Deb” Harney, a member of St. Patrick Parish, received the Respect Life Volunteer of the Year award.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Dr. Pat Castle is the first to acknowledge the progress that the pro-life movement has made over the past 30 years.

“Today, we’ve got more than 4,000 pregnancy help centers in America and less than 700 abortion facilities,” said Castle, who will be the keynote speaker at the Bishop’s Respect Life Dinner Oct. 6. “In 1991, that was about reversed. Each of those (pregnancy help) centers is really important, and we’ve done a better job of communicating that they exist.”

I’m so sorry for your loss.”

The ultrasound technician offered me her condolences. I was thankful. At least she understood that I was in anguish over the miscarriage of my child one week prior. My doctor had simply stated that “nature will take its course.” Though I was nine weeks along in my pregnancy, my baby had stopped growing at just five weeks, six days old.

It was an unplanned pregnancy, and her mind was made up. She was determined to have the abortion. She already had three children and her youngest was six years old. They were struggling financially, and she didn’t know how she could afford a baby.

Father Bill Carmody is the Diocese of Colorado Springs’ own pro-life legend. From his appointment as Director of the Respect Life office shortly after his ordination in 1990 until his death in 2016, Father Bill was God’s megaphone for the protection of life in our diocese, in Colorado, and in the nation.

COLORADO SPRINGS. The Diocese of Colorado Springs’ Respect Life Apostolate and Project Rachel ministry will hold a “Stealth Healer Training Program” on May 22 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Divine Redeemer Parish, 926 Farragut Ave. in Colorado Springs.

Attendees will learn about the aftermath of abortion, Project Rachel healing groups, sidewalk advocacy, three steps to becoming a stealth healer, Catholic Church teaching on abortion, 40 Days for Life and more.

To register, contact Julie Bailey at 719-578-4471 or Rhonda Miller at 719-649-6198. The class is free of charge, and lunch will be provided.

CASTLE ROCK. As a follow-up to the February 2021 article in the The Colorado Catholic Herald titled “St. Mark parishioners, Knights of Columbus Aid in Rescue of Trafficking Victims,” parishes in our diocese’s northern deanery will be hosting two Human Trafficking Awareness Presentations this summer.

COLORADO SPRINGS. The Respect Life Apostolate of the Diocese of Colorado Springs has purchased a license allowing individuals to buy and stream the move “Roe v. Wade” by April 30. Those who purchase the movie must begin watching it by the end of the month. After that, they will have 30 days to finish viewing it. Visit www.roevwademovie.com/respectlifeapostolate to get more information and buy the film.

The downcast face of the young woman still haunts me. As her boyfriend drove her to Planned Parenthood, her body, all slumped over, said it all. She didn’t have a choice. As they stopped their car near me, I gave her a small gift bag and told them about the free help at the Pregnancy Center. Emotionless, she let the bag fall from her fingers and drop to the floor of the car. She had already given up. Was she being forced into the abortion?