Inspiration and conviviality - if not election joy - filled the 3 West Club in New York City when on Thursday evening, November 6, many good folks gathered in admiration of the work and the pro-life example of Good Counsel Homes at their Twelfth Annual Award Celebration. Co-founder Chris Bell and his wife, Joan Andrews Bell, were on hand with their 19-year old son Emeliano to welcome guests and supporters and to introduce the evening's honorees. Photos below begin to tell the story.
Special Guest was Miss Nellie J. Gray, Founder and President of the annual March for Life held each year since the Supreme Court Roe vs. Wade decision in Washington, D.C. Nellie was reluctant to be singled out. "We haven't won anything yet," she argued with Chris.
Other special honorees included Sister Mona O'Connell, SSND, Good Counsel's Director of Residential Operations
and Marisa McClinton
mother, student and former Good Counsel resident whose personal stories stirred the hearts of all.
Good Counsel co-founder Father Benedict Groeschel, also founder of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, prayed with us and closed with some pointed remarks about the recent Presidential election and the future of the pro-life cause.
Miss Nellie J. Gray is an inspiration.
If you wondered why, it was her steadfast determination and fighting words this evening that helped define why. A former Women's Army Corps Corporal during World War II, Nellie founded the March for Life to guarantee Constitutional protection for the right to life for each born and preborn human being from the moment of fertilization, with equal care for the mother and child with no exception. Back in the 70s, she was horrified by the photo of the dead bodies of fetal childlren thrown into a dumpster. Her sense that this was no different than the Holocaust spurred her to develop the "Life Principles" based on the responsibility and dignity of human life demanded by the Neuremburg trials and Pope Pius XI 1930 Encyclical, Casti Connubii. Both reaffirmed her sense of the need for "equal care" for mother and child. She continues to work tirelessly to overturn Roe vs. Wade. She spoke of her disappointment in the current so-called "conservative court" that continues to accept Roe rather than overturn, citing stare decisis, the legal term which means the court will stand by prior precedent. She spoke of the election this year of officals to the highest offices who turn their backs on human life. She sees the attempt to impose the Freedom of Choice Act, and the future of the courts in America and the makeup of Congress as troubling. She sees the need for "bottom up, grassroots education, calling for no exceptions, no compromises, grieving that we feel our culture taken over." She called everyone to join her in Washington in January for the largest group of pro-lifers ever present for the 36th annual March for Life, two days after the Inauguration of President-elect Obama. The battle cry will be for a culture of life under God.
Fr. Benedict, expressing disappointment in the election asked, "What must we do?" The answer: "Go on."
He said pro-lifers are not going to give up. This is an extremely important moment that requires us to "make ourselves heard" during the next four years. He offers prayers for Obama that he receive "light" on the issue. It will be no doubt a difficult four years for people who are the most defenseless. Democracy and America will be challenged. Quoting a Greek proverb, Fr. Benedict pointed out, "The mills of God grind slowly, but exceeding fine," and reminded us that "we follow the greatest loser in recorded history." As said by Kierkegaard, "... never...has anyone accomplished so little by the sacrifice of a consecrated life as did Jesus Christ."
Father Benedict ended with the prediction that the John Paul II generation will bring about "a different and a better world." He said he personally plans to take lots of vitamins to live to 90 to see it!
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