Archdiocesan Sanctity of Life Dinner is March 3 in Indianapolis
By Mary Ann Wyand
“God’s grace” is the theme for the 2011 Archdiocesan Sanctity of Life Dinner on March 3 in Indianapolis.
Father Thomas Aschenbrener, the associate pastor of Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, will discuss “The Transformative Power of God’s Life-Giving Grace in Marriage, the Family and the World” during his keynote address at the dinner and awards ceremony sponsored by the archdiocesan Office for Pro-Life Ministry.
The fundraiser, which benefits the work of the pro-life office, begins at 6 p.m. on March 3 at the Riverwalk Banquet Center, 6729 Westfield Blvd., in Indianapolis.
Tickets are $45 for adults and $30 for students with reduced rates for tables seating 10 people.
The keynote speaker also is the author of One in Christ, a popular marriage preparation program offered in many dioceses.
“Father Aschenbrener creatively and purposefully confronts the culture of death by presenting God’s liberating truth on marriage and married life,” explained Servants of the Gospel of Life Sister Diane Carollo, the director of the archdiocesan Office for Pro-Life Ministry.
“As engaged couples learn to embrace marriage in God’s plan,” Sister Diane said, “the Catholic Church and society will be transformed and renewed one family at a time.”
Also during the dinner, Sister Diane will present “Sanctity of Life” awards for distinguished pro-life service to a diocesan priest and three lay volunteers.
Father Glenn O’Connor, the pastor of St. Ann and St. Joseph parishes in Indianapolis, will be recognized for his outstanding pastoral service as a priest and facilitator during the archdiocese’s confidential Rachel’s Vineyard abortion reconciliation retreats for women and men.
Among his other ministries, Father O’Connor also serves as a celebrant for the archdiocesan Helpers of God’s Precious Infants pro-life Mass and participates in the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil outside abortion facilities.
St. Mark the Evangelist parishioner Diane Komlanc of Indianapolis will be honored for providing material assistance to the archdiocesan Birthline ministry, which helps low-income mothers experiencing crisis pregnancies to choose life for their babies.
Komlanc began volunteering for Birthline nine years ago by collecting toys and other baby supplies as well as helping women schedule appointments. She also participates in the Central Indiana Life Chain and 40 Days for Life.
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary parishioner Jerry Mattingly of Indianapolis will receive a pro-life award for his volunteer clerical and computer service in the pro-life office since November 2009.
Mattingly is a member of the Missionary Servants of the Gospel of Life, participates in the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants ministry, and has coordinated his parish’s participation in the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil for three years. He also serves the Santo Rosario Council of the Knights of Columbus as the chairman of the pro-life committee.
St. Patrick parishioner Tom McBroom of Terre Haute, who also is a Missionary Servant of the Gospel of Life, will be recognized for his participation in a variety of pro-life activities, especially in Vigo County.
In Terre Haute, McBroom coordinates the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants ministry, 40 Days for Life and Life Chain. He volunteers as a bus captain and pilgrim director for the archdiocese’s March for Life pilgrimage to Washington, D.C., and is active in the Knights of Columbus and Wabash Valley Right to Life organization.
(For more information or reservations, call the archdiocesan Office for Pro-Life Ministry at 317-236-1569 or 800-382-9836, ext. 1569.) †
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