WINSTON-SALEM — Braving the cold December weather, over 40 Respect Life supporters from the Triad area gathered at the Planned Parenthood abortion facility in Winston-Salem to sing Christmas carols to provide hope for women contemplating abortion and a gift for the babies in the womb.
The event, in its 3rd year in Winston-Salem, was organized by Samantha Hogan, a parishioner at St. Leo parish in Winston-Salem, and also new regional coordinator for C-PLAN, the Carolina Pro-Life Action Network.
Attendees were joined by several protestants and members of D3, a pro-life singing group from St. Mark parish in Huntersville, who sung some of their original pro-life songs. The group concluded the event with cookies and hot cocoa at a nearby gathering point.
For more information about future pro-life events in the Triad, email Samantha Hogan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
— Mike FitzGerald, correspondent; Samantha Hogan
FOREST CITY — A special “Day of Recollection,” sponsored by the Ladies Guild, was held Nov. 10 at Immaculate Conception Church.
The day started at 9:30 a.m. with Mass in the chapel, followed by a presentation by Benedictine Sister Gertrude Gillette, about the Blessed Virgin Mary. Sister Gertrude offered a number of meditations on Mary as part of a pre-Advent retreat.
She touched on the centrality of Mary in salvation history, and showed Mary’s loving care for each of her children with stories that illustrated her points.
At noon, participants enjoyed lunch together in the parish hall. After lunch, Sister Gertrude continued her presentation sharing inspiring anecdotes and events related to Mary and the value of prayer and fasting. She concluded the program by encouraging participation from the group.
— Giuliana Polinari Riley, correspondent