More than 250 supporters of life set out on the streets of Reading April 29 to march for the unborn and to denounce euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide and capital punishment by voicing the event’s theme, “Love Saves Lives.”
The Eighth Annual Reading/Berks March for Life kicked off at Berks Catholic High School, Reading with an expo, festival, prayer and stirring speakers who motivated supporters to spread their love for life.
Father Keith Mathur, assistant pastor of Sacred Heart, West Reading and Holy Rosary, Reading, and director of the Diocesan Office for Divine Worship, began the day with opening prayer and blessing of the marchers.
Father Stephan Isaac, assistant pastor of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Sinking Spring, welcomed supporters of life and stressed that despite false stereotypes, the prolife movement is a movement of great love, compassion, peace, reason and mercy.
“We love human life in all of its forms and at all of its stages, and we seek its legal protection from conception until natural death,” he said.
“We’re here today because true love dictates that all human beings, whether born or pre-born, male or female, rich or poor, young or old, black or white, disabled or healthy, gay or straight, Christian or non-Christian, possess equal, intrinsic, and immeasurable dignity, value, and worth,” said Father Isaac.
Maggie Sweet, regional coordinator of the Lehigh Valley Silent No More Awareness Campaign, shared her personal experience with abortion and affirmed that pro-life supporters save millions of lives through prayer.
“Your love for humanity is amazing and courageous. It unites us in prayer and the results have been amazing,” she emphasized.