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March 26, 2021By Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press
The coronavirus prevented Catholic schools from bringing students to the annual Pro-Life Mass on the feast of the Annunciation, but the pandemic brought a greater awareness of the preciousness of all life.
Preaching before presenting awards to local people for their pro-life efforts, Bishop McManus said that usually this Mass at St. Paul Cathedral is packed with young people. This year he greeted Catholic school students, teachers and administrators who were watching the Mass via livestreaming because of the pandemic. He said he usually goes into the aisle and asks the students questions during his homily at this Mass, held on the feast of the Annunciation.
“I can’t do that this morning, and I won’t ask the adults questions,” he said.
But he still talked about the Annunciation: how the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that God had chosen her to be mother of the Redeemer. Mary, just a teenager, was deeply troubled, as she was not married, but she said “yes” to God and changed the course of history, the bishop said. For nine months she cherished the life in her womb, so it is appropriate to celebrate this Mass for life on the feast of the Annunciation, he said.
Bishop McManus noted that the pandemic has dramatically affected people’s lives, but said one lesson from it is that life is fragile and precious, and we are not in complete charge of our destiny. We are to cherish and nourish life and make it something beautiful for God, as Mother Teresa used to say.
He told of a bishop telling Pope Francis last year that, abortion had killed 61 million children in the United States since 1973.
“He was totally stunned!” Bishop McManus said, speaking of the pope’s reaction. The pope put his head down and said, “What a disgrace!”
Bishop McManus decried politicians claiming to be Catholic but working to further expand access to abortion.
“That is the disgrace,” and they will be held in judgment for it, he said.
He noted that many people, especially young people, speak out against abortion by attending the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.
“It’s to our credit in the Catholic Church that we have taken a vocal stand,” he said. He said we must act and speak, and he talked about protecting life – a gift for which we should thank God – from conception to natural death.
Speaking to those about to receive this year’s awards, he said, “I thank you, in the name of the Church,” and asked listeners to pray for them.
Receiving the Gospel of Life Award was Msgr. James P. Moroney, cathedral rector. Receiving the Mother Teresa Pro-Life Award were Deacon Kevin and Michelle Deignan, of Immaculate Conception Parish in Worcester, and Mary Jo Kriz, of St. Joseph the Good Provider Parish in Berlin.
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