One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is the privilege of working with so many committed and generous pro-life volunteers at the parish, diocesan and state levels. The Bishops’ Pastoral Plan for Pro Life Activities calls for implementation at all of these levels.
At the parish level, the Pastoral Plan says the following: "Actively promoting a renewed respect for human life is the responsibility of every Catholic. The parish pro-life committee assists in a special way by helping to make the parish a center of life, a place where parishioners understand the issues and the importance of meeting the needs of those who are most vulnerable—especially mothers and their unborn children, and those who are seriously ill or dying and their families."
In 2007, my office established the Gospel of Life award to recognize and celebrate exemplary pro-life efforts by parish coordinators and other Catholics in their parish and community. One individual is chosen annually from each of the three Catholic dioceses of Nebraska. The award, which includes a Papal blessing, is being presented at the Bishops’ Pro Life Conference Banquet Friday, Oct. 18.
The recipient from the Diocese of Grand Island is Rose Mary Thomas. Mrs. Thomas was the parish pro-life coordinator at St. Patrick Parish in Sidney for the last 15 years, stepping down recently at the age of 82. Her activities involved implementing all aspects of the Pastoral Plan for Pro Life Activities, including educational, prayer and pastoral programs. She also served as St. Patrick’s representative at the twice-yearly pro-life rummage sale, which raised funds for pro-life activities.
In addition to her pro-life work for her parish, Rose Mary helped organize and lead Sidney Right to Life for many years and served on the board of Nebraska Right to Life Board. In her free time she helps with funeral dinners and is a hospice volunteer.
The recipient from the Diocese of Lincoln is Father Jeffrey Eickhoff. In the summer of 2002, Father was appointed as assistant diocesan pro-life director and in 2005 became the pro-life director for the Diocese. He was this year appointed rector of St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward.
As pro-life director, Father Eickhoff has provided excellent leadership in organizing an annual diocesan pro-life poster and essay contest, leading bi-annual prayer vigils outside the Planned Parenthood abortion mill in Lincoln, and assisting with planning and implementing the annual Bishops’ Pro Life Conference. Over the past five years, Father has been a driving and invaluable participant on a tri-diocesan committee that is developing a Respect Life Curriculum Resource Guide.
The recipient from the Archdiocese of Omaha is Bonnie Hoffman. For more than 19 years Bonnie has been an active and faithful pro-life coordinator for St. Mary Parish in Wayne. She has faithfully implemented all aspects of the Pastoral Plan for Pro Life Activities keeping her parish and community informed and active on pro-life issues.
In addition, she has helped organize pro-life prayer breakfasts and the annual Life Chain. Recently, she and others in her parish are embarking on a project to produce a pro-life calendar featuring babies and children from the community.
On behalf of the Bishops of Nebraska and the entire Church, I extend our gratitude and admiration to these three individuals for their exemplary commitment to the Gospel of Life and to the Church’s mission of building a culture of life and love.
You can contact Greg at The Nebraska Catholic Conference, 215 Centennial Mall South Suite 310, Lincoln, NE 68508; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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