By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger
BETTENDORF — Recitation of the rosary, prayers and music marked the 42nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade at an event that drew more than 100 people to the Women’s Choice Center Jan. 22.
The evening began with the rosary, led by Father Jerry Logan, pastor of Sacred Heart and St. Mary parishes in Rock Island, Ill. He recited the joyful mysteries.
Wyatt Reed of Our Lady of Peace Parish in Orion, Ill., prays outside the Planned Parenthood of the Heartland’s Bettendorf clinic Jan. 22. Silent prayer closed out a vigil and rosary sponsored by the Women’s Choice Center to mark the 42nd anniversary of Roe v Wade.
At each decade Fr. Logan offered different intentions, including for those who have had an abortion to find forgiveness and healing, and for volunteers at Women’s Choice Center.
Following the rosary, a video titled “Choose Life” was shown. Julie Bush, a board member of the Life & Family Education Trust that oversees Women’s Choice Center, welcomed those in attendance to “this most holy evening.” She thanked everyone for coming together to pray.
After music with Skip Clarquist, Executive Pastor Bob Crawford of Heritage Church in the Quad-Cities prayed for those contemplating abortion. “May our hearts cry out together.” He said love, hope and peace are available to those who have chosen abortion for whatever reason.
Another video titled “Sanctity of Life” featured three men who lost children to abortion.
Assistant Pastor Todd Tyler of Christian Center Church in Davenport prayed for the unborn and for anyone who has had an abortion to be received with loving arms. Tyler is the husband of Women’s Choice Center Executive Director Vicki Tyler.
Afterwards, the poem “The Children” by John Pieper was read.
The evening closed with time for individual, silent prayer inside the Women’s Choice Center or participants could pick up a candle and pray outside Planned Parenthood of the Heartland’s Bettendorf clinic.
Describing the event the next day, Vicki Tyler said it was a “prayer-focused event with wonderful worship with Skip Clarquist. We were blessed to have him come and worship with us. (Recitation of) the rosary was beautiful and very impactful for all those who attended. Fr. Logan, Pastor Crawford and Pastor Tyler did an awesome job praying for healing in our country, for those contemplating abortion, and for those post-abortive men and women in need of healing.
“Many prayed on the sidewalk outside and tours were provided for anyone who had not seen the renovations. It was a wonderful event.”
