More than 80 parishioners from Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish and persons serving on the Burlington County Respect Life Committee prayed in peaceful protest as they paid tribute to the lives lost to abortion over the past 48 years.
“Every year during the month of January, we recall the sad reality of the anniversary of the Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision,” Father Joe Noche, pastor, said as he reflected on the Jan. 29 prayer service he led on the grounds of the Hainesport parish. “Sometimes we may feel defeated, but this is not a reason for us to stop from continuing our mission to protect and fight for the lives of the unborn.”
Following an opening prayer, a moment of silence was observed as the church bell tolled 48 times. In front of the new parish center, 2,900 pink and blue flags were placed – representing the number of babies who lost their life to abortion each day.
“As Christians and people who believe in the sanctity of all human life, we should stand for our faith and in what we believe and hope that through our persistence, patience and determination, we may one day change the laws of our nation with regard to abortion and build a culture in which every human life, without exception, is respected and defended,” Father Noche said.