MCFL celebrates 50 years; creates award named for Dr. Rollo

 
By Sandra A. Kucharski
Special to The CFP
 
Massachusetts Citizens for Life celebrated its 50th anniversary Saturday, Oct. 14, with a gala at the Newton Marriott Hotel. The 500 attendees were challenged by MCFL President Myrna Maloney Flynn, and keynote speaker, Dr. Ben Carson, to continue to defend life at every stage. 

Dr. Carson, neurosurgeon, author, and former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, shared something in common with Ms. Maloney Flynn. Both noted that at one point in their lives they remained silent and did not speak out in defense of life. Now, neither is afraid.
 
In his keynote address, Dr. Carson noted that he was once a “liberal thinker” and pro-choice advocate before becoming pro-life.
“I did not feel I had the right to say anything to anyone, until one day I thought about slavery and the abolitionists” and wondered “where would we be?” if they had not taken a stand, he shared. “There comes a point where we have to take a stand. It’s easy to stare at your shoes and not say anything … people can no longer remain silent. We need to work on courage as a society,” he told the crowd. Quoting Proverbs 24: 11-12, he noted, “It doesn’t work to say I didn’t know.” 

Although Ms. Maloney Flynn was always pro-life, years ago she remained silent on the issue in the hopes of advancing her career in the midst of a “misguided and soulless” work environment. Years later working on a college campus, she witnessed a young woman being reprimanded for placing “All Lives Matter” signs around campus. Anger at the injustice began to well within her, though she said nothing. When, at another college, deans and faculty thought the best way to recruit students was “to put a clinic upstairs.” She said nothing, though later she could no longer look herself in the mirror for staying silent. Not long after, she found her way to MCFL. 

In her address Ms. Maloney Flynn, highlighted MCFL’s accomplishments in the past year. Some of them include submitting draft legislation aimed at protecting parental rights, unborn babies diagnosed with Down’s syndrome, informed consent, and violence against unborn babies. MCFL has initiated a new legislative action center on its website. She cited the example of the Worcester City Council ordinance that would harm pregnancy resource centers, such as Problem Pregnancy and Care Net, infringing on their freedom of speech, threatening their existence. To date, supporters have sent more than 1,600 letters of opposition to city councilors using the MCFL platform, she said. 

MCFL has also developed a free pocket-sized fetal development booklet, sponsored statewide educational billboards, and began a series of young adult “meetups,” where young adult pro-lifers can meet each other, and share ideas and strategies to defend life.
Also, in response to criticism by Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Gov. Maura Healy regarding pregnancy resource centers, MCFL formed a charitable network of PRCs called the Massachusetts Pregnancy Care Alliance. Its mission is to build public awareness about PRCs and convey the truth about the ways these critical community resources help women in need at no cost.
 
One surprise during the gala came as Ms. Maloney Flynn encouraged supporters to continue “to march onward and celebrate to the beat of life.” A steady drumbeat was heard in the distance. As the drumbeat grew closer, the doors of the ballroom opened, and in came the marching band of Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Harvard! Under the direction of Brother Peter Mary, MICM, their musical interlude included “Stars and Stripes Forever” and the “Hallelujah” chorus from Handel’s Messiah. They then marched off to a steady drumbeat and a standing ovation.

The event also included a video tribute to the late Dr. Mark Rollo of Fitchburg highlighting his longtime work defending life. Dr. Rollo was a on the board of directors of MCFL at the time of his death last year, and very active in the pro-life movement in Central Massachusetts. Dr. Carson presented Dr. Rollo’s wife, Annette Rollo, with a posthumous award for his work. Henceforth, the award will be called “The Mark Rollo Award for Life.”
 
 
PHOTO: Dr. Ben Carson presents Dr. Mark Rollo’s wife, Annette Rollo, with a posthumous award for his work. Photo by George Martel.