Jaymie the life saver and prayers for Abby

We had the most unusual Assembly for Life in our 40 years!  Thanks to Jaymie Stuart Wolfe, her family and friends it was also one of the best Assemblies we have had. As you know, we has planned to have Abby Johnson, Jaymie, the Blackstone Children's Choir, Rev. Nicholas Granitsis, Bishop Arthur Kennedy, to feature past Presidents of MCFL, and to toll the bell for those workers in the pro-life vineyard who have gone before us.  Janet Callahan did a marvelous job making all the arrangements. At 10:00 am, yesterday (Sunday) morning Abby's agent called Janet to say that Abby had a fever of 104.  We thought she had already had her baby, but she is still pregnant.  There was no way she could come.  Within the next hour Jaymie had things all arranged for a different, wonderful Assembly. We tolled the bells with Ed Boylan doing a marvelous job reading the names and the Choristers sounding the bells.  By the way, Helen Cross, our pianist and videographer also had the flu, so Ed and Ken Evans took care of taping and Ed took his usual fabulous stills.  Michael Olbash, Director of the Choir played piano. We were so fortunate to be able to have with us past Presidents Roy Scarpato, Phil Moran, Marianne Luthin, Madeline McComish, Elinor Rafferty, Anne Scarpato,and Joe Reilly as well as Kathy Healy's daughter Kathy and Ruth Pakaluk's son, Max. Rev. Granitsas opened with a wonderful invocation and then Jaymie took over.  She reminded us that it was International Holocaust Remembrance Day by playing the theme from Schindler's List on her violin (did I tell you that Jaymie is getting over the flu so couldn't do her usual singing?).  Her son,  Kyril, who is a Senior at the Newman School in Boston, played "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes as he marched along the top of the balcony -  tears started. Then Jaymie had our own Cori Connor-Morse tell her story.  Many of you have been privileged to hear Cori tell of her abortion and wasted years, her repentance and forgiveness.  We know she has changed so many people who have heard her speak - more tears. Juliana Wolfe is a Seventh Grader at St. Patrick's School in Stoneham.  The Wolfes adopted her from Russia when she was three.  Her essay about her life before adoption won a prize and has been published.  She read it for us - more tears The Blackstone Children's Catholic Choir led by Michael Olbash sings Gregorian Chant, traditional hymnody, and sacred choral music with just the proper pureness of sound.  They sang beautifully - more tears. Prof. David Franks, Chairman of the MCFL Board reminded us, extemporaneously,  in rousing fashion, what each of us can do to help Mass Citizens save lives. Bishop Arthur Kennedy told us about finding in his mother's papers a letter of encouragement she had sent to Dr Joseph Stanton in 1974.  Dr Joe was the first person for whom the bell tolled, so some of the old folk teared up again.  As people dried their eyes, they agreed a good time was had by all. We have good news: Abby is scheduled to be in the area the weekend of April 13 and 14 in Framingahm and Norwood.  We'll be sending out information as the time gets closer. I will be sending you information on the Caucus in DC but I wanted to you to know right away about Abby's not being able to come. I also want to thank Margaret O'Brien, our Youth Correspondent, for her vivid, inspiring reports about the March. We all wish Abby a speedy return to good health. Thanks again to everyone, especially Jaymie, who rose to the occasion and made the Assembly great.  Anne