Catholics show support for the unborn

On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the federal right to abortion that permitted the deaths of over 60 million American children since the case was decided in 1973. Though many states have since restricted abortion, Alaska is not one of them. Nevertheless, the end of Roe v. Wade is just one step towards a culture that respects human life in all its stages.

Archbishop Andrew Bellisario, C.M., encourages our archdiocese’s Catholics to help build a culture of life. Twice this year, the archdiocese celebrated Masses for life at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Anchorage. The first was a Mass that prayed for the legal protection of the unborn. It was celebrated by Archbishop Bellisario on January 22. The archbishop spoke about how we must take steps throughout the archdiocese to defend the lives and dignity of the unborn as well as to assist mothers and children. This Mass followed the national March for Life in Washington D.C., which several parishioners from our archdiocese attended on January 23.

Archbishop Andrew Bellisario, C.M., administers the Eucharist to a parishioner during the Mass for Life at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe on January 22. (Levi Livengood / North Star Catholic)

The second Mass was celebrated by Vicar General Fr. Pat Travers at the cathedral on April 24, the day before many Catholics, including several of the archdiocese’s priests, joined the Alaska March for Life, advocating alongside hundreds of other pro-life people for an end to abortion. During his homily, Fr. Pat emphasized the horrific nature of abortion and joined the archbishop’s encouragement to support mothers not just while pregnant, but after their children are born. Likewise, Fr. Pat asked all to pray for peace around the world, as war itself is yet another way we fail to respect the dignity of human life.

Fr. Pat Travers receives the gifts from Mary Kemper during the Offertory of the Mass for Life celebrated on April 24 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Anchorage. (Levi Livengood / North Star Catholic)

Catholic Social Services (CSS) in Anchorage and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVdP) in Anchorage and Juneau continue their missions of helping those in need. For families struggling to afford housing or to feed themselves, the Vincentians (SSVdP) are there to help. CSS helps women with children and expectant mothers in many ways, but particularly through the Clare House, an emergency shelter providing room, board, and other necessities for mothers and children. 

Parishes across the archdiocese support these ministries and others through the gathering of donations of items for expectant mothers and new mothers. Many parishes donate diapers, baby wipes, and more to help many mothers who struggle to support their families. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton specifically gave 124 boxes of diapers and 60 boxes of wipes to CSS for Lent. 

Fr. Leo amidst the parish lenten diaper and wipes drive for RAIS (Courtesy of Amy Locke)

Project Rachel, started in Anchorage in the 2000s by Pam Albrecht at the request of Archbishop Roger Schwietz, O.M.I., offers a nine-week support group to help those affected by abortion to heal spiritually. Director of the Office of Family Life, Deacon Kurt Adler, developed a website for Project Rachel in 2015, and now clergy and lay team members throughout the archdiocese can carry out Project Rachel’s ministry. Under the direction of current director Carol Szopa, Project Rachel helps to heal many and deepens their relationships with God.

Ed Burke holds a sign as he participates in the Alaska March for Life in Anchorage on April 25. (Levi Livengood / North Star Catholic)

Clergy and many laypeople help to organize pro-life efforts in the archdiocese, such as Mary Kemper, a parishioner of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Anchorage and the mother of seminarian Daniel Kemper. She helps organize the Masses for life, a vigil concurrent with the national March for Life, and the 40 Days for Life. In Juneau and Sitka, pregnancy resource centers offer critical support to mothers, and local 40 Days for Life ministries advocate for the unborn. The efforts of these laypeople have encouraged hundreds to support local pro-life causes.

Brother Anthony, O.P, poses with a sign at the Alaska March for Life in Anchorage on April 25. Fr. Columban, O.P., (right) was present as well. (Levi Livengood / North Star Catholic)

To help us build a culture of life that respects the dignity of the human person in every stage of life, consider how you can join and support these and other ministries in our archdiocese.