I was impressed at the St. Brendan’s planning and representation at the annual West Coast Walk for Life. Two important members of our parish- Mary Ann Schwab and Dr. Lou Scheerer took an early interest and we were preparing for the Walk before Christmas! Flyers were prepared and announcements timely made. St. Brendan’s had a wonderful special Mass to support life at 10:00 am this past Saturday, and the attendance was quite encouraging. Even people who said they could not walk in the actual March downtown came to offer prayers- impressive!!
The route for the actual March for Life was “changed” due to an alleged counter protest group obtaining a permit for the route. Curiously, there was no march using that permit. The pro-abortion people reported in the newspapers that there must have been a “mix-up” and they thought their walk was for the following day. (By the way, there was no march on Sunday either.) They simply wanted to frustrate the West Coast Walk for Life. Actually, the substitute route from the San Francisco Civic Center to the foot of Market Street was better as the streets were wide and as always, San Francisco’s finest kept good order. I could not help but notice banners on every light pole on the route declaring San Francisco a “pro-choice” City, with more derogatory remarks meant for those who walked. So much for the City that has budget problems and has codes prohibiting such banners.
The day could not have had better weather, following a Friday storm with strong winds and heavy rain. The air had a crispness that was quite simply invigorating. Then watching the crowds of people come together at the Civic Center in front of the San Francisco City Hall was magnificent. Represented were high schools, parish groups, many seminarians including from our very own St. Patrick’s seminary, young couples, older couples, single people, retired people and members from almost every social grouping, all united in standing up for their faith and in particular for the value of God-given life. The speeches beforehand were inspirational and one protester who leaned on his car horn for several minutes to disrupt the speeches was ushered away. Inside the group as we marched down Market Street, there was singing, praying, happy banter among new and old friends. Along the fringe every block or two would be a small group of counter-demonstrators who were angrily shouting at the pro-life marchers. It is this that I would like to focus upon. I have come to believe that the devil will “make a scene” in conflict with people who claim allegiance to God. God always prevails and His people share in His victory. I had that thought as I reflected upon the contrast of those who were marching, never complaining, though some had traveled from distant parts to attend. In contrast, the counter-demonstrators, were loud and mostly older adults. As they hurled insults, the crowd this year did something that has not been done in past years. The crowd let out a cheer that was like a wave running the length of the parade route. It was like a home-run at a San Francisco Giants’ game in Pac Bell Park only greater. The people were cheering each other and their mutual witness to God’s values. I had the happy impression every time I heard the loud cheering that God had made another home-run! What an image! People who I believed wanted to remain disinterested were drawn to that cheer and quietly looked on at the peaceful crowds. I truly believe that God used that Walk to awaken conscience in some to the cause of life and the value of life.
I returned back to St. Brendan’s with others on a crowded street car where there was no conflict as we happily recounted our impressions of the day. As the day ended, I shared a bit of the impressive speaker’s comments at the 5:00pm Mass and filled with the fresh air of the day, enjoyed a comfortable night’s rest. The next day, with the invigorating crowd gone, the weather seemed to return to rain as if Nature was disappointed that those supporting life had gone.
Let every day be a “Support Life” day in our families and parish!
Fr. Mike
