by Jeff Schinstock, director for pro-life activities
The pro-life movement has been moving at an incredible pace lately. This past weekend we had an incredible witness to life at the annual Life Chain. I am so grateful for the incredible witness that the Life Chain provides. People of all ages with backgrounds of all sorts, gather together to be a public witness to life.
This is one of the most important aspects of the movement—simply being willing to say that you are an advocate for the most vulnerable is a fundamental step. It changes hearts and minds and perhaps more importantly, it changes us.
There are many avenues that we must pursue as we seek the justice of recognizing each individual as being beautiful, dignified and worthy of love. Many respond to this by suggesting that pro-life people are “only pro-birth.” That we don’t care about what happens after the child is born. This has not been my experience at all. I simply look at friends and family who have done so much for so many to accompany them through difficult times.
Often we think that the work of pro-life advocacy happens in the voting booth. There is certainly truth to this, but there is so much work being done with real people at a local level. I would like to highlight some of that work in today’s column, because as individuals and as a community, we are all called to accompany those in need.
There are so many needs. We all have them. In 1982 as the commencement speaker at Harvard, St. Teresa of Calcutta told us that the greatest sign of poverty is abortion. That poverty isn’t material. Rather, it is spiritual. It is a reflection of fear and loneliness that requires accompaniment.
Many organizations as well exist for this accompaniment. Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska is a constant source of inspiration for me. From conception through the finality of life, they exist to help carry the suffering and burdens that life has always offered.
Another organization that deserves to be highlighted is the Women’s Care Center. Located at 5632 South 48th Street in Lincoln, the Women’s Care center has a mission to love. The truth is that pregnancy can be a scary thing, regardless of a person’s station in life. The Women’s Care Center greets you with a striking hospitality intended to bring you to a place of comfort. This is not just true of their customers. I showed up one day for a tour. I was stunned by the kindness and warmth of my reception.
The Women’s Care Center offers free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, babysitting, and counseling. They have a wonderful system of education and equipping expectant mothers with what they need. It truly is a remarkable place that is making a real and substantial difference. The Women’s Care Center saves lives and gives hope to lives in confusion or even despair.
Lincoln Right to Life has recognized the value of the Women’s Care Center. They have helped structurally, financially and every way they can. Now they have come up with a new way to help. In an effort to promote the goodness of the Women’s Care Center, Lincoln Right to Life is sponsoring a video contest. The contest is open to high school students in Lancaster County. The goal is to have a video of no more than 90 seconds that promotes the Women’s Care Center.
The top 10 videos all receive a free trip on the March for Life pilgrimage to Washington D.C. in January 2022. The top five videos also receive spending cash for the journey.
I’m very grateful for the Women’s Care Center. I want to invite you to give them a call (402) 423-0533 and schedule a tour. Let yourself be inspired by the hope they are providing and ask yourself if there is a way you can help. There are so many in need of what is provided there.
Perhaps the greatest gifts they offer are comfort, peace and hope. When I visited. I was struck to understand the true meaning of “hope does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5). Being a supporter of the ministry to women done at the Women’s Care Center is sharing in the work of Christ himself.
I’m thankful as well to Lincoln Right to Life for helping an incredible place while also providing opportunity for young people to see the larger pro-life movement. I have seen so many young people motivated to become more active in the life of the Church, especially in the work of supporting women and caring for the unborn because of their attendance at the National March for Life. This contest accomplishes two wonderful things. It gives young people an opportunity to have a great experience in our nation’s capital while being a witness to the gospel. Second, it allows those same young people to give awareness to an incredible ministry happening here at home.
