Our Sister March in Paris: 8th Annual Marche Pour le Respect de la Vie!

The very year the Walk for Life West Coast started, 2005, our brothers and sisters in Paris started the Marche Pour le Respect de la Vie. San Francisco and Paris are now "Villes Jumelles Pour la Vie" (pro-life sister cities) and in 2010 Dolores Meehan spoke at the Marche in Paris and Paul Genoux-Defermont, one of the founders of the Marche came to San Francisco and spoke at the Walk!

Just like us, every year the Marche has grown! Last year, they drew between 40-50,000 prolifers from all over France! Bless them! This year, the Paris Marche will be on January 22. Here's their video from last year:

Walk for Life West Coast Co-Founder on KSFO Radio Today!

KSFO's Barbara Simpson hosted Walk for Life West Coast co-founder Eva Muntean on her "Babe in the Bunker" show tonight!

You can listen here.

Eva's segment (that's her, left, with co-founder Dolores Meehan) starts at about 18:15 into the show.

"Gospel Herald" Covers Walk for Life West Coast

One of the great things at the Walk for Life in the past few years has been the incredible support and participation of the Asian-American pro-life community!

And just today, the Gospel Herald's US edition has a story about the Walk for Life West Coast. Because the paper is mainly targeted at Asian people, the story is written in Chinese characters, but it is nice to see it even if you cannot read the characters. Please click on the screenshot below to see the article:



Now, many non-Chinese or non-Asian people might not know this, but the Gospel Herald has an enormous readership worldwide. It is "the most comprehensive source of news for Chinese Christians in the world," and has editions in Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Taiwan, plus the United States! That's a LOT of Christians!

Just something to remember when our local SF media gives zero coverage to the Walk ;-).

And a special thanks to Frank Lee, coordinator of Asian-Americans Pro-Life, who works so hard for the Walk every year--a true pro-life hero!

"Common cause" at Walk for Life West Coast

From today's California Catholic Daily:

"A dozen Catholic bishops join Greek Orthodox priest and Baptist minister -- among others -- at this year’s Walk for Life West Coast"

San Francisco’s 8th Annual Walk for Life West Coast on Jan. 21 should be the largest yet. It has certainly attracted the largest number of Catholic bishops ever.

Preceding the rally and Walk, 12 Catholic bishops will concelebrate the 9:30 a.m. Mass at San Francisco’s Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption. Joining Archbishop George Niederauer of San Francisco on the altar will be Bishops William Justice, Robert McElroy, and Ignatius Wang of San Francisco; Salvatore Cordileone of Oakland, Robert Vasa of Santa Rosa, Stephen Blaire of Stockton, Rutilio del Riego of San Bernardino, Jaime Soto of Sacramento, Thomas Daly of San Jose, Daniel Walsh (emeritus) of Santa Rosa, and Tod Brown of Orange.

Speakers for the 2012 Walk include Dr. Lori Hoye of the Issues4Life Foundation (wife of pro-life hero Pastor Walter Hoye); pro-life OB-GYN Dr. Vansen Wong; abortion survivor Jacqui Stalnaker; and one of America’s great orators, the Rev. Clenard Childress.

Underscoring the ecumenical nature of the Walk for Life, this year’s invocation will be given by Fr. Aris P. Metrakos, proto-presbyter of San Francisco’s Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. "I was greatly humbled and honored to receive this invitation,” he said. “I have the greatest admiration and respect for all those who have been on the front lines of this life-or-death struggle to turn our culture away from its indiscriminate march toward moral oblivion. I regard this prayer as not some sort of a perfunctory beginning to a civic gathering, but a recognition that this unimaginable evil can only be overcome by the grace of God."

Fr. Metrakos argues that the destruction caused by the legalization of abortion has now penetrated every part of society: "Abortion-on-demand has shredded the moral fabric of our society by encouraging promiscuity, obliterating the notion of personal responsibility and accountability, and making selfishness a legal right. It tears asunder literally the bodies of the unborn and metaphorically the hearts and souls of the women who submit themselves to this heinous barbarism. It makes a mockery of men's honor and the medical profession's nobility, while exposing the duplicity and opportunism of the majority of the political class."

“The Walk for Life is the greatest pro-life event there is,” said Mrs. Hoye. “I am blessed to be a part of it and especially blessed to be a speaker. What I want to convey is that no matter how bad you think it is, no matter how much you are hurting, God will find a way.”

“I believe that abortion has erased the value of human life,” said Dr. Wong. “We have created language, philosophy and institutions that legitimize ending the lives of unborn babies without reflection on what we are doing… Where will the killing stop? We have an assault on babies with birth defects, whose lives are not valued and ended indiscriminately. Will this affect people who have been born who have any type of condition considered a disability? Will the next group targeted be those at the other end of the spectrum of life, those with any form of dementia? When we do not value life in the womb, it is logical to anticipate that we, as a society will not value life outside of the womb.”

Ms. Stalnaker of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign and the victim of a coerced abortion, said: “I want to deliver the message of hope and healing to those who grieve the loss of parenthood, to be a voice for the voiceless. So many believe the pro-life movement is only about saving babies... women and men of lost parenthood often walk around for 20 years wounded from the trauma of abortion -- they need to know their is hope, forgiveness and healing!”

“Abortion has victimized women and decimated the African American community,” said Rev. Childress, a Baptist minister and regular at the Walk for Life West Coast. “All other travesties pale in comparison. It has corrupted the conscience of the country and diminished the value of life in this present generation.

The Walk for Life West Coast is truly the most invigorating event for me… from the beginning Eva (Muntean) and Dolores (Meehan) depicted an earnest desire to testify in the public square on the behalf of those whose voices are silenced before birth. Their desire has connected with other like-hearted individuals who see the need to join them, and their message is spreading.”

New Walk for Life Radio Ad!

The new Walk for Life West Coast radio ad, for the most exciting pro-life event in the United States, is now on the air!

It will be on the air everyday until the Walk!

Listen here.

Greek Orthodox Fr. Aris Metrakos to Give Invocation at Walk for Life!

This year, the Walk for Life West Coast is honored by the presence of Father Aris P. Metrakos. Fr. Metrakos, the proto-presbyter of San Francisco’s Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, will give the invocation. He said:

"I was greatly humbled and honored to receive this invitation. I have the greatest admiration and respect for all those who have been on the front lines of this life-or-death struggle to turn our culture away from its indiscriminate march toward moral oblivion. I regard this prayer as not some sort of a perfunctory beginning to a civic gathering, but a recognition that this unimaginable evil can only be overcome by the grace of God."

Fr. Metrakos argues that the destruction caused by the legalization of abortion has by now penetrated and corrupted our whole society:

"Abortion-on-demand has shredded the moral fabric of our society by encouraging promiscuity, obliterating the notion of personal responsibility and accountability, and making selfishness a legal right. It tears asunder literally the bodies of the unborn and metaphorically the hearts and souls of the women who submit themselves to this heinous barbarism. It makes a mockery of men's honor and the medical profession's nobility, while exposing the duplicity and opportunism of the majority of the political class."

Wow!

Archbishop Niederauer: “I believe the walk is inspired by the Holy Spirit...I urge all people of faith and good will to join us..."

Our shepherd leads us! His Excellency, left, with His Excellency Bishop Ignatius Wang at the 2008 Walk for Life. Bless them both!

From the January 13 issue of Catholic San Francisco:

"San Francisco Archbishop George Niederauer will join pro-life supporters to rally at Civic Center and then walk down Market Street to the Ferry Building for the 8th annual Walk for Life West Coast Jan. 21.

“I will walk with fellow believers in the right to life for all people on Jan. 21, as the Walk for Life West Coast gives us an opportunity to publicly witness this God-given right to life,” said Archbishop Niederauer. “I believe the walk is inspired by the Holy Spirit, who accomplishes it through women and men who listen to his call. I urge all people of faith and good will to join us in this peaceful and prayerful witness.”

The walk follows a rally beginning at 12:30 p.m. at Civic Center, in a change from all previous walks, which began at the Embarcadero.

“Market Street and the Ferry Building are iconic symbols of San Francisco, and the 8th Walk for Life West Coast is a chance for us to witness again for life in our beautiful city,” organizer Eva Muntean said.

The Walk for Life Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. An information fair at Civic Center will open at 11 a.m., and the rally will begin at 12:30 p.m. The evening before the walk, the 25th Annual Interfaith Service for Life will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the cathedral, with a reception following."

(Don't forget Eucharistic Adoration at Saints Peter and Paul from 8PM Friday the 20th to 7AM Saturday the 21st! or the Novus Ordo in Latin at the Shrine of St. Francis folllowing the Walk at 5PM on the 21st!)

"Other bishops who plan to join the walk are San Francisco Auxiliary Bishop Robert W. McElroy, San Francisco Auxiliary Bishop William J. Justice, Santa Rosa Bishop Emeritus Daniel Walsh, retired San Francisco Auxiliary Bishop Ignatius Wang, Oakland Bishop Salvatore Cordileone, Santa Rosa Bishop Robert Vasa, Sacramento Bishop Jaime Soto, Stockton Bishop Stephen Blaire, Orange Bishop Tod Brown, San Jose Auxiliary Bishop Tom Daly and San Bernardino Auxiliary Bishop Rutilio del Riego."

Walk for Life West Coast Supporter Fr. Cornelius Buckley Interviewed in California Catholic Daily

Last week California Catholic Daily interviewed the great Fr. Cornelius Buckley, chaplain of Thomas Aquinas College. The beloved priest has been a supporter of the Walk for Life right from the beginning:

They sleep on the floor at churches and schools
TAC chaplain inspires students to attend Walk for Life West Coast

On Jan. 22, 2005, 6,000 peaceful pro-lifers faced a tidal wave of opposition in San Francisco. The occasion was the first Walk for Life West Coast. Pro-abortion demonstrators, egged on by the political establishment of San Francisco, behaved in such an obnoxious manner that even the liberal San Francisco Chronicle was compelled to notice the “taunts, jeers, and insults” hurled at the pro-lifers. Within six years, by 2011, the crowd of 6,000 had grown into a crowd of 50,000 pro-lifers, according to KTVU TV.

The 2012 Walk, to be held Jan. 21 at San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza, may be the largest yet. The success of the Walk for Life West Coast indicates that it answers a deeply felt need within pro-lifers, especially among the young. But it is also true that young people need guidance and assistance, perhaps even to make it to the event. One who has been quietly influential by his support and inspiration is Fr. Cornelius Buckley, SJ. For the past eight years, Fr. Buckley has served, says the school’s webpage, as the “beloved head chaplain” of Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula.

CalCatholic had a chance to speak with Fr. Buckley about the Walk for Life. Here is a transcript of that interview:

Cal Catholic: Father, you’ve spent a lot of time serving in San Francisco. Are you surprised to see the nation’s second largest pro-life event held there?

No. Nothing surprises me about San Francisco! In fact, it is an ideal place for so much. You know, it has a bad reputation but people do not realize all the good that goes on there. Hardly anyone knows, for instance, that it is home to two separate orders of cloistered nuns. And look at Pat Daly, the president of Archbishop Riordan High School and his staff. They have opened their facilities so that over 100 of our students will have a place to sleep at this year’s Walk for Life. I don’t know what we would have done without him!

CalCatholic: TAC has been involved with the Walk for Life right from the beginning. Tell us about that.

I think our school’s participation is wonderful. Thomas Aquinas teaches about 350 students and more than 250 attend the Walk for Life each year. It’s a real pilgrimage for them -- they bring sleeping bags and sleep on the floor in various churches and schools. They come in buses and they share cars. Many of them attend Eucharistic Adoration, which is always held the night before the Walk for Life at Saints Peter and Paul. And of course there is a chance for some fun and games as they experience the city following the Walk. I have noticed that when they return there is a real difference. They have a real understanding of life and the importance of the right to life. These young people are our ‘salvation.’ And it’s not just Thomas Aquinas College. Both Cal and Stanford have sent delegations to the Walk for Life. This year we have sort of partnered with a pro-life group of students from the University of California at Santa Barbara, led by Deacon Chris. He’s great. USF students have attended as well.

(Note: to see how great the TAC students are, and how well Fr. Buckley has taught them, check out this video of their response to the vile behavior of opponents at last year's Walk.)

CalCatholic: Will you be attending the 2012 Walk, Father? Of course! I have attended the Walk every year. I usually drive up with a couple of kids. I no longer sleep on the floor, though!

While Fr. Buckley did not mention it, CalCatholic has learned that July 31, 2012 will mark the 50th Anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. The TAC website has a page devoted to Fr. Buckley’s anniversary. The text indicates the regard in which he is held: “The author of When Jesuits Were Giants, Fr. Buckley is himself a ‘giant’ to those who have had the privilege of knowing him during his five decades of service to Christ and the Church. Ordained as a Jesuit in 1962, he has spent most of his life with young Catholics as a teacher, administrator, chaplain, and friend. One can hear the echo of his footsteps in the halls of the University of Santa Clara, Gonzaga University, St. Ignatius High School, and the University of San Francisco. Having served at Thomas Aquinas College since 2004, he is an integral part of the lives of the students, offering them the sacraments, spiritual direction, and always a lively wit.” The college has also established the Fr. Buckley Scholarship Fund. The fund will support qualified students who wish to attend TAC, but who need financial assistance. Contributions to the fund will be distributed annually. “Fr. Buckley has touched so many lives and brought so many young people closer to Christ,” says Paul J. O’Reilly, vice president for development at Thomas Aquinas College. “His friends and family could think of no better way to celebrate his golden jubilee than to create a scholarship that will continue to bless the lives of young people for decades to come.”

To learn more about the 2012 Walk for Life West Coast, Click Here.

To support the Fr. Buckley Scholarship fund, Click Here.

New Location, Time and Route for Walk for Life 2012!

The Eight Annual Walk for Life West Coast will be on January 21!

WALK FOR LIFE West Coast
New Location, Time and Route for Walk for Life 2012!
Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 12:30 pm
CIVIC CENTER PLAZA(Polk Street across from City Hall)

Walk for Life West Coast is only 33 days away. The excitement is really growing as we anticipate even more participants and an impressive walk down Market Street! It will be spectacular! We can't wait to see you with us.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Please help us spread the word to everyone you know - this year the Walk for Life will be held at Civic Center Plaza in front of City Hall (not Justin Herman Plaza as in the past seven years). The schedule of events are as follows:
Info. Faire – 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Rally – 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Walk (down Market Street) – 1:30 p.m.
There are no scheduled events after the Walk which will end at Justin Herman Plaza at the Embarcadero. The Walk from Civic Center Plaza to Justin Herman Plaza (end of Market Street) is approximately 1.8 miles.

OTHER EVENTS
There will be a Catholic Mass at 9:30 am at St. Mary's Cathedral at 1111 Gough St., San Francisco. We are honored to have 13 Catholic Bishops join us for the Mass and Walk. It's a short walk from the Cathedral to Civic Center Plaza.

The 25th Annual Interfaith Service for Life, sponsored by the San Francisco Archdiocesan Interfaith Committee for Life, will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, January 20th at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco.

The Issues4Life Foundation will be hosting the 5th Annual Standing Up 4Life Walk in front of Oakland City Hall on Friday, January 20th at noon. Guest speakers include Abby Johnson, Rev. Clenard Childress, Lori Hoye and Dr. Vansen Wong.

For additional information about these and other events, please visit our website.

BUS REGISTRATIONS

We require that all buses be registered by January 12, 2012. This will greatly aid us in facilitating the movement of the buses as there are going to be 200+ buses registered from all over the West Coast.

INFO FAIRE
The Info Faire will be held prior to the Rally at Civic Center Plaza. This will give everyone the chance to visit the booths as they arrive at Civic Center Plaza. The Info Faire will be open from 11:00am – 1:30 p.m. For those who wish to participate as a vendor, please sign up using our registration form by January 5, 2012. Space is very limited, and will be on a first-come, first-served basis for the remainder of available spaces.

If you have a large 12 or 15 passenger van and would be willing to be part of the WFL Van Brigade that follows along behind everyone as we process down Market Street, we are looking for volunteer drivers. This is a very important service that is needed each year and is provided for those who are unable to walk the entire route due to medical conditions, being advanced in age, etc. Please contact us if you would like to volunteer your van at wflwc@live.com.

DIRECTIONS AND PARKING
It is recommended (and convenient) to use public transit at this new location at Civic Center Plaza:

BART has stations at Civic Center and at the end at Embarcadero.

CalTrain will drop off at Townsend and 4th. Take MUNI KT (4th and King), then off at Metro Civic Center.

Parking: There is ample parking under the Civic Center plus 2-hour street parking.

MEDIA COVERAGE
We are blessed that the crew from EWTN will once again be providing live film coverage of the Walk for Life Rally as well as pre-rally interviews. As a special bonus, they will also provide live streaming video which will be available through our website during the event.
Immaculate Heart Radio will also be broadcasting live from the event. Check their website for your local station.

EMAIL LIST AND FACEBOOK
We have a new Walk for Life West Coast Page on Facebook. Please “like” our new Page and ask your relatives and friends to join us there so that everyone can keep informed of all the important news and changes for this year's event.

To keep up-to-date and receive all of the latest news, please sign up for our email blasts.

All of us at Walk for Life wish you a very blessed and merry Christmas!

Walk for Life's Dolores Meehan on ABC TV

She's discussing Planned Parenthood funding cuts on ABC San Francisco. ABC's "political expert" agrees with her. Some nice footgae of this year's rally, too.