One Rose, One Life
January
14, 2011
The Knights of
Columbus, an organization I’m proud to be a member of,
is a staunch defender of the right to life of unborn
children. Nationally and locally, the Knights have
sponsored many powerful pro-life activities and
projects.
One of the Knight’s national pro-life initiatives
is their "Memorials to Unborn Children." According to the Knights’ website,
"the idea for these memorials grew from a challenge made by the late
Cardinal John O’Connor in his homily at the opening Mass of the 110th annual
Supreme Council Meeting held in New York in 1992."
Since the program’s inception more than 2,000
monuments have been built around the country (dozens in Nebraska). "These
monuments, ranging from simple headstones to elaborate memorials, stand as
testimony to one simple fact: Human life is a sacred gift from God to be
protected and cherished at all stages from conception to natural death," the
website states.
In Nebraska, the Knights’ commitment to the
pro-life cause is equally evident. In addition to pro-life activities
sponsored by local councils, the state council sponsors an annual pro-life
art contest, and co-sponsors (with my office) a state-level pro-life essay
contest.
Another significant pro-life contribution the
Knights make in Nebraska is the funding they provide to numerous pro-life
groups, activities and programs. My office is one of the Knight’s major
beneficiaries. Another beneficiary in 2009 was the Collage Center, a
pregnancy-help center in Kearney, which got a new 4D ultrasound machine from
the Knights.
According to the Collage Center, since getting the
ultrasound machine on September 10th of 2009, 83 women took
advantage of the free ultrasound service. Out of the 83 women who were able
to see their child in their womb, 77 chose to continue their pregnancy to
full term. Clearly, this ultrasound machine was a life-saving gift.
Furthermore, several other pregnancy-help centers
around Nebraska receive financial assistance from the Knights as does the
Pope Paul VI Institute in Omaha. Equally important is the funding the
Knights provide to students wanting to attend the March for Life in
Washington, D.C. For many students, attending the March for Life is the
catalyst for a lifetime of pro-life activism.
The Knights primarily raise funds for pro-life
activities through a "Buck a Month" collection among its members and through
its annual One Rose One Life collection carried out in parishes.
One Rose One Life (OROL) is implemented at weekend
Masses on or around Jan. 22, the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s abortion
rulings. The OROL name comes from its original activity of distributing
paper roses that included a pro-life message to be sent to our Congressmen.
Many years ago, the paper roses were replaced with
a prayer card. The artwork for each year’s prayer card comes from the
winning entry of the Knights’ pro-life art contest. So in addition to
collecting donations for pro-life activities, OROL facilitates the
critically important act of prayer for the pro-life cause.
I cannot thank or commend the Knights enough for their extraordinary
support of pro-life activities nationally and in Nebraska. Each of us can
collaborate with the Knights in supporting pro-life efforts through our
generous donations to One Rose One Life. Know that our donations to OROL
will benefit many worthy and effective pro-life offices and activities.