First in-person dinner since 2020 addresses changing pro-life landscape : ‘ It ’ s important to keep having these conversations ’
Seminarians Take Charge of Pro-Life Movement with Return of Dinner for Life
First in-person dinner since 2020 addresses changing pro-life landscape : ‘ It ’ s important to keep having these conversations ’
Gabriella Patti
The 13th annual Dinner for Life , hosted by the seminarians at Sacred Heart Major Seminary on Feb . 3 , looked the same as past years : Mass , followed by a dinner prepared and served by the seminarians and a presentation regarding the pro-life movement .
But on the heels of the most significant year since the 1970s for the pro-life movement in Michigan — the overturning of Roe v . Wade in June , followed by the passage of Proposal 3 at the state level in November , which enshrined abortion in the state ’ s constitution — this year ’ s dinner took on a sense of deep importance for the seminary community .
“ We have been through highs and lows recently . There are people gathered here tonight who maybe never thought they would see the end of Roe v . Wade ,”
Father Stephen Burr , rector of the seminary , said in his homily . “ So much of our past plea to the Lord has been just for that to be brought to an end .”
But as the passage of Proposal 3 showed , the fight for life is not over , Father Burr said . And despite the setback , God has not abandoned the pro-life movement , he added .
“ There are many times in life when we feel like we stand alone or that no
38 Sacred Heart Major Seminary | Mosaic | Spring / Summer 2023