Katherine Tibai
T
heology III seminarians from Sacred Heart
Major Seminary joined thousands of pro-life
advocates in Washington, D.C. for the 46th
annual March for Life on Friday, January 18.
The March for Life takes place annually on
or around the anniversary of the 1973 Roe Vs. Wade court
case that legalized abortion in the United States.
More than 10 seminarians made the eight-hour drive from De-
troit to Washington, D.C. for the march, which is an important
part of formation at Sacred Heart.
According to Zaid Chabaan, a two-time March for Life attendee
studying for the Archdiocese of Detroit, this was an opportunity
to speak up for the vulnerable. “The March for Life represents the
voice of the Church of America,” he said. “It is an opportunity
for the Church to come together in unity for those who are un-
able to do for themselves.”
March for Life attendees, Christian or not, share this view on
the public opportunity to support life in all stages from concep-
tion to natural death.
The March comes at a time in the seminarian’s studies as he
prepares for the sacrament of Holy Orders and his ordination into
transitional diaconate ministry – one of the final stages before
presbyteral ordination. It feeds into each of the four areas of for-
mation (spiritual, intellectual, pastoral, and human) pushing the
seminarians to grow stronger in the individual dimensions.
Deacon Thomas Merkel, ordained May 31 as a transitional
deacon for the Diocese of Marquette, easily recognizes how vital the
March is for his formation. “It is an important part of the process
since in the future we may
be leading groups of march-
ATTEND THE MARCH FOR LIFE
ers,” said Deacon Merkel.
The 47th March for Life will take
He greatly valued the oppor-
place on Friday, January 24, 2020.
tunity to attend the March
with classmates that he has
grown close with on their mutual spiritual journeys.
Both Deacon Merkel and Chabaan felt encouraged by the number
of young people who attended the rally this year. “It was great to see so
many people there promoting life,” Deacon Merkel said. “The biggest
thing that stood out to me was how many young people were there
and how joyful they were.”
In the current pro-choice climate, Chabaan said, “Hearing Vice
President Mike Pence address the March in person, accompanying a
recorded video from the president, expressing his commitment to life
made an impact.”
Katherine Tibai earned her bachelor of arts degree in English from Franciscan Univer-
sity of Steubenville in 2018. She currently works as an administrative assistant in the
office of Institutional Advancement for the Archdiocese of Detroit and Sacred Heart.
Dinner for Life
On February 8, seminarians at Sacred
Heart Major Seminary came together to
host their 10th Annual Dinner for Life.
Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron began the
evening with the celebration of Mass, fol-
lowed immediately by dinner prepared by
the seminarians.
Filling a multitude of roles from greet-
ing, cooking and food preparation to em-
ceeing, the men organized an evening that
was enjoyed by both the attendees and the
pro-life organization it benefited. Attend-
ees enjoyed the company and words of the
keynote speakers from the Sisters of Life:
Sr. Maria Kateri, SV and Sr. Marita, SV.
The 2019 fundraiser raised money and
awareness for the mission of the New Life
Center. This pro-life organization is a com-
munity made up of churches, groups, and
individuals working together to promote a
culture of life in the area of Lansing, Mich.,
as well as across the entirety of the state.
shms.edu
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