Council 3080, with our neighbors at John A. Hill Council 4955, hosted the annual regional Respect Life Mass at St. Coleman Church on January __. Fr. Thomas Streit, CSC, from the University of Notre Dame, was the celebrant. Numerous staff and volunteers from the archdiocese-sponsored pregnancy help centers in Fort Lauderdale (Central Broward) and Margate (North Broward) were present. Lectors were Bill Whiting (4955 FS & PGK), David Wilson (3080), and District Deputy John Yardley (4955 GK). Austin Scott (3080 PGK, FDD) sang as the cantor, with Rico Marchetti (3080) playing the organ. Sean Frank (3080) was the altar server for the Mass. This year the Mass was immediately followed by a short Walk for Life in front of the church on Federal Highway (US1), and then lunch together at nearby Brendan’s Sports Pub.
January 2__ is the Day of Prayer for the Unborn, as it is the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade __ in 197_. We pray throughout the year for the protection of life at all stages. We highlight its importance again in October (Respect Life Month), in particular on the first weekend in October (Respect Life Sunday)
Last year, on Jan. __, 2021 at St. Coleman’s, Council 3080 brought back the tradition of the annual Mass. The youngest priest in South Florida at age 29, Fr. Andrew Tomonto (3080), was the celebrant. Mrs. Rebecca Brady, the archdiocese’s Respect Life Director, spoke and served as a lector. Other lectors were Patrick Scott (3080 FS) and William Whiting (4955 FS & PGK). Austin Scott (cantor) and Rich Marchetti (accompanist) were the musicians. The altar servers were John Lynch (3080 GK), Matthew Greenspan (3080), and a student. The 2021 Mass was recorded and posted on our council’s YouTube Channel. __link__