Standing Up for the Unborn Through the Life Advocacy Group and the March for Life

So, what’s on your calendar for Jan. 23? If it isn’t defending the most precious, vulnerable persons in our society at the Chicago March for Life, you might want to get out your pen and mark the date.

“It is so amazing to go to the March for Life and see so many young people, college students, and families,” says Michelle Thompson, who coordinates the Life Advocacy Group at St. Anthony. “The number of people there is just so great and inspiring! It definitely reminds me that I am not alone in my pro-life beliefs.”

By taking a leap of faith and going to the Chicago March for Life, you may find yourself buoyed by hope and renewed with courage.

“There are so many people who are pro-life in our nation, and we all cherish life from conception until natural death,” Michelle says. “Gathering together makes us realize we can really make a difference.”

In 2019, Michelle went to the March for Life in Washington, D.C., as a chaperone for students from Quincy Notre Dame High School, along with her daughter, Mandy. In 2020, she attended the Chicago March for Life with Quincy Notre Dame High School students, as well as a few parishioners from our parish. This January, she plans on going to the Chicago March for Life.

Over the years, Michelle has enjoyed sharing her passion for pro-life causes with her family members in beautiful ways.

“Both my husband’s family and mine believe that everyone’s life is precious no matter what age they are,” Michelle says. “This attitude was instilled into both of us through them, as well as through our Catholic faith. My daughter, Mandy, has inspired me a lot as well, and her goal is to get her Master’s Degree in Social Work so she can work for Students for Life.”

Moving forward, the Life Advocacy Group hopes to organize additional efforts to help save the lives of the unborn and combat the evils of abortion.

“We are trying to get some things off the ground, such as Rachel’s Project, which offers retreats for women who have had abortions,” Michelle says. “We also would like to work more closely with Birthright in Quincy. Katie Klauser, one of our parishioners, works there now, which should help a lot.”

To someone who is hesitant about attending the Chicago March for Life this year, Michelle offers some helpful advice.

“For those who would really like to go, but it is intimidating for them to travel to Chicago, I hope to organize a bus,” she says. “The diocese also has a well-organized program which includes transportation and hotel room arrangement. Be assured that everyone is very welcoming at the march! If you still feel hesitant, however, you may not want to try to go this year because things are all in flux due to COVID, but at least shoot for next year.”

Due to everything that is happening in our nation and world, Catholics are needed to fight for the Gospel of Life, now more than ever.

“The radical left is working to legalize the abortion of babies even when they are born alive,” Michelle says. “Today, the pro-abortionist movement is really going to the extreme and taking their agenda to the worst degree. At the same time, we are poised with a Supreme Court which has pro-life justices. This tells us that if we let our voices be heard, we really have a chance of making a change. We have hope!”

Sadly, due to the COVID-19 situation, the ministry hasn’t been able to hold as many events as usual. In light of this, it is helpful to remember that there are ways to be passionately pro-life while still remaining at home, in the midst of families. For example, we can value the gift of life by spending more time in prayer and quality family time. We can also cherish the children we have, pray a family Rosary for the unborn, or say the Spiritual Adoption Prayer.

Quincy Notre Dame students meet with U.S. Representative Darin LaHood during their trip to Washington, D.C. in 2019.

Those who are interested in coming to the Chicago March for Life or getting more involved with the Life Advocacy Group may contact Michelle Thompson at 217-257-9094, email her at life@stanthonypadua.org, or refer to future parish bulletins.

In light of the ongoing pandemic that has impacted how we gather and worship, this year, our diocese is celebrating and promoting the sanctity of life through our Mirror the March program on Jan. 29.

Through this unique program, we will have the opportunity to watch a livestreamed Mass from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, with Bishop Thomas John Paprocki as presider. Several national speakers will also be on hand to discuss life issues and the significance of the March for Life.

Please be sure to visit our diocesan and parish websites for the most up-to-date information on this year’s March for Life initiatives.