I am sorry to be slow in getting this out. I have been busy answering emails from people who attended the Assembly saying how good it was. We had the largest crowd in at least four years - more than 600 people. It was such a pleasure to stand at the top of the stairs at Faneuil Hall and watch all the children and young people as they came up the stairs.
Many of those youngsters are members of the Hanafin family of Burlington who received the Family of the Year Award. The Heartbeat Crisis Pregnancy Center, also of Burlington, received the Thomas J. Flatley Trophy, presented by Marta Martins-Ribeiro, the survivor of a failed abortion in Brazil.
Ambassador Raymond Flynn, who spoke about pro-life heroes, praised Dr. Mildred Jefferson, Dr. Joseph Stanton, Ambassador Mary Ann Glendon, Phil Moran, Esq., Joe Reilly Roy Scarpato, and others.
Ray maintained, "The heart of the pro- life movement is families like the Hanafins -- Rose and Charlie and their 11 children, 60 grandchildren, and 4 great grand children. They have contributed to a stronger and better America, like so many other pro- life families."
He said he had worked with, and counted among his friends, two remarkable pro- life and human rights heroes - Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa -- who inspired people throughout the world. "They were the voice of the poor, the weak and the voiceless. We must all try and follow in that great tradition,"
The Treblemakers from the Montrose School charmed attendees with their delightful songs. Pat and Eric Anthony and Helen Cross provided beautiful instrumental music.
Longtime radio personality Jeanine Graf, was the emcee. The program included an opening prayer and tribute to Dr. Mildred Jefferson by Dr. R. Gary Heikkila. Deacon Frank McHugh introduced the Holy Hours for Life, which will take place next Sunday evening in 175 parishes in the Boston Archdiocese to provide prayer support for the people traveling to D.C. for the March, and he gave the closing prayer.
The people at the Assembly set forth to make 2011 a banner pro-life year. I invite you to join them in promoting life. Anne
No comments:
Post a Comment