By Susan Gliko, Programs Coordinator
Rachel’s Hope of Catholic Social Services

January is a very difficult time for many of those most directly impacted by abortion. As the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade approaches, it seems impossible to avoid hearing about abortion events. Pro-lifers from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. – including cities here in Montana – will march, witness, lobby and pray for the end of abortion.

Rachel’s Hope will be represented at such an event in Kalispell, through the Flathead Pro-Life Group on Jan. 24 at the Central Bible Church, 902 1st Ave. E. The event will start with a free-will offering luncheon at noon, and speeches begin at 12:30 p.m. A march and rally will follow at 1:30 p.m., beginning with prayer on the court house lawn.

For more information about this event, or to join the Flathead Pro-Life Group as they organize a 40 Days for Life for Feb. 25, please call Karen Trierweiler at 406-890-2297.

I am always grateful for opportunities to share about life issues from the post-abortive perspective and the hope for healing that is available through Rachel’s Hope of Catholic Social Services of Montana. Many people do not understand or know about the devastation that abortion brings to men and women.

It is my hope that through the many individuals who will march, witness, lobby and pray for the end of abortion that many more will come to learn that abortion hurts women and men, lowers the quality of their lives and kills their children.

I pray that the Holy Spirit will inspire everyone to fight the evil of abortion according to God’s will. Abortion is the greatest poverty of our time in that it takes away the greatest treasure, the treasure of life. From my perspective, as the greatest destroyer of hope, abortion is our most important social justice issue.

Without life, nothing matters, so let us fight for life. Let us fight to ease the suffering of the poor and have compassion for them by letting their children live.

For those who want to help with this important social justice issue, please consider joining a group in your area that promotes the dignity of all human life.

For those who are suffering the effects of an abortion, there is hope for healing. Rachel’s Hope will host a Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat the weekend of March 27-29. For more information, call 1-888-456-4673, e-mail SusanMTRV@msn.com or check out www.rachelsvineyard.org or www.hopeafterabortion.com


Published in The Montana Catholic, Vol. 25, No. 1, January 23, 2009.