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October 18, 2019
WORCESTER – Bishop McManus joined more than 100 adults, teenagers and children at a 40 Days for Life prayer vigil to end abortion Oct. 18. They prayed at 11 a.m. on both sides of Pleasant Street outside the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts facility, where abortions are performed.
Afterwards, Bishop McManus thanked them for coming and asked them to continue to pray – about abortion and for one another.
Julie Koss-Stephany, one of the 40 Days leaders, thanked the busy bishop for shepherding his flock this way and also gave special thanks to the contingent of nine from Holy Name Central Catholic Junior/Senior High School.
The Holy Name seniors, who came with Harry Duchesne, theology teacher and lead campus minister, said this was their first time doing this.
Mr. Duchesne said the students volunteered to come, and about six more wanted to, but had scheduling conflicts. Other students are to attend another 40 Days vigil, he said.
Holy Name senior Sophia Sullivan said that last year she went to the March for Life in Washington, D.C., with a group from her parish, St. Joseph’s in Charlton. She said she found that pro-life event more aggressive, because people supporting abortion were also there, and signs were graphic, some showing abortions or fetal development.
“I think it’s good to be visual because … not everyone knows what it’s like,” she said, in support of graphic signs.
She said she’s pro-life, but doesn’t care if other people are pro-choice – that’s their opinion.
Her classmate Rebecca Paldino described the 40 Days vigil as “really peaceful,” and said it was nice to see a lot of people their age there.
Others about their age were students from Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Still River. Brother Anthony Marie of the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary there said they had 60 students, eight brothers, four sisters and three priests who are their chaplains at the vigil. The brothers and sisters often bring students to the vigil.
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